Flood — Burke, North Carolina

2024-01-09 to 2024-01-10 · near Joy, Burke, North Carolina

Event narrative

A stream gauge on the Johns River north of Morganton exceeded its established flood stage after 3 to 5 inches of rain fell in the basin in around 12 hours, including the Wilson Creek tributary. Flooded roads included Johns River Loop Rd, Old Johns River Rd, and Valley View Cir. A few campgrounds along the river and its smaller tributaries were also flooded. Additionally, Warrior Fork overflowed its banks and inundated Bost Rd at Spainhour Rd.

Wider weather episode

A major/complex frontal system brought widespread rain with embedded thunderstorms to western North Carolina, mainly during the afternoon of the 9th. Widespread rainfall amounts of 3 to 5 inches (with locally higher amounts) in around 12 hours resulted in numerous reports of flooding. Isolated severe thunderstorms also resulted in a number of damaging wind gusts reports over the Piedmont, along with an EF1 tornado that impacted portions of Catawba and Iredell Counties.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (35.8870, -81.7250)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1160802. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.