Flash Flood — Gaston, North Carolina

2024-01-09 · near Spencer Mtn, Gaston, North Carolina

Event narrative

A river gauge on the South Fork Catawba River indicated flash flooding developed along the river after 3 to 5 inches of rain fell throughout the watershed, mostly in around 12 hours. Moderate flooding eventually developed during the evening as runoff worked its way through the watershed. The crawl spaces of multiple homes were inundated, particularly along Riverside Dr and 8th Ave in Cramerton. Otherwise, multiple roads were flooding, including some due to backwater effects along tributaries of the South Fork Catawba. Additionally, Taylors Creek overflowed its banks onto Dana St during this time. Moderate flooding continued along the South Fork through the early morning of the 11th.

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 → (35.3090, -81.1220)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1160987. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.