Flash Flood — Stokes, North Carolina

2024-09-17 · near Vade Mecum, Stokes, North Carolina

Event narrative

Moore Springs Road was washed out by Cascade Creek, making the road impassible until repairs can be completed. No injuries were reported. MRMS data indicated 6-hour rainfall amounts ending 9 pm EST were 1.5 to 1.6 times that of 6-hour flash flood guidance, while the average recurrence interval for 6-hours was a 25 year event.

Wider weather episode

A stationary front draped east to west across northern North Carolina provided the focus for training showers and thunderstorms during the evening of the 17th. Winds were from the east along the North Carolina & Virginia state border around high pressure centered over New England. The easterly windflow carried moist Atlantic air across Stokes and Rockingham Counties, with precipitable water values ranging from 1.5 to 1.7 inches during the evening. Several rounds of showers and storms passed across the area, with rainfall rates times exceeding four inches per hour per rain gage data and MRMS (Multi-Radar/Multi-Sensor System) estimates. This caused flash flooding of several local waterways, with at least two roads washed out in Stokes County, as well as a water rescue of stranded motorists.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (36.4210, -80.2870)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1219109. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.