Flash Flood in McDowell County, North Carolina

Emergency manager reported flash flooding developed in Marion and vicinity after 2.5 to 4 inches of rain fell in less than two hours. Flash flooding was first reported in downtown Marion, mainly in the form of severe urban/drainage flooding. Two buildings were inundated and damaged: one on Henderson St and another on Court St. Youngs Fork overflowed its banks in Marion and overtopped the bridge on Shop Dr. A motorist was rescued on Owl Hollow Rd due to inundation from Jacktown Creek. The most significant impacts occurred at a campground along North Muddy Creek and Bledsoe Branch, where floodwater resulted in three swift water rescues, and evacuation of numerous additional people. Three buildings and multiple recreational and standard vehicles were flooded at this location.

Scattered thunderstorms and storm clusters developed across the North Carolina foothills and western Piedmont during the afternoon and evening in association with a stationary front. Several storms produced severe weather in the form of locally damaging wind gusts. Additionally, several strong storms trained over the same locations in central McDowell County, resulting in flash flooding in the Marion area.