Flood in Henderson, North Carolina

The remnants of Hurricane Frances brought very heavy rainfall to western North Carolina on the 7th and 8th, resulting in widespread severe flooding across the mountains and foothills. Flooding first developed in Transylvania County, as the Little River overflowed its banks during the afternoon. Shortly thereafter, flooding developed along Shaws Creek in Henderson County, and in the Cruso community of Haywood County. As moderate to heavy rainfall continued into the evening hours, flooding gradually worsened and expanded across the area. By the early morning hours of the 8th, flooding was widespread and severe across much of the area, with most creeks and streams in flood. Major flooding developed along the French Broad River, which reached a near-record stage of 25 feet at Blantyre, and 21 feet in Canton. In Haywood County, flooding along the Pigeon River was described as the worst in over 60 years. Hundreds of homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed across the area, necessitating a number of evacuations and rescues. Clyde and Canton endured the brunt of this damage. Numerous roads and bridges were washed out as well.