Flood in Avery, North Carolina

Flooding began shortly after midnight across much of the northern mountains and northern foothills. The hardest hit locations were northern McDowell, Mitchell and Avery Counties, where flooding was at least as severe as that which accompanied Frances. Most of the streams in Mitchell County flooded. Property damage due to mudslides and flooding was extensive in Avery County, and there were numerous rescues and evacuations, particularly around Newland. Numerous roads were washed out, covered with water, or covered with debris from landslides. All roads into Banner Elk were impassable by sunrise on the 17th. Other roads affected included portions of highways 226, 221, and 19. A bridge was washed out on highway 194 in Avery County. Flooding was much less severe in Burke and Caldwell Counties, although some evacuations were required along the John's River in Caldwell County, and portions of highways 181 and 126 were closed briefly in Burke County.