Flash Flood — Sampson, North Carolina

2016-10-08 to 2016-10-09 · near Garland, Sampson, North Carolina

Event narrative

Torrential rainfall of 10 to 14 inches caused widespread flash flooding across the county. The heavy rains caused flash flooding on several creeks. Numerous roads were closed due to flooding. Numerous homes and businesses were flooded as well, with numerous water rescues from people trapped in homes and vehicles. A 30 year old Garland man died when his vehicle hydroplaned and struck a tree near N.C. 411.

Wider weather episode

Hurricane Matthew skirted by the North Carolina coast on October 8, 2016, dropping torrential rainfall of 8 to 15 inches and producing wind gusts of 50 to 70 mph across Central and Eastern North Carolina. The large swath of 8 to 15 inches of rain across Eastern and Central North Carolina, caused devastating and life threatening flash flooding, that evolved into major and record setting river flooding along portions of the Neuse, Cape Fear, and Tar river basins.

Matthew's inland flood waters resulted in 11 direct fatalities within the WFO RAH CWA, approximately $686 million in property damage to flooded homes and businesses, and $150 million in crop damage. Countless roads and highways were underwater, along with with numerous roads washed out, including sections of Interstates 95 and 40. Besides the 11 direct fatalities, at least 3 indirect fatalities also occurred.

In addition, the associated strong wind gusts of 50 to 70 mph resulted in 1 fatality, when a tree fell onto a moving vehicle. Finally, the associated EF-1 tornado in Wayne County resulted in $75 thousand in property damage.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (34.7396, -78.3875)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 663368. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.