Flash Flood in Stokes County, North Carolina

Multiple roads were reported closed due to flooding across Stokes County, including the Walnut Cove and King areas. The first reports were shortly before 230 PM local time. The County was later included in a request by the state of North Carolina for a Presidential Major Disaster declaration.

As the direct storm circulation from Michael approached in the early morning hours of October 11, rainfall and strong winds began first in Watauga County in northwest NC, and progressed north and east through the day. In addition, a cold front moving in from the west and interacted with the storm and enhanced rainfall, especially over the eastern counties. Widespread rainfall amounts of 4 to 8 inches were reported, along with local amounts over 10 inches, from the mountains of North Carolina across the foothills and piedmont. Much of the rain fell in a 3 to 6 hour period, resulting in widespread, significant flash flooding and river flooding in all the NC counties of the Blacksburg WFO area of responsibility. In addition, as the northern portion of the storm circulation moved across the Piedmont, bands of heavier rains/convection developed and mixed strong winds down to the surface. Wind speeds were observed strongest across the higher terrain from the Blue Ridge westward, where 40 to 50 mph gusts were observed. Winds speeds further east were generally lower as the storm continued to weaken along its eastward track. Many trees and power lines were blown down in the water logged soil across the northern portion of North Carolina, resulting in blocked roads and numerous power outages. The state of North Carolina included the following counties located within the Blacksburg WFO area in north central NC in a request (December 12, 2018) for a federal disaster declaration as a result of Tropical Storm Michael: Caswell, Rockingham, Stokes, Surry and Yadkin. The outcome of the request was not available at this writing.