Flash Flood — Jackson, North Carolina

2020-02-06 · near Speedwell, Jackson, North Carolina

Event narrative

County comms reported multiple roads flooded and closed throughout Jackson County due to a combination of small stream and poor drainage flooding after 3.5 to 5 inches of rain fell in about an 18 hour period. At least half of that fell in less than six hours during the morning of the 6th. Impacted streams included Scott Creek, which inundated Hemlock St in Dillsboro and Skyland Dr between Sylva and Balsam. Blanton Branch also flooded Morningstar Ln in Sylva, while Caney Fork inundated Helen Zachary Rd in Cullowhee.

Wider weather episode

Unusually high levels of moisture for early February combined with a slow-moving frontal system to produce an extended period of moderate to heavy rainfall across western North Carolina from the morning of the 5th until the early morning hours of the 7th. Intense rain rates associated with bands of heavy rain showers and embedded thunderstorms developing along the front during the morning and afternoon of the 7th resulted in rather widespread flash flooding. Isolated tornadoes also developed during this time across the Piedmont. Total rainfall of 3 to 6 inches resulted in flooding persisting along some main stem rivers and larger streams well into the 7th.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (35.2810, -83.1960)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 878438. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.