Flash Flood — Macon, North Carolina

2020-04-13 · near Franklin, Macon, North Carolina

Event narrative

Emergency manager reported flash flooding developed across Franklin and vicinity after 4 to 6 inches fell across a swath of central Macon County in less than 8 hours. The most significant impact was to Gibson Cove Branch, which inundated Old Murphy Rd and several adjacent businesses. One business saw up to 3 feet of water inundation, damaging vehicles and storage buildings. Additionally, a stream gauge on the Little Tennessee River near Franklin exceeded its flood stage, indicating flooding of a couple of low lying roads. Other poor drainage and urban flooding issues were reported in the Franklin area.

Wider weather episode

A strong storm system impacted the Southeast, resulting in an area of widespread heavy rain and embedded strong to severe thunderstorms that moved across western North Carolina during the late night and early morning hours. Localized flash flooding, some of which was quite significant developed across the mountains. Isolated severe weather also occurred, mainly in the form of damaging wind gusts. Strong southerly gradient winds also caused some damage across mainly the high elevations of western North Carolina.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (35.1750, -83.4440)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 887088. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.