Flash Flood — Caldwell, North Carolina

2020-04-13 · near Globe, Caldwell, North Carolina

Event narrative

Emergency manager reported flash flooding developed along multiple creek across northwest Caldwell County after 4 to 6 inches of rain fell, mostly in less than 8 hours. Anthony Creek overflowed its banks in the Globe community, washing out a low water crossing. Wilson Creek washed out several low water crossing on Brown Mountain Beach Rd. Johns River inundated Old Johns River Rd in several locations. Buffalo Creek and several of its tributaries also inundated low water crossing in the far northern part of the county. A stream gauge on the Yadkin River near Patterson exceeded its established flood stage, indicating flooding of low lying roads and minor flooding of some structures in the Happy Valley community.

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 → (36.0700, -81.7320)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 887094. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.