Flood — Polk, North Carolina

2020-05-19 · near Valhalla, Polk, North Carolina

Event narrative

Although heavy rainfall began to taper off across the North Pacolet basin during the afternoon, high water conditions persisted until early evening. Two day rainfall totals of 4 to 7 inches were reported across the area.

Wider weather episode

A very moist air mass interacting with a nearly stationary frontal zone resulted in a prolonged period of heavy rainfall from multiple waves of heavy rain showers and thunderstorms over the North Carolina foothills. Heavy rainfall was especially concentrated in McDowell County, where 5-8 inches of rain fell over 24 to 36 hours. This resulted in flash flooding in several areas across the foothills.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (35.2190, -82.2540)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 897812. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.