Flash Flood in Polk County, North Carolina

Flash Flood May 19, 2020 · Polk County, North Carolina

$2K

Damage as recorded

Where the report was made, with tornadoes recorded within 15 miles over the years.

What the National Weather Service wrote

Media reported flash flooding developed along the North Pacolet watershed after training heavy rain showers and thunderstorms produced several inches of rain in just a few hours. A tributary of the North Pacolet inundated Horseshoe Curve Rd in several spots, while the Pacolet overflowed its banks and flooded River Rd at Golden Rd. Several small landslides were also reported in the area.

The wider storm

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.

Began near Valhalla (35.2190, -82.2540).

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event 897814. Narratives are written by the National Weather Service forecast office that issued the report.

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