Flash Flood — Polk, North Carolina

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

$2K

Property damage

Event narrative

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.

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 897814. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.