Flash Flood — Transylvania, North Carolina

2020-10-29 · near Grange, Transylvania, North Carolina

Event narrative

Stream gauges reported flash flooding developed along the major headwater streams in Transylvania County after 4 to 5 inches of rain fell across much of the southern and western part of the county in around 24 hours. The Little River overflowed its banks and flooded Merrill Rd in the eastern part of the county. The French Broad River inundated multiple roads in the Rosman area, including Depot St, where some homes has to be evacuated, as well as Hannah Ford Rd, E Main St, and Highway 178. The Davidson River also overflowed its banks in the Pisgah Forest area, flooding portions of Davidson River Rd and Wilson Rd, and indicating backwater flooding of Turkey Creek which inundated Deavor Rd.

Wider weather episode

Tropical moisture and heavy rain overspread western North Carolina throughout the 28th through the morning of the 29th as the center of Tropical Storm Zeta moved quickly from the mouth of the Mississippi River into the southern Appalachians. Strong winds developed across portions of western North Carolina during the morning, downing hundreds of trees across the area. Multiple trees fell on structures and vehicles. Upslope flow into the Blue Ridge escarpment enhanced rainfall rates such that widespread totals of 3 to 5 with locally higher amounts inches occurred over about a 24 hour period. This resulted in development of flash flooding across portions of the southern mountains and northern foothills.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (35.2280, -82.6340)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 926344. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.