Flash Flood — Caldwell, North Carolina

2020-10-29 · near Yadkin Vly, Caldwell, North Carolina

Event narrative

Emergency manager and stream gauges indicated flash flooding developed along the Johns River and Yadkin River basins after 3 to 5 inches of rain fell across much of Caldwell County in about 24 hours. Johns River flooded multiple roads in the Collettsville area, including Highway 90 and Valley View Circle. Water from the Yadkin inundated several roads in the Happy Valley community, including Yadkin River Rd and Indian Grave 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 → (35.9960, -81.5210)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 926348. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.