Flood — Transylvania, North Carolina

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

Event narrative

Although heavy rainfall tapered off across the French Broad basin during the morning of the 29th, flooding continued along the Little River in response to continued runoff. Minor river flooding also developed along the French Broad in the Blantyre area during this time and continued into the early morning hours of November 1st.

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 → (35.2510, -82.6480)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 926352. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.