Flash Flood — Iredell, North Carolina

2020-11-12 · near New Hope, Iredell, North Carolina

Event narrative

Media reported flash flooding across the South Yadkin River basin in western Iredell County after 4.5 to 6 inches of rain fell, with much of that falling in about a three hour period during the pre-dawn hours. Multiple roads were closed due to inundation, mainly from tributaries of the South Yadkin. A portion of a bridge collapsed in the far northwest part of the county. In addition, saturated soil resulted in a tree falling on and causing significant damage to a home in the Union Grove community. Finally, one person was killed when his vehicle hydroplaned on Highway 115.

Wider weather episode

Tropical Cyclone Eta moved from the eastern Gulf of Mexico, across the northern Florida peninsula, to off the South Carolina coast throughout the 11th and 12th. Tropical moisture streaming into the Carolinas throughout this time resulted in development of heavy rainfall, with widespread rainfall amounts of 4 to 6 inches, with locally higher amounts across the foothills and Piedmont of North Carolina. This resulted in areas of flash flooding and main stem river flooding, some of which was significant, resulting in multiple fatalities and significant damage.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (36.0300, -81.0130)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 930882. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.