Avery storm history

A stream gauge on the North Toe River in Newland indicated devastating flash flooding developed along the stream in Newland and vicinity as rainfall rates intensified during the evening of the 26th. The heaviest rainfall and most significant flooding occurred toward sunrise, as t…

A lightning strike near Macrae Peak in Grandfather Mountain State Park injured seven people. One individual fell, resulting in a head injury which required them to be airlifted to a nearby hospital. Another suffered burns, while other injuries were minor.

Tens of thousands of trees were blown down, with hundreds of trees down on homes, vehicles, and power lines. Frequent gusts up to 80 mph occurred, with occasional gusts of 100 mph on exposed high elevation ridgetops.

Major flooding, the worst since 1977, destroyed numerous homes and vehicles.

Although heavy rainfall tapered off across Avery County by noon, extensive flooding continued along the North Toe River and some tributaries through the afternoon before the water receded during the evening.

A stream gauge on the North Toe River at Newland exceeded its established flood stage after 1.5 to 3 inches of rain fell across the area in less than 6 hours. A portion of River St was inundated as were greenways along the river in Newland and vicinity.

County comms reported a few trees and power lines blown down from the Plumtree area through Ingalls.

Public reported (via Social Media) large hail near the Mayland community.

County comms reported a tree blown down in Minneapolis and another down on Linville Falls Highway.

Public reported 3/4 inch hail near Crossnore.

Public reported ping pong ball size hail fell, damaging vehicles on Highway 105 in the Sugar Mountain area.

County comms reported a tent was blown over, with minor injuries to two people inside.

County comms reported a person was struck by lightning and transported to the hospital.

County comms reported scattered to numerous trees were blown down and isolated power outages.

County comms and stream gauges indicated flash flooding developed across Avery County after 4 to 7 inches of rain fell across the eastern half of the county in around 24 hours, with 1 to 2 inches of that falling in a couple of hours during the late morning and early afternoon. Mu…