Buncombe storm history

Rainfall rates began to intensify as tropical rainbands near the center of Helene swept across the area during the morning hours after 10-17 inches of rain fell across much of the county, with amounts over 20 inches reported in the eastern part of the county. Devastating flash fl…

Historic and catastrophic flash flooding developed along the Swannanoa River basin during the early morning hours as rainfall rates began to intensify as tropical rainbands near the center of Helene swept across the area. Numerous structures and roads were inundated in the city o…

A large debris flow developed along Old Fort Rd in the Fairview area, destroying multiple homes and killing 11 members of the same family. A second large debris flow later developed and killed two emergency workers responding to the first event.

Media reported gusty winds associated with a weakening line of showers and thunderstorms blew down a tree onto a vehicle at Biltmore Estate, killing an occupant.

A 65-year-old man was struck and killed by lightning on highway 74E just south of Fairview.

Tens of thousands of trees were blown down, with hundreds of trees down on homes, vehicles, and power lines. Frequent gusts up to 70 mph occurred, with occasional gusts of 100 mph on exposed high elevation ridgetops.

Several streets were flooded from the Biltmore Forest area northward to Asheville. Numerous roads were closed by flooding, landslides and fallen trees. Around 9 pm EDT a large debris flow took out part of Vance Gap Road, isolating several homes. Around a dozen residences had to b…

Public reported quarter size hail along Laurel Circle Dr.

Emergency manager reported two trees blown down and blocking a roadway.

Utility company reported trees blown down on power lines and causing an outage in the Woodfin area.

Public reported (via Social Media) several trees blown down.

Utility company reported trees blown down on power lines, resulting in an outage.

Utility company reported trees blown down on power lines and causing an outage near Patricia Rd.

Public reported several trees blown down in the Barnardsville area.

Fire dept reported multiple trees blown down on roads in the Candler/west Asheville area.

Public reported 3/4 inch hail in west Asheville.

Utility company reported several trees blown down on power lines and causing outages near East Wonder Rd.

Public reported quarter size hail.

Public reported quarter size hail.

Numerous reports were received from the public, spotters, and media of nickel to golf ball size hail from Woodfin, across the north side, downtown, and east side of Asheville.

Media relayed viewer report of golf ball size hail near Swannanoa.

The ASOS at the Asheville Regional Airport measured a wind gust of 58 mph (50 kts).

Spotter reported 3/4 inch hail along Bear Creek Rd.

Although heavy rainfall tapered off across Buncombe County during the morning, major, historic flooding continued along most of the larger streams, including the Swannanoa, French Broad, and Broad Rivers through the afternoon and early evening. Although most of the streams recede…

Public reported flash flooding developed across the city of Asheville and vicinity after 3 to 4 inches of rain fell in around three hours. Most of the flooding involved inundation of roads due to poor drainage. However, Reed Creek did overflow its banks in Woodfin, inundating por…

Non-NWS meteorologist reported several trees blown down in the Weaverville area.

County comms reported a couple of trees blown down on Moore St.

Spotter and utility company reported a couple of trees blown down in the Woodfin area, including a tree down on power lines.

Public reported (via Social Media) one tree and several large limbs blown down in the Enka area.

NWS storm survey found an area of downburst damage along Snelson Cemetery Rd in the Leicester area, with one tree down on a house and another crushing a vehicle.

Multiple sources reported multiples trees and power lines blown down from Leicester, across Alexander, to Weaverville.

Public reported nickel size hail on Water Leaf Drive.

Emergency manager and public reported 2-inch diameter to tennis ball size hail broke more than a dozen car windshields in the Barnardsville area.