Mcdowell storm history

Stream gauges and emergency management reported catastrophic flash flooding developed along the Catawba River basin after 15-22 inches of rain fell across the western half of the county over three days. Dozens of structures were damaged or destroyed in the Old Fort area alone. Hu…

A 32-year old man was killed when he was buried by debris from a landslide while inspecting a rail line in far western McDowell County.

A stream gauge on the North Fork Catawba River in the North Cove community exceeded its established flood stage and indicated significant flash flooding developed after 10-17 inches fell over the watershed in about three days. Dozens of structures, roads, and campgrounds were inu…

Emergency manager reported flash flooding developed in Marion and vicinity after 2.5 to 4 inches of rain fell in less than two hours. Flash flooding was first reported in downtown Marion, mainly in the form of severe urban/drainage flooding. Two buildings were inundated and damag…

Emergency manager reported quarter size hail in the Little Switzerland area.

Public reported (via Social Media) up to quarter size hail just east of Marion.

Emergency manager reported trees blown down near the intersection of Hankins Rd and Yancey Rd. Another tree was blown down on a vehicle just east of Marion.

Emergency manager reported trees blown down and blocking Highway 70.

Emergency manager reported trees blown down near Fortune Rd and Highway 64.

Emergency management reported golf ball size hail. Multiple public reports of quarter size hail were received from the Dysartsville community.

Public reported quarter size hail.

Emergency manager reported quarter size hail.

Although heavy rain ended across McDowell County by early afternoon, significant flooding continued across the Broad River basin through the 27th. Water gradually receded through the morning of the 28th, and most streams returned to their banks by the afternoon of the 28th.

Rain rates diminished during the early morning, and water rises became slower before beginning to recede late in the morning. The lull in the heavy rainfall continued through the afternoon and Catawba River and its tributaries briefly returned to their banks before heavy rain red…

Emergency manager reported flash flooding developed along the Catawba River and some tributaries from Old Fort through the central part of the county after a swath of 3 to 4 inches of rain fell in the headwaters over 2-4 hours. Multiple campgrounds and low water crossing and seco…

County comms reported a tree and power lines blown down on Wildlife Rd at Highway 126.

Emergency management reported numerous roads flooded in the city of Marion due to a combination of severe urban/poor drainage and small stream flooding after 3.5 to 4 inches of rain fell in just a couple of hours over a localized area right over the city. Youngs Fork overflowed i…

Emergency management reported numerous trees blown down in the Old Fort area.

Emergency management reported numerous trees blown down throughout Marion and vicinity. One tree fell on a house on Forest Hill Drive off Highway 70.

Media reported 3/4 inch hail along Highway 70 near Old Fort.

Stream gauges on the Catawba River in central McDowell County briefly exceeded flood stage after 3 to 5 inches of rain fell in around 12 hours. Multiple low water crossings and several campgrounds along the river were inundated with a couple of feet of water. Some water may have …

Emergency manager reported a large tree blown down on Highway 221 north of Ashford and another tree blocking the roadway south of Ashford.

Multiple sources reported multiple trees blown down and blocking roads across McDowell County.

Public reported up to quarter size hail.

Fire dept reported dime to nickel sized hail in the Pleasant Gardens area.

Multiple resources reported a number of trees blown down across southeast McDowell County, from Highway 221 at Ashworth Rd, across the I-40 corridor to points southeast. More than a dozen trees were blown down in the area around Ashworth Rd and Grants Mountain Rd alone, with mult…

Public reported nickel size hail on Old Fort Sugar Hill Rd.

Public reported nickel size haiPublic reported (via Social Media) quarter size hail on Zion Hill Rd.

County comms reported a tree blown down on a house on Windswept Dr.

Public reported (via Social Media) penny to quarter size hail in the Old Fort area.

Emergency manager measured 2-inch diameter hail near Old Fort.

Emergency manager reported multiple trees blown down on Old Highway 70.

Fire dept reported 3/4 inch hail.

Emergency manager reported a tree and power lines blown down on Vein Mountain Rd.

Emergency manager relayed fire dept reports of multiple trees blown down in the Marion area.

County comms reported a tree blown down on a house and another tree down across a road in extreme southeast McDowell County.

County comms reported multiple trees blown down from Cannon rd toward Airport Rd.

County comms reported trees blown down along Sain Rd, along Walker Rd, and near the intersection of Highways 64 and 226.

County comms reported numerous trees blown down in Marion and vicinity.

Emergency manager reported trees blown down in the Pleasant Gardens area.

Emergency manager reported quarter size hail in the Pleasant Gardens area.

Public reported quarter size hail on Nix Creek Rd.

Spotter reported quarter size hail off Magnolia Dr.

Spotter reported quarter size hail off of Hankins Rd and Fish Hatchery Rd.

Emergency manager reported trees and power lines blown down on Forsythe St near Virginia Rd and additional trees down on Airport Rd.

County comms reported numerous trees and power lines blown down in the northwest part of Marion.