News

NWS issues floodwatch; hailstorm possible today

By Bill Moss, Published: June 10, 2013

A hard steady overnight rain caused flooding of low-lying areas and caused the National Weather Service to issue a flood warning for Transylvania County and flood watch for all of Western North Carolina.

An "upper level disturbance and associated cold front approaching the region from the west will trigger additional showers and thunderstorms" across the mountains today, the weather service said. After rain most of Sunday saturated the ground, "any thunderstorms could produce enough rain over a short period of time to cause streams and creeks to rise out of their banks."
The weather service said a line of thunderstorms is expected to develop and move across the mountains and foothills. "Some of the thunderstorms may become severe with damaging wind gusts and large hail," the NWS advisory said. "Any torrential downpour could lead to rapid rises on creeks and streams that are already running high across the mountains." The high today is expected to reach 75.
Mud Creek at Erkwood Drive and Davidson River in Pisgah Forest were near flood stage. The French Broad River had already flooded at Rosman and reached 13 feet at Blantyre and was expected to top the 15-foot flood level by tonight.
Chance of rain is 80 percent today and 50 percent tonight dropping to 20 percent Tuesday and Wednesday. Highs should be in the low 80s through Thursday. Friday and Saturday should be pleasant, with a high of 78 under sunny skies.

Heavy rain most of Sunday and overnight comes on top of rainfall totals that are running well ahead of normal so far this year.