Full Notification

The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has extended the

* Flash Flood Warning for... Eastern Buncombe County in western North Carolina... Southwestern McDowell County in western North Carolina... Northwestern Rutherford County in western North Carolina...

* Until 430 PM EDT Thursday.

* At 1024 AM EDT, Emergency management reported flash flooding continues across McDowell County. Between 2 and 5 inches of rain have fallen since early this morning. Additional heavy rainfall is not expected through the remainder of the morning hours, however, stay weather aware as additional heavy rainfall is possible later today and new rounds of flooding may develop. HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing flash flooding. SOURCE...Emergency management reported. IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include... Marion, Lake Lure, Old Fort, Chimney Rock Village, Chimney Rock State Park, Lake James, Sugar Hill, Pleasant Gardens and Shingle Hollow.

* AFFECTED AREAS: BUNCOMBE, NC ... MCDOWELL, NC ... RUTHERFORD, NC

Instructions:

Heavy rain is increasing the risk of landslides, especially in areas where slides have occurred in the past. Be especially alert if you are near a stream, especially at the base of a mountain or in a cove. Watch for loose-moving soil and rocks or a sudden increase in streamflow. Leave the area quickly if this is observed. When driving along roads where the terrain is steep or rocky, watch and listen for falling rocks, mud, trees and other debris. Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.