Full Notification

The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has extended the

* Flash Flood Warning for... Avery County in western North Carolina... Northwestern Burke County in western North Carolina... Northwestern Caldwell County in western North Carolina... Northeastern McDowell County in western North Carolina... Southeastern Mitchell County in western North Carolina...

* Until 600 PM EST.

* At 334 PM EST, Doppler radar indicates that heavy rainfall has departed the area and no additional heavy rainfall is expected tonight. Storm-total rainfall of 3-5" over the past 12-15 hours, with isolated totals exceeding 6", have been reported across the area from North Cove to Spruce Pine to Jonas Ridge, Edgemont and Sugar Mountain. This has caused excessive runoff and significant rises on area streams, with several streams exceeding bankfull and flooding adjacent low-lying areas. A few road closures have been reported due to stream flooding across the warned area, including near Banner Elk, Spruce Pine, and Crossnore. Numerous low-water crossings were likely flooded during this event. Small stream flooding required the earlier evacuation of residents along Brushy Creek west of Spruce Pine. Additional flooding along the Elk River near Banner Elk and the North Toe River near Newland is likely and may continue for another couple of hours. Some of this flooding may impact a few homes and businesses adjacent to both streams through the remainder of the afternoon. While many smaller streams have likely crested and receded back below critical bankfull levels, larger streams may not crest for another few hours. As a result, flooding of these larger streams, including the Johns River near Collettsville and Chesterfield, as well as the Linville River above Lake James, will continue into the early evening hours. Therefore, the Flash Flood Warning will remain in place for another hour or two to allow larger streams to crest and begin to recede. Once the floodwave has passed, the Warning may be replaced by a Flood Advisory for residual flood concerns. HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by heavy rain. SOURCE...Radar and automated gauges. IMPACT...Flash flooding of streams impacting numerous low-water crossings, secondary roads, and low-lying areas adjacent to streams including parks, greenways, farmland, and boat-access areas, is ongoing.

* Some locations that may continue to experience flash flooding include... Spruce Pine, Newland, Banner Elk, Bakersville, B Crossnore, Sugar Mountain, Linville Falls, Jonas Ridge, Pineola, Linville, Ashford, Altamont and Ingalls.

* AFFECTED AREAS: AVERY, NC ... BURKE, NC ... CALDWELL, NC ... MCDOWELL, NC ... MITCHELL, 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.