Full Notification

* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected.

* WHERE...Central McDowell County, North Carolina

* WHEN...Until 1045 PM EST Friday.

* IMPACTS...Nuisance to Minor flooding of low-lying areas adjacent to streams including campgrounds, greenways, parks, boat-access areas, farmland, low-water crossings, and low-lying secondary roads.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 442 PM EST, Heavy rainfall has departed the area and only light rainfall will impact the area through the remainder of the evening. However, storm-total rainfall of 4-6", with isolated totals of 6-8", were observed along the Blue Ridge Escarpment within the headwaters of the Catawba River since early Friday morning. This has caused significant flows down the several tributaries feeding the upper Catawba River, including Mill Creek near Old Fort, Buck Creek near Lake Tahoma, and Toms Creek near Woodlawn. While the floodwave has moved through these tributaries, it is now moving through the upper Catawba River. The streamgauges along the Catawba River near Pleasant Gardens and Marion indicate the Catawba River is out of its banks and causing nuisance to Minor Flooding of adjacent low-lying areas including the Tom Johnson Campground, Greenlee Park, the Joseph McDowell Historical Greenway, and Riverbreeze Campground. The Catawba River at Resistoflex Road near Pleasant Gardens crested at 9.66 feet at 4pm EST and is now slowly falling. Action/Advisory Stage for nuisance flooding of adjacent low- lying areas is 9.0 feet. Just downstream at N Main Street in Marion, the Catawba River is nearing crest around 22 feet or 1 foot above Action/Advisory Stage. The Catawba River will continue to crest over the next couple of hours then begin a gradual recession below Action Stage later this evening. Therefore, nuisance to Minor flooding will continue for a few more hours and a Flood Advisory has been issued for the reach from Old Fort to Lake James until floodwaters have fully receded. - Some locations that may experience flooding include... Marion, Old Fort, and Pleasant Gardens. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

* AFFECTED AREAS: MCDOWELL, NC

Instructions:

Flooding is occurring and will continue to impact recreational areas as well as some low-water crossings. Please avoid all streams and seek higher ground away from adjacent low-lying areas. Turn around, don't drown.