Full Notification

...The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg SC has issued a Flood Warning for the following rivers in North Carolina... South Fork Catawba River At Lowell affecting Gaston County. .Heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Debby has ended across the South Fork Catawba River watershed, but basin-wide storm-total accumulations of 2 to 5.5 inches were observed earlier Thursday. The heaviest rainfall accumulations occurred across Lincoln and Gaston counties toward the bottom of the watershed with amounts closer to 2-3 inches near the basin headwaters in Catawba County. This means the South Fork Catawba River near Lowell and Cramerton rose rapidly in response to the heavy rainfall across the lower part of the basin and is now rising more slowly as it receives the high flows from lower accumulations further upstream. The river is therefore expected to approach Action/Advisory Stage later this evening and exceed its banks in locations below Cramerton near Riverside Park. The latest forecast update suggests the river will easily rise above Minor Flood Stage with a crest approaching the Moderate Flood Stage of 13.0 feet later Friday morning. The forecast is very sensitive to small errors in estimated basin-average rainfall and a reasonable worst-case crest between 14.0 feet and 15.0 feet cannot be ruled out for Friday. Stay aware of the current and forecast river levels and be prepared to take action should confidence in a higher crest increase. Nevertheless, expect widespread lowland flooding adjacent to the river from Lowell to Cramerton through late Friday, with improving conditions expected by Saturday morning. The primary impacts will be to flood-prone locations including Goat Island Park, Riverside Park, Riverside Dr and low-lying properties near the Cramerton Fire Department along 8th Ave in Cramerton.

* WHAT...Minor flooding is forecast.

* WHERE...South Fork Catawba River at Lowell.

* WHEN...From this evening to late Saturday evening.

* IMPACTS...At 12.0 feet, Minor Flooding continues. South Fork Catawba River floodwaters may approach the Cramerton Fire Department building at the intersection 8th Ave and 9th St. The parking lot behind the adjacent Cramerton Drug Company may be flooded. Floodwaters may approach one home along Riverside Dr. in Cramerton.

* At 13.0 feet, Moderate Flood Stage. Unusual, damaging flooding is developing adjacent to the South Fork Catawba River with considerable impacts to property. Significant flooding of Goat Island Park and Riverside Park is ongoing. Floodwaters are threatening the Cramerton Fire Department and adjacent businesses. The river is approaching the crawl spaces of homes along Riverside Dr between 4th St and 5th St in Cramerton.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 2:15 PM EDT Thursday the stage was 8.1 feet and rising steadily - Action/Advisory Stage is 9.0 feet. - Forecast...The river is expected to rise above Minor Flood Stage late this evening to a crest of 12.9 feet early tomorrow afternoon. It will then fall below Minor Flood Stage late Saturday morning. Moderate flooding between 13.0 and 14.0 feet is possible on Friday. Please stay aware of the latest levels and be prepared for forecast updates. - Minor Flood Stage is 10.0 feet. Moderate Flood Stage is 13.0 feet. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

* AFFECTED AREAS: GASTON, NC

Instructions:

Caution is urged when walking near riverbanks. Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding. For detailed information including observed and forecast stages, flood impacts, flood history, FEMA Flood Hazard Layers, and more, please visit: https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=gsp The next statement will be issued Friday morning at 1100 AM EDT.