Full Notification

...The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg SC has issued a Flood Warning for the South Fork Catawba River in North Carolina... At Lowell affecting Gaston County. .Two unique rounds of rainfall, one beginning tonight and lasting through early Thursday afternoon resulting from tropical moisture interacting with a stationary front, and another beginning Thursday night and lasting through Friday morning associated with Hurricane Helene, are expected to result in significant rises within the South Fork Catawba River watershed. Storm-total rainfall across the watershed from the South Mountains to Cramerton is expected to reach 3-5 inches. There is a potential for crests to exceed the current forecast. Significant flooding along the South Fork Catawba River near Lowell and Cramerton cannot be ruled out. Moderate to Major flooding is possible. Please maintain awareness of the latest forecasts and plan NOW to respond in case more significant flooding is expected.

* WHAT...Minor flooding is forecast.

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

* WHEN...From Friday morning to Saturday evening.

* IMPACTS...At 11.0 feet, Minor Flood Stage continues. The South Fork Catawba River may begin flooding Riverside Dr. between 5th and 6th Streets in Cramerton. Floodwaters may also approach homes along Catawba Run Rd., near the streamgauge. Hoyle Creek floodwaters, possibly due to backwater effects from the South Fork Catawba River, may begin to impact the Old Willis School Road bridge near Sandcastle Rd.

* 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 6:15 PM EDT Wednesday the stage was 3.7 feet and falling slowly. - Action/Advisory Stage is 9.0 feet. - Forecast...The river is expected to rise above Minor Flood Stage late Friday morning to a crest of 10.7 feet Friday evening. It will then fall below Minor Flood Stage early Saturday morning. NOTE: There is a potential for the crest to exceed the Moderate Flood Stage of 13.0 feet. If rainfall is significantly higher than currently forecast, a reasonable worst-case scenario would be a crest just above Major Flood Stage near 16.0 feet. - Minor Flood Stage is 10.0 feet. Moderate Flood Stage is 13.0 feet. Major Flood Stage is 15.5 feet. - Http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

* AFFECTED AREAS: GASTON, NC

Instructions:

Caution is urged when walking near riverbanks. Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. This warning will be in effect until the river falls below its Action/Advisory Stage. For detailed information including observed and forecast stages, flood impacts, flood history, FEMA Flood Hazard Layers, and more, please visit: https://water.noaa.gov/wfo/GSP The next statement will be issued before Saturday evening at 800 PM EDT.