Full Notification

FFWGSP 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... Northeastern McDowell County in western North Carolina... Mitchell County in western North Carolina... Northeastern Yancey County in western North Carolina...

* Until 600 AM EDT.

* At 103 AM EDT, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 4 and 6 inches of rain have fallen. Cane Creek near Bakersville remains in moderate flood stage, although it is no longer rising consistently. The expected rainfall rate going forward is 1 to 2 inches in 1 hour, intermittently. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing flash flooding. SOURCE...Radar and automated gauges. IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include... Spruce Pine, Newland, Banner Elk, Elk Park, Bakersville, Beech Mountain In Avery County, Crossnore, Sugar Mountain, Seven Devils, Linville Falls, B.R. Parkway-Little Switzerland To Linville, B.R. Parkway-Linville Falls To Grandfather, Grandfather Mountain State Park, Altamont, Ingalls, Minneapolis, Pineola, Jonas Ridge, Linville and Bandana.

* AFFECTED AREAS: AVERY, NC ... BURKE, NC ... MCDOWELL, NC ... MITCHELL, NC ... YANCEY, 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. Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding.