Full Notification

FFWGSP The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for... Burke County in western North Carolina... McDowell County in western North Carolina...

* Until 1015 AM EDT Friday.

* At 414 AM EDT, doppler radar indicated increasing rainfall rates, with 1 to 2 inches per hour expected. County officials reported ongoing road closures and flooding of structures across the county. Many locations had already received 5 to 9 inches of rain over the last 24 hours, saturating the ground and priming things for the next round. Significant flooding appears likely, resulting in road closures, first-floor inundation, and damage to some structures. The risk of life-threatening landslide activity continues to increase. HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing flash flooding. SOURCE...Radar. IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses. Likely first-floor inundation of structures. Increasing risk of landslide activity.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include... Hickory, Morganton, Marion, Longview, Valdese, Salem, Icard, Drexel, Hildebran, Connelly Springs, Rutherford College, Glen Alpine, Old Fort, Rhodhiss, Lake James State Park, Lake James, Table Rock, South Mountains State Park, B.R. Parkway-Little Switzerland To Linville and Linville Falls.

* AFFECTED AREAS: BURKE, NC ... MCDOWELL, 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. Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.