Full Notification

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

* Flash Flood Warning for... Catawba County in the piedmont of North Carolina... Cleveland County in the piedmont of North Carolina... Gaston County in the piedmont of North Carolina... Lincoln County in the piedmont of North Carolina... Rutherford County in western North Carolina...

* Until 915 AM EDT.

* At 607 AM EDT, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 2 and 5 inches of rain have fallen. The expected rainfall rate is 2 to 3 inches in 1 hour. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. Doppler radar indicated intense rain showers with rates of 2 to 3 inches of rain per hour pushing into the warned area shortly. Between 2 and 5 inches of rain have already fallen across the warned area, and the additional rain will produce flash flooding. HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms. SOURCE...Radar and automated gauges. IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas. A few road closures.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include... Gastonia, Huntersville, Hickory, Shelby, Newton, Lincolnton, Forest City, Rutherfordton, Northwest Charlotte, Cornelius, Kings Mountain, Mt Holly, St. Stephens, Belmont, Conover, Cherryville, Bessemer City, South Gastonia, Longview and Spindale.

* AFFECTED AREAS: CATAWBA, NC ... CLEVELAND, NC ... GASTON, NC ... LINCOLN, NC ... RUTHERFORD, NC

Instructions:

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.