Full Notification

* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected.

* WHERE...Portions of McDowell, Burke, and Caldwell counties, North Carolina

* WHEN...Until 100 PM EDT Tuesday.

* IMPACTS...Several docks, access areas, swimming areas, and low-lying residential yards are likely flooding. Some outbuildings, campgrounds, and roads may be impacted with shallow flooding. Residents are encouraged to heed guidance from local officials and emergency management on any potential impacts to property. Drivers are encouraged to heed any barricades and avoid all flooded areas.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 1253 PM EDT, Lake levels are gradually receding below Minor Flood Stage following the devastating rainfall observed both from tropical moisture interacting with a stationary front and Hurricane Helene. Approximately 6 to 25 (twenty- five) inches of rain fell from last Wednesday evening to early Friday afternoon from Lake Hickory to the Catawba River headwaters, with the highest totals exceeding 2 feet along the Blue Ridge Escarpment across the upper Catawba River watershed. This resulted in catastrophic and historic inflows into Catawba River reservoirs, resulting in tragically devastating flooding along the Catawba River system from Marion to Lake James to Lake Rhodhiss and points downstream.

* Nuisance, residual flooding of the lake shorelines as well as adjacent low-lying areas along the Catawba river, including farmland, woodland, parks, greenways, campgrounds, and boat access areas will continue through at least early Tuesday.

* Lake and river levels will gradually recede back below critical levels by later Tuesday. A Flood Advisory for residual nuisance low-lying and shoreline flooding will remain in effect until this time.

* The latest pool elevations for the upper Catawba River lakes are as follows (Full Pool is 100.0 feet): Lake James: 101.90 feet and steady. Lake Rhodhiss: 100.80 feet and falling slowly. Lake Hickory: 96.90 feet and falling slowly. Lookout Shoals Lake: 102.60 feet and falling slowly.

* As a result of recent historic rainfall, the following crests and records were observed: Lake James Crest: 110.95 feet (NEW RECORD) (September 27, 2024 at 6:00 pm) Previous Record: 107.36 feet (September 8. 2004: Hurricane Frances) Lake Rhodhiss Crest: 109.62 feet (September 28, 2024 at 4:00 am) Record: 110.10 feet (August 1940) Lookout Shoals Lake Crest: 109.45 feet (September 28, 2024 at 3:00 am) Record: 114.40 feet (August 1940) - Emergency management officials are urging non-residents to stay away from the area to allow first responders to perform recovery efforts. If you can stay home and shelter in place, please do so. Discontinue all unnecessary travel. Please discontinue inundating 911 centers with non-emergency calls (for example, trees down).

* For more information on lake levels or dam releases, people are encouraged to visit https://lakes.duke-energy.com or call 1-800-829-5253.

* Residents along the Catawba River are encouraged to stay aware of the latest updates from Burke County by signing up for alerts at: http://smart911.com - Areas along and adjacent to the Catawba River from near Marion to Lake James to Morganton to Lake Rhodhiss will experience nuisance flooding of low-lying areas adjacent to bodies of water. - Http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

* AFFECTED AREAS: BURKE, NC ... CALDWELL, NC ... MCDOWELL, NC

Instructions:

Please stay away from the area and allow first responders to perform their recovery efforts. Please obey all barricades which remain in place for your safety as numerous roadways have been compromised by flood waters and may not be safe. Emergency management is urging people who can stay home to do so. Discontinue inundating 911 centers with non-emergency calls (for example, trees down). Please continue to heed all guidance from law enforcement and emergency management as they continue to work tirelessly to keep people safe. Do not attempt to drive through any flooded roadways, Turn Around, Don't Drown.