Full Notification

* WHAT...Nuisance to Minor flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected.

* WHERE...A portion of western North Carolina, including the following counties, Avery, Burke, Caldwell and McDowell.

* WHEN...Until 315 AM EDT Tuesday.

* IMPACTS...Nuisance flooding of low-lying areas adjacent to streams and other poor-drainage areas, including farmland, parks, greenways, boat-access areas, golf courses, underpasses, and parking lots. Isolated, shallow flows over roadways is possible. A few flood-prone, low-water crossings may become impassible. A small culvert washout or two is possible.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 333 PM EDT, Rounds of light to moderate rainfall continue to pivot into several watersheds along the northern North Carolina Blue Ridge Escarpment, including: Wilson Creek in southeastern Avery and western Caldwell counties, North Toe River headwaters in central Avery County near Newland, Linville River in southern Avery County and northwestern Burke County, North Fork Catawba River in northeastern McDowell County, Warrior Fork in northwestern Burke County, and Johns River in western Caldwell County and northern Burke County. While short-term rates have not been significant enough to cause flash-flood concerns, the Advisory area has seen 1.5-3 inches since early Monday morning. This rainfall is beginning to produce excessive runoff into the above streams and associated tributaries. Over the next several hours, stream levels are expected to gradually rise and exceed bankfull levels in several locations, beginning first along flood-prone areas of Wilson Creek near Edgemont, the upper reaches of the Linville River near Linville, and the North Toe River near Newland. High flows will gradually work downstream into Johns River later this evening where nuisance to Minor flooding may develop. - A period of lighter showers is expected to persist from now through this evening. However, rounds of moderate to heavy showers and a few embedded thunderstorms are possible generally after 8pm as the best instability moves through the Advisory area. These showers and storms may persist for several hours into the overnight. Given the saturated soils and increasing stream flows, resultant runoff from this activity my be significant enough to produce flash flooding. Therefore, those in the Advisory area are encouraged to stay weather aware later tonight as a Flash Flood Warning or two may be needed should those heavier rainfall rates materialize. A Flood Watch for flash flooding remains in effect through 8am Tuesday. - Some locations that may experience nuisance flooding include... Newland, Blowing Rock, Crossnore, Linville Falls, Jonas Ridge, Edgemont, Pineola, Ashford, Linville, Globe, Collettsville and Oak Hill. - Http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

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

Instructions:

In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are potentially dangerous in heavy rain. Do not attempt to cross flooded roads. Find an alternate route. Flooding is developing and may worsen over the next several hours. It is important to know where you are relative to streams, rivers, or creeks which can become killers in heavy rains. Campers and hikers should avoid streams or creeks.