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McDowell County Emergency Management
Monday September 7th, 2026 :: 05:21 a.m. EDT

Alert

Flash Flood Warning until 09:15AM

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

* Flash Flood Warning for... South Central McDowell County in western North Carolina... Northwestern Rutherford County in western North Carolina...

* Until 915 AM EDT.

* At 520 AM EDT, Emergency management reported minor flooding occurring in the Sugar Hill community of McDowell County. Slow-moving heavy downpours have been ongoing in McDowell County since very early Monday morning, and heavy rain now has begun in northwest Rutherford County. Between 2 and 4 inches of rain have fallen in portions of these areas, and additional rainfall amounts of 0.5 to 2 inches are possible through mid-morning. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by heavy showers and thunderstorms. SOURCE...Emergency management reported. IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include... Lake Lure, Chimney Rock Village, Chimney Rock State Park, Shingle Hollow, Sugar Hill and Fero. Flooding was reported on Montford Cove Rd south of Sugar Hill. Morgan Creek and Cove Creek will be particularly subject to flooding this morning. Cedar Creek, Bills Creek, Youngs Creek, and Piney Creek in northwest Rutherford County also are likely to experience rapid rises.

* AFFECTED AREAS: MCDOWELL, NC ... RUTHERFORD, NC

Instructions:

Only when it is safe to do so, please report flooding or landslides threatening roads or property to the National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg by calling 1...800...2 6 7...8 1 0 1, by posting on our Facebook page, or by posting on X using hashtag NWSGSP. Your message should describe the specific location, address, or intersection where impacts occurred and the depth of flooding observed. 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. 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.

Address/Location
McDowell County Emergency Management
129 Barnes Rd
Marion, NC 28752

Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 828-652-3241

TEXT-A-TIP -  Text TIP MCDOWELLEM followed by your message, to 888777

Submit an anonymous web tip

Alert Details

Severity:
Severe - Significant threat to life or property
Urgency:
Immediate - Responsive action SHOULD be taken immediately
Certainty:
Likely (p > ~50%)
Category:
Meteorological (inc. flood)
Event:
Flash Flood Warning

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