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McDowell County Emergency Management
Friday October 9th, 2026 :: 02:01 p.m. EDT

Advisory

Flood Watch until 02:00PM Sunday

* WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible.

* WHERE...Portions of northeast Georgia, including the following counties, Elbert, Franklin, Habersham, Hart, Rabun and Stephens; portions of western North Carolina, including the following counties, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania and Yancey; portions of Upstate South Carolina, including Oconee County, and mountainous northern portions of Pickens and Greenville Counties.

* WHEN...From Saturday morning through Sunday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Low-water crossings may be flooded.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - As Isaias weakens and moves northward through the Mid-South early Saturday, rain will become increasingly likely across the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia. Periods of rain may begin over the watch area prior to dawn Saturday, though rainfall rates will initially be light. Rainfall rates will increase during the day, and heavy rain is most likely Saturday afternoon through early Sunday morning, particularly along the south and east facing Blue Ridge Escarpment, that is, near the southern border of North Carolina west of I-26, and in the sharp terrain from near Saluda to Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

* AFFECTED AREAS: RABUN ... HABERSHAM ... STEPHENS ... FRANKLIN ... HART ... ELBERT ... AVERY ... YANCEY ... MITCHELL ... HAYWOOD ... BUNCOMBE ... NORTHERN JACKSON ... MACON ... SOUTHERN JACKSON ... TRANSYLVANIA ... HENDERSON ... CALDWELL MOUNTAINS ... GREATER CALDWELL ... BURKE MOUNTAINS ... GREATER BURKE ... MCDOWELL MOUNTAINS ... EASTERN MCDOWELL ... RUTHERFORD MOUNTAINS ... GREATER RUTHERFORD ... POLK MOUNTAINS ... EASTERN POLK ... OCONEE MOUNTAINS ... PICKENS MOUNTAINS ... GREENVILLE MOUNTAINS ... GREATER OCONEE

Instructions:

A Flood Watch for flash flooding means there is a potential for rapid onset flooding based on current forecasts. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation and may impact areas that do not typically flood. Please monitor the latest forecasts and be prepared to take action quickly should Flash Flood Warnings be issued. Rainfall of more than five inches in similar storms has been associated with an increased risk of landslides and rockslides. If you live on a mountainside or in a cove at the base of a mountain, especially near a stream, be ready to leave in advance of the storm or as quickly as possible should rising water, moving earth, or rocks threaten. Consider postponing travel along mountain roads during periods of heavy rainfall.

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

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

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Alert Details

Severity:
Severe - Significant threat to life or property
Urgency:
Future - Responsive action SHOULD be taken in the near future
Certainty:
Possible (p <= ~50%)
Category:
Meteorological (inc. flood)
Event:
Flood Watch

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