Alert archive / North Carolina / Flash Flood Warnings in 2018

Flash Flood Warning 12, NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC

May 18, 2018Polk County, Rutherford County, North Carolina

NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued this flash flood warning at May 18, 2018, 7:16 PM EDT for Polk County, Rutherford County, North Carolina. It was in force for 3 hr. 5 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
May 18, 2018, 7:16 PM EDT (23:16 UTC)
Expired
May 18, 2018, 10:15 PM EDT
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Polk County, NC, Rutherford County, NC

The radar

The Greer radar (KGSP), 56 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:18 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
May 18, 9:00 PM EDTFLASH FLOOD1 E Saluda, NCREPORTS OF SWIFT WATER RESCUES AND PARTS OF INTERSTATE 26 FLOODED IN THIS AREA.
May 18, 9:15 PM EDTFLASH FLOOD5 N Columbus, NCREPORT OF LAKE ADGER PKWY BLOCKED DUE TO WATER APPROXIMATELY 18 INCHES DEEP FLOWING ACROSS ROADWAY.
May 18, 9:50 PM EDTFLASH FLOOD1 Ene Saluda, NCPUBLIC REPORT THAT EXIT 59 OFF OF INTERSTATE 26 IS FLOODED.
May 18, 9:50 PM EDTHEAVY RAIN 2.621 N Saluda, NC2.62 INCHES IN THE PAST 3 HOURS. NEAR THE TOP OF A RIDGE.
May 18, 10:14 PM EDTFLASH FLOODSaluda, NCWATER OVER HOWARD GAP AND RHODODENDRON DRIVE. MUD SLIDE OVER HOWARD GAP NEAR WARRIOR MOUNTAIN CHURCH.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched 6 storm reports to this flash flood warning; the first came 94 minutes after it went out.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The nearest sounding before it

Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC (KGSO), launched 12:00Z, 11.3 hours before the alert went out and 223 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC at 12:00Z on 2018-05-18Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 246 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC at 12:00Z on 2018-05-18The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 40 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
246 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-13 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
626 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
21 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
40 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
59 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.6

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

455 
WGUS52 KGSP 182316
FFWGSP
NCC149-161-190215-
/O.NEW.KGSP.FF.W.0012.180518T2316Z-180519T0215Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
716 PM EDT FRI MAY 18 2018

The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Northwestern Rutherford County in western North Carolina...
  Polk County in western North Carolina...

* Until 1015 PM EDT.

* At 713 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated a series of heavy rain 
  producing showers and thunderstorms moving repeatedly northward 
  across Polk County and into western Rutherford County. These 
  showers were producing rainfall at rates of 1 to 2 inches per 
  hour, and this heavy rainfall will continue through at least 9 PM 
  EDT. Flash flooding will likely develop quickly in this area.

* Some locations that will experience flooding include...
  Columbus, Tryon, Saluda, Chimney Rock State Park, Mill Spring, 
  Lake Adger, Green Creek and Bat Cave. Flash flooding will be most 
  likely along Britten Creek, Panther Creek, and Ostin Creek west of 
  Mill Spring. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Do not attempt to cross
water-covered roadways, bridges, or low-level crossings. Only a few
inches of rapidly flowing water can carry away your vehicle. It is 
not worth the risk. Please TURN AROUND, DON'T DROWN. Be especially 
cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of 
flooding.

When it is safe to do so, please report flood waters or landslides
flowing over roads or threatening property to the National Weather
Service by calling toll free, 1, 800, 2 6 7, 8 1 0 1, by posting on
our Facebook page, or via Twitter using hashtag NWSGSP. Your message
should describe the event and the specific location where it
occurred, including roadways, nearby cross streets, stream names and
other landmarks.

&&

LAT...LON 3540 8212 3529 8201 3519 8207 3520 8225
      3519 8236 3524 8236 3529 8235 3531 8233
      3531 8231 3539 8226 3545 8228 3547 8226
      3546 8225 3547 8224 3550 8222 3552 8223
      3553 8218 3552 8214 3554 8207

$$

HG
1 follow-up statement
031 
WGUS72 KGSP 190058
FFSGSP

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
858 PM EDT FRI MAY 18 2018

NCC149-161-190215-
/O.CON.KGSP.FF.W.0012.000000T0000Z-180519T0215Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Rutherford NC-Polk NC-
858 PM EDT FRI MAY 18 2018

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1015 PM EDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN RUTHERFORD AND POLK COUNTIES...

At 844 PM EDT, a very serious flash flooding and landslide situation 
has developed across western Polk County late this evening. Radar 
and rain gages indicate that some 2 to 4 inches of rain have fallen 
across the western half of the county in the past three hours, and 
this has impacted areas that have already received heavy rainfall 
earlier in the day and earlier this week. Polk County is reporting 
numerous mudslides occurring from near Saluda to near Tryon along 
and near the Saluda Grade, and serious flooding will likely develop 
in these areas and southward toward the Greenville County border 
through 10 PM.

Anyone living in this area who resides along steep slopes should 
watch out for mudslides late this evening. Be prepared to evacuate 
quickly. Flash flooding will develop quickly and may become quite 
serious. Prepare to flee quickly to higher ground. 

Some locations that will experience flooding include...
Columbus, Tryon, Saluda, Chimney Rock State Park, Mill Spring, Lake
Adger, Green Creek and Bat Cave.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Do not attempt to cross
water-covered roadways, bridges, or low-level crossings. Only a few
inches of rapidly flowing water can carry away your vehicle. It is 
not worth the risk. Please TURN AROUND, DON'T DROWN. Be especially 
cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of 
flooding.

The additional heavy rain will increase the risk of landslides,
especially in areas where slides have occurred in the past. Be
especially alert if you are near a stream, especially at the base of
a mountain or in a cove. Watch for loose-moving soil and rocks or a
sudden increase in streamflow. Leave the area quickly if this is
observed. When driving along roads where the terrain is steep or
rocky, watch and listen for falling rocks, mud, trees and other
debris.

When it is safe to do so, please report flood waters or landslides
flowing over roads or threatening property to the National Weather
Service by calling toll free, 1, 800, 2 6 7, 8 1 0 1, by posting on
our Facebook page, or via Twitter using hashtag NWSGSP. Your message
should describe the event and the specific location where it
occurred, including roadways, nearby cross streets, stream names and
other landmarks.

&&

LAT...LON 3540 8212 3529 8201 3519 8207 3520 8225
      3519 8236 3524 8236 3529 8235 3531 8233
      3531 8231 3539 8226 3545 8228 3547 8226
      3546 8225 3547 8224 3550 8222 3552 8223
      3553 8218 3552 8214 3554 8207

$$

HG

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this flash flood warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at May 18, 5:48 PM EDT, 1 hour 28 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 18, 5:48 PM EDT, 1 hour 28 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
548 PM EDT Fri May 18 2018

.SYNOPSIS...
The threat for numerous showers and a few thunderstorms will linger
into Saturday as a slow moving low pressure system impacts our
region. Locally heavy rainfall will remain possible until the low
departs. High temperatures will be near to just above normal and low
temperatures about ten degrees above normal.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY/...
As of 550 PM EDT Friday: Minor adjustments made to temperatures
to coincide with latest trends as the rest of the near term
forecast remains on track.

A Flash Flood Watch remains in effect for portions of the FA
through tonight. Showers and isolated thunderstorms continue to
move northward up across the NC mountains and northern foothills
attm, with torrential rainfall and already saturated grounds
favoring the continuation of flooding issues. Elsewhere, latest
radar depicts a new batch of convection moving into the
southern portions of the FA (northeastern GA and the Upstate),
remaining well west of the I-77 corridor. Expect this shower and
thunderstorm activity to continue well throughout the evening
hours as suggested by latest guidance.

Otherwise, a broad upper level trof continues to spin across the
South maintaining deep and moist s/ly flow into the FA. This pattern
will change little during the period, with some n/ly lift expected
by Sat afternoon. Expect less thunder chances overnight, yet still a
high PoP -shra thru the morning with a continued hydro threat across
the srn BR. Thunderstorms will once again be possible by mid-day Sat
within a persistent and high confidence synoptic pattern. Mins
overnight will be held abt 10 degrees F abv normal with widespread
low cloud cover. Maxes Sat will be right arnd normal and with high
sfc td/s it will feel rather muggy once again.

&&

.SHORT TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/...
As of 225 PM EDT Friday: Subtropical anticyclone remains anchored
off the Southeast Atlantic coast throughout the period. Another
upper low, although weaker and not well defined, will move out of
the Gulf of Mexico into the Gulf coast states by Monday. These
features keep a moist south to southwest low level flow across the
area each day. The good news is the deep tropical moisture fetch
will not return during this period. However, instability will
increase each day, along with decent upper divergence, keeping the
threat of mainly diurnal convection in place. Greatest coverage
continues to be across the mountains both days with high end
scattered coverage elsewhere. Shear is relatively weak both days,
but surface delta theta-e values increase with steadily drying mid
levels. This leads to an increasing threat of severe thunderstorms
each day, but these should remain isolated as overall DCAPE values
remain on the low side. Heavy rain is possible but the threat is not
as widespread as in previous days. Still, the wet antecedent
conditions could make flooding possible with lower rainfall amounts.
Highs will be nearly steady around 5 degrees above normal. Lows will
be nearly steady as well but around 10 degrees above normal.

&&

.LONG TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/...
As of 200 PM EDT Friday: Still little airmass change expected as the
medium range begins Monday night. Models are generally plagued by
disagreement in the finer details of the forecast, which
unfortunately make all the difference in a nebulous pattern like the
present one. A Bermuda high will remain off the east coast in the
Atlantic (welcome to summertime), with the southeast on the northern
periphery of an upper subtropical high. Some type of surface
stationary boundary will likely be laid over the Carolinas through
much of the next work week with little progression out of the area
expected. The GFS does spin up an upper/surface low over the
northern Gulf and swing it up towards our area Wednesday, but that
is likely an artifact of a known convective feedback problem in the
GFS (the parallel FV3 core has it too while the low is absent on all
other global models, suggesting this is a GFS model physics issue).
I've therefore favored the ECMWF through much of the medium range.

As far as sensible weather, the Bermuda high will induce weak
southerly flow over the area, though it is not as persistent our
stout as it has been over the past week. PWATs will remain elevated,
but in the absence of much large-scale forcing, a mostly diurnal
pattern favoring afternoon showers and thunderstorms will persist
through next week. Shower and thunderstorm coverage should be
decreased from this week, and chances of any flooding or severe
storms do not stand out any particular day next week at the moment.
The pattern we will enter into next week looks distinctly summer-
ish, as a matter of fact, just with a bit more moisture than usual
to work with. Max temperatures will increase a little to just above
average, with lows remaining about 10 degrees above average.

&&

.AVIATION /22Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
At KCLT and elsewhere: A highly moist airmass will continue to lift
across the area thru the period. This will create widespread -shra
and perhaps a few short-lived general tstms at times. CIGs will
remain VFR to MVFR this afternoon all sites...then drop overnight
into more widespread MVFR with IFR likely over most terminals arnd
daybreak. Thunder activity shud wane overnight with increasing
chances by late morning.

Outlook: Unsettled weather will continue into the weekend with
isolated to scattered SHRA/TSRA throughout the day/night periods and
deteriorating restrictions at times.

Confidence Table...

            21-03z        03-09Z        09-15Z        15-18Z
KCLT       High  85%     High  85%     High  90%     High  88%
KGSP       High  95%     High  83%     High  86%     High  88%
KAVL       High  85%     High  84%     High  80%     High  89%
KHKY       Med   79%     High  90%     Med   75%     High  88%
KGMU       High  95%     High  91%     High  93%     High  90%
KAND       High 100%     Med   78%     Med   77%     High  95%

The percentage reflects the number of guidance members agreeing
with the scheduled TAF issuance flight rule category. Complete hourly
experimental aviation forecast consistency tables and ensemble forecasts
are available at the following link:

www.weather.gov/gsp/aviation

&&

.GSP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
GA...Flash Flood Watch until 8 PM EDT this evening for GAZ010.
NC...Flash Flood Watch until 8 PM EDT this evening for NCZ033-049-
     050-053-062>065-501-503-505-507-509.
SC...Flash Flood Watch until 8 PM EDT this evening for SCZ001>003.

&&

SYNOPSIS...Carroll
NEAR TERM...SBK/SGL
SHORT TERM...RWH
LONG TERM...Carroll
AVIATION...SBK
Hazardous weather outlook, May 18, 10:09 AM EDT, 9 hours 7 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
1009 AM EDT Fri May 18 2018

GAZ017-018-026-028-029-NCZ035>037-048-051-052-056>059-068>072-082-
502-504-506-508-510-SCZ004>014-019-191415-
Habersham-Stephens-Franklin-Hart-Elbert-Alexander-Iredell-Davie-
Madison-Swain-Haywood-Catawba-Rowan-Graham-Northern Jackson-
Cleveland-Lincoln-Gaston-Mecklenburg-Cabarrus-Union-Greater Caldwell-
Greater Burke-Eastern McDowell-Greater Rutherford-Eastern Polk-
Greater Oconee-Greater Pickens-Greater Greenville-Spartanburg-
Cherokee-York-Anderson-Abbeville-Laurens-Chester-Greenwood-
1009 AM EDT Fri May 18 2018

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, piedmont
North Carolina, western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight.

Numerous showers and thunderstorms will continue across the area
today. Slow-moving and training storms may produce torrential
downpours over a short period of time, resulting in localized flash
flooding. In addition to the heavy rain potential, cloud-to-ground
lightning and gusty winds will be possible with stronger storms.
Gusty winds could blow down a few trees due to very wet or saturated
soils.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

..Saturday...No hazardous weather is expected at this time.
..Sunday...No hazardous weather is expected at this time.
..Monday...No hazardous weather is expected at this time.
..Tuesday...No hazardous weather is expected at this time.
..Wednesday...No hazardous weather is expected at this time.
..Thursday...No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Skywarn spotters are requested to forward any reports of flash
flooding to our office.

GAZ010-NCZ033-049-050-053-062>065-501-503-505-507-509-SCZ001>003-
191415-
Rabun-Avery-Yancey-Mitchell-Buncombe-Macon-Southern Jackson-
Transylvania-Henderson-Caldwell Mountains-Burke Mountains-
McDowell Mountains-Rutherford Mountains-Polk Mountains-
Oconee Mountains-Pickens Mountains-Greenville Mountains-
1009 AM EDT Fri May 18 2018

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, western
North Carolina and upstate South Carolina.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Flash Flood Watch.

In addition to the flooding potential, isolated to scattered
thunderstorms will be possible. These storms could produce cloud to
ground lightning, gusty winds, and an enhanced threat of heavy or
excessive rainfall. Gusty winds could blow down a few trees due to
very wet or saturated soils.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

..Saturday...No hazardous weather is expected at this time.
..Sunday...No hazardous weather is expected at this time.
..Monday...No hazardous weather is expected at this time.
..Tuesday...No hazardous weather is expected at this time.
..Wednesday...No hazardous weather is expected at this time.
..Thursday...No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Skywarn spotters are requested to forward any reports of flash
flooding to our office.

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 18, 5:48 PM EDT, 1 hour 28 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
548 PM EDT FRI MAY 18 2018

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1200 PM     FLOOD            1 SE AVERY CREEK        35.45N 82.56W
05/18/2018                   BUNCOMBE           NC   NWS EMPLOYEE

            FRENCH BROAD RIVER FLOODING GLEN BRIDGE RIVER PARK

&&
Special weather statement, May 18, 5:56 PM EDT, 1 hour 20 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
556 PM EDT FRI MAY 18 2018

GAZ018-026-028-029-SCZ001-004-010-011-182245-
Elbert GA-Hart GA-Franklin GA-Stephens GA-Greater Oconee SC-
Anderson SC-Abbeville SC-Oconee Mountains SC-
556 PM EDT FRI MAY 18 2018

...THUNDERSTORMS WITH TORRENTIAL RAINFALL WILL IMPACT FRANKLIN...
SOUTHEASTERN STEPHENS...NORTHWESTERN ELBERT...HART...SOUTHERN
ANDERSON...NORTHWESTERN ABBEVILLE AND SOUTHERN OCONEE COUNTIES UNTIL
645 PM EDT...

At 556 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms with torrential
rainfall along a line extending from 3 miles west of Carnesville to 5
miles northwest of Elberton, and moving northeast at 30 mph.

Locations to be impacted include...
Elberton, Hartwell, Carnesville, Anderson, Seneca, Homeland Park,
Royston, Westminster, Reed Creek and Lavonia.

Wind gusts up to 35 mph, pea size hail and very heavy rainfall rates
up to 2 inches per hour will be possible in these areas. Isolated
flooding of low-lying areas could result.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall may flood areas with poor drainage, such as
ditches and underpasses. Avoid these areas and do not cross flooded
roads. Water levels of small streams may also rise rapidly. Seek
higher ground if threatened by flood waters.

&&

LAT...LON 3418 8310 3423 8308 3427 8312 3424 8317
      3425 8321 3435 8339 3438 8339 3475 8317
      3435 8237 3407 8292
TIME...MOT...LOC 2156Z 230DEG 25KT 3435 8329 3414 8295

HG
Local storm report, May 18, 6:11 PM EDT, 1 hour 5 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
611 PM EDT FRI MAY 18 2018

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0550 PM     FLASH FLOOD      3 WSW COLLETTSVILLE     35.90N 81.72W
05/18/2018                   CALDWELL           NC   911 CALL CENTER

            SEVERAL ROADS FLOODED NEAR WILSON CREEK AND THE JOHNS
            RIVER.

&&
Special weather statement, May 18, 6:23 PM EDT, 53 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
623 PM EDT FRI MAY 18 2018

SCZ019-182300-
Greenwood SC-
623 PM EDT FRI MAY 18 2018

...A THUNDERSTORM WITH TORRENTIAL RAINFALL WILL IMPACT CENTRAL
GREENWOOD COUNTY UNTIL 700 PM EDT...

At 623 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a thunderstorm with
torrential rainfall 5 miles southeast of Greenwood, or 4 miles west
of Ninety Six Historic Site, moving north at 15 mph.

Locations to be impacted include...
Greenwood, Ninety Six, Greenwood State Park, Ninety Six Historic
Site, Lake Greenwood, Coronaca, Kirksey, Epworth and Dyson.

Wind gusts up to 35 mph, pea size hail and very heavy rainfall rates
up to 2 inches per hour will be possible in these areas. Flooding of
low-lying areas could result.

LAT...LON 3407 8221 3432 8220 3432 8213 3431 8212
      3431 8211 3430 8208 3424 8201 3424 8198
      3422 8197 3422 8196 3420 8194 3419 8192
      3402 8201
TIME...MOT...LOC 2223Z 194DEG 15KT 3412 8209

HG
Special weather statement, May 18, 6:41 PM EDT, 35 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
641 PM EDT FRI MAY 18 2018

GAZ010-018-SCZ001-002-004-005-182330-
Rabun GA-Stephens GA-Pickens Mountains SC-Greater Pickens SC-
Greater Oconee SC-Oconee Mountains SC-
641 PM EDT FRI MAY 18 2018

...A THUNDERSTORM WITH TORRENTIAL RAINFALL WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN
STEPHENS...NORTHEASTERN RABUN...NORTHWESTERN PICKENS AND OCONEE
COUNTIES UNTIL 730 PM EDT...

At 641 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a thunderstorm with
torrential rainfall 6 miles south of Walhalla, or over Westminster,
moving north at 30 mph.

Locations to be impacted include...
Seneca, Walhalla, Westminster, Six Mile, Salem, Lake Keowee, Jocassee
Gorges, Lake Jocassee, Devils Fork State Park and Keowee Toxaway
State Park.

Wind gusts up to 35 mph, pea size hail, and very heavy rainfall
rates up of 1 to 2 inches per hour will be possible in these areas.
Flooding of low-lying areas could result.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

The combination of gusty winds and saturated soil conditions will
cause scattered trees and power lines to fall. Seek shelter inside an
interior room.

Torrential rainfall may flood areas with poor drainage, such as
ditches and underpasses. Avoid these areas and do not cross flooded
roads. Water levels of small streams may also rise rapidly. Seek
higher ground if threatened by flood waters.

&&

LAT...LON 3500 8326 3500 8311 3505 8292 3506 8276
      3505 8274 3506 8271 3454 8293 3461 8331
TIME...MOT...LOC 2241Z 191DEG 27KT 3468 8309

HG
Special weather statement, May 18, 6:51 PM EDT, 25 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
651 PM EDT FRI MAY 18 2018

SCZ012-019-182330-
Laurens SC-Greenwood SC-
651 PM EDT FRI MAY 18 2018

...A THUNDERSTORM WITH TORRENTIAL RAINFALL WILL IMPACT SOUTH CENTRAL
LAURENS AND CENTRAL GREENWOOD COUNTIES UNTIL 730 PM EDT...

At 650 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a thunderstorm with
torrential rainfall 6 miles southeast of Greenwood, or near Ninety
Six Historic Site, moving north at 15 mph.

Locations to be impacted include...
Greenwood, Ninety Six, Cross Hill, Waterloo, Lake Greenwood,
Greenwood State Park, Ninety Six Historic Site, Coronaca, Dyson and
Epworth.

Wind gusts up to 35 mph will be possible in these areas. Rainfall
rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour will cause flooding of low-lying
areas.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

The combination of gusty winds and saturated soil conditions will
cause scattered trees and power lines to fall. Seek shelter inside an
interior room.

Torrential rainfall may flood areas with poor drainage, such as
ditches and underpasses. Avoid these areas and do not cross flooded
roads. Water levels of small streams may also rise rapidly. Seek
higher ground if threatened by flood waters.

&&

LAT...LON 3411 8217 3438 8211 3431 8188 3430 8190
      3424 8191 3421 8194 3420 8194 3419 8192
      3418 8192 3418 8191 3416 8191 3415 8190
      3404 8197
TIME...MOT...LOC 2250Z 199DEG 13KT 3415 8205

HG

The office that day

Everything else NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 17, 8:21 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPHenderson, Transylvania24 min
May 17, 8:52 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningGSPMcDowell3 hr
May 17, 9:02 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGSPBuncombe, Henderson, Transylvania118 min
May 17, 9:20 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningGSPBuncombe99 min
May 17, 9:37 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningGSPHenderson, Transylvania4 hr
May 17, 9:53 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPBuncombe52 min
May 17, 10:02 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGSPAvery, Burke, Caldwell3 hr
May 17, 10:08 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGSPBuncombe, Haywood, Yancey3 hr
May 17, 10:32 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGSPJackson, Macon, Transylvania3 hr
May 17, 11:51 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPGraham, Madison, Swain84 min
May 18, 1:38 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGSPHenderson, Transylvania6 hr
May 18, 3:05 AM EDTAreal Flood WarningGSPHenderson, Transylvania12 hr
May 18, 5:05 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGSPJackson, Macon6 hr
May 18, 7:53 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningGSPBuncombe, Henderson61 hr
May 18, 8:14 AM EDTRiver Flood AdvisoryGSPBuncombe28 hr
May 18, 9:46 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGSPIredell6 hr
May 18, 10:08 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGSPBurke, Rutherford5 hr
May 18, 10:09 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPCatawba51 min
May 18, 10:31 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGSPAvery, Caldwell4 hr
May 18, 10:37 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGSPCatawba3 hr
May 18, 11:07 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPAlexander, Catawba, Lincoln53 min
May 18, 11:17 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPCaldwell58 min
May 18, 2:48 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningGSPTransylvania19 hr
May 18, 3:06 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGSPAvery, Burke, Caldwell5 hr
May 18, 3:44 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGSPDavie, Iredell3 hr
May 18, 3:50 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningGSPAvery, Caldwell7 hr
May 18, 4:13 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPRutherford32 min
May 18, 4:29 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningGSPBurke, McDowell4 hr
May 18, 4:42 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningGSPDavie3 hr
May 18, 4:49 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGSPRutherford116 min
May 18, 5:38 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningGSPRutherford6 hr
May 18, 6:28 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGSPPolk, Rutherford2 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in North Carolina, 2018Every flash flood warning in 2018

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.