Alert archive / North Carolina / Areal Flood Warnings in 2021

Areal Flood Warning 9, NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC

August 18, 2021Rutherford County, North Carolina

NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued this areal flood warning at Aug 18, 2021, 12:44 AM EDT for Rutherford County, North Carolina. It was in force for 5 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Aug 18, 2021, 12:44 AM EDT (04:44 UTC)
Expired
Aug 18, 2021, 5:22 AM EDT
In force
5 hr
Issued by
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

County Rutherford County, NC

The radar

The Greer radar (KGSP), 63 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 04:47 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.

The nearest sounding before it

Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC (KGSO), launched 00:00Z, 4.7 hours before the alert went out and 207 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 00:00Z on 2021-08-18Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 349 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 00:00Z on 2021-08-18The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 225 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
349 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-15 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
641 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
31 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
225 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
278 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.2
Supercell composite
2.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

967 
WGUS42 KGSP 180444
FLWGSP

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Flood Warning
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
1244 AM EDT Wed Aug 18 2021

NCC161-181030-
/O.NEW.KGSP.FA.W.0009.210818T0444Z-210818T1030Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Rutherford NC-
1244 AM EDT Wed Aug 18 2021

The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a

* Flood Warning for...
  Rutherford County in western North Carolina...

* Until 630 AM EDT.

* At 1244 AM EDT, Heavy rain has ended, but storm-total rainfall of 
  3-5" occurred across the upper Broad River watershed from Bat Cave 
  to Chimney Rock, Lake Lure, and Green Hill due to Tropical Storm 
  Fred.  This resulted in significant flooding along the Rocky Broad 
  River in Hickory Nut Gorge and prompted floodgate releases at Lake 
  Lure.  The floodwave prompted evacuations at a campground along 
  River Creek Rd and caused additional flooding along low-lying 
  areas adjacent to the Broad River downstream of Lake Lure.  
  Conditions are gradually improving from Hickory Nut Gorge to Lake 
  Lure to Green Hill.  The floodwave is now working downstream 
  through the Broad River towards Spindale and Cliffside and 
  additional Minor flooding is possible over the next several hours 
  as the river continues to rise across southern Rutherford County.

* Nuisance to Minor flooding is expected in the warned area, 
  impacting flood-prone areas adjacent to streams including 
  low-water crossings, farmland, campgrounds, parks, greenways, and 
  boat-access areas.  Please avoid these areas until stream levels 
  recede below critical levels.

* Some locations that may experience flooding include...
  Forest City, Rutherfordton, Spindale, Lake Lure, Ellenboro, 
  Bostic, Chimney Rock Village, Chimney Rock State Park, Bat Cave, 
  Alexander Mills, Green Hill, Union Mills, Thermal City, Shingle 
  Hollow, Sunshine, Harris, Caroleen, Henrietta and Cliffside.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

Flooding is occurring or is imminent. 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.

&&

LAT...LON 3554 8188 3550 8180 3535 8176 3530 8173
      3518 8177 3519 8197 3526 8197 3538 8211
      3541 8216 3539 8226 3544 8228 3545 8228
      3547 8227 3547 8224 3550 8222 3552 8223
      3552 8215 3554 8203 3555 8200 3552 8197

$$

JMP
1 follow-up statement
900 
WGUS82 KGSP 180922
FLSGSP

Flood Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
522 AM EDT Wed Aug 18 2021

NCC161-180932-
/O.CAN.KGSP.FA.W.0009.000000T0000Z-210818T1030Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Rutherford NC-
522 AM EDT Wed Aug 18 2021

...FLOOD WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR RUTHERFORD COUNTY...

The Broad River has receded below critical levels. Flooding is no 
longer expected to pose a threat. Please continue to heed remaining 
road closures.

LAT...LON 3554 8188 3550 8180 3535 8176 3530 8173
      3518 8177 3519 8197 3526 8197 3538 8211
      3541 8216 3539 8226 3544 8228 3545 8228
      3547 8227 3547 8224 3550 8222 3552 8223
      3552 8215 3554 8203 3555 8200 3552 8197

$$

JMP

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this areal 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 areal flood warning went out at Aug 17, 11:26 PM EDT, 1 hour 18 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 17, 11:26 PM EDT, 1 hour 18 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
1126 PM EDT Tue Aug 17 2021

.SYNOPSIS...
The remnants of tropical cyclone Fred will generate heavy rainfall
across the forecast area into tonight. Expect temperatures to warm
closer to normal for the rest of the week as the remnants of Fred
moves away.  Abundant moisture will continue across the region into
the last half of the week leading to periods of mainly afternoon and
evening showers and thunderstorms.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/...
As of 1055 PM EDT Tuesday: The main line of convection is currently
oriented almost due north/south and is moving over the I-77 corridor.
Otherwise, precip has ended across the rest of the CWA, save for some
sct showers over the northern NC Mtns and Foothills. A Tornado Watch
still remains in effect for much of our NC Piedmont and will expire
at 06z, however at least some of the active counties can probably be
cleared/removed from the Watch before then. In addition, the Flash
Flood Watch also remains in effect until 12z Wednesday morning. The
remnants TC Fred will continue to dictate the weather thru tomorrow
morning with the system lifting farther north of our region by tomorrow
afternoon. In its wake, winds will remain SLY as the broad sub-tropical
ridge remains anchored well to our east offshore. With that pattern
persisting, we can expect a more typical diurnally-driven chance for
showers and thunderstorms tomorrow aftn/evening with PoPs tapering
off by late evening. High temps should rebound to near-normal tomorrow
afternoon, with lows remaining a few degrees above normal overnight.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
As of 200 PM EDT Tuesday...The remnants of Fred are expected to be
well north of the Carolinas pushing into New England towards the
beginning of the forecast period. This should allow PoPs to decrease
Wednesday evening. Meanwhile, a ridge of high pressure will continue
to build into the Southeastern US while an area of low pressure near
the Great Lakes Region gradually tracks east towards New England.
This will act to suppress the ridge to the south Thursday evening
into Friday as the upper-level trough tracks across the western
Carolinas and northeast Georgia. This upper-level trough will
increase diurnal shower and thunderstorm chances Thursday and
Friday, especially for the western zones where PoPs are likely.
Westerly flow will be in place Thursday and Friday allowing high
temps to climb a few degrees above Climo.

&&

.LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/...
As of 200 PM EDT Tuesday...High pressure will remain in place across
the southern US throughout the extended forecast period. The area of
low pressure will continue tracking towards New England at the start
of the extended forecast period. Short waves will continue to ride
along this trough Saturday keeping a chance for showers and
thunderstorms around. PWATs climb back near 2.00 inches on Saturday
so heavy downpours could be a concern. This low should lift to the
north and east late this weekend into early Monday. As the low lifts
away from the region, high pressure will nudge back into the western
Carolinas and northeast Georgia Sunday into Monday. With high
pressure in place and no real upper-level forcing present, shower
and thunderstorm chances will be diurnally driven. Capped PoPs at
chance Sunday and Monday. Tuesday models are in good agreement
regarding the ridge retreating westward. This could allow heights to
lower along the East Coast towards the end of the forecast period.
For now decided to cap PoPs to a slight chance to chance. High temps
during the extended should remain a few degrees above climo.

&&

.AVIATION /04Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
At KCLT and elsewhere: Passage of TD Fred will continue to dictate
the fcst thru Wed morning. Winds will veer from ELY to SELY as the
circulation passes to the NW. As this circulation passes, periods
of rain and some thunderstorms will be prevalent. Main period of
heavy rain and thunder likely ends upon passage of current line
slowly moving eastward, which is expected to move east of KCLT
just after midnight or so. Continued saturated airmass will also
maintain significant cloud cover thru tomorrow morning, with some
fog possible in the morning and IFR ceilings likely. Some wind
gusts are also anticipated for locations close to the center of
the circulation of Fred; primarily KAVL, KHKY, and KCLT. Once
Fred passes, conditions will begin to improve.

Outlook: A gradual downward trend in diurnal convection is expected
on Wednesday in the wake of Fred's remnants, and continuing during
the latter half of the week. Widespread low stratus and areas of
fog are expected each morning thru at least late-week.

Confidence Table...

            03-09Z        09-15Z        15-21Z        21-00Z
KCLT       Med   78%     High  80%     Med   78%     High 100%
KGSP       Med   70%     Med   68%     High  88%     High 100%
KAVL       Med   76%     High  80%     High  80%     High 100%
KHKY       Med   66%     Low   58%     High  90%     High 100%
KGMU       Med   66%     Med   71%     High  98%     High 100%
KAND       Med   71%     Low   48%     High  98%     High 100%

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

www.weather.gov/gsp/aviation

&&

.GSP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
GA...Flash Flood Watch until 8 AM EDT Wednesday for GAZ010-017-018-
     026-028-029.
NC...Flash Flood Watch until 8 AM EDT Wednesday for NCZ033-048>053-
     058-059-062>065-501>510.
SC...Flash Flood Watch until 8 AM EDT Wednesday for SCZ001>007-
     010>012-019.

&&

SYNOPSIS...SBK
NEAR TERM...JPT
SHORT TERM...SBK
LONG TERM...SBK
AVIATION...JPT
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 17, 9:51 PM EDT, 2 hours 53 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
951 PM EDT Tue Aug 17 2021

GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ033-048>053-058-059-062>065-503>510-
SCZ001>007-010>012-019-190200-
Rabun-Habersham-Stephens-Franklin-Hart-Elbert-Avery-Madison-Yancey-
Mitchell-Swain-Haywood-Buncombe-Graham-Northern Jackson-Macon-
Southern Jackson-Transylvania-Henderson-Burke Mountains-
Greater Burke-McDowell Mountains-Eastern McDowell-
Rutherford Mountains-Greater Rutherford-Polk Mountains-Eastern Polk-
Oconee Mountains-Pickens Mountains-Greenville Mountains-
Greater Oconee-Greater Pickens-Greater Greenville-Spartanburg-
Anderson-Abbeville-Laurens-Greenwood-
951 PM EDT Tue Aug 17 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 AM EDT WEDNESDAY...

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

.DAY ONE...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.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

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

 Flash Flood Watch.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

None.

NCZ068-SCZ008-013-190200-
Cleveland-Cherokee-Union SC-
951 PM EDT Tue Aug 17 2021

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for piedmont North Carolina and
upstate South Carolina.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Deep tropical moisture from the remnants of Tropical Depression Fred
will produce periodic heavy rainfall with embedded thunderstorms
today into tonight. The main impacts are cloud-to-ground lightning,
isolated tornadoes, and heavy rainfall leading to the potential for
isolated flash flooding.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Hazardous weather is not expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed. Please relay any information about
observed severe weather to the NWS while following all local, state,
and CDC guidelines.

NCZ035>037-056-057-069>072-082-SCZ009-014-190200-
Alexander-Iredell-Davie-Catawba-Rowan-Lincoln-Gaston-Mecklenburg-
Cabarrus-Union NC-York-Chester-
951 PM EDT Tue Aug 17 2021

...TORNADO WATCH 446 IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM EDT WEDNESDAY...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for piedmont North Carolina and
upstate South Carolina.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

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

 Tornado Watch.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Hazardous weather is not expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed. Please relay any information about
observed severe weather to the NWS while following all local, state,
and CDC guidelines.

NCZ501-502-190200-
Caldwell Mountains-Greater Caldwell-
951 PM EDT Tue Aug 17 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 AM EDT WEDNESDAY...
...TORNADO WATCH 446 IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM EDT WEDNESDAY...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for western North Carolina.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

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

   Tornado Watch.
 Flash Flood Watch.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

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

 Flash Flood Watch.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed. Please relay any information about
observed severe weather to the NWS while following all local, state,
and CDC guidelines.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Aug 17, 8:49 PM EDT, 3 hours 55 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
849 PM EDT TUE AUG 17 2021

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

0704 PM     DEBRIS FLOW      1 N COVE CREEK          35.62N 83.01W
08/17/2021                   HAYWOOD            NC   PUBLIC

            ROCKSLIDE NEAR I-40 MILE MARKER 19

&&

MPR
Local storm report, Aug 17, 9:16 PM EDT, 3 hours 28 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
916 PM EDT TUE AUG 17 2021

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

0200 PM     TSTM WND DMG     3 NNW LOVE VALLEY       36.03N 81.00W
08/17/2021                   IREDELL            NC   FIRE DEPT/RESCUE

            TREES DOWN BLOCKING ROADWAY ON HILLSDALE ROAD NEAR LOVE
            VALLEY

&&

MPR
Local storm report, Aug 17, 9:26 PM EDT, 3 hours 18 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
926 PM EDT TUE AUG 17 2021

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

0859 PM     FLOOD            4 SE LAWNDALE           35.37N 81.51W
08/17/2021                   CLEVELAND          NC   TRAINED SPOTTER

            HWY 150 REPORTEDLY UNDERWATER NEAR ED STEIBEL IMPORTS

&&

MPR
Local storm report, Aug 17, 10:11 PM EDT, 2 hours 33 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
1011 PM EDT TUE AUG 17 2021

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

1005 PM     LIGHTNING        4 NNW VALE              35.58N 81.43W
08/17/2021                   CATAWBA            NC   FIRE DEPT/RESCUE

            LIGHTNING STRIKE TO ROOF WITH TORRENTIAL RAIN, FULL ROOF
            COLLAPSE WITH BUILDING ON FIRE

&&

MPR
Local storm report, Aug 17, 10:24 PM EDT, 2 hours 20 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
1024 PM EDT TUE AUG 17 2021

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

1017 PM     FLOOD            1 WNW COLLETTSVILLE     35.93N 81.68W
08/17/2021                   CALDWELL           NC   AMATEUR RADIO

            JOHNS RIVER ROAD AT HWY 90 IMPASSABLE DUE TO RIVER
            OVERFLOW

&&

MPR
Local storm report, Aug 17, 11:15 PM EDT, 1 hour 29 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
1115 PM EDT TUE AUG 17 2021

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

1106 PM     FLOOD            5 ENE TERRELL           35.62N 80.89W
08/17/2021                   IREDELL            NC   PUBLIC

            CREEK/STREAM OUT OF BANKS

&&

MPR

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 17, 8:30 PM EDTFlash Flood Warning EmergencyCatastrophic damage threatGSPHaywood6 hr
Aug 17, 8:55 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningGSPMitchell, Yancey6 hr
Aug 17, 9:01 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGSPBurke, Cleveland, Rutherford5 hr
Aug 17, 9:40 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGSPAlexander, Caldwell, Catawba, Gaston, Lincoln6 hr
Aug 17, 9:52 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningGSPHenderson, Transylvania14 hr
Aug 17, 10:03 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGSPMacon, Swain11 hr
Aug 17, 10:21 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningGSPCatawba3 hr
Aug 17, 10:33 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningGSPBuncombe7 hr
Aug 17, 10:44 PM EDTTornado WarningGSPAlexander, Iredell31 min
Aug 17, 10:53 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGSPIredell, Mecklenburg4 hr
Aug 17, 11:16 PM EDTRiver Flood WarningGSPMadison20 hr
Aug 18, 12:00 AM EDTRiver Flood AdvisoryGSPSwain10 hr
Aug 18, 1:18 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGSPMcDowell4 hr
Aug 18, 1:59 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGSPAvery3 hr
Aug 18, 2:21 AM EDTAreal Flood WarningGSPBurke, Caldwell6 hr
Aug 18, 3:15 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningGSPBuncombe, Henderson44 hr
Aug 18, 1:28 PM EDTRiver Flood WarningGSPHenderson, Transylvania69 hr

Nearby

Areal Flood Warnings in North Carolina, 2021Every areal flood warning in 2021

Sources

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