Neuse River at Kinston

1. 27.00 ftCatastrophic flooding. Comparable to the floods from Hurricanes Matthew and Floyd. All major roads on the south side of Kinston are flooded. Numerous businesses and homes have significant inundation. Most creeks in Lenoir County are backed up and cause widespread flooding, with many homes and businesses inundated.
2. 25.00 ftDevastating flooding. Countless homes and businesses are flooded mostly south of the river in Lenoir county. Water floods the intersection of Highway 258 and 70, as well as most of the businesses on this stretch of road south of Kinston. All major highways on the south side of Kinston are impassible, especially Highways 70 and 11. East of Kinston, Highway 55 is impassable at low spots around the bridge with some homes flooded.
3. 23.00 ftMany homes and businesses on the south side of the river from Seven Springs to Kinston are flooded. Highway 11 and numerous secondary roads are impassable. Water floods the Rivermont area.
4. 21.00 ftSome homes and businesses southeast of Kinston are flooded. Water floods several secondary roads southeast of Kinston as well as Highway 11. Small streams across Lenoir, southern Pitt and northern Craven Counties flood secondary roads and may affect some homes.
5. 18.00 ftWidespread lowland flooding adjacent to the river. Water approaches some secondary roads over the southeast sections of Kinston. Campgrounds and picnic areas at the Nature Center in Kinston are inundated.
6. 16.00 ftFlooding of the campground at the Nature Center is expected. Water encroaches onto other properties along the south side of the river.
7. 14.00 ftWater overflows into lowlands adjacent to the river. Water access docks are also affected.

Chance of flooding, September to November

The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 15, 2026.

Most recent crests

• September 25, 2024: 16.26 ft
• August 16, 2024: 18.23 ft
• January 20, 2024: 14.90 ft
• December 24, 2023: 15.45 ft
• November 20, 2020: 21.51 ft
• September 11, 2019: 13.92 ft
• September 21, 2018: 25.78 ft
• May 3, 2017: 21.47 ft
• October 14, 2016: 28.31 ft
• March 15, 2014: 14.53 ft

• UpstreamNeuse River at Goldsboro
• DownstreamNeuse River at Fort Barnwell
• Contentnea Creek at Grifton
• Contentnea Creek at Hookerton
• Contentnea Creek at Snow Hill
• Neuse River at Neuse River at Main St in Seven Springs
• Little Contentnea Creek at Ayden
• Trent River West of Trenton at West of Trenton
• Trent River at Trenton

Forecasts by the Southeast River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available.

Stage, flood stages, impacts and crest history from NOAA’s National Water Prediction Service. Streamflow and the daily record from the U.S. Geological Survey.