Rivers in North Carolina
Tar River at Louisburg
Below flood stage
3.62ftStage
Observed Mon, Sep 28, 5:45 AM EDT
- Flood stage
- 20.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 3.60 ftMon, Sep 28, 8:00 AM EDT
- Record crest
- 26.05 ft1999
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 23.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 22.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 20.00 ft |
| Action | 20.00 ft |
- 37.00 ftWater reaches the road surface of the US401 bridge.
- 34.00 ftSouth Main Street bridge is flooded to a depth of approximately 5 feet.
- 29.00 ftWater reaches the road level of the Main Street bridge. Flooding reaches businesses on Main and Nash Streets. The grounds of the Louisburg wastewater treatment plant (near the mouth of Fox swamp) is covered with water.
- 25.00 ftSignificant flooding at businesses along Johnson, Court, Elm, and Short Streets.
- 23.00 ftMajor flooding begins. Homes and businesses along Johnson Street flood.
- 22.00 ftModerate flooding begins. Flooding begins in Pruitt and Shannon Villages on the east side of town.
- 20.00 ftMinor flooding begins. Banks overflow at Main Street. River Bend Park is flooded and storm drains are inundated along the river.
- 18.00 ftBankfull in the vicinity of Main Street. Minor flooding begins in River Bend Park 0.1 miles upstream of Main Street.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | Under 5% |
| Moderate flooding | Under 5% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 15, 2026.
Crest history
25 crests on NOAA’s list since 1974.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 17, 1999 | 26.05 ft |
| 2 | September 7, 1996 | 25.34 ft |
| 3 | April 28, 1978 | 24.36 ft |
| 4 | October 10, 2016 | 23.25 ft |
| 5 | August 9, 2024 | 23.23 ft |
| 6 | July 16, 1975 | 23.00 ft |
| 7 | April 26, 2017 | 22.90 ft |
| 8 | November 14, 2018 | 22.03 ft |
| 9 | October 13, 2002 | 21.77 ft |
| 10 | May 17, 2014 | 21.68 ft |
| 11 | January 5, 1992 | 21.57 ft |
| 12 | March 2, 1987 | 21.24 ft |
| 13 | November 23, 1985 | 21.16 ft |
| 14 | November 13, 1980 | 21.05 ft |
| 15 | September 19, 2018 | 20.98 ft |
| 16 | March 31, 2001 | 20.75 ft |
| 17 | March 7, 1984 | 20.69 ft |
| 18 | February 23, 1989 | 20.63 ft |
| 19 | December 26, 2020 | 20.59 ft |
| 20 | September 9, 1974 | 19.85 ft |
| 21 | June 12, 1982 | 19.57 ft |
| 22 | March 31, 1991 | 18.88 ft |
| 23 | February 3, 1985 | 18.79 ft |
| 24 | October 13, 2018 | 18.43 ft |
| 25 | April 4, 1990 | 18.29 ft |
Most recent crests
- August 9, 2024: 23.23 ft
- December 26, 2020: 20.59 ft
- November 14, 2018: 22.03 ft
- October 13, 2018: 18.43 ft
- September 19, 2018: 20.98 ft
- April 26, 2017: 22.90 ft
- October 10, 2016: 23.25 ft
- May 17, 2014: 21.68 ft
- October 13, 2002: 21.77 ft
- March 31, 2001: 20.75 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
- UpstreamTar River at Tar River
- DownstreamTar River at NC97 In Rocky Mount
- Tar River at NC581 Nr Spring Hope
- Neuse River Below Falls Dam at Neuse River Below Falls Dam
- Little River (NC) at Zebulon
- Neuse River at Falls Lake
- Stony Creek at Nashville
- Beaverdam Creek (NC) at Creedmore
- Little Fishing Creek at Ringwood
What this means
Forecasts by the Southeast River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued routinely year-round.
Sources
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.