Rivers in North Carolina
Roanoke River at Williamston
Below flood stage
4.71ftStage
Observed Thu, Sep 24, 3:00 PM EDT
- Flood stage
- 12.00 ft
- Record crest
- 20.50 ft1940
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 15.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 13.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 12.00 ft |
| Action | 10.50 ft |
- 17.00 ftHomes north and south of Williamston are flooded. Secondary roads adjacent to the river are under water and impassable.
- 15.00 ftMany secondary roads near the river are flooded. Thousands of acres of farmland are flooded. Several homes and livestock areas are threatened around Island Farms.
- 13.00 ftMany acres of farmland are flooded. Water will begin to reach some secondary roads near the river.
- 12.00 ftWidespread low land flooding is expected adjacent to the river. Operations at the water treatment plant in Williamston are impacted by water.
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
18 crests on NOAA’s list since 1877.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | August 22, 1940 | 20.50 ft |
| 2 | January 1, 1877 | 18.10 ft |
| 3 | March 15, 1912 | 17.80 ft |
| 4 | January 1, 1919 | 16.10 ft |
| 5 | April 18, 1957 | 16.00 ft |
| 6 | September 26, 1945 | 15.00 ft |
| 7 | January 27, 1936 | 14.70 ft |
| 8 | January 1, 1923 | 14.30 ft |
| 9 | January 27, 1937 | 14.00 ft |
| 10 | February 22, 1948 | 13.10 ft |
| 11 | September 18, 1999 | 13.01 ft |
| 12 | December 1, 2018 | 12.37 ft |
| 13 | November 28, 2020 | 12.34 ft |
| 14 | September 22, 1996 | 12.20 ft |
| 15 | May 14, 2017 | 12.10 ft |
| 16 | October 14, 2016 | 11.61 ft |
| 17 | July 17, 2013 | 11.40 ft |
| 18 | April 6, 2012 | 11.01 ft |
Most recent crests
- November 28, 2020: 12.34 ft
- December 1, 2018: 12.37 ft
- May 14, 2017: 12.10 ft
- October 14, 2016: 11.61 ft
- July 17, 2013: 11.40 ft
- April 6, 2012: 11.01 ft
- September 18, 1999: 13.01 ft
- September 22, 1996: 12.20 ft
- April 18, 1957: 16.00 ft
- February 22, 1948: 13.10 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
What this means
Forecasts by the Southeast River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available.
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.