Tropical Cyclone Florence made landfall on the 15th and moved slowly west while weakening through the 16th. Gusty winds resulted in a few trees and power lines falling across portions of western North Carolina, with some trees falling on vehicles and structures.
Every event with a place to put it; 6 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS GSP wrote it up.
Tropical Cyclone Florence made landfall on the 15th and moved slowly west while weakening through the 16th. Gusty winds resulted in a few trees and power lines falling across portions of western North Carolina, with some trees falling on vehicles and structures.
The local office's own words before the first event, 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 the first event at Sep 15, 5:33 PM EST, 27 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
633 PM EDT Sat Sep 15 2018
.SYNOPSIS...
The remnants of Florence will continue to track into and through the
western Carolinas this weekend. This will result in a threat for
widespread flooding into Monday. Drying will occur across the
forecast area as Florence pulls away from the southeast early next
week.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY/...
As of 530 PM EDT: The center of Florence continues to crawl
slowly westward toward the SC Midlands. Rain continues to wrap
around the northern half of the storm but rates continue to be
relatively modest, with the better rates still off to the east and
southeast. This trend continues to check the flood threat...for the
time being. With that said, rainfall will continue to accumulate,
and excessive rain and flooding is still expected to develop in the
east this evening. The rest of the area will see the best rain rates
overnight tonight thru Sunday morning. Confidence is decreasing
on the western portions of the Flash Flood Watch, as all the 12z
guidance has come in lower and/or shifted a little NE with the
heavy rain axis. Will hold off on making any big changes just yet.
The other concern is winds. So far, it has been windy across the
eastern half of the CWA, with a few reports of trees down and power
outages, mainly over the Charlotte metro area. The wind advisory
looks well placed. Overnight, all the operational models show
an easterly LLJ increasing over the eastern escarpment of the NC
mountains up to 50-60 kts. The wind direction may stay slightly NE,
rather than due east, and forecast soundings show minimal mixing
(other than with the rainbands). So there is a possibility we may
need to upgrade part of the NC mountains east of the French Broad
River to a High Wind Warning. However, confidence on impacts is
too low, and that will have to monitored this evening. Lows will
be around 10 degrees above normal.
Florence should weaken to a tropical depression overnight, and begin
to speed up as it turns to a northward direction on Sunday. This
should shift the heavier rainbands north of the forecast area, but
keep the area cloudy. Winds will also gradually weaken and become
less gusty thru the day. The 12z guidance shows very little CAPE,
but shear will remain high, so a non-zero tornado threat may exist
again across the Piedmont. Highs will be 5 to 10 degrees below
normal, mainly in the 70s.
&&
.SHORT TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT/...
As of 1230 PM EDT Saturday: Significant flooding impacts are still
expected into early next week with Flash Flood Watch in effect
through Monday night for the area with the exception of the extreme
southwest mountains and northeast GA.
Remnants of Florence will continue moving northwest Sunday night,
before shifting north then northwest Monday into Monday night. Heavy
rainfall still possible Sunday night especially near the mountains
as easterly component to the wind flow results in upslope and
enhanced areas of rain. Sustained winds of 10-20kts will be
accompanied by stronger gusts as low level jet of 20-30kts at 925mb
over the northern areas lifts further north and begins to weaken by
Monday morning. The saturated soils and gusty winds continue to be
of concern for downed trees. With heavy rainfall, landslides will be
possible across the mountains and higher foothills through the
forecast period. Areas where landslides have recently occurred will
be more susceptible to additional landslides. As for the rivers,
river flooding continues to be likely for the Catawba, Yadkin, and
Broad watersheds. Latest river forecasts are already showing some
locations along the Catawba and Yadkin rivers are likely to reach
major flood stage.
On Monday, wrap around precipitation will continue to affect
portions of the region as Florence becomes post-tropical developing
into a weak, broad area of low pressure. Southern portions of the FA
will see drier conditions, but a few passing showers can't be ruled
out. The chance for more rainfall exists into late Tuesday/Tuesday
night as 500mb wave phases with remnants of Florence. The mid-level
wave will extend southward into the area with a trough at the
surface, triggering convection Tuesday into Tuesday night,
especially across higher elevations.
Temperatures throughout the period will be bout 5 degrees above
normal.
&&
.LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
As of 1230 PM EDT Saturday: By Wednesday morning, drier air filters
in as high pressure builds over the southeast. The axis of high
pressure will shift northeast, bringing east to southeasterly flow
into the region and increase moisture on Thursday. Cannot rule out a
few diurnally driven showers across the mountains Thursday afternoon.
The ridge of high pressure continues to shift further into the
northern Atlantic, as a surface frontal boundary approaches by the
end of the work week. This boundary will bring another chance of
rain into the weekend.
&&
.AVIATION /00Z SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
At KCLT and elsewhere: A gradual deterioration in flight conditions
continues from east to west this aftn into this evening, as Florence
spins westward over the Carolinas. Very gusty winds continue across
the area through tonight, with strongest winds expected this evening
across the Piedmont, and overnight across the mountains. MVFR cigs
will follow a similar trend. Cigs and vsby will fall to IFR as heavy
rain moves in from the east. LLWS is a concern, with 40-60kts out of
the NE around 2000 ft AGL through tonight. Florence will make a
right turn and start to lift north while continuing to weaken. This
should bring winds around out of the SE toward the end or just after
the 18z TAF period. Winds should lose much of the stronger gusts by
midday Sunday, with some improvement in cigs beginning during the
aftn hours.
Outlook: Expect intermittent MVFR or IFR flight restrictions with
periods of moderate to heavy rain into early Monday as the remnants
of Florence move across the western Carolinas. Flight conditions
improve later on Monday and into Tuesday.
Confidence Table...
22-04Z 04-10Z 10-16Z 16-18Z
KCLT High 94% Med 72% High 94% High 82%
KGSP Med 78% High 80% High 86% High 100%
KAVL Med 78% High 89% High 86% High 97%
KHKY High 94% Med 72% Med 78% High 100%
KGMU Med 66% Med 65% Med 75% High 100%
KAND High 94% High 86% High 83% 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 and ensemble forecasts
are available at the following link:
www.weather.gov/gsp/aviation
&&
.GSP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
GA...Wind Advisory until 8 AM EDT Sunday for GAZ010-017.
NC...Wind Advisory until 8 AM EDT Sunday for NCZ033-035>037-048>053-
056>059-062>065-068>072-082-501>510.
Flash Flood Watch through Monday evening for NCZ033-035>037-
048>050-052-053-056-057-059-063>065-068>072-082-501>510.
SC...Wind Advisory until 8 AM EDT Sunday for SCZ001>014-019.
Flash Flood Watch through Monday evening for SCZ001>014-019.
&&
SYNOPSIS...CSH
NEAR TERM...ARK/PM
SHORT TERM...KM
LONG TERM...KM
AVIATION...ARKHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 415 AM EDT Sat Sep 15 2018 NCZ035>037-056-057-068>072-082-502-504-506-508-SCZ004>014-019-160815- Alexander-Iredell-Davie-Catawba-Rowan-Cleveland-Lincoln-Gaston- Mecklenburg-Cabarrus-Union-Greater Caldwell-Greater Burke- Eastern McDowell-Greater Rutherford-Greater Oconee-Greater Pickens- Greater Greenville-Spartanburg-Cherokee-York-Anderson-Abbeville- Laurens-Chester-Greenwood- 415 AM EDT Sat Sep 15 2018 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 AM EDT SUNDAY... ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM EDT THIS MORNING THROUGH MONDAY EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for piedmont North Carolina, 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. Wind Advisory. Flash Flood Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Advisory. Flash Flood Watch. Despite weakening quickly to a tropical storm and tropical depression as it moves west through the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia, Florence will bring very significant impacts to the region through the weekend and possibly into Monday. Prepare now for flooding rainfall, landslides along steep terrain in and near the mountains, and gusty winds that could damage trees and power lines. In addition, the threat of isolated, brief tornadoes is possible on Sunday. The track of Florence, and the latest forecast of the elements, will need to be monitored very closely over the next several days. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... None. NCZ033-048>050-052-053-059-063>065-501-503-505-507-509-510- SCZ001>003-160815- Avery-Madison-Yancey-Mitchell-Haywood-Buncombe-Northern Jackson- Southern Jackson-Transylvania-Henderson-Caldwell Mountains- Burke Mountains-McDowell Mountains-Rutherford Mountains- Polk Mountains-Eastern Polk-Oconee Mountains-Pickens Mountains- Greenville Mountains- 415 AM EDT Sat Sep 15 2018 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 AM EDT SUNDAY... ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM EDT THIS MORNING THROUGH MONDAY EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for 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. Wind Advisory. Flash Flood Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Advisory. Flash Flood Watch. Despite weakening quickly to a tropical storm and tropical depression as it moves west through the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia, Florence will bring very significant impacts to the region through the weekend and possibly into Monday. Prepare now for flooding rainfall, landslides along steep terrain in and near the mountains, and gusty winds that could damage trees and power lines. In addition, the threat of isolated, brief tornadoes is possible on Sunday. The track of Florence, and the latest forecast of the elements, will need to be monitored very closely over the next several days. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... None. GAZ010-017-NCZ051-058-062-160815- Rabun-Habersham-Swain-Graham-Macon- 415 AM EDT Sat Sep 15 2018 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 AM EDT SUNDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia and western North 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. Wind Advisory. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Advisory. Despite weakening quickly to a tropical storm and tropical depression as it moves west through the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia, Florence will bring very significant impacts to the region through the weekend and possibly into Monday. Prepare now for flooding rainfall, landslides along steep terrain in and near the mountains, and gusty winds that could damage trees and power lines. In addition, the threat of isolated, brief tornadoes is possible on Sunday. The track of Florence, and the latest forecast of the elements, will need to be monitored very closely over the next several days. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... None. GAZ018-026-028-029-160815- Stephens-Franklin-Hart-Elbert- 415 AM EDT Sat Sep 15 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. An isolated thunderstorm is possible through tonight. Winds may be gusty at times. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. Despite weakening quickly to a tropical storm and tropical depression as it moves west through the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia, Florence will bring very significant impacts to the region through the weekend and possibly into Monday. Prepare now for flooding rainfall, landslides along steep terrain in and near the mountains, and gusty winds that could damage trees and power lines. In addition, the threat of isolated, brief tornadoes is possible on Sunday. The track of Florence, and the latest forecast of the elements, will need to be monitored very closely over the next several days. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... None.
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
505 PM EDT SAT SEP 15 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0435 PM NON-TSTM WND DMG GASTONIA 35.25N 81.17W
09/15/2018 GASTON NC TRAINED SPOTTER
A TREE REPORTED DOWN ON HOUSE ON CRESCENT LANE IN
GASTONIA, NC.
&&
JPTPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
518 PM EDT SAT SEP 15 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0245 PM NON-TSTM WND DMG BEREA 34.88N 82.47W
09/15/2018 GREENVILLE SC AMATEUR RADIO
LARGE PINE TREE FELL ON A MOBILE HOME NEAR
INTERSECTION OF WOODRIDGE DRIVE AND PARKDALE DRIVE IN
BEREA. TIME OF REPORT. EXACT TIME OF INCIDENT UNKNOWN.
&&
WIMBERLEYSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
525 PM EDT SAT SEP 15 2018
GAZ029-NCZ035>037-056-057-068>072-082-504-508-510-SCZ006>014-019-
152300-
Elbert GA-Rowan NC-Davie NC-Greater Burke NC-Eastern Polk NC-
Iredell NC-Cleveland NC-Lincoln NC-Greater Rutherford NC-Gaston NC-
Union NC-Mecklenburg NC-Cabarrus NC-Alexander NC-Catawba NC-York SC-
Cherokee SC-Abbeville SC-Chester SC-Anderson SC-Union SC-Laurens SC-
Greenwood SC-Spartanburg SC-Greater Greenville SC-
525 PM EDT SAT SEP 15 2018
...MULTIPLE LINES OF TROPICAL RAIN BANDS WILL IMPACT EASTERN
ELBERT...CATAWBA... SOUTHEASTERN RUTHERFORD...SOUTHEASTERN
ALEXANDER...GASTON...UNION...
CABARRUS...DAVIE...IREDELL...CLEVELAND...LINCOLN...SOUTHEASTERN
POLK...MECKLENBURG...ROWAN...SOUTHEASTERN BURKE...UNION...
SOUTHEASTERN GREENVILLE...CHESTER...YORK...CHEROKEE...GREENWOOD...
LAURENS...SPARTANBURG...SOUTHEASTERN ANDERSON AND ABBEVILLE COUNTIES
UNTIL 700 PM EDT...
At 523 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated continuous lines of tropical
rain showers along a line extending from 7 miles southwest of
Huntersville to 11 miles northwest of Greenwood, and moving
southwest at 35 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Gastonia, Rock Hill, Uptown Charlotte, Huntersville, Kannapolis,
Hickory, Downtown Concord, Spartanburg, Monroe and Salisbury.
Wind gusts up to 45 mph will be possible in these areas.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Gusty winds can blow down trees that are dead, or that have weakened
root systems. Outdoor furniture and similar items can be tossed
around if not anchored. Seek shelter indoors.
The combination of gusty winds and saturated soil conditions will
cause scattered trees and power lines to fall. Seek shelter inside an
interior room.
&&
LAT...LON 3550 8030 3519 8051 3519 8028 3481 8032
3482 8080 3508 8091 3454 8088 3457 8142
3445 8154 3453 8164 3430 8190 3396 8201
3408 8248 3396 8257 3401 8293 3543 8193
3599 8098 3597 8039 3574 8046 3551 8018
TIME...MOT...LOC 2123Z 012DEG 78KT 3533 8092 3433 8225
KRENTZPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
602 PM EDT SAT SEP 15 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0547 PM NON-TSTM WND DMG 1 ESE MARION 35.68N 82.00W
09/15/2018 MCDOWELL NC EMERGENCY MNGR
TREE DOWN ON A STRUCTURE ON TENNESSEE AVENUE.
&&
WIMBERLEYPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
604 PM EDT SAT SEP 15 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0558 PM NON-TSTM WND DMG FORT MILL 35.01N 80.94W
09/15/2018 YORK SC LAW ENFORCEMENT
AWNING OVER GAS PUMPS WAS BLOWN DOWN ON SPRATT ST IN
FORT MILL.
&&
WIMBERLEYSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
700 PM EDT SAT SEP 15 2018
NCZ036-037-056-057-068>072-082-SCZ006>014-019-152330-
Rowan NC-Davie NC-Iredell NC-Cleveland NC-Lincoln NC-Gaston NC-
Union NC-Mecklenburg NC-Cabarrus NC-Catawba NC-York SC-Cherokee SC-
Laurens SC-Abbeville SC-Chester SC-Anderson SC-Union SC-Greenwood SC-
Spartanburg SC-Greater Greenville SC-
700 PM EDT SAT SEP 15 2018
...LINES OF GUSTY TROPICAL RAIN SHOWERS WILL CONTINUE ACROSS
SOUTHEASTERN CATAWBA...
LINCOLN...GASTON...UNION...CABARRUS...DAVIE...SOUTHERN IREDELL...
MECKLENBURG...ROWAN...CLEVELAND...LAURENS...UNION...SOUTHEASTERN
GREENVILLE...CHESTER...YORK...CENTRAL SPARTANBURG...EASTERN
ANDERSON...CHEROKEE...EASTERN ABBEVILLE AND GREENWOOD COUNTIES UNTIL
730 PM EDT...
At 658 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated lines of tropical rain
showers extending from 6 miles northeast of Kannapolis to 10 miles
northeast of Greenwood, and moving southwest at 35 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Gastonia, Rock Hill, Uptown Charlotte, Huntersville, Kannapolis,
Downtown Concord, Spartanburg, Monroe, Salisbury and Statesville.
Wind gusts up to 45 mph will be possible in these areas.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Gusty winds can blow down trees that are dead, or that have weakened
root systems. Outdoor furniture and similar items can be tossed
around if not anchored. Seek shelter indoors.
The combination of gusty winds and saturated soil conditions will
cause scattered trees and power lines to fall. Seek shelter inside an
interior room.
&&
LAT...LON 3406 8246 3407 8246 3450 8239 3550 8146
3604 8045 3589 8037 3574 8046 3551 8018
3550 8030 3519 8051 3519 8028 3481 8032
3482 8080 3508 8091 3454 8088 3457 8142
3445 8154 3453 8164 3430 8190 3396 8201
TIME...MOT...LOC 2258Z 026DEG 75KT 3555 8054 3429 8203
KRENTZThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
6 strong wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Media reported a tree fell on a mobile home on Moses Ct in Dallas on the morning of the 16th, killing a 3-month-old boy inside the home.
A 46-year-old woman was killed in Rutherford County on 9/18 when a tree that had been uprooted by strong winds on the 15th and 16th fell over on her vehicle.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strong Wind, Gaston | 2018-09-16 | 0 | Male | Mobile/Trailer Home | Direct |
| Strong Wind, Greater Rutherford | 2018-09-18 | 46 | Female | Vehicle/Towed Trailer | Direct |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in North Carolina in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in North Carolina, September 2018
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 787800, 787801, 787803, 787804, 787808, 787921.