North Carolina, 2018

Flash Flooding and Flooding in North Carolina, September 16 to 17, 2018

September 16 to 17, 2018 · NWS GSP · 15 events in 10 counties and zones

Tropical Cyclone Florence made landfall on the 15th and moved slowly west while weakening through the 16th. Widespread rainfall of 4 to 10 inches, with locally higher amounts fell across western North Carolina over a 36-48 hour period, with the highest totals reported along the Blue Ridge escarpment, and in southern and eastern sections of the Charlotte Metro area.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths
2
Injuries
0
Property damage
$89,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
15

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.

What happened

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. Widespread rainfall of 4 to 10 inches, with locally higher amounts fell across western North Carolina over a 36-48 hour period, with the highest totals reported along the Blue Ridge escarpment, and in southern and eastern sections of the Charlotte Metro area. Localized flash flooding was reported in these areas, with severe flash flooding reported across Union County.

What forecasters said that day

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 16, 6:12 AM EST, 1 hour 1 minute earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Sep 16, 6:12 AM EST, 1 hour 1 minute before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
712 AM EDT Sun Sep 16 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 with the rain chances returning towards the end of the week.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
As of 645 AM EDT: The center of Florence continues to crawl slowly
westward near Columbia. Rain continues to wrap around the northern
half of the storm and across our area, but rates have been generally
modest. That said, there have been some brief heavy amounts. The
heavier rain rates are off the the east but will move in as the
center of Florence moves west this morning then NW this afternoon.
The strong low level flow becomes more easterly increasing the
orographic component and keeping moisture transport high. Given the
forecast track, the heaviest rainfall will be from along the NC/SC
border north across the Foothills and Piedmont to along and near the
Blue Ridge Escarpment. Additional rainfall of up to 6 inches will be
possible across these areas today and tonight. Rainfall drops off to
the SW with one-half to one inch from the Upper Savannah River
Valley north into the SW NC Mountains. 1 to 3 inches may fall
between these two areas. The Flash Flood Watch likely extends too
far west. However, don't want to cancel any portions just yet since
the heaviest rain rates are yet to come.

Wind gusts up to 50 mph will become more widespread this morning as
the stronger winds spread in from the east. Therefore, will extend
the Wind Advisory through the day today but portions of the advisory
may be able to be cancelled early.

The tropical tornado threat has increased somewhat this afternoon
and early evening. 0-1 km helicity remains quite high with the
strong low level jet in place. The change is an increase in muCAPE
across the I-77 corridor into the NC Foothills. SPC has upgraded
this area into the Marginal category as a result.

Precip chances, and resulting threats, taper off from SW to NE
overnight. Highs today will be 5 to 10 degrees below normal, while
lows tonight will be 5 to 10 degrees above normal.

&&

.SHORT TERM /MONDAY THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT/...
As of 345 AM EDT Sunday: A Flash Flood Watch remains in effect for
portions of the area through Monday evening.

Model guidance remains in fairly good agreement with the placement
of what will be post-tropical Florence over Kentucky Monday morning,
as the system is progged to weaken and become an open 500 mb wave by
late Tuesday. As it propagates up towards the Ohio River Valley but
then pushes eastward with sfc trough, lingering wrap around moisture
will allow for isolated showers to persist across the FA through
Tuesday late afternoon/evening, gradually tapering off from south to
north. Additional rainfall amounts of a quarter of an inch or less
are possible. Overnight Tuesday, PoPs drop off below mentionable wx,
and thus the drying trend begins. Temperatures throughout the short
term will remain just above normal.

&&

.LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
As of 350 AM EDT Sunday: Not much has changed in regards to the
extended forecast period from earlier today, as latest guidance
continues to depict the expansion of high pressure into the
Southeast on Wednesday. Expect this feature to linger through the
end of the week, as guidance depicts the ridge of high pressure
shifting from across the Carolinas and into the Atlantic. As a
result, south-southeasterly flow returns and so does the
infiltration of moisture into the area ahead of an approaching front
from the northwest. Thus, would not entirely rule out a few diurnal
showers as early as Thursday, mainly across the mountains. As the
boundary moves closer to the FA, expect the potential for showers
and thunderstorms to expand across the entire area beginning Friday
afternoon and continuing through the weekend. Rainfall amounts will
be minimal. Temperatures will remain above normal.

&&

.AVIATION /11Z SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
At KCLT and elsewhere: Very gusty NE winds will continue across the
area this morning. IFR ceilings are expected by daybreak with IFR
vsby east and MVFR west where the heavier rainfall moves in. IFR
cigs continue through the day with IFR vsby for all but KAND where
rain will be lighter. Gusty NE winds continue as well, but speeds
drop off from west to east during the afternoon. Winds diminish even
more during the evening and turn ESE to SE as the the weakening
center of the Florence remnant moves north across the area.

Outlook: Expect intermittent MVFR or IFR flight restrictions with
periods of moderate to heavy rain early Monday as the remnants of
Florence move north of the western Carolinas. Flight conditions
improve later on Monday and into Tuesday.

Confidence Table...

            11-17Z        17-23Z        23-05Z        05-06Z
KCLT       Med   75%     High  94%     High  94%     High 100%
KGSP       High  81%     High  89%     High  94%     Med   68%
KAVL       High 100%     High  83%     High 100%     High 100%
KHKY       High 100%     High  94%     High  89%     High 100%
KGMU       High  81%     High  89%     High 100%     High  93%
KAND       High 100%     High  89%     High  94%     Low   53%

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 6 PM EDT this evening for GAZ010-017.
NC...Flash Flood Watch through Monday evening for NCZ033-035>037-
     048>050-052-053-056-057-059-063>065-068>072-082-501>510.
     Wind Advisory until 6 PM EDT this evening for NCZ033-035>037-
     048>053-056>059-062>065-068>072-082-501>510.
SC...Flash Flood Watch through Monday evening for SCZ001>014-019.
     Wind Advisory until 6 PM EDT this evening for SCZ001>014-019.

&&

SYNOPSIS...CSH/SGL
NEAR TERM...RWH
SHORT TERM...SGL
LONG TERM...SGL
AVIATION...RWH
Hazardous weather outlook, Sep 16, 4:14 AM EST, 2 hours 59 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
514 AM EDT Sun Sep 16 2018

NCZ033-035>037-048>050-052-053-056-057-059-063>065-068>072-082-
501>510-SCZ001>014-019-170915-
Avery-Alexander-Iredell-Davie-Madison-Yancey-Mitchell-Haywood-
Buncombe-Catawba-Rowan-Northern Jackson-Southern Jackson-
Transylvania-Henderson-Cleveland-Lincoln-Gaston-Mecklenburg-Cabarrus-
Union-Caldwell Mountains-Greater Caldwell-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-
Cherokee-York-Anderson-Abbeville-Laurens-Chester-Greenwood-
514 AM EDT Sun Sep 16 2018

...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EDT THIS EVENING...
...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT 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.

   Flash Flood Watch.
   Wind Advisory.

Tropical Depression Florence will bring significant impacts to the
region through today as it moves west through the western Carolinas
and northeast Georgia. Prepare now for flooding rainfall, landslides
along steep terrain in and near the mountains, and gusty winds that
could damage trees and power lines. Isolated, brief tornadoes are
possible today as well.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

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

   Flash Flood Watch.

Rainfall from Tropical Depression Florence will linger into Monday.
Thus, the threat of flooding rainfall will continue as well as the
potential for landslides along steep terrain in and near the
mountains.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

None.

GAZ010-017-NCZ051-058-062-170915-
Rabun-Habersham-Swain-Graham-Macon-
514 AM EDT Sun Sep 16 2018

...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

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...Monday through Saturday.

Hazardous weather is not expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

None.

GAZ018-026-028-029-170915-
Stephens-Franklin-Hart-Elbert-
514 AM EDT Sun Sep 16 2018

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Isolated showers are expected today and tonight with gusty winds
at times.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

Hazardous weather is not expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

None.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Sep 16, 2:49 AM EST, 4 hours 24 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
349 AM EDT SUN SEP 16 2018

NCZ035>037-056-057-068>072-082-502-504-508-SCZ008-009-013-014-160945-
Rowan NC-Davie NC-Iredell NC-Cleveland NC-Lincoln NC-
Greater Burke NC-Greater Rutherford NC-Gaston NC-Union NC-
Greater Caldwell NC-Mecklenburg NC-Cabarrus NC-Alexander NC-
Catawba NC-York SC-Cherokee SC-Chester SC-Union SC-
349 AM EDT SUN SEP 16 2018

...GUSTY RAIN BANDS WITH TORRENTIAL RAINFALL WILL IMPACT CATAWBA...
NORTHEASTERN RUTHERFORD...SOUTHERN ALEXANDER...LINCOLN...GASTON...
UNION...CABARRUS...DAVIE...IREDELL...SOUTHEASTERN CALDWELL...
MECKLENBURG...ROWAN...CLEVELAND...SOUTHEASTERN BURKE...UNION...
CHESTER...YORK AND CHEROKEE COUNTIES UNTIL 545 AM EDT...

At 347 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking numerous rain bands
associated with Tropical Storm Florence with torrential rainfall
moving west at 35 mph.

Locations to be impacted include...
Gastonia, Rock Hill, Uptown Charlotte, Huntersville, Kannapolis,
Hickory, Downtown Concord, Monroe, Salisbury and Statesville.

Wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible in these areas.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

The combination of gusty winds and saturated soil conditions will
cause scattered trees and power lines to fall. Seek shelter inside an
interior room.

Torrential rainfall may flood areas with poor drainage, such as
ditches and underpasses. Avoid these areas and do not cross flooded
roads. Water levels of small streams may also rise rapidly. Seek
higher ground if threatened by flood waters.

&&

LAT...LON 3550 8030 3519 8051 3519 8028 3481 8032
      3482 8080 3494 8078 3508 8091 3455 8087
      3457 8142 3450 8142 3445 8155 3455 8167
      3570 8175 3606 8046 3590 8037 3584 8039
      3583 8049 3574 8046 3571 8033 3551 8018
TIME...MOT...LOC 0747Z 084DEG 32KT 3536 8101

Carroll
Local storm report, Sep 16, 4:30 AM EST, 2 hours 43 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
530 AM EDT SUN SEP 16 2018

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

0529 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG MORGANTON               35.74N 81.70W
09/16/2018                   BURKE              NC   BROADCAST MEDIA

            SEVERAL TREES DOWN ACROSS BURKE COUNTY. BRYANT ROAD IN
            DREXEL, HEARTLAND RD AT PAX HILL RD NORTH OF MORGANTON,
            ENOLA AND WATERSHED RD SOUTH OF MORGANTON.

&&

TPALMER
Local storm report, Sep 16, 5:30 AM EST, 1 hour 43 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
630 AM EDT SUN SEP 16 2018

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

0500 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG 2 S STALLINGS           35.06N 80.69W
09/16/2018                   UNION              NC   BROADCAST MEDIA

            TREE DOWN ON A HOUSE CAUSING SIGNIFICANT STRUCTURAL
            DAMAGE.

&&

LVISIN
Special weather statement, Sep 16, 5:56 AM EST, 1 hour 17 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
656 AM EDT SUN SEP 16 2018

NCZ057-071-072-082-161230-
Rowan NC-Union NC-Mecklenburg NC-Cabarrus NC-
656 AM EDT SUN SEP 16 2018

...AN AREA OF HEAVY RAIN WILL IMPACT CABARRUS...MECKLENBURG...ROWAN
AND UNION COUNTIES UNTIL 830 AM EDT...

At 652 AM EDT, Doppler radar indicated the leading edge of an
incoming band of heavy rain along a line extending from 8 miles
southeast of Salisbury to near Monroe, and moving northwest at 40
mph. The band of rain extends farther southeast into northern South
Carolina, and the heavy rain will persist across the Charlotte Metro
area for some time. Expect increased ponding of water and some rises
on area waterways. As the rain continues to fall, Flood Advisories
or Flash Flood Warnings may be needed over the next few hours.
Residents and motorists are urged to exercise extreme caution today.

Locations to be impacted include...
Uptown Charlotte, Huntersville, Kannapolis, Downtown Concord, Monroe,
Salisbury, Central Charlotte, South Charlotte, Northeast Charlotte
and Southwest Charlotte.

Wind gusts up to 40 mph and very heavy rainfall rates up to 2 inches
per hour will be possible in these areas.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

The combination of gusty winds and saturated soil conditions will
cause scattered trees and power lines to fall. Seek shelter inside an
interior room.

Torrential rainfall may flood areas with poor drainage, such as
ditches and underpasses. Avoid these areas and do not cross flooded
roads. Water levels of small streams may also rise rapidly. Seek
higher ground if threatened by flood waters.

These heavy rain may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
and tv stations, as well as local cable tv outlets for additional
information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 3550 8030 3519 8051 3516 8044 3519 8028
      3481 8032 3482 8080 3494 8078 3511 8093
      3506 8106 3513 8105 3516 8100 3534 8099
      3536 8092 3537 8099 3549 8094 3551 8074
      3568 8077 3579 8073 3572 8034 3551 8018
TIME...MOT...LOC 1052Z 118DEG 34KT 3556 8040 3499 8049

TDP

The radar

The Greer radar (KGSP), 148 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 12:12 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

9 flash flood, 6 flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Flash Flood, Mecklenburg

When
September 16, 7:13 AM EST to 5:30 PM EST
Where
Mecklenburg County, 2.21 mi NNE of Hahn to 2.6 mi N of Wilgrove
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
River/Stream Gage
Coordinates
35.347, -80.699

EM and stream gauges indicated flash flooding developed during the morning of the 16th and steadily worsened through the morning and afternoon, especially across eastern and southern sections of Mecklenburg County where 6 to 10 inches fell throughout the 16th. The main streams impacted where Mallard Creek in the eastern part of the county and McAlpine and McMullen Creek and their tributaries in South Charlotte. Multiple stream gauges on these streams exceeded their established flood stages. A couple of dozen roads were closed due to urban and small stream flooding during the afternoon, especially across the south side of the city, where several water rescues were necessary and some people were briefly trapped in their homes.

Flash Flood, Union

When
September 16, 7:30 AM EST to 8:00 PM EST
Where
Union County, 1.83 mi N of Olive Branch to 6.53 mi SSW of Brief
Cause
Heavy Rain
Deaths
1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage
$50,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
35.146, -80.324

EM reported severe flash flooding developed across Union County after 7 to 13 inches of rain fell across the county in about 24 hours. Dozens of roads were closed at the height of the event during the afternoon of the 16th, some due to poor drainage flooding in urban areas, and others due to small stream flooding, including Goose Creek in the Indian Trail area, where a stream gauge exceeded its established flood stage. Multiple water rescues were necessary, and some homes were isolated by flood waters. A one-year-old boy drowned when his parent drove a vehicle around a barricade and into a swollen creek on Highway 218.

Flash Flood, Yancey

When
September 16, 9:30 AM EST to 7:00 PM EST
Where
Yancey County, 2.49 mi S of Eskota to 2.28 mi W of Concord
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
911 Call Center
Coordinates
35.764, -82.323

County comms and stream gauges reported flash flooding developed along the South Toe River and Cane River basins after 5 to 10 inches of rain fell in the headwaters in less than 24 hours. Numerous roads were closed throughout the area, including a portion of Highway 197 which was covered with water from the Cane River. The bridge over Still Fork Creek on South Toe River Rd was closed, cutting off the community of Alpine Village. Also, a stream gauge on the Cane River near Pensacola exceeded its established flood stage by a couple of feet, and remained in flood for several hours, while a gauge on the South Toe River near Celo briefly exceeded its established flood stage.

Flash Flood, Buncombe

When
September 16, 2:45 PM EST to 5:00 PM EST
Where
Buncombe County, 1.52 mi S of Montreat to 1.66 mi S of Montreat
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$500
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
35.628, -82.321

Law enforcement reported evacuation of a mobile home park after a tributary of Flat Creek flooded the area around Portman Villa Rd and David Dr in Black Mountain. Four to six inches of rain fell across the area throughout the 16th.

Flash Flood, McDowell

When
September 16, 4:40 PM EST to 10:30 PM EST
Where
McDowell County, 0.73 mi NNW of Ashford to 0.86 mi SW of Ashford
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$500
Reported by
River/Stream Gage
Coordinates
35.890, -81.934

A stream gauge on the North Fork Catawba River near Ashford exceeded its established flood stage after 4 to 6 inches fell in the headwaters, mainly over a 12 hour period. Water from the river and its tributaries flooded a couple of roads off Highway 221.

Flash Flood, Rowan

When
September 16, 5:30 PM EST to September 17, 12:30 AM EST
Where
Rowan County, 0.89 mi NW of Rockwell to 0.99 mi WSW of Liberty
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
911 Call Center
Coordinates
35.560, -80.430

After 4 to 6 inches of rain fell throughout the 16th, county comms reported numerous roads flooded and multiple roads closed due to flooding, especially across western sections of Rowan County, including Salisbury and vicinity.

Flood, Mecklenburg

When
September 16, 5:30 PM EST to 11:00 PM EST
Where
Mecklenburg County, 2.21 mi NNE of Hahn to 2.6 mi N of Wilgrove
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
35.347, -80.699

Although heavy rain ended across Charlotte and vicinity during early evening, flooding continued along some streams and poorly drained areas through the evening.

Flash Flood, Cabarrus

When
September 16, 5:45 PM EST to 11:00 PM EST
Where
Cabarrus County, 1.12 mi S of Georgeville to 0.36 mi W of Rocky River
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
River/Stream Gage
Coordinates
35.304, -80.473

A stream gauge on the Rocky River exceeded its established flood stage after 3 to 4 inches of rain fell across the area throughout the 16th. Multiple tributaries of the river overflowed and flooded adjacent roads, including portions of Pharr Mill Rd, Hopewell Church Rd, Bowman Barrier Rd, Mount Pleasant Rd, Highway 200, and Coxe Mill Rd. Additionally, Little Cold Water Creek overflowed and flooded Old Airport Rd.

Flash Flood, Burke

When
September 16, 7:00 PM EST to 9:00 PM EST
Where
Burke County, 3.03 mi NNE of Pleasant Grove Brke to 2.83 mi NE of Pleasant Grove Brke
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
35.667, -81.571

Spotter reported a water rescue became necessary along River Rd in eastern Burke County after Henry Fork overflowed its banks and flooded a portion of the road.

Flash Flood, Davie

When
September 16, 8:00 PM EST to 10:30 PM EST
Where
Davie County, 0.49 mi ENE of Cooleemee to 0.45 mi ENE of Cooleemee
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$500
Reported by
911 Call Center
Coordinates
35.823, -80.562

County comms reported a tributary of the Yadkin River overflowed its banks in the Cooleemee area, flooding a portion of Gladstone Rd, which had to be closed.

Flood, Union

When
September 16, 8:00 PM EST to September 17, 6:00 AM EST
Where
Union County, 1.83 mi N of Olive Branch to 6.53 mi SSW of Brief
Cause
Heavy Rain
Deaths
1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
35.146, -80.324

Although heavy rain ended across Union County during the evening, EM reported high water conditions continued through the overnight, as waters were slow to recede in light of the 7 to 13 inches that fell across the county in about 24 hours. During the morning of the 17th, an 88 year-old man drowned when he drove his vehicle through a swollen tributary on Landsford Dr.

Flood, Caldwell

When
September 16, 10:30 PM EST to September 17, 4:00 AM EST
Where
Caldwell County, 0.62 mi S of Edgemont to 1.1 mi S of Mortimer
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
River/Stream Gage
Coordinates
35.991, -81.771

A stream gauge on Wilson Creek in the Edgemont community rose above its established flood stage late on the 29th and remained in flood through much of the overnight. The main impacts were dangerously high flows on the stream, but multiple campgrounds were flooded along the river while portions of Brown Mountain Beach Rd were also flooded.

Flood, Cabarrus

When
September 16, 11:00 PM EST to September 17, 5:30 AM EST
Where
Cabarrus County, 1.31 mi NW of Rocky River to 1.44 mi NE of Flows Store
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
911 Call Center
Coordinates
35.333, -80.617

Although heavy rain ended across Cabarrus County during the evening flooding continued along the Rocky River and its tributaries through daybreak.

Flood, Rowan

When
September 16, 11:30 PM EST to September 17, 3:30 AM EST
Where
Rowan County, 0.89 mi NW of Rockwell to 0.99 mi WSW of Liberty
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$500
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
35.560, -80.430

Although heavy rain ended across Rowan County during the evening of the 16th, high water conditions persisted through the overnight, with multiple roads remaining closed.

Flood, Burke

When
September 17, 1:35 AM EST to 9:00 AM EST
Where
Burke County, 3.21 mi E of Joy to 3.96 mi ESE of Joy
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
River/Stream Gage
Coordinates
35.885, -81.723

A stream gauge on the Johns River north of Morganton exceeded its established flood stage after 4 to 6 inches of rain fell in the headwaters and in the Wilson Creek basin in about 24 hours. Multiple roads were flooded, including Old Johns River Rd, Johns River Rd, and Corpening Bridge Rd.

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

EventDateAgeSexWhereKind
Flash Flood, Union2018-09-161MaleVehicle/Towed TrailerDirect
Flood, Union2018-09-1788MaleVehicle/Towed TrailerDirect

What these are

Flash Flood
Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.
Flood
Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in North Carolina in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in North Carolina, September 2018

Sources

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: 787860, 787887, 787824, 787901, 787827, 787855, 787912, 787857, 787904, 787854, 787914, 787916, 787913, 787911, 787918.