Flash Flooding and Flooding in North Carolina, November 12 to 14, 2020

Name: Flash Flooding and Flooding in North Carolina, November 12 to 14, 2020
Start: 2020-11-12T03:00
End: 2020-11-14T05:00
Location: North Carolina

November 12 to 14, 2020 · NWS GSP · 21 events in 13 counties and zones

Tropical Cyclone Eta moved from the eastern Gulf of Mexico, across the northern Florida peninsula, to off the South Carolina coast throughout the 11th and 12th. Tropical moisture streaming into the Carolinas throughout this time resulted in development of heavy rainfall, with widespread rainfall amounts of 4 to 6 inches, with locally higher amounts across the foothills and Piedmont of North…

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: 7
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $2.5 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 21

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.

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 Nov 12, 1:09 AM EST, 1 hour 51 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Nov 12, 1:09 AM EST, 1 hour 51 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
109 AM EST Thu Nov 12 2020

.SYNOPSIS...
A plume of deep tropical moisture ahead of a slow moving cold front
will affect the region today and tonight, allowing for widespread
rain. The front is expected to move into the mountains tonight and
then slowly east across the Piedmont of the Carolinas Thursday and
Thursday night. Dry air may move into the region for Friday and into
Saturday, with Tropical Storm Eta remaining well to our southeast.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TODAY/...
As of 1250 AM Thursday: Heavier rain showers have been blossoming
across the forecast area, as advertised by the CAMs and op models,
as low-level convergence coupled with increasing upper divergence
intensifies along a slow-moving cold front. Expect increasing hydro
concerns over the next several hours, expanding west to east thru
daybreak. Any severe threat we had, looks lower now, as MUCAPE is
not as high as earlier. But with increasing mid and upper support
and still 30-35 kt of 0-3km shear in the eastern zones, cannot
rule out something getting organized enough for some gusty winds.

Otherwise tonight, convergence along/ahead of the front will
lead to redevelopment of showers. PWATs should manage to increase
slightly ahead of it, even as LLJ remains relatively modest and
veered. During the evening the best convergence will be near the
Escarpment, shifting SE into the early morning hours. A small amount
of remaining CAPE should be present on the warm side of the front
as well; though heights will fall slightly that does not appear
to have much of an impact. Nevertheless, the overall setup for
torrential rainfall will remain in place, but with better low-level
forcing than we are seeing this afternoon. Categorical PoPs return
and the Flood Watch still looks appropriate as-is. NAM and GFS,
along with some of the CAMs, all show an axis of especially high
rainfall rates developing in the morning. The NAM for one shows a
mesolow developing in this area. Though they vary on the specific
timing and location of the resulting band, sometime between 2 AM
and noon it looks likely a portion of our eastern watch area would
experience a more pronounced flash flood risk. The NAM also shows
much stronger 0-1km and 0-3km shear developing in the vicinity of
that mesolow; the mesolow scenario could also result in a brief
HSLC tornado threat in the event some SBCAPE lingers that long.

Precip generally will taper off once the front clears the area,
likely by late morning to midday. We can't completely rule
out redevelopment of isolated to scattered showers in its wake,
but subsidence associated with the incoming sfc high should limit
such. Max temps Thursday will remain well above normal, particularly
in the Piedmont, although several degrees cooler than today. Still,
we have favored the warm end of guidance seeing how we made the
most of the warm airmass today.

&&

.SHORT TERM /TONIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY/...
As of 230 PM EST Wednesday: Per latest guidance, anticipate
precipitation to be in the process of tapering off from west to east
at the beginning of the forecast period as the recently passed cold
front nears the Carolina coast and Eta rides northeastward across FL
and up along the Carolina coastline. Additional QPF Thursday night
through Friday afternoon looks to range from a trace to maybe a few
hundredths at most. Otherwise, expect dry and quiet conditions for
the end of the week and into the weekend with clearing skies as sfc
high moves into the OH Valley with flattening upper ridge/nearly
zonal flow aloft Friday night into Saturday. Max temps on Friday
will remain above normal, dropping to normal on Saturday with nearly
a 10 degree difference possible between the two days. Min temps will
remain above normal, though a similar downward trend is expected as
well.

&&

.LONG TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
As of 215 PM EST Wednesday: Dry and quiet conditions are expected
Saturday night into early Sunday with sfc high pressure over the Mid-
Atlantic and upper ridging over the Southeast. Throughout the day on
Sunday, clouds will increase in coverage with the return of SW flow
as an upper trough swinging eastward across the central CONUS
quickly brings a cold front to the western Carolinas and northeast
GA Sunday night, progged to be well east of the area by Monday
morning. Moisture is limited with this system, thus aside from some
light showers across the mountains and potentially across the
southeastern fringes of the FA, do not anticipate much in the way of
QPF per latest guidance. With NW flow ushering in dry air, expect
clouds to scatter out by Monday afternoon, with dry and quiet
conditions for the remainder of the fcst period as sfc high pressure
builds in from the west. Temps will remain above normal through
Monday, dropping below normal Monday night and Tuesday.

&&

.AVIATION /06Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
At KCLT and elsewhere: A slow-moving cold front is interacting
with a very moist, tropical air mass across the area to start
the 06z TAFs. Periods of heavy rain showers and isolated tstms
possible at all sites thru 12z, then a gradual shift from west to
east from 12-18z time frame. Drying takes over after 18z, but not
enough to scour out the low cigs, which look to remain generally
IFR to MVFR. The low cigs will likely persist tonight as well, with
guidance showing LIFR possible east of the mountains overnight. The
frontal passage will bring winds around from a light S/SW to N/NE,
clearing KCLT around 17z. There is some hint in the guidance that
winds may become light enough to allow fog to form, but overall,
it looks mostly like a stratus event tonight.

Outlook: Dry high pressure will finally build in Friday, scouring
out the low clouds and any fog that's around Friday morning,
bringing back mostly VFR conditions thru the weekend.

Confidence Table...

            06-12Z        12-18Z        18-24Z        00-06Z
KCLT       Med   72%     Med   78%     Med   73%     Med   74%
KGSP       Med   72%     Med   71%     High  88%     Med   67%
KAVL       Med   74%     Med   71%     Med   75%     High  93%
KHKY       Med   72%     Med   67%     Med   65%     Med   66%
KGMU       Med   70%     Med   65%     High  82%     Med   64%
KAND       Med   75%     Med   70%     High  88%     Med   69%

The percentage reflects the number of guidance members agreeing
with the scheduled TAF issuance flight rule category. Complete hourly
experimental aviation forecast consistency tables are available at
the following link:

www.weather.gov/gsp/aviation

&&

.CLIMATE...
RECORDS FOR 11-12

               MAX TEMPERATURE         MIN TEMPERATURE
  STATION      HIGH        LOW         HIGH        LOW
  -------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
   KAVL      77 1890     35 1968     56 1929     16 1894
                            1934
   KCLT      81 1989     43 1894     61 1915     24 1894
   KGSP      81 1989     43 1968     58 1935     19 1913

RECORDS FOR 11-13

               MAX TEMPERATURE         MIN TEMPERATURE
  STATION      HIGH        LOW         HIGH        LOW
  -------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
   KAVL      75 1964     32 1906     58 1929     13 1911
                1958
                1938
   KCLT      81 1931     40 1920     63 1879     21 2013
   KGSP      81 1909     40 1920     61 1929     20 1906

&&

.GSP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
GA...Flood Watch through this evening for GAZ010.
NC...Flood Watch through this evening for NCZ033-035>037-048>053-
     056>059-062>065-068>072-082-501>510.
SC...Flood Watch through this evening for SCZ001>003-005>009-
     012>014.

&&

SYNOPSIS...PM
NEAR TERM...ARK/Wimberley
SHORT TERM...SGL
LONG TERM...SGL
AVIATION...ARK
CLIMATE...

Hazardous weather outlook, Nov 11, 6:57 PM EST, 8 hours 3 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
657 PM EST Wed Nov 11 2020

GAZ010-NCZ033-035>037-048>053-056>059-062>065-068>072-082-501>510-
SCZ001>003-005>009-012>014-130000-
Rabun-Avery-Alexander-Iredell-Davie-Madison-Yancey-Mitchell-Swain-
Haywood-Buncombe-Catawba-Rowan-Graham-Northern Jackson-Macon-
Southern Jackson-Transylvania-Henderson-Cleveland-Lincoln-Gaston-
Mecklenburg-Cabarrus-Union NC-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 Pickens-Greater Greenville-Spartanburg-Cherokee-York-Laurens-
Union SC-Chester-
657 PM EST Wed Nov 11 2020

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, piedmont
North Carolina, western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

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

   Flood Watch.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

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

   Flood Watch.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed. Please relay any information about
observed severe weather to the NWS while following all local, state,
and CDC guidelines.

GAZ017-018-026-028-029-SCZ004-010-011-019-130000-
Habersham-Stephens-Franklin-Hart-Elbert-Greater Oconee-Anderson-
Abbeville-Greenwood-
657 PM EST Wed Nov 11 2020

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia and upstate
South Carolina.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Widespread heavy rainfall with a few embedded thunderstorms are
expected tonight, which may result in localized flash flooding and a
few cloud- to- ground lightning strikes.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

Through Thursday, a pool of tropical moisture along a cold front may
support heavy rainfall with isolated flash flooding of low lying
areas including near streams and urban areas.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

None.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Nov 12, 12:01 AM EST, 2 hours 59 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
1201 AM EST Thu Nov 12 2020

GAZ010-017-NCZ062-120545-
Rabun GA-Habersham GA-Macon NC-
1201 AM EST Thu Nov 12 2020

...A THUNDERSTORM WITH TORRENTIAL RAINFALL WILL IMPACT NORTH CENTRAL
HABERSHAM...RABUN AND SOUTHEASTERN MACON COUNTIES UNTIL 1245 AM
EST...

At 1200 AM EST, Doppler radar was tracking a thunderstorm with
torrential rainfall 6 miles northwest of Clayton, or 4 miles
northwest of Black Rock Mountain State Park, moving northeast at 30
mph.

Locations to be impacted include...
Clayton, Franklin, Highlands, Mountain City, Tiger, Dillard, Sky
Valley, Lake Burton, Black Rock Mountain State Park and Scaly
Mountain.

Very heavy rainfall rates up to 2 inches per hour will be possible in
these areas.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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 3488 8366 3490 8363 3491 8363 3492 8360
      3494 8360 3495 8355 3499 8355 3500 8348
      3500 8352 3502 8352 3504 8355 3518 8342
      3508 8316 3506 8317 3504 8313 3502 8313
      3473 8357 3481 8366
TIME...MOT...LOC 0500Z 227DEG 27KT 3494 8348

KRENTZ

The radar

The Greer radar (KGSP), 140 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 07:58 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

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

Flash Flood, Caldwell

When: November 12, 3:00 AM EST to 6:00 AM EST
Where: Caldwell County, 2.79 mi S of Richland to 1.12 mi SSE of Richland
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 36.040, -81.607

A stream gauge on the Yadkin River near Patterson exceeded its established flood stage after 4 to 7 inches fell across the basin, with much of that falling in only 3 hours or so between midnight and daybreak on the 12th. Multiple roads and some homes were inundated in the Happy Valley community, especially between Highway 268 and the river. Additionally, a few mudslides developed in the Yadkin basin, including a large one that covered/closed Kirby Mountain Rd north of Patterson.

Flash Flood, Alexander

When: November 12, 5:30 AM EST to 10:00 AM EST
Where: Alexander County, 3.36 mi ENE of Vashti to 0.71 mi ESE of Smiths Store
Cause: Heavy Rain
Deaths: 5 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $350,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.027, -81.050

Emergency manager reported major flash flooding developed throughout Alexander County after up to 9 inches of rain fell in 24 hours, with around half of that falling in a 3-hour period prior to daybreak on the 12th. The most significant flooding occurred along the South Yadkin River in the Hiddenite area. Multiple recreational vehicles and campers were swept down the river from a campground off Princess Ln. Five people, ages ranging from 1 to 76, drowned and 31 more people required rescue from rapidly rising flood water. Otherwise, most of the creeks and streams in the central and northeast part of the county overflowed onto at least one road, with more than 50 roads closed at some point during the event.

Flash Flood, Catawba

When: November 12, 6:00 AM EST to 9:00 PM EST
Where: Catawba County, 4.12 mi NNW of Catawba to 3.77 mi NNE of Claremont
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 35.774, -81.111

A stream gauge on the Catawba River at Lookout Shoals Dam indicated major flash flooding developed just upstream of the dam after 5 to 8 inches of rain fell throughout the Catawba basin, with the bulk of that falling in only a 3-hour period between midnight and sunrise on the 12th. Numerous homes were inundated and damaged, with numerous residents evacuated along the western shores of Lookout Shoals Lake. This was the second major flood event along this portion of the Catawba in less than two years (June 2019), and the second highest crest on record at Lookout Shoals (August 1940).

Flash Flood, Iredell

When: November 12, 6:30 AM EST to 9:30 AM EST
Where: Iredell County, 2.4 mi W of New Hope to 1.5 mi ESE of New Hope
Cause: Heavy Rain
Deaths: 0 direct, 1 indirect
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 36.030, -81.013

Media reported flash flooding across the South Yadkin River basin in western Iredell County after 4.5 to 6 inches of rain fell, with much of that falling in about a three hour period during the pre-dawn hours. Multiple roads were closed due to inundation, mainly from tributaries of the South Yadkin. A portion of a bridge collapsed in the far northwest part of the county. In addition, saturated soil resulted in a tree falling on and causing significant damage to a home in the Union Grove community. Finally, one person was killed when his vehicle hydroplaned on Highway 115.

Flash Flood, Burke

When: November 12, 7:00 AM EST to 9:30 AM EST
Where: Burke County, 0.48 mi SE of Chesterfield to 2.15 mi ESE of Chesterfield
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 35.816, -81.663

A stream gauge on Hunting Creek near Morganton indicated significant flash flooding developed along the stream after 4.5 to 6 inches of rain fell in the area, with a significant portion of that falling in the 2-3 hours prior to daybreak. Coal Chute Rd was inundated and several businesses between the river and East Fleming Dr were also flooded. Backwater effects along Fiddlers Run also resulted in flooding of Bethel Park. Additionally, spotter reported severe drainage flooding along Highway 64 at Chesterfield. Other non-specific road flooding reports were received from elsewhere in Morganton as well as in the Valdese area.

Flash Flood, Mecklenburg

When: November 12, 8:30 AM EST to 5:30 PM EST
Where: Mecklenburg County, 3.64 mi WNW of Pineville to 2.83 mi NNW of (Clt)charlotte/Dougl
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1.0 million
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 35.091, -80.963

Stream gauges indicated flash flooding developed along numerous creeks throughout the Charlotte area after 3.5 to 4.5 inches of rain fell across much of the city, with the bulk of that falling in about a 3-hour period during the morning of the 12th. The most significant flooding occurred along the Sugar Creek and Little Sugar Creek basins, where several gauges reported moderate to even major flooding. Water from Sugar Creek inundated multiple buildings along Southern Pines Blvd and Red Oak Blvd. Little Sugar Creek overflowed and impacted several homes in the Parkstone neighborhood as well as several structures along Highway 51 in Pineville. On the opposite side of the city, significant flooding developed along Mallard Creek in the University City area, impacting homes on Dashiel Dr and Circle Dr. Irwin Creek also inundated Statesville Rd just north of Uptown. Steele Creek flooded in the Carowinds area, flooding several mobile homes along John Price Rd. Otherwise, multiple roads were inundated along Briar Creek and McMullen Creek in the east and southeast part of the city, and along Stewart Creek and Irwin Creek on the north side and near Uptown. Long Creek also flooded roads near Mountain Island Lake, while Clarks Creek overflowed and flooded multiple vehicles in the far north part of the city. Drainage flooding also developed along I-85N near Little Rock Rd, with multiple vehicles stranded and occupants rescued. Overall, 23 people were rescued from homes and 12 people from vehicles throughout the city.

Flood, Iredell

When: November 12, 9:00 AM EST to 11:00 PM EST
Where: Iredell County, 3.45 mi E of Harmony to 1.98 mi NNE of Cool Spg
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 35.957, -80.709

A stream gauge on Hunting Creek indicated significant flooding developed along Hunting Creek in the Harmony area after 4.5 to 5.5 inches of rain fell across the area in about 24 hours. Multiple roads were inundated along the creek including Powell Bridge Rd. Public also reported a tributary of the South Yadkin River overflowed onto White Oak Branch Rd in the northern part of the county.

Flash Flood, Lincoln

When: November 12, 10:00 AM EST to 1:00 PM EST
Where: Lincoln County, 1.18 mi NE of Reepsville to 2.71 mi ENE of Reepsville
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $500
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 35.531, -81.354

Fire dept reported flash flooding developed along Tanyard Creek after 4 to 5 inches of rain fell, with much of that falling in around three hours during the morning of the 12th. Reepsville road was inundated for several hours.

Flash Flood, Cabarrus

When: November 12, 10:00 AM EST to 6:00 PM EST
Where: Cabarrus County, 1.57 mi WSW of Rocky River to 2.62 mi SW of Rocky River
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 35.312, -80.626

Stream gauges on the Rocky River above Irish Buffalo Creek and on Back Creek indicated flash flooding developed along tributaries of the river, including Irish Buffalo Creek and Dutch Buffalo Creek after 3.5 to 5.5 inches of rain fell across Cabarrus County, with much of that falling in about a three-hour period during the morning of the 12th. Multiple roads were inundated, including Stallings Rd, Poplar Tent Rd, Bowman-Berrier Rd, Mount Pleasant Rd, and Highway 200.

Flash Flood, Catawba

When: November 12, 10:00 AM EST to 1:00 PM EST
Where: Catawba County, 2.96 mi SW of Longview to 4.28 mi E of Brookford
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 35.702, -81.410

A stream gauge on Henry Fork exceeded its established flood stage after 3.5 to 5 inches of rain fell over Catawba County, with much of that falling during a three-hour period on the morning of the 12th. Several roads along the stream were inundated and closed.

Flood, Alexander

When: November 12, 10:00 AM EST to 2:00 PM EST
Where: Alexander County, 3.36 mi ENE of Vashti to 0.71 mi ESE of Smiths Store
Cause: Heavy Rain
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.027, -81.050

Although heavy rainfall tapered off across Alexander County throughout the morning, runoff from the earlier excessive rain continued to cause elevated stream levels and localized high water conditions to persist into the afternoon. A portion of a bridge over the South Yadkin collapsed on Cheatham Ford Rd during this time. Part of another bridge was washed out on Hopewell Church Rd (over Mill Creek). A 64-year-old man was killed when he drove his vehicle over the collapsed bridge. At least two other bridges were also compromised.

Flash Flood, Cleveland

When: November 12, 11:30 AM EST to 3:00 PM EST
Where: Cleveland County, 1.59 mi NNE of Patterson Spgs to 0.9 mi NNW of Grover
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $500
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 35.252, -81.522

Spotters reported flash flooding of a couple of streams in southern Cleveland County after 3 to 5 inches of rain fell, with much of that falling in about a three hour period during the morning of the 12th. Logan Branch inundated a portion of Sulphur Springs Rd and Buffalo Creek overflowed onto Cleveland Ave.

Flash Flood, Union

When: November 12, 12:00 PM EST to 2:00 PM EST
Where: Union County, 3.17 mi ESE of Marvin to 0.58 mi WNW of Indian Trail Arpt
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.965, -80.767

Emergency manager reported flash flooding developed along creeks and small streams and in urban areas after 2 to 3 inches of rain fell, mostly in around three hours during the morning of the 12th. Multiple roads were closed and at least two motorists required rescue from stranded vehicles.

Flash Flood, Rowan

When: November 12, 2:00 PM EST to 7:00 PM EST
Where: Rowan County, 2.27 mi NW of Majolica to 2.04 mi NNW of Bear Poplar
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 35.753, -80.559

Stream gauges indicated flash flooding developed along multiple streams in northern and central Rowan County after 3 to 5 inches of rain fell across the area, with much of that falling in about a three-hour period during the morning. Second Creek overflowed its banks and inundated low lying areas near Cleveland. Tributaries of Second Creek, including Winthrow Creek likely flooded multiple roads south of Highway 70. Grants Creek also flooded near Salisbury.

Flood, Mecklenburg

When: November 12, 5:30 PM EST to November 13, 9:00 PM EST
Where: Mecklenburg County, 3.64 mi WNW of Pineville to 2.83 mi NNW of (Clt)charlotte/Dougl
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 35.091, -80.963

Although heavy rainfall tapered off across the Charlotte area during the afternoon and evening, elevated flow conditions and some flooding persisted across many of the larger basins in the city through much of the evening. Numerous roads remained closed during this time.

Flood, Gaston

When: November 12, 5:30 PM EST to November 14, 5:00 AM EST
Where: Gaston County, 1.45 mi NW of Spencer Mtn to 1.59 mi SW of Stanley
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $250,000
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 35.335, -81.138

Moderate flooding developed along the South Fork Catawba River after 3 to 5 inches of rain fell throughout the watershed throughout the 12th. Flooding of multiple structures occurred, particularly along Riverside Dr and 8th Ave in Cramerton. Otherwise, multiple roads were inundated, including some due to backwater effects along tributaries of the South Fork Catawba.

Flood, Cabarrus

When: November 12, 6:00 PM EST to November 13, 6:00 AM EST
Where: Cabarrus County, 1.57 mi WSW of Rocky River to 2.62 mi SW of Rocky River
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 35.312, -80.626

Although heavy rain tapered off across Cabarrus County throughout the afternoon into the evening, runoff from the earlier rainfall maintained elevated stream levels which continued to flood roads throughout the overnight hours.

Flood, Rowan

When: November 12, 7:00 PM EST to November 13, 7:00 AM EST
Where: Rowan County, 2.27 mi NW of Majolica to 2.04 mi NNW of Bear Poplar
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 35.753, -80.559

Although heavy rainfall tapered off across Rowan County during the afternoon and evening, elevated flow conditions and some flooding persisted across many of the larger basins in the city through much of the evening. Numerous roads remained closed during this time.

Flood, Catawba

When: November 12, 9:00 PM EST to November 13, 5:00 AM EST
Where: Catawba County, 4.12 mi NNW of Catawba to 3.77 mi NNE of Claremont
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 35.774, -81.111

Although heavy rainfall tapered off across the Catawba River basin during the afternoon and evening of the 12th, high water levels and elevated stream flows persisted in the area around Lookout Shoals dam during the overnight hours until the early morning of the 13th.

Flood, Davie

When: November 13, 4:30 AM EST to 3:30 PM EST
Where: Davie County, 3.85 mi SSW of Calahaln to 2.48 mi SSW of Calahaln
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $75,000
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 35.866, -80.687

Moderate flooding developed along the South Yadkin River after 4 to 6 inches on rain fell within the basin in less than 24 hours. Multiple roads were inundated on the Davie County side while several homes in the Cooleemee community were flooded.

Flood, Rowan

When: November 13, 4:30 AM EST to 3:30 PM EST
Where: Rowan County, 6.53 mi NW of Woodleaf to 3.61 mi NE of Majolica
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 35.845, -80.671

Moderate flooding developed along the South Yadkin River after 4 to 6 inches on rain fell within the basin in less than 24 hours. Multiple roads were inundated on the Rowan County side, especially in the upper reaches of High Rock Lake, where some campgrounds were also inundated.

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.

Event	Date	Age	Sex	Where	Kind
Flash Flood, Alexander	2020-11-12	49	Female	Camping	Direct
Flash Flood, Alexander	2020-11-12	18	Male	Camping	Direct
Flash Flood, Alexander	2020-11-12	52	Female	Camping	Direct
Flash Flood, Alexander	2020-11-12	76	Male	Camping	Direct
Flash Flood, Alexander	2020-11-12	1	Male	Camping	Direct
Flash Flood, Iredell	2020-11-12	23	Male	Vehicle/Towed Trailer	Indirect
Flood, Alexander	2020-11-12	64	Male	Vehicle/Towed Trailer	Direct

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

Every storm in North Carolina in 2020 Every state in 2020 This day in weather history Warnings in North Carolina, November 2020

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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 930558, 930588, 930766, 930882, 930570, 930569, 930767, 930581, 930592, 930827, 930828, 930571, 930823, 930765, 930769, 930829, 930768, 930770, 930771, 930824, 930826.