Flooding is ongoing across parts of the High Country this morning after the remnants of Hurricane Isaias brought significant rainfall to the region. Between 4 and locally 7 inches of rain have fallen since Saturday morning, prompting the National Weather Service to issue Flood Warnings, Flood Advisories, and a Flood Watch for Watauga, Ashe, Avery, and surrounding counties. Rain is expected to begin drying out from southwest to northeast this afternoon.
A Flood Warning remains in effect until 8 AM for Watauga County, along with south-central Ashe County and southwestern Wilkes County. The Weather Service reports ongoing flooding and warns that up to another half inch of rain is still possible in these areas. Locations expected to experience flooding include Boone, Blowing Rock, Deep Gap, Todd, Foscoe, Seven Devils, and Aho. Specific streams affected include Fall Creek, Norris Fork, Flat Branch, Elk Creek, Mill Creek, Dugger Creek, Little Dugger Creek, Laurel Fork, Dutch Creek, Meat Camp Creek, Brushy Fork, Grassy Creek, and Left Prong Stony Fork.
Separately, a Flood Advisory is active for Ashe and Watauga counties until 11 AM, where minor flooding is already occurring. Forecasters anticipate flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas, dangerous flows over low-water crossings, and water over a few roadways, potentially including Todd Railroad Grade Road along the South Fork of the New River. Areas covered by this advisory include Jefferson, West Jefferson, Beech Mountain, Lansing, Ashland, Glendale Springs, and Sugar Grove.
A broader Flood Watch is in effect through this evening for Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, Wilkes, and Surry counties in North Carolina, as well as Grayson, Carroll, Floyd, and Patrick counties in Virginia. An additional 1 to 3 inches of rain could fall on top of what has already accumulated, maintaining the flooding threat. The Weather Service notes that rainfall rates have not been as high as initially feared, and the rain has moved through in quick bursts. However, if thunderstorms develop and intensify, flooding and flash flooding could still occur.
In Avery County, a Flood Watch is active until 2 PM and a Flood Advisory until 11:45 AM. Critically, a Flash Flood Warning is in effect until 1 PM for southeastern Avery County, northwestern Burke County, and west-central Caldwell County. The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg warns of life-threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, with a damage threat rated as considerable. Locations that may experience significant flash flooding include Crossnore, Table Rock, Linville Falls, Lake James State Park, Jonas Ridge, and Edgemont.
Another Flash Flood Warning is in place until 9 AM for southwestern Avery County, McDowell County, southeastern Mitchell County, and southeastern Yancey County, encompassing areas such as Marion, Spruce Pine, Celo, Old Fort, and Linville Falls. The Weather Service urged anyone near a creek or stream in these areas to seek higher ground immediately. Early Sunday, a strong thunderstorm with gusts up to 40 mph was also moving northeast near Lake James, and conditions were favorable for a very brief, weak tornado.
The Wind Advisory for Watauga and Ashe counties has been dropped as the gradient wind from Isaias's remnants subsides. Despite this, forecasters caution that gusts over 35 mph could still bring down weakened trees. State mesonet network rain gauges have recorded 3 to 5 inches across the North Carolina mountains and into the Virginia Blue Ridge south of Floyd, with a few smaller creeks and rivers in Watauga County experiencing minor flooding.
Rain is expected to continue moving south to north this morning before drying out from southwest to northeast this afternoon. While a band of showers and a few thunderstorms is anticipated to move from central North Carolina into the Virginia Piedmont late this morning, forecasters have low confidence for storms or severe weather farther west. Some lingering upslope showers from the upper trough could return to the mountains this evening and overnight.
By Monday, all remnants of Isaias are projected to be well east of the region, with only lingering upslope showers on western slopes through late Monday morning. The region is expected to remain dry through most of the week, with temperatures above normal through midweek. Another front could bring rain chances to the mountains between Thursday and Saturday, potentially dropping temperatures below normal next weekend.
Officials advise against driving on flooded roads and urge extra caution on mountain roads where landslides or debris are possible. Residents are encouraged to report flooding or mudslides to the National Weather Service in Blacksburg at 1-866-215-4324, or to NWS Greenville-Spartanburg at 1-800-267-8101 for Avery County and areas to the south.
