Boone and Watauga County, along with neighboring Ashe County, were under a flood watch through Sunday evening as the remnants of Hurricane Isaias swept across the region Saturday. The system brought heavy rain, gusty winds, and power outages, affecting more than 100 customers served by Blue Ridge Energy in the Boone area.
Across the Carolinas, over 10,000 residents were without power Saturday, according to Duke Energy’s outage map. Duke Energy officials noted that their crews were in "storm mode" and working to assess damage and restore power "as safely and quickly as possible," advising customers to "stay away from downed power lines."
In western North Carolina, more than 3,600 customers experienced power loss in counties under a flash-flood watch. The Asheville Fire Department reported approximately 4,000 people without power in Buncombe County's Grove Park and Haw Creek areas. Duke Energy indicated that crews from the coast were being brought in to stage in Asheville to assist with restoration efforts.
Saturday evening, Duke Energy’s outage maps showed significant numbers of customers without power across various counties. These included Stanly County (1,832 customers), Buncombe County (1,327), Jackson County (1,097), New Hanover County (1,077), Carteret County (1,017), and Macon County (913). Additionally, Union Power Cooperative reported over 100 outages primarily along the North Carolina-South Carolina border, though a specific cause was not provided.
The National Weather Service issued warnings for excessive rainfall, which could lead to flash flooding, and strong easterly winds capable of bringing down tree limbs and power lines. Flood watches for Ashe and Watauga counties anticipated that heavy rainfall could cause rivers, creeks, and streets to flood. Forecasts predicted widespread rainfall of 2 to 4 inches in parts of northwestern North Carolina, with locally higher totals of 5 to 6 inches possible near Boone and Blowing Rock.
The heaviest rainfall was expected along the Blue Ridge Escarpment, potentially ranging from Saluda to Grandfather Mountain. The Weather Service also warned that the rain could cause creeks and streams to rise, inundate low-water crossings, and affect other low-lying areas. Isolated landslides were also identified as a possibility on slopes altered by construction, such as embankments and cut slopes.
Wind advisories accompanied the flood threats. In Ashe and Watauga counties, east winds of 15 to 25 mph were forecast, with gusts potentially reaching up to 55 mph. These strong gusts, especially in higher elevations, were expected to blow around unsecured objects and contribute to power outages by bringing down tree limbs and power lines. Elsewhere in western North Carolina, winds of 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 46 mph were expected.
North Carolina Emergency Management responded to the severe weather by sending the Mooresville swiftwater rescue team to western North Carolina. A team of 12 personnel was deployed to Yancey County, also under a flash-flood watch through Sunday afternoon, to address potential flooding and other life-safety emergencies.
Residents with interests along the Broad River watershed were advised by the National Weather Service to monitor stream levels and forecasts, as heavy rain could cause river levels to rise into Monday. Near Boiling Springs, the river was forecast to crest above its action stage, with minor flood stage possible. Similarly, near Shelby Highway, a crest above the minor flood stage could not be ruled out. Such flooding could impact farmland, woodlands, low-lying roads, greenways, and parks situated near the river.
Duke Energy reminded customers that when power lines are knocked down amid severe weather, it is "vital to avoid them at all costs." Customers needing to report outages or check restoration status can do so on Duke Energy's website.
