The remnants of Hurricane Isaias delivered heavy rain, strong wind gusts, and dangerous flooding across the Carolinas over the weekend, with particularly severe impacts felt in western North Carolina. Officials reported dozens of water rescues, widespread road closures, and various emergency responses throughout the region.
Western North Carolina received some of the heaviest rainfall, according to the National Weather Service. Parts of Ashe and Watauga counties recorded between 4.5 and 7.5 inches of rain, while Burke County experienced 3 to 6 inches. Localized rainfall totals along the Blue Ridge were even higher, reaching 8 to 10 inches. This deluge saturated the ground, causing creeks and rivers to rise significantly, subsequently flooding roads and low-water crossings. Runoff from the intense rainfall continued to pose a flood risk well into Sunday afternoon, even after the heaviest precipitation had moved out.
Emergency crews responded to numerous incidents across the affected areas. In Burke County, responders cleared a water rescue on the Catawba River behind Freedom High School, where individuals were reported in floodwater, holding onto a dock. In a separate incident on N.C. 126, bystanders successfully pulled a driver from a submerged vehicle before emergency personnel arrived. The North Carolina Swift Water Rescue Team, working alongside Burke County Emergency Services, also helped a 99-year-old resident move to safety from flash flooding by securing a footbridge over a swollen creek.
In Linville, emergency crews addressed two calls involving hikers in distress late Saturday, October 10. In one instance, a hiker on the Profile Trail slipped into the water but managed to rescue themselves by grabbing onto a tree. Responders met the hiker near the trailhead to assist with their return to their vehicle. A second call came in shortly before 10 p.m. for two hikers and a dog who had lost the trail in the Harper’s Creek wilderness area due to high water levels. Floodwaters blocked the usual access for rescuers, necessitating a longer route. A rescue team hiked in, located the individuals and the dog, helped them warm up, and assisted them in hiking back out.
Flooding also led to several road closures. In Chesterfield County, N.C. 18 and U.S. 64 were closed after a river overflowed onto a bridge, making passage impossible. In Lenoir, sections of Pennell and Powell roads became impassable due to rising water levels. Flooding was also reported near Bost and Spainhour roads in Burke County.
The National Weather Service issued several flood warnings, including for parts of the Broad River in Cleveland and Cherokee counties. The river above Sandy Run Creek was forecast to crest at 13.5 feet Sunday evening, exceeding its 12-foot flood stage. Near Shelby Highway, it was forecast to crest at 16.7 feet, also above flood stage. Officials indicated that such flooding could impact homes, farmland, low-lying roads, and other areas adjacent to the river.
Authorities urged residents to exercise caution and avoid flooded areas, including parks, creek banks, and low-water crossings, to ensure the safety of themselves and emergency responders. They also advised anyone threatened by rising water to move to higher ground and monitor official weather alerts. Residents were reminded to report any power outages directly to their electric providers and to avoid downed power lines at all costs if severe weather caused them.
