PROJECT ALERT NOTICE (NC) USGS Crews from the North Carolina Water Science Center respond to flooding in portions of western North Carolina -- May 6, 2013

Date: Mon, 06 May 2013 10:48:12 EDT

Summary: USGS Crews from the North Carolina Water Science Center respond to flooding in portions of western North Carolina - May 6, 2013

USGS Crews from the North Carolina Water Science Center respond
to flooding in portions of western North Carolina - May 6, 2013

Flood watches and warnings remain in effect for portions of Western
North Carolina. Widespread precipitation amounts of more than
3 inches have fallen in the last two days across a large part of
western North Carolina with locally heavier amounts in excess
of 5 inches. A USGS raingage in the French Broad River Basin in
Transylvania County North Carolina reported a total for the two day
period from May 4 through May 5 of 6.20 inches.
(http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nc/nwis/uv/?site_no=351458082414845 ).
Additionally, a USGS raingage in the Catawba River Basin in
McDowell County reported more than 5.5 inches for the period
May 4 through early on May 6.
(http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nc/nwis/uv/?site_no=02137727 )

Many rivers and streams continue to rise as of early Monday, May 6,
2013 in response to the recent rain events. More information
regarding current stage and streamflow are available on the USGS
Real-time streamflow page at:
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nc/nwis/current/?type=flow
and via the USGS WaterWatch page at:
http://waterwatch.usgs.gov/?m=real&r=nc&w=real%2Cmap

USGS crews have been dispatched in response to this event. Six
crews (a total of 12 staff members) from the Asheville and
Charlotte Field Offices of the North Carolina Water Science Center
are out today making discharge measurements and ensuring that
streamgages are functioning properly. The National Weather Service
has forecast minor and moderate flooding for locations along the
French Broad River, Swannanoa River and South Fork Catawba River.
The French Broad River at Blantyre remains above the National
Weather Service moderate flood stage of 19.0 feet today and the
Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center has forecast it to crest
near 19.5 feet later today, at that location.


Sub-Region: South Atlantic; Region: Eastern United States