PROJECT ALERT NOTICE (NC) USGS Crews from the North Carolina Water Science Center respond to flooding in western North Carolina (July 29, 2013)

Date: Mon, 29 Jul 2013 09:42:52 EDT

Summary: Heavy rains cause major flash flooding in western North Carolina

USGS Crews from the North Carolina Water Science Center respond to
flooding in western North Carolina (July 29, 2013).


The National Weather Service (NWS) issued Flash Flood Warnings
for several western North Carolina counties (including McDowell,
Burke, Cleveland, Catawba, Lincoln, Alexander and Iredell) over
the weekend. The NWS reported that as much as 9 inches of rain fell
across the warned area and the numerous roads were impassable due to
flooding.

Media reports indicated that there were 18 swift water rescues
according to a spokesman for Catawba County Emergency Services.
The Mayor of Hickory declared a state of emergency and urged residents
to stay indoors and away from flooded roads and washed out bridges.

A flood warning remains in effect for the South Fork Catawba River at
Lowell, NC. The USGS Streamgage
(0214500 http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nc/nwis/uv/?site_no=02145000 )
at this location peaked at 17.31 feet at about 3am this morning
(Monday, July 29, 2013), more than 7 feet above the NWS defined
flood stage of 10 feet. This morning’s peak gage height rivals the
peak set on August 11, 1970 of 17.38 feet.

Two USGS crews (a total of 5 staff members) from the Charlotte
office of the North Carolina Water Science Center are in the field
today making discharge measurements, including the site on the South
Fork Catawba River at Lowell, NC.


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