Date: Fri, 16 May 2014 09:35:13 EDT
Summary: USGS Crews from the North Carolina Water Science Center respond to
flooding in central North Carolina (May 16, 2014).
USGS Crews from the North Carolina Water Science Center respond to
flooding in central North Carolina (May 16, 2014).
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued Flash Flood Watches and
Warnings for North Carolina on Thursday May 15 as record rainfalls were
reported across portions of the state. USGS raingages indicated some
locations saw more than 6 inches of rain with several USGS raingages
reporting in excess of 4 inches of rain. A map interface to rainfall
totals for USGS raingages in North Carolina with National Weather
Service radar derived precipitation estimates overlaid is available
online at:
http://nc.water.usgs.gov/realtime/rainfall.php
One USGS raingage in Durham County near the Eno River at Cole Mill
Road reported an event total of 6.21 inches.
The National Weather Service indicated a new record rainfall total of
3.38 inches was set at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport on
Thursday surpassing the previous calendar day total of 2.19 inches set
in 1934. Strong winds also brought downed trees and power outages to
some areas in and around the Triangle area of North Carolina.
The NWS Southeast River Forecast Center has issued
flood warnings for locations in the Tar, Neuse and Cape Fear River
Basins in North Carolina with two sites forecasted to be at or near
Major Flood levels in the next few days. Flash flooding in urban areas
has also been an issue and two sites along Crabtree Creek in Raleigh
remained above flood stage on Friday morning.
Six USGS crews (a total of 10 staff members) from the Raleigh office of
the North Carolina Water Science Center are in the field today making
discharge measurements to verify stage-discharge ratings and ensuring
that USGS streamgaging stations remain functional.