High Winds, Possible Landslides, Flash Flooding WNC

Henderson County: September 26, 2024: Henderson County Government posted on Social Media this morning:

PLEASE READ THE LATEST WEATHER STATEMENT FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SYSTEM

*We are already seeing flash flooding in the County from overnight and early morning rains.

*Many roads are closed in the County. Please, if you come up on a closed road, turn around – don’t drown!
*The main tropical rain bands associated with Helene will move into the area tonight, peaking between midnight and noon Friday before tapering off.
*Rainfall totals in the County are forecast between 10-15” and some areas could see up to 20”.
*Confidence is high that numerous landslides will develop across the mountains, with several large, damaging debris flows/slope failures likely.

*Wind gusts begin to increase across the forecast area after 10 pm tonight, peaking at 45 to 60 mph after midnight before diminishing from late morning into the afternoon Friday.
*Gusts in excess of 60 could briefly be observed across northeast Georgia, the western Upstate, and the North Carolina mountains.
*The combination of strong wind gusts and saturated soils will likely result in widespread downed trees, with numerous power outages likely.

US National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 

As of 800 AM Thur 9/26] Additional rainfall of 9-14" with local amounts up to 20" is expected along and near the Blue Ridge Escarpment through Friday morning, with 5-9" expected elsewhere. Numerous flash flood warnings have been issued for portions of the area, with a lot of additional rain on the way. Dangerous catastrophic flash-flooding is expected along numerous streams, especially in the North Carolina/South Carolina mountains and northeast Georgia. Flooding of mainstem rivers is expected, with major to possibly historic flooding likely near the Blue Ridge Escarpment. Confidence is high in landslides and debris flows occurring during the heaviest rainfall tonight through at least 12 pm Friday.

Wind gusts of 45 to 60 mph are expected tonight into Friday, with brief 60 to 70 mph gusts possible across the western part of the area. Widespread downed trees and numerous power outages likely. Isolated tornadoes are possible through Friday morning.

Safety Message: Never drive around barricades, get higher ground, do not drive into water, and stay informed throughout the entirety

Image: US National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC