Full Notification

At 855 PM EDT, emergency management reported flooding across the warned area. Armstrong Creek and other tributaries of the North Fork of the Catawba River are impacted most significantly. Armstrong Creek has flooded a nearby road. A swift water rescue was performed on Conley Branch, near North Cove. Small mudslides have occurred on Old Highway 221. Up to two inches of rain have fallen since this afternoon, with moderate to heavy rain continuing for another 1 to 2 hours. This means new impacts can be expected through late evening along additional streams in northern McDowell County. Some locations that will experience flooding include... North Cove, Pleasant Gardens, Ashford, Little Switzerland, Woodlawn, Linville Falls, Busick, and the Blue Ridge Parkway between Craggy and Little Switzerland.

* AFFECTED AREAS: MCDOWELL, NC

Instructions:

Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Do not attempt to cross water-covered roadways, bridges, or low-level crossings. Only a few inches of rapidly flowing water can carry away your vehicle. It is not worth the risk. Please TURN AROUND, DON'T DROWN. Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding. In hilly and mountainous terrain, there are hundreds of low-water crossings which can be dangerous in heavy rain. Low-water crossings can be submerged by flood waters quickly and without warning. Never attempt to travel across flooded crossings. Find an alternate route. It takes only a few inches of swiftly flowing water to carry vehicles away.