Full Notification

The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for... Northeastern McDowell County in western North Carolina...

* Until 500 PM EDT.

* At 156 PM EDT, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Flash flooding is likely occurring or will begin shortly. Emergency management is reporting unstable slopes due to heavy rainfall last night. Additional landslides are possible. The North Fork Catawba River is approaching flood stage and may flood Mountain Paradise Campground and North Cove School Road.

* Some locations that will experience flooding include... North Cove, Ashford, Little Switzerland, Woodlawn, Linville Falls, Busick, B.R. Parkway-Little Switzerland To Linville and B.R. Parkway-Craggy To Little Switzerland. Excessive rainfall over the warned area will cause mud slides near steep terrain. The mud slide can consist of rock, mud, vegetation and other loose materials.

* 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. The additional heavy rain will increase the risk of landslides, especially in areas where slides have occurred in the past. Be especially alert if you are near a stream, especially at the base of a mountain or in a cove. Watch for loose-moving soil and rocks or a sudden increase in streamflow. Leave the area quickly if this is observed. When driving along roads where the terrain is steep or rocky, watch and listen for falling rocks, mud, trees and other debris. When it is safe to do so, please report flood waters or landslides flowing over roads or threatening property to the National Weather Service by calling toll free, 1, 800, 2 6 7, 8 1 0 1, by posting on our Facebook page, or via Twitter using hashtag NWSGSP. Your message should describe the event and the specific location where it occurred, including roadways, nearby cross streets, stream names and other landmarks.