Full Notification

The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a

* Flood Advisory for...
McDowell County in western North Carolina...
Buncombe County in western North Carolina...
Southeastern Yancey County in western North Carolina...

* Until 1100 PM EDT Friday.

* At 1054 AM EDT, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated
a widespread area of 1-2 inches of rainfall has occurred across
southern Buncombe to western McDowell County over the past 3
hours. Across southeast Yancey County, higher elevations of the
Black Mountains have received 2-3 inches of rainfall over the past
3 hours. This is causing significant runoff into streams across
the area, with some areas along the Swannanoa River already
approaching Action/Advisory stage. Expect Minor flooding of
adjacent low-lying areas including farmland, greenways, parks,
campgrounds, and low-water crossings. Please use extra caution
near low-water crossings and stay away from streams until the
levels begin to recede later today.

* The following streams are experiencing significant rises with
Minor flooding of low-lying areas: the Swannanoa River from Black
Mountain to Warren Wilson College, Cane Creek near Fairview, Avery
Creek, Mill Creek near Old Fort, the Catawba River headwaters, the
South Toe River near Busick, and the tributaries of the North Fork
Catawba River near Woodlawn, North Cove, and Ashford.

* Some locations that may experience flooding include...
Downtown Asheville, Marion, East Asheville, Arden, West Asheville,
North Asheville, Black Mountain, Swannanoa, Fairview In Buncombe
County and Biltmore Forest.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Heavy rainfall will cause ponding of water in urban areas, streets
and underpasses, as well as other poor drainage areas and low lying
spots. Rapid rises on small creeks and streams will also occur,
possibly flooding low water crossings and farmland. Do not attempt to
travel across flooded roads. Turn around, dont drown.

If heavy rainfall continues, the advisory may be upgraded to a Flash
Flood Warning. People in flood prone areas, especially along creeks
and small streams, should prepare to move to higher ground quickly if
a Flash Flood Warning is issued.