Full Notification

The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
McDowell County in western North Carolina...
Mitchell County in western North Carolina...
Avery County in western North Carolina...
Buncombe County in western North Carolina...
Eastern Yancey County in western North Carolina...
Northwestern Burke County in western North Carolina...

* Until 600 PM EDT.

* At 1202 PM EDT, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated
heavy rain falling along the Blue Ridge Escarpment from Buncombe
County up to Avery County has already persisted for the past 3-4
hours and has produced rainfall totals of 1-3 inches. Additional
rainfall will continue over the next 3-5 hours and will be capable
of producing another 2-4 inches of rainfall. This will exacerbate
ongoing significant runoff and rapid stream rises and cause more
significant flooding to develop. Therefore, the Flood Advisory is
being upgraded to a Flash Flood Warning.

* The flood threat will persist for several hours, so it is
important not to let your guard down as streams will continue to
rise and new flooding may develop well into the afternoon hours.
Please avoid low-lying areas through this afternoon and obey all
barricades and evacuation orders as they are in place to save your
life!

* The following streams and associated tributaries are experiencing
rapid rises and flooding is likely: Hominy Creek near Candler and
Enka, the Swannanoa River from Black Mountain to Biltmore, Mill
Creek near Old Fort, the upper Catawba River from Old Fort to
Marion and Lake James, the South Toe River from Busick to
Micaville, the North Toe River from Elk Park to Altamont to
Ingalls to Spruce Pine, the North Fork Catawba River from Ashford
to North Cover to Woodlawn, and the Linville River from Linville
to Crossnore to Jonas Ridge.

* Some locations that may experience flooding include...
Downtown Asheville, Marion, Spruce Pine, Burnsville, Newland, East
Asheville, Arden, West Asheville, North Asheville and Black
Mountain.

* Excessive rainfall over the warned area will cause landslides near
steep terrain. The landslide can consist of rock, mud, vegetation
and other loose materials.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

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.