Værmelding for Valdese Elementary School

Flash Flood Warning issued September 27 at 7:23PM EDT until September 29 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SCFFWGSPThe National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a* Flash Flood Warning for...Central Burke County in western North Carolina...Southeastern Caldwell County in western North Carolina...East Central McDowell County in western North Carolina...* Until 200 PM EDT Sunday.* At 723 PM EDT, Devastating rainfall of 6-25 (twenty-five) inchesoccurred from Wednesday evening through Friday morning from LakeHickory to the Catawba River headwaters, with the highest totalsexceeding 2 feet along the Blue Ridge Escarpment across the upperCatawba River watershed. This is resulting in catastrophic andhistoric inflows into Lake James, and releases from Lake James arecausing catastrophic flooding along the Catawba River into LakeRhodhiss.* The latest pool elevations for the upper Catawba River lakes areas follows (Full Pool is 100.0 feet):Lake James: 110.3 feet and rising steadily. RECORD BROKEN.Lake Rhodhiss: 108.1 feet and rising steadily.* The former record pool elevation at Lake James is 107.36 feetwhich occurred in September 8, 2004 during Hurricane Frances.Major Flood Stage is 110.0 feet.* The current record pool elevation at Lake Rhodhiss is 110.10 feetwhich occurred in August 1940. Major Flood Stage is 110.0 feet.* This is an unprecedented and extremely dangerous event. Residentsare urged to heed guidance from emergency management and lawenforcement on any potential impacts to property. We are pleadingwith drivers to heed any barricades and avoid all flooded areas.There have been numerous swift water rescues because people arechoosing to risk their lives and the lives of others by failing toTurn Around Don't Drown. Please do the right thing and protectyour life, the life of your family, and the lives of those whorisk theirs to save you.This is a FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY for Catawba River from Lake Jamesto Lake Rhodhiss. This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEKHIGHER GROUND NOW!HAZARD...Life-threatening flash flooding from historic rainfalland resultant dam floodgate releases.SOURCE...Duke Energy and Burke County Emergency Management.IMPACT...This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEKHIGHER GROUND NOW! Life-threatening flash-flooding ofLake James, the Catawba River, and Lake Rhodhiss isongoing. Structural flooding along Lake Jamescontinues and is developing along Lake Rhodhiss.Downstream of Bridgewater Dam on the Catawba River,several structrues are damaged or destroyed, with somesingle-level homes submerged by floodwaters. Thesefloodwaters are causing numerous swift-water rescues.Backwater effects are causing significant inundationalong tributaries, including flooding exceeding 4 ftdeep at the NC 18/US 64 bridge, blocking a primaryroadway connecting Morganton and Lenoir.* Please stay weather aware and monitor lake levels and Duke Energyprojections closely for any changes.* For more information on lake levels or dam releases, people areencouraged to visit https://lakes.duke-energy.com or call1-800-829-5253.* Residents along the Catawba River are encouraged to stay aware ofthe latest updates from Burke County by signing up for alerts at:http://smart911.com* McDowell County Emergency Management, Burke County EmergencyManagement, Caldwell County Emergency Management, and Duke Energyare closely monitoring these high flows and pool levels andadditional updates will be provided as new information becomesavailable.Move to higher ground now! This is an extremely dangerous andlife-threatening situation. Do not attempt to travel unless you arefleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order.If you are in low-lying areas along the Catawba River you should moveto higher ground immediately.

National Weather Service