LIVE UPDATES: Evacuation orders, Flash Flood Emergencies issued as Helene moves in
Posted on 09/27/2024
(6:40 a.m.) -FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY FOR HENDERSON, POLK, AND RUTHERFORD COUNTIES
NWS says emergency management reported extensive significant life-threatening flooding across the warned area. Numerous road closures, multiple strandings and water rescues were reported recently. In many locations, up to 11 inches of rain have fallen in the last 12 to 24 hours, and an additional swath of heavy rainfall is arriving from the south. This will result in imminent catastrophic flooding in the warned area.
This is a FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY for Henderson, Polk, and Rutherford Counties. This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW!
(6:22 a.m.) -A MANDATORY EVACUATION OF THE SWANNANOA RIVER VALLEY AREA IS IN PLACE.
Due to catastrophic rain in the area, Asheville leaders say the North Fork Reservoir auxiliary spillway has been activated. The dam is performing as designed, and the volume of water flowing downstream will increase as the storm intensifies.
Due to the high risk, a MANDATORY EVACUATION of the Swannanoa River Valley area is in place. All residents within the designated area downstream of the reservoir are required to move to higher ground. If you need assistance to evacuate, please call 911.
Shelter is available at Harrah's Cherokee Center Asheville (87 Haywood St, Asheville, NC 28801). Explore Asheville has worked with local hotels to make rooms available for residents who are seeking shelter from the storm. Those rates are .
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(6 a.m.) -FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY FOR ACROSS MITCHELL AND AVERY COUNTIES UNTIL 2:30 PM
NWS says emergency management reports catastrophic flooding across parts of Mitchell and Avery County, especially Bakersville and the surrounding areas.
Widespread heavy rainfall in excess of 7 to 10 inches has resulted in numerous road closures, flooded bridges, inundated and damaged structures, and ongoing water rescues across both counties.
Mitchell County emergency management reported that there is a shelter for those displaced by flooding located at Mitchell High School at 416 Ledger School Road.
NWS: This is a FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY for across Mitchell and Avery Counties. This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW!
(5:38 a.m.) - A FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY ISSUED FORSWANNANOA RIVER VALLEY, BELOW NORTH FORK UNTIL 1:15 PM
NWS says Buncombe County Emergency Management is reporting significant flows coming from the North Fork Reservoir on the North Fork Swannanoa River due to the excessive rainfall observed since last Wednesday. Additional significant flows are originating from the headwaters of the Swannanoa River near and above Montreat and Black Mountain as well as other tributaries of the Swannanoa River.
Rapid rises are imminent along the Swannanoa River, resulting in major, catastrophic, and potentially historic flash flooding within the valley. There is an increasing likelihood that this flooding will exceed the flash flooding observed in September 2004. Prepare NOW and heed all evacuation and other guidance from Buncombe County and local law enforcement in order to protect your life.
Additional torrential rainfall is imminent for the North Fork Swannanoa River and the Swannanoa River Valley which will significantly exacerbate developing Major flood conditions, leading to the potentially historic rainfall anticipated.
NWS: "This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW! Life threatening flash flooding of low water crossings, small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses."
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(5:35 a.m.) - evacuation efforts are underway in Cruso, Clyde, Canton and low-lying areas in Waynesville.
"Flood waters are extremely dangerous. Getting caught up in floods may result in injury or death. LEAVE NOW. Climb to higher ground. Do not drive through water," the sheriff's office Facebook post said.
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(5:04 a.m.) - Tens of thousands of people are without power across WNC. As of 5 a.m., Duke Energy reports 44,604 outages in Buncombe and 4,681 outages in Henderson. for the latest numbers and to report an outage. .
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(4:48 a.m.) - Buncombe County officials say the shelters at Trinity Baptist Church and Swannanoa First Baptist Church are closing immediately. Anyone that needs to access emergency shelter should go the WNC Agriculture Center (Davis Building, Gate 5). Six people from the emergency shelter at Swannanoa First Baptist are currently being transported to the WNC Ag. Center.
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(4:35 a.m.) -McDowell County officials say a mandatory evacuation order has been issued for Bungalow Drive off of Garden Creek Rd. in Marion. Bungalow Drive is in imminent danger of being surrounded by the Catawba River. Emergency personnel will not be able to access the area based upon projected river levels. Now is the time to move to higher ground. Take immediate action.
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(4:23 a.m.) - FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY FOR HAYWOOD COUNTY UNTIL 10:15 AM
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Flash Flood Emergency for Haywood County at 4:09 a.m. Emergency management reported numerous road closures, ongoing water rescues, and flooded homes across Haywood County. Ongoing rainfall is contributing to swiftly rising stream levels, increasing significant flood risk, and increasing risk of life-threatening landslides. Between 6 and 10 inches of rain have already fallen, and additional heavy rainfall is imminent.
This is a FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY for across Haywood County.The NWS says this is a particularly dangerous situation and residents should seek higher ground now.
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(4:05 a.m.) - McDowell County officials issued a mandatory evacuation of Ponderosa Park, located off US 221 Business in Marion. The sheriff's office saysPonderosa Park is in imminent danger of being surrounded by the Catawba River.
" Emergency personnel will not be able to access the park based upon projected river levels. Now is the time to move to higher ground. Take immediate action to protect your life!" an alert from the sheriff's office said.
(3:50 a.m.) - The city of Hendersonville has upgraded its Flood Response Plan to a Flood Level 4 (Extensive Flooding). Near-historic flooding is expected, along with strong wind gusts and major travel impacts. City officials urge residents living in the should prepare to evacuate if necessary.
Henderson County has opened an emergency shelter at the Athletics and Activities Center located at 708 South Grove Street.
Residents with non-emergency questions or those seeking transportation to a shelter, contact Henderson County Emergency Operations Center at 828-771-6670.
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(3:30 a.m.) - The Haywood County Sheriff's Office reports the Pigeon River has left its bank on Thickety Road, near Thompson Cove. Both roads are closed, and residents are asked to avoid the area.
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(2:30 a.m.) - The Asheville Regional Airport set back-to-back daily rainfall records on Wednesday and Thursday and will likely set a third consecutive one on Friday.
September 2024 is now the wettest September on record in Asheville, with over 14" of rain and counting.
Helene is expected to move quickly through the western Carolinas early Friday, bringing damaging wind gusts of up to 65 mph for lower elevations, and up to 80 mph for higher elevations.
NWS says emergency management reported extensive significant life-threatening flooding across the warned area. Numerous road closures, multiple strandings and water rescues were reported recently. In many locations, up to 11 inches of rain have fallen in the last 12 to 24 hours, and an additional swath of heavy rainfall is arriving from the south. This will result in imminent catastrophic flooding in the warned area.
This is a FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY for Henderson, Polk, and Rutherford Counties. This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW!
(6:22 a.m.) -A MANDATORY EVACUATION OF THE SWANNANOA RIVER VALLEY AREA IS IN PLACE.
Due to catastrophic rain in the area, Asheville leaders say the North Fork Reservoir auxiliary spillway has been activated. The dam is performing as designed, and the volume of water flowing downstream will increase as the storm intensifies.
Due to the high risk, a MANDATORY EVACUATION of the Swannanoa River Valley area is in place. All residents within the designated area downstream of the reservoir are required to move to higher ground. If you need assistance to evacuate, please call 911.
Shelter is available at Harrah's Cherokee Center Asheville (87 Haywood St, Asheville, NC 28801). Explore Asheville has worked with local hotels to make rooms available for residents who are seeking shelter from the storm. Those rates are .
--
(6 a.m.) -FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY FOR ACROSS MITCHELL AND AVERY COUNTIES UNTIL 2:30 PM
NWS says emergency management reports catastrophic flooding across parts of Mitchell and Avery County, especially Bakersville and the surrounding areas.
Widespread heavy rainfall in excess of 7 to 10 inches has resulted in numerous road closures, flooded bridges, inundated and damaged structures, and ongoing water rescues across both counties.
Mitchell County emergency management reported that there is a shelter for those displaced by flooding located at Mitchell High School at 416 Ledger School Road.
NWS: This is a FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY for across Mitchell and Avery Counties. This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW!
(5:38 a.m.) - A FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY ISSUED FORSWANNANOA RIVER VALLEY, BELOW NORTH FORK UNTIL 1:15 PM
NWS says Buncombe County Emergency Management is reporting significant flows coming from the North Fork Reservoir on the North Fork Swannanoa River due to the excessive rainfall observed since last Wednesday. Additional significant flows are originating from the headwaters of the Swannanoa River near and above Montreat and Black Mountain as well as other tributaries of the Swannanoa River.
Rapid rises are imminent along the Swannanoa River, resulting in major, catastrophic, and potentially historic flash flooding within the valley. There is an increasing likelihood that this flooding will exceed the flash flooding observed in September 2004. Prepare NOW and heed all evacuation and other guidance from Buncombe County and local law enforcement in order to protect your life.
Additional torrential rainfall is imminent for the North Fork Swannanoa River and the Swannanoa River Valley which will significantly exacerbate developing Major flood conditions, leading to the potentially historic rainfall anticipated.
NWS: "This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW! Life threatening flash flooding of low water crossings, small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses."
--
(5:35 a.m.) - evacuation efforts are underway in Cruso, Clyde, Canton and low-lying areas in Waynesville.
"Flood waters are extremely dangerous. Getting caught up in floods may result in injury or death. LEAVE NOW. Climb to higher ground. Do not drive through water," the sheriff's office Facebook post said.
--
(5:04 a.m.) - Tens of thousands of people are without power across WNC. As of 5 a.m., Duke Energy reports 44,604 outages in Buncombe and 4,681 outages in Henderson. for the latest numbers and to report an outage. .
--
(4:48 a.m.) - Buncombe County officials say the shelters at Trinity Baptist Church and Swannanoa First Baptist Church are closing immediately. Anyone that needs to access emergency shelter should go the WNC Agriculture Center (Davis Building, Gate 5). Six people from the emergency shelter at Swannanoa First Baptist are currently being transported to the WNC Ag. Center.
--
(4:35 a.m.) -McDowell County officials say a mandatory evacuation order has been issued for Bungalow Drive off of Garden Creek Rd. in Marion. Bungalow Drive is in imminent danger of being surrounded by the Catawba River. Emergency personnel will not be able to access the area based upon projected river levels. Now is the time to move to higher ground. Take immediate action.
--
(4:23 a.m.) - FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY FOR HAYWOOD COUNTY UNTIL 10:15 AM
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Flash Flood Emergency for Haywood County at 4:09 a.m. Emergency management reported numerous road closures, ongoing water rescues, and flooded homes across Haywood County. Ongoing rainfall is contributing to swiftly rising stream levels, increasing significant flood risk, and increasing risk of life-threatening landslides. Between 6 and 10 inches of rain have already fallen, and additional heavy rainfall is imminent.
This is a FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY for across Haywood County.The NWS says this is a particularly dangerous situation and residents should seek higher ground now.
--
(4:05 a.m.) - McDowell County officials issued a mandatory evacuation of Ponderosa Park, located off US 221 Business in Marion. The sheriff's office saysPonderosa Park is in imminent danger of being surrounded by the Catawba River.
" Emergency personnel will not be able to access the park based upon projected river levels. Now is the time to move to higher ground. Take immediate action to protect your life!" an alert from the sheriff's office said.
(3:50 a.m.) - The city of Hendersonville has upgraded its Flood Response Plan to a Flood Level 4 (Extensive Flooding). Near-historic flooding is expected, along with strong wind gusts and major travel impacts. City officials urge residents living in the should prepare to evacuate if necessary.
Henderson County has opened an emergency shelter at the Athletics and Activities Center located at 708 South Grove Street.
Residents with non-emergency questions or those seeking transportation to a shelter, contact Henderson County Emergency Operations Center at 828-771-6670.
--
(3:30 a.m.) - The Haywood County Sheriff's Office reports the Pigeon River has left its bank on Thickety Road, near Thompson Cove. Both roads are closed, and residents are asked to avoid the area.
--
(2:30 a.m.) - The Asheville Regional Airport set back-to-back daily rainfall records on Wednesday and Thursday and will likely set a third consecutive one on Friday.
September 2024 is now the wettest September on record in Asheville, with over 14" of rain and counting.
Helene is expected to move quickly through the western Carolinas early Friday, bringing damaging wind gusts of up to 65 mph for lower elevations, and up to 80 mph for higher elevations.
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