National Weather Service Issues Flood Warning for Otto, Flood Advisories for Other Locations

The National Weather Service has issued a general flood advisory for portions of the county along the Little Tennessee River. They have also issued a Flood Warning for the Little Tennessee River in the Otto area. Details are posted below.

Images with this update are of the various gauges mentioned in the material.

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NWS Flood Advisory

* The following streamgauge has exceeded Action Stage:
Little Tennessee River above NC 28, 3 N Franklin.

Current Stage: 7.95 feet and rising rapidly.

Forecast: The Little Tennessee River will continue to rise to at least 9.0 feet through early Friday afternoon. A rise to Minor Flood Stage is possible into Friday afternoon and a Flood Warning may be needed for more significant low-lying area flooding.

Action Stage: 7.5 feet.

Minor Flood Stage: 10.0 feet.

Impacts: At 7.5 feet, low-lying areas along the Little Tennessee River near NC 28 are beginning to flood. This may impact low-water crossings, boat-access areas, parks, and trails.

At 8.0 feet, Needmore Road may flood near the Macon/Swain County line. At 10.0 feet, several low-lying roadways may begin to flood.

* The following streamgauge has exceeded Action Stage:
Little Tennessee River at Needmore Rd., 7 SW Bryson City.

Current Stage: 7.42 feet and rising rapidly.

Forecast: The Little Tennessee River will continue to rise to at least 9.0 feet through early Friday afternoon. A rise to Minor Flood Stage is possible into Friday afternoon and a Flood Warning may be needed for more significant low-lying area flooding.

Action Stage: 7.5 feet.

Minor Flood Stage: 10.0 feet.

Impacts: At 7.5 feet, low-lying areas along the Little Tennessee River near NC 28 are beginning to flood. This may impact low-water crossings, boat-access areas, parks, and trails. At 8.0 feet, Needmore Road may flood near the Macon/Swain County line. At 10.0 feet, several low-lying roadways may begin to flood.

* Some locations that may experience flooding include…
Franklin, Luada, Almond, Cowee, Cullasaja and Burningtown.

BULLETIN – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Flood Warning
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
534 AM EST FRI FEB 22 2019

The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a

* Flood Warning for…
South central Macon County in western North Carolina…

* Until 1130 AM EST Friday.

* At 529 AM EST, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated that 1.5 to 2 inches of rain fell across portion of Macon County over the past 12 hours. Radar indicates additional showers moving over the region now, producing localized one-quarter inch per hour rainfall rates in the heaviest downpours. This will worsen existing flooding along the Little Tennessee River near Otto, and nearby tributaries.

* Some locations that will experience flooding include…
Otto. The current stage along the Little Tennessee River at Otto is 17.3 feet. At this stage, Riverside Road will be Flooded, as will the park alongside the river.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

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.

Only when it is safe to do so, please report floodwaters 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.

published at 11:16am on Friday, Feb 22, 2019

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