Flash Flood — Yancey, North Carolina

Event narrative (NOAA)

Historic, catastrophic flash flooding developed along the Cane River and South Toe River basins during the overnight and early morning hours of the 27th as rainfall rates began to intensify again during the evening of the 26th. The most intense rainfall occurred just after sunrise, as the tropical rain bands near the center of Helene swept across the area. These rivers and their tributaries inundated hundreds of homes, with some structures being completely destroyed. Numerous roads were damaged or destroyed. More than 200 landslides were reported in this part of Yancy County, further contributing to the damage and destruction. Multiple fatalities were reported, mostly within homes that were swept away, although one death occurred in a vehicle, and another may have occurred in a landslide.

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