Flash Flood — Burke, North Carolina

Event narrative (NOAA)

Stream gauges and emergency management indicated catastrophic flash flooding developed across portions of Burke County, mainly central and northern sections after 7-13 inches of rain fell across much of the county in three days, with some amounts over 20 inches reported in the Jonas Ridge area. Major flooding developed along multiple tributaries of the Catawba River, including Johns River, Linville River, Hunting Creek in Morganton, Lower Creek, and upper reaches of the Catawba River itself. A water level gauge at Bridgewater Dam on Lake James exceeded its record crest by more than four feet. Another gauge on Johns River north of Morganton exceeded 30 feet, which was the highest crest in the gauges history, breaking the old record of 28.6 feet (both records occurred during Hurricane France

Other notable flash flood events in North Carolina