Flash Flood — Rutherford, North Carolina

Event narrative (NOAA)

Historic, catastrophic flash flooding developed along the Broad River during the overnight and early morning hours as rainfall rates began to intensify again during the evening. The most intense rainfall occurred around sunrise, as the tropical rain bands near the center of Helene swept across the area. Dozens of structures were swept downstream and dozens more damaged during this time. Much of the Chimney Rock community was destroyed, with considerable debris swept downstream and deposited into Lake Lure. Dozens of landslides also occurred across this part of Rutherford County, especially in the upper part of the Hickory Nut Gorge. This contributed further to structural damage. Almost all of the residents of the community evacuated well before the worst of the flooding developed, but one

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