Flash Flood Watch Issued for Western North Carolina Through Monday Night
National Weather Service warns of flash flooding potential across western NC counties as heavy thunderstorms target the region through Monday night.
CHEROKEE, NORTH CAROLINA — The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for parts of western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, warning of potential flooding due to excessive rainfall through late Monday night.
The flood watch, issued at 12:13 p.m. on Sunday, remains in effect until 3:00 a.m. Tuesday for Cherokee and Clay counties in North Carolina, along with multiple counties across eastern Tennessee.
Heavy Rainfall Expected
Weather officials warn that rainfall rates between 1 to 3 inches per hour are expected with showers and thunderstorms moving into the region Sunday afternoon and evening. The intense precipitation could result in excessive runoff leading to flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone areas.
The alert comes from the National Weather Service office in Morristown, Tennessee, which monitors weather conditions across the affected region.
Areas Under Watch
In addition to Cherokee and Clay counties in southwestern North Carolina, the flood watch covers extensive areas of eastern Tennessee including Anderson, Bledsoe, Blount Smoky Mountains, Bradley, Cocke Smoky Mountains, East Polk, Grainger, Hamblen, Hamilton, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, North Sevier, Northwest Blount, Northwest Carter, Northwest Cocke, Northwest Greene, Northwest Monroe, Rhea, Roane, Sequatchie, Sevier Smoky Mountains, Southeast Carter, Southeast Greene, Southeast Monroe, Unicoi, Washington and West Polk counties.
Safety Precautions
Residents in the affected areas should monitor weather conditions closely and be prepared for rapidly changing conditions. Flash flooding can occur with little warning, particularly in mountainous terrain where water can quickly accumulate in valleys and low-lying areas.
The combination of steep topography in the Appalachian region and the forecasted heavy rainfall rates creates conditions conducive to flash flooding, prompting weather officials to issue the precautionary watch.
Motorists are advised to avoid driving through flooded roadways, as even shallow water can pose significant dangers to vehicles and passengers.
