Overnight downpours hammered parts of western North Carolina on Monday, leaving stretches of Henderson County roads under water and sending emergency crews scrambling before sunrise. By early morning, residents and first responders were reporting multiple water rescues and roads that went from drivable to shut down in a matter of hours.
Flash Flood Warning and Soaking Rainfall Totals
The National Weather Service office in Greenville-Spartanburg issued flash flood warnings for northeastern Henderson County after Doppler radar estimated localized rainfall totals of roughly 3 to 5 inches. The agency warned that creeks, low-lying areas and roadways were at risk of life-threatening flash flooding, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasters also cautioned that any additional heavy downpours could trigger rapidly rising water in small streams and urban spots.
Local Crews Scramble for Water Rescues
Fire and rescue teams across the area worked through the night, checking on stranded drivers and flooded properties as the water climbed. Gerton Fire and Rescue urged residents to “please stay in” and warned that “many of the roads in our area are flooded or damaged,” adding that DOT crews had been notified, as reported by WRAL. WRAL also noted reports of water rescues and flooding near Chimney Rock and Bat Cave, and a meteorologist’s photo from Edneyville showed just how fast a seemingly passable road can turn dangerous.
Why Floodwaters Are So Dangerous…