Isaias Remnants Trigger Flooding and Outages in Western NC

Western North Carolina counties faced flooding, power outages and hazardous roads Saturday, Oct. 10, as remnants of Hurricane Isaias moved through the region with heavy rain and gusty winds, according to local officials and weather agencies.

According to Duke Energy, crews were assessing damage and working to restore power after outages affected parts of the Carolinas. The company advised residents to avoid downed power lines while repairs continued.

The National Weather Service issued Flood Watches for 14 western North Carolina counties, warning that excessive runoff could flood rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying areas. Officials also warned that some low-water crossings could become unsafe.

The National Weather Service also issued Flash Flood Warnings for portions of Buncombe, Rutherford, Henderson, Polk, Transylvania, Avery and Burke counties. Areas including Lake Lure, Chimney Rock Village and Bat Cave were among locations that could experience flooding impacts.

North Carolina Emergency Management activated Mooresville Fire-Rescue’s Swift Water Rescue team for western North Carolina, sending 12 members to Yancey County as flooding risks increased.

In Asheville, the fire department’s REST team visited unhoused encampments to provide warnings and encourage movement to safer areas if flooding developed. The department also said Duke Energy brought additional crews from the coast to stage in Asheville.

McDowell County experienced flash flooding after torrential rainfall added 1.5 to 2.5 inches of rain on top of 2 to 4 inches recorded during the previous 12 hours, according to McDowell County Emergency Management.

Officials said flooding closed sections of Sugar Hill Road and Lytle Mountain Road, while a landslide was reported on NC-226A with minor roadway impacts. McDowell County warned that more flooding could affect Marion, Old Fort, Lake James, Pleasant Gardens, Sugar Hill and Glenwood.

McDowell County fire marshal and Emergency Management deputy director Andrew Pressley said there were confirmed reports of a landslide on NC-226A near the county line. He also said isolated flooding was occurring in Marion, Sugar Hills and Glenwood areas.

The North Canton Fire Department warned drivers to use extreme caution after a two-car crash on West Interstate 40 near mile marker 32.5, citing heavy rainfall and continued wet conditions.

A High Wind Warning was issued for mountain areas above 3,500 feet from midnight to 8 a.m. Sunday, with wind gusts of up to 60 mph expected, according to the National Weather Service.