National Weather Service Raw Text Product

122 
WGUS52 KGSP 271747
FFWGSP
NCC003-035-097-290000-
/O.NEW.KGSP.FF.W.0112.240927T1747Z-240929T0000Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
147 PM EDT Fri Sep 27 2024

...FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY FOR CATAWBA RIVER FROM BELOW OXFORD DAM TO 
BELOW LOOKOUT SHOALS LAKE...

The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  South Central Alexander County in the piedmont of North Carolina...
  North Central Catawba County in the piedmont of North Carolina...
  West Central Iredell County in the piedmont of North Carolina...

* Until 800 PM EDT Saturday.

* At 147 PM EDT, Devastating rainfall of 6-25 inches has occurred 
  since Wednesday evening from Lake Hickory to the Catawba River 
  headwaters, with the highest totals exceeding 2 feet along the 
  Blue Ridge Escarpment across the upper Catawba River watershed.  
  This is resulting in catastrophic and historic inflows into 
  Catawba River reservoirs and this water is being moved through the 
  system to Lookout Shoals Lake and points downstream.  Major 
  flooding is developing at Lookout Shoals Lake.

* The latest pool elevations for the upper Catawba River lakes are 
  as follows (Full Pool is 100.0 feet):

    Lake James: 104.70 feet and steady.
    Lake Rhodhiss: 106.40 feet and rising steadily.
    Lake Hickory: 99.40 feet and steady.
    Lookout Shoals Lake: 106.60 feet and rising rapidly.

* Based on current rainfall forecasts and conditions, Duke Energy 
  expects Lookout Shoals Lake to reach or exceed 110.0 feet later 
  today, which is 10.0 feet over full pond.  The current record 
  pool elevation at Lookout Shoals Lake is 114.40 feet which 
  occurred in August 1940.  Lookout Shoals Lake reached 108.30 feet 
  on November 12, 2020, which is the highest crest in the modern 
  era.  Major Flood Stage is 106.0 feet.  These lake levels will
  cause unprecedented, catastrophic flooding of Lookout Shoals Lake 
  and possibly adjacent reaches of the Catawba River.

  This is a FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY for Catawba River from below 
  Oxford Dam to below Lookout Shoals Lake. This is a PARTICULARLY 
  DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW!

  HAZARD...Life-threatening, catastrophic flash flooding from dam
           floodgate releases caused by excessive rainfall.

  SOURCE...Duke Energy and Catawba County Emergency Management

  IMPACT...This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK
           HIGHER GROUND NOW!   Life-threatening, catastrophic,
           and potential historic flash flooding of areas along
           the Catawba River from Oxford Dam to Lookout Shoals
           Lake.  At 108.0 feet...Major Flooding continues.
           Devastating, widespread structural flooding within the
           Carpenters Cove community and along portions of
           Longfield St near Shadeview Ln is ongoing.
           Significant first-floor inundation is ongoing,
           exceeding 4 feet in several locations.  Water rescues
           may be ongoing.

* Flash flooding will affect areas of the Catawba River from Oxford 
  Dam to near I-40, including Lookout Shoals Lake.

* This has the potential to be a historic and extremely dangerous 
  event.  Please stay weather aware and monitor lake levels and Duke 
  Energy projections closely for any changes.

* For more information on lake levels or dam releases, people are 
  encouraged to visit http://lakes.duke-energy.com or call 
  1-800-829-5253.

* Residents along Lookout Shoals Lake should contact Catawba County 
  Emergency Management immediately to update their contact 
  information using the following direct link to their Community 
  Alert System web page at: https://www.catawbacountync.gov/alert

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Move to higher ground now! This is an extremely dangerous and 
life-threatening situation. Do not attempt to travel unless you are 
fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order.

If you are in low-lying areas below Oxford Dam or Lookout Shoals Dam 
or adjacent to the shoreline of Lookout Shoals Lake, you should move 
to higher ground immediately.

&&

LAT...LON 3585 8114 3580 8110 3578 8107 3577 8106
      3575 8105 3575 8104 3573 8105 3573 8106
      3572 8107 3572 8109 3573 8109 3576 8112
      3581 8116 3581 8119 3584 8120

FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CATASTROPHIC

$$

JMP