Flash flood watch issued ahead of Hurricane Sally
News September 15, 2020
Murphy, NC – A Flash flood watch begins on Wednesday afternoon and lasts through Friday morning for Cherokee, Clay, and Polk counties due to Hurricane Sally.
The National Weather Service in Morristown has issued a:
“Flash Flood Watch for portions of southwest North Carolina and east Tennessee, including the following areas, in southwest North Carolina, Cherokee and Clay. In east Tennessee, East Polk and West Polk.
Periods of showers will increase ahead of the remnants of Hurricane Sally Wednesday and will continue through early Friday. Heavy rainfall and possible flash flooding is possible in the watch area. Storm total rainfall amounts of 3 to 5 inches are expected with ocally higher amounts possible.”
Graham, Jackson, Macon, Swain, Haywood, and Transylvania Counties are under a hazardous weather outlook from the National Weather Service in Greenville, SC.
“The remnants of tropical storm Sally are expected to pass close enough to the area to bring heavy rainfall Thursday into Friday. While there is considerable uncertainty regarding amounts and the location of heaviest rain, rainfall totals are expected to be sufficient to result in areas of flash flooding, some of which could be significant. Flooding along main stem rivers is also possible. Continue to monitor the forecast for the latest on Sally and the possible impacts across our area.”
Western North Carolina included in severe weather forecast
News, WEATHER April 12, 2020
CHEROKEE COUNTY, N.C. – The National Weather Service (NWS) Office in Morristown, TN has issued severe weather outlook for Cherokee and Clay counties starting Sunday afternoon and into Monday morning.
From NWS:
“…Periods of Heavy Rain and Possible Flooding for the Plateau, Central and Southern Sections of East Tennessee, and southwest
North Carolina for this Afternoon and Tonight…
…Severe Storms Possible from this Evening through Early Monday Morning…
A severe weather outbreak is possible across the Tennessee Valley region Sunday evening through early Monday morning. Damaging winds up to 70 mph will be the greatest threat from these storms but there is a risk of isolated tornadoes across the Plateau, southeast Tennessee, and southwest North Carolina. Hail up to quarter size is also possible.
Periods of heavy rain is also anticipated with the greatest risk of flash flooding across the Plateau, central and southern section of the east Tennessee, and southwest North Carolina. Stream flooding, roadway flooding, and flooding of low-lying areas are possible.
High winds will develop across the East TN mountains and adjacent foothills Today and continue into Monday morning. Southerly winds may gust up to 80 mph in some locations during that time. Windy conditions will also develop elsewhere late today through Monday morning with gusts up to 35-40 mph possible.”
The wind advisory said to expect southern winds between 15 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph expected from 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 12 to 10 a.m. on Monday, April 13. Tree limbs could be blown off trees and power outages could occur. The service recommends to secure outdoor objects and take caution if operating a “high profile vehicle.”
Also, at 2 p.m., a flash flood watch goes into effect and lasts until Monday morning. Two to four inches of rain is expected with heavier amounts possible. NWS advised, “Avoid low lying areas…and be careful when approaching highway dips and underpasses. If you come to a closed or flooded road…turn around! Don`t drown!”
Cities included in the severe weather forecast are Andrews, Marble, Topton, Hiawasse Dam, Murphy, Unaka, Violet, Shooting Creek, Brasstown, Hayesville, Tusquitee, Fincastle, La Follette, Elk Valley, Jellico, White Oak, Caryville, Royal Blue, Lone Mountain, Sandlick, Springdale, Arthur, Harrogate-Shawanee, Clairfield, Howard Quarter, Oak Ridge, Clinton, Maynardville, Norris Lake, Paulette, Rose Hill, Sharps Chapel, Luttrell, Lenoir City, Loudon, Bearden, Knoxville, Lake Forest, Happy Valley, Maryville, Alcoa, Cades Cove, Harrisburg, Kodak, McMahan, Sevierville, Seymour, Pigeon Forge, Elkmont, Gatlinburg, Athens, Clear Water, Dentville, Etowah, Sweetwater, Madisonville, Bullet Creek, Citico, Coker Creek, Conasauga, Archville, Benton, Parksville, Reliance, Big Frog Mountain, Ducktown, and Turtletown.
Feature image from NWS Morristown Facebook.