View of the French Broad River from the Clingman Avenue bridge Monday, Sept. 17.
The sun is shining and the Swannanoa and French Broad rivers are in their banks following Sunday’s nonstop rain from Tropical Depression Florence. The storm brought minor flooding to the Asheville area Sunday, Sept. 16.
Sunday evening, the City of Asheville closed Azalea Road as the Swannanoa River overflowed its banks. By mid-day Monday, the minor flooding had receded. Asheville Public Works crews cleaned silt off of the road this morning and reopened Monday afternoon.
Storm impacts Sunday
Also Sunday, the Asheville Fire Department performed a swift-water rescue of two people found stranded on an island near Lowe’s. Both were unharmed.
At 8:43 p.m. Sunday, the City used its emergency notification system AVL Alert to notify people of the potential for flooding along Swannanoa River Road near Biltmore Village, in Biltmore Village and along Amboy Road near Carrier Park.
Also Sunday, the Red Cross opened an emergency shelter at Swannanoa First Baptist Church, 503 Park St. This in response to a voluntary evacuation of 3 mobile home parks on Portman Villa Road, Davis Drive and Atkins Drive in Black Mountain.
For the most current river flooding information locally and statewide, visit the NC Flood Inundation Mapping and Alert Network.
According to the National Weather Service:
- A flash flood watch remains in effect for Asheville through noon Tuesday.
- The National Weather Service warns that there is the potential for landslides in the mountains.
Florence’s toll so far
The storm’s effect has been profound in the eastern part of the state. As flooding continues to inundate North Carolina, the death toll from Florence has risen to at least 31, with 24 deaths confirmed in North Carolina.
Flooding is going on in many parts of coastal North and South Carolina.
“There is no access to Wilmington,” said Woody White, chairman of the board of commissioners of New Hanover County. “Our roads are flooded.” White said food and water would need to be flown into the coastal city of nearly 120,000 people.
North Carolina emergency response officials tweeted that 23 truckloads of military meals and bottled water were delivered overnight to Wilmington.
Related coverage:
Asheville still under flash flood watch following Florence
Florence weakens to tropical depression, Asheville under flash flood, wind advisories