A deep long wave trough developed over the western states around January 10th. The trough gradually moved east over a period of several days. As it approached the eastern states, it took on a positive tilt, with the surface cold front stalling across the south Appalachians for several days. Heavy rain periodically fell from late on the 13th through the evening hours of the 17th. The trough eventually filled, but not before a trailing southern stream upper low brought a last shot of heavy rain to the region during the overnight hours over the 17th. The rain changed to snow in some areas before ending. Perceptible water (PW) amounts were upwards of 300 percent of normal. In fact, PW readings at Atlanta and Greensboro were among the highest on record for January. Over a four day period, rainfall amounts ranged from 4 to 10 inches across the southern Appalachians. The heaviest totals were recorded across the southwest mountains, including the Smokies, Snowbird and Nantahala Mountains. Several automated rain gauges recorded 8 to 10 inches of rain in the headwaters of the Nantahala and Oconaluftee Rivers. The prolonged heavy rain resulted is several landslides across the North Carolina mountains. Roads and homes were damaged by these debris flows. While several instances of stream and main-stem river flooding were reported, the prolonged nature of the rainfall kept the flooding from becoming more extensive or damaging than it otherwise would have been.

Flash Flood in HENDERSON, NORTH CAROLINA
From 17-JAN-13 16:20:00 to 17-JAN-13 21:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: LAUREL PARK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Heavy rain caused Mud Creek to leave it���s banks, flooding parts of E Caswell St and South Grove St.

Heavy Rain in GRAHAM, NORTH CAROLINA
From 14-JAN-13 17:00:00 to 14-JAN-13 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: MILLTOWN
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Video showed about 12 inches of fast moving water flowing across a low bridge over Springwood Lake Road where it meets Long Creek Road. However, the water was in its channel below the bridge and it appeared that debris had blocked the channel, causing the flooding. County Communications reported a few other private bridges also had water over them that afternoon in the Robbinsville area.

Flash Flood in HENDERSON, NORTH CAROLINA
From 17-JAN-13 19:00:00 to 17-JAN-13 21:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: BARKER HGTS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Heavy rain caused Bat Fork Creek to leave its banks, flooding New Hope Road and Airport Road on the east side of Hendersonville.

Flood in JACKSON, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-JAN-13 20:00:00 to 16-JAN-13 03:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: WILMOT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Old Number 4 Road was flooded in the extreme northern part of Jackson County.

Flood in HENDERSON, NORTH CAROLINA
From 17-JAN-13 21:00:00 to 19-JAN-13 22:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: ETOWAH
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The middle reaches of the French Broad River in Henderson County remained in flood for around 2 days as runoff from heavy rain worked it's way through the river system. This resulted in flooded roads and bottom land close to the river.

Flood in HAYWOOD, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-JAN-13 19:00:00 to 15-JAN-13 23:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: SAUNOOK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Prolonged moderate to heavy rain caused Richland Creek to leave its banks and flood some local roads in the Waynesville area, including Water Street off of Dellwood Road.  Water was up to the foundations of a couple buildings at this location. The creek also flooded the Frisbee golf course at the Waynesville Recreation Center. Tri Lakes Drive was flooded by Jonathan Creek near Maggie Valley. A couple small mudslides were also reported in the Maggie Valley area.

Flood in TRANSYLVANIA, NORTH CAROLINA
From 17-JAN-13 21:00:00 to 19-JAN-13 22:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: PISGAH FOREST
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The middle reaches of the French Broad River in Transylvania County remained in flood for around 2 days as runoff from heavy rain worked it's way through the river system. This resulted in flooded roads and bottom land close to the river.

Flood in JACKSON, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-JAN-13 20:30:00 to 15-JAN-13 23:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: DILLSBORO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Scott Creek left its banks and flooded areas around Sylva, including the bridge over Helmock Street on the east side of town. A couple private bridges were also flooded by the creek near Sylva. The Tuckasegee River flooded a low spot along Mockingbird Lane.

Flood in SWAIN, NORTH CAROLINA
From 17-JAN-13 22:00:00 to 18-JAN-13 04:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: NEEDMORE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The Little Tennessee River flooded Needmore Rd in spots near the Macon County line. The road was closed for several hours.

Flood in SWAIN, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-JAN-13 19:15:00 to 16-JAN-13 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: BRYSON CITY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Tuckasegee River flooded Bear Hunter Campground in Bryson City. The trailers of several year-round residents of the campground had to be moved to higher ground. A motorist had to abandon their car after they drove into flood waters on Old River Road. East Deep Creek Circle and Island Street were also flooded by the river.

Flood in MACON, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-JAN-13 02:30:00 to 16-JAN-13 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: BURNING TOWN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Burningtown Creek flooded Middle Burningtown Road in several spots during the early morning hours of the 16th. One vehicle become stuck in flood waters and had to be pulled out.

Debris Flow in MACON, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-JAN-13 21:00:00 to 15-JAN-13 21:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: BRENDLETOWN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

A landslide heavily damaged a garage at a residence near the Jackson County line.

Debris Flow in HAYWOOD, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-JAN-13 01:00:00 to 16-JAN-13 01:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: MAGGIE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A landslide carried away and damaged a vehicle on Long Branch Rd.

Debris Flow in SWAIN, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-JAN-13 07:00:00 to 16-JAN-13 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: SMOKEMONT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 5.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A large landslide destroyed a 200 foot section of highway 441 in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It was estimated the road would take months to repair, thus indefinitely shutting down the Park's only paved throroughfare. Seven to 10 inches of rain fell across the North Carolina section of the park from the 14th through the 17th.

Heavy Rain in SWAIN, NORTH CAROLINA
From 14-JAN-13 09:00:00 to 14-JAN-13 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: BRYSON CITY
Property damage: 200.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

A culvert backed up, causing a sink hole to develop under 6 mobile homes along Water Street in Bryson City. The mobile homes were subsequently condemned.

Flood in SWAIN, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-JAN-13 19:45:00 to 16-JAN-13 05:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: BIG COVE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 3.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Flooded locations in and near the Cherokee Indian reservation included the Parkwary entrance (US441), the Saunooke Bridge, which connects Big Cove Road to Newfound Gap Road, Meetinghouse Road and Whitewater Drive. Big Cove Road was also flooded in the Piney Grove area along Rabun Fork. Mt. Noble Road was damaged by mudslide. Oconaluftee Island Park was flooded for a while by the Oconaluftee River in Cherokee, though damage to the park was minimal. Several roads were damaged by flash flooding and landslides, resulting in a federal disaster declaration.