Thunderstorms repeatedly moved across the same areas over the North Carolina foothills, causing a high impact flash flood event over Catawba, Lincoln and Cleveland counties. In Catawba County alone, between 50 and 60 roads were closed at the height of the event. Several roads were heavily damaged and would take months to repair. Over 400 structures sustained some amount of damage in the county, with 72 heavily damaged or destroyed. A trained spotter in western Catawba County reported 11.31 of rain in a four hour period.

Flash Flood in LINCOLN, NORTH CAROLINA
From 27-JUL-13 07:25:00 to 27-JUL-13 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: TOLUCA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 1.20M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Several roads were flooded in the northwest part of the county. Several swift water rescues were conducted. Some paved county roads completely washed out.

Flash Flood in DAVIE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 27-JUL-13 12:30:00 to 27-JUL-13 14:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: CANA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Woodward Road closed by a flooded stream.

Flash Flood in CATAWBA, NORTH CAROLINA
From 27-JUL-13 08:30:00 to 27-JUL-13 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: HICKORY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 200.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Forty sixth Ave Dr NE completely washed out. 10 feet deep trench where road was.

Flash Flood in CLEVELAND, NORTH CAROLINA
From 27-JUL-13 11:00:00 to 27-JUL-13 12:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: POTTVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Buffalo Creek flooded Stroupe Road. Also, Brackett Road was flooded by Knob Creek (2 N Lawndale). Other roads remained flooded in the northeast part of the county.

Flood in CATAWBA, NORTH CAROLINA
From 27-JUL-13 12:00:00 to 28-JUL-13 00:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: HICKORY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Numerous roads remained flooded into the evening hours across central and western Catawba County. New flooding also developed as the flood crest moved further downstream along the South Fork Catawba and the Catawba Rivers.

Flood in GASTON, NORTH CAROLINA
From 28-JUL-13 04:00:00 to 30-JUL-13 00:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: LONG SHOALS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The South Fork Catwaba River went into flood starting during the early morning hours of the 28th. Several roads along the river flooded. Back water effects also flooded some roads along tributaries of the river. The river gauge at Lowell crested at 17.5 feet early on the 29th, the second highest crest at that location in over 70 years of gauge readings. Many streets along the river in downtown Cramerton were flooded. Water entered a few buildings, though sand bagging efforts prevented water from entering most structures.

Flood in LINCOLN, NORTH CAROLINA
From 27-JUL-13 14:00:00 to 29-JUL-13 00:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: HENRY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Numerous roads remained flooded across the northwest part of Lincoln County into the evening hours. While the flooding then receded in the western part of the county, new flooding developed along the South Fork Catawba River and it's tributaries, lasting through much of the day on the 28th.

Flash Flood in LINCOLN, NORTH CAROLINA
From 27-JUL-13 11:00:00 to 27-JUL-13 14:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: HENRY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Several additional roads began to flood during the late morning hours over northwest Lincoln County as the flood crest worked downstream. Over 10 roads were closed by flooded streams. Road closures continued well into the afternoon hours.

Flash Flood in CATAWBA, NORTH CAROLINA
From 27-JUL-13 09:45:00 to 27-JUL-13 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: OYAMA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 900.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Widespread flash flooding continued across the central and northern part of the county. Several roads and structures were flooded. The Hickory Motor Speedway was completely flooded. Numerous swift water rescues were conducted in Newton and Conover. Several businesses in Conover and the east side of Hickory were flooded as were parts of the campus of Catwaba Valley Community College. As the flood crest begin to move downstream, flash flooding transitioned into a longer duration flood event during the afternoon.

Flash Flood in CATAWBA, NORTH CAROLINA
From 27-JUL-13 09:00:00 to 27-JUL-13 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: HICKORY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 1.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Widespread flash flooding continued across western Catawba County. As the flood crest moved downstream, flash flooding gradually transitioned into a longer duration flood event during the afternoon hours.

Flash Flood in CATAWBA, NORTH CAROLINA
From 27-JUL-13 06:00:00 to 27-JUL-13 08:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: HICKORY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 1.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The event started with several streets flooded in Hickory. Over the next couple hours numerous roads and even several homes were flooded in western Catawba County as extremely heavy rain continued to fall. In excess of 10 inches of rain was measured in this area.

Flash Flood in CATAWBA, NORTH CAROLINA
From 27-JUL-13 07:01:00 to 27-JUL-13 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: CLAREMONT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 1.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Several streams were out of their banks and roads flooded in and around Conover. Flooding then became widespread across the central and northern part of the county. Several structures were damaged by the flood waters. A few roads were washed out
as well. til 10 am EDT.

Flash Flood in IREDELL, NORTH CAROLINA
From 27-JUL-13 10:45:00 to 27-JUL-13 14:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: SCOTTS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Parts of Island Ford Road were flooded by streams between Old Mountain Road and Sharon School Road.