Unseasonably warm air, with afternoon temperatures reaching into the 60s and low 70s, and a surge of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico interacted with a slow moving cold front during the afternoon and evening hours of January 30th, resulting in strong low-topped showers and thunderstorms and widespread heavy rainfall. Despite weak CAPE associated with the frontal passage, low level wind shear was in excess of 60 knots across the region, which made for strong squall lines of shower activity, often with strong winds but little to no lightning. Precipitable water values were observed to be in the 1.0 to 1.5 inch range, which is extremely high for January across the Appalachians and the nearby Piedmont region. To add to the flooding threat, ground conditions were already saturated from recent rain and snow during the days and weeks preceding the event.
The following is a list of total rainfall amounts, in inches, that fell across northern North Carolina:
- Ashe County -
5.34   2 E Todd CCR,
5.05   Jefferson 2 E COOP,
4.46   Laurel Springs RAWS,
3.86   Transou COOP,
1.29   Ashe County Airport.
- Rockingham County -
1.05   Eden COOP.
- Stokes County -
1.42   Danbury COOP.
- Surry County -
2.77   Raven Knob RAWS,
2.39   Mount Airy COOP,
2.31   Ararat River at Ararat,
1.82   Elkin COOP.
- Watauga County -
5.79   Boone 1 SE COOP,
5.28   Boone RG (TVA),
4.32   1 WSW Foscoe CCR,
4.25   3 ENE Blowing Rock,
3.76   Triplett RG DCP,
2.69   Howards Knob IFLOWS,
2.19   Watauga River/Foscoe IFLOWS,
1.00   Blackburn Knob IFLOWS.
- Wilkes County -
2.81   5 WNW Purlear CCR,
2.68   Wilbar RG DCP,
2.58   Rendezvous Mountain RAWS,
1.92   Roaring River DCP,
1.87   W Kerr Scott Reservoir COOP/DCP,
1.75   North Wilkesboro COOP,
1.71   Elk Creek at Elkville DCP.

Flash Flood in ASHE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 30-JAN-13 19:10:00 to 30-JAN-13 23:10:00 (EST-5)
Location: CRUMPLER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

The north fork of the New River was observed flowing over Silas Creek Road, which was caused by an estimated five inches of rain.

Flash Flood in ASHE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 30-JAN-13 19:00:00 to 30-JAN-13 22:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: WAGONER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

The New River was observed flowing out of its banks and across Dog Creek Road near the community of Crumpler.

Flash Flood in ASHE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 30-JAN-13 19:13:00 to 30-JAN-13 22:13:00 (EST-5)
Location: CRESTON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Extensive flooding was reported along Peak Road.

Flash Flood in ASHE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 30-JAN-13 19:05:00 to 30-JAN-13 22:05:00 (EST-5)
Location: BALDWIN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

An observer measured nearly four inches of rainfall in the area, the heavy rain causing one foot of water to flow across Holman Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in ROCKINGHAM, NORTH CAROLINA
From 30-JAN-13 20:50:00 to 30-JAN-13 20:50:00 (EST-5)
Location: MADISON
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Multiple Trees were blown down on Dahl Street.

Flash Flood in WATAUGA, NORTH CAROLINA
From 30-JAN-13 20:30:00 to 30-JAN-13 23:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: SHULLS MILLS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Heavy rain caused two feet of water was observed flowing over Diamond Branch Road.

Flash Flood in WATAUGA, NORTH CAROLINA
From 30-JAN-13 16:33:00 to 30-JAN-13 19:33:00 (EST-5)
Location: VALLE CRUCIS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

The Watauga River was flowing out of its banks and flowing over a bridge on Dewitt Barnett Road.

Flash Flood in WILKES, NORTH CAROLINA
From 30-JAN-13 22:00:00 to 30-JAN-13 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Location: ROARING RIVER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Water was observed flowing over the bridge at Arbor Grove Church Road near Cotton Mill Road.

Flash Flood in WATAUGA, NORTH CAROLINA
From 30-JAN-13 16:35:00 to 30-JAN-13 22:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: BOONE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 175.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

The Boone Volunteer Fire Department reported that at least nineteen water-related rescues occurred across the Boone area due to rapidly rising water conditions from heavy rain. Some rescues were to assist people trapped inside their homes, while others were to assist trapped motorists stuck in standing water. Only one water rescue was considered to be serious by rescue personnel. No serious injuries were reported, although a few people were treated at the scene for mild hypothermia. Numerous roads across the Boone area were also closed and/or damaged due to flooding. One specific report includes flooding on Deerfield Road where a nearby stream was flowing out of its banks. Some of the worst road damage occurred on Roby Greene Road and Seven Oaks Road, with about $150,000 in damages. Water entered about a dozen apartments at the Bavarian Village apartment complex, which will take several days to clean. Several other apartments were evacuated due to a flooding-related propane leak, with no damages. At least 5.61 inches of rainfall was measured at the Watauga Medical Center.