Heavy rain developed during the late evening and early morning hours across the mountains and foothills along and ahead of a cold front. Two to four inch rainfall amounts occurred in just a few hours across portions of the southern mountains and foothills. This amount of rainfall combined with wet soils and elevated stream levels caused by multiple recent rain events to produce localized flash flooding and flooding across the area.

Flash Flood in TRANSYLVANIA, NORTH CAROLINA
From 29-DEC-15 00:30:00 to 29-DEC-15 04:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: ROSMAN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Stream gauges and Emergency Manager reported flash flooding developed along the French Broad River basin in Transylvania County after 2.5 to 4 inches of rain fell across the county in just a few hours. Flash flooding was first reported along the French Broad at Rosman, where several roads were covered with water, and 10 residents were evacuated along Depot St. Flooding then developed downstream along the basin, as stream gauges on the Little River and Davidson River exceeded their flood stages. Merril Rd and Cascade Lake Rd were flooded by the Little River in the eastern part of the county. Additionally, at least one mudslide occurred in the Rosman area.

Flood in TRANSYLVANIA, NORTH CAROLINA
From 29-DEC-15 04:00:00 to 29-DEC-15 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: ROSMAN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Although heavy rain tapered off across Transylvania County during the pre-dawn hours, runoff resulted in flooding continuing along upper portions of the French Broad River, as well as some of its smaller tributaries through the late morning hours. River flooding also developed along the French Broad near the Henderson County line during this time, and persisted for several days.

Flash Flood in BUNCOMBE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 29-DEC-15 02:16:00 to 29-DEC-15 03:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: AZALEA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Emergency manager reported a bridge over Grassy Branch was washed out on Thomas Lee Dr after as much as 3 inches of rain fell across the Asheville area in just a few hours.

Flood in JACKSON, NORTH CAROLINA
From 29-DEC-15 03:00:00 to 29-DEC-15 04:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: TUCKASEGEE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

After more than 3 inches of rain fell over just a few hours in the headwaters of the Tuckasegee basin, Emergency manager reported flooding developed along the West Fork of the river during the early morning hours. Several trailers were inundated with water from the stream near the intersection of Highway 107 and Fred Smith Rd. Multiple evacuations became necessary near this location.

Flash Flood in POLK, NORTH CAROLINA
From 29-DEC-15 01:30:00 to 29-DEC-15 03:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: MELROSE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

County comms reported flash flooding developed across much of Polk County after 3 to 4.5 inches of rain fell in just a few hours. Multiple roads were affected by multiple streams, while drainage flooding also developed, particularly in urban areas around Tryon and Columbus.

Flood in POLK, NORTH CAROLINA
From 29-DEC-15 03:00:00 to 29-DEC-15 05:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: MELROSE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Although heavy rain tapered off across Polk County shortly after midnight, runoff from the earlier rainfall caused flooding to persist across the area through the pre-dawn hours.