Tropical Cyclone Florence made landfall on the 15th and moved slowly west while weakening through the 16th. Widespread rainfall of 4 to 10 inches, with locally higher amounts fell across western North Carolina over a 36-48 hour period, with the highest totals reported along the Blue Ridge escarpment, and in southern and eastern sections of the Charlotte Metro area. Localized flash flooding was reported in these areas, with severe flash flooding reported across Union County.

Flood in CALDWELL, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-SEP-18 22:30:00 to 17-SEP-18 04:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: EDGEMONT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

A stream gauge on Wilson Creek in the Edgemont community rose above its established flood stage late on the 29th and remained in flood through much of the overnight. The main impacts were dangerously high flows on the stream, but multiple campgrounds were flooded along the river while portions of Brown Mountain Beach Rd were also flooded.

Flash Flood in DAVIE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-SEP-18 20:00:00 to 16-SEP-18 22:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: COOLEEMEE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

County comms reported a tributary of the Yadkin River overflowed its banks in the Cooleemee area, flooding a portion of Gladstone Rd, which had to be closed.

Flash Flood in CABARRUS, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-SEP-18 17:45:00 to 16-SEP-18 23:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: GEORGEVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

A stream gauge on the Rocky River exceeded its established flood stage after 3 to 4 inches of rain fell across the area throughout the 16th. Multiple tributaries of the river overflowed and flooded adjacent roads, including portions of Pharr Mill Rd, Hopewell Church Rd, Bowman Barrier Rd, Mount Pleasant Rd, Highway 200, and Coxe Mill Rd. Additionally, Little Cold Water Creek overflowed and flooded Old Airport Rd.

Flash Flood in MECKLENBURG, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-SEP-18 07:13:00 to 16-SEP-18 17:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: HAHN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

EM and stream gauges indicated flash flooding developed during the morning of the 16th and steadily worsened through the morning and afternoon, especially across eastern and southern sections of Mecklenburg County where 6 to 10 inches fell throughout the 16th. The main streams impacted where Mallard Creek in the eastern part of the county and McAlpine and McMullen Creek and their tributaries in South Charlotte. Multiple stream gauges on these streams exceeded their established flood stages. A couple of dozen roads were closed due to urban and small stream flooding during the afternoon, especially across the south side of the city, where several water rescues were necessary and some people were briefly trapped in their homes.

Flash Flood in BUNCOMBE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-SEP-18 14:45:00 to 16-SEP-18 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: MONTREAT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Law enforcement reported evacuation of a mobile home park after a tributary of Flat Creek flooded the area around Portman Villa Rd and David Dr in Black Mountain. Four to six inches of rain fell across the area throughout the 16th.

Flash Flood in BURKE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-SEP-18 19:00:00 to 16-SEP-18 21:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: PLEASANT GROVE BRKE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Spotter reported a water rescue became necessary along River Rd in eastern Burke County after Henry Fork overflowed its banks and flooded a portion of the road.

Flood in ROWAN, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-SEP-18 23:30:00 to 17-SEP-18 03:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: ROCKWELL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Although heavy rain ended across Rowan County during the evening of the 16th, high water conditions persisted through the overnight, with multiple roads remaining closed.

Flood in MECKLENBURG, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-SEP-18 17:30:00 to 16-SEP-18 23:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: HAHN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Although heavy rain ended across Charlotte and vicinity during early evening, flooding continued along some streams and poorly drained areas through the evening.

Flood in CABARRUS, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-SEP-18 23:00:00 to 17-SEP-18 05:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: ROCKY RIVER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Although heavy rain ended across Cabarrus County during the evening flooding continued along the Rocky River and its tributaries through daybreak.

Flood in UNION, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-SEP-18 20:00:00 to 17-SEP-18 06:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: OLIVE BRANCH
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Although heavy rain ended across Union County during the evening, EM reported high water conditions continued through the overnight, as waters were slow to recede in light of the 7 to 13 inches that fell across the county in about 24 hours. During the morning of the 17th, an 88 year-old man drowned when he drove his vehicle through a swollen tributary on Landsford Dr.

Flash Flood in YANCEY, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-SEP-18 09:30:00 to 16-SEP-18 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: ESKOTA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

County comms and stream gauges reported flash flooding developed along the South Toe River and Cane River basins after 5 to 10 inches of rain fell in the headwaters in less than 24 hours. Numerous roads were closed throughout the area, including a portion of Highway 197 which was covered with water from the Cane River. The bridge over Still Fork Creek on South Toe River Rd was closed, cutting off the community of Alpine Village. Also, a stream gauge on the Cane River near Pensacola exceeded its established flood stage by a couple of feet, and remained in flood for several hours, while a gauge on the South Toe River near Celo briefly exceeded its established flood stage.

Flash Flood in MCDOWELL, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-SEP-18 16:40:00 to 16-SEP-18 22:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: ASHFORD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

A stream gauge on the North Fork Catawba River near Ashford exceeded its established flood stage after 4 to 6 inches fell in the headwaters, mainly over a 12 hour period. Water from the river and its tributaries flooded a couple of roads off Highway 221.

Flood in BURKE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 17-SEP-18 01:35:00 to 17-SEP-18 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: JOY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

A stream gauge on the Johns River north of Morganton exceeded its established flood stage after 4 to 6 inches of rain fell in the headwaters and in the Wilson Creek basin in about 24 hours. Multiple roads were flooded, including Old Johns River Rd, Johns River Rd, and Corpening Bridge Rd.

Flash Flood in UNION, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-SEP-18 07:30:00 to 16-SEP-18 20:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: OLIVE BRANCH
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

EM reported severe flash flooding developed across Union County after 7 to 13 inches of rain fell across the county in about 24 hours. Dozens of roads were closed at the height of the event during the afternoon of the 16th, some due to poor drainage flooding in urban areas, and others due to small stream flooding, including Goose Creek in the Indian Trail area, where a stream gauge exceeded its established flood stage. Multiple water rescues were necessary, and some homes were isolated by flood waters. A one-year-old boy drowned when his parent drove a vehicle around a barricade and into a swollen creek on Highway 218.

Flash Flood in ROWAN, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-SEP-18 17:30:00 to 17-SEP-18 00:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: ROCKWELL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

After 4 to 6 inches of rain fell throughout the 16th, county comms reported numerous roads flooded and multiple roads closed due to flooding, especially across western sections of Rowan County, including Salisbury and vicinity.