Widespread amounts of three to five inches of rainfall were observed across the mountains and foothills during the 24-hour period ending with the passage of Tropical Storm Zeta across the lower mid-Atlantic region.  Despite its rapid speed across the region, the storm brought two to three inches of rain across portions of Wilkes and Surry Counties during a single hour, resulting in widespread flooding of many creeks and streams.  The flooding was severe enough in some cases to wash out the bridges passing over these creeks.  Lesser flooding was observed elsewhere across the Highlands of North Carolina where the rainfall rates were not as intense.

Flash Flood in SURRY, NORTH CAROLINA
From 29-OCT-20 10:15:00 to 29-OCT-20 12:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: LEVEL CROSS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Heavy rain from Tropical Storm Zeta caused Whittier Creek to overflow its banks and completely wash out Nurse Road, making the road impassible.  Water was estimated to be flowing about two feet over the bridge before it was destroyed.

Flash Flood in SURRY, NORTH CAROLINA
From 29-OCT-20 10:15:00 to 29-OCT-20 12:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: ARARAT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Between two and four inches of rainfall occurred in the hours before and during the passage of Tropical Storm Zeta.  Multiple personal weather stations indicate that more than half of the rain fell within a 2-hour period as the center of the storm passed. The heavy rain caused widespread flooding of small creeks and streams, pushing many out of their banks.  Several roads, both within the Ararat community and the surrounding area, were flooded and impassible until flooding receded.  A few bridges were damaged or destroyed.

Flash Flood in SURRY, NORTH CAROLINA
From 29-OCT-20 10:15:00 to 29-OCT-20 12:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: MT AIRY SURRY CO ARP
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Two swift-water rescues were performed for the occupants of vehicles that became stranded where Hiatt Road passes across Stoney Creek.  The road was flooded and impassible for several hours.  This flooding was the result of heavy rain which occurred during the passage of Tropical Storm Zeta.

Flash Flood in SURRY, NORTH CAROLINA
From 29-OCT-20 10:30:00 to 29-OCT-20 12:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: DOBSON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Between two and four inches of rainfall occurred in the hours before and during the passage of Tropical Storm Zeta. The heavy rain caused widespread flooding of small creeks and streams, pushing many out of their banks. Several roads, both within the Dobson community and the surrounding area, were flooded and impassible until flooding receded. A few bridges were damaged or destroyed. Highway 601 was impassible due to flooding of Bear Creek, where one swift water rescue was performed for an automobile that became stranded in the flood waters.  Fisher River Park was also closed due to flooding.

Flash Flood in YADKIN, NORTH CAROLINA
From 29-OCT-20 10:45:00 to 29-OCT-20 12:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: JONESVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Several roads were observed flooded and closed in and around the community of Jonesville. Among them, over six inches of water from the nearby Yadkin River was observed flowing rapidly over Fabric Lane.

Flash Flood in ASHE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 29-OCT-20 09:30:00 to 29-OCT-20 11:13:00 (EST-5)
Location: SCOTTVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Multiple privately-owned weather stations indicate that between 2 and 2.5 inches of rain fell during the passage of Tropical Storm Zeta.  Soils were already very moist due to rounds of rain that passed across the region earlier in the night.  Runoff from the rain caused Cranberry Creek to overflow its banks across a bridge on Double Springs Church Road, making the bridge impassible for several hours.

Flash Flood in ASHE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 29-OCT-20 09:30:00 to 29-OCT-20 11:13:00 (EST-5)
Location: HELTON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Privately-owned weather stations across northern Ashe County indicate that 1.5 to slightly over 2 inches of rain fell across soils already very moist from rainfall earlier in the past 24 hours.  This caused flooding of Helton Creek, overflowing across a bridge along Jim Duvall Road.

Flash Flood in WILKES, NORTH CAROLINA
From 29-OCT-20 08:15:00 to 29-OCT-20 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: WILKESBORO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Extensive flooding took place along Cub Creek during the late morning and afternoon hours as two to three inches of rain fell across the basin with the passage of Tropical Storm Zeta, most of it within a one hour period, on top of an additional one to two inches that fell during the previous evening for a total of nearly five inches in 24 hours.  Virtually all of Cub Creek Park was flooded, and the bridge on South Bridge Street that crosses the creek was completely over-topped by the flooded creek.  Elsewhere, the dam of a 3.5 acre pond collapsed at around 1:40 pm EST, sending flood water that washed out at 20 foot section of Woodfield Way just downstream.  Concern for the bridge on Industrial Park Road that crosses the creek about one mile downstream prompted evacuations of multiple businesses and apartments that would be cut off if the that bridge too was washed out, though it did not. Country Club Extension Road along Little Cub Creek was flooded and closed, as was Westover Road, where storage buildings and nearby residences were also flooded.

Flash Flood in WILKES, NORTH CAROLINA
From 29-OCT-20 08:15:00 to 29-OCT-20 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: WILKES CO ARPT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Extensive flooding took place along Moravian Creek during the late morning and afternoon hours as 2 to 3 inches of rain fell across this basin with the passage of Tropical Storm Zeta, most of it within a 1-hour period.  This rain was in addition to another 1 to 2 inches that fell during the previous evening, for a total of nearly 5 inches in 24 hours.  Newspaper reports indicate that nearly all of Moravian Creek was out of its banks, causing flooding Wilkes Community College's lower campus.  School Street further downstream was also closed by the flood waters.

Flash Flood in WILKES, NORTH CAROLINA
From 29-OCT-20 08:15:00 to 29-OCT-20 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: WILKESBORO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Numerous businesses along Wilkesboro Boulevard from the Yadkin River bridge to Memorial Park were flooded when the Yadkin River swiftly rose out of its banks, the result of 4 to 5 inches or rain within a 24-hour period both preceding and during the passage of Tropical Storm Zeta. Multiple personal weather stations observed 2-3 inches of rain within a 1-hour period just before the onset of flooding. Flash flooding ended as the river crested during mid-afternoon, and roads were reopened during the evening once the river receded. Among the businesses flooded were Extreme Collision Auto Body, which had to move several vehicles to prevent them from being damaged by flood waters. Flood waters completely inundated Memorial Park as well as the Yadkin River Greenway.

Flash Flood in WILKES, NORTH CAROLINA
From 29-OCT-20 08:15:00 to 29-OCT-20 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: NORTH WILKESBORO ARP
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The Reddies River at Wilkesboro (REDN7) crested at 11.79 feet (6760 cfs), which was between a 5- and 10-year Annual Return Interval per USGS StreamStats.  These rises were the result of 3-5 inches of rainfall within a 24-hour period, much of which fell within a 2-hour period during the passage of Tropical Storm Zeta.  The rapid rises resulted in the precautionary evacuation of residents from the Rose Glen Manor assisted living facility, though flooding did not enter the buildings.  Employees of other nearby businesses were evacuated as well out of precaution.

Heavy Rain in WILKES, NORTH CAROLINA
From 28-OCT-20 09:00:00 to 29-OCT-20 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: HUNTING CREEK
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A personal weather station in Wilkesboro recorded 4.92 inches of rainfall during a 24-hour period ending 10 am on the 29th. It was observed that 2.42 inches fell in a single hour on between 8:30 am and 9:30 am on the 29th.

Heavy Rain in WILKES, NORTH CAROLINA
From 28-OCT-20 07:00:00 to 30-OCT-20 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: BUCK
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The rain gauge at W. Kerr Scott Reservoir measured a 48-hour rainfall total ending 8 am on the 30th of 4.06 inches. This is the 9th highest 2-day total during the month of October for this station, with records dating back to 1965.

Flash Flood in WILKES, NORTH CAROLINA
From 29-OCT-20 08:15:00 to 29-OCT-20 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: KNOTVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 80.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Widespread flooding took place along Fishing Creek during the late morning and afternoon hours as 2 to 3 inches of rain fell across this basin with the passage of Tropical Storm Zeta, most of it within a 1-hour period. This rain was in addition to another 1 to 2 inches that fell during the previous evening, for a total of nearly 5 inches in 24 hours. Newspaper reports indicate that Fishing Creek Arbor Road at Fishing Creek was washed out when the culvert running beneath the road failed.  Further downstream, flood waters from the creek carried away several dozen propane gas storage tanks.  It is unclear how many tanks were recovered and still functioning. In addition, high water rescues were conducted for cars that became stranded in the flood waters.  One rescue was conducted on Highway 115 near the intersection with Speedway Road, and the other was on Speedway Road near the Fishing Creek Road intersection.

Flash Flood in WILKES, NORTH CAROLINA
From 29-OCT-20 08:15:00 to 29-OCT-20 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: MORAVIAN FALLS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Moravian Creek quickly rose out of its banks during the passage of Tropical Storm Zeta, the result of three to five inches of rain within a 24-hour period.  This caused several roads intersecting the creek to be flooded and closed until the flood water receded, including Germantown Road and Falls Road near the Moravian Falls waterfall.

Flash Flood in ASHE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 29-OCT-20 09:00:00 to 29-OCT-20 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: GLENDALE SPGS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Reports of 2 to 2.5 inches of rain caused rapid river rises along the South Fork of the New River.  At least one low bridge was flooded along Boggs Road, making the bridge impassible for several hours.

Debris Flow in WILKES, NORTH CAROLINA
From 29-OCT-20 09:40:00 to 29-OCT-20 09:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: WILBAR
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Heavy rain during the passage of Tropical Storm Zeta caused a debris flow along Highway 16.

Flood in WILKES, NORTH CAROLINA
From 29-OCT-20 14:00:00 to 29-OCT-20 14:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: WILKESBORO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The Yadkin River at Wilkesboro (WKSN7) crested within minor flood stage at 15.86 feet (13,100 cfs), resulting from heavy rain during the passage of Tropical Storm Zeta.  This crest is between a 2-year and a 5-year annual return interval per USGS StreamStats.  The crest would likely have been higher had W. Kerr Scott Reservoir not reduced its outflow by 500 cfs in response to the flooding at several points downstream.  By holding back outflow and combined with heavy inflow, W. Kerr Scott Reservoir had risen to a pool stage of 1044 feet by 9 pm on October 29th, up 14 feet from before the onset of rainfall during the day prior.

Flash Flood in WILKES, NORTH CAROLINA
From 29-OCT-20 08:15:00 to 29-OCT-20 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: LAUREL SPGS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Flooding due to heavy rain caused by Tropical Storm Zeta resulted in flooding along the Middle Fork of the Reddies River.  Colvard Road was flooded and closed for several hours as a result.

Flash Flood in WILKES, NORTH CAROLINA
From 29-OCT-20 08:30:00 to 29-OCT-20 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: ROARING GAP
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Heavy rain across central and western Wilkes County due to the passage of Tropical Storm Zeta caused rapid river rises along the Yadkin River.  The Yadkin River quickly rose out of its banks, flooding multiple roads in the Roaring River and Ronda communities, including Red, White and Blue Road, Roaring River Road and Clingman Road.

Flood in SURRY, NORTH CAROLINA
From 29-OCT-20 14:15:00 to 29-OCT-20 14:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: ELKIN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The Yadkin River at Elkin (ELKN7) crested at the moderate flood of 22.52 feet (27,300 cfs) due to heavy rain associated with the passage of Tropical Storm Zeta.

Debris Flow in SURRY, NORTH CAROLINA
From 29-OCT-20 10:30:00 to 29-OCT-20 10:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: COPELAND
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Heavy rain caused by Tropical Storm Zeta caused a debris flow across Highway 268, partially blocking the road.

Flash Flood in SURRY, NORTH CAROLINA
From 29-OCT-20 09:15:00 to 29-OCT-20 12:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: ELKIN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Between 2 and 4 inches of rainfall occurred in the hours before and during the passage of Tropical Storm Zeta. Multiple personal weather stations indicate that more than half of the rain fell within a 2-hour period as the center of the storm passed. The heavy rain caused widespread flooding of small creeks and streams, pushing many out of their banks. Several roads, both within the Elkin community and the surrounding area, were flooded and impassible until flooding receded, including Commerce Street, Pleasant Hill Road, and Memorial Park Drive. A debris flow was reported on Johnson Ridge Road.