Remnants of Tropical Storm Fred moved north from the Gulf Coast states into the Central Appalachians. Strong low level shear and abundant tropical moisture sparked low topped, rotating thunderstorms which helped spawn two brief EF-0 tornados in Wilkes County.  Non-rotating damaging thunderstorm winds also occurred in portions of northwest North Carolina during the afternoon of the 17th and again during the late evening of the 17th into the early morning hours of the 18th. These multiple rounds of thunderstorms
led to at least 9,000 residents losing power in northwest North Carolina. In addition, a south to southeast flow of high tropical moisture allowed for several inches of rain to fall over portions of our area, with the highest amounts in the NC mountains.

Flash Flood in WATAUGA, NORTH CAROLINA
From 17-AUG-21 21:00:00 to 18-AUG-21 01:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: PERKINSVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

After several hours of steady rainfall through the day on the 17th, a band of heavy rain passing across the Town of Boone produced between 1.8 and 2.6 inches of rain in less than an 1-hour period, falling at rates of 4 to locally 6 inches per hour at times.  Runoff from this rain caused rapid rises along Winkler Creek and Hodges Creek, with quickly overflowed their banks and flooded over 3 feet deep in spots across the Boone Mall shopping complex.  No injuries were reported, however several cars were observed flooded, a few of which had water up to the windows.

Thunderstorm Wind in SURRY, NORTH CAROLINA
From 18-AUG-21 00:10:00 to 18-AUG-21 00:10:00 (EST-5)
Location: PILOT MTN
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

A single tree was blown down by thunderstorm winds.

Flood in WATAUGA, NORTH CAROLINA
From 17-AUG-21 21:20:00 to 18-AUG-21 03:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: ROMINGER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The Watauga River at Sugar Grove crested at 10.61 feet at 12:00 am EST on August 18th due to 24-hour rainfall amounts ranging from 6 to 8 inches of rainfall across the headwaters of the Watauga River, tapering down to 2 to 4 inches near the stream gauge.  This is a little over a 2-year ARI event per USGS Stream Stats.

Tornado in WILKES, NORTH CAROLINA
From 17-AUG-21 11:54:00 to 17-AUG-21 11:56:00 (EST-5)
Location: OSBORNVILLE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A EF-0 tornado, captured on video and with peak winds estimated to be 80 MPH, briefly touched down near Mahaffey Road in far southeast Wlikes County. This tornado damaged siding and took off a few shingles to one home, then uprooted a few small trees before lifting less than a mile northwest of its touchdown.

Flood in WATAUGA, NORTH CAROLINA
From 17-AUG-21 21:00:00 to 18-AUG-21 01:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: BOONE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

The Rankin Science Building on the Appalachian State campus had about four to six inches of water from Boone Creek enter the first floor building.  Edwin Duncan Hall and Varsity Gym both had minimal flooding on portions of the lowest levels of each building.  Five vehicles were flooded to some degree in nearby parking lots.  One student sustained a minor injury after sliding in mud.

Flood in WATAUGA, NORTH CAROLINA
From 17-AUG-21 21:00:00 to 18-AUG-21 01:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: SHULLS MILLS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Four to locally eight inches of rain across the headwaters of the Watauga River caused the river to overflow its banks and flow across Shulls Mill Road near the intersection with Old Shulls Mill Road.  The road was reopened once flooding subsided, with no damage reported.

Tornado in WILKES, NORTH CAROLINA
From 17-AUG-21 12:11:00 to 17-AUG-21 12:13:00 (EST-5)
Location: CLINGMAN
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 85.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An EF-0 tornado, with peak winds estimated at 80 MPH, touched down near the intersection of Clingman Road and Briarlea Drive and traveled northwest through a populated area and caused minor damage to a few homes. This damage was mainly in the form of siding damage and removed shingles. A chicken coop and outbuilding were severely damaged. In addition, a few small trees were uprooted. The tornado traveled northwest and quickly lifted, less than a mile of its initial touchdown, near the intersection of Clingman Road and Cedar Forest Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in ALLEGHANY, NORTH CAROLINA
From 17-AUG-21 12:56:00 to 17-AUG-21 12:56:00 (EST-5)
Location: CHERRY LANE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Thunderstorm winds blew down a couple of trees on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Flood in WATAUGA, NORTH CAROLINA
From 17-AUG-21 21:00:00 to 18-AUG-21 01:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: SODA HILL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Four to six inches of rainfall, including 1.5 to 2.25 inches falling within a 1-hour period between 9:00 pm and 10:00 pm EST, caused numerous creeks and rivers to flood out of their banks, including the New River and its tributaries.  Flooding was observed along Deerfield Road near the Loyal Order of Moose lodge, Bamboo Road near Airport Road, along Elk Road, New River Hills Road, and Roby Green Road.  No damage to these roads was reported other than what was required to clear the roads of debris.

Thunderstorm Wind in CASWELL, NORTH CAROLINA
From 17-AUG-21 13:18:00 to 17-AUG-21 13:18:00 (EST-5)
Location: FITCH
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm winds blew down one tree and several large branches on Burton Chapel Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in WILKES, NORTH CAROLINA
From 17-AUG-21 12:37:00 to 17-AUG-21 12:37:00 (EST-5)
Location: RADICAL
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Thunderstorm winds blew down multiple trees on Cane Creek Church Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in SURRY, NORTH CAROLINA
From 17-AUG-21 23:35:00 to 17-AUG-21 23:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: WHITE PLAINS
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Thunderstorm winds blew down one tree.

Thunderstorm Wind in SURRY, NORTH CAROLINA
From 17-AUG-21 23:30:00 to 17-AUG-21 23:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: TOAST
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

One tree was blown down by thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind in SURRY, NORTH CAROLINA
From 17-AUG-21 23:50:00 to 17-AUG-21 23:50:00 (EST-5)
Location: PILOT MTN
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Thunderstorm winds blew down one tree.

Thunderstorm Wind in SURRY, NORTH CAROLINA
From 18-AUG-21 00:08:00 to 18-AUG-21 00:08:00 (EST-5)
Location: FLAT ROCK
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Thunderstorm winds blew down one tree.

Heavy Rain in WATAUGA, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-AUG-21 23:00:00 to 17-AUG-21 23:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: BLOWING ROCK
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

An automated weather station in the community of Blowing Rock (KNCBLOWI61) observed 4.89 inches of rainfall for the calendar day of August 17th, including 2.1 inches during a 45 minute period between 9:00 and 9:45 pm EDT (5- and 10-year rainfall event per NOAA Atlas 14 point frequency estimates). Rainfall rates during this time were measured to be as high as 6 inches per hour. The 24-hour amount is between a 2- and 5-year rainfall event per NOAA Atlas 14.

Thunderstorm Wind in ALLEGHANY, NORTH CAROLINA
From 17-AUG-21 13:04:00 to 17-AUG-21 13:04:00 (EST-5)
Location: GLADE VLY
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Thunderstorm winds blew down one or two trees.