After making landfall along the Florida Panhandle early on November 11th, the remnants of Tropical Storm Nicole progressed north toward far western North Carolina and Virginia. Moisture radiated well ahead of the storm, resulting in light rainfall during early morning hours, which gradually intensified as dawn approached and winds shifted from a east-northeast direction to become increasingly southeasterly by late morning. This direction is favorable for efficient orographic lift along the crest of the Blue Ridge with the southeasterly windflow tapping into deep moisture across the central Carolinas, where precipitable water values were measured in the 1.7 to 1.9 inch range.  Thirty-five to forty-five mph winds carried this moisture toward the mountains.  Rainfall rates for stations along the crest of the Blue Ridge, particularly in northwest North Carolina were observed in the 0.5 to 1 inch per hour range from around sunrise on the 11th until about 3 pm when winds began to shift more southwesterly.  Most significantly-impacted was the headwaters of the Watauga River, with significant flooding was observed along the river in the communities of Valle Crucis and Sugar Grove.

Flood in WATAUGA, NORTH CAROLINA
From 11-NOV-22 11:00:00 to 11-NOV-22 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: BOONE BLWNG RCK ARPT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The Middle Fork South Fork of the New River at Deerfield Road crested at 6.92 feet at 11 am on the 11th and remained above 6.5 feet into late afternoon. This stream overflowed its banks across Deerfield Road.

Flood in WATAUGA, NORTH CAROLINA
From 11-NOV-22 16:00:00 to 11-NOV-22 16:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: BOONE BLWNG RCK ARPT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The East Fork South Fork of the New River at Deerfield Road crested at 7.94 feet at 4 pm on the 11th.  This stream overflowed its banks several inches deep across both Deerfield Road and Bamboo Road further upstream.  Remediation consisted of only minor debris removal.

Flood in WATAUGA, NORTH CAROLINA
From 11-NOV-22 13:30:00 to 11-NOV-22 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: VALLE CRUCIS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

A cell phone video from a motorist in the Valle Crusis area showed Dutch Creek and a smaller creek (name unknown) that runs along Frank Mast Road both out of their banks.  Water from these flooded creeks was observed up against the Valle Crucis United Methodist Church, the Valle Crucis Log Cabin Rentals, and the Mast General Store.  Portions of the Valle Crusis Community Park was flooded over a foot deep.  Water was observed flowing across Broadstone Road.  Reported damage was minor and consisted mainly of cleanup of debris.

Flood in WATAUGA, NORTH CAROLINA
From 11-NOV-22 14:00:00 to 11-NOV-22 20:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: PEORIA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

A cell phone video showed the Watauga River flowing over a foot deep across Guy Ford Road in western Watauga County during the afternoon of November 11th. Large debris was caught on the bridge that would require equipment for removal.

Flood in WATAUGA, NORTH CAROLINA
From 11-NOV-22 15:54:00 to 11-NOV-22 16:48:00 (EST-5)
Location: BOONE BLWNG RCK ARPT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The South Fork of the New River at M.L.K. Jr. Street in the Town of Boone crested at 12.07 feet.

Flood in WATAUGA, NORTH CAROLINA
From 11-NOV-22 13:30:00 to 11-NOV-22 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: VALLE CRUCIS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Flooding from Dutch Creek flooded the property of Valle Crucis Elementary School all the way up to the school building. Water did enter portions of the building, but cleanup was quick and no damage was reported in the building.  Cleanup of the school grounds consisted mainly of debris removal.

Flood in WATAUGA, NORTH CAROLINA
From 11-NOV-22 11:00:00 to 11-NOV-22 21:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: VALLE CRUCIS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

The Dewitt Barnett Road bridge crossing the Watauga River was submerged at least 2 feet deep by flooding.  No damage was reported and the bridge reopened after flooding subsided.

Heavy Rain in WATAUGA, NORTH CAROLINA
From 10-NOV-22 07:00:00 to 12-NOV-22 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: AHO
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A personal weather station (Weather Underground: KNCBLOWI104) recorded a 48-hour storm rainfall total of 5.42 inches. 5 inches fell in a 24 hour period between 4 pm on 11/10 and 4 pm on 11/11, which is between a 2- and 5-year rainfall event per NOAA Atlas 14 Point Precipitation Frequency estimates for this duration.

Heavy Rain in WATAUGA, NORTH CAROLINA
From 10-NOV-22 07:00:00 to 12-NOV-22 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: AHO
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A personal weather station (Weather Underground: KNCBLOWI92) recorded a 48-hour storm rainfall total of 4.90 inches. 4.50 inches fell in a 24 hour period between 4 pm on 11/10 and 4 pm on 11/11, which is between a 2- and 5-year rainfall event per NOAA Atlas 14 Point Precipitation Frequency estimates for this duration.

Flood in WATAUGA, NORTH CAROLINA
From 11-NOV-22 10:14:00 to 12-NOV-22 02:00:00 (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 (SGWN7) crested at 13.01 feet 5:15 pm EST on Nov 11th due to prolonged moderate to heavy rain associated with the remnants of Tropical Storm Nicole.  This is the 20th-highest crest in the history of this gage, and is the highest crest since June 2019. This crest (8,630 cfs) ranks between a 2-year and a 5-year event (0.5-0.2 ARI) per USGS StreamStats.

Flood in ASHE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 11-NOV-22 21:00:00 to 12-NOV-22 02:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: WAGONER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The South Fork New River at Jefferson (JFRN7) crested at 8.31 feet 11 pm EST on Nov 11th due to prolonged moderate to heavy rain associated with the remnants of Tropical Storm Nicole. The heaviest rain fell in the headwaters of the New River in Watauga County. This is the highest crest since May 2020. This crest (7,300 cfs) ranks between a 2-year and a 5-year event (0.5-0.2 ARI) per USGS StreamStats.

Heavy Rain in WATAUGA, NORTH CAROLINA
From 10-NOV-22 07:00:00 to 12-NOV-22 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: MATNEY
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A personal weather station (Weather Underground: KNCBANNE130) recorded a 48-hour storm rainfall total of 8.97 inches.  8.45 inches fell in a 24 hour period between 3 pm on 11/10 and 3 pm on 11/11, which is between a 25- and 50-year rainfall event per NOAA Atlas 14 Point Precipitation Frequency estimates for this duration.

Heavy Rain in WATAUGA, NORTH CAROLINA
From 10-NOV-22 07:00:00 to 12-NOV-22 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: MATNEY
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A personal weather station (Weather Underground: KNCSEVEN24) recorded a 48-hour storm rainfall total of 7.31 inches. 6.06 inches fell in a 24 hour period between 3 pm on 11/10 and 3 pm on 11/11, which is between a 5- and 10-year rainfall event per NOAA Atlas 14 Point Precipitation Frequency estimates for this duration.