ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Steady rain across the area this weekend has prompted numerous warnings and advisories as streams, creeks and rivers rise.
The National Weather Service issued a Flood Warning Sunday morning for the French Broad River in Transylvania and Henderson Counties until 7 a.m. Jan. 1.
The storm system is expected to drop an additional 1-3.5 inches of rain. Unfortunately, this rainfall is occurring on top of saturated soils following 1.5-2.5 inches of rainfall Friday night.
The additional rainfall is expected to cause the French Broad River to exceed Minor Flood Stage on Sunday night from Brevard to Penrose, Blantyre and Etowah, fueled in part by high flows along the Davidson and Little rivers, which are likely to exceed their respective Action/Advisory Stages by Sunday afternoon, the National Weather Service said.
Heavy rainfall along the Tanasee and Balsam ridgelines is also likely to cause the French Broad River near Rosman to exceed Action/Advisory Stage and possibly approach Minor Flood Stage later Sunday morning into early Sunday afternoon, the National Weather Service said. Excessive runoff in the Mud Creek basin is likely to cause Mud Creek to approach Minor Flood Stage later Sunday afternoon into Sunday evening with these flows contributing to the Action Stage exceedance at Fletcher expected early Sunday afternoon. Routed flow from Blantyre and Fletcher may cause the French Broad River at Asheville to exceed Action/Advisory Stage briefly Sunday evening.
But, the National Weather Service said it only expects nuisance to minor flooding along the French Broad River and associated tributaries.
A Flood Advisory is in effect for Buncombe County until 1 a.m. Dec. 31.
A Flood Advisory is in effect until noon Dec. 29 for Macon County.
A Flood Advisory is in effect until 12:15 p.m. Dec. 29 for Haywood and Jackson counties.