ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Heavy rain continued to trigger flood warnings, road closures and infrastructure damage across Western North Carolina on Tuesday, with transportation officials reporting multiple shutdowns in Henderson, Buncombe and Transylvania counties.

The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg reported that mountain communities along and near Interstate 40 and surrounding areas received intense rainfall overnight Monday into Tuesday, with some locations seeing 2 to 3 inches per hour and storm totals reaching between 3 and 6 inches.

A Flash Flood Warning remained in effect Tuesday morning for northeastern Henderson County, where emergency officials continued to report flooding even after the heaviest rain had moved out.

Communities including Hendersonville, Fletcher, Mills River, Mountain Home, Edneyville, Horse Shoe, Gerton, Bat Cave and areas near Chimney Rock State Park were among those affected.

Major roadway failures and closures reported

Emergency responders in the Bat Cave area said crews were actively surveying storm damage Tuesday, particularly in Gerton, where multiple roads have been impacted.

Bat Cave Fire and Rescue officials urged residents to stay off roads.

“Many roads have been damaged, especially in Gerton,” the department said, noting crews were assessing conditions throughout the area.

Officials also reported that Highway 74 is closed from the Continental Divide in Gerton to Fairview due to weather-related damage.

In Buncombe County, Fairview Volunteer Fire Department reported that Charlotte Highway (U.S. 74 Alternate) near the Henderson County line is completely closed after floodwaters caused a roadway washout. Crews discovered an estimated 12-foot-deep void beneath the highway after responding to a downed tree. Repairs are expected to require full excavation of the roadway.

NCDOT reports multiple additional closures

The North Carolina Department of Transportation reported numerous weather-related road closures across the region Tuesday morning:

Henderson County closures include:

  • SR-1598 (Konatoga Circle): closed near Hendersonville
  • SR-1006 (Howard Gap Road): closed near Hendersonville
  • SR-1605 (Middle Fork Road): closed northeast of Hendersonville
  • SR-1599 (Kelly Hill Road): closed northeast of Hendersonville
  • SR-1513 (Nix Road): closed near Hendersonville (expected to remain closed longer than other routes)

Buncombe County:

  • U.S. 74 Alternate (Charlotte Highway): closed near Fairview due to weather-related washout and structural failure

Transylvania County:

  • SR-1109 (Hannah Ford Road): closed near Brevard
  • SR-1127 (Green Road): closed near Brevard
  • SR-1110 (Island Ford Road): closed near Brevard

Transportation officials listed all closures as weather-related and urged motorists to avoid affected routes and use alternate travel paths.

Flooding impacts continue across rivers and low-lying areas

The flooding threat also extended to waterways across the region. The National Weather Service issued a Flood Advisory for the French Broad River near Old Fanning Bridge Road west of Fletcher in Henderson and Buncombe counties.

River levels rose above bankfull late Monday and were expected to crest near 12 feet Tuesday morning, leading to minor flooding at park access points and low-lying areas.

While not expected to reach major flood stage, officials said elevated water levels could persist into early Wednesday.

More rain in the forecast

Forecasters said additional showers are expected Tuesday afternoon, with most areas seeing another quarter-inch to half-inch of rainfall and some locations potentially receiving more.

Additional rounds of rain are expected Wednesday and Thursday, followed by a brief break late Thursday into early Friday before another system moves in over the weekend.

With soils already saturated, officials warned that even moderate rainfall could quickly lead to renewed flooding, particularly in mountain terrain and near streams and creeks.

Emergency officials continue to urge residents to avoid flooded roads and remain alert for rapidly changing conditions.