New Sunday rainfall record and Flash Flood Watch continues for WNC today

The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Watch for most of Western North Carolina — including Buncombe. With more rain expected this afternoon, the flood watch remains active through early evening. The Weather Service also reports:

A new record daily rainfall record occurred at the Asheville regional Airport on Sunday. 1.48 inches fell on Sunday. This breaks the old daily record of 1.23 inches which was set in 1992 and 1917. Climatological data is maintained for Asheville going back to 1869.

Flash Flood Watch

* Saturated ground… a very moist air mass… and elevated river and stream levels are setting the stage for a greater potential for flash flooding through this afternoon. Additional thunderstorms today may produce heavy downpours with rain falling at the rate of 1 to 3 inches per hour.

* Any sustained heavy rainfall may cause flash flooding of area streams and creeks. Area rivers will likely begin to rise rapidly… with some river flooding possible through evening. Even away from streams and tributaries… deep ponding of water in low lying and poor drainage areas may be serious enough to pose a risk to life and property.

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About Margaret Williams
Editor Margaret Williams first wrote for Xpress in 1994. An Alabama native, she has lived in Western North Carolina since 1987 and completed her Masters of Liberal Arts & Sciences from UNC-Asheville in 2016. Follow me @mvwilliams

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