Dec 26, 2023
A deep low pressure system brought heavy rainfall to northwest North Carolina, particularly along the crest of the Blue Ridge in Watauga County. Sustained southeasterly winds added an orographic enhancement to rainfall amounts which fell across the headwaters of the Watauga River. While rainfall rates generally remained at a half inch or less across southern Watauga County through the event, the duration of rainfall locally approached 36 hours. Rainfall totals across the headwaters of the Wata
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 1152417). Narrative written by NWS staff at the time of the event.
This event is one of many recorded floods in Watauga County. See the full FEMA flood zone map, NFIP claim totals, and disaster history for the area.