Sep 20, 2009
Periods of heavy rain fell between the 18th and 22nd across the southern mountains of North Carolina. Over the five day period, over 17 inches of rain fall in a few locations, with many areas reporting 10 inches of more. The most significant flooding started early in the morning on the 20th when three nearly stationary areas thunderstorms produced very heavy rain along the eastern escarpment of the Blue Ridge. Widespread flooding of streams and some large rivers developed over the region.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 198003). Narrative written by NWS staff at the time of the event.
This event is one of many recorded floods in Polk County. See the full FEMA flood zone map, NFIP claim totals, and disaster history for the area.