May 14, 2012
A slow moving upper level low pressure system moving across the Tennessee Valley triggered widespread showers and thunderstorms along the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and Virginia. A few storm became severe in North Carolina, where atmospheric instability was greatest. The ground was observed to be saturated in many areas along the Blue Ridge from rainfall during previous days, which helped to enhance the flooding threat.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 383780). Narrative written by NWS staff at the time of the event.
This event is one of many recorded floods in Wilkes County. See the full FEMA flood zone map, NFIP claim totals, and disaster history for the area.