May 5, 2013
A strong upper low slowly lifted northeast across the southern Appalachian Mountains over the 3 day period. While precipitable water values were not particularly strong with the low, a strong low level jet in advance of the system brought strong moisture transport and orographic ascent to the region, centered over the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. The hardest hit areas saw between 4 and 7 inches of rain over a two day period, resulting in a widespread duration flood event. Mainstem riv
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 457500). Narrative written by NWS staff at the time of the event.
This event is one of many recorded floods in McDowell County. See the full FEMA flood zone map, NFIP claim totals, and disaster history for the area.