May 19, 2020
A very moist air mass interacting with a nearly stationary frontal zone resulted in a prolonged period of heavy rainfall from multiple waves of heavy rain showers and thunderstorms over the North Carolina foothills. Heavy rainfall was especially concentrated in McDowell County, where 5-8 inches of rain fell over 24 to 36 hours. This resulted in flash flooding in several areas across the foothills.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 897814). 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.