Last Updated on February 13, 2022 8:48 am
The remnants of what was once Hurricane Nate brought heavy rain and a Tornado Warning to Watauga County, and surrounding areas, on Sunday night. Heavy rain led to flooding at the Boone Mall parking lot Highway 321 side, a location that is usually one of the first to flood in Boone.
Flooding was also reported in a section of Bamboo Road and along Blowing Rock Road near the Holmes Center. Boone Fire, Boone Police and Appalachian State Police closed some sections of roads around the Holmes Center due to not only heavy rain, but runoff from other locations.
According to data compiled by WataugaOnline.com pertaining to tornadoes in the High Country, Sunday's Tornado Warning by the National Weather Service (NWS) was the first ever warning for Watauga County. For a more detailed look at the tornado data visit this link. Neighboring Caldwell and Wilkes counties had confirmed reports of tornadoes.
A Flash Flood Watch, Flood Advisory and Wind Advisory were issued by NWS for Sunday through Monday morning. Total rainfall amounts from the Watauga Medical Center weather reporting station were 3.87 inches on Sunday and 1.31 inches from midnight to 10:30am Monday morning. The official reporting station for Boone (Boon7) recorded 4.64 inches.
Radar view of the Tornado Warned storm in eastern Watauga County into Caldwell & Wilkes
Power outages across Watauga, Caldwell, Ashe & Wilkes were reported. The screenshots below show over 1,800 outages at 7:30pm, according to Blue Ridge Energy.
Flooding on the ASU campus
Flooding in Boone Mall parking lot: Photo John Shaw
Flooding on Blowing Rock Road below Holmes Center. Photos used by permission of Montana Eck via Twitter
Insane flooding in Boone, NC associated with Nate. @JasonBoyerWLOS @wxbrad @JimCantore pic.twitter.com/Uv6xFwhROg
— Montana Eck (@moaleck) October 9, 2017
More flooding in Boone @wxbrad pic.twitter.com/R0SHAib3lh
— Mark Beno (@32brownsfan) October 9, 2017
