Last Updated on October 11, 2026 7:03 am
Flooding is ongoing in parts of the High Country this morning after 4 to locally 7 inches of rain fell since Saturday morning from the remnants of Hurricane Isaias, and the National Weather Service has Flood Warnings, Flood Advisories and a Flood Watch in effect for Watauga, Ashe, Avery and surrounding counties. The Wind Advisory has been dropped, and rain begins drying out from southwest to northeast this afternoon.
Watauga, Ashe and Wilkes Counties
A Flood Warning is in effect until 8 AM for Watauga County, south central Ashe County and southwestern Wilkes County. The Weather Service says flooding is ongoing, with between 4 and locally 7 inches of rain since Saturday morning and up to another half inch possible. Locations that will experience flooding include Boone, Blowing Rock, Deep Gap, Todd, Foscoe, Seven Devils and Aho. Streams include Fall Creek, Norris Fork, Flat Branch, Elk Creek, Mill Creek, Dugger Creek, Little Dugger Creek, Laurel Fork, Dutch Creek, Meat Camp Creek, Brushy Fork, Grassy Creek and Left Prong Stony Fork.
A Flood Advisory is also in effect for Ashe and Watauga counties until 11 AM, with minor flooding already occurring and between 4 and 7 inches of rain reported. Forecasters expect flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas, dangerous flows over low-water crossings, and water over a few roadways, possibly including Todd Railroad Grade Road along the South Fork of the New River. Locations include Jefferson, West Jefferson, Beech Mountain, Lansing, Ashland, Glendale Springs and Sugar Grove.
A Flood Watch remains in effect through this evening for Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, Wilkes and Surry counties in North Carolina and Grayson, Carroll, Floyd and Patrick counties in Virginia. Additional rainfall of 1 to 3 inches, on top of what has already fallen, keeps the flooding threat around. The Weather Service says rainfall rates have not been as high as feared and the rain has moved through in quick bursts, but if thunderstorms develop and rates increase, flooding and flash flooding could still occur.
Some rain gauges in the state mesonet network have recorded 3 to 5 inches across the North Carolina mountains and into the Virginia Blue Ridge south of Floyd, and a few smaller creeks and rivers in Watauga County are in minor flood.
Avery County and Nearby
Avery County is under a Flood Watch until 2 PM and a Flood Advisory until 11:45 AM. A Flash Flood Warning is in effect until 1 PM for southeastern Avery County, northwestern Burke County and west central Caldwell County. The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg says life-threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams is possible, with a damage threat rated considerable. Locations that may experience significant flash flooding include Crossnore, Table Rock, Linville Falls, Lake James State Park, Jonas Ridge and Edgemont.
A separate Flash Flood Warning is in effect until 9 AM for southwestern Avery County, McDowell County, southeastern Mitchell County and southeastern Yancey County, including Marion, Spruce Pine, Celo, Old Fort and Linville Falls. The Weather Service urged anyone near a creek or stream in those areas to seek higher ground now. A strong thunderstorm with gusts up to 40 mph was also moving northeast near Lake James early Sunday, and conditions were favorable for a very brief, weak tornado.
Wind
The gradient wind from the remnants of Isaias is subsiding, and the Wind Advisory for Watauga and Ashe counties has been dropped. Forecasters note that gusts over 35 mph could still bring down a weakened tree.
The Rest of Today
Rain continues to move south to north this morning, then dries out from southwest to northeast this afternoon. A band of showers and a few thunderstorms is expected to move from central North Carolina into the Virginia Piedmont late morning, and an isolated severe threat is possible east of a line from Lynchburg to Yanceyville. Forecasters have low confidence for storms or severe weather farther west. Some showers from the upper trough could return in the mountains this evening and overnight.
The Week Ahead
By Monday, all remnants of Isaias will be well east of the region, with only lingering upslope showers on the western slopes through late Monday morning. It stays dry through most of the week with temperatures above normal through midweek. Another front could bring rain chances to the mountains between Thursday and Saturday, with temperatures dropping below normal next weekend.
Safety
Do not drive on flooded roads, and use extra caution on mountain roads where landslides or debris are possible. When it is safe, report flooding or mudslides to the National Weather Service in Blacksburg at 1-866-215-4324, or to NWS Greenville-Spartanburg at 1-800-267-8101 for Avery County and areas to the south.
Sources: NWS Blacksburg, NWS Greenville-Spartanburg.
Forecast courtesy of the National Weather Service.
