Floods

Flooding can occur at anytime of the year and just about anywhere in North Carolina.  In 2005, the National Weather Service issued 116 flash flood warnings throughout the state.

Many in eastern North Carolina remember the record-setting 500-year flood caused by Hurricane Floyd in 1999.  Sixty-six of North Carolina's 100 counties were declared disaster areas.

Hurricanes Frances and Ivan brought devastating floods to the mountains in 2004. Flash floods in the mountains can move at incredible speeds, uprooting trees, rolling boulders, and destroying buildings and bridges. 

Whether you are in your home, driving or on foot, flooding is dangerous.  Just a few inches of water can knock you off your feet or sweep your car away.

Stay away from flooded roadways and swollen streams and rivers.  Floods can cause great damage as well as loss of life.

Flood hazard areas have been mapped in each of the state's 100 counties.  Go here to find out if you are in a flood zone. 

« this page last modified 05/23/07 »