News

Flooding turns city's south side into an island

High water closed Shepherd Street between Greenville and Spartanburg highways.

By Lightning Reports, Published: January 10, 2024

Calling conditions "a dangerous and life-threatening situation," the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning at 9:36 a.m. Tuesday through 6 p.m. for most of the region. The NWS reported that up to 4 inches of rain had fallen by mid-morning with 2-3 inches more expected. A resident of Haywood Forest near Hendersonville Elementary School reported on Facebook getting 10 inches of rain over 25 hours.

"Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly," a statement said. "Floodwaters from both Mud and Bat Fork creeks will worsen as the day wears on and considerable flooding is expected throughout greater
Hendersonville. Developing flooding is also expected on other tributaries of the French Broad River such as Mills River and Cane and Clear creeks." Flooding may persist through Thursday afternoon, the weather service said.

Flooding had basically cut off access to Hendersonville from south of the Greenville Highway roundabout.

Here are roads in and around Hendersonville that are closed:

• U.S. 64 (Chimney Rock Road), closed between SR 1586 (South Mills Gap Road) and Ida Rogers Drive. Motorists are requested to follow directions of on-scene traffic control.
• Shepherd Street between Greenville Highway and Spartanburg Highway.
• Airport Road between Hendersonville Airport and BRCC.
• Brooklyn Avenue between Greenville Highway and Spartanburg Highway.
• South Grove Street at Mud Creek.
• South King Street
• Greenville Highway and Spartanburg Highway in the Publix-Fresh Market area.
• Nix Road at the bridge over creek.

NOTE: To report road closures or postponements, add them via Facebook comments at the tail end of this story.

"Even 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock you off your feet and a depth of 2 feet will float your car," the advisory wanred. "Never try to walk, swim or drive through such swift water. If you come upon flood waters, stop, turn around and go another way."

A wind advisory until 7 tonight forecast south winds 20-30 mph with gusts up to 55 mph. A second wind advisory from 10 tonight until 1 p.m. Wednesday predicted west winds 20-30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.

EARLIER COVERAGE:

The National Weather Service said Tuesday morning that 2½ inches of rain had fallen overnight and warned that continued showers throughout the day would cause widespread flooding.

"Between 1.5 and 2.5 inches of rain have fallen," the NWS's office in Greer, South Carolina, said. "Water levels on many tributaries of the Upper French Broad River were rising quickly and developing flooding of low-lying areas will begin this morning. Progressively deteriorating conditions will be seen today and Flash Flood Warnings are likely to be issued. Initially, early this morning, watch for developing flooding throughout greater Hendersonville, and also watch for rising water along the Little River. Additional rainfall amounts of 2 to 3 inches are expected over the area. This additional rain will result in flooding."

Henderson County schools were closed Tuesday and Blue Ridge Community College issued an alert at 5:09 a.m. that opening of campuses would be delayed until 10 a.m. Jackson Park was closed because of flooding.

The forecast calls for a 100 percent chance of precipitation overnight Tuesday, followed by showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 3 p.m., then showers likely that could bring heavy rainfall. Conditions improve considerably midweek with sunny skies and highs of 47 Wednesday and 52 Thursday.