Forecast calls for more rain through weekend

With two inches of rain falling on Saturday, May 4 and another 3.73 inches on Sunday, May 5, some Polk County areas suffered flooded roadways over the weekend.

The weekend’s 5.73 inches of rain occurred following 3.1 inches accumulated during the previous weekend of April 27 and 28.

The area’s rainfall is not ending anytime soon with forecasts predicting thunderstorms yesterday and early today.

After a sunny afternoon predicted for today, rains are forecast to return Friday, May 10, including thunderstorms and a 30 percent chance of rain through Saturday, where chances of rain increase to 50 percent.

Local fire departments and the Polk County Emergency Services monitored several areas over the weekend, particularly on Sunday when water rose approximately 8 inches above a main road at the Green River Highlands subdivision in the Green Creek Township.

EMS officials said water rose above Ken Miller Road, John Watson Road, Abrams Moore Road and the only road in and out of the Green River Highlands.

Polk County Emergency Service Director Sandra Halford toured some areas early Sunday with Penny Storey, with Polk’s emergency management taking tours with the Green Creek Fire Department Sunday afternoon and evening.

The Green Creek Fire Department had several people checking Sunday night as the Green River continued to rise as well as on Monday.

There were a few houses in Green River Highlands that had water close to or into their properties and the entrance into the subdivision was closed due to floodwater for most of the day Sunday, according to fire reports. John Watson Road was closed in three places due to high water with the Green Creek Fire Department responding to one emergency along John Watson Road after a vehicle drove around the high water signs into the flood waters.

There were also some responses to trees down throughout the county and to large rocks that fell onto Howard Gap Road due to recent heavy rains.

According to NC Emergency Management, floods are one of the most common hazards in the United States and can occur at any time of the year and just about anywhere in North Carolina. They may be triggered by excessive rains, hurricanes or dam failures. Many in eastern North Carolina remember the record-setting 500-year flood caused by Hurricane Floyd in 1999, when 66 of the state’s 100 counties were declared disaster areas. Mountain residents recall the devastating floods in 2004 caused by the remnants of two hurricanes. Flash floods in the mountains can move at incredible speeds, triggering landslides, uprooting trees, rolling boulders, and destroying buildings and bridges.

To find out if you are in a flood zone or for more information on floods or other natural disasters visit www.readync.org.

During a flood:

If a flood is likely in your area:

Listen to the radio or television for information.
Be aware that flash flooding can occur. If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move to higher ground. Do not wait for instructions to move.
Be aware of streams, drainage channels, canyons and other areas known to flood suddenly. Flash floods can occur without warnings.

If you must evacuate:

Turn off utilities at the main switches or valves if instructed to do so.

Disconnect electrical appliances. Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.

Do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.

Do not drive into flooded areas. If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely. You and the vehicle can be swept away quickly.

Do not camp or park your vehicle along streams, rivers or creeks, particularly during threatening conditions.