Welcome to the Southeast River Forecast Center, National Weather Service

map of the tar river basin with elevations for the basin. Tarboro is the highlighted area

The series of images, in the table below, represents the forecast inundation areas for 16.5 river miles of the Tar River from upstream of St. Andrews Street (Highway 33) to below State Highway 64 Bypass in Tarboro, NC. The boxed area, on the map to the right, represents the approximate geographic area (36 Square Miles) being depicted on these maps.

Times indicated in table below are hours from the time the river forecast was issued. The time stamp at the bottom of each forecast map indicates the actual time when forecast map will be valid.

Flood Forecast Map Considerations

Inundation areas depicted on these map images were derived using two models plus a GIS (Geographic Information System).

The National Weather Service hydrologic model was used to predict the amount of flow entering the Tar River at various points. Using these predicted flows, a dynamic routing model, FLDWAV, was used to predict a profile of water surface elevations. This FLDWAV implementation predicts the water surface profile only along the Tar River main stem,
and is not intended to predict water surface elevation on tributaries.

A map, that provides a visual depiction of a flood forecast, is created using a series of GIS algorithms.

This forecast map product can be used as a planning tool, but with some caution. Forecast inundation is dependent on forecast rainfall (Quantitative Precipitation Forecast or QPF) and may change significantly if meteorological conditions change rapidly. Forecast maps would be updated daily.

Producing river stage forecasts using FLDWAV is an experimental effort. During this experimental phase, forecast river stages used to produce inundation maps are not constrained to match forecast stages in official forecast products.

Official river forecasts for the Tar River can be found at:
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/serfc/ahps/RVFNC.htm

Official river forecast products are updated daily in any case, and more frequently if conditions warrant.

The map images show inundation on some of the tributaries flowing into the Tar River. The inundation on these tributaries is approximated by the mapping methods. Areas on these tributaries may experience different conditions than are depicted here.

If you wish to send feedback on SERFC products, please contact:
jack.bushong@noaa.gov

Additional Information

For background information about this project and Hurricane Floyd's impact on the Tar River Basin, please visit Flood Forecast Mapping, Tar River Basin, North Carolina

For information on the inundation mapping product, please click here.

Have questions about flood forecast mapping? Visit the Flood Forecast Mapping FAQ

Visit the Tar River Basin AHPS Multi-Media Page

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Tarboro, North Carolina

Flood Forecast Map Considerations

Additional Information