North Carolina Floods- Update
October 25, 1999

On September 24 and October 12, 1999, the Production Estimates and Crop Assessment Division of FAS released reports and satellite images, discussing the impact of Hurricane Floyd and subsequent rainfall on eastern North Carolina. On October 16 and 17, 1999, Hurricane Irene brought heavy rain and high winds to this area. A large shield of rain well north of the center of Irene dumped 1 to 3 inches of rain on the coastal Carolinas on the 16^th . On the 17^th, as the hurricane neared the South Carolina coast, heavy rains overspread the Hurricane Floyd flood-ravaged areas of eastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia. Totals of 4 to 7 inches were common from northeastern South Carolina, eastern North Carolina, and southeastern Virginia. With heavy rains falling on top of saturated soils and swollen streams, new flooding occurred along the Tar, Neuse, and Cape Fear River systems of eastern North Carolina.

Frequent heavy rainfall since mid-September has ended the Summer 1999 Drought for the eastern portion of the Mid-Atlantic States. However, a moderate drought continues from the western Carolinas to the eastern Corn Belt. Precipitation graphs from Raleigh, in central North Carolina and Asheville, in western North Carolina illustrate this east/west disparity.

Imagery:

Slide 1: Satellite Image, Franklin/Nash Counties, July 25, 1999.

Slide 2: Satellite Image, Franklin/Nash Counties, October 1, 1999.

Precipitation Graphs:

Graph 1: Raleigh, North Carolina

Graph 2: Asheville, North Carolina

For more information, you may contact the author, Carl Gernazio, of the Production Estimates and Crop Assessment Division of FAS at (202) 690-0136.

Last modified: Wednesday, October 22, 2003