Flood Advisory

* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected.

* WHERE...Southwestern Avery County in western North Carolina... Southeastern Mitchell County in western North Carolina... Southeastern Yancey County in western North Carolina...

* WHEN...Until 500 AM EDT.

* IMPACTS...Nuisance flooding of low-lying areas adjacent to streams and other poor-drainage areas, including farmland, parks, greenways, boat-access areas, golf courses, underpasses, and parking lots. Isolated, shallow flows over roadways is possible. A few flood-prone, low-water crossings may become impassible. A small culvert washout or two is possible.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 1102 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain due to thunderstorms. Minor flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly in the advisory area. Between 2 and 6 inches of rain have fallen along the ridges of the southern parts of Yancey, Mitchell and Avery counties.

A stream gage on Grassy Creek was over 5 feet and rising, which means it is likely out of its banks. Out of bank conditions will develop on North Toe River and South Toe River, as well.

- Additional rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop over the next few hours and the threat will persist through the early morning hours on Sunday. These showers and storms will be very efficient at producing heavy rainfall. Soils are saturated and streams are swollen. Therefore, additional heavy rain may quickly create new areas of flooding and cause previous areas of flooding to redevelop. As a result, Flash Flood Warnings may be issued tonight. Caution is advised near any stream or other vulnerable area. Seek higher ground immediately if heavy rain develops. Please have a plan in place should flash flooding develop and do not hesitate to act. Please heed all evacuation orders from Emergency Management officials.

- Some locations that will experience flooding include... Spruce Pine, B.R. Parkway-Little Switzerland To Linville, B.R. Parkway-Craggy To Little Switzerland, Mount Mitchell State Park, Little Switzerland, Celo, Micaville, Bandana, Busick and Ingalls.

- Http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood