ALERT: City releasing water from North Fork dam; flooding could follow

Show Caption Hide Caption Flooding in WNC Scenes of heavy flooding in WNC May 29, 2018.

ASHEVILLE - The city is warning residents and others that releases from its near-full main reservoir could lead to flooding in low-lying areas around the French Broad and Swannanoa Rivers.

"The City of Asheville is actively managing water releases from the North Fork Reservoir Dam in accordance with the City’s Flood Operation Plan and Emergency Action Plan," city spokeswoman Polly McDaniel said Wednesday morning. "Safety is foremost in all decisions. Because the dam was at capacity, some water releases were necessary."

McDaniel said the North Fork plant received 5.06 inches of rain between midnight until 11:15 p.m. Tuesday.

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People near areas prone to flooding should be on "high alert" for rising water as early as 9 p.m. Tuesday, according to a message on the Asheville City Source blog.

Officials were urging people to take precautionary measures to protect property and lives and to not drive around barricades or through standing water. Anyone experiencing an emergency should call 911.

Heavy rains have meant the North Fork reservoir is nearing capacity, city spokespeople said Tuesday evening. That means water that is entering can't be retained and is being allowed to flow back out.

Due to heavy rain, there is a potential for additional flow into the Swannanoa and French Broad Rivers. Be alert for possible flooding starting as early as 9pm tonight. Take measures to protect your property & your life safety. If you encounter an emergency, dial 911. #Avlwx pic.twitter.com/GGoOrE6nJj — ASHEVILLE FIRE DEPT (@AshevilleFD) May 29, 2018

That water flows into the Swannanoa which flows into the French Broad near the intersection of Meadow and Amboy roads.

The city is sending out robocalls and urging people to sign up for automated city alerts. To sign up for alerts go here.

"The river is going to rise tonight because they are going to have to release more water," said spokeswoman Polly McDaniel.

Where is it flooding? Where will it flood?

The following roads were closed as of Wednesday morning, the city said:

Meadow Road from Victoria to Amboy roads.

Biltmore Avenue in Biltmore Village, area around the bridge near the railroad track (suggested reroute on McDowell Street).

Swannanoa River Road from Biltmore Avenue to South Tunnel Road.

A portion of Sweeten Creek Road between Swan and Reed streets in Biltmore Village.

Thompson Street.

Glendale Avenue at Fairview Road.

All of Azalea Road, from U.S. 70 to Swannanoa River Road.

A portion of Riverside Drive near the train trestle, near 350 Riverside Drive.

In describing potential flood areas, Asheville Fire Department spokeswoman Klope said they were telling people places "prone to flooding around rivers in the past. We don't want to exclude anybody."

City stormwater services personnel are monitoring streets with a night crew. The public works department on Tuesday night added staff for an evening shift to remove trees, put up barricades and carry out other tasks.

Shelter open for Black Mountain

The Red Cross opened a shelter in Black Mountain for anyone displaced by recent rains, but the original location of the shelter has changed.

The shelter is now located at Swannanoa First Baptist Church, 503 Park St., Swannanoa.

Other shelters have opened throughout the region.

Dramatic water rise at dam

So far in May, the North Fork reservoir and water treatment plant has recorded 8.35 inches of rain, a much higher precipitation total than normally seen in the manmade lake's location north of Black Mountain.

Then Saturday through Monday saw 1.71 inches. That was followed by 2.43 inches in one day, falling on Tuesday through 4:15 p.m.

The reservoir has a capacity to withstand most prolonged rain periods but by 3 p.m. Tuesday it was two feet from the full and an hour later at 4 p.m. it was one foot from full.

That is due both to heavy direct rainfall plus tributary streams and other runoff.

The city's watershed manager monitors weather patterns, as well as stream gauges upstream and downstream of the reservoir and has been directing small releases through the month. But the most recent heavy rain will call for bigger releases to avoid an overflow.