A severe thunderstorm warning sent Watauga County residents scrambling indoors Tuesday evening as a nearly stationary storm sat over Boone and nearby mountain communities with damaging winds and heavy rain. Forecasters warned the cell could pack gusts strong enough to tear off shingles and topple trees, while torrential downpours raised the risk of localized flooding on narrow mountain roads. Emergency crews urged people to stay away from windows and avoid nonessential travel while the warning remained active.
According to the Charlotte Observer, the National Weather Service in Blacksburg issued the Severe Thunderstorm Warning at 6:55 p.m. and set the alert to expire at 7:45 p.m. The advisory warned of wind gusts up to 60 mph and listed Boone, Sugar Grove, Foscoe and Valle Crucis among the communities in the storm's path.
What the warning said
The NWS said, "At 6:55 p.m., a severe thunderstorm was located over Lovill, or near Sugar Grove, and is nearly stationary," adding, "Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees." The warning named Boone, Sugar Grove, Foscoe, Valle Crucis and Moses Cone Memorial Park among the locations at risk, according to the National Weather Service in Blacksburg.
Flooding and driving hazards
A Flood Advisory was also posted for parts of Watauga County as heavy rain running off steep slopes can overwhelm small streams and roadside culverts, increasing the chance of flash flooding. Public alert listings show a Flood Advisory was issued at 6:22 p.m. for the county. Drivers are urged to steer clear of flooded stretches and slow down to cut the risk of hydroplaning. The Charlotte Observer's roundup of NWS safety guidance notes that vehicle speed, water depth and worn tire tread are the main causes of hydroplaning.
Lightning risk and safety
Lightning remains a major hazard with summer storms. Federal weather agencies estimate roughly 20 to 25 million cloud to ground flashes occur across the United States each year, and lightning still causes about 20 deaths nationally on average. The NWS recommends taking shelter inside a sturdy building, avoiding corded phones and plumbing, and waiting 30 minutes after the last thunder before heading back outside, with more guidance available from the agency's lightning safety resources.
Where to get updates
For real time alerts and advisory polygons for the county, public alert services aggregate NWS warnings and county advisories and update their listings as warnings are issued or canceled. Residents in the high country are encouraged to keep an official alert app or NOAA Weather Radio on and to treat any new warning as immediate: move indoors and head to an interior, low room until the threat passes.
