Flooding

Based on the expected impacts of Tropical Storm Helene, the City of Hendersonville has enacted the Flood Response Plan Level 4. Based on the National Weather Service forecast, we expect near-historic flooding, wind gusts near hurricane strength and major travel impacts.

Mayor Barbara Volk amended the State of Emergency in Hendersonville to include a curfew from 8 PM to 8 AM. 

To Property Owners in the 100-Year Floodplain and Floodway of Hendersonville, NC, and business owners, please visit our Urgent Flood Warning Page for more information.

Henderson County Emergency Operations Center Phone Number: 828-771-6670
Henderson County/Hendersonville Road Closures: https://sheriffhendersoncounty.com/

Road Updates: www.drivenc.gov
Duke Energy: https://outagemap.duke-energy.com or call 800POWERON (800-769-3766)
City of Hendersonville Updates: www.hvlnc.gov/flooding

 

icon showing major flooding

Flood-Prone Areas

View the City of Hendersonville Flood Planning Map to see areas that are likely to flood during large rain events.
Use this tool to avoid flood-prone areas and plan detour routes when traveling in inclement weather.

flood plain map

car logos with various levels of floodingThe City of Hendersonville rests in a flood plain and large rain events greatly impact roadways throughout the City.

To increase the public's awareness of flood hazards and flooded roadways, the City has developed a notification plan for Roadway Flooding Alerts to complement National Weather Service messaging and NCDOT road closure information.

Our emergency responders and public works staff work hard to keep you safe. 

NEVER drive into flooded roadways or around barricades.

Sign up to receive AlertHVL notifications from the City of Hendersonville.

  • Choose what types of alerts your receive (public safety alerts, street closures, weather alerts, etc.)
  • Select your delivery method (email, text, phone call)
  • Enroll in Smart911 to save seconds during an emergency if you call 9-1-1

Sign Up for AlertHVL

You can also enroll for all Hendersonville alerts by texting AlertHVL to 226787

 

Additional Resources

Henderson County Rain Gauges

Henderson County Stream Gauges 

NCEM Flood Inundation Mapping

Storm Prediction Center

Hendersonville Forecast

Level 1 - Flooding Possible

green image of carBe prepared

Sign up for alerts at www.hvlnc.gov/alerthvl

Monitor weather conditions

Level 2 – Flooding Likely / Minor Flooding

yellow car image with slight floodingBe aware

Low-lying streets likely or starting to flood

Turn around don’t drown

Avoid frequently flooded areas

Level 3 – Flooding Occurring / Major Flooding

orange car image with moderate floodingDo not walk, swim, or drive in floodwaters

Avoid unnecessary travel

Seek alternate routes

Move to higher ground if in flash flood areas

Level 4 – Flooding extensive / Severe Flooding

red car image with major floodingFollow Emergency Management directives

Evacuations possible

Updates  

Visit www.hvlnc.gov/helene for Tropical Storm Helene Recovery Updates

Get Helene Response Updates

Motorists are reminded to ‘Turn Around Don’t Drown’ and seek alternate routes of travel if they encounter a flooded roadway. Sign up for alerts from the City of Hendersonville by visiting www.hendersonvillenc.gov/alerthvl or texting AlertHVL to 226787.

 

9/27/24 11:00 PM

View an announcement about water outages and water/wastewater plant updates.

9/27/24 11:15 AM

Due to the historic impacts of Tropical Storm Helene, the City of Hendersonville is responding to many urgent situations including operating the Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants under extraordinary circumstances. 

Hendersonville water customers are asked to voluntarily reduce non-essential water use. The water treatment plant is currently operating, but intake capacity has been reduced, due to the Mills River intake being disabled by the storm. Personnel will work to restore the intake once crews can safely access the infrastructure. 

Learn about water conservation

9/27/24 8:00 AM

Do Not Drive Alert

Henderson County and the City of Hendersonville have issued a Do Not Drive Alert for any non-emergency travel during this time. Consider all roads in Henderson County as closed until the major storm impacts have passed and the threat of falling trees and flooded roadways have subsided. Henderson County has hundreds of active calls in our dispatch system, and it is currently unsafe to travel. 

Do not enter flooded roadways or try to drive. The only reason you should be travelling is if you are evacuating to higher ground due to flooding.  

9/26/24 10:00 PM

Based on the expected impacts of Tropical Storm Helene, the City of Hendersonville has enacted the Flood Response Plan Level 4. Evacuations are likely in areas in the 500-year floodplain. Follow Emergency Management directives

9/26/24 4:00 PM

The Henderson County Emergency Operations Center Phone Number is 828-771-6670.

911 should only be used for emergencies.
Watch the Henderson County/Buncombe County video update.

9/26/24 12:00 PM

Henderson County has opened an Emergency Shelter at the Athletics and Activities Center located at 708 South Grove Street.

9/26/24 10:30 AM

 
The City of Hendersonville Government Offices will be closed on Thursday, September 26 at noon and closed on Friday, September 27. The office closure will not impact on the delivery of emergency services. No garbage, recycling or brush collection will occur on Friday. If you are a Friday customer, or if your Thursday collection was unable to be completed due to the collection crew’s inability to access your property, your collection will be completed on your regular day next week. Any extra bagged garbage for those customers can be placed with their can for collection next week. Customers are asked to secure carts to ensure they are not blown away during the storm.

9/26/24 10:00 AM

Residents and businesses in the floodway and floodplain should review the urgent preparedness information. View the floodway announcement. 

9/26/24 8:00 AM

Based on the current situation and forecast a Level 3 Flooding Alert has been issued by the City of Hendersonville. Significant flooding is occurring on Hendersonville streets with catastrophic life-threatening flash flooding in the forecast.

Based on the current situation and predicted forecast, the City of Hendersonville has upgraded the Flood Response Plan to a Level 3 – Significant Flooding Phase. 

9/25/24 7:00 PM

The City of Hendersonville will is under a State of Emergency effective 8:00 AM on September 26, 2024. View the State of Emergency.

9/25/24 12:30 PM

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch and tropical storm watch for the Hendersonville area. Based on predictions for Tropical Storm Helene’s impacts, our area should prepare for the potential of catastrophic rainfall flooding. Excessive runoff may result in significant and damaging flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Areas that are not typically impacted by floodwaters may flood. 

View the National Weather Service conditions and predictions. 

Significant flash flooding and mainstem flooding is likely Thursday into early Friday, especially along the Blue Ridge Escarpment. 40-50 MPH wind gusts will be associated with Helene as the storm tracks just west of the County Warning Area Thursday night into Friday morning. The combination of saturated soils and strong wind gusts will result in numerous trees down, leading to numerous power outages. Numerous landslides may occur across the mountains, with a couple of large, damaging debris flows/slope failures. An isolated tornado or two can’t be ruled out during this event as well. 

Based on the current situation and the forecast, A Level 2 Flooding Alert has been issued by the City of Hendersonville in preparation of the weather event.  

Residents are encouraged to stay informed and prepare as Tropical Storm Helen approaches. Now is the time to check your emergency plan and emergency supplies kit and take necessary actions to protect your family and secure your home or business.  

Stay Informed:   

-Pay attention to emergency information and alerts.  
-Sign up for local weather alerts and City of Hendersonville alerts by visiting www.hendersonvillenc.gov/alerthvl or texting AlertHVL to 226787     

Plan:  

-Ensure you have enough food, water, medications and other essentials to last at least 72 hours  
-Keep cell phones charged and have a battery powered radio, flashlights, and extra batteries on hand  
-Communicate plans with your family members ahead of any emergency  
- Flood Preparedness Guides: Visit www.ready.gov/floods for detailed guides on how to prepare your home and family for flood risks.   

Prepare:  

-Prepare your home by clearing downspouts, drains and ditches to prevent flooding  
-Secure outdoor furniture and other items that could get blown away by high winds  
-Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle  

Stay Safe:  

-Never drive into flooded roadways or around barricades – Turn Around, Don’t Drown!  
-If you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, plan to move to safe shelter on higher ground  

Public Works crews are placing barricades in flood prone areas and City departments are making preparations ahead of the weather event. Motorists are reminded to ‘Turn Around Don’t Drown’ and seek alternate routes of travel if they encounter a flooded roadway. Citations can be issued for drivers who ignore barricades and put themselves, others, and emergency responders at risk.  

Additional information on flooding resources and frequent flooding street closures can be found at www.hendersonvillenc.gov/flooding