Rains cause some road problems

By: Britt Combs | McDowell News
Published: January 25, 2010

Heavy rains in McDowell Sunday and early Monday morning caused a couple of traffic delays, but no major damage. Wade Tate, an assistant district engineer with the McDowell office of the N.C. DOT, said it was a lucky break.

"We feel fortunate, given the amount of rain we had," he said Monday afternoon. The National Weather Service recorded 1.95 inches of rain Sunday, a lower total than some localities in the region, which saw some major road closings and damage due to flooding. The DOT reported several incidents of flooding in the foothills and western Piedmont and rock- and mudslides in the mountains.

Tate said a small rockslide caused one lane of traffic to be closed on U.S. 221 North, about half a mile north of Linville Caverns.

"We had a mudslide on Vein Mountain Road that closed both lanes of the road for a short time very early (Monday) morning," said Tate, "but we got it cleared up right away."

Sunny skies and a very low 10 percent chance of precipitation today will be a welcome relief, giving the land a chance to dry out and streams to recede before clouds return on Thursday.

Friday's forecast includes a 70 percent chance of precipitation. With a high of only 36 degrees, the National Weather Service has called for a mix of rain and freezing rain, with a possibility of a snow shower on Saturday.

Rains cause some road problems

Share This:

More from this channel:

Reader Comments

Deal of the Day

Most Popular

More Ways to Connect

Most Commented

Things to Do