Hurricane Matthew Brings Record River Flooding to North Carolina; Tar River Could Reach Second Highest Crest in Greenville

October 10,2016
Record-breaking flooding has occurred in North Carolina after Hurricane Matthew dumped extreme amounts of rain on eastern parts of the state.

Estimated rainfall shows where the heavy amounts fell.

Though the rain ended on Sunday, and it should remain dry for many days ahead, rivers will still be rising in some locations or at least remain high. That could lead to additional record flooding at some gauges.
(MORE: How to Help Matthew's Victims)
In some cases, the flooding rivals that of Hurricane Floyd's in 1999.
This flooding is the result of 6 to 18 inches of rain that fell in eastern North Carolina from Matthew. The top total was 18.38 inches near Elizabethtown, followed by 15.65 inches at William O Huske Lock 3 and 14.82 inches in Fayetteville.
(LATEST NEWS: Matthew's Severe Flooding in North Carolina)
At least four river gauge locations have seen record flooding, including:

• Lumber River @ Lumberton West 5th Street: Crushed previous record crest by roughly three-and-a-half feet, as of Monday.
• Lumber River @ Lumberton: Exceeded record crest by nearly four feet on Sunday. This topped the previous record from the remnants of Hurricane Frances in 2004. The river is forecast to remain in record-flood stage much of this week.
• Lower Little River @ Manchester: Topped old record set Sept. 19, 1945, by more than two-and-a-half feet.
• Neuse River @ Smithfield: Exceeded record crest by over a foot-and-a-half on Monday.

More records are possible at these locations this week:

• Neuse River @ Kinston: Could crest near or just under the current record (27.71 feet) late this week, set during Hurricane Floyd in 1999. The National Weather Service says "disastrous flooding" occurs at 27 feet.
• Neuse River @ Goldsboro: May crest near the record set in Hurricane Floyd of 28.9 feet on Tuesday.

Also notable is that the Tar River in Greenville, North Carolina, could reach its second highest crest on record, and its highest crest since Hurricane Floyd (29.7 feet) by the middle part of this week.
The forecast calls for the river to reach just under 25 feet by Wednesday.
According to the National Weather Service, here are some possible impacts when water reaches the following levels on the Tar River in Greenville.

• 24 feet: Devastating flooding for all areas adjacent to the river and tributaries. Water will begin to flood the Pitt-Greenville Airport. Water will overflow into the city of Greenville. Nearly all major roads countywide will become flooded and impassable.
• 22 feet: Water will overflow into the city of Greenville. Several secondary roads will also flood. Some homes along the river will flood. Evacuations will be needed. Water will begin to flood the Tar River Estates and Beech Street villas next to the river. On the north side of the river, water will flood up to the intersection of Mumford Road and Highway 33. Numerous tributaries will flood roads and homes countywide.
• 20 feet: Water will flood several homes near the river. Water will begin to flood town commons and adjacent areas in Greenville. Many acres of farmland flooded.

The flooding caused by Matthew will still be a major concern for many days ahead. Please take action if you are in an area that is being affected and follow what local authorities instruct you to do.

MORE: Hurricane Matthew's Destruction