The National Weather Service office in Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina has issued a Flood Warning effective from 12:49 PM to 5:00 PM EDT on October 11. The warning currently covers 43 areas, including Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Avery, and McDowell counties in North Carolina; Brantley County in Georgia; and Armstrong, Butler, and Indiana counties in Pennsylvania, along with more than 30 additional areas.
A Flood Warning means flooding is already occurring or is imminent – this is a step beyond a Flood Watch, which only means conditions are favorable. Residents in the affected areas may notice water covering roads, rising creeks and streams, water pooling in yards and low-lying spots, and possibly water entering basements or ground floors in flood-prone locations.
Anyone living, working, or traveling in the warned counties is potentially affected, especially those near rivers, streams, and poor-drainage areas. The greatest risk during flood events comes from driving into standing water – even 6 to 12 inches of moving water can sweep a vehicle off the road.
What to watch and do
First, avoid driving through flooded roads entirely – turn around and find another route. Second, if you live near a stream or in a low-lying area, move valuables to higher ground and be ready to relocate if water rises. Third, keep an eye on local forecasts and any additional alerts this afternoon, as warnings can be extended or upgraded if rainfall continues longer than expected.
This warning is in effect until 5:00 PM EDT but may be extended, so check for updates through the afternoon. Data for this alert comes from the National Weather Service (NWS) Greenville-Spartanburg office.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do right now if I'm in one of these counties?
Stay off flooded roads, avoid walking or driving through standing water, and move to higher ground if water is rising near your home. Keep your phone charged and monitor local weather updates until the warning expires at 5:00 PM EDT.
How long will this flooding last?
The warning is currently set to expire at 5:00 PM EDT on October 11, but the NWS can extend it if rain continues or water levels remain high. Check for updated alerts through the afternoon.
Is it safe to drive through a flooded road if the water looks shallow?
No. It is impossible to judge water depth from a vehicle, and as little as 6 inches of moving water can knock down an adult while 12 inches can carry away a small car. The NWS guidance is simple: turn around, don't drown.
Which specific counties are included?
The warning covers 43 areas across three states, including Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Avery, and McDowell counties in North Carolina; Brantley County in Georgia; and Armstrong, Butler, and Indiana counties in Pennsylvania, plus 33 more areas.
Keep tracking this:
Source: National Weather Service (NWS)
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Sky & Solar Conditions at the Time
Moon: New Moon (1% illuminated), in Libra.
Notable planetary angles: Venus square Mars (90°), Mars trine Saturn (117°), Sun sextile Jupiter (57°).
Concurrent space weather: planetary Kp index 2.3; strongest recent solar flare: nothing notable.
This is a factual snapshot, not a claim of cause and effect – researchers are divided on whether lunar, planetary or solar factors influence seismic or weather activity. It’s included so readers can track the pattern for themselves over time.
