North Carolina
Drought relief turns hazardous: Overwhelming rain triggers flash flooding in western NC
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Overwhelming rain has been a common theme since last Wednesday, May 20.
At first, the rain was a welcome sight as the region continues to experience extreme drought.
‘HIT SO HARD’: STORM DAMAGE IN HENDERSON COUNTY STIRS MEMORIES OF HELENE, OFFICIAL SAYS
However, last night, it quickly became too much of a good thing for some as flash flooding resulted in parts of western North Carolina.
In the last seven days, the Asheville Regional Airport has received nearly 7 inches of rain. To put that into perspective, that’s more than the last 114 days combined.
MAY 26, 2026 – Daily rainfall amounts from the past two weeks at the Asheville Regional Airport. (WLOS)
That’s right, more rain fell in the last seven days than did all of February, March, April and the first 19 days of May.
The flash flood risk will remain elevated through tonight but will lower somewhat tomorrow as less activity is expected.
HEAVY RAIN WASHES OUT ROADS OVERNIGHT IN BUNCOMBE, HENDERSON COUNTIES
This is the beginning of a quieter pattern that will take us into the early part of June.
Most days are expected to be drier and cooler than normal through the first week of June.