Tropical Depression Fred pummels Black Mountain

Evacuations, road closures and flooding throughout town

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
August 17, 2021

Heavy rain and flooding from Tropical Depression Fred led to evacuations and multiple road closures in the Town of Black Mountain, Aug. 17.

As police, fire and public works crews scrambled to respond to rising waters in the Swannanoa River and Flat Creek, more rain was expected to fall.

An already saturated Black Mountain began experiencing heavy rain just before 5 p.m., prompting the closure of portions of Charlotte Street, Terry Estate Drive, Flat Creek Road, East Street, the Blue Ridge Road bridge, south of U.S. 70. and other roads.

Flat Creek spilled over its banks near Black Mountain Primary School around 5:30 p.m., flooding the Portman Villa Mobile Home Park and parking lot of Ole’s Guacamole. BMPD evacuated residents of the mobile home park who live near the creek.

On the south side of Blue Ridge Road, flooding from the Swannanoa River forced the evacuation of residents near Armory Drive and Alpine Shadow Lane.

The Black Mountain Police and Fire Departments brought in additional staff to respond to an anticipated increase in calls due to the storm. Certified swift water rescue personnel with BMFD are on shift at both stations. Officials urge motorists to exercise caution on the roads, expecting pooling water and flooding as heavy rain continues through the night.

The U.S. National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg issued a flash flood warning for the area at 7:28 p.m. That warning is in effect until 9:30 p.m.