Carter County braces for repeat of devastating 1998 Roan Mountain flood
Carter County braces for repeat of devastating 1998 Roa ... (Added: December 23, 2009)
Melting snow, high winds, and possible rain could be a recipe for disaster in Carter County later this week, according to Sheriff Chris Mathes. (more)
Melting snow, high winds, and possible rain could be a recipe for disaster in Carter County later this week, according to Sheriff Chris Mathes.
Melting snow, high winds, and possible rain could be a recipe for disaster in Carter County later this week, according to Sheriff Chris Mathes.
"We've got some great concerns that we may have a perfect storm so to speak that might cause us some serious damage, cause us some flooding," Mathes said.
Mathes fears those conditions could lead to a flood similar to 1998.
"One good indicator of the future is to look at the past," Mathes said. "We know that in 1998 very similar conditions existed."
Next month marks the 12th anniversary of the Roan Mountain flood. On January 7, 1998, eight inches of rain fell in Carter County flooding the Doe River. In all, seven people died. Before the rain and warmer temperatures moved in, more than a foot of snow sat on top of Roan Mountain. According to Mathes, anywhere from 17 to 21 inches of snow are on top of Roan Mountain right now.
With the possibility of that snow melting, plus possible rain in the forecast, Carter County deputies, firefighters, and rescue squads are on alert.
"If we get these rains, that's setting up another scenario for '98," Carter County Emergency Management Director Ernest Jackson said. "I don't want to see that again."
Jackson says if and when the waters rise later this week, people must not ignore the threat.
"If it comes down to it, there could be a door-to-door operation, knocking on the doors, asking people to evacuate if need be," Jackson said. "Be on the lookout for rising water and if you can leave safely, do so. If not, please stay put, because we lost a lot of people in the '98 flood and let's not have a repeat of that."
According to Jackson, if an evacuation is deemed necessary, the county will open an emergency shelter at the Carter County Health Department Annex. In the meantime, the Carter County Sheriff's Office will continue to monitor all rivers and creeks in the county.
"We're hoping that it doesn't rise on us to a point where we have to evacuate, but if we do, we need folks to take it seriously," Mathes said.
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