Characterization of peak streamflows and flood inundation at selected areas in North Carolina following Hurricane Matthew, October 2016

Open-File Report 2017-1047
Prepared in cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency
By: , and 

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Abstract

The passage of Hurricane Matthew through central and eastern North Carolina during October 7–9, 2016, brought heavy rainfall, which resulted in major flooding. More than 15 inches of rain was recorded in some areas. More than 600 roads were closed, including Interstates 95 and 40, and nearly 99,000 structures were affected by floodwaters. Immediately following the flooding, the U.S. Geological Survey documented 267 high-water marks, of which 254 were surveyed. North Carolina Emergency Management documented and surveyed 353 high-water marks. Using a subset of these highwater marks, six flood-inundation maps were created for hard-hit communities. Digital datasets of the inundation areas, study reach boundary, and water-depth rasters are available for download. In addition, peak gage-height data, peak streamflow data, and annual exceedance probabilities (in percent) were determined for 24 U.S. Geological Survey streamgages located near the heavily flooded communities.

Suggested Citation

Musser, J.W., Watson, K.M., and Gotvald, A.J., 2017, Characterization of peak streamflows and flood inundation at selected areas in North Carolina following Hurricane Matthew, October 2016 (ver. 2.0, August 2017): U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2017–1047, 23 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20171047.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • General Weather Conditions and Precipitation That Contributed to the October 2016 Flooding
  • Methods Used
  • Estimated Magnitudes and Flood Exceedance Probabilities of Peak Streamflows
  • Flood-Inundation Maps
  • Summary
  • References Cited
  • Glossary
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Characterization of peak streamflows and flood inundation at selected areas in North Carolina following Hurricane Matthew, October 2016
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2017-1047
DOI 10.3133/ofr20171047
Edition Version 1.0: October 2016; Version 1.1: June 2017; Version 2.0: August 2017
Year Published 2017
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) South Atlantic Water Science Center
Description Report: v, 23 p.; Data Release, Version History
Country United States
State North Carolina, South Carolina
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details