The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for portions of Bladen County along the Cape Fear River. Some minor flooding is expected in the area of two of the three lock and dams in Bladen County. The warning will remain in effect until early Thursday morning.
Slow, steady rains over the weekend have results in the Cape Fear River along with ponds, streams and creeks in Bladen County to rise. Depending on location, most parts of Bladen County received between 2 to 3 inches of rain.
At 9 a.m. Monday, the National Weather Service reported the water stage at William O. Huske Lock and Dam 3 near the Bladen/Cumberland line was at 37.9 feet. Flood stage is at 42.0 feet. The forecast calls for the Cape Fear River to rise above flood stage late Monday afternoon to a crest of 46.2 feet early Tuesday afternoon. It will then fall below flood stage Wednesday afternoon.
Water levels will top the navigational lock and equipment must be removed. At 47.0 feet, the access road for the wildlife boat ramp at Tar Heel Ferry Road may begin to flood. Lowland flooding along the river worsens along both sides of the river.
At Lock No. 2 in Elizabethtown, the water level was measured at 14.8 feet at 8:22 a.m. Monday. Flood stage is at 25 feet. Flood stage is 25 feet. The forecast calls for the water levels to surpass 20 feet early Tuesday morning, then crest at 24.7 feet by mid- to late-afternoon Wednesday. The river will spread farther into lowlands along the river and may begin to affect building access roads closer to the river.
Lock and Dam No. 1 near East Arcadia is not expected to reach its flood stage of 24 feet. At 8:45 a.m. Monday, the water stage was measured at 17.17 feet.
About Author
