Ashe County Emergency Management

10/07/2026

The following is a briefing from the NWS Blacksburg office as of 5:30 AM on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.

Overview: Tropical Storm Isaias formed in the Gulf this morning, and will likely become Hurricane Isaias by Thursday. This system may impact us later this weekend with rainfall that could be heavy at times; however, much of the area needs the rain.

Threats: Heavy rainfall, potential for flooding.

Timing and Location:
• Localized flash flooding is possible Saturday night into Sunday night if the system's track slows, allowing moderate to heavier rainfall to linger.
Impacts:
• Locally Heavy Rain: Isolated flooding of small streams, low lying areas, and urban areas with poor drainage may result in flooded nearby roads and bridges.

10/06/2026

With Fire Prevention Week being in full swing, we would like to remind everyone during these cooler nights to follow these safety tips when heating your home.

10/05/2026

When an emergency happens, every minute counts. Ashe County Emergency Management and the Ashe County Fire Marshal’s Office remind residents to make sure their driveways are accessible to fire trucks, ambulances, and other emergency vehicles.

Keep your driveway firm and passable, maintain at least 14 feet of vertical clearance from limbs and vegetation, and during the winter months, remove snow and ice and keep the full width of the driveway clear.

Large emergency vehicles need more room than a passenger vehicle. A driveway that you can travel may still be difficult—or impossible—for emergency apparatus to safely navigate.

Help us help you. A little maintenance today can make a critical difference when seconds matter.

09/25/2026

Walmart Spark Good Grant Supports Ashe County Emergency Preparedness

ASHE COUNTY, NC — The Ashe County Emergency Management Office has received a $2,000 Spark Good Local Grant from Walmart’s West Jefferson store to support and strengthen emergency preparedness, response, and recovery efforts throughout Ashe County.

West Jefferson Walmart Store Manager Roger Walters presented the $2,000 grant check to Ashe County Fire Marshal Josh Steelman during the September 25, 2026, grand opening celebration of the newly remodeled Walmart store. The grant application was written and submitted by Deputy Fire Marshal Earnie Eldreth on behalf of the Ashe County Emergency Management Office.

The Spark Good Local Grant will support the county’s ongoing efforts to enhance its ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies and disasters. The funding will contribute to initiatives that strengthen local emergency management capabilities and help ensure Ashe County is better prepared to protect residents and communities during times of crisis.

“We greatly appreciate Walmart’s support of Ashe County and its commitment to strengthening our community,” said Emergency Management Director Patty Gambill. “These funds will help us continue improving our emergency preparedness and response capabilities and better serve the residents of Ashe County.”

The Spark Good program provides local organizations with opportunities to receive Walmart support for community-focused initiatives.

09/23/2026

The following is a briefing from the NWS Blacksburg office as of 6:00 AM on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.

Overview: The weather will be similar to yesterday. Showers will be scattered again today across the whole region and rain chances will likely persist into tonight. Repeated rounds of storms could lead to isolated flooding, especially towards the west. Rain chances will drop by midday Thursday.

Threats: Flash Flooding

Timing and Location:
• Localized flash flooding is possible for southeast WV, southwest VA, and most of northwest NC. The flood hazard will likely continue into the night.
Impacts:
• Locally Heavy Rain: Isolated flooding of small streams, low lying areas, and urban areas with poor drainage may result in flooded nearby roads and bridges.

09/22/2026

The following is a briefing from the NWS Blacksburg office as of 6:00 AM on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.

Overview: The weather will be similar to yesterday. Showers and thunderstorms will be scattered again today across the whole region and rain chances will likely persist into tonight. Repeated rounds of storms could lead to scattered flooding, especially towards the west. An isolated severe storm is possible as well for southwest VA and northwest NC. More showers are expected Wednesday.

Threats: Isolated Damaging Wind Gusts from Thunderstorms and Flash Flooding

Timing and Location:
The damaging wind gust threat today is areawide and most likely between 2 - 8 pm for southwest VA and northwest NC.
Flash Flooding is possible for the whole region today but is more likely in southeast WV, southwest VA, and northwest NC. The flood hazard will likely continue into the night.
A localized flooding threat will continue into Wednesday.
Impacts:
Damaging Wind Gusts: Gusts up to 60 mph may result in downed trees and power poles, causing localized power outages and blocked roads.
Locally Heavy Rain: Isolated flooding of small streams, low lying areas, and urban areas with poor drainage may result in flooded nearby roads and bridges.

09/21/2026

From NWS:
Alleghany NC-Ashe NC-Surry NC-Wilkes NC-
242 PM EDT Mon Sep 21 2026
..FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 545 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected.

* WHERE...Alleghany NC County in northwestern North Carolina...
Northeastern Ashe County in northwestern North Carolina...
Northwestern Surry County in northwestern North Carolina...
North Central Wilkes County in northwestern North Carolina...

* WHEN...Until 545 PM EDT.

* IMPACTS...Minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas.
Water over roadways. Overflowing poor drainage areas.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 242 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain due to
thunderstorms. Minor flooding is ongoing or expected to begin
shortly in the advisory area. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain have
fallen.
- This includes the following streams and drainages...
Crab Fork, Big Pine Creek, East Prong Roaring River, Brush Creek,
Darnell Creek, Big Sandy Creek, Cove Creek, Dog Creek, Basin
Creek and Christian Creek.
- Some locations that will experience flooding include...
Sparta, Laurel Springs, Ennice, Glendale Springs, Whitehead and
Doughton Park.
- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

09/18/2026

The following is a briefing from the NWS Blacksburg office as of 6 AM on Friday, September 18, 2026:

Overview: Scattered thunderstorms will develop this afternoon and evening across portions of the North Carolina Piedmont and Southside Virginia. Some of the stronger storms may produce damaging wind gusts.

Threats: Damaging wind gusts

Timing and Locations: Between 2 PM and 9 PM this afternoon and evening for portions of the North Carolina Piedmont and Southside Virginia

Impacts: Wind gusts up to 60 mph may blow down trees and power lines that could result in localized power outages

09/16/2026

09/12/2026

The following is a briefing from the NWS Blacksburg office as of 6:15 AM on Saturday, September 12, 2026.

Overview: Coverage of showers and thunderstorms will increase after 4 PM this afternoon. Localized flash flooding is possible areawide in any thunderstorms producing high rainfall rates and/or where storms pass repeatedly over the same locations. A few storms may also briefly become capable of damaging wind gusts. The threat of flash flooding and damaging winds will diminish after 10 PM as storms gradually weaken for the evening.

Threats: Isolated Damaging Wind Gusts from Thunderstorms and Localized Flash Flooding

Timing and Location:
The highest threat for flash flooding and damaging winds will be between 4 PM and 10 PM. This threat exists areawide.
Impacts:
Damaging Wind Gusts: Gusts up to 60 mph may result in downed trees and power poles, causing localized power outages and blocked roads.
Locally Heavy Rain: Isolated flooding of small streams, low lying areas, and urban areas with poor drainage may result in flooded nearby roads and bridges.