10/11/2026
Burke County Joint Information Center
Weather Situation Report
Sunday, October 11, 2026 | 7:00 a.m.
Travel across Burke County is not advised this morning until daylight allows roadways to be better assessed. Please stay home and postpone routine Sunday morning travel. Flooding is being reported in areas that commonly flood, but additional hazards on backroads may not yet have been identified. Do not drive through flooded roadways or around barricades.
Flooding is affecting several locations across Burke County. NC 18 / US 64 is now closed at Chesterfield Fire and Rescue due to flooding from Bristol Creek. Chesterfield Fire personnel, NCDOT, NCSHP, and Burke County Emergency Management are on scene. A closure due to flooding has also been reported at Bost and Spainhour roads, and water is across the roadway at Bost and Piedmont roads. Antioch Road and Bethel Park are flooded. Hunting Creek near Roses Shopping Center has reached moderate flood stage. Antioch Road is closed at this time as well due to rapidly rising swift water crossing the road.
The latest weather assessment indicates an increasing tornado risk as a line of storms moves into Burke County from Rutherford and McDowell counties. This line is expected to bring the heaviest rainfall of the event so far, increasing the flash flooding threat. Wireless Emergency Alerts have been activated for a considerable flash flood threat. Keep emergency alerts enabled and be prepared to take shelter immediately if a Tornado Warning is issued.
Reporting weather stations showed the following 24-hour rainfall totals at approximately 6:47 a.m.:
- Enola Fire/Rescue: 8.54 inches
- Jonas Ridge EMS Base: 7.58 inches
- Chesterfield Fire/Rescue: 7.25 inches
- Burke County 911: 6.38 inches
- Brendletown Fire Station 1: 5.36 inches
- Shortoff Mountain: 5.21 inches
- Lake James State Park Visitor Center: 5.06 inches
- Burke County Fire Marshal Station, Hildebran: 4.43 inches
- South Mountains Fire Department: 4.38 inches
- George Hildebran Fire/Rescue: 4.22 inches
The latest reported lake levels are 97.7 feet at Lake James and 95.2 feet at Lake Rhodhiss. That places Lake James 2.3 feet below full pond and Lake Rhodhiss 4.8 feet below full pond. Full pond for both lakes is 100.0 feet on their respective reporting scales. Emergency Management continues monitoring lake levels, streams, and creeks as runoff moves through the county.
Burke County Emergency Management is engaged in water and flooding assessments. The Fire Marshal’s Office reports normal operations and is assisting fire departments as needs arise. Fire departments continue handling normal calls, with Chesterfield Fire and Oak Hill Fire Departments also responding to flooding in their districts.
Burke County 911 remains stable, with call volume slightly above normal for a Sunday morning. Additional staff have been brought in to support increased call volume today.
The latest reported outage count is 273 customers without power across the county.
Stay away from flooded parks, creek banks, and low-water crossings. If rising water threatens your location, move to higher ground. If a Tornado Warning is issued, move to a basement or a small interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, away from windows.
Report power outages directly to your electric provider. City of Morganton electric customers should call 828-438-5277. Duke Energy customers can call 1-800-POWERON, and Rutherford Electric customers can call 1-800-228-9756. Do not touch or move downed power lines.
For storm information, call the Burke County Joint Information Center at 828-764-9388. For emergencies, call 911.
Additional updates will be shared as conditions change and roadway assessments become available.
Media inquiries:
Burke County Public Information Office
[email protected]
