WATCH: Floodwaters rush through downtown Boone, NC during Helene

Rushing floodwaters were seen in downtown Boone Friday morning as Tropical Storm Helene brought torrential rain to the North Carolina mountains.

Several inches of water were seen rushing down King Street near the Mast General Store and Depot Street in the heart of downtown Boone. The water was seen running into several storefronts on King Street. A Resort Cams camera showed several vehicles passing through and around the floodwaters which are several inches deep.

WCNC Charlotte Chief Meteorologist Brad Panovich said he'd never seen this much water flooding downtown Boone.

"Look at the flow," Panovich said. "There are rapids, this is flowing."

Weather Impact forecaster Larry Sprinkle said it was the most water he'd seen in Boone during his career.

Helene's impacts have been felt across the Carolinas with millions of power outages and widespread flooding. Multiple flash flood emergencies were reported in the mountains, and a mandatory evacuation was ordered for residents near Mountain Island Lake in Mecklenburg County due to rising waters. #Helene #Weather #Flooding

[mitchdavis]

DO NOT go to the Boone mall. It is subject to awful flooding!

[WaysaandMeans]

We need updates for areas around Gorges State Park. Places like Cashiers, Highlands, Lake Toxaway- anywhere headed west on 64. There’s got to be catastrophic damage. Hope all are well. Also, I believe the dam in Lake Lure might fail

[standunitedorfall]

Boone sits in a bowl like valley that collects excess water like mad. This has happened before. I still have a video from about 5-7 yrs ago or so when a front stalled over Boone, and dumped multiple inches of water in the area. At this point it was worse than this is so far. Glad I didn't move there. The city has terrible traffic for it's size as well.

[glmand]

Thank you for leaving the comments on! Can’t believe some news channels leave the comments off...
My nephew is there & is stuck without power or food. Prayers for all affected

[jennaadea]

Why are people out driving? Seriously? Why?

[RalphSmith-cjhe]

More construction more cars on roads with an Aged infrastructure. More of this deluge madness will continue

[jamesleonard]

Real jerks, driving through that water and throwing wakes up into peoples businesses.

[barbaraneese]

My Mother was born in Boone and Grandpa lived right down under Howard’s Knob. Mama use to talk about the railroad being washed out many years ago. Tweetsie is just a small spot now and I guess all that is left of what use to be.

[borrago]

"RIVER STREET" is named such for a reason.

[smokytopia]

...imagine all this water suspended in the air before it came down on us....

[Kandacehine]

Boone has always been bad for flooding, I remember existing my dorm about 13 years ago during a bad storm and people were swimming down the road. The mall parking lot also flooded really bad cars were floating. I feel that this was nothing compared to what has happened in the past. I was also there for an earthquake. Boone has seen a lot worse. But praying that everyone is safe.

[bimini]

Don't walk in it. You can fall through a sewer manhole

[prestongarvey]

Any information on banner elk? My girlfriend is there and I can’t reach her

Edit: she’s fine but her condo is flooded and so are the roads leaving

[TomZart]

HURRICANE HELENE POEM -2024!!
Helene hit like an atom bomb
Consuming the helpless in its path.
The waters of the deep surged forth
Flooding everything with their wrath.

The storms of life come to everyone
There are none who are immune.
Some approach in our later years
While others come too soon.

Conviction is our emotional union
As we weather the storms of Earth.
Thank God for His amazing grace
Which helps us reveal our worth.

Tears are a love-mates humble gift
When it's time to say goodbye
Though the eyes are wet and swollen
With time and patience they dry.

By Tom Zart
Most Published Poet On The Web!

[ChaseGameReviews]

yes, i do live in morganton and EVERYTHING is closed

[robertspringer]

Insane, went to college at app state back in 2010, now living in the Tetons of Wyoming/Idaho. This is insane, so tragic and sad. I'm tempted to fly to NC and join in on any help I can.

[Betsy-spjr]

Water must be coming off the mountain, never seen it like this. The mall area always floods. Lots of friends in the area . Pray that everyone stays safe . .

[BrooksLMM]

Is Boon near Brice town? Does anybody know if they are getting through?

[steviestonehenge]

About :59 he says, "You can see some of these cars probably in shock at what’s happening right now.” Cars in shock? How does that happen? What I'm sure of is that there are a lot of PEOPLE in shock right now. My heart and thoughts are with them.

[horayshyt]

Can anyone tell me what’s going on in Marion NC. I live there and have family there. I can’t get ahold of anyone