Cape Fear River at Elizabethtown
Flood levels
Official flood levels at this gauge: action stage begins at 20.0 ft; minor flooding begins at 25.0 ft; moderate flooding begins at 35.0 ft; major flooding begins at 42.0 ft.
| Action stage | 20.0 ft |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 25.0 ft |
| Moderate flooding | 35.0 ft |
| Major flooding | 42.0 ft |
Highest recorded crests
- 43.2 ft on Sep 23, 1945 (historic crest)
- 42.5 ft on Sep 21, 2018 (historic crest)
- 39.1 ft on Sep 23, 1928 (historic crest)
- 38.9 ft on Oct 6, 1929 (historic crest)
What the water does
National Weather Service impact statements for this gauge, in the Weather Service's own words.
| 20.0 ft | The river will spread into lowlands along the river and will begin to flood lowlands in Tory Hole Park. |
|---|---|
| 23.0 ft | The river will spread further into lowlands along the river. |
| 24.0 ft | The river will continue to spread farther into lowlands along the river and may begin to affect building access roads closer to the river. |
| 25.0 ft | Flood waters will reach the top of the navigational lock. The river will spread farther into lowlands, affecting building access roads closer to the river. A few buildings closer to the river may be cutoff by the flood waters. The lower part of Cape Owen Manor Road may begin to flood. |
| 27.0 ft | Floodwaters will affect farmers' fields adjacent to the river requiring the movement of farm equipment to higher ground. The lower part of Cape Owen Manor Road may become impassable. |
| 28.0 ft | Flooding of farmers fields adjacent to the river will worsen. Larrimore Lane may begin to flood. |
| 30.0 ft | Flood waters may isolate residences off Larrimore Lane and Riverview Drive as Larrimore Lane becomes impassable. Dozens of buildings nearer the river may become isolated within several miles of Elizabethtown. Flooding may also affect Beagle Run Lane. Flooding of farm fields near the river worsens as does lowland flooding. |
| 32.0 ft | Flood waters may isolate a few residences off Beagle Run Lane and flooding may occur along Rob Smith Lane. A couple of buildings nearer the river off Barney Coe Road may become isolated by flood waters. Elsewhere along the river, flooding worsens both upstream and downstream of Elizabethtown. |
| 33.0 ft | Flood waters may get near residences areas along Ellis Creek closer to NC Route 53. Flooding may get near additional residences along Barney Coe Road. Elsewhere along the river, flooding worsens both upstream and downstream of Elizabethtown. Dozens of buildings in the area may be isolated and some may experience flooding. |
| 35.0 ft | Flood waters may begin to affect Owen Hill Road near Bakers Creek. Dozens of buildings may be isolated or flooded along the river both upstream and downstream of Elizabethtown. However, most of are in areas between Owen Hill Road and the river as well as NC Route 53 and the river west of U.S. route 701. |
| 36.0 ft | Flood waters may begin to affect portions of NC Highway 53 between U.S. 701 and White Oak. Owen Hill Road near Bakers Creek becomes impassable. Additional residences along Barney Coe Road may become isolated and the lowest may be flooded. Dozens of buildings may be isolated or flooded along the river both upstream and downstream of Elizabethtown but most of are in areas between Owen Hill Road and the river as well as NC Route 53 and the river west of U.S. route 701. Browns Creek Nature Park begins to flood. |
| 38.0 ft | Portions of NC Highway 53 between U.S. 701 and White Oak may become impassable, possibly isolating many residences in the area. Overall, there may be hundreds of residences that are isolated by flood waters on both sides of the river from the White Oak area down to Barney Coe Road. Many of the lowest buildings in this area may be flooded. Travel along the length of the river may be hampered by high water and road closures. |
| 40.0 ft | Flood waters may begin to affect Airport Road near White’s Creek within 24 hours. Portions of Highway 53 between U.S. 701 and White Oak may be closed. Overall, there may be hundreds of residences that are isolated by flood waters on both sides of the river from the White Oak area down Barney Coe Road. Many of the lowest buildings in this area may be flooded. Travel along the length of the river may be hampered by high water and road closures. Brown’s Creek Nature Park will be flooded. |
| 42.0 ft | Airport Road near White’s Creek may become impassable within 24 hours. Portions of Highway 53 between U.S. 701 and White Oak will be closed. Water may approach a few residences along Turnbull Creek near U.S. 701. There will be hundreds of residences that are isolated by flood waters on both sides of the river from the White Oak area down to Barney Coe Road and many buildings may be flooded. Travel along the length of the river will be hampered by high water and road closures. Similar to Florence 2018. |
| 43.0 ft | Considerable flooding like 1945 flood will occur along the entire length of the river as well as near the city of Elizabethtown. Water may isolate or get into a few residences along Turnbull Creek near U.S. 701. Overall, there will be several hundred residences that are isolated by flood waters on both sides of the river from the White Oak area down Barney Coe Road and many buildings will be flooded. Travel along the length of the river will be significantly hampered by high water and road closures. |
| 47.0 ft | Considerable flooding will occur along the entire length of the river as well as near the city of Elizabethtown. U.S. 701 may be flooded north of the bridge over the river. Approximately 500 structures will be isolated or flooded on both sides of the river from the White Oak area down to Barney Coe Road including buildings along area creeks. Travel along the length of the river will be difficult or impossible due to high water and road closures. |
Forecast office: NWS Wilmington · River Forecast Center: Southeast River Forecast Center.
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Nearby stations and gauges
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- Black River at Beattys Bridge Road NWS gauge · 19.1 mi