Rain subsides, but flooding threat remains in Henderson, Transylvania counties

TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — The heavy rains subsided Monday, but the lingering threat of flooding is still a concern for folks in Transylvania and Henderson counties.

Folks along the French Broad River in the Blantyre area remain under a flood warning until Tuesday afternoon.

“It happens so often, people don’t get excited much,” Henderson County resident Gary Edwards said of the flooding. “We’ve had this flooding in the last year where the French Broad River has gone over 10 or maybe 12 times, which maybe goes over once or twice in two or three years. So, it’s been happening frequently.”

In Brevard, Barclay and Cascade Lake roads were closed Monday morning in both directions. Cascade Lake Road was clear by midday. Barclay Road, which was covered by several inches of water for much of the day, reopened late Monday afternoon.

“The conditions over the weekend were horrible,” Pam Reems said. “Oh, yeah, it’s gone down some, but I think it still has some to go.”

Despite the road closure signs on Barclay, drivers were divided about how to proceed.

Reems said the once high water receded, while Kenneth Wilkes isn’t about to risk his life or his car.

“I’ve already lost one car in this,” Wilkes said.

His previous vehicle was a casualty of flooding.

“I’m trying to decide whether I’m going to take that chance, and I think I’m going to go the other way. Turn around don’t drown!” he said, sounding very much like a public service announcement.

Transylvania County was pounded by 2-5 inches of rain over the weekend, which left Wilkes shell shocked.

“But it was bad, bad! I live in a trailer, and it was going like that!” he said, describing the storm.

Eventually, Reems gave it a go, driving down Barclay Road.

While she made it safely, Wilkes wasn’t taking any chances. He turned around.

“I don’t think it safe!” Wilkes said. “You know, I can either lose my life or lose my automobile, and I don’t want to lose either one of those. Don’t you think I’m making the right decision?”

Authorities stress that folks who drive past barricades do so at their own risk.