MARSHALL - Madison County residents are gearing up for what weather experts say could be the worst flooding the area's seen in years.
As of 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Madison County Emergency Management declared a State of Emergency for the county, Madison County Emergency Management announced in a Facebook post.
Additionally, the organization announced that effective 4 p.m. Thursday, Madison Early College High School, located at 5734 U.S. 25-70 in Marshall would be used as a county evacuation shelter for displaced residents.
Hot Springs Elementary School would be designated as a transportation staging area. The school is located at 63 N. Serpentine Ave. in Hot Springs.
Residents are urged to call the Madison County Emergency Operations Center for transportation to the County Evacuation Center.
The Emergency Operations Center's phone number is 828-649-1955.
The town of Marshall urged residents and business owners to evacuate the downtown area where the French Broad River flows alongside downtown and Blannahassett Island areas "before they are isolated by flooded roads coming in and out of town" in a post just before noon Thursday, Sept. 26.
"The same encouragement continues for residents of Rollins Road and Island Road," the town of Marshall said in the Facebook post.
"Madison County is setting up a shelter for residents in need later this evening. We will update when more information is available regarding shelter. For now, residents and businesses should make immediate preparations to evacuate to higher ground."
In the post, the town of Marshall pointed to the current forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Water Prediction Service, which forecast a river crest in Marshall of 19 feet, as of 1:45 p.m. Thursday.
"This would be the third largest flood on record, after 1916 (22 feet) and 1902 (21 feet)," according to the town of Marshall.
"While the crest is not expected until Friday, we expect roads to become impassable sooner."
Marshall residents are no stranger to flooding, as floods in April 2019 caused significant damage to housing and governmental infrastructure throughout the town.
More: Hurricane Helene: Flooding, winds cause Western NC, Asheville event cancellations, closures
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Hot Springs declares state of emergency
Also, the town of Hot Springs declared a state of emergency through the town's Facebook page just before 11:30 a.m. Thursday.
The post also recommended a voluntary evacuation for Hot Springs residents, particularly those along Spring Creek and the French Broad River.
"Please understand this evacuation order is voluntary," the town said in the post. "However, fire department members will not risk their own safety to come and get you if you do not evacuate. As the winds increase, coupled with the saturated ground it is highly likely we (and the entire region) could lose power for a potentially extended period of time.
"Now is the time to prepare. Be aware that the river is very high already with much more rain on the way and it is possible that areas that do not typically flood may. If you live along a creek, please be mindful that flash flooding is expected in this area and make a plan to evacuate in case that becomes necessary."
To view the National Weather Prediction Service's forecast for river crest along the French Broad River in Marshall and Hot Springs, visit this website .
The National Weather Service's updates are available here .
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Madison County in state of emergency, Marshall eyes record floods in Hurricane Helene mix
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