Brushy Fork to Salem Creek: Storm Water and Damp Homes

USGS keeps stream monitoring sites on Salem, Peters, Silas and Brushy creeks inside Winston-Salem. On Brushy Fork at East 5th Street, the National Weather Service says minor flooding begins at 11 feet, when the creek overflows its banks north of E 5th St and Old Greensboro Rd. Indoors, anything wet for more than 48 hours needs drying and a check.

A city of small creeks

The U.S. Geological Survey lists monitoring sites on Salem Creek, Peters Creek, Silas Creek, Brushy Creek and Tar Branch within Winston-Salem, plus one at the Salem Lake dam and others on Muddy Creek west of the city. These aren't big rivers. They are urban streams that gather runoff from streets, parking lots and roofs, and they can climb quickly in a summer downpour or the tail of a tropical system.

What the Brushy Fork gauge tells you

The National Weather Service tracks Brushy Fork at East 5th Street and publishes what each stage means. At 11 feet, minor flooding begins: the creek leaves its banks, especially north of E 5th St and Old Greensboro Rd, and low-lying and parking areas along Kinard Dr can flood. At 14.5 feet, flooding along Kinard St becomes extensive. At 21 feet, major flooding reaches several buildings along Kinard St, and nearby roads may be impassable. If you live near any creek, the NWS gauge pages are worth bookmarking.

Storms that soaked the Triad

The remnants of Hurricane Michael on October 11, 2018 brought around 5 inches of rain to the Triad and led to water rescues in some areas, and a 55 mph gust was recorded in Winston-Salem (NC State Climate Office). Rain like that doesn't need to flood a street to start mold. It finds a gap in flashing, an overflowing gutter or a low corner of a crawl space, and it sits there.

Your yard's drainage is up to you

The City's Stormwater Division maintains drainage within the street right-of-way. Drainage on private property is outside its responsibility, so downspouts, swales and grading around your house fall to the owner. A few checks after heavy rain:

• Under the house: puddles on the ground cover, beads of water on ducts, or an earthy odor rising through the floor registers.
• Gutters and downspouts: overflow, or outlets that dump beside the foundation.
• Exterior walls: damp baseboards, bubbling paint, or stains below windows.
• Anything still wet after two days: dry it or have it checked.

For the drying steps, read mold after a leak or flood; if water reached the crawl space, see crawl space mold. The Winston-Salem mold cost guide has the price ranges.