UPDATED: As of 8:31 PM on Friday, September 21st the Neuse River at Kinston, according to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, has crested at 25.8 feet, which is a Major Flood. This is now the third highest crest at the Neuse River at Kinston’s history and the second Major Flood in 23 months.

In the last 40 years, the Neuse River at Kinston has experienced 21 of its top 24 crests. Twenty-one of the crests have been Flood Stage or higher, four have been Moderate Flood Stage and seven, including Hurricane Florence, have been Major Flood Stage. In other words, if you were 22 years old today, then you’ve lived through five Major Floods.

UPDATED: As of 9:01 AM on Friday, September 21st the Neuse River at Kinston, according to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, is at 25.68 feet, which is a Major Flood. Projections now show a crest of 26.0 feet tomorrow morning. This is now the third highest crest at the Neuse River at Kinston’s history.

UPDATED: As of 9:46 PM on Thursday, September 20th the Neuse River at Kinston, according to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, is at 25.3 feet, which is a Major Flood. Projections now show a crest of 26.0' today. This is now the third highest crest at the Neuse River at Kinston’s history.

UPDATED: As of 3:46 PM on Thursday, September 20th the Neuse River at Kinston, according to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, is at 24.95 feet, which is a Major Flood. Projections now show a crest of 25.9' on Friday. This is already the fourth highest crest ever here, and if projections stand, this would be the third highest crest in Neuse River at Kinston’s history.

UPDATED: As of 5:31 AM on Thursday, September 20th the Neuse River at Kinston, according to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, is at 24.31 feet, which is a Major Flood. Projections now show a crest of 25.8' Friday into Saturday. If projections stand, this would be the third highest crest in Neuse River at Kinston’s history.

UPDATED: As of 10:53 AM on Wednesday, September 19th the Neuse River at Kinston, according to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, is at 22.93 feet, which is a Major Flood. Projections now show a crest of 25.6' by Saturday. If projections stand, this would be the third highest crest in Neuse River at Kinston’s history.

PREVIOUSLY: As of 6:15 PM on Tuesday, September 18th the Neuse River at Kinston, according to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, is at 22.29 feet, which is a Major Flood. Projections now show a crest of 25’ by Friday. If projections stand, this would tie the third highest crest in Neuse River at Kinston’s history

PREVIOUSLY: As of 4:01 PM on Monday, September 17th the Neuse River at Kinston, according to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, is at 22.17 feet, which is a Major Flood. Projections now show a crest of 24.5’ by Friday afternoon. If projections stand, this would be the fourth highest crest in Neuse River at Kinston’s history.

PREVIOUSLY: As of 10:30 PM on Sunday, September 16th the Neuse River at Kinston, according to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, is at 22.00 feet, which is a Major Flood. The river has risen 10.51’ since our report almost 48 hours ago. Projections now show a crest of 25.2’ Thursday night into Friday morning. If projections stand, this would be the third highest crest in Neuse River at Kinston’s history.

PREVIOUSLY: As of 6:01 AM on Sunday, September 16th the Neuse River at Kinston, according to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, is at 21.04 feet, which is a Major Flood. If projections stand, this would be the fourth highest crest in Neuse River at Kinston’s history. Projections now show a crest of 24.9’ Thursday night into Friday morning.

PREVIOUSLY: As of 5:31 AM on Saturday, September 15th the Neuse River at Kinston, according to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, is at 14.13 feet. Minor Flood Stage is 14.0 feet and the current projection has the Neuse River reaching Major Flood Stage of 21.0 feet THIS AFTERNOON.

PREVIOUSLY: As of 10:53 PM on Friday, September 14th the Neuse River at Kinston, according to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, is at 11.49 feet. Minor Flooding Stage is 14.0 feet and the current projection has the Neuse River reaching Flooding Stage overnight Friday into Saturday. Current projections show the Neuse River reaching Major Flood Stage of 21.0 feet on Saturday.

Landmarks to consider:

Neuseway Nature Park’s meeting room will receive water at 21.5’, Nature Center Building is 24.5’ and the Bill Ellis Planetarium is 25.5’.

Neuse Sport Shop takes on water when the Neuse River reaches 24’.

Highway 70 near Hampton Inn will receive water across the road at 24.5’.

Piggly Wiggly on Hwy 70 takes on water when the Neuse River reaches above 25’.

King’s Restaurant takes on water when the Neuse River reaches 26.5’.

Historic Crests:

*Note: In the last 40 years, the Neuse River at Kinston has experienced 21 of its top 24 crests. Twenty-one of the crests have been Flood Stage or higher, four have been Moderate Flood Stage and seven, including Hurricane Florence, have been Major Flood Stage. In other words, if you were 22 years old today, then you’ve lived through five Major Floods.

MAJOR Flood Stage
(1) 28.31 ft on 10/14/2016 - Hurricane Matthew
(2) 27.71 ft on 09/23/1999 - Hurricane Floyd
***25.78 ft on 9/21/2018 – Hurricane Florence***
(3) 25.00 ft on 07/24/1919
(4) 23.30 ft on 09/17/1996 - Hurricane Fran
(5) 22.90 ft on 10/13/1964
(6) 21.47 ft on 05/03/2017

MODERATE Flood Stage
(7) 20.90 ft on 04/14/1936
(8) 20.70 ft on 03/08/1979
(9) 19.00 ft on 01/29/1978
(10) 18.30 ft on 02/01/1978

 FLOOD Stage
(11) 17.77 ft on 04/18/2003
(12) 17.60 ft on 02/27/1995
(13) 17.57 ft on 07/21/2013
(14) 17.55 ft on 08/19/2003
(15) 17.00 ft on 10/15/1995
(16) 16.14 ft on 10/07/2010
(17) 15.24 ft on 01/19/2014
(18) 14.91 ft on 08/24/2004
(19) 14.53 ft on 03/15/2014
(20) 14.20 ft on 01/06/2014

 ACTION Stage
(21) 13.93 ft on 02/27/2014
(22) 11.14 ft on 03/29/2012
(23) 10.95 ft on 08/30/2011

Source: NOAA Neuse River At Kinston