FINS alerts local

• fire
• police
• emergency management and
• MEDIC

       to the threat or actual danger of flooding.

FINS is not intended to be a public warning system.  It only notifies emergency responders.  The National Weather Services provides Flood Watches and Flood Warnings to the news media and public. 

FINS is an asset to our emergency responders.  However, it is still very important for people who see flooding anywhere in Charlotte-Mecklenburg to call 911.

FINS is a partnership involving the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County and the US Geological Survey.  We continually monitor rainfall and stream depth levels.  Emergency responders are notified when there is a potential or actual problem.

Three Levels of FINS

• ALERT—When rainfall is intense or streams rise rapidly.  The FINS system automatically sends the ALERT via pager, cell phone and e-mail to emergency responders and Storm Water Services staff.
• INVESTIGATE—If the situation gets worse, emergency personnel must personally visit the location of heavy rainfall or flooding.  They will barricade streets or take other action if needed.
• EMERGENCY—The highest level.  Additional precautions may be necessary such as evacuating residents near the high-water areas.

Ten sites with a history of repeated or dangerous flooding have special FINS equipment to automatically notify emergency responders when rainfall amounts or stream depths reach a certain threshold.

• Briar Creek at Providence Road
• Briar Creek at Monroe Road
• Little Sugar Creek at 36th Street
• Little Sugar Creek at Carolinas Medical Center
• Mallard Creek at Pavilion Boulevard
• McAlpine Creek at Sardis Road
• McMullen Creek at Addison Drive
• McMullen Creek at Sharon View Road
• Stewart Creek at Freedom Drive
• Sugar Creek at Downs Road

The ten FINS sites are part of a larger network of more than 30 stream gauges and more than 70 rain gauges throughout Charlotte-Mecklenburg.  In drought or downpour, these computerized gauges transmit rainfall and stream depth data around the clock to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services and to the US Geological Survey. 

USGS uses the data to track floods, droughts and rainfall patterns across the entire region.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services uses stream depth and rainfall data to identify flood-prone areas and seek long-term solutions to flooding problems.

For USGS rainfall amounts and maps, please visit their website, http://nc.water.usgs.gov/char/

For more information about the Flood Information & Notification System, contact Josh McSwain at 704-336-4918.