River stage
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS WLON7
In brief
The Cape Fear River at Wilmington, NC read 4.43 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 0.57 ft below action stage.
Source: National Weather Service gauge WLON7
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9.03 ft | 2020-08-04 |
| 2 | 8.28 ft | 2018-09-14 |
| 3 | 8.21 ft | 2016-10-08 |
| 4 | 8.05 ft | 1954-10-15 |
| 5 | 7.66 ft | 2022-09-30 |
| 6 | 7.50 ft | 1993-03-13 |
| 7 | 7.48 ft | 2018-11-24 |
| 8 | 7.36 ft | 2016-10-17 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
Water begins spreading into low grounds along the river near downtown Wilmington.
Water affects the lowest parts of the parking lot at the USS North Carolina.
The lowest parts of USS North Carolina Road and low spots of Battleship Road begin to flood. Water begins to spread out of the storm drains onto Water Street just south of Market Street in downtown Wilmington.
North of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge...two spots on Battleship Road are covered with water about three inches deep. The westbound lane of USS North Carolina Road is covered with water up to six inches deep. In downtown Wilmington...about a block of Water Street just south of Market Street is covered with about three inches of water.
Battleship Road and USS North Carolina Road are flooded with depths of 6 to 12 inches. Water begins to spread on to River Road about a quarter mile south of The Cape Boulevard. In downtown Wilmington...water covers more than a block of Water Street near Market Street with three to six inches of water just south of Market Street.
Battleship Road and USS North Carolina Road are covered with water as deep as a foot. Point Harbor Road may begin to flood. There is minor flooding of River Road south of The Cape Boulevard. Rockledge Road at River Road and roads on the west side of River Road to the south of River Road Park may begin to flood. In downtown Wilmington, minor flooding occurs on Water Street from near the courthouse steps to about a block south of Market Street. Route 133 at Little Mallory Creek may begin to flood.
Battleship and USS North Carolina Roads are flooded with depths over a foot. USS North Carolina Road begins to flood at US 421 North. Flooding on Point Harbor Road worsens. There is minor flooding on River Road just south of The Cape Boulevard. South of River Road Park, roads on both sides of River Road experience minor flooding. Water Street floods between Red Cross and Orange Streets with the worst near Market Street. US 421 Truck near Carolina Beach Road and Route 133 at Little Mallory Creek may flood.
Battleship and USS North Carolina Roads may be impassable and water affects US 421 North at USS North Carolina Road. River Road south of The Cape Boulevard may be impassable and roads on each side of River Road south of River Road Park have minor flooding. Flooding of Water Street between Princess and Orange Streets expands but is worst near Market Street. Flooding worsens on Point Harbor Road, US 421 Truck near Carolina Beach Road, and Route 133 at Little Mallory Creek. Old River Road at Route 133 floods.
US 421 North at USS North Carolina is flooded with about 6 inches of water. River Road about a quarter mile south of The Cape Boulevard may be impassable and residential roads on each side of River Road south of River Road Park experience minor flooding. Water Street is flooded from Red Cross Street to Orange Street with depths over a foot south of Market Street. Flooding worsens on Point Harbor Road, US 421 Truck near Carolina Beach Road, Route 133 at Little Mallory Creek, and Old River Road at Route 133.
US 421 North at USS North Carolina is flooded. River Road south of The Cape Boulevard is impassable and roads on each side of River Road south of River Road Park flood. Water Street is flooded between Red Cross Street and Orange Street and the road will be impassable. Water may spread up side streets and buildings could be affected. Point Harbor Road, US 421 Truck near Carolina Beach Road, Route 133 at Little Mallory Creek, and Old River Road at Route 133 may be impassable. Burnett Road floods at US 421.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
No. The Cape Fear River at Wilmington is at 4.43 ft, 0.57 ft below action stage.
The National Weather Service sets action stage 5 ft, minor flooding 5.5 ft, moderate flooding 6.75 ft and major flooding 10 ft.
The highest crest on record is 9.03 ft, on 2020-08-04.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge WLON7). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.