River stage
Kinston, Neuse River
- River level
- 2.70 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- -0.13 ft
- Recent high
- 11.90 ft
- Recent low
- 2.52 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS KINN7
- 30-day change
- -0.02 ft
- Average
- 4.02 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 28.31 ft
In brief
The Neuse River at Kinston, NC read 2.70 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 10.30 ft below action stage. That is 0.02 ft lower than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge KINN7
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28.31 ft | 2016-10-14 |
| 2 | 27.71 ft | 1999-09-23 |
| 3 | 25.78 ft | 2018-09-21 |
| 4 | 25.00 ft | 1919-07-24 |
| 5 | 24.70 ft | 1924-10-01 |
| 6 | 24.20 ft | 1928-09-25 |
| 7 | 23.30 ft | 1996-09-17 |
| 8 | 22.90 ft | 1964-10-13 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 14.00 ft
Water overflows into lowlands adjacent to the river. Water access docks are also affected.
- 16.00 ft
Flooding of the campground at the Nature Center is expected. Water encroaches onto other properties along the south side of the river.
- 18.00 ft
Widespread lowland flooding adjacent to the river. Water approaches some secondary roads over the southeast sections of Kinston. Campgrounds and picnic areas at the Nature Center in Kinston are inundated.
- 21.00 ft
Some homes and businesses southeast of Kinston are flooded. Water floods several secondary roads southeast of Kinston as well as Highway 11. Small streams across Lenoir, southern Pitt and northern Craven Counties flood secondary roads and may affect some homes.
- 23.00 ft
Many homes and businesses on the south side of the river from Seven Springs to Kinston are flooded. Highway 11 and numerous secondary roads are impassable. Water floods the Rivermont area.
- 25.00 ft
Devastating flooding. Countless homes and businesses are flooded mostly south of the river in Lenoir county. Water floods the intersection of Highway 258 and 70, as well as most of the businesses on this stretch of road south of Kinston. All major highways on the south side of Kinston are impassible, especially Highways 70 and 11. East of Kinston, Highway 55 is impassable at low spots around the bridge with some homes flooded.
- 27.00 ft
Catastrophic flooding. Comparable to the floods from Hurricanes Matthew and Floyd. All major roads on the south side of Kinston are flooded. Numerous businesses and homes have significant inundation. Most creeks in Lenoir County are backed up and cause widespread flooding, with many homes and businesses inundated.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Neuse River flooding at Kinston?
No. The Neuse River at Kinston is at 2.7 ft, 10.3 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Kinston?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 13 ft, minor flooding 14 ft, moderate flooding 18 ft and major flooding 21 ft.
What is the highest the Neuse River has been at Kinston?
The highest crest on record is 28.31 ft, on 2016-10-14.
Is the Neuse River high or low right now at Kinston?
At 2.7 ft it is higher than 10% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge KINN7); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 02089500). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.