Morganton, NC

So I spoke with my mom tonight who lives up Hwy 181 in Morganton, NC and she stated that they really have not had that much in the way of rain.  This was interesting to me in that we have!  It is weird that we here in Hickory , NC would have downpours of rain but in Morganton, NC that would get very little rain fall!  The older generations believe that the Rain does not cross the Catawba River in Morganton, NC?  Is this true do we get Rain when Most of Morganton, NC does not?  Could it be possible that while a rain fall may occur in the downtown Morganton, NC area it does not occur in the northern point of Morganton, NC?  If this is true then what within the Catawba River in Morganton, NC would stop the rain fall from traveling into Hickory?  Does it curve and go into Lenior?  Hmmmm, This atmosphere and weather changes really does make you stop and think!  If a nice storm was heading our way, why would a river stop it? An old wives tale?