Alert archive / Massachusetts / Flash Flood Warnings in 1992

Flash Flood Warning 5, NWS Albany, NY

May 2, 1992Berkshire County, Massachusetts

NWS Albany, NY issued this flash flood warning at May 2, 1992, 11:00 PM EDT for Berkshire County, Massachusetts. It was in force for 4 hr.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued: May 2, 1992, 11:00 PM EDT (03:00 UTC)
Expired: May 3, 1992, 3:10 AM EDT
In force: 4 hr
Issued by: NWS Albany, NY
Area: Whole counties

County Berkshire County, MA

The nearest sounding before it

Albany, NY (KALB), launched 00:00Z, 3.0 hours before the alert went out and 62 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.

Mixed-layer CAPE: 0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL: NaN m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 66 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 72 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 413 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 1.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

000 
TTAA00 KALB 030300
FFWALB
MAC003-030800-
 
BULLETIN - EBS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBANY NY
1100 PM EDT SAT MAY 2 1992
 
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN ALBANY NY  HAS ISSUED A
FLASH FLOOD WARNING EFFECTIVE UNTIL  400 AM EDT
FOR PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS......
 
IN WEST MASSACHUSETTS
 
   ...BERKSHIRE COUNTY
 
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS HAVE DUMPED 1 TO 3 INCHES OF RAIN ACROSS
BERKSHIRE COUNTY SO FAR THIS AFTERNONN AND TONIGHT. AMOUNTS OF 2.5
INCHES WERE REPORTED AT NEW MARLBOROUGH AND 1.5 INCHES AT GREAT
BARRINGTON. ADDITIONAL SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS....SOME WITH VERY
HEAVY RAIN...WILL BE OVER MUCH OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY DURING THE NEXT TWO
HOURS.
 
TWO INCHES OR MORE OF RAINFALL IN A THREE HOUR PERIOD WOULD BE ENOUGH
TO CAUSE FLASH FLOODING OF SMALL STREAMS AND POSSIBLE MUDSLIDES
ESPECIALLY IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE COUNTY. ALSO ADDING TO THE
PROBLEM IS A LACK OF VEGETATION TO ABSORB THE RUNOFF.
 
IF FLOODING OCCURS IN YOUR AREA GET TO HIGHER GROUND AT ONCE.
 
 
BE ESPECIALLY CAUTIOUS AT NIGHT WHEN IT IS HARDER TO RECOGNIZE
THE DANGERS OF FLOODS AND FLASH FLOODS.  IF FLASH FLOODING IS
OBSERVED...ACT QUICKLY.  MOVE UP TO ESCAPE FLOOD WATERS.  DO
NOT STAY IN AREAS SUBJECT TO FLOODING WHEN WATER BEGINS RISING.
 
A FLASH FLOOD WARNING MEANS THAT FLOODING IS OCCURRING OR IS
IMMINENT.  MOST FLASH FLOOD DEATHS OCCUR IN AUTOMOBILES.  DO NOT
ATTEMPT TO CROSS BRIDGES...DIPS...OR LOW SPOTS IF WAT`ER COVERS
THE ROADWAY.  NEVER TRY TO CROSS A FLOWING STREAM...EVEN A SMALL
ONE...ON FOOT.  TO ESCAPE RISING WATER MOVE UP TO HIGHER GROUND.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this flash flood warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 2, 6:45 PM EDT, 4 hours 15 minutes before

NEW YORK STATEWIDE POLICE INFORMATION NETWORK
TROOP G
0645PM EDT SAT MAY 02 1992
GRSO WLSR APTS
01270    FILE 28   RENSSELAER COUNTY SHERIFF NY0410000     MAY 02-92
TO       NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE                    ADDED INFO

REF 01269 FILE 28 05/02/92 RE: TORNADO REPORT
                          FUNNEL CLOUD SIGHTING
NAME AND ADDRESS OF PERSON(S) REPORTING FUNNEL CLOUD(S):
MURRY SAUNDERS  STATE RT 22 CHERRY PLAIN

LOCATION OF FUNNEL CLOUD: STATE RT 22 NORTH CHERRY PLAIN HIGH SCHOOL
MILITARY TIME AND DATE FUNNEL CLOUD WAS SIGHTED: 1800 HRS 2 MAY'92
DIRECTION OF FUNNEL CLOUD MOVEMENT: NORTH ALONG STATE ROUTE 22
DESCRIPTION OF FUNNEL CLOUD: BLACK CLOUD ROTATING MOTION

DAMAGE REPORTED TO (CHECK): ( )-CROPS       ( )-FARM BLDGS
(*)-POWER/TELCO LINES (*)-POWER/TELCO POLES (*)-SMALL TREES
(*)-LARGE TREES       (*)-PRIVATE HOMES     ( )-COMM. BLDGS
( )-OTHER (SPECIFY)
NUMBER OF FATALITIES: 0          NUMBER OF INJURED: 0
REMARKS: DAMAGE TO NUMEROUS HOMES ONE HOUSE MOVED OFF OF FOUNDATION
ALSO GARAGE BLOWN ABOUT 200 YARDS ACROSS STATE ROUTE 22

AUTH PHONE #: 518 270-5252
AUTH LT ROBERT S ECKERT JR          BURT JR       6:45 PM

Local storm report, May 2, 6:51 PM EDT, 4 hours 9 minutes before

NEW YORK STATEWIDE POLICE INFORMATION NETWORK
TROOP C
0651PM EDT SAT MAY 02 1992
CCSO WLSR APTS
00564    FILE 28   CHENANGO CO SO NORWICH NY0080000  MAY 02-92
TO       NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
                          TORNADO REPORT
CHECK ONE OR MORE AS APPROPRIATE:
(X) - REPORT BASED UPON DAMAGE
(X) - FUNNEL CLOUD ACTUALLY SIGHTED (SEND ADDED INFO MESSAGE)
( ) - WATER SPOUT ACTUALLY SIGHTED (SEND ADDED INFO MESSAGE)
LOCATION (INCLUDING TOWN AND NEAREST ROAD): VILLAGE OF SHERBURNE EAST
STATE ST
NAME AND ADDRESS OF PERSON(S) REPORTING TORNADO(S): JEROME ULATOWSKI
63 EAST STATE STREET SHERBURNE

DATE AND TIME OF TORNADO TOUCHDOWN: 05-02-92 16:31
PLACE OF TORNADO TOUCHDOWN: BEHIND THE WILLIAM HODGES RESIDENCE
DIRECTION OF TORNADO TRAVEL: FROM THE NORTH TO THE SOUTH/SOUTH WEST
ESTIMATED WIDTH OF TORNADO AT GROUND: UNKOWN
ESTIMATED LENGTH OF TORNADO PATH: 2 TO 3 MILES
PLACE OF TORNADO LIFTOFF: NEAR THE REXFORD FALLS AREA STATE RTE 80
DAMAGE REPORTED TO (CHECK): ( )-CROPS       (X)-FARM BLDGS
(X)-POWER/TELCO LINES ( )-POWER/TELCO POLES ( )-SMALL TREES
(X)-LARGE TREES       ( )-PRIVATE HOMES     (X)-COMM. BLDGS
( )-OTHER (SPECIFY)
NUMBER OF FATALITIES: 0          NUMBER OF INJURED: 0
REMARKS: THE REPORTED FUNNELS (2) WERE BACK TO BACK AND DID NOT REMAIN
ON THE GROUND FOR A LONG RANGE OR TIME APPROX 2-3 MIN 2-3 MILES

AUTH PHONE #: 607 334-2000
AUTH SGT GERALD PITTSLEY            H GALE        6:50PM

Local storm report, May 2, 7:19 PM EDT, 3 hours 41 minutes before

NEW YORK STATEWIDE POLICE INFORMATION NETWORK
TROOP D
0719PM EDT SAT MAY 02 1992
DHQT WLSR APTS
03442        FILE 28   SP ONEIDA NY1260100           MAY 2-92
TO           NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
                   THUNDERSTORM/HIGH WIND

LOCATION (INCLUDING TOWN AND NEAREST ROAD): ONONDAGA, MADISON, ONEIDA,
                                            AND HERKIMER COUNTIES
DATE AND TIME CONDITION STARTED: 6-30PM
EXTENT OF DAMAGE OR AREAS IN DANGER: ALL ABOVE

CHECK ONE:
HAIL SIZE REPORTED
(X) - NO HAIL REPORTED    ( ) - LESS THAN 1/2" (PEA)
( ) - 1/2" (MARBLE)       ( ) - 1/2" TO 3/4" (PENNY)
( ) - 3/4" TO 1" (DIME)   ( ) - 1.25" (HALF DOLLAR)
( ) - 1.50" (WALNUT)      ( ) - 1.75" (GOLFBALL)
( ) - 2.00" (HENS EGG)    ( ) - 2.50" (TENNISBALL)
( ) - 2.75" (BASEBALL)    ( ) - 3.00" (TEA CUP)
( ) - 4.00" (GRAPEFRUIT)  ( ) - 4.50" (SOFTBALL)
NUMBER KILLED: 0        NUMBER INJURED: 0

CHECK ONE OR MORE AS APPLICABLE:
LIGHTNING REPORTED AS ( ) - CLOUD TO CLOUD  (X) - CLOUD TO GROUND
LIGHTNING DAMAGE TO:            (X) - TREES
(X) - POWER/TELCO POLES   (X) - POWER/TELCO LINES
( ) - COMM. BUILDINGS     ( ) - PRIVATE HOMES
( ) - OUT/FARM BUILDINGS  ( ) - CROPS
NUMBER KILLED: 0        NUMBER INJURED: 0

CHECK ONE OR MORE AS APPLICABLE:
HIGH WIND/T'STORM WIND DAMAGE   ( ) - CROPS
( ) - SMALL TREES/SHRUBS  ( ) - LARGE TREES
( ) - COMM. BUILDINGS     ( ) - PRIVATE HOMES
( ) - OUT/FARM BUILDINGS  ( ) - POWER/TELCO POLES
( ) - POWER/TELCO LINES

RELIABLE WIND SPEED REPORTS:     MPH OR    KNOTS
NUMBER KILLED: 0        NUMBER INJURED: 0

FLOODING (IF EXTENSIVE, SEND SEPARATE FLOOD MESSAGE FROM MENU)
(X) - STORM SEWER OVERFLOWS, UNDERPASSES, STREET FLOODING
( ) - LOCAL SMALL CREEKS OVERFLOWING
( ) - STREAMS AND LARGE CREEKS FLOODING (COMPLETE REMARKS W/DAMAGE

REMARKS:

AUTH PHONE #: 351 363-4400
AUTH T/SGT DAVID L BERGSTROM        KAISER        7-17PM

Local storm report, May 2, 7:35 PM EDT, 3 hours 25 minutes before

NEW YORK STATEWIDE POLICE INFORMATION NETWORK
TROOP C
0735PM EDT SAT MAY 02 1992
COSO WLSR APTS
01608    FILE 28   OTSEGO CO SO COOP    NY0380000    MAY 02-92
TO           NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
                   THUNDERSTORM

DETAILS CONCERNING EVENT: SEVERE WINDS RAIN, PEA SIZED HAIL, POSS TORNADO

LOCATION (INCLUDING TOWN AND NEAREST ROAD): ALL OF COUNTY

DATE AND TIME CONDITION STARTED: 050292  1625 HRS
DATE AND TIME CONDITION ENDED: UNKNOWN
EXTENT OF DAMAGE OR AREAS IN DANGER: UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME

NUMBER KILLED: 000000   NUMBER INJURED: 000000
REMARKS: COMPLETE REPORT TO FOLLOW

AUTH PHONE #: 6067 547-4273
AUTH UNDERSHERIFF DONALD R MUNDY             MANN     734PM

Special weather statement, May 2, 8:28 PM EDT, 2 hours 32 minutes before

NYZ007>010-012-013-018>020-VTZ004-MAZ010-030200-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBANY NY
830 PM EDT SAT MAY 2 1992

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM EDT
FOR FOR HERKIMER...FULTON...MONTGOMERY...SCHOHARIE AND SULLIVAN
COUNTIES...

AT 815 PM SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS...SOME WITH VERY HEAVY RAIN...
WERE OVER MUCH OF THE UPPER HUDSON VALLEY...MOHAWK VALLEY...SOUTHERN
ADIRONDACKS AND SOUTHERN VERMONT. THEY WERE NUMEROUS BETWEEN
ELIZABETHTOWN...BRATTLEBORO...AND ONEONTA. THUNDERSTORMS...WITH HEAVY
RAIN...WERE BETWEEN SARATOGA SPRINGS AND COBLESKILL...NEAR STILLWATER
AND BOLTON LANDING...AND OVER SOUTHERN BENNINGTON COUNTY...BETWEEN ARLINGTON
AND READSBORO.

STORMS IN THE WATCH AREA MAY CONTAIN DAMAGING WINDS AND HAIL AND FREQUENT
LIGHTNING...SO IF THREATENING WEATHER APPROACHES...SEEK SHELTER IN A STURDY
BUILDING AND WAIT FOR THE STORMS TO PASS.

THE STORMS...WITH HEAVY RAIN...WILL BE BETWEEN TROY AND
COXSACKIE AROUND 845 PM.

QUINLAN

Local storm report, May 2, 9:33 PM EDT, 1 hour 27 minutes before

NEW YORK STATEWIDE POLICE INFORMATION NETWORK
TROOP E
0933PM EDT SAT MAY 02 1992
EYSO WLSR APTS
01671        FILE 28   YATES CO SO NY0610000         MAY 2-92
TO           NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
                   THUNDERSTORM/HIGH WIND

LOCATION (INCLUDING TOWN AND NEAREST ROAD): YATES COUNTY AND MANY CO
ROADS
DATE AND TIME CONDITION STARTED: 6-30PM DATE
EXTENT OF DAMAGE OR AREAS IN DANGER: FLASH FLOOD ON THE SAND HILL RD
IN THE T/JERUSALEM MAKING IT ENTIRELY IMPASSABLE  MANY OTHER ROADS
EXPERIENCED FLOODING MAKING TRAVELING HAZARDOUS AND SPREADING DEBRIS
FROM OVER FLOWING DITCHES
CHECK ONE:
HAIL SIZE REPORTED
( ) - NO HAIL REPORTED    (X) - LESS THAN 1/2" (PEA)
( ) - 1/2" (MARBLE)       ( ) - 1/2" TO 3/4" (PENNY)
( ) - 3/4" TO 1" (DIME)   ( ) - 1.25" (HALF DOLLAR)
( ) - 1.50" (WALNUT)      ( ) - 1.75" (GOLFBALL)
( ) - 2.00" (HENS EGG)    ( ) - 2.50" (TENNISBALL)
( ) - 2.75" (BASEBALL)    ( ) - 3.00" (TEA CUP)
( ) - 4.00" (GRAPEFRUIT)  ( ) - 4.50" (SOFTBALL)
NUMBER KILLED: 0        NUMBER INJURED: 0

CHECK ONE OR MORE AS APPLICABLE:
LIGHTNING REPORTED AS (X) - CLOUD TO CLOUD  (X) - CLOUD TO GROUND
LIGHTNING DAMAGE TO:            (X) - TREES
(X) - POWER/TELCO POLES   (X) - POWER/TELCO LINES
(X) - COMM. BUILDINGS     ( ) - PRIVATE HOMES
( ) - OUT/FARM BUILDINGS  ( ) - CROPS
NUMBER KILLED: 0        NUMBER INJURED: 0

CHECK ONE OR MORE AS APPLICABLE:
HIGH WIND/T'STORM WIND DAMAGE   ( ) - CROPS
(X) - SMALL TREES/SHRUBS  (X) - LARGE TREES
( ) - COMM. BUILDINGS     ( ) - PRIVATE HOMES
( ) - OUT/FARM BUILDINGS  (X) - POWER/TELCO POLES
( ) - POWER/TELCO LINES

RELIABLE WIND SPEED REPORTS:     MPH OR    KNOTS
NUMBER KILLED: 0        NUMBER INJURED: 0

FLOODING (IF EXTENSIVE, SEND SEPARATE FLOOD MESSAGE FROM MENU)
(X) - STORM SEWER OVERFLOWS, UNDERPASSES, STREET FLOODING
(X) - LOCAL SMALL CREEKS OVERFLOWING
(X) - STREAMS AND LARGE CREEKS FLOODING (COMPLETE REMARKS W/DAMAGE

REMARKS: BASEMENT OF HOMES FLOODED,BUSINESSES,RUINED ROAD

AUTH PHONE #: 315 536-4438
AUTH SHERIFF RONALD G SPIKE         PARMELEE      9-30PM

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Massachusetts, 1992 Every flash flood warning in 1992

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive.