Alert archive / Florida / Flash Flood Warnings in 2008

Flash Flood Warning 24, NWS Mobile, AL

October 7, 2008Escambia County, Florida; Baldwin County, Alabama

NWS Mobile, AL issued this flash flood warning at Oct 7, 2008, 4:46 AM CDT for Escambia County, Florida; Baldwin County, Alabama. It was in force for 5 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Oct 7, 2008, 4:46 AM CDT (09:46 UTC)
Expired
Oct 7, 2008, 9:30 AM CDT
In force
5 hr
Issued by
NWS Mobile, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Baldwin County, AL, Escambia County, FL

The radar

The Mobile radar (KMOB), 81 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 09:48 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Eglin AFB/Valpar, FL (KVPS), launched 00:00Z, 9.8 hours before the alert went out and 96 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-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Eglin AFB/Valpar, FL at 00:00Z on 2008-10-07Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1238 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Eglin AFB/Valpar, FL at 00:00Z on 2008-10-07The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -19 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
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
1238 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-32 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
925 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
2 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-19 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
52 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

000 
WGUS54 KMOB 070946
FFWMOB
ALC003-FLC033-071130-
/O.NEW.KMOB.FF.W.0024.081007T0946Z-081007T1130Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
446 AM CDT TUE OCT 7 2008

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MOBILE HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
  SOUTH CENTRAL ESCAMBIA COUNTY IN NORTHWEST FLORIDA...
  SOUTHEASTERN BALDWIN COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST ALABAMA...

* UNTIL 630 AM CDT

* AT 435 AM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED   
  VERY HEAVY RAIN FROM CLUSTERS OF THUNDERSTORMS IMPACTING 
  SOUTHERN AND SOUTHWEST ESCAMBIA COUNTY FLORIDA AND SOUTHEAST 
  BALDWIN COUNTY IN ALABAMA.

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO OAK...
  MIFLIN...MAGNOLIA SPRINGS...LILLIAN...FOLEY...ELBERTA...BON SECOUR
  AND JOHNSONS BEACH

LATEST OBSERVATIONS INDICATE THAT AREAS NEAR PERDIDO...WESTWARD TO GULFSHORES
HAS EXPERIENCED EXCESSIVE RAINFALL TO NEAR 4 INCHES SINCE MIDNIGHT AS CLUSTERS 
OF THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUE TO GENERATE OFF THE COAST AND MOVE SLOWLY NORTHWARD.  

ADDITIONAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 2 TO 4 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE IN THE WARNED AREA.

BE ESPECIALLY CAUTIOUS AT NIGHT WHEN IT IS HARDER TO RECOGNIZE THE
DANGERS OF FLOODING. IF FLASH FLOODING IS OBSERVED...ACT QUICKLY. MOVE
UP TO HIGHER GROUND TO ESCAPE FLOOD WATERS. DO NOT STAY IN AREAS
SUBJECT TO FLOODING WHEN WATER BEGINS RISING.

A FLASH FLOOD WARNING MEANS THAT FLOODING IS IMMINENT OR OCCURRING.
IF YOU ARE IN THE WARNING AREA MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND IMMEDIATELY.
RESIDENTS LIVING ALONG STREAMS AND CREEKS SHOULD TAKE IMMEDIATE 
PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY. LOWER LYING ROADWAYS THAT 
ARE SUBJECT TO FLOODING DURING HEAVY RAIN EVENTS COULD EXPERIENCE 
RAPID WATER FLOWING OVER THEM. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS
SWIFTLY FLOWING WATERS OR WATERS OF UNKNOWN DEPTH BY FOOT OR BY 
AUTOMOBILE. 

TO REPORT FLOODING...HAVE THE NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY RELAY
YOUR REPORT TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST OFFICE IN
MOBILE.

LAT...LON 3042 8780 3043 8755 3043 8738 3036 8730
      3034 8731 3034 8730 3035 8728 3033 8727
      3028 8753 3029 8754 3027 8756 3024 8774

$$

10
2 follow-up statements
000 
WGUS74 KMOB 071101
FFSMOB

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
601 AM CDT TUE OCT 7 2008

ALC003-FLC033-071130-
/O.CON.KMOB.FF.W.0024.000000T0000Z-081007T1130Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BALDWIN AL-ESCAMBIA FL-
601 AM CDT TUE OCT 7 2008

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 630 AM CDT FOR SOUTH
CENTRAL ESCAMBIA AND SOUTHEASTERN BALDWIN COUNTIES...

AT 600 AM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A LARGE CLUSTER OF THUNDERSTORMS THAT CONTINUE TO PERSIST FROM THE 
COAST OF BALDWIN COUNTY ALABAMA AND OUT INTO THE GULF ABOUT 15 MILES.
EXCESSIVE RAINS ARE FORECAST TO CONTINUE OVER THE WARNING AREA THIS MORNING. 
LATEST OBSERVATIONS FROM MESONET SITES NEAR GULF SHORES ALABAMA 
INDICATES THAT 7 TO 8 INCHES OF RAIN HAS FALLEN SINCE MIDNIGHT. 
THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF NUMEROUS WATER COVERED ROADWAYS OVER 
SOUTHERN BALDWIN COUNTY.    

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO 
MIFLIN...MAGNOLIA SPRINGS...LILLIAN...FOLEY AND ELBERTA

ADDITIONAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 2 TO 3 INCHES OF RAIN IS POSSIBLE IN 
THE WARNING AREA THROUGH 630 AM. DUE TO RADAR TRENDS...THE WARNING 
WILL LIKELY BE EXTENDED AT 630 AM.  

DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO AREAS WHERE THE WATER COVERS THE
ROADWAY. THE WATER DEPTH MAY BE TOO GREAT TO ALLOW YOUR CAR TO CROSS
SAFELY. MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND.

MOST FLOOD DEATHS OCCUR IN AUTOMOBILES. NEVER DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO
AREAS WHERE THE WATER COVERS THE ROADWAY. FLOOD WATERS ARE USUALLY
DEEPER THAN THEY APPEAR. JUST ONE FOOT OF FLOWING WATER IS POWERFUL
ENOUGH TO SWEEP VEHICLES OFF THE ROAD. WHEN ENCOUNTERING FLOODED
ROADS MAKE THE SMART CHOICE...TURN AROUND...DONT DROWN.

A FLASH FLOOD WARNING MEANS THAT FLOODING IS IMMINENT OR OCCURRING.
IF YOU ARE IN THE WARNING AREA MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND IMMEDIATELY.
RESIDENTS LIVING ALONG STREAMS AND CREEKS SHOULD TAKE IMMEDIATE
PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS
SWIFTLY FLOWING WATERS OR WATERS OF UNKNOWN DEPTH BY FOOT OR BY
AUTOMOBILE.

TO REPORT FLOODING...HAVE THE NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY RELAY
YOUR REPORT TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST OFFICE IN
MOBILE.

LAT...LON 3042 8780 3043 8755 3043 8738 3036 8730
      3034 8731 3034 8730 3035 8728 3033 8727
      3028 8753 3029 8754 3027 8756 3024 8774

$$

10
000 
WGUS54 KMOB 071130
FFWMOB
ALC003-FLC033-071430-
/O.EXT.KMOB.FF.W.0024.000000T0000Z-081007T1430Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
630 AM CDT TUE OCT 7 2008

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MOBILE HAS EXTENDED THE

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
  SOUTH CENTRAL ESCAMBIA COUNTY IN NORTHWEST FLORIDA...
  SOUTHEASTERN BALDWIN COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST ALABAMA...

* UNTIL 930 AM CDT

* AT 618 AM CDT...LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS REPORTED MOST 
ROADS IN GULF SHORES WERE FLOODED WITH WATER OVER THE ROADS UP 
HIGHWAY 59 TO COUNTY ROAD 6.  THE RAIN STARTED AROUND 1 AM AND 
REPORTS FROM UNOFFICIAL BUT RELIABLE RAINFALL SENSORS WERE NEAR 8 
INCHES/7.98/ AT THE GULF SHORES FIRE STATION NUMBER 1 AND AROUND 5 
AND THREE QUARTERS/5.78/ NEAR THE BEACH IN PENSACOLA. 

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO MIFLIN...
  MAGNOLIA SPRINGS...LILLIAN...FOLEY AND ELBERTA

ADDITIONAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 2 TO 3 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE IN THE 
WARNED AREA.

DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO AREAS WHERE THE WATER COVERS THE
ROADWAY. THE WATER DEPTH MAY BE TOO GREAT TO ALLOW YOUR CAR TO CROSS
SAFELY. MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND.

MOST FLOOD DEATHS OCCUR IN AUTOMOBILES. NEVER DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO
AREAS WHERE THE WATER COVERS THE ROADWAY. FLOOD WATERS ARE USUALLY
DEEPER THAN THEY APPEAR. JUST ONE FOOT OF FLOWING WATER IS POWERFUL
ENOUGH TO SWEEP VEHICLES OFF THE ROAD. WHEN ENCOUNTERING FLOODED
ROADS MAKE THE SMART CHOICE...TURN AROUND...DONT DROWN.

A FLASH FLOOD WARNING MEANS THAT FLOODING IS IMMINENT OR OCCURRING.
IF YOU ARE IN THE WARNING AREA MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND IMMEDIATELY.
RESIDENTS LIVING ALONG STREAMS AND CREEKS SHOULD TAKE IMMEDIATE
PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS
SWIFTLY FLOWING WATERS OR WATERS OF UNKNOWN DEPTH BY FOOT OR BY
AUTOMOBILE.

TO REPORT FLOODING...HAVE THE NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY RELAY
YOUR REPORT TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST OFFICE IN
MOBILE.

LAT...LON 3042 8780 3043 8755 3043 8738 3036 8730
      3034 8731 3034 8730 3035 8728 3033 8727
      3028 8753 3029 8754 3027 8756 3024 8774

$$

The office that day

Everything else NWS Mobile, AL issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Oct 7, 4:01 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryMOBEscambia119 min
Oct 7, 12:22 AM CDTMarine Weather StatementMOB98 min
Oct 7, 12:30 AM CDTSpecial Marine WarningMOB90 min
Oct 7, 3:03 AM CDTTornado WarningMOBBaldwin27 min
Oct 7, 3:06 AM CDTSpecial Marine WarningMOB54 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Florida, 2008Flash Flood Warnings in Alabama, 2008Every flash flood warning in 2008

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; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.