Alert archive / New York / Flash Flood Warnings in 2009

Flash Flood Warning 24, NWS Buffalo, NY

August 11, 2009Cattaraugus County, Chautauqua County, New York

NWS Buffalo, NY issued this flash flood warning at Aug 11, 2009, 5:17 AM EDT for Cattaraugus County, Chautauqua County, New York. It was in force for 3 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: Aug 11, 2009, 5:17 AM EDT (09:17 UTC)
Expired: Aug 11, 2009, 8:15 AM EDT
In force: 3 hr
Issued by: NWS Buffalo, NY
Area: Storm-based polygon
Flood severity: None

Counties Cattaraugus County, NY, Chautauqua County, NY

The radar

The Buffalo radar (KBUF), 99 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 09:20 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

Buffalo Intl Airport, NY (KBUF), launched 00:00Z, 9.3 hours before the alert went out and 100 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: 844 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -23 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 1025 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 20 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: -33 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 32 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: -0.7

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

000 
WGUS51 KBUF 110917
FFWBUF
NYC009-013-111215-
/O.NEW.KBUF.FF.W.0024.090811T0917Z-090811T1215Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BUFFALO NY
517 AM EDT TUE AUG 11 2009

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BUFFALO HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
  EXTREME SOUTHWESTERN CATTARAUGUS COUNTY IN WESTERN NEW YORK...
  CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY IN WESTERN NEW YORK...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF...JAMESTOWN...FREDONIA...

* UNTIL 815 AM EDT

* AT 512 AM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED  
  AN AREA OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MOVING ACROSS SOUTHERN 
  CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY. UP TO ONE AND ONE HALF INCHES OF RAIN IS LIKELY 
  AS THE THUNDERSTORMS MOVE ACROSS THE AREA. ANOTHER COMPLEX OF 
  THUNDERSTORMS IS PRODUCING EVEN HEAVIER RAIN NEAR LONG POINT. THIS 
  RAIN WILL REACH CHAUTAUQUA AROUND 630 AM. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

EXCESSIVE RUNOFF FROM HEAVY RAINFALL WILL CAUSE FLOODING OF SMALL 
CREEKS AND STREAMS...HIGHWAYS AND UNDERPASSES. ADDITIONALLY...COUNTRY
ROADS AND FARMLANDS ALONG THE BANKS OF CREEKS...STREAMS AND OTHER LOW
LYING AREAS ARE SUBJECT TO FLOODING.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 4226 7977 4228 7975 4231 7966 4240 7949
      4246 7942 4245 7905 4199 7902 4200 7977

$$

TJP

3 follow-up statements

000 
WGUS71 KBUF 111010
FFSBUF

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BUFFALO NY
610 AM EDT TUE AUG 11 2009

NYC009-013-111215-
/O.CON.KBUF.FF.W.0024.000000T0000Z-090811T1215Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
CHAUTAUQUA NY-CATTARAUGUS NY-
610 AM EDT TUE AUG 11 2009

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 815 AM EDT FOR
EXTREME SOUTHWESTERN CATTARAUGUS AND CHAUTAUQUA COUNTIES...

AT 603 AM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO 
INDICATE AN AREA OF THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCING VERY HEAVY RAIN OVER 
LAKE ERIE. THESE STORMS WILL REACH THE CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY SHORE BY 
630 AM EDT...THEN TRACK TO THE SOUTHEAST AND CROSS RIPLEY, 
WESTFIELD, FINDLEY LAKE AND BEMUS POINT. RAINFALL RATES OF 1.5 TO 
2.0 INCHES PER HOUR ARE EXPECTED.   


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

EXCESSIVE RUNOFF FROM HEAVY RAINFALL WILL CAUSE FLOODING OF SMALL 
CREEKS AND STREAMS...HIGHWAYS AND UNDERPASSES. ADDITIONALLY...COUNTRY
ROADS AND FARMLANDS ALONG THE BANKS OF CREEKS...STREAMS AND OTHER LOW
LYING AREAS ARE SUBJECT TO FLOODING.

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.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 4226 7977 4228 7975 4231 7966 4240 7949
      4246 7942 4245 7905 4199 7902 4200 7977

$$

TJP

000 
WGUS71 KBUF 111149
FFSBUF

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BUFFALO NY
749 AM EDT TUE AUG 11 2009

NYC009-013-111215-
/O.CON.KBUF.FF.W.0024.000000T0000Z-090811T1215Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
CHAUTAUQUA NY-CATTARAUGUS NY-
749 AM EDT TUE AUG 11 2009

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 815 AM EDT FOR
EXTREME SOUTHWESTERN CATTARAUGUS AND CHAUTAUQUA COUNTIES...

AT 741 AM EDT...WHILE THE HEAVIEST RAIN OVER CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY HAS 
DIMINISHED...THUNDERSTORMS ARE STILL IMPACTING AN AREA EXTENDING 
FROM CLYMER TO FREWSBURG. UP TO AN INCH OF RAIN IS POSSIBLE AS  
STORMS MOVE THROUGH EASTERN CHAUTAUQUA AND SOUTHWEST CATTARAUGUS 
COUNTIES. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

EXCESSIVE RUNOFF FROM HEAVY RAINFALL WILL CAUSE FLOODING OF SMALL 
CREEKS AND STREAMS...HIGHWAYS AND UNDERPASSES. ADDITIONALLY...COUNTRY
ROADS AND FARMLANDS ALONG THE BANKS OF CREEKS...STREAMS AND OTHER LOW
LYING AREAS ARE SUBJECT TO FLOODING.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 4226 7977 4228 7975 4231 7966 4240 7949
      4246 7942 4245 7905 4199 7902 4200 7977

$$

TJP

000 
WGUS71 KBUF 111217
FFSBUF

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BUFFALO NY
817 AM EDT TUE AUG 11 2009

NYC009-013-111226-
/O.EXP.KBUF.FF.W.0024.000000T0000Z-090811T1215Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
CHAUTAUQUA NY-CATTARAUGUS NY-
817 AM EDT TUE AUG 11 2009

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING HAS EXPIRED FOR EXTREME SOUTHWESTERN
CATTARAUGUS AND CHAUTAUQUA COUNTIES...

AT 816 AM EDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADAR SHOWED THAT THE
THUNDERSTORM THAT PROMPTED THE WARNING HAD EXITED THE AREA...THUS THE
FLOOD WARNING HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO EXPIRE.

SMALL STREAMS AND LOW LYING AREAS WILL REMAIN HIGH TODAY FROM HEAVY 
RAINS OVER THE PAST SEVERAL DAYS. USE CAUTION AND NEVER DRIVE 
THROUGH A FLOODED ROADWAY. NEVER ALLOW CHILDREN TO PLAY IN OR NEAR 
FLOOD WATERS.

LAT...LON 4226 7977 4228 7975 4231 7966 4240 7949
      4246 7942 4245 7905 4199 7902 4200 7977

$$

HITCHCOCK

The office that day

Everything else NWS Buffalo, NY issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Aug 11, 5:25 AM EDT	Special Marine Warning	BUF		95 min
Aug 11, 2:20 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	BUF	Allegany, Cattaraugus	3 hr
Aug 11, 7:25 PM EDT	Special Marine Warning	BUF		83 min
Aug 11, 7:26 PM EDT	Special Marine Warning	BUF		94 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in New York, 2009 Every flash flood warning in 2009

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.