Alert archive / North Carolina / Flash Flood Warnings in 2011

Flash Flood Warning 4, NWS Blacksburg, VA

April 16, 2011Watauga County, North Carolina

NWS Blacksburg, VA issued this flash flood warning at Apr 16, 2011, 5:13 AM EDT for Watauga County, North Carolina. It was in force for 9 hr. 6 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued: Apr 16, 2011, 5:13 AM EDT (09:13 UTC)
Expired: Apr 16, 2011, 2:05 PM EDT
In force: 9 hr
Issued by: NWS Blacksburg, VA
Area: Storm-based polygon
Flood severity: None

County Watauga County, NC

The radar

The Knoxville radar (KMRX), 153 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 09:14 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.

What was reported inside it

Time	Report	Where	Remark
Apr 16, 7:05 AM EDT	FLASH FLOOD	5 Nne Blowing Rock, NC	18 INCHES ON ROAD.
Apr 16, 7:05 AM EDT	FLASH FLOOD	5 Nne Blowing Rock, NC	BOONE AIRPORT
Apr 16, 7:05 AM EDT	FLASH FLOOD	6 W Boone, NC	STATE ROAD 194 AT WATAGUA RIVER
Apr 16, 7:05 AM EDT	FLASH FLOOD	6 W Boone, NC	AT LEAST 12 INCHES OF WATER OVER DEWITT BARNETT ROAD. WATAUGA RIVER OUT OF BANKS.
Apr 16, 10:30 AM EDT	FLASH FLOOD	4 Nne Blowing Rock, NC	MUDSLIDE REPORTED ON NILEY COOK ROAD
Apr 16, 10:30 AM EDT	FLASH FLOOD	5 Nne Blowing Rock, NC	MUDSLIDE REPORTED ON FAIRWAY DRIVE

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The nearest sounding before it

Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC (KGSO), launched 00:00Z, 9.2 hours before the alert went out and 162 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: 2387 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 46 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 64 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 228 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.

493 
WGUS51 KRNK 160913
FFWRNK
NCC189-161515-
/O.NEW.KRNK.FF.W.0004.110416T0913Z-110416T1515Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
513 AM EDT SAT APR 16 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BLACKSBURG HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
  WATAUGA COUNTY IN NORTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA

* UNTIL 1115 AM EDT.

* AT 504 AM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED   
  HEAVY RAIN OVER THE WARNED AREA.

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO VALLE
  CRUCIS...TODD...SUGAR GROVE...SANDS...RUTHERWOOD...ROMINGER...
  LOVILL...DEEP GAP...BOONE AND BEECH MOUNTAIN.

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. THE WATAUGA RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES BETWEEN FOSCOE AND BOONE ARE OF GREATEST CONCERN FOR 
FLASH FLOODING.

EXCESSIVE RUNOFF FROM THESE STORMS WILL CAUSE FLASH FLOODING OF
CREEKS AND STREAMS...ROADS AND ROADSIDE CULVERTS. THE HEAVY RAIN
COULD ALSO CAUSE ROCK AND MUDSLIDES.

PLEASE RELAY ANY REPORTS OF FLOODING INCLUDING MUDSLIDES...OR ROAD
CLOSURES TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BLACKSBURG BY CALLING
TOLL FREE...1...8 6 6...2 1 5...4 3 2 4. DELAYED REPORTS ARE WELCOME.

&&

LAT...LON 3627 8184 3626 8169 3630 8160 3628 8157
      3624 8147 3621 8146 3614 8150 3611 8155
      3612 8171 3611 8181 3616 8183 3619 8186
      3619 8189 3620 8190

$$

DS

5 follow-up statements

524 
WGUS71 KRNK 161201
FFSRNK

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
801 AM EDT SAT APR 16 2011

NCC189-161515-
/O.CON.KRNK.FF.W.0004.000000T0000Z-110416T1515Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
WATAUGA NC-
801 AM EDT SAT APR 16 2011

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1115 AM EDT FOR
WATAUGA COUNTY...

AT 755 AM EDT...LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS REPORTED FLASH 
FLOODING NEAR THE BOONE AIRPORT...AND ALONG STATE ROAD 194 AT THE 
WATAUGA RIVER.

ADDITIONAL HEAVIER SHOWERS AND PERHAPS A THUNDERSTORM WILL KEEP THE 
FLASH FLOOD THREAT GOING.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO VALLE 
CRUCIS...SUGAR GROVE...RUTHERWOOD...BLOWING ROCK AND BOONE. IN 
ADDITION...THE WATAUGA RIVER IS EXPECTED TO FLOOD...SO THOSE LIVING 
ALONG IT...NEED TO TAKE ACTION IF FLOOD WATERS THREATEN.

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.

PLEASE RELAY ANY REPORTS OF FLOODING INCLUDING MUDSLIDES...OR ROAD
CLOSURES TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BLACKSBURG BY CALLING
TOLL FREE...1...8 6 6...2 1 5...4 3 2 4. DELAYED REPORTS ARE WELCOME.

&&

LAT...LON 3627 8184 3626 8169 3630 8160 3628 8157
      3624 8147 3621 8146 3614 8150 3611 8155
      3612 8171 3611 8181 3616 8183 3619 8186
      3619 8189 3620 8190

$$

WP

661 
WGUS71 KRNK 161302
FFSRNK

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
902 AM EDT SAT APR 16 2011

NCC189-161515-
/O.CON.KRNK.FF.W.0004.000000T0000Z-110416T1515Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
WATAUGA NC-
902 AM EDT SAT APR 16 2011

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1115 AM EDT FOR
WATAUGA COUNTY...

AT 850 AM EDT...THE PUBLIC REPORTED THAT THE WATAUGA RIVER NEAR 
VALLE CRUCIS WAS FLOODING. WEATHER RADAR INDICATES THAT SHOWERS ARE 
GOING TO BECOME HEAVY AT TIMES AGAIN AS THEY MOVE FROM SOUTH TO 
NORTH ACROSS THE COUNTY. THIS WILL CONTINUE THE FLASH FLOOD 
THREAT...ESPECIALLY ALONG THE WATAUGA RIVER...AND TRIBUTARIES 
RUNNING INTO THE NEW RIVER. SMALLER CREEKS SUCH AS KRAUT CREEK NEAR 
THE BOONE MALL IS ALSO EXPECTED TO FLOOD. MUDSLIDES MAY BECOME AN 
ISSUE IN STEEPER TERRAIN.

SOME LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE VALLE CRUCIS...SUGAR 
GROVE...ROMINGER...BOONE AND BLOWING ROCK.

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.

FLOOD WATERS ARE MOVING DOWN THE WATAUGA RIVER FROM VALLE CRUCIS TO 
SUGAR GROVE. 

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.

PLEASE RELAY ANY REPORTS OF FLOODING INCLUDING MUDSLIDES...OR ROAD
CLOSURES TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BLACKSBURG BY CALLING
TOLL FREE...1...8 6 6...2 1 5...4 3 2 4. DELAYED REPORTS ARE WELCOME.

&&

LAT...LON 3627 8184 3626 8169 3630 8160 3628 8157
      3624 8147 3621 8146 3614 8150 3611 8155
      3612 8171 3611 8181 3616 8183 3619 8186
      3619 8189 3620 8190

$$

WP

365 
WGUS51 KRNK 161440
FFWRNK
NCC189-161815-
/O.EXT.KRNK.FF.W.0004.000000T0000Z-110416T1815Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
1040 AM EDT SAT APR 16 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BLACKSBURG HAS EXTENDED THE

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
  WATAUGA COUNTY IN NORTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA

* UNTIL 215 PM EDT.

* AT 1028 AM EDT...THE PUBLIC REPORTED FLASH FLOODING ACROSS THE     
  BOONE AREA. A MUDSLIDE WAS REPORTED ALONG FAIRWAY DRIVE...AND THE  
  WATAUGA RIVER CONTINUES TO BE OUT OF ITS BANKS FROM FOSCOE TO      
  SUGAR GROVE. ALSO...THE BOONE MALL PARKING LOT ALONG KRAUT CREEK   
  IS FLOODED. HEAVIER SHOWERS WILL PERSIST UNTIL EARLY AFTERNOON 
  UNTIL THE COLD FRONT MOVES THROUGH. AN ADDITIONAL ONE TO TWO       
  INCHES IS POSSIBLE. WE HAVE ALREADY GOTTEN RAIN GAGE REPORTS IN    
  WATAUGA COUNTY OF OVER 5 INCHES SINCE THE RAIN STARTED EARLY THIS  
  MORNING.

* LOCATIONS THAT WILL CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE FLASH FLOODING INCLUDE
  AREAS ALONG THE WATAUGA RIVER AND PORTIONS OF THE SOUTH FORK OF THE
  NEW RIVER...KRAUT CREEK IN BOONE...AND AREAS CLOSE TO THE BLUE 
  RIDGE.
  

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

MOST FLOOD DEATHS OCCUR IN AUTOMOBILES. NEVER DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO
AREAS WHERE THE WATER COVERS THE ROADWAY. WHEN ENCOUNTERING FLOODED
ROADS MAKE THE SMART CHOICE...TURN AROUND...DONT DROWN.

EXCESSIVE RUNOFF WILL CAUSE FLASH FLOODING OF
CREEKS AND STREAMS...ROADS AND ROADSIDE CULVERTS. THE HEAVY RAIN
COULD ALSO CAUSE MORE ROCK AND MUDSLIDES.

PLEASE RELAY ANY REPORTS OF FLOODING INCLUDING MUDSLIDES...OR ROAD
CLOSURES TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BLACKSBURG BY CALLING
TOLL FREE...1...8 6 6...2 1 5...4 3 2 4. DELAYED REPORTS ARE WELCOME.

&&

LAT...LON 3627 8184 3626 8169 3630 8160 3628 8157
      3624 8147 3621 8146 3614 8150 3611 8155
      3612 8171 3611 8181 3616 8183 3619 8186
      3619 8189 3620 8190

$$

WP

241 
WGUS71 KRNK 161603
FFSRNK

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
1203 PM EDT SAT APR 16 2011

NCC189-161815-
/O.CON.KRNK.FF.W.0004.000000T0000Z-110416T1815Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
WATAUGA NC-
1203 PM EDT SAT APR 16 2011

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 215 PM EDT FOR
WATAUGA COUNTY...

AT 1156 AM EDT...HEAVIER RAINFALL HAS DIMINISHED ACROSS THE COUNTY 
BUT RUNOFF FROM THE HEAVY RAINFALL CONTINUES ACROSS PARTS OF THE 
WARNED AREA. PARTS OF THE AREA HAVE RECEIVED OVER 5 INCHES OF RAIN 
SINCE LATE LAST NIGHT. 

SEVERAL ROADS HAVE BEEN REPORTED UNDERWATER LATE THIS MORNING ACROSS
PARTS OF WATAUGA COUNTY INCLUDING DEERFIELD ROAD AND WATAUGA RIVER 
ROAD. THE WATAUGA RIVER NEAR SUGAR GROVE STREAM GAGE IS REPORTING 
11.2 FEET AS OF 11 AM AND STILL RISING. THIS IS WELL ABOVE THE 
ACTION STAGE OF 5 FEET.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO VALLE
CRUCIS...TODD...SUGAR GROVE...SANDS...RUTHERWOOD...ROMINGER...
LOVILL...DEEP GAP...BOONE AND BEECH MOUNTAIN

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3627 8184 3626 8169 3630 8160 3628 8157
      3624 8147 3621 8146 3614 8150 3611 8155
      3612 8171 3611 8181 3616 8183 3619 8186
      3619 8189 3620 8190

$$



PC

390 
WGUS71 KRNK 161805
FFSRNK

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
205 PM EDT SAT APR 16 2011

NCC189-161815-
/O.CAN.KRNK.FF.W.0004.000000T0000Z-110416T1815Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
WATAUGA NC-
205 PM EDT SAT APR 16 2011

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING HAS BEEN CANCELLED FOR WATAUGA COUNTY...

FLASH FLOODING HAS ENDED OVER THE WARNED AREA...THUS THE FLASH FLOOD 
WARNING HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

LAT...LON 3627 8184 3626 8169 3630 8160 3628 8157
      3624 8147 3621 8146 3614 8150 3611 8155
      3612 8171 3611 8181 3616 8183 3619 8186
      3619 8189 3620 8190

$$

PC

The office that day

Everything else NWS Blacksburg, VA issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Apr 16, 9:35 AM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	RNK	Alleghany, Ashe, Wilkes	5 hr
Apr 16, 9:58 AM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Ashe	32 min
Apr 16, 11:38 AM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Surry	67 min
Apr 16, 1:51 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Caswell, Rockingham	69 min
Apr 16, 1:57 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	RNK	Caswell, Rockingham	48 min
Apr 16, 2:10 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	RNK	Caswell	35 min
Apr 16, 2:22 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	RNK	Caswell	3 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in North Carolina, 2011 Every flash flood warning in 2011

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.