Alert archive / Virginia / Flash Flood Warnings in 2011

Flash Flood Warning 81, NWS Blacksburg, VA

September 6, 2011Carroll County, Grayson County, City of Galax, Virginia; Alleghany County, Surry County, Wilkes County, North Carolina

NWS Blacksburg, VA issued this flash flood warning at Sep 6, 2011, 12:17 AM EDT for Carroll County, Grayson County, City of Galax, Virginia; Alleghany County, Surry County, Wilkes County, North Carolina. It was in force for 6 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
Sep 6, 2011, 12:17 AM EDT (04:17 UTC)
Expired
Sep 6, 2011, 6:15 AM EDT
In force
6 hr
Issued by
NWS Blacksburg, VA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Alleghany County, NC, Surry County, NC, Wilkes County, NC, Carroll County, VA, City of Galax, VA, Grayson County, VA

The radar

The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 81 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 04:20 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

Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC (KGSO), launched 00:00Z, 4.3 hours before the alert went out and 115 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, Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC at 00:00Z on 2011-09-06Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1522 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, Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC at 00:00Z on 2011-09-06The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 209 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
1522 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-14 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
698 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
48 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
209 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
245 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
2.1
Supercell composite
9.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

643 
WGUS51 KRNK 060417
FFWRNK
NCC005-171-193-VAC035-077-640-061015-
/O.NEW.KRNK.FF.W.0081.110906T0417Z-110906T1015Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
1217 AM EDT TUE SEP 6 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BLACKSBURG HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
  ALLEGHANY COUNTY IN NORTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA
  NORTHWESTERN SURRY COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA
  NORTH CENTRAL WILKES COUNTY IN NORTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA
  CITY OF GALAX IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
  EASTERN GRAYSON COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
  CARROLL COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA

* UNTIL 615 AM EDT.

* AT 1211 AM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED
  VERY HEAVY RAIN FROM A THUNDERSTORM OVER THE WARNED AREA.

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO WOODLAWN...
  SYLVATUS...HILLSVILLE...GLADESBORO...GALAX HILLSVILLE AIRPORT...
  FRIES AND GALAX CITY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

FLOODING IS OCCURRING OR IS IMMINENT. MOST FLOOD RELATED DEATHS OCCUR
IN AUTOMOBILES. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS WATER COVERED BRIDGES...
DIPS...OR LOW WATER CROSSINGS. NEVER TRY TO CROSS A FLOWING STREAM...
EVEN A SMALL ONE...ON FOOT. TO ESCAPE RISING WATER MOVE UP TO HIGHER
GROUND.

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 3644 8127 3648 8132 3685 8084 3689 8071
      3676 8059 3635 8110

$$

16
2 follow-up statements
687 
WGUS71 KRNK 060619
FFSRNK

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
219 AM EDT TUE SEP 6 2011

NCC005-171-193-VAC035-077-640-061015-
/O.CON.KRNK.FF.W.0081.000000T0000Z-110906T1015Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
ALLEGHANY NC-SURRY NC-WILKES NC-CITY OF GALAX VA-GRAYSON VA-
CARROLL VA-
219 AM EDT TUE SEP 6 2011

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 615 AM EDT FOR THE
CITY OF GALAX... ALLEGHANY...NORTHWESTERN SURRY...NORTHERN WILKES...
EASTERN GRAYSON AND CARROLL COUNTIES...

AT 211 AM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO 
INDICATE BANDS OF MODERATE TO HEAVY RAIN MOVING OVER THE WARNED AREA.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO WOODLAWN...
SYLVATUS...PIPERS GAP...HILLSVILLE...GLADESBORO...GALAX HILLSVILLE
AIRPORT...FRIES AND GALAX CITY

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

ADDITIONAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF ONE TO TWO INCHES ARE POSSIBLE IN THE 
WARNED AREA. THIS WILL BE IN ADDITION TO THE FOUR TO SIX INCHES OF 
RAIN WHICH FELL EARLIER THIS EVENING.

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.

IN HILLY TERRAIN THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF LOW WATER CROSSINGS WHICH ARE
POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS IN HEAVY RAIN. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TRAVEL ACROSS
FLOODED ROADS. FIND ALTERNATE ROUTES. IT TAKES ONLY A FEW INCHES OF
SWIFTLY FLOWING WATER TO CARRY VEHICLES AWAY.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 AM EDT TUESDAY MORNING
FOR SOUTHWESTERN VIRGINIA.

&&

LAT...LON 3644 8127 3648 8132 3685 8084 3689 8071
      3676 8059 3635 8110

$$

16
688 
WGUS71 KRNK 061012
FFSRNK

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
612 AM EDT TUE SEP 6 2011

NCC005-171-193-VAC035-077-640-061020-
/O.EXP.KRNK.FF.W.0081.000000T0000Z-110906T1015Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
ALLEGHANY NC-SURRY NC-WILKES NC-CITY OF GALAX VA-GRAYSON VA-
CARROLL VA-
612 AM EDT TUE SEP 6 2011

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 615 AM EDT FOR THE CITY OF
GALAX... ALLEGHANY...NORTHWESTERN SURRY...NORTHERN WILKES...EASTERN
GRAYSON AND CARROLL COUNTIES...

FLASH FLOODING IS NOT EXPECTED AS HEAVIER RAINS HAVE ABATED.

HOWEVER...ACCORDING TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT THERE ARE A FEW LOW 
WATER BRIDGES STILL CLOSED IN ALLEGHANY COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA.

IF TRAVELING THIS MORNING BE ALERT TO PONDING OF WATER ON THE ROADS.

LAT...LON 3644 8127 3648 8132 3685 8084 3689 8071
      3676 8059 3635 8110

$$

WP

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Sep 5, 8:12 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKCraig, Giles, Montgomery, Roanoke33 min
Sep 5, 8:17 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKAmherst, Bedford, Franklin, City of Lynchburg28 min
Sep 5, 8:36 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKBedford39 min
Sep 5, 9:24 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKAmherst, City of Lynchburg36 min
Sep 5, 9:40 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKCarroll, Patrick45 min
Sep 5, 10:00 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKAppomattox, Buckingham, City of Lynchburg60 min
Sep 5, 10:03 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKCarroll, Patrick27 min
Sep 5, 10:09 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningRNKFloyd, Franklin, Roanoke6 hr
Sep 5, 10:19 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningRNKCarroll, Floyd, Patrick6 hr
Sep 5, 10:23 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKCampbell, City of Lynchburg67 min
Sep 5, 10:50 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKBuckingham25 min
Sep 5, 10:52 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningRNKBedford, Campbell, Franklin, City of Lynchburg6 hr
Sep 5, 11:04 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningRNKCarroll, Floyd, Franklin, Patrick6 hr
Sep 5, 11:22 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningRNKAmherst6 hr
Sep 5, 11:43 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKAmherst, Bedford, Buckingham, City of Lynchburg62 min
Sep 6, 12:51 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKAppomattox, Buckingham54 min
Sep 6, 1:10 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKAppomattox, Buckingham65 min
Sep 6, 3:30 AM EDTAreal Flood WarningRNKAlleghany, Amherst, Bath, Bedford, Botetourt, Craig and 7 more18 hr
Sep 6, 3:38 AM EDTAreal Flood WarningRNKCarroll, Floyd, Franklin, Giles, Grayson, Montgomery and 5 more18 hr
Sep 6, 3:39 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKAppomattox, Bedford, Campbell, Franklin, Pittsylvania, City of Lynchburg66 min
Sep 6, 4:34 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKHalifax56 min
Sep 6, 4:51 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKCharlotte, Halifax54 min
Sep 6, 5:04 AM EDTTornado WarningRNKCharlotte, Halifax26 min
Sep 6, 5:28 AM EDTTornado WarningRNKCharlotte, Halifax47 min
Sep 6, 7:43 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningRNKFloyd, Franklin, Roanoke6 hr
Sep 6, 8:28 AM EDTTornado WarningRNKCarroll, Patrick19 min
Sep 6, 9:48 AM EDTTornado WarningRNKPatrick27 min
Sep 6, 9:57 AM EDTAreal Flood WarningRNKCarroll, Grayson, Patrick12 hr
Sep 5, 8:44 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningRNKWatauga, Wilkes6 hr
Sep 5, 9:01 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKSurry29 min
Sep 5, 9:13 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKWilkes47 min
Sep 5, 9:20 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKRockingham, Stokes, Surry, Yadkin55 min
Sep 6, 6:58 AM EDTAreal Flood WarningRNKAshe, Watauga3 hr
Sep 6, 9:27 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningRNKAshe, Watauga, Wilkes5 hr
Sep 6, 11:38 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKSurry37 min
Sep 6, 1:10 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKCaswell35 min
Sep 6, 3:07 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKRockingham23 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Virginia, 2011Flash Flood Warnings in North Carolina, 2011Every 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.