Alert archive / Virginia / Flash Flood Warnings in 2011

Flash Flood Warning 89, NWS Blacksburg, VA

November 29, 20114 counties in Virginia

NWS Blacksburg, VA issued this flash flood warning at Nov 29, 2011, 1:18 AM EST for 4 counties in Virginia. It was in force for 6 hr. 2 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
Nov 29, 2011, 1:18 AM EST (06:18 UTC)
Expired
Nov 29, 2011, 7:15 AM EST
In force
6 hr
Issued by
NWS Blacksburg, VA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Floyd County, VA, Franklin County, VA, Patrick County, VA, Roanoke County, VA

The radar

The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 19 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 06:21 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

TimeReportWhereRemark
Nov 29, 7:00 AM ESTFLASH FLOOD1 W Bent Mountain, VAONE FT WATER FLOWING OVER ROAD
Nov 29, 7:00 AM ESTFLASH FLOOD2 Wsw Bent Mountain, VAONE FT WATER RUNNING OVER ROAD

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, 6.3 hours before the alert went out and 91 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 2011-11-29Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 27 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 2011-11-29The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 268 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
27 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-13 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
551 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
58 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
268 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
353 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.

384 
WGUS51 KRNK 290618
FFWRNK
VAC063-067-141-161-291215-
/O.NEW.KRNK.FF.W.0089.111129T0618Z-111129T1215Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
118 AM EST TUE NOV 29 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BLACKSBURG HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
  NORTHERN PATRICK COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
  SOUTHERN ROANOKE COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL VIRGINIA
  WESTERN FRANKLIN COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL VIRGINIA
  FLOYD COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA

* UNTIL 715 AM EST.

* AT 113 AM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED   
  VERY HEAVY RAIN FROM PERSISTENT SHOWERS OVER THE WARNED AREA.

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO BENT
  MOUNTAIN...BOONES MILL...TERRYS FORK...COPPER HILL AND CHECK.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

ADDITIONAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 3 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE IN THE 
WARNED AREA ESPECIALLY ALONG THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY WHERE RAINFALL 
RATES WILL BE HIGHER.

EXCESSIVE RUNOFF FROM HEAVY RAINFALL WILL CAUSE FLOODING OF SMALL
CREEKS AND STREAMS...COUNTRY ROADS...AS WELL AS FARMLAND ALONG THE
BANKS OF CREEKS AND STREAMS.

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.

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 3672 8047 3681 8055 3710 8021 3711 8018
      3720 8016 3720 7987 3682 8000 3678 8003
      3679 8006 3678 8010 3673 8009 3672 8010
      3673 8024 3685 8012 3683 8034 3675 8039

$$

JH
2 follow-up statements
859 
WGUS71 KRNK 290749
FFSRNK

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
249 AM EST TUE NOV 29 2011

VAC063-067-141-161-291215-
/O.CON.KRNK.FF.W.0089.000000T0000Z-111129T1215Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
PATRICK VA-ROANOKE VA-FRANKLIN VA-FLOYD VA-
249 AM EST TUE NOV 29 2011

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 AM EST FOR
NORTHERN PATRICK...SOUTHERN ROANOKE...WESTERN FRANKLIN AND FLOYD
COUNTIES...

AT 243 AM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO 
INDICATE BANDS OF SHOWERS PRODUCING MODERATE RAINFALL ALONG THE BLUE 
RIDGE. AUTOMATED RAIN GAGES INDICATED THAT OVER 3 INCHES OF RAIN 
HAS FALLEN IN THE AREA FROM COPPER HILL TO BENT MOUNTAIN SINCE LATE 
MONDAY EVENING. THIS RAINFALL MAY BE ENOUGH TO PRODUCE FLOODING 
ALONG BOTTOM AND MILL CREEK NEAR BENT MOUNTAIN AS WELL AS SMALLER 
STREAMS JUST OFF THE PARKWAY. 

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO BENT
MOUNTAIN...FERRUM...ENDICOTT...CALLAWAY...BOONES MILL...FLOYD...
COPPER HILL AND CHECK

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

ADDITIONAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF ANOTHER 1 INCH 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.

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 3672 8047 3681 8055 3710 8021 3711 8018
      3720 8016 3720 7987 3682 8000 3678 8003
      3679 8006 3678 8010 3673 8009 3672 8010
      3673 8024 3685 8012 3683 8034 3675 8039

$$

JH
428 
WGUS71 KRNK 290926
FFSRNK

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
426 AM EST TUE NOV 29 2011

VAC063-067-141-161-291215-
/O.CON.KRNK.FF.W.0089.000000T0000Z-111129T1215Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
PATRICK VA-ROANOKE VA-FRANKLIN VA-FLOYD VA-
426 AM EST TUE NOV 29 2011

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 AM EST FOR
NORTHERN PATRICK...SOUTHERN ROANOKE...WESTERN FRANKLIN AND FLOYD
COUNTIES...

AT 421 AM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED 
THAT THE BACK EDGE OF THE HEAVIER RAINFALL WAS MOVING INTO THE 
WARNED AREA. THIS SHOULD BRING AN END TO MOST OF THE SIGNIFICANT 
RAINFALL AFTER 5 AM. HOWEVER RUNOFF FROM OVER 4 INCHES OF RAIN ALONG 
THE BLUE RIDGE SINCE MONDAY EVENING WILL LIKELY CAUSE SMALLER 
STREAMS...AND CREEKS FROM AROUND BENT MOUNTAIN TO COPPER HILL TO 
REMAIN FLOODED EARLY THIS MORNING.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO BENT MOUNTAIN
AND COPPER HILL.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

EXCESSIVE RUNOFF FROM HEAVY RAINFALL WILL CAUSE FLOODING OF SMALL
CREEKS AND STREAMS...COUNTRY ROADS...AS WELL AS FARMLAND ALONG THE
BANKS OF CREEKS AND STREAMS.

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.

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.

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 3672 8047 3681 8055 3710 8021 3711 8018
      3720 8016 3720 7987 3682 8000 3678 8003
      3679 8006 3678 8010 3673 8009 3672 8010
      3673 8024 3685 8012 3683 8034 3675 8039

$$

JH

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Nov 28, 9:10 PM ESTSpecial Weather StatementRNKSmyth, Tazewell50 min
Nov 28, 9:42 PM ESTSpecial Weather StatementRNKAlleghany, Bath, Bedford, Bland, Botetourt, Craig and 14 more63 min
Nov 28, 10:12 PM ESTSpecial Weather StatementRNKSmyth, Tazewell78 min
Nov 28, 10:53 PM ESTSpecial Weather StatementRNKFloyd, Franklin, Montgomery, Pulaski, Roanoke, City of Radford and 2 more67 min
Nov 28, 11:41 PM ESTSpecial Weather StatementRNKFloyd, Franklin, Henry, Montgomery, Patrick, Roanoke and 4 more79 min
Nov 29, 12:50 AM ESTSpecial Weather StatementRNKFloyd, Franklin, Henry, Patrick, City of Martinsville, City of Roanoke70 min
Nov 29, 2:18 AM ESTSpecial Weather StatementRNKBedford, Botetourt, Campbell, Craig, Franklin, Montgomery and 4 more72 min
Nov 29, 3:11 AM ESTSpecial Weather StatementRNKAlleghany, Bedford, Botetourt, Campbell, Craig, Pittsylvania and 5 more64 min
Nov 29, 3:27 AM ESTAreal Flood WarningRNKAlleghany, Bath, Botetourt, Craig, Roanoke, City of Covington4 hr
Nov 29, 4:43 AM ESTAreal Flood WarningRNKMontgomery, Roanoke, City of Roanoke, City of Salem4 hr
Nov 29, 5:16 AM ESTAreal Flood WarningRNKGrayson4 hr
Nov 29, 5:20 AM ESTSpecial Weather StatementRNKAppomattox, Campbell, Charlotte, Halifax, City of Lynchburg70 min
Nov 29, 5:36 AM ESTAreal Flood WarningRNKAmherst, Appomattox, Buckingham, Campbell, Charlotte, Halifax and 4 more6 hr
Nov 29, 7:12 AM ESTAreal Flood WarningRNKFloyd, Franklin, Patrick, Roanoke6 hr
Nov 29, 7:26 AM ESTAreal Flood WarningRNKAlleghany, Bath, Botetourt, Craig, Roanoke, City of Covington4 hr
Nov 29, 11:00 AM ESTWinter Weather AdvisoryRNKGrayson19 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Virginia, 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.