Alert archive / Massachusetts / Flash Flood Warnings in 2012

Flash Flood Warning 24, NWS Boston/Norton, MA

September 5, 2012Barnstable County, Bristol County, Plymouth County, Massachusetts; Bristol County, Newport County, Rhode Island

NWS Boston/Norton, MA issued this flash flood warning at Sep 5, 2012, 12:07 PM EDT for Barnstable County, Bristol County, Plymouth County, Massachusetts; Bristol County, Newport County, Rhode Island. It was in force for 4 hr. 5 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
Sep 5, 2012, 12:07 PM EDT (16:07 UTC)
Expired
Sep 5, 2012, 4:00 PM EDT
In force
4 hr
Issued by
NWS Boston/Norton, MA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Emergency
Flash flood emergency
Flood severity
None

Counties Barnstable County, MA, Bristol County, MA, Plymouth County, MA, Bristol County, RI, Newport County, RI

The radar

The Boston radar (KBOX), 33 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 16:07 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
Sep 5, 12:10 PM EDTFLASH FLOODFall River, MANUMEROUS ROADS FLOODED
Sep 5, 12:25 PM EDTFLASH FLOODFall River, MAFLOOD WATERS UP TO CAR WINDSHIELDS ON PEARSE STREET.
Sep 5, 12:44 PM EDTFLASH FLOODFall River, MAAIRPORT ROAD CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING.
Sep 5, 12:45 PM EDTFLASH FLOODFall River, MADAY CARE CENTER EVACUATED AS FLOOD WATERS ENTERED THE BUILDING.
Sep 5, 1:15 PM EDTFLASH FLOODFall River, MAST. ANNES HOSPITAL CLOSED TO OUTGOING EMPLOYEES DUE TO FLOODING. EMERGENCY ROOM FLOODED.

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

The nearest sounding before it

Chatham, MA (KCHH), launched 12:00Z, 4.1 hours before the alert went out and 82 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, Chatham, MA at 12:00Z on 2012-09-05Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1203 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, Chatham, MA at 12:00Z on 2012-09-05The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 159 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
1203 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-20 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
619 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
27 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
159 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
159 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.6
Supercell composite
3.3

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

919 
WGUS51 KBOX 051607
FFWBOX
MAC001-005-023-RIC001-005-051800-
/O.NEW.KBOX.FF.W.0024.120905T1607Z-120905T1800Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
1207 PM EDT WED SEP 5 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TAUNTON HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
  EXTREME EAST CENTRAL BRISTOL COUNTY IN RHODE ISLAND...
  EASTERN NEWPORT COUNTY IN RHODE ISLAND...
  EXTREME WEST CENTRAL BARNSTABLE COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST
  MASSACHUSETTS...
  SOUTHERN BRISTOL COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF...NEW BEDFORD...FALL RIVER...
  SOUTHERN PLYMOUTH COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF PLYMOUTH...

* UNTIL 200 PM EDT

* AT 1203 PM EDT...FLASH FLOODING WILL OCCUR ACROSS THE WARNED AREA.

FLASH FLOODING OF SMALL STREAMS AND URBAN AREAS IS OCCURRING OR
IMMINENT. THOSE NEAR STREAMS AND CREEKS...OR IN AREAS PRONE TO
FLOODING SHOULD MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND IMMEDIATELY. AVOID FLOODED
ROADS. THE WATER MAY BE TOO DEEP TO ALLOW VEHICLES TO CROSS SAFELY...
OR THE ROADWAY MAY BE UNDERMINED. TURN AROUND...DONT DROWN!

&&

LAT...LON 4165 7122 4170 7119 4170 7123 4182 7126
      4197 7069 4181 7055 4172 7070 4172 7071
      4171 7071 4161 7087 4162 7089 4160 7089
      4155 7098 4149 7118

$$

NOCERA
4 follow-up statements
767 
WGUS71 KBOX 051645
FFSBOX

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
1245 PM EDT WED SEP 5 2012

MAC001-005-023-RIC001-005-051800-
/O.CON.KBOX.FF.W.0024.000000T0000Z-120905T1800Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
NEWPORT RI-BRISTOL RI-PLYMOUTH MA-BRISTOL MA-BARNSTABLE MA-
1245 PM EDT WED SEP 5 2012

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 200 PM EDT FOR
EXTREME WEST CENTRAL BARNSTABLE...SOUTHERN BRISTOL AND SOUTHERN
PLYMOUTH COUNTIES IN SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS...AND EXTREME EAST
CENTRAL BRISTOL AND EASTERN NEWPORT COUNTIES IN RHODE ISLAND...

THIS IS A FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY FOR THE WARNING AREA.

AT 1239 PM EDT...A THUNDERSTORM PRODUCING FLASH FLOODING WAS REPORTED
OVER THE WARNED AREA. UP TO 60 CARS ARE TRAPPED IN FLOOD WATERS IN 
FALL RIVER.  WATER IS BEGINNING TO ENCOMPASS BUILDING. MEDIA AND 
SKYWARN REPORT MANY WATER RESCUES ARE OCCURRING. 

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO WAREHAM...
SWANSEA...SOMERSET...ROCHESTER...MIDDLEBOROUGH...MARION...
LAKEVILLE...FREETOWN...FALL RIVER...DIGHTON...CARVER AND BERKLEY

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.

DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF FLOOD WATERS. ONLY A FEW INCHES OF
RAPIDLY FLOWING WATER CAN QUICKLY CARRY AWAY YOUR VEHICLE.

&&

LAT...LON 4165 7122 4170 7119 4170 7123 4182 7126
      4197 7069 4181 7055 4172 7070 4172 7071
      4171 7071 4161 7087 4162 7089 4160 7089
      4155 7098 4149 7118

$$

NOCERA
181 
WGUS51 KBOX 051753
FFWBOX
MAC001-005-023-RIC001-005-052000-
/O.EXT.KBOX.FF.W.0024.000000T0000Z-120905T2000Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
153 PM EDT WED SEP 5 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TAUNTON HAS EXTENDED THE

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
  EXTREME EAST CENTRAL BRISTOL COUNTY IN RHODE ISLAND...
  EASTERN NEWPORT COUNTY IN RHODE ISLAND...
  EXTREME WEST CENTRAL BARNSTABLE COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST
  MASSACHUSETTS...
  SOUTHERN BRISTOL COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF...NEW BEDFORD...FALL RIVER...
  SOUTHERN PLYMOUTH COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS...

* UNTIL 400 PM EDT

* AT 150 PM EDT...LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS REPORTED FLASH
  FLOODING CONTINUES FOR THE WARNED AREA.  DESPITE THE HEAVIEST RAIN 
  EXITING THE AREA...SIGNIFICANT STANDING WATER UP TO 5 FT IN PLACES 
  WILL STILL EXIST THROUGH 4 PM. 

FLASH FLOODING OF SMALL STREAMS AND URBAN AREAS IS OCCURRING OR
IMMINENT. THOSE NEAR STREAMS AND CREEKS...OR IN AREAS PRONE TO
FLOODING SHOULD MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND IMMEDIATELY. AVOID FLOODED
ROADS. THE WATER MAY BE TOO DEEP TO ALLOW VEHICLES TO CROSS SAFELY...
OR THE ROADWAY MAY BE UNDERMINED. TURN AROUND...DONT DROWN!

&&

LAT...LON 4165 7122 4170 7119 4170 7123 4182 7126
      4197 7069 4181 7055 4172 7070 4172 7071
      4171 7071 4161 7087 4162 7089 4160 7089
      4155 7098 4149 7118

$$

NOCERA
493 
WGUS71 KBOX 051856
FFSBOX

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
256 PM EDT WED SEP 5 2012

MAC001-005-023-RIC001-005-052000-
/O.CON.KBOX.FF.W.0024.000000T0000Z-120905T2000Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
NEWPORT RI-BRISTOL RI-PLYMOUTH MA-BRISTOL MA-BARNSTABLE MA-
256 PM EDT WED SEP 5 2012

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 PM EDT FOR
EXTREME WEST CENTRAL BARNSTABLE...SOUTHERN BRISTOL AND SOUTHERN
PLYMOUTH COUNTIES IN SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS...AND EXTREME EAST
CENTRAL BRISTOL AND EASTERN NEWPORT COUNTIES IN RHODE ISLAND...

AT 256 PM EDT...LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS REPORT NUMEROUS 
ROADWAYS AND STREETS REMAIN CLOSED AS A RESULT OF SIGNIFICANT 
STANDING WATER. THUS THE FLASH WARNING CONTINUES UNTIL 4 
PM.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO WAREHAM...
SWANSEA...SOMERSET...ROCHESTER...MIDDLEBOROUGH...MARION...
LAKEVILLE...FREETOWN...FALL RIVER...DIGHTON...CARVER AND BERKLEY

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

EXCESSIVE RUNOFF FROM HEAVY RAINFALL WILL CAUSE FLOODING OF SMALL
CREEKS AND STREAMS...URBAN AREAS...HIGHWAYS...STREETS AND UNDERPASSES
AS WELL AS OTHER DRAINAGE AREAS AND LOW LYING SPOTS.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 4165 7122 4170 7119 4170 7123 4182 7126
      4197 7069 4181 7055 4172 7070 4172 7071
      4171 7071 4161 7087 4162 7089 4160 7089
      4155 7098 4149 7118

$$

NOCERA
402 
WGUS71 KBOX 051956
FFSBOX

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
356 PM EDT WED SEP 5 2012

MAC001-005-023-RIC001-005-052004-
/O.EXP.KBOX.FF.W.0024.000000T0000Z-120905T2000Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
NEWPORT RI-BRISTOL RI-PLYMOUTH MA-BRISTOL MA-BARNSTABLE MA-
356 PM EDT WED SEP 5 2012

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 400 PM EDT FOR EXTREME WEST
CENTRAL BARNSTABLE...SOUTHERN BRISTOL AND SOUTHERN PLYMOUTH COUNTIES
IN SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS...AND EXTREME EAST CENTRAL BRISTOL AND
EASTERN NEWPORT COUNTIES IN RHODE ISLAND...

ALTHOUGH THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING HAS EXPIRED...MINOR FLOODING MAY 
STILL BE OCCURRING AS WATER LEVEL CONTINUE TO RECEDE. 

LAT...LON 4165 7122 4170 7119 4170 7123 4182 7126
      4197 7069 4181 7055 4172 7070 4172 7071
      4171 7071 4161 7087 4162 7089 4160 7089
      4155 7098 4149 7118

$$

DUNTEN

The office that day

Everything else NWS Boston/Norton, MA issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Sep 5, 4:25 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOXFranklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Worcester4 hr
Sep 5, 8:13 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOXFranklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Worcester3 hr
Sep 5, 11:47 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOXBristol, Plymouth3 hr
Sep 5, 3:53 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOXBarnstable3 hr
Sep 5, 10:48 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOXKent, Washington3 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Massachusetts, 2012Flash Flood Warnings in Rhode Island, 2012Every flash flood warning in 2012

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.