Alert archive / North Carolina / Flash Flood Warnings in 2012

Flash Flood Warning 9, NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC

July 20, 2012Mecklenburg County, North Carolina

NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued this flash flood warning at Jul 20, 2012, 4:54 PM EDT for Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. It was in force for 3 hr. 3 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
Jul 20, 2012, 4:54 PM EDT (20:54 UTC)
Expired
Jul 20, 2012, 8:00 PM EDT
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

County Mecklenburg County, NC

The radar

The Greer radar (KGSP), 129 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:54 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
Jul 20, 5:00 PM EDTHEAVY RAIN 33 S Charlotte, NCHEAVY RAIN CAUSED A PARTIAL ROOF COLLAPSE AT SOUTH PARK MALL
Jul 20, 5:15 PM EDTFLASH FLOOD3 Ese Charlotte, NCMCMULLEN CREEK OVERTOPPED AND FLOODED ADDISON DRIVE
Jul 20, 6:00 PM EDTFLASH FLOOD4 S Charlotte, NCMCMULLEN CREEK OVERFLOWED AND FLOOD WATERS ENTERED 4 HOUSES ALONG JOHNNY CAKE LANE. TIME ESTIMATED

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 12:00Z, 8.9 hours before the alert went out and 135 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 12:00Z on 2012-07-20Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 629 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 12:00Z on 2012-07-20The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 79 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 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
629 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-89 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
765 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
8 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
79 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
86 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.

926 
WGUS52 KGSP 202054
FFWGSP
NCC119-210000-
/O.NEW.KGSP.FF.W.0009.120720T2054Z-120721T0000Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
454 PM EDT FRI JUL 20 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
  SOUTH CENTRAL MECKLENBURG COUNTY IN THE PIEDMONT OF NORTH
  CAROLINA...

* UNTIL 800 PM EDT

* AT 451 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A 
SERIES OF THUNDERSTORMS MOVING EAST ACROSS THE WARNED 
AREA...PRODUCING RAINFALL AT RATES IN EXCESS OF 2 INCHES PER HOUR.

* RUNOFF FROM THIS EXCESSIVE RAINFALL WILL CAUSE FLASH FLOODING TO   
OCCUR. SOME LOCATIONS THAT WILL EXPERIENCE FLOODING INCLUDE...  
PINEVILLE AND SOUTHPARK MALL. STREAM FLOODING IS LIKELY ALONG 
MCMULLEN CREEK...SUGAR CREEK...BRIAR CREEK...MCALPINE CREEK...AND 
NEARBY TRIBUTARIES. SERIOUS STREET FLOODING WILL LIKELY ALSO DEVELOP 
IN LOW LYING AND POOR DRAINAGE AREAS.

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. TURN 
AROUND AND FIND ANOTHER ROUTE.

TO REPORT HIGH WATER...FLOODING...MUDSLIDES...LANDSLIDES OR OTHER
SEVERE WEATHER THROUGH OUR AUTOMATED REPORTING SYSTEM...CALL OUR TOLL
FREE NUMBER... 1 8 7 7...6 3 3...6 7 7 2.

&&

LAT...LON 3520 8074 3512 8080 3506 8085 3506 8089
      3510 8093 3518 8089

$$

HG
3 follow-up statements
502 
WGUS72 KGSP 202200
FFSGSP

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
600 PM EDT FRI JUL 20 2012

NCC119-210000-
/O.CON.KGSP.FF.W.0009.000000T0000Z-120721T0000Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
MECKLENBURG NC-
600 PM EDT FRI JUL 20 2012

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR SOUTH CENTRAL
MECKLENBURG COUNTY UNTIL 800 PM EDT...

AT 554 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR SHOWED 
RAINFALL RATES TAPERING OFF TO LIGHT TO MODERATE VALUES ACROSS THE 
REGION. HOWEVER...RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 3 INCHES HAVE IMPACTED 
THE AREA OVER THE PAST THREE HOURS...WITH ISOLATED REPORTS OF NEARLY 
4 INCHES WITHIN THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING AREA. IN ADDITION...LOCAL 
LAW ENFORCEMENT...FIRE DEPARTMENT...AND MEDIA SOURCES HAVE REPORTED 
SEVERE STREET FLOODING ON ADDISON DRIVE AT MCMULLEN CREEK AND ALONG 
PARK SOUTH DRIVE.

RUNOFF FROM THIS EXCESSIVE RAINFALL MAY CAUSE ADDITIONAL FLASH 
FLOODING TO OCCUR. SOME LOCATIONS THAT WILL EXPERIENCE FLASH 
FLOODING INCLUDE UPPER LITTLE SUGAR CREEK...BRIAR CREEK...LITTLE 
SUGAR CREEK...IRWIN CREEK...AND MCALPINE CREEK. DEEP PONDING OF 
WATER IN LOW LYING AREAS IS EXPECTED AS WELL.

ADDITIONAL THUNDERSTORMS COULD REDEVELOP FROM THE WEST THROUGH THE 
EVENING HOURS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

EXCESSIVE RUNOFF FROM THIS STORM 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.

&&

LAT...LON 3520 8074 3512 8080 3506 8085 3506 8089
      3510 8093 3518 8089

$$

HG
722 
WGUS72 KGSP 202325
FFSGSP

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
725 PM EDT FRI JUL 20 2012

NCC119-210000-
/O.CON.KGSP.FF.W.0009.000000T0000Z-120721T0000Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
MECKLENBURG NC-
725 PM EDT FRI JUL 20 2012

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR SOUTH CENTRAL
MECKLENBURG COUNTY UNTIL 800 PM EDT...

AT 721 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED 
THAT THE BACK EDGE OF LIGHT RAINFALL IS MOVING EAST OF THE FLASH 
FLOOD WARNING AREA. STREAM GAGES SHOW THAT WATER LEVELS AROUND THE 
AREA HAVE LARGELY CRESTED AND ARE STARTING TO 
RECEDE...HOWEVER...ISOLATED FLOODING OF LOW LYING AND POOR DRAINAGE 
AREAS MAY LINGER UNTIL 8 PM. UNLESS ANY ADDITIONAL THUNDERSTORMS 
AFFECT THE WARNING AREA...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL LIKELY BE 
ALLOWED TO EXPIRE ON SCHEDULE AT 8 PM.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

EXCESSIVE RUNOFF FROM THIS STORM WILL CONTINUE TO CAUSE MINOR 
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. TURN AROUND AND FIND ANOTHER ROUTE.

&&

LAT...LON 3520 8074 3512 8080 3506 8085 3506 8089
      3510 8093 3518 8089

$$

HG
985 
WGUS72 KGSP 202355
FFSGSP

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
755 PM EDT FRI JUL 20 2012

NCC119-210007-
/O.EXP.KGSP.FF.W.0009.000000T0000Z-120721T0000Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
MECKLENBURG NC-
755 PM EDT FRI JUL 20 2012

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING THAT WAS IN EFFECT FOR SOUTH CENTRAL
MECKLENBURG COUNTY WILL BE ALLOWED TO EXPIRE AT 800 PM EDT...

EXCESS RUNOFF FROM HEAVY RAIN HAS LARGELY ENDED OVER SOUTHERN PARTS 
OF THE CHARLOTTE AREA. STREAMS AND CREEKS IN THE WARNED AREA HAVE 
RECEDED...ENDING THE FLOOD THREAT. ONE EXCEPTION IS THAT MALLARD 
CREEK AT HARRISBURG CONTINUES TO SLOWLY RISE...HOWEVER...ADDITIONAL 
FLOODING IS NOT LIKELY AT THIS LOCATION. THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING 
WILL BE ALLOWED TO EXPIRE ON SCHEDULE AT 8 PM...HOWEVER...STANDING 
WATER MAY PERSIST IN THE NORMALLY POOR DRAINAGE LOCATIONS INTO THE 
EVENING HOURS.

LAT...LON 3520 8074 3512 8080 3506 8085 3506 8089
      3510 8093 3518 8089

$$

HG

The office that day

Everything else NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 19, 8:24 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPAlexander, Avery, Burke, Caldwell, McDowell, Mitchell and 1 more51 min
Jul 19, 8:55 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPBuncombe, Haywood, Madison65 min
Jul 19, 9:04 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPUnion26 min
Jul 19, 9:27 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPAlexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Davie, Iredell63 min
Jul 19, 9:55 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPAlexander, Burke, Catawba, Cleveland, Lincoln, McDowell and 2 more65 min
Jul 19, 10:15 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPGraham, Swain60 min
Jul 19, 10:49 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPBuncombe26 min
Jul 19, 10:54 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPCatawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln, Rutherford51 min
Jul 19, 11:40 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPHenderson35 min
Jul 20, 3:10 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPUnion35 min
Jul 20, 3:29 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPMecklenburg31 min
Jul 20, 4:20 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPMecklenburg, Union25 min
Jul 20, 4:32 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGSPMecklenburg118 min
Jul 20, 4:39 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPMecklenburg36 min
Jul 20, 5:17 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPCabarrus, Rowan28 min
Jul 20, 5:39 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPRowan36 min
Jul 20, 5:42 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPDavie, Rowan48 min
Jul 20, 6:37 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPCabarrus, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Union53 min
Jul 20, 7:46 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPUnion44 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in North Carolina, 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.