Alert archive / Arizona / Flash Flood Warnings in 2012

Flash Flood Warning 23, NWS Phoenix, AZ

July 28, 2012Gila County, Maricopa County, Arizona

NWS Phoenix, AZ issued this flash flood warning at Jul 28, 2012, 4:09 PM MST for Gila County, Maricopa County, Arizona. It was in force for 3 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
Jul 28, 2012, 4:09 PM MST (23:09 UTC)
Expired
Jul 28, 2012, 7:15 PM MST
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Phoenix, AZ
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Gila County, AZ, Maricopa County, AZ

The radar

The Phoenix radar (KIWA), 75 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:11 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

Phoenix, AZ (KPSR), launched 12:00Z, 11.2 hours before the alert went out and 73 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, Phoenix, AZ at 12:00Z on 2012-07-28Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 44 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, Phoenix, AZ at 12:00Z on 2012-07-28The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -5 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
44 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-207 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
2540 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
2 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-5 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
62 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.

771 
WGUS55 KPSR 282309
FFWPSR
AZC007-013-290045-
/O.NEW.KPSR.FF.W.0023.120728T2309Z-120729T0045Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PHOENIX AZ
409 PM MST SAT JUL 28 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PHOENIX HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
  WEST CENTRAL GILA COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL ARIZONA...
  EXTREME NORTHEASTERN MARICOPA COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL ARIZONA...
  THIS INCLUDES SYCAMORE CREEK...SUNFLOWER...

* UNTIL 545 PM MST

* AT 402 PM MST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS DETECTED
  HEAVY RAIN OVER THE SUNFLOWER BURN AREA. THE RAIN WILL PRODUCE HIGH
  WATER IN CREEKS AND WASHES ACCOMPANIED BY MUD...ROCKS...AND DEBRIS.

* FLASH FLOODING OF THE SYCAMORE CREEK DRAINAGE IS IMMINENT AND WILL
  IMPACT THE COMMUNITY OF SUNFLOWER...AS WELL AS LOW WATER CROSSINGS
  OF FOREST ROADS AND TRAILS. THIS INCLUDES FOREST ROAD 22 SOUTH OF
  HIGHWAY 87...THE ARIZONA TRAIL...AND BOULDER CREEK.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IF YOU ARE NEAR THE BANKS OF SYCAMORE CREEK OR OTHER NEARBY DRAINAGE
AREAS MOVE IMMEDIATELY TO HIGHER GROUND. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE
INTO AREAS WHERE WATER COVERS THE ROAD. TURN AROUND DONT DROWN.

LIFE-THREATENING FLOODING OF CREEKS...ROADS AND NORMALLY DRY WASHES
IS LIKELY. THE HEAVY RAINS WILL TRIGGER MUD AND DEBRIS FLOWS...AND
ROCKSLIDES IN STEEP TERRAIN...ESPECIALLY NEAR THE BURN AREA.

TO REPORT FLOODING...HAVE THE NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY RELAY
YOUR REPORT.

&&

LAT...LON 3401 11144 3384 11144 3384 11152 3400 11154

$$

NOLTE
4 follow-up statements
326 
WGUS75 KPSR 282340
FFSPSR

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PHOENIX AZ
440 PM MST SAT JUL 28 2012

AZC007-013-290045-
/O.CON.KPSR.FF.W.0023.000000T0000Z-120729T0045Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
GILA AZ-MARICOPA AZ-
440 PM MST SAT JUL 28 2012

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 545 PM MST FOR
EXTREME NORTHEASTERN MARICOPA AND WEST CENTRAL GILA COUNTIES...

AT 434 PM MST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS DETECTED A
THUNDERSTORM PRODUCING FLASH FLOODING THE SUNFLOWER BURN AREA.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO SYCAMORE 
CREEK...SUNFLOWER...

ADDITIONAL STORMS DEVELOPING ON THE SOUTHERN EDGE OF THE BURN AREA 
WILL LIKELY PRODUCE MORE RAINFALL DOWNSTREAM. THE RAIN WILL PRODUCE 
HIGH WATER IN CREEKS AND WASHES ACCOMPANIED BY MUD...ROCKS...AND 
DEBRIS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IF YOU ARE NEAR THE BANKS OF SYCAMORE CREEK OR OTHER NEARBY DRAINAGE
AREAS MOVE IMMEDIATELY TO HIGHER GROUND. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE
INTO AREAS WHERE WATER COVERS THE ROAD. TURN AROUND DONT DROWN.

LIFE-THREATENING FLOODING OF CREEKS...ROADS AND NORMALLY DRY WASHES
IS LIKELY. THE HEAVY RAINS WILL TRIGGER MUD AND DEBRIS FLOWS...AND
ROCKSLIDES IN STEEP TERRAIN...ESPECIALLY NEAR THE BURN AREA.

TO REPORT FLOODING...HAVE THE NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY RELAY
YOUR REPORT.

&&

LAT...LON 3401 11144 3384 11144 3384 11152 3400 11154

$$

DEWEY
601 
WGUS55 KPSR 290040
FFWPSR
AZC007-013-290215-
/O.EXT.KPSR.FF.W.0023.000000T0000Z-120729T0215Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PHOENIX AZ
540 PM MST SAT JUL 28 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PHOENIX HAS EXTENDED THE

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
  WEST CENTRAL GILA COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL ARIZONA...
  EXTREME NORTHEASTERN MARICOPA COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL ARIZONA...
  THIS INCLUDES SYCAMORE CREEK...SUNFLOWER...

* UNTIL 715 PM MST

* AT 535 PM MST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS DETECTED   
  CONTINUED HEAVY RAINFALL OVER THE SUNFLOWER BURN AREA. THE RAIN    
  WILL PRODUCE SIGNIFICANT FLOW IN CREEKS AND WASHES ACCOMPANIED BY  
  MUD...ROCKS...AND DEBRIS.

* FLASH FLOODING OF THE SYCAMORE CREEK DRAINAGE IS IMMINENT AND WILL
  IMPACT THE COMMUNITY OF SUNFLOWER...AS WELL AS LOW WATER CROSSINGS
  OF FOREST ROADS AND TRAILS. THIS INCLUDES FOREST ROAD 22 SOUTH OF
  HIGHWAY 87...THE ARIZONA TRAIL...AND BOULDER CREEK.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IF YOU ARE NEAR THE BANKS OF SYCAMORE CREEK OR OTHER NEARBY DRAINAGE
AREAS MOVE IMMEDIATELY TO HIGHER GROUND. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE
INTO AREAS WHERE WATER COVERS THE ROAD. TURN AROUND DONT DROWN.

LIFE-THREATENING FLOODING OF CREEKS...ROADS AND NORMALLY DRY WASHES
IS LIKELY. THE HEAVY RAINS WILL TRIGGER MUD AND DEBRIS FLOWS...AND
ROCKSLIDES IN STEEP TERRAIN...ESPECIALLY NEAR THE BURN AREA.

TO REPORT FLOODING...HAVE THE NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY RELAY
YOUR REPORT.


&&

LAT...LON 3401 11144 3384 11144 3384 11152 3400 11154

$$

NOLTE
560 
WGUS75 KPSR 290111
FFSPSR

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PHOENIX AZ
611 PM MST SAT JUL 28 2012

AZC007-013-290215-
/O.CON.KPSR.FF.W.0023.000000T0000Z-120729T0215Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
GILA AZ-MARICOPA AZ-
611 PM MST SAT JUL 28 2012

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM MST FOR
EXTREME NORTHEASTERN MARICOPA AND WEST CENTRAL GILA COUNTIES...

AT 608 PM MST...LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS REPORTED A 
THUNDERSTORM PRODUCING FLASH FLOODING OVER THE SUNFLOWER BURN 
AREA...AS WELL AS WATER IN CREEKS RUNNING OVER THE BANKS AND WATER 
MOVING ONTO THE ROADS. THE SYCAMORE WASH WAS REPORTED TO BE FLOODING 
AND WATER NEARING HOMES IN THE AREA.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO SYCAMORE 
CREEK...SUNFLOWER...ROUND VALLEY...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IF YOU ARE NEAR THE BANKS OF SYCAMORE CREEK OR OTHER NEARBY DRAINAGE
AREAS MOVE IMMEDIATELY TO HIGHER GROUND. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE
INTO AREAS WHERE WATER COVERS THE ROAD. TURN AROUND DONT DROWN.

LIFE-THREATENING FLOODING OF CREEKS...ROADS AND NORMALLY DRY WASHES
IS LIKELY. THE HEAVY RAINS WILL TRIGGER MUD AND DEBRIS FLOWS...AND
ROCKSLIDES IN STEEP TERRAIN...ESPECIALLY NEAR THE BURN AREA.

TO REPORT FLOODING...HAVE THE NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY RELAY
YOUR REPORT.

IF YOU ARE NEAR THE BANKS OF SYCAMORE CREEK OR OTHER NEARBY DRAINAGE
AREAS MOVE IMMEDIATELY TO HIGHER GROUND. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE
INTO AREAS WHERE WATER COVERS THE ROAD. TURN AROUND DONT DROWN.

TO REPORT FLOODING...HAVE THE NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY RELAY
YOUR REPORT.

&&

LAT...LON 3401 11144 3384 11144 3384 11152 3400 11154

$$

DEWEY
394 
WGUS75 KPSR 290212
FFSPSR

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PHOENIX AZ
712 PM MST SAT JUL 28 2012

AZC007-013-290217-
/O.EXP.KPSR.FF.W.0023.000000T0000Z-120729T0215Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
GILA AZ-MARICOPA AZ-
712 PM MST SAT JUL 28 2012

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 715 PM MST FOR EXTREME
NORTHEASTERN MARICOPA AND WEST CENTRAL GILA COUNTIES...

THE HEAVIEST RAINFALL HAS ENDED ACROSS THE MAJORITY OF THE SUNFLOWER 
BURN AREA. CONTINUED FLOW THROUGH SYCAMORE CREEK IS 
EXPECTED...HOWEVER WATER LEVELS HAVE DROPPED SLIGHTLY FROM EARLIER 
LEVELS AND CONTINUE TO RECEDE. LIGHT SHOWERS MAY CONTINUE 
IN THE AREA OF THE BURN SITE THROUGH THE EVENING...HOWEVER THEY ARE 
EXPECTED TO BE VERY LIGHT. 

IF ADDITIONAL FLOODING OR IMPACTS ARE OBSERVED ALONG SYCAMORE 
CREEK...PLEASE ALERT LAW ENFORCEMENT. 

LAT...LON 3401 11144 3384 11144 3384 11152 3400 11154

$$

NOLTE

The office that day

Everything else NWS Phoenix, AZ issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 28, 3:43 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPSRPinal32 min
Jul 28, 4:32 PM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryPSRGila118 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Arizona, 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.