Alert archive / West Virginia / Flash Flood Warnings in 2012

Flash Flood Warning 5, NWS Charleston, WV

March 2, 201210 counties in West Virginia

NWS Charleston, WV issued this flash flood warning at Mar 2, 2012, 10:28 PM EST for 10 counties in West Virginia. It was in force for 5 hr. 1 report 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
Mar 2, 2012, 10:28 PM EST (03:28 UTC)
Expired
Mar 3, 2012, 3:30 AM EST
In force
5 hr
Issued by
NWS Charleston, WV
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Boone County, WV, Fayette County, WV, Kanawha County, WV, Lincoln County, WV, Logan County, WV, Mingo County, WV, Putnam County, WV, Raleigh County, WV, Wayne County, WV, Wyoming County, WV

The radar

The Charleston,WV radar (KRLX), 46 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 03:27 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
Mar 3, 12:15 AM ESTFLASH FLOODGriffithsville, WVON GOING FLOODING IN LINCOLN COUNTY. SEVERAL ROADS ARE STILL FLOODED AND IMPASSIBLE IN AREAS IN OR NEAR GRIFFITHSVILLE... MCCORKLE AND ALUM CREEK.

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

The nearest sounding before it

Cncnati-Daytn, OH (KILN), launched 00:00Z, 3.5 hours before the alert went out and 209 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, Cncnati-Daytn, OH at 00:00Z on 2012-03-03Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 25 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, Cncnati-Daytn, OH at 00:00Z on 2012-03-03The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 285 square meters per square second.1939587897117Sfc1 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
25 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-67 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
864 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
100 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
285 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
316 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.

654 
WGUS51 KRLX 030328
FFWRLX
WVC005-019-039-043-045-059-079-081-099-109-030530-
/O.NEW.KRLX.FF.W.0005.120303T0328Z-120303T0530Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV
1028 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CHARLESTON HAS CONTINUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
  BOONE COUNTY IN WEST VIRGINIA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF MADISON...
  WEST CENTRAL FAYETTE COUNTY IN WEST VIRGINIA...
  SOUTHERN KANAWHA COUNTY IN WEST VIRGINIA...
  LINCOLN COUNTY IN WEST VIRGINIA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF HAMLIN...
  LOGAN COUNTY IN WEST VIRGINIA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF LOGAN...
  NORTHWESTERN MINGO COUNTY IN WEST VIRGINIA...
  EXTREME SOUTHWESTERN PUTNAM COUNTY IN WEST VIRGINIA...
  NORTHWESTERN RALEIGH COUNTY IN WEST VIRGINIA...
  SOUTHERN WAYNE COUNTY IN WEST VIRGINIA...
  NORTH CENTRAL WYOMING COUNTY IN WEST VIRGINIA...

* UNTIL 1230 AM EST

* AT 1018 PM EST...LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS REPORTED FLASH    
  FLOODING FROM THUNDERSTORMS OVER THE WARNED AREA.

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
  SPURLOCKVILLE...RANGER...KIAHSVILLE...JULIAN...GILL...SMITHERS...
  PRATT...POWELLTON...MONTGOMERY...MARMET...GLASGOW...EAST LYNN   
LAKE...EAST BANK...COAL FORK...CHESAPEAKE...CEDAR 
GROVE...BELLE...GRIFFTHSVILLE...MCCORKLE...YAWKEY AND ALUM CREEK

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

EXCESSIVE RUNOFF FROM HEAVY RAINFALL HAS CAUSED FLOODING OF SMALL
CREEKS AND STREAMS...COUNTRY ROADS...AS WELL AS FARMLAND ALONG THE 
BANKS OF CREEKS AND STREAMS. ESPECIALLY IN AREAS OF LINCOLN COUNTY.

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.

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.

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.

STORMS WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE EAST AND EVENTUALLY MOVE OUT OF THE 
AREA.  RUNOFF WILL STILL CONTINUE.  THIS WILL CAUSE ELEVATED LEVELS 
AND FLOODING OF SMALL STREAMS AND CREEKS...LOW SPOTS AND POOR 
DRAINAGE AREAS.

&&

PLEASE REPORT HIGH WATER TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BY CALLING
TOLL FREE...877-633-6772...WHEN YOU CAN DO SO SAFELY.

LAT...LON 3824 8229 3823 8227 3826 8225 3833 8214
      3833 8146 3827 8130 3777 8132 3772 8208
      3769 8228 3795 8248 3797 8248 3798 8246
      3800 8251 3807 8255

$$
2 follow-up statements
735 
WGUS51 KRLX 030525
FFWRLX
WVC005-019-039-043-045-059-079-081-099-109-030830-
/O.EXT.KRLX.FF.W.0005.000000T0000Z-120303T0830Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV
1225 AM EST SAT MAR 3 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CHARLESTON HAS EXTENDED THE

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
  BOONE COUNTY IN WEST VIRGINIA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF MADISON...
  WEST CENTRAL FAYETTE COUNTY IN WEST VIRGINIA...
  SOUTHERN KANAWHA COUNTY IN WEST VIRGINIA...
  LINCOLN COUNTY IN WEST VIRGINIA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF HAMLIN...
  LOGAN COUNTY IN WEST VIRGINIA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF LOGAN...
  NORTHWESTERN MINGO COUNTY IN WEST VIRGINIA...
  EXTREME SOUTHWESTERN PUTNAM COUNTY IN WEST VIRGINIA...
  NORTHWESTERN RALEIGH COUNTY IN WEST VIRGINIA...
  SOUTHERN WAYNE COUNTY IN WEST VIRGINIA...
  NORTH CENTRAL WYOMING COUNTY IN WEST VIRGINIA...

* UNTIL 330 AM EST

* AT 1219 AM EST...LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS REPORTED 
CONTINUED FLASH FLOODING FROM PREVIOUS THUNDERSTORMS OVER THE WARNED 
AREA.

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
  SPURLOCKVILLE...RANGER...KIAHSVILLE...JULIAN...GILL...SMITHERS...
  PRATT...POWELLTON...MONTGOMERY...MARMET...GLASGOW...EAST LYNN      
  LAKE...COAL FORK...CHESAPEAKE...GRIFFITHSVILLE...MCCORKLE AND ALUM 
  CREEK


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.

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 REPORT HIGH WATER TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BY CALLING
TOLL FREE...877-633-6772...WHEN YOU CAN DO SO SAFELY.

LAT...LON 3824 8229 3823 8227 3826 8225 3833 8214
      3833 8146 3827 8130 3777 8132 3772 8208
      3769 8228 3795 8248 3797 8248 3798 8246
      3800 8251 3807 8255

$$
004 
WGUS71 KRLX 030827
FFSRLX

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV
327 AM EST SAT MAR 3 2012

WVC005-019-039-043-045-059-079-081-099-109-030831-
/O.EXP.KRLX.FF.W.0005.000000T0000Z-120303T0830Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
RALEIGH WV-PUTNAM WV-MINGO WV-LOGAN WV-LINCOLN WV-KANAWHA WV-
FAYETTE WV-BOONE WV-WYOMING WV-WAYNE WV-
327 AM EST SAT MAR 3 2012

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 330 AM EST FOR SOUTHERN
WAYNE...NORTH CENTRAL WYOMING...BOONE...WEST CENTRAL FAYETTE...
SOUTHERN KANAWHA...LINCOLN...LOGAN...NORTHWESTERN MINGO...EXTREME
SOUTHWESTERN PUTNAM AND NORTHWESTERN RALEIGH COUNTIES...

MOST OF THE RAIN HAS COME TO AN END. THEREFORE THE FLASH FLOOD 
WARNING THAT WAS IN EFFECT HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO EXPIRE. STREAMS AND 
CREEKS HAVE BEGUN TO RECEDE. 

TURN AROUND DON'T DROWN. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR CAR ON FLOODED ROADWAYS.

PLEASE REPORT HIGH WATER TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BY CALLING
TOLL FREE 877-633-6772 WHEN YOU CAN DO SO SAFELY.

LAT...LON 3824 8229 3823 8227 3826 8225 3833 8214
      3833 8146 3827 8130 3777 8132 3772 8208
      3769 8228 3795 8248 3797 8248 3798 8246
      3800 8251 3807 8255

$$

The office that day

Everything else NWS Charleston, WV issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 2, 7:15 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRLXCabell, Lincoln, Putnam, Wayne34 min
Mar 2, 7:27 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRLXBraxton, Calhoun, Clay, Gilmer, Kanawha, Lewis and 4 more36 min
Mar 2, 7:31 PM ESTTornado WarningRLXLincoln, Logan, Mingo, Wayne44 min
Mar 2, 7:42 PM ESTTornado WarningRLXBoone, Kanawha, Lincoln33 min
Mar 2, 7:45 PM ESTTornado WarningRLXBraxton, Calhoun, Clay, Gilmer, Nicholas, Roane16 min
Mar 2, 7:57 PM ESTSpecial Weather StatementRLXBoone, Braxton, Cabell, Clay, Fayette, Kanawha and 9 more3 hr
Mar 2, 8:05 PM ESTTornado WarningRLXBoone, Logan25 min
Mar 2, 8:16 PM ESTFlash Flood WarningRLXBoone, Cabell, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Mingo and 3 more119 min
Mar 2, 8:20 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRLXBoone, Logan25 min
Mar 2, 8:29 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRLXBoone, Fayette, Kanawha, Raleigh31 min
Mar 2, 8:30 PM ESTSpecial Weather StatementRLXPocahontas, Randolph, Webster45 min
Mar 2, 8:38 PM ESTSpecial Weather StatementRLXMingo52 min
Mar 2, 8:56 PM ESTFlash Flood WarningRLXClay, Fayette, Kanawha, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Raleigh and 2 more2 hr
Mar 2, 8:56 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRLXFayette, Nicholas, Pocahontas34 min
Mar 2, 9:11 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRLXBoone, Logan, Mingo, Wyoming49 min
Mar 2, 9:30 PM ESTSpecial Weather StatementRLXMcDowell60 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in West Virginia, 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.