Alert archive / West Virginia / Flash Flood Warnings in 2012

Flash Flood Warning 8, NWS Charleston, WV

March 15, 2012Lincoln County, Putnam County, West Virginia

NWS Charleston, WV issued this flash flood warning at Mar 15, 2012, 11:52 AM EDT for Lincoln County, Putnam County, West Virginia. It was in force for 8 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 15, 2012, 11:52 AM EDT (15:52 UTC)
Expired
Mar 15, 2012, 7:45 PM EDT
In force
8 hr
Issued by
NWS Charleston, WV
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Lincoln County, WV, Putnam County, WV

The radar

The Charleston,WV radar (KRLX), 27 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 15:55 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 15, 1:10 PM EDTFLOOD1 Ene Griffithsville, WVEXTENSIVE FLOODING THROUGH THE AREA

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 12:00Z, 3.9 hours before the alert went out and 204 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 12:00Z on 2012-03-15Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1236 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 12:00Z on 2012-03-15The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 133 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
1236 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-110 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1005 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
24 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
133 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
137 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
2.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

451 
WGUS51 KRLX 151552
FFWRLX
WVC043-079-151745-
/O.NEW.KRLX.FF.W.0008.120315T1552Z-120315T1745Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV
1152 AM EDT THU MAR 15 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CHARLESTON HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
  NORTHERN LINCOLN COUNTY IN WEST VIRGINIA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF HAMLIN...
  SOUTHWESTERN PUTNAM COUNTY IN WEST VIRGINIA...

* UNTIL 145 PM EDT

* AT 1148 AM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED 
A CLUSTER OF THUNDERSTORMS WITH HEAVY RAINFALL MOVING INTO THE AREA 
WITH ALREADY SATURATED SOILS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

ADDITIONAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF HALF TO THREE QUARTERS OF AN INCH ARE 
POSSIBLE IN THE WARNED AREA OVER THE NEXT HOUR AND A HALF.

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 UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF FLOOD WATERS. ONLY A FEW INCHES OF
RAPIDLY FLOWING WATER CAN QUICKLY CARRY AWAY YOUR VEHICLE.

EXCESSIVE RAINFALL WILL CAUSE STREAM BANKS TO BECOME UNSTABLE.
UNSTABLE STREAM BANKS CAN FAIL OR BECOME SLIPPERY. PERSONS SHOULD
STAY AWAY FROM STREAM BANKS...SWIFT FLOWING WATER AND CULVERTS. STAY
AWAY OR BE SWEPT AWAY!

&&

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

LAT...LON 3821 8228 3834 8218 3835 8211 3839 8205
      3837 8191 3832 8190 3831 8181 3825 8180
      3822 8184 3817 8185 3816 8189 3814 8188
      3815 8194 3817 8195 3810 8224 3811 8226

$$
6 follow-up statements
641 
WGUS71 KRLX 151700
FFSRLX

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV
100 PM EDT THU MAR 15 2012

WVC043-079-151745-
/O.CON.KRLX.FF.W.0008.000000T0000Z-120315T1745Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
PUTNAM WV-LINCOLN WV-
100 PM EDT THU MAR 15 2012

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 145 PM EDT FOR
NORTHERN LINCOLN AND SOUTHWESTERN PUTNAM COUNTIES...

AT 100 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO 
INDICATE A CLUSTER OF THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCING FLASH FLOODING THAT 
WILL MOVE OVER THE WARNED AREA OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL HOURS.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO HAMLIN

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

ADDITIONAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF THREE-QUARTERS OF AN INCH TO AN INCH ARE 
POSSIBLE IN THE WARNED AREA.

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 UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF FLOOD WATERS. ONLY A FEW INCHES OF
RAPIDLY FLOWING WATER CAN QUICKLY CARRY AWAY YOUR VEHICLE.

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 3821 8228 3834 8218 3835 8211 3839 8205
      3837 8191 3832 8190 3831 8181 3825 8180
      3822 8184 3817 8185 3816 8189 3814 8188
      3815 8194 3817 8195 3810 8224 3811 8226

$$
093 
WGUS51 KRLX 151738
FFWRLX
WVC043-079-152045-
/O.EXT.KRLX.FF.W.0008.000000T0000Z-120315T2045Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV
138 PM EDT THU MAR 15 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CHARLESTON HAS EXTENDED THE

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
  NORTHERN LINCOLN COUNTY IN WEST VIRGINIA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF HAMLIN...
  SOUTHWESTERN PUTNAM COUNTY IN WEST VIRGINIA...

* UNTIL 445 PM EDT

* AT 136 PM EDT...FLASH FLOODING WAS REPORTED FROM ONGOING 
THUNDERSTORMS OVER THE WARNED AREA.

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO SOD...
  SWEETLAND...GRIFFITHSVILLE AND WEST HAMLIN.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

ADDITIONAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF A QUARTER TO HALF AN INCH ARE 
POSSIBLE IN THE WARNED AREA OVER THE NEXT TWO HOURS.

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 UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF FLOOD WATERS. ONLY A FEW INCHES OF
RAPIDLY FLOWING WATER CAN QUICKLY CARRY AWAY YOUR VEHICLE.

TO REPORT FLOODING...HAVE THE NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY RELAY
YOUR REPORT TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST OFFICE IN
CHARLESTON.

&&

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

LAT...LON 3821 8228 3834 8218 3835 8211 3839 8205
      3837 8191 3832 8190 3831 8181 3825 8180
      3822 8184 3817 8185 3816 8189 3814 8188
      3815 8194 3817 8195 3810 8224 3811 8226

$$
295 
WGUS71 KRLX 151906
FFSRLX

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV
306 PM EDT THU MAR 15 2012

WVC043-079-152045-
/O.CON.KRLX.FF.W.0008.000000T0000Z-120315T2045Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
PUTNAM WV-LINCOLN WV-
306 PM EDT THU MAR 15 2012

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 445 PM EDT FOR
NORTHERN LINCOLN AND SOUTHWESTERN PUTNAM COUNTIES...

AT 259 PM EDT...FLASH FLOODING FROM REPEATED THUNDERSTORMS WAS 
REPORTED OVER THE WARNED AREA.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO HAMLIN AND 
GRIFFITHSVILLE

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.

FLOODING IS OCCURRING OR IS IMMINENT. MOST FLOOD RELATED DEATHS OCCUR
IN AUTOMOBILES. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS WATER COVERED BRIDGES...
DIPS...OR LOW WATER CROSSINGS. NEVER TRY TO CROSS A FLOWING STREAM...
EVEN A SMALL ONE...ON FOOT. TO ESCAPE RISING WATER MOVE UP TO HIGHER
GROUND.

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

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

&&

LAT...LON 3821 8228 3834 8218 3835 8211 3839 8205
      3837 8191 3832 8190 3831 8181 3825 8180
      3822 8184 3817 8185 3816 8189 3814 8188
      3815 8194 3817 8195 3810 8224 3811 8226

$$
616 
WGUS51 KRLX 152013
FFWRLX
WVC043-079-152345-
/O.EXT.KRLX.FF.W.0008.000000T0000Z-120315T2345Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV
413 PM EDT THU MAR 15 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CHARLESTON HAS EXTENDED THE

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
  NORTHERN LINCOLN COUNTY IN WEST VIRGINIA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF HAMLIN...
  SOUTHWESTERN PUTNAM COUNTY IN WEST VIRGINIA...

* UNTIL 745 PM EDT

* AT 406 PM EDT...FLASH FLOODING WAS REPORTED FROM REPEATED 
THUNDERSTORMS OVER THE WARNED AREA.

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
  GRIFFITHSVILLE...SOD...SWEETLAND AND WEST HAMLIN.

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.

FLOODING IS OCCURRING OR IS IMMINENT. MOST FLOOD RELATED DEATHS OCCUR
IN AUTOMOBILES. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS WATER COVERED BRIDGES...
DIPS...OR LOW WATER CROSSINGS. NEVER TRY TO CROSS A FLOWING STREAM...
EVEN A SMALL ONE...ON FOOT. TO ESCAPE RISING WATER MOVE UP TO HIGHER
GROUND.

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

EXCESSIVE RAINFALL WILL CAUSE STREAM BANKS TO BECOME UNSTABLE.
UNSTABLE STREAM BANKS CAN FAIL OR BECOME SLIPPERY. PERSONS SHOULD
STAY AWAY FROM STREAM BANKS...SWIFT FLOWING WATER AND CULVERTS. STAY
AWAY OR BE SWEPT AWAY!

&&

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

LAT...LON 3821 8228 3834 8218 3835 8211 3839 8205
      3837 8191 3832 8190 3831 8181 3825 8180
      3822 8184 3817 8185 3816 8189 3814 8188
      3815 8194 3817 8195 3810 8224 3811 8226

$$
854 
WGUS71 KRLX 152206
FFSRLX

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV
606 PM EDT THU MAR 15 2012

WVC043-079-152345-
/O.CON.KRLX.FF.W.0008.000000T0000Z-120315T2345Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
PUTNAM WV-LINCOLN WV-
606 PM EDT THU MAR 15 2012

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 745 PM EDT FOR
NORTHERN LINCOLN AND SOUTHWESTERN PUTNAM COUNTIES...

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO HAMLIN

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.

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.

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

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 3821 8228 3834 8218 3835 8211 3839 8205
      3837 8191 3832 8190 3831 8181 3825 8180
      3822 8184 3817 8185 3816 8189 3814 8188
      3815 8194 3817 8195 3810 8224 3811 8226

$$
113 
WGUS71 KRLX 152344
FFSRLX

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV
744 PM EDT THU MAR 15 2012

WVC043-079-152351-
/O.EXP.KRLX.FF.W.0008.000000T0000Z-120315T2345Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
PUTNAM WV-LINCOLN WV-
744 PM EDT THU MAR 15 2012

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 745 PM EDT FOR NORTHERN
LINCOLN AND SOUTHWESTERN PUTNAM COUNTIES...

THE HEAVY RAIN IS OVER FOR THE EVENING.  SOME LIGHT RAIN WILL OCCUR 
OVERNIGHT...BUT HEAVY RAIN IS POSSIBLE AGAIN FRIDAY.  THE FLASH 
FLOOD WARNING THAT WAS IN EFFECT HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO EXPIRE FOR THIS 
EVENING. STREAMS AND CREEKS HAVE BEGUN TO RECEDE...BUT ARE STILL ON 
OR ALONG ROADS IN SOME AREAS...LIKE DUVAL.

TURN AROUND DON'T DROWN. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR CAR ON FLOODED 
ROADWAYS...ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT WHEN THE DEPTH OF THE WATER IS EVEN 
HARDER TO DETERMINE.

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

LAT...LON 3821 8228 3834 8218 3835 8211 3839 8205
      3837 8191 3832 8190 3831 8181 3825 8180
      3822 8184 3817 8185 3816 8189 3814 8188
      3815 8194 3817 8195 3810 8224 3811 8226

$$

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 15, 7:24 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRLXBoone, Kanawha, Lincoln, Putnam66 min
Mar 15, 7:43 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRLXCabell, Mason, Putnam32 min
Mar 15, 7:57 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRLXCabell, Kanawha, Lincoln, Putnam33 min
Mar 15, 8:35 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRLXBoone, Kanawha, Logan, Mingo70 min
Mar 15, 9:10 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRLXLogan, Mingo35 min
Mar 15, 9:37 AM EDTFlash Flood WatchRLXBoone, Cabell, Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Mason and 4 more12 hr
Mar 15, 9:44 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningRLXBoone, Lincoln, Logan, Mingo10 hr
Mar 15, 10:51 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningRLXLogan, McDowell, Mingo, Wyoming4 hr
Mar 15, 11:40 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRLXKanawha, Mason, Putnam65 min
Mar 15, 12:22 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningRLXCabell, Mason, Putnam, Wayne113 min
Mar 15, 4:05 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningRLXLogan, Mingo4 hr

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.