Alert archive / Pennsylvania / Flash Flood Warnings in 2013

Flash Flood Warning 21, NWS State College, PA

July 22, 2013Lebanon County, Pennsylvania

NWS State College, PA issued this flash flood warning at Jul 22, 2013, 5:23 PM EDT for Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. It was in force for 7 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: Jul 22, 2013, 5:23 PM EDT (21:23 UTC)
Expired: Jul 23, 2013, 12:30 AM EDT
In force: 7 hr
Issued by: NWS State College, PA
Area: Storm-based polygon
Flood severity: None

County Lebanon County, PA

The radar

The State College radar (KCCX), 145 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:25 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

Time	Report	Where	Remark
Jul 22, 6:15 PM EDT	FLASH FLOOD	Lebanon, PA	SEVERAL ROADWAYS NEAR QUITTAPAHILLA CREEK IN THE CITY OF LEBANON ARE FLOODED.
Jul 22, 6:20 PM EDT	FLASH FLOOD	1 W Lebanon, PA	THE TUNNEL BEHIND THE LEBANON VALLEY MALL IS FLOODED.
Jul 22, 6:20 PM EDT	FLASH FLOOD	Lebanon, PA	SEVERAL SIDE STREETS AND ALLEYS ARE FLOODED IN THE CITY OF LEBANON.
Jul 22, 6:30 PM EDT	FLASH FLOOD	Lebanon, PA	STRANDED VEHICLES AT THE INTERSECTION OF SEVENTH AND WILLOW STREETS.
Jul 22, 11:31 PM EDT	FLASH FLOOD	Lebanon, PA	NUMEROUS ROAD CLOSURES AND STRANDED VEHICLES ACROSS LEBANON COUNTY DUE TO HIGH WATER.

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

The nearest sounding before it

Phillips Aaf/Abe, MD (KAPG), launched 12:00Z, 9.4 hours before the alert went out and 100 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-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

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: 1545 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -13 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 586 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 33 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 39 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 69 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.2
Supercell composite: 2.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

226 
WGUS51 KCTP 222123
FFWCTP
PAC075-230030-
/O.NEW.KCTP.FF.W.0021.130722T2123Z-130723T0030Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE STATE COLLEGE PA
523 PM EDT MON JUL 22 2013

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STATE COLLEGE PA HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
  SOUTHERN LEBANON COUNTY...

* UNTIL 830 PM EDT...

* AT 516 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED
  VERY HEAVY RAIN FROM A THUNDERSTORM OVER SOUTHERN LEBANON COUNTY.

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO ANNVILLE...
  LEBANON...MYERSTOWN AND PALMYRA.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

PLEASE REPORT FLOODING TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STATE
COLLEGE THROUGH TWITTER OR FACEBOOK.

&&

LAT...LON 4022 7658 4031 7662 4038 7661 4043 7632
      4034 7621

$$

FORECASTER: KF

4 follow-up statements

487 
WGUS71 KCTP 230011
FFSCTP

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE STATE COLLEGE PA
811 PM EDT MON JUL 22 2013

PAC075-230030-
/O.CON.KCTP.FF.W.0021.000000T0000Z-130723T0030Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
LEBANON PA-
811 PM EDT MON JUL 22 2013

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 830 PM EDT FOR
SOUTHERN LEBANON COUNTY...

AT 805 PM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR ESTIMATES CONTINUE TO INDICATE A 
SEVERAL THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCING HEAVY RAIN ALONG WITH FLASH FLOODING 
OVER CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN LEBANON COUNTY. ADDITIONAL RAINFALL OF UP 
TO ONE INCH IS POSSIBLE OVER THE NEXT HOUR OVER THE WARNED AREA.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO LEBANON... 
ANNVILLE...MYERSTOWN AND PALMYRA.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

EXCESSIVE RUNOFF FROM HEAVY RAINFALL WILL CAUSE FLOODING OF SMALL 
CREEKS AND STREAMS...HIGHWAYS AND UNDERPASSES. 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.

PLEASE REPORT FLOODING TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STATE
COLLEGE THROUGH TWITTER OR FACEBOOK.

&&

LAT...LON 4022 7658 4031 7662 4038 7661 4043 7632
      4034 7621

$$

FORECASTER: LAMBERT

123 
WGUS51 KCTP 230023
FFWCTP
PAC075-230430-
/O.EXT.KCTP.FF.W.0021.000000T0000Z-130723T0430Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE STATE COLLEGE PA
823 PM EDT MON JUL 22 2013

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STATE COLLEGE PA HAS EXTENDED THE

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
  SOUTHERN LEBANON COUNTY...

* UNTIL 1230 AM EDT...

* AT 817 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED   
  CONTINUED HEAVY RAIN FALLING OVER MUCH OF THE WARNED AREA FROM 
  SEVERAL THUNDERSTORMS THAT WERE MOVING SLOWLY NORTHEAST. FLASH     
  FLOODING OF ROADS AND UNDERPASSES HAS BE CONCENTRATED IN AND       
  AROUND THE CITY OF LEBANON OVER THE PAST SEVERAL HOURS. ADDITIONAL 
  RAINFALL OF 1 TO 2 INCHES IS POSSIBLE OVER PARTS OF THE WARNED 
  AREA DURING THE NEXT SEVERAL HOURS...WHICH COULD EXACERBATE THE 
  FLASH FLOODING ALREADY OCCURRING.    

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO ANNVILLE...
  LEBANON...MYERSTOWN...PALMYRA...CAMPBELLTOWN...CLEONA...RICHLAND
  AND SAND HILL.

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.

PLEASE REPORT FLOODING TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STATE
COLLEGE THROUGH TWITTER OR FACEBOOK.

&&

LAT...LON 4022 7658 4031 7662 4038 7661 4043 7632
      4034 7621

$$

FORECASTER: LAMBERT/STEINBUGL

417 
WGUS71 KCTP 230337
FFSCTP

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE STATE COLLEGE PA
1137 PM EDT MON JUL 22 2013

PAC075-230430-
/O.CON.KCTP.FF.W.0021.000000T0000Z-130723T0430Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
LEBANON PA-
1137 PM EDT MON JUL 22 2013

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1230 AM EDT FOR
SOUTHERN LEBANON COUNTY...

AT 1124 PM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO INDICATE MODERATE TO 
HEAVY RAIN FALLING OVER THE WARNING AREA WITH WIDESPREAD...DANGEROUS 
NIGHT TIME FLASH FLOODING OCCURRING ACROSS THE SOUTHERN HALF OF 
LEBANON COUNTY...INCLUDING THE CITY OF LEBANON. 

RAINFALL RATES WILL BE GRADUALLY DECREASING OVER THE NEXT FEW HOURS 
WITH THE RAIN COMING TO AN END BY 2 AM. ADDITIONAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS 
BETWEEN 1130 PM AND 2 AM WILL BE UP TO ONE INCH FROM THE CITY OF 
LEBANON...SOUTH.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO ANNVILLE... 
LEBANON...MYERSTOWN...PALMYRA...CAMPBELLTOWN...CLEONA...RICHLAND AND 
SAND HILL.

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.

PLEASE REPORT FLOODING TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STATE
COLLEGE THROUGH TWITTER OR FACEBOOK.

&&

LAT...LON 4022 7658 4031 7662 4038 7661 4043 7632
      4034 7621

$$

FORECASTER: LAMBERT

503 
WGUS71 KCTP 230437
FFSCTP

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE STATE COLLEGE PA
1237 AM EDT TUE JUL 23 2013

PAC075-230443-
/O.EXP.KCTP.FF.W.0021.000000T0000Z-130723T0430Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
LEBANON PA-
1237 AM EDT TUE JUL 23 2013

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING HAS EXPIRED FOR SOUTHERN LEBANON COUNTY...

THE WATERS FROM THE EARLIER HEAVY RAINS ARE RECEDING AND NO LONGER
POSE A THREAT TO LIFE OR PROPERTY. THEREFORE...THE FLASH FLOOD
WARNING WAS ALLOWED TO EXPIRE.

HOWEVER...HIGH STREAM LEVELS AND FLOODING OF LOW LYING AREAS IN 
CITIES AND TOWNS ACROSS THE SOUTHERN HALF OF LEBANON COUNTY WILL 
STILL OCCUR FOR THE NEXT FEW HOURS. 

PLEASE REPORT FLOODING TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STATE 
COLLEGE THROUGH TWITTER OR FACEBOOK.

LAT...LON 4022 7658 4031 7662 4038 7661 4043 7632
      4034 7621

$$

FORECASTER: LAMBERT

The office that day

Everything else NWS State College, PA issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Jul 21, 8:24 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CTP	Centre	51 min
Jul 21, 8:39 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	CTP	Centre	81 min
Jul 21, 9:52 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	CTP	Centre, Mifflin	83 min
Jul 22, 11:11 AM EDT	Flash Flood Watch	CTP	Bedford, Cambria, Clearfield, Somerset	12 hr
Jul 22, 4:36 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	CTP	Lycoming	54 min
Jul 22, 5:11 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	CTP	Dauphin, Lebanon	94 min
Jul 22, 5:56 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	CTP	Bedford, Somerset	109 min
Jul 22, 6:26 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	CTP	Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon	79 min
Jul 22, 7:43 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	CTP	Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon	62 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Pennsylvania, 2013 Every flash flood warning in 2013

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.