Alert archive / Virginia / Flash Flood Warnings in 2013

Flash Flood Warning 2, NWS Blacksburg, VA

January 30, 20136 counties in North Carolina; 8 counties in Virginia

NWS Blacksburg, VA issued this flash flood warning at Jan 30, 2013, 6:25 PM EST for 6 counties in North Carolina; 8 counties in Virginia. It was in force for 6 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: Jan 30, 2013, 6:25 PM EST (23:25 UTC)
Expired: Jan 31, 2013, 12:30 AM EST
In force: 6 hr
Issued by: NWS Blacksburg, VA
Area: Storm-based polygon
Flood severity: None

Counties Alleghany County, NC, Ashe County, NC, Stokes County, NC, Surry County, NC, Watauga County, NC, Wilkes County, NC, Carroll County, VA, City of Galax, VA, Floyd County, VA, Franklin County, VA, Grayson County, VA, Montgomery County, VA, Patrick County, VA, Pulaski County, VA

The radar

The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 49 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:28 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
Jan 30, 6:30 PM EST	FLASH FLOOD	4 Nne Indian Valley, VA	SEVERAL ROADS CLOSED OR WASHED OUT IN THE INDIAN VALLEY AREA DUE TO FLASH FLOODING...STARTING BETWEEN 630 AND 730 PM. FLOODING OCCURRED ON INDIAN CREEK ROAD...HOMESTEAD ROAD...HORSE RIDGE ROAD...AND DUNCANS CHAPEL ROAD. TWO HOMES WERE EVACUATED AS WELL.

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, 11.4 hours before the alert went out and 106 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: 29 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -9 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 525 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 45 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 257 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 353 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.

395 
WGUS51 KRNK 302325
FFWRNK
NCC005-009-169-171-189-193-VAC035-063-067-077-121-141-155-640-310530-
/O.NEW.KRNK.FF.W.0002.130130T2325Z-130131T0530Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
625 PM EST WED JAN 30 2013

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BLACKSBURG HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
  NORTHWESTERN SURRY COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA...
  EXTREME SOUTHEASTERN ASHE COUNTY IN NORTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA...
  NORTHWESTERN STOKES COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA...
  NORTHWESTERN WILKES COUNTY IN NORTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA...
  ALLEGHANY COUNTY IN NORTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA...
  SOUTHEASTERN WATAUGA COUNTY IN NORTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA...
  FLOYD COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA...
  CARROLL COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA...
  EXTREME WESTERN FRANKLIN COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL VIRGINIA...
  CITY OF GALAX IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA...
  PATRICK COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA...
  SOUTHEASTERN PULASKI COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA...
  EASTERN GRAYSON COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA...
  SOUTHWESTERN MONTGOMERY COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA...

* UNTIL 1230 AM EST THURSDAY

* AT 619 PM EST...RADAR INDICATED VERY HEAVY RAINFALL CONTINUING 
  ACROSS THE REGION. UP TO 3 INCHES HAS FALLEN IN THE PAST FEW 
  HOURS. MANY ROADS HAVE BEEN REPORTED FLOODED ACROSS THE REGION AND 
  ADDED RAINFALL WILL CAUSE MORE FLASH FLOODING.

* SOME LOCATIONS THAT WILL EXPERIENCE FLOODING INCLUDE...
  PILOT...INDIAN VALLEY...ALLISONIA...MOUNT AIRY...GALAX CITY...
  MOUNTAIN PARK...HILLSVILLE...MC GRADY...WILBAR...SPARTA...LAUREL 
  SPRINGS...ENNICE...ARARAT...TRAPHILL...DOBSON...BOTTOM...
  FRANCISCO...CANA...COPPER HILL...STUART...WOOLWINE...FLOYD...
  WILLIS...FANCY GAP...COPPER VALLEY...GRAYSONTOWN...CHILDRESS...
  WESTFIELD...PIPERS GAP AND LOW GAP.

ADDITIONAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE IN THE 
WARNED AREA.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

EXCESSIVE RUNOFF FROM HEAVY RAINFALL WILL CAUSE FLOODING OF SMALL 
CREEKS AND STREAMS...AS WELL AS NEARBY COUNTRY ROADS AND FARMLAND. 
IF YOU ENCOUNTER A WATER COVERED ROAD...TURN AROUND DON'T DROWN! 
RESIDENTS LIVING ALONG STREAMS AND CREEKS SHOULD MOVE TO HIGHER 
GROUND NOW.

BE ESPECIALLY CAUTIOUS AT NIGHT WHEN IT IS HARDER TO SEE THE 
FLOODING. IF FLASH FLOODING IS OBSERVED...MOVE UP TO HIGHER GROUND 
QUICKLY.  DO NOT STAY IN AREAS SUBJECT TO FLOODING WHEN WATER BEGINS 
RISING.

THE HEAVY RAIN WILL INCREASE THE RISK OF LANDSLIDES. IF YOU ARE NEAR 
STEEP SLOPES OR A MOUNTAINSIDE STREAM OR RIVER...SEEK REFUGE ON 
HIGHER GROUND AWAY FROM THE STREAM IMMEDIATELY. POTENTIAL FLASH 
FLOOD AND LANDSLIDE HAZARDS INCLUDE WASHED-OUT ROADS OR BRIDGES...
FALLING ROCKS...MUD...TREES...AND OTHER LARGE DEBRIS. REMAIN ALERT!

&&

LAT...LON 3636 8135 3664 8098 3686 8080 3688 8075
      3691 8076 3710 8059 3714 8018 3711 8016
      3715 8009 3657 8012 3612 8160
$$

JH

3 follow-up statements

429 
WGUS71 KRNK 310119
FFSRNK

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
819 PM EST WED JAN 30 2013

NCC005-009-169-171-189-193-VAC035-063-067-077-121-141-155-640-310530-
/O.CON.KRNK.FF.W.0002.000000T0000Z-130131T0530Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
SURRY NC-ASHE NC-STOKES NC-WILKES NC-ALLEGHANY NC-WATAUGA NC-
FLOYD VA-CARROLL VA-FRANKLIN VA-CITY OF GALAX VA-PATRICK VA-
PULASKI VA-GRAYSON VA-MONTGOMERY VA-
819 PM EST WED JAN 30 2013

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1230 AM EST 
THURSDAY FOR
NORTHWESTERN SURRY COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA...EXTREME 
SOUTHEASTERN ASHE COUNTY IN NORTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA...NORTHWESTERN 
STOKES COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA...NORTHWESTERN 
WILKES...ALLEGHANY AND SOUTHEASTERN WATAUGA COUNTIES IN NORTHWEST 
NORTH CAROLINA...FLOYD AND CARROLL COUNTIES IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA...
EXTREME WESTERN FRANKLIN COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL VIRGINIA...PATRICK...
SOUTHEASTERN PULASKI...EASTERN GRAYSON AND SOUTHWESTERN MONTGOMERY 
COUNTIES IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA AND THE CITY OF GALAX...

AT 816 PM EST...DOPPLER RADAR AND AUTOMATED RAIN GAUGES INDICATED 
THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCING HEAVY RAIN OVER THE WARNED AREA. 2 TO 4 
INCHES OF RAIN HAVE FALLEN. FLASH FLOODING WILL CONTINUE INTO THE 
OVERNIGHT. MANY ROADS HAVE BEEN CLOSED AROUND THE GALAX REGION AND 
ADDITIONAL ROAD CLOSURES ARE LIKELY ACROSS THE WARNED AREA TONIGHT.

EXCESSIVE RAINFALL OVER THE WARNING AREA WILL CAUSE MUD SLIDES NEAR 
STEEP TERRAIN. THE MUD SLIDE CAN CONSIST OF ROCK...MUD...VEGETATION 
AND OTHER LOOSE MATERIALS.

SOME LOCATIONS THAT WILL EXPERIENCE FLOODING INCLUDE...
PILOT...INDIAN VALLEY...ALLISONIA...MOUNT AIRY...GALAX CITY...
MOUNTAIN PARK...HILLSVILLE...MC GRADY...WILBAR...SPARTA...LAUREL 
SPRINGS...ENNICE...ARARAT...TRAPHILL...DOBSON...BOTTOM...FRANCISCO...
CANA...COPPER HILL...STUART...WOOLWINE...FLOYD...WILLIS...FANCY 
GAP...COPPER VALLEY...GRAYSONTOWN...CHILDRESS...WESTFIELD...PIPERS 
GAP AND LOW GAP.

ADDITIONAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE IN THE 
WARNED AREA.

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.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3636 8135 3664 8098 3686 8080 3688 8075
      3691 8076 3710 8059 3714 8018 3711 8016
      3715 8009 3657 8012 3612 8160

$$

JH

506 
WGUS71 KRNK 310420
FFSRNK

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
1120 PM EST WED JAN 30 2013

NCC005-009-169-171-189-193-VAC035-063-067-077-121-141-155-640-310530-
/O.CON.KRNK.FF.W.0002.000000T0000Z-130131T0530Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
SURRY NC-ASHE NC-STOKES NC-WILKES NC-ALLEGHANY NC-WATAUGA NC-
FLOYD VA-CARROLL VA-FRANKLIN VA-CITY OF GALAX VA-PATRICK VA-
PULASKI VA-GRAYSON VA-MONTGOMERY VA-
1120 PM EST WED JAN 30 2013

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1230 AM EST 
THURSDAY FOR
NORTHWESTERN SURRY COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA...EXTREME 
SOUTHEASTERN ASHE COUNTY IN NORTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA...NORTHWESTERN 
STOKES COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA...NORTHWESTERN 
WILKES...ALLEGHANY AND SOUTHEASTERN WATAUGA COUNTIES IN NORTHWEST 
NORTH CAROLINA...FLOYD AND CARROLL COUNTIES IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA...
EXTREME WESTERN FRANKLIN COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL VIRGINIA...PATRICK...
SOUTHEASTERN PULASKI...EASTERN GRAYSON AND SOUTHWESTERN MONTGOMERY 
COUNTIES IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA AND THE CITY OF GALAX...

AT 1117 PM EST...DOPPLER RADAR AND AUTOMATED RAIN GAUGES INDICATED 
RAIN WAS BEGINNING TO TAPER OFF ACROSS THE WARNED AREA. 
HOWEVER...RUNOFF WAS STILL CONTRIBUTING TO FLASH FLOODING AS MAN 
ROADS REMAIN CLOSED AND SEVERAL MUDSLIDES WERE REPORTED IN CARROLL 
COUNTY SPECIFICALLY. 

SOME LOCATIONS THAT WILL EXPERIENCE FLOODING INCLUDE...
PILOT...INDIAN VALLEY...ALLISONIA...MOUNT AIRY...GALAX CITY...
MOUNTAIN PARK...HILLSVILLE...MC GRADY...WILBAR...SPARTA...LAUREL 
SPRINGS...ENNICE...ARARAT...TRAPHILL...DOBSON...BOTTOM...FRANCISCO...
CANA...COPPER HILL...STUART...WOOLWINE...FLOYD...WILLIS...FANCY 
GAP...COPPER VALLEY...GRAYSONTOWN...CHILDRESS...WESTFIELD...PIPERS 
GAP AND LOW GAP.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...


EXCESSIVE RUNOFF FROM HEAVY RAINFALL WILL CAUSE FLOODING OF SMALL 
CREEKS AND STREAMS...HIGHWAYS AND UNDERPASSES.  ADDITIONALLY...
COUNTRY ROADS AND FARMLANDS ALONG THE BANKS OF CREEKS...STREAMS AND 
OTHER LOW LYING AREAS ARE SUBJECT TO FLOODING.

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.

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

&&

LAT...LON 3636 8135 3664 8098 3686 8080 3688 8075
      3691 8076 3710 8059 3714 8018 3711 8016
      3715 8009 3657 8012 3612 8160

$$

SK

927 
WGUS71 KRNK 310515
FFSRNK

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
1215 AM EST THU JAN 31 2013

VAC063-121-077-155-141-035-067-640-NCC189-169-005-009-193-171-310522-
/O.CAN.KRNK.FF.W.0002.000000T0000Z-130131T0530Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
SURRY NC-ASHE NC-STOKES NC-WILKES NC-ALLEGHANY NC-WATAUGA NC-
FLOYD VA-CARROLL VA-FRANKLIN VA-CITY OF GALAX VA-PATRICK VA-
PULASKI VA-GRAYSON VA-MONTGOMERY VA-
1215 AM EST THU JAN 31 2013

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR 
NORTHWESTERN SURRY COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA...EXTREME 
SOUTHEASTERN ASHE COUNTY IN NORTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA...NORTHWESTERN 
STOKES COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA...NORTHWESTERN 
WILKES...ALLEGHANY AND SOUTHEASTERN WATAUGA COUNTIES IN NORTHWEST 
NORTH CAROLINA...FLOYD AND CARROLL COUNTIES IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA...
EXTREME WESTERN FRANKLIN COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL VIRGINIA...PATRICK...
SOUTHEASTERN PULASKI...EASTERN GRAYSON AND SOUTHWESTERN MONTGOMERY 
COUNTIES IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA AND THE CITY OF GALAX IS CANCELLED...

RAIN WILL BE ENDING BY 2:00AM. HOWEVER...FLOODING WILL CONTINUE. THE 
WATER MAY TAKE SEVERAL HOURS TO RECEDE SO A FLOOD WARNING WILL BE IN 
EFFECT FOR THIS AREA UNTIL 6:15AM. 

LAT...LON 3636 8135 3664 8098 3686 8080 3688 8075
      3691 8076 3710 8059 3714 8018 3711 8016
      3715 8009 3657 8012 3612 8160

$$

AMS

The office that day

Everything else NWS Blacksburg, VA issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Jan 30, 4:24 AM EST	Flash Flood Watch	RNK	Alleghany, Ashe, Caswell, Rockingham, Stokes, Surry and 3 more	21 hr
Jan 30, 2:31 PM EST	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Ashe, Watauga	59 min
Jan 30, 2:59 PM EST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Alleghany, Ashe	61 min
Jan 30, 3:56 PM EST	Areal Flood Advisory	RNK	Alleghany, Ashe, Watauga	6 hr
Jan 30, 4:19 PM EST	Flash Flood Warning Emergency	RNK	Alleghany, Ashe, Watauga	10 hr
Jan 30, 5:02 PM EST	Areal Flood Advisory	RNK	Alleghany, Ashe, Surry, Watauga, Wilkes	6 hr
Jan 30, 10:07 AM EST	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Bland, Smyth, Tazewell, Wythe	53 min
Jan 30, 10:30 AM EST	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Smyth, Tazewell	30 min
Jan 30, 11:12 AM EST	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Bland, Smyth, Tazewell	63 min
Jan 30, 12:13 PM EST	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Giles	47 min
Jan 30, 12:58 PM EST	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Alleghany, Bath, Bland, Craig, Giles, Pulaski and 3 more	62 min
Jan 30, 1:51 PM EST	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Alleghany, Bath, City of Covington	54 min
Jan 30, 3:22 PM EST	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Floyd, Montgomery, Pulaski, Wythe, City of Radford	53 min
Jan 30, 3:27 PM EST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Bland, Carroll, Floyd, Giles, Grayson, Montgomery and 5 more	63 min
Jan 30, 3:31 PM EST	Areal Flood Advisory	RNK	Bland, Smyth, Tazewell, Wythe	6 hr
Jan 30, 4:02 PM EST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Alleghany, Bedford, Botetourt, Craig, Franklin, Giles and 4 more	58 min
Jan 30, 4:52 PM EST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Alleghany, Amherst, Bedford, Botetourt, Roanoke, Rockbridge and 4 more	53 min
Jan 30, 4:57 PM EST	Areal Flood Advisory	RNK	Alleghany, Bath, Bedford, Botetourt, Craig, Floyd and 8 more	6 hr
Jan 30, 5:34 PM EST	Areal Flood Warning	RNK	Bland, Carroll, Craig, Floyd, Giles, Grayson and 6 more	18 hr
Jan 30, 5:48 PM EST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Amherst, Appomattox, City of Lynchburg	42 min
Jan 30, 6:19 PM EST	Areal Flood Warning	RNK	Alleghany, Bath	6 hr
Jan 30, 6:23 PM EST	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Bedford, Campbell, Henry, Pittsylvania, City of Martinsville	52 min
Jan 30, 6:32 PM EST	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Buckingham	58 min
Jan 30, 6:39 PM EST	Flash Flood Warning	RNK	Alleghany, Amherst, Bath, Bedford, Botetourt, Craig and 8 more	6 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Virginia, 2013 Flash Flood Warnings in North Carolina, 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.