Alert archive / Ohio / Flash Flood Warnings in 2014

Flash Flood Warning 5, NWS Cleveland, OH

May 12, 20144 counties in Ohio

NWS Cleveland, OH issued this flash flood warning at May 12, 2014, 8:43 PM EDT for 4 counties in Ohio. It was in force for 7 hr. 6 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
May 12, 2014, 8:43 PM EDT (00:43 UTC)
Expired
May 13, 2014, 4:00 AM EDT
In force
7 hr
Issued by
NWS Cleveland, OH
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Cuyahoga County, OH, Lorain County, OH, Medina County, OH, Summit County, OH

The radar

The Cleveland radar (KCLE), 17 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:46 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
May 12, 10:18 PM EDTFLASH FLOODCuyahoga Falls, OHROUTE 8 SHUT DOWN DUE TO FLOODING. PEOPLE TRAPPED IN CARS.
May 12, 10:38 PM EDTFLASH FLOODBrecksville, OHMULTIPLE CREEKS OUT OF BANKS AND SEVERAL ROADS FLOODED.
May 12, 10:38 PM EDTFLASH FLOODCuyahoga Falls, OHSEVERAL REPORTS OF STREETS FLOODED AND CARS STRANDED IN CUYAHOGA FALLS.
May 12, 10:38 PM EDTFLASH FLOODNorth Royalton, OHSEVERAL REPORTS OF STREETS FLOODED IN THE CITY
May 12, 10:38 PM EDTFLASH FLOODOlmsted Falls, OHSEVERAL ROADS ARE FLODDED AND REPORTS OF CARS FLOATING IN DITCHES.
May 12, 10:38 PM EDTFLASH FLOODStrongsville, OHSEVERAL REPORTS OF STREETS FLOODED IN STRONGSVILLE

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

The nearest sounding before it

Pittsburgh, PA (KAGC), launched 00:00Z, 0.7 hours before the alert went out and 172 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, Pittsburgh, PA at 00:00Z on 2014-05-13Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 429 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, Pittsburgh, PA at 00:00Z on 2014-05-13The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 158 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
429 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-77 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1021 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
24 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
158 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
212 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

663 
WGUS51 KCLE 130043
FFWCLE
OHC035-093-103-153-130800-
/O.NEW.KCLE.FF.W.0005.140513T0043Z-140513T0800Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CLEVELAND OH
843 PM EDT MON MAY 12 2014

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CLEVELAND HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
  CUYAHOGA COUNTY IN NORTHEAST OHIO...
  LORAIN COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL OHIO...
  MEDINA COUNTY IN NORTHEAST OHIO...
  SUMMIT COUNTY IN NORTHEAST OHIO...

* UNTIL 400 AM EDT TUESDAY.

* AT 827 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED
  A SLOW MOVING CLUSTER OF THUNDERSTORMS WITH VERY HEAVY RAINFALL
  ACROSS THE WARNED AREA. THE GROUND HAS BECOME RAPIDLY SATURATED
  FROM EARLIER STORMS AND MINOR FLOODING WAS REPORTED. ADDITIONAL 
  HEAVY RAINFALL IS EXPECTED OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF HOURS WHICH 
  WILL EXASPERATE FLOODING TO HAZARDOUS LEVELS. STORM DRAINS 
  WILL BE OVERWHELMED AND CREEKS AND STREAMS WILL OVERFLOW THEIR BANKS. 
  

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  STRONGSVILLE...
  MEDINA...
  LORAIN...
  LITCHFIELD...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FLASH FLOOD WARNING MEANS THAT FLOODING IS IMMINENT OR OCCURRING.
RESIDENTS LIVING ALONG STREAMS AND CREEKS SHOULD TAKE IMMEDIATE
PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS
SWIFTLY FLOWING WATERS OR WATERS OF UNKNOWN DEPTH BY FOOT OR BY
AUTOMOBILE.

BE ESPECIALLY CAUTIOUS AT NIGHT WHEN IT IS HARDER TO RECOGNIZE THE
DANGERS OF FLOODING. IF FLASH FLOODING IS OBSERVED ACT QUICKLY. DO
NOT ENTER THE WATER. TURN AROUND AND MOVE UP TO HIGHER GROUND TO
ESCAPE FLOOD WATERS. DO NOT STAY IN AREAS SUBJECT TO FLOODING WHEN
WATER BEGINS RISING.

&&

LAT...LON 4157 8148 4157 8139 4099 8139 4098 8142
      4091 8142 4091 8164 4099 8165 4099 8217
      4106 8218 4107 8234 4143 8235 4143 8226
      4148 8219 4152 8203 4149 8175 4163 8149

$$
2 follow-up statements
578 
WGUS71 KCLE 130136
FFSCLE

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CLEVELAND OH
936 PM EDT MON MAY 12 2014

OHC035-093-103-153-130800-
/O.CON.KCLE.FF.W.0005.000000T0000Z-140513T0800Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
CUYAHOGA OH-LORAIN OH-MEDINA OH-SUMMIT OH-
936 PM EDT MON MAY 12 2014

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR SUMMIT...MEDINA...LORAIN
AND CUYAHOGA COUNTIES UNTIL 400 AM EDT TUESDAY...

THERE IS AN EXTREME FLASH FLOOD SITUATION ACROSS NORTH CENTRAL OHIO. 
TORRENTIAL RAINFALL ASSOCIATED WITH STRONG THUNDERSTORMS THIS EVENING
HAVE PRODUCED RAINFALL AMOUNTS UPWARDS OF 4 TO 6 INCHES ACROSS 
PORTIONS OF LORAIN...CUYAHOGA...AND MEDINA COUNTIES. INTENSE 
RAINFALL RATES EXCEEDING 2 INCHES PER HOUR HAVE OVERWHELMED STORM 
DRAINAGE SYSTEMS AND AREA STREAMS AND CREEKS. THE LARGER RIVERS HAVE 
YET TO RESPOND BUT THE BLACK AND VERMILION RIVERS WILL LIKELY FLOOD 
AS A RESULT OF THIS INTENSE RAINFALL. 

THESE STORMS CONTINUE TO PRODUCE INTENSE RAINFALL AND ARE MOVING 
INTO SUMMIT COUNTY. FLASH FLOODING IS OCCURRING. THE CONTINUED 
RUNOFF WILL INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF PROPERTY AT RISK THROUGH THE 
OVERNIGHT HOURS EVEN AFTER THE RAIN ENDS. 

SOME LOCATIONS THAT WILL EXPERIENCE FLOODING 
INCLUDE...LORAIN...MEDINA.. .STRONGSVILLE...AMHERST...AVON 
LAKE...BRUNSWICK...LODI...OLMSTED FALLS...NORTH RIDGEVILLE...NORTH 
ROYALTON...PARMA...VERMILION...AND WESTLAKE.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

BE ESPECIALLY CAUTIOUS AT NIGHT WHEN IT IS HARDER TO RECOGNIZE THE
DANGERS OF FLOODING. IF DRIVING...SLOW DOWN! BE ALERT FOR LOW
SPOTS...DIPS...AND UNDERPASSES WHICH MAY BE FLOODED. PEOPLE IN LOW
LYING AREAS ALONG CREEKS AND STREAMS SHOULD MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND TO
ESCAPE RISING WATER LEVELS.

&&

LAT...LON 4157 8148 4157 8139 4099 8139 4098 8142
      4091 8142 4091 8164 4099 8165 4099 8217
      4106 8218 4107 8234 4143 8235 4143 8226
      4148 8219 4152 8203 4149 8175 4163 8149

$$

LAPLANTE
019 
WGUS71 KCLE 130352
FFSCLE

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CLEVELAND OH
1152 PM EDT MON MAY 12 2014

OHC035-093-103-153-130800-
/O.CON.KCLE.FF.W.0005.000000T0000Z-140513T0800Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
CUYAHOGA OH-LORAIN OH-MEDINA OH-SUMMIT OH-
1152 PM EDT MON MAY 12 2014

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR SUMMIT...MEDINA...LORAIN
AND CUYAHOGA COUNTIES UNTIL 400 AM EDT...

AT 1145 PM EDT...LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS REPORTED THAT FLASH 
FLOODING CONTINUED ACROSS A LARGE PORTION OF LORAIN...CUYAHOGA... 
MEDINA AND SUMMIT COUNTIES WITH NUMEROUS ROADS CLOSED DUE TO 
FLOODING. IN ADDITION NUMEROUS RIVERS AND STREAMS ACROSS THE AREA 
WERE ALSO OUT OF THEIR BANKS. FLOODING WILL CONTINUE INTO THE 
NIGHT.  

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

BE ESPECIALLY CAUTIOUS AT NIGHT WHEN IT IS HARDER TO RECOGNIZE THE
DANGERS OF FLOODING. IF DRIVING...SLOW DOWN! BE ALERT FOR LOW
SPOTS...DIPS...AND UNDERPASSES WHICH MAY BE FLOODED. PEOPLE IN LOW
LYING AREAS ALONG CREEKS AND STREAMS SHOULD MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND TO
ESCAPE RISING WATER LEVELS.

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. TURN AROUND...DON'T DROWN!

&&

LAT...LON 4157 8148 4157 8139 4099 8139 4098 8142
      4091 8142 4091 8164 4099 8165 4099 8217
      4106 8218 4107 8234 4143 8235 4143 8226
      4148 8219 4152 8203 4149 8175 4163 8149

$$

KING

The office that day

Everything else NWS Cleveland, OH issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 12, 8:00 PM EDTTornado WarningCLEMedina, Summit45 min
May 12, 8:15 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningCLECuyahoga, Lorain, Medina6 hr
May 12, 8:31 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCLEErie, Huron, Lorain, Medina44 min
May 12, 8:41 PM EDTTornado WarningCLEMedina, Summit49 min
May 12, 8:54 PM EDTRiver Flood WarningCLELorain39 hr
May 12, 8:54 PM EDTRiver Flood WarningCLEErie, Lorain39 hr
May 12, 8:57 PM EDTTornado WarningCLECuyahoga, Lorain, Medina48 min
May 12, 9:07 PM EDTTornado WarningCLECuyahoga, Summit38 min
May 12, 9:14 PM EDTTornado WarningCLEMedina, Wayne31 min
May 12, 9:29 PM EDTTornado WarningCLEPortage, Summit31 min
May 12, 9:33 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCLEMedina, Summit42 min
May 12, 9:45 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCLEMedina, Wayne45 min
May 12, 9:51 PM EDTTornado WarningCLEPortage, Stark, Summit39 min
May 12, 9:59 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningCLEGeauga, Portage, Trumbull6 hr
May 12, 10:04 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningCLEErie6 hr
May 12, 10:12 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningCLEStark, Wayne8 hr
May 12, 10:21 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningCLEPortage, Trumbull8 hr
May 12, 10:43 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningCLEMahoning7 hr
May 12, 10:57 PM EDTRiver Flood WarningCLESummit11 hr
May 12, 10:57 PM EDTRiver Flood WarningCLEMarion13 hr
May 13, 12:20 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningCLECuyahoga29 hr
May 13, 1:32 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningCLETrumbull33 hr
May 13, 3:55 AM EDTAreal Flood WarningCLECuyahoga, Lorain, Medina, Summit16 hr
May 13, 4:11 AM EDTAreal Flood WarningCLETrumbull6 hr
May 13, 4:13 AM EDTFlash Flood WatchCLEAshtabula, Cuyahoga, Erie, Geauga, Lake, Lorain and 7 more17 hr
May 13, 9:57 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningCLECuyahoga14 hr
May 13, 3:11 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningCLE2 hr
May 13, 5:01 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCLELucas, Wood44 min
May 13, 5:18 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningCLE117 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Ohio, 2014Every flash flood warning in 2014

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.