Alert archive / South Carolina / Flash Flood Warnings in 2017
Flash Flood Warning 3, NWS Charleston, SC
NWS Charleston, SC issued this flash flood warning at May 23, 2017, 5:23 PM EDT for Charleston County, South Carolina. It was in force for 6 hr. 4 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 23, 2017, 5:23 PM EDT (21:23 UTC)
- Expired
- May 23, 2017, 11:15 PM EDT
- In force
- 6 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Charleston, SC
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Flood severity
- None
County Charleston County, SC
The radar
The Charleston,SC radar (KCLX), 104 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:23 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 23, 5:57 PM EDT | HEAVY RAIN 0 | Charleston, SC | SEVERAL ROADS IN DOWNTOWN CHARLESTON ARE FLOODED... INCLUDING EAST BAY AND PRESIDENTS STREET. |
| May 23, 7:40 PM EDT | HEAVY RAIN 0 | 1 S West Ashley, SC | WEST ROBINHOOD DRIVE WAS CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING. |
| May 23, 7:40 PM EDT | HEAVY RAIN 0 | Charleston, SC | LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTS AROUND A DOZEN ROADS CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING ACROSS THE CITY OF CHARLESTON. |
| May 23, 7:40 PM EDT | HEAVY RAIN 0 | Charleston, SC | SOCIAL MEDIA PICTURE SHOWS WATER AROUND TWO FEET DEEP ACROSS CANNON PARK. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
The nearest sounding before it
Charleston AFB, SC (KCHS), launched 12:00Z, 9.4 hours before the alert went out and 11 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 403 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -35 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 774 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 17 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 31 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 35 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
717
WGUS52 KCHS 232123
FFWCHS
SCC019-240315-
/O.NEW.KCHS.FF.W.0003.170523T2123Z-170524T0315Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Charleston SC
523 PM EDT TUE MAY 23 2017
The National Weather Service in Charleston has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for portions of...
Charleston County in southeastern South Carolina...
* Until 1115 PM EDT
* At 520 PM EDT, radar rainfall estimates indicate that 1.5 to 2.5
inches of rain has fallen across Charleston and surrounding areas
since 2 PM. The previous heavy rainfall resulted in multiple
flooded roads and a couple of water rescues. Based on latest
reports, several roads remain closed due to lingering flood
waters. Through 7 PM, showers and thunderstorms will result in
rounds of moderate rainfall. In addition, a cluster of strong to
severe storms is expected to move across the Charleston peninsula
during the early to mid evening hours. These storms will likely
provide torrential rainfall rates. The arrival of the heavy
downpours will overlap with this evenings high tide, resulting in
significant street flooding and building flooding. Many roads will
be impassable.
* Some locations that will experience flooding include...
Charleston, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Downtown Charleston,
and West Ashley.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
High tide will inhibit runoff of heavy rain, flooding areas of poor
drainage in Downtown Charleston. Areas most prone to flooding include
the Market, Crosstown, East Bay Street and Morrison Drive.
Report flooding directly to the Charleston National Weather Service
at 1-888-383-2024 or email your reports to nws.charlestonsc@noaa.gov.
&&
LAT...LON 3278 7984 3275 8002 3285 8006 3285 8004
3286 7996 3282 7993 3282 7987
$$
NED3 follow-up statements
973
WGUS72 KCHS 232242
FFSCHS
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Charleston SC
642 PM EDT TUE MAY 23 2017
SCC019-240315-
/O.CON.KCHS.FF.W.0003.000000T0000Z-170524T0315Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Charleston SC-
642 PM EDT TUE MAY 23 2017
...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1115 PM EDT FOR
PORTIONS OF CHARLESTON COUNTY...
At 641 PM EDT, local law enforcement and Charleston County officials
reported numerous roads flooded across the city of Charleston. Up to
three inches of rain have already fallen across the Charleston
peninsula and surrounding areas. At 640 PM, Doppler radar indicated
clusters of strong thunderstorms upstream of the Charleston area.
These storms are expected to track across the warned area, producing
torrential downpours. In addition, high tide will peak at 645 PM,
with tide water remaining high through 730 PM. Flood waters will
deepen over flooded streets, with some areas seeing flood waters a
few feet deep. Many roads will be impassible with flooding of
some homes and businesses likely through 9 PM.
Some locations that will experience flooding include...
Charleston, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Downtown Charleston,
West Ashley, and Charles Towne Landing.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
High tide will inhibit runoff of heavy rain, flooding areas of poor
drainage in Downtown Charleston. Areas most prone to flooding include
the Market, Crosstown, East Bay Street and Morrison Drive.
Report flooding directly to the Charleston National Weather Service
at 1-888-383-2024 or email your reports to nws.charlestonsc@noaa.gov.
&&
LAT...LON 3278 7984 3275 8002 3285 8006 3285 8004
3286 7996 3282 7993 3282 7987
$$
NED376
WGUS72 KCHS 240022
FFSCHS
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Charleston SC
822 PM EDT TUE MAY 23 2017
SCC019-240315-
/O.CON.KCHS.FF.W.0003.000000T0000Z-170524T0315Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Charleston SC-
822 PM EDT TUE MAY 23 2017
...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1115 PM EDT FOR
PORTIONS OF CHARLESTON COUNTY...
At 821 PM EDT, radar rainfall estimates and automated rain gauges
indicated that between 2.5 to 4.5 inches of rain has fallen across
the Charleston peninsula and surrounding areas since early this
afternoon. Law enforcement and social media posts indicate that
numerous roads remain closed due to flooding. By 930 PM, additional
showers and thunderstorms are expected to pass over the warned area.
Rainfall rates may range between half to one inch an hour. The
additional rainfall should worsen ongoing flooding and may result in
more flooded areas.
Some locations that will experience flooding
include... Charleston, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Downtown
Charleston, West Ashley, and Charles Towne Landing.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the
dangers of flooding.
Report flooding directly to the Charleston National Weather Service
at 1-888-383-2024 or email your reports to nws.charlestonsc@noaa.gov.
&&
LAT...LON 3278 7984 3275 8002 3285 8006 3285 8004
3286 7996 3282 7993 3282 7987
$$
NED233
WGUS72 KCHS 240312
FFSCHS
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Charleston SC
1112 PM EDT TUE MAY 23 2017
SCC019-240321-
/O.EXP.KCHS.FF.W.0003.000000T0000Z-170524T0315Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Charleston SC-
1112 PM EDT TUE MAY 23 2017
...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR CHARLESTON COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT 1115
PM EDT...
The heavy rain has ended. Flooding is no longer expected to pose a
serious threat. Please continue to heed any remaining road closures.
LAT...LON 3278 7984 3275 8002 3285 8006 3285 8004
3286 7996 3282 7993 3282 7987
$$
MTEThe office that day
Everything else NWS Charleston, SC issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 23, 3:34 AM EDT | Flash Flood Watch | CHS | Allendale, Berkeley, Colleton, Dorchester, Hampton | 20 hr |
| May 23, 3:35 AM EDT | Small Craft Advisory | CHS | 70 hr | |
| May 23, 1:28 PM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | CHS | Berkeley, Charleston | 92 min |
| May 23, 2:48 PM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | CHS | Charleston | 57 min |
| May 23, 3:48 PM EDT | Special Marine Warning | CHS | 57 min | |
| May 23, 4:38 PM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | CHS | Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton | 52 min |
| May 23, 5:29 PM EDT | Special Marine Warning | CHS | 61 min | |
| May 23, 5:56 PM EDT | Special Marine Warning | CHS | 94 min | |
| May 23, 6:15 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CHS | Beaufort | 30 min |
| May 23, 6:32 PM EDT | Special Marine Warning | CHS | 88 min | |
| May 23, 6:42 PM EDT | Special Marine Warning | CHS | 2 hr | |
| May 23, 6:47 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | CHS | Charleston, Colleton | 28 min |
| May 23, 7:15 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CHS | Charleston | 25 min |
| May 23, 7:28 PM EDT | Special Marine Warning | CHS | 47 min |
Nearby
Flash Flood Warnings in South Carolina, 2017Every flash flood warning in 2017
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.