Alert archive / Massachusetts / Flash Flood Warnings in 2018

Flash Flood Warning 26, NWS Boston/Norton, MA

August 18, 2018Hampden County, Hampshire County, Massachusetts

NWS Boston/Norton, MA issued this flash flood warning at Aug 18, 2018, 2:22 PM EDT for Hampden County, Hampshire County, Massachusetts. It was in force for 2 hr. 9 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
Aug 18, 2018, 2:22 PM EDT (18:22 UTC)
Expired
Aug 18, 2018, 4:26 PM EDT
In force
2 hr
Issued by
NWS Boston/Norton, MA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Hampden County, MA, Hampshire County, MA

The radar

The Boston radar (KBOX), 115 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 18:21 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
Aug 18, 2:25 PM EDTFLOODSpringfield, MAROOSEVELT AND BERLIN STREETS FLOODED WITH WATER ABOVE CAR FLOOR BOARDS. WOMAN AND CHILD TRAPPED IN A CAR WERE RESCUED AND ANOTHER CAR IN NEED OF RESCUE.
Aug 18, 2:38 PM EDTFLOODSpringfield, MAWATER UP TO CAR HUBCAPS ON BOSTON ROAD IN FRONT OF EASTFIELD MALL.
Aug 18, 2:48 PM EDTFLOODSpringfield, MAWATER FLOWING INTO BASEMENTS ON ASHLEY STREET AND MELHA STREET AND PARKSIDE STREET.
Aug 18, 2:49 PM EDTFLOODWest Springfield, MA6 TO 8 INCHES OF WATER FLOWING ON RIVERDALE ROAD AND WATER BLOWING OUT OF AND LIFTING MANHOLE COVERS.
Aug 18, 2:56 PM EDTFLOODSpringfield, MA8 INCHES OF WATER FLOWING DOWN MILL STREET.
Aug 18, 2:57 PM EDTFLOODSpringfield, MAVERGE AND OAK GROVE AVENUES HAS A LADY TRAPPED IN CAR DUE TO FLOOD WATERS.
Aug 18, 3:01 PM EDTFLOODSpringfield, MAWATER INTO BASEMENT ON HARVARD STREET.
Aug 18, 3:20 PM EDTHEAVY RAIN 1.13Wilbraham, MA
Aug 18, 4:11 PM EDTHEAVY RAIN 2.03Springfield, MA

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

The nearest sounding before it

Albany, NY (KALY), launched 12:00Z, 6.4 hours before the alert went out and 123 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, Albany, NY at 12:00Z on 2018-08-18Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 632 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, Albany, NY at 12:00Z on 2018-08-18The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 90 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
632 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-25 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
658 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
34 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
90 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
127 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.2
Supercell composite
2.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

067 
WGUS51 KBOX 181822
FFWBOX
MAC013-015-182115-
/O.NEW.KBOX.FF.W.0026.180818T1822Z-180818T2115Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
222 PM EDT SAT AUG 18 2018

The National Weather Service in Boston/Norton has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  South central Hampshire County in western Massachusetts...
  Central Hampden County in western Massachusetts...

* Until 515 PM EDT.

* At 222 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing 
  heavy rain across the warned area. Flash flooding is expected to 
  begin shortly.

* Some locations that will experience flooding include...
  Springfield, Chicopee, Holyoke, Agawam, West Springfield, Ludlow,
  South Hadley, East Longmeadow, Belchertown, Wilbraham, Palmer and
  Hampden.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flash Flood Warning means that flooding will occur quickly, and
could be life threatening for those who try to drive through flooded
roads or underpasses. Find alternate routes. Those near small streams
need to get to higher ground immediately.

&&

LAT...LON 4223 7238 4208 7239 4208 7269 4221 7268

$$

JWD
3 follow-up statements
636 
WGUS71 KBOX 181836
FFSBOX

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
236 PM EDT SAT AUG 18 2018

MAC013-015-182115-
/O.CON.KBOX.FF.W.0026.000000T0000Z-180818T2115Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Hampshire MA-Hampden MA-
236 PM EDT SAT AUG 18 2018

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 515 PM EDT FOR
SOUTH CENTRAL HAMPSHIRE AND CENTRAL HAMPDEN COUNTIES...

At 234 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated torrential rain in the 
greater Springfield area, with rainfall rates of around 2 inches per 
hour. 

Flash flooding is already occurring. Several car rescues have been 
reported by Skywarn Amateur Radio operators in Springfield on 
Roosevelt, Berlin, and Tapley Streets.

Some locations that will experience flooding include...
Springfield, Chicopee, Holyoke, Agawam, West Springfield, Ludlow,
South Hadley, East Longmeadow, Belchertown, Wilbraham, Palmer and
Hampden.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

A Flash Flood Warning means that flooding is imminent or occurring.
If you are in the warned area move to higher ground immediately.
Residents living along streams and creeks should take immediate
precautions to protect life and property.

&&

LAT...LON 4223 7238 4208 7239 4208 7269 4221 7268

$$

JWD
398 
WGUS71 KBOX 181859
FFSBOX

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
259 PM EDT SAT AUG 18 2018

MAC015-181907-
/O.CAN.KBOX.FF.W.0026.000000T0000Z-180818T2115Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Hampshire MA-
259 PM EDT SAT AUG 18 2018

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR SOUTH CENTRAL HAMPSHIRE COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

Flooding is no longer expected to pose a threat. Please continue to
heed any remaining road closures.

&&

LAT...LON 4208 7239 4208 7269 4216 7268 4217 7238

$$

MAC013-182115-
/O.CON.KBOX.FF.W.0026.000000T0000Z-180818T2115Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Hampden MA-
259 PM EDT SAT AUG 18 2018

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 515 PM EDT FOR
CENTRAL HAMPDEN COUNTY...

At 257 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain was moving out of 
the greater Springfield area, but additional rainfall of up to 1 
inch will fall through 430 PM.

So far, up to three inches of rain have already fallen, accoding to 
radar estimates. Several water rescues have occurred in Springfield 
due to rapidly flooding roadways.

DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH FLOODED ROADS!

Some locations that will experience flooding include...
Springfield, Chicopee, Agawam, West Springfield, Ludlow, East
Longmeadow, Wilbraham, Palmer and Hampden.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

A Flash Flood Warning means that flooding is imminent or occurring.
If you are in the warned area move to higher ground immediately.
Residents living along streams and creeks should take immediate
precautions to protect life and property.

&&

LAT...LON 4208 7239 4208 7269 4216 7268 4217 7238

$$

JWD
217 
WGUS71 KBOX 182026
FFSBOX

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
426 PM EDT SAT AUG 18 2018

MAC013-182036-
/O.CAN.KBOX.FF.W.0026.000000T0000Z-180818T2115Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Hampden MA-
426 PM EDT SAT AUG 18 2018

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR CENTRAL HAMPDEN COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

Heavy rain has ended. Although flooding is no longer expected to 
pose a threat, please continue to heed any remaining road closures.

&&

LAT...LON 4208 7239 4208 7269 4216 7268 4217 7238

$$

JWD

The office that day

Everything else NWS Boston/Norton, MA issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 17, 8:38 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementBOXHampshire67 min
Aug 17, 9:26 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementBOXHampden49 min
Aug 17, 10:24 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementBOXHampden51 min
Aug 17, 10:44 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOXHampden, Hampshire49 min
Aug 17, 10:56 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementBOXWorcester49 min
Aug 17, 10:59 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOXFranklin, Hampden, Hampshire101 min
Aug 17, 11:13 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOXHampden, Worcester47 min
Aug 18, 12:01 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementBOXMiddlesex44 min
Aug 18, 12:35 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementBOXMiddlesex40 min
Aug 18, 2:38 AM EDTSpecial Marine WarningBOX52 min
Aug 18, 3:23 AM EDTSpecial Marine WarningBOX52 min
Aug 18, 3:53 AM EDTSpecial Marine WarningBOX52 min
Aug 18, 3:56 AM EDTSmall Craft AdvisoryBOX68 hr
Aug 18, 4:31 AM EDTSpecial Marine WarningBOX59 min
Aug 18, 5:07 AM EDTSpecial Marine WarningBOX53 min
Aug 18, 5:57 AM EDTSpecial Marine WarningBOX93 min
Aug 18, 1:29 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementBOXHampshire31 min
Aug 18, 1:49 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOXFranklin, Hampshire, Worcester26 min
Aug 18, 3:19 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOXWorcester26 min
Aug 18, 4:25 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOXBristol, Plymouth2 hr
Aug 18, 5:09 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningBOX66 min
Aug 18, 5:27 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementBOXPlymouth33 min
Aug 18, 5:45 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningBOX60 min
Aug 18, 5:56 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOXBarnstable2 hr
Aug 18, 7:02 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningBOX43 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Massachusetts, 2018Every flash flood warning in 2018

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.