Alert archive / Pennsylvania / Flash Flood Warnings in 2018

Flash Flood Warning 78, NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly

August 21, 2018Bucks County, Lehigh County, Northampton County, Pennsylvania

NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly issued this flash flood warning at Aug 21, 2018, 11:08 PM EDT for Bucks County, Lehigh County, Northampton County, Pennsylvania. It was in force for 4 hr. 18 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 21, 2018, 11:08 PM EDT (03:08 UTC)
Expired
Aug 22, 2018, 3:00 AM EDT
In force
4 hr
Issued by
NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Bucks County, PA, Lehigh County, PA, Northampton County, PA

The radar

The Philadelphia radar (KDIX), 112 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 03:09 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 22, 12:00 AM EDTHEAVY RAIN 2.24Neffs, PA
Aug 22, 12:00 AM EDTHEAVY RAIN 3.041 S Coffeetown, PA
Aug 22, 12:00 AM EDTHEAVY RAIN 3.542 Nw Upper Milford Twp, PA
Aug 22, 12:25 AM EDTFLOODSouth Whitehall Twp, PANUMEROUS ROAD CLOSURES DUE TO HIGH WATER IN MACUNGIE AND SOUTH WHITEHALL TWPS. SEVERAL CARS STUCK IN HIGH WATER.
Aug 22, 12:30 AM EDTFLOODWest Rockhill Twp, PAHEAVY RAIN AND FLOOD WATERS KNOCKED DOWN A TREE ON FINLAND ROAD AND RIDGE VALLEY ROAD BETWEEN RIDGE ROAD AND ALLENTOWN ROAD. ALL LANES CLOSED. TIME ESTIMATED.
Aug 22, 12:45 AM EDTFLOOD1 Sw Dublin, PAHEAVY RAIN AND FLOODING KNOCKED DOWN A TREE ON DUBLIN ROAD AND CALLOWHILL ROAD BETWEEN WELCOME HOUSE ROAD AND BYPASS ROAD. ALL LANES CLOSED. TIME ESTIMATED.
Aug 22, 12:45 AM EDTFLOOD2 Sw Lehigh Twp, PARIVERVIEW DRIVE IN LEHIGH TWP CLOSED FROM FLOOD WATERS.
Aug 22, 12:45 AM EDTFLOODEast Allen Twp, PASTREET FLOODING AND ROAD CLOSURES IN EAST ALLEN TWP.
Aug 22, 12:45 AM EDTFLOODForks, PAFLOODING ON BUSHKILL DRIVE.
Aug 22, 12:55 AM EDTHEAVY RAIN 2.19Allentown-Queen City, PA
Aug 22, 1:28 AM EDTFLOOD3 Ne Ancient Oaks, PAMINESITE ROAD CLOSED BETWEEN HAMILTON BOULEVARD AND CENTRONIA ROAD DUE TO FLOODING.
Aug 22, 1:28 AM EDTFLOOD3 Ne Ancient Oaks, PAMINESITE ROAD CLOSED BETWEEN HAMILTON BOULEVARD AND CETRONIA ROAD DUE TO FLOODING.
Aug 22, 1:30 AM EDTFLASH FLOOD1 Wsw Emmaus, PAFLOODING ON LEHIGH STREET BETWEEN MILL RACE ROAD AND CEDAR CREST BOULEVARD. ALL LANES CLOSED. TIME BASED ON RADAR AND BASED ON WHEN OTHER REPORTS WERE BEING RECEIVED.
Aug 22, 1:30 AM EDTFLASH FLOODLower Macungie Twp, PAVEHICLE SWEPT INTO A CORNFIELD FROM SWIFTLY FLOWING FLOOD WATERS ON SAUERKRAUT LANE. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
Aug 22, 1:30 AM EDTFLASH FLOODNorth Whitehall Twp, PAVEHICLE STUCK IN FLOOD WATERS AT THE INTERSECTION OF ROUTE 145 AND CLEARVIEW ROAD. A CAR WAS STUCK IN TWO FEET OF WATER ON THE EASTBOUND RAMP OF INTERSTATE 78 FROM ROUTE 100. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
Aug 22, 1:51 AM EDTHEAVY RAIN 2.43Lehigh Valley Intl Airp, PASIX-HOUR RAINFALL TOTAL.
Aug 22, 2:33 AM EDTFLASH FLOOD2 Sse Upper Macungie Tw, PACENTRONIA ROAD CLOSED NEAR THE GRANGE ROAD AND TREXLERTOWN ROAD INTERSECTIONS.
Aug 22, 2:33 AM EDTFLASH FLOOD2 Sse Upper Macungie Tw, PACETRONIA ROAD CLOSED NEAR THE GRANGE ROAD AND TREXLERTOWN ROAD INTERSECTIONS.

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

The nearest sounding before it

Brookhaven, NY (KOKX), launched 00:00Z, 3.1 hours before the alert went out and 209 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, Brookhaven, NY at 00:00Z on 2018-08-22Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 4 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, Brookhaven, NY at 00:00Z on 2018-08-22The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 69 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 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
4 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-1 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
554 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
10 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
69 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
101 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

891 
WGUS51 KPHI 220308
FFWPHI
PAC017-077-095-220700-
/O.NEW.KPHI.FF.W.0078.180822T0308Z-180822T0700Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
1108 PM EDT TUE AUG 21 2018

The National Weather Service in Mount Holly NJ has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Lehigh County in eastern Pennsylvania...
  Northwestern Bucks County in southeastern Pennsylvania...
  Northampton County in eastern Pennsylvania...

* Until 300 AM EDT.

* At 1106 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain across the 
  warned area. Up to one and a half inches of rain has already 
  fallen with up to two inches of additional rainfall possible. 
  Flash flooding is expected to begin shortly in the areas of 
  heaviest rain.

* Some locations that could experience flooding include...
  Allentown, Easton, Bethlehem, Forks, Emmaus, Northampton,
  Quakertown, Perkasie, Wilson, Souderton, Bedminster, Hellertown,
  Nazareth, Slatington, Chalfont, Wind Gap, Bath, Dublin, Walnutport
  and Ferndale.

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.

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 4079 7562 4081 7554 4083 7538 4086 7532
      4076 7518 4068 7520 4068 7517 4065 7520
      4057 7519 4058 7512 4055 7508 4026 7523
      4062 7581

$$

CMS
3 follow-up statements
587 
WGUS71 KPHI 220423
FFSPHI

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
1223 AM EDT WED AUG 22 2018

PAC017-077-095-220700-
/O.CON.KPHI.FF.W.0078.000000T0000Z-180822T0700Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Lehigh PA-Bucks PA-Northampton PA-
1223 AM EDT WED AUG 22 2018

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 300 AM EDT FOR
LEHIGH...NORTHWESTERN BUCKS AND NORTHAMPTON COUNTIES...

At 1222 AM EDT, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated
that heavy rain was falling over the area. Up to three inches of 
rain have already fallen, especially near and to the south of 
Allentown. Flash flooding is imminent.

Some locations that could experience flooding include...
Allentown, Easton, Bethlehem, Forks, Emmaus, Northampton, Quakertown,
Perkasie, Wilson, Souderton, Bedminster, Hellertown, Nazareth,
Slatington, Chalfont, Wind Gap, Bath, Dublin, Walnutport and
Ferndale.

Additional rainfall amounts of one to two inches are possible in the 
warned area.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 4079 7562 4081 7554 4083 7538 4086 7532
      4076 7518 4068 7520 4068 7517 4065 7520
      4057 7519 4058 7512 4055 7508 4026 7523
      4062 7581

$$

CMS
631 
WGUS71 KPHI 220626
FFSPHI

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
226 AM EDT WED AUG 22 2018

PAC017-077-095-220700-
/O.CON.KPHI.FF.W.0078.000000T0000Z-180822T0700Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Lehigh PA-Bucks PA-Northampton PA-
226 AM EDT WED AUG 22 2018

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 300 AM EDT FOR
LEHIGH...NORTHWESTERN BUCKS AND NORTHAMPTON COUNTIES...

At 225 AM EDT, local law enforcement reported flash flooding in 
Upper Macungie and Lower Macungie Townships...with several roads 
closed. Additionally, the Perkiomen Creek gauge in Dublin in Bucks 
County is approaching flood stage. Up to three inches of rain have 
already fallen. Flash flooding is already occurring.

Some locations that could experience flooding include...
Allentown, Easton, Bethlehem, Forks, Emmaus, Northampton, Quakertown,
Perkasie, Wilson, Souderton, Bedminster, Hellertown, Nazareth,
Slatington, Chalfont, Wind Gap, Bath, Dublin, Walnutport and
Ferndale.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 4079 7562 4081 7554 4083 7538 4086 7532
      4076 7518 4068 7520 4068 7517 4065 7520
      4057 7519 4058 7512 4055 7508 4026 7523
      4062 7581

$$

CMS
027 
WGUS71 KPHI 220655
FFSPHI

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
255 AM EDT WED AUG 22 2018

PAC017-077-095-220704-
/O.EXP.KPHI.FF.W.0078.000000T0000Z-180822T0700Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Lehigh PA-Bucks PA-Northampton PA-
255 AM EDT WED AUG 22 2018

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR LEHIGH...NORTHWESTERN BUCKS AND
NORTHAMPTON COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 300 AM EDT...

A flood warning is now in effect until 645 am. Flooding continues in 
much of the area with several road closures in place. Use extreme 
caution traveling in this area.

LAT...LON 4079 7562 4081 7554 4083 7538 4086 7532
      4076 7518 4068 7520 4068 7517 4065 7520
      4057 7519 4058 7512 4055 7508 4026 7523
      4062 7581

$$

CMS

The office that day

Everything else NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 21, 8:53 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryPHIBerks, Chester, Montgomery5 hr
Aug 21, 10:16 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningPHIBerks, Chester, Montgomery7 hr
Aug 21, 10:46 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryPHIBucks, Lehigh, Northampton4 hr
Aug 21, 11:18 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryPHIBucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia3 hr
Aug 21, 11:47 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryPHINorthampton4 hr
Aug 22, 1:14 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryPHIMonroe4 hr
Aug 22, 2:54 AM EDTAreal Flood WarningPHIBucks, Lehigh, Northampton8 hr
Aug 22, 4:36 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningPHIMontgomery6 hr
Aug 22, 5:14 AM EDTAreal Flood WarningPHIBerks, Chester, Montgomery4 hr
Aug 22, 10:04 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningPHIChester, Montgomery, Philadelphia5 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Pennsylvania, 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.