Alert archive / North Carolina / Flash Flood Warnings in 2020

Flash Flood Warning 2, NWS Wilmington, NC

May 21, 2020Brunswick County, Columbus County, North Carolina

NWS Wilmington, NC issued this flash flood warning at May 21, 2020, 6:54 AM EDT for Brunswick County, Columbus County, North Carolina. It was in force for 2 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
May 21, 2020, 6:54 AM EDT (10:54 UTC)
Expired
May 21, 2020, 9:15 AM EDT
In force
2 hr
Issued by
NWS Wilmington, NC
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Brunswick County, NC, Columbus County, NC

The radar

The Wilmington radar (KLTX), 30 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 10:57 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 21, 9:00 AM EDTFLASH FLOOD5 Sw Delco, NCWATER WAS 20 PLUS INCHES DEEP OVER ROADWAY AFTER FILLING A 4 FT DITCH.

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

The nearest sounding before it

Newport, NC (KMHX), launched 00:00Z, 10.9 hours before the alert went out and 146 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, Newport, NC at 00:00Z on 2020-05-21Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 268 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, Newport, NC at 00:00Z on 2020-05-21The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 103 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
268 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-1 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
552 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
40 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
103 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
164 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

700 
WGUS52 KILM 211054
FFWILM
NCC019-047-211145-
/O.NEW.KILM.FF.W.0002.200521T1054Z-200521T1145Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
654 AM EDT Thu May 21 2020

The National Weather Service in Wilmington has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Northwestern Brunswick County in southeastern North Carolina...
  East central Columbus County in southeastern North Carolina...

* Until 745 AM EDT.

* At 650 AM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing 
  heavy rain over Honey Island. Some areas have received up to 8 
  inches of rain within the past 3 to 4 hours. Flash flooding is 
  expected to begin shortly or may already be occurring. Although 
  the heaviest rain has ended, runoff from small basins and 
  standing water may cause additional issues.

* Some locations that will experience flooding include...
  Honey Island.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles. Never drive your vehicle into areas where
the water covers the road. Flood waters are usually deeper than they
appear. Flowing water may be powerful enough to sweep vehicles off
the road.

Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the
dangers of flooding. The water depth will be hard to determine and
washed out or damaged roads may be difficult to identify. Avoid
flooded areas or roads that have been closed. Keep a safe distance
from the banks of swiftly moving streams, creeks, and ditches. If
flash flooding is observed, turn around, don't drown.

Please report flooding to your local law enforcement agency when you
can do so safely.

A Flash Flood Warning means that dangerous flooding is imminent or
occurring.  Residents within the warned area should take immediate
precautions to protect life and property.

&&

LAT...LON 3431 7827 3416 7829 3415 7837 3422 7840
      3431 7840

$$

21
3 follow-up statements
096 
WGUS52 KILM 211130
FFWILM
NCC019-047-211315-
/O.EXT.KILM.FF.W.0002.000000T0000Z-200521T1315Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
730 AM EDT Thu May 21 2020

The National Weather Service in Wilmington has extended the

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Northwestern Brunswick County in southeastern North Carolina...
  East central Columbus County in southeastern North Carolina...

* Until 915 AM EDT.

* At 729 AM EDT, Doppler radar indicated redevelopment of showers 
  and thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. 
  Flash flooding is already occurring.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by heavy showers and thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, 
           highways, streets and underpasses as well as other 
           drainage and low lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flooding include...
  Honey Island.

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.

Please report flooding to your local law enforcement agency when you
can do so safely.

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 3431 7827 3416 7829 3415 7837 3422 7840
      3431 7840

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

8
446 
WGUS72 KILM 211232
FFSILM

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
832 AM EDT Thu May 21 2020

NCC019-047-211315-
/O.CON.KILM.FF.W.0002.000000T0000Z-200521T1315Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Brunswick NC-Columbus NC-
832 AM EDT Thu May 21 2020

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 915 AM EDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN BRUNSWICK AND EAST CENTRAL COLUMBUS COUNTIES...

At 830 AM EDT, although heavy rain has moved out of the warning 
area, drainage and run-off will take more time, and the warning 
continue through 930 AM.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by heavy rains.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, 
         highways, streets and underpasses as well as other drainage 
         and low lying areas.

Some locations that will experience flooding include...
Honey Island.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

Be especially cautious near streams and ditches adjacent to 
roadways. 

Please report flooding to your local law enforcement agency when you
can do so safely.

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 3431 7827 3416 7829 3415 7837 3422 7840
      3431 7840

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

8
282 
WGUS72 KILM 211308
FFSILM

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
908 AM EDT Thu May 21 2020

NCC019-047-211317-
/O.EXP.KILM.FF.W.0002.000000T0000Z-200521T1315Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Brunswick NC-Columbus NC-
908 AM EDT Thu May 21 2020

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN BRUNSWICK AND EAST
CENTRAL COLUMBUS COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 915 AM EDT...

The heavy rain has ended. Flood waters are gradually receded. Life 
threatening flooding is no longer expected. Please continue to heed 
any remaining road closures, and be particularly alert to roadway 
ponding. 

LAT...LON 3431 7827 3416 7829 3415 7837 3422 7840
      3431 7840

$$

8

The office that day

Everything else NWS Wilmington, NC issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 20, 8:09 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMBrunswick36 min
May 20, 8:36 PM EDTRip Current StatementILMNew Hanover, Pender9 hr
May 20, 9:10 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMBrunswick35 min
May 20, 9:15 PM EDTRiver Flood WarningILMBladen21 days
May 20, 9:39 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMBrunswick36 min
May 20, 10:47 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMColumbus43 min
May 20, 11:12 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryILMBladen, Columbus, Robeson2 hr
May 20, 11:31 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMBladen59 min
May 21, 12:43 AM EDTSpecial Marine WarningILM32 min
May 21, 12:57 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMBrunswick48 min
May 21, 1:17 AM EDTTornado Warning Tornado observedILMBrunswick, New Hanover28 min
May 21, 1:22 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMRobeson53 min
May 21, 2:08 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryILMBladen, Columbus, Robeson3 hr
May 21, 2:13 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMBrunswick62 min
May 21, 2:44 AM EDTTornado WarningILMBrunswick, Columbus31 min
May 21, 3:43 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMColumbus62 min
May 21, 3:51 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryILMBladen, Brunswick, Columbus3 hr
May 21, 5:07 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningILMBrunswick, Columbus113 min
May 21, 5:07 AM EDTRip Current StatementILMNew Hanover, Pender15 hr
May 21, 6:31 AM EDTSpecial Marine WarningILM28 min
May 21, 6:37 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMNew Hanover53 min
May 21, 6:57 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryILMBladen, Columbus63 min
May 21, 7:04 AM EDTSpecial Marine WarningILM56 min
May 21, 7:20 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMPender55 min
May 21, 7:40 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryILMPender95 min
May 21, 7:57 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryILMBladen, Columbus93 min
May 21, 8:18 AM EDTSpecial Marine WarningILM57 min
May 21, 8:48 AM EDTSpecial Marine WarningILM57 min
May 21, 9:17 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryILMPender88 min
May 21, 9:26 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryILMBladen, Columbus64 min
May 21, 11:00 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMBrunswick45 min
May 21, 11:51 AM EDTSpecial Marine WarningILM24 min
May 21, 12:26 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMNew Hanover34 min
May 21, 2:44 PM EDTCoastal Flood AdvisoryILMNew Hanover9 hr
May 21, 4:48 PM EDTRiver Flood AdvisoryILMPender7 days
May 21, 6:02 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMBladen28 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in North Carolina, 2020Every flash flood warning in 2020

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.