Alert archive / Virginia / Flash Flood Warnings in 2021

Flash Flood Warning 62, NWS Wakefield, VA

September 16, 2021Henrico County, City of Richmond, Virginia

NWS Wakefield, VA issued this flash flood warning at Sep 16, 2021, 3:17 PM EDT for Henrico County, City of Richmond, Virginia. It was in force for 3 hr. 10 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
Sep 16, 2021, 3:17 PM EDT (19:17 UTC)
Expired
Sep 16, 2021, 6:00 PM EDT
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Wakefield, VA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties City of Richmond, VA, Henrico County, VA

The radar

The Norfolk radar (KAKQ), 83 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:19 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
Sep 16, 3:33 PM EDTFLASH FLOOD1 Ne Downtown Richmond, VAVEHICLE STUCK IN HIGH WATER AT THE INTERSECTION OF CUMBERLAND AND NORTH HARRISON STREETS.
Sep 16, 3:45 PM EDTFLASH FLOOD3 Sse Lakeside, VAHIGH WATER ON CHAMBERLAYNE AVE IN RICHMOND.
Sep 16, 3:47 PM EDTFLASH FLOOD2 Se Downtown Richmond, VAVEHICLE IN HIGH WATER.
Sep 16, 3:51 PM EDTFLASH FLOOD2 Ne Downtown Richmond, VAWATER FLOODING BUILDINGS AT THE INTERSECTION OF GRACE ST. AND HARRISON ST. IN DOWNTOWN RICHMOND. REPORT VIA SNAPCHAT.
Sep 16, 3:55 PM EDTFLASH FLOOD2 Ne Downtown Richmond, VAI-95 IS CLOSED DUE TO HIGH WATER ON THE ROADWAY.
Sep 16, 4:00 PM EDTHEAVY RAIN 2.541 Se Downtown Richmond, VAFELL IN APPROXIMATELY 1 HOUR (BETWEEN 3 AND 4 PM).
Sep 16, 4:06 PM EDTFLASH FLOOD2 Ne Downtown Richmond, VASIGNIFICANT STREET FLOODING ALONG W GRACE STREET NEAR VCU CAMPUS.
Sep 16, 4:12 PM EDTFLASH FLOOD1 Ne Downtown Richmond, VAWATER RESCUE ON THE DOWNTOWN EXPRESSWAY NEAR HARRISON STREET.
Sep 16, 4:30 PM EDTHEAVY RAIN 3.272 Nne Downtown Richmond, VA
Sep 16, 4:32 PM EDTHEAVY RAIN 3.172 Ne Downtown Richmond, VA

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

The nearest sounding before it

Washington/Dulle, VA (KIAD), launched 12:00Z, 7.3 hours before the alert went out and 149 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, Washington/Dulle, VA at 12:00Z on 2021-09-16Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 153 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, Washington/Dulle, VA at 12:00Z on 2021-09-16The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 43 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
153 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-184 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
830 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
12 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
43 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
114 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
-0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

036 
WGUS51 KAKQ 161917
FFWAKQ
VAC087-760-162200-
/O.NEW.KAKQ.FF.W.0062.210916T1917Z-210916T2200Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
317 PM EDT Thu Sep 16 2021

The National Weather Service in Wakefield has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Northwestern Henrico County in central Virginia...
  The City of Richmond in central Virginia...

* Until 600 PM EDT.

* At 317 PM EDT, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated 
  thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 
  1 and 2 inches of rain have fallen. The expected rainfall rate is 
  1.5 to 2.5 inches in 1 hour. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected 
  to begin shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar and automated gauges.

  IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban
           areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as
           other poor drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Richmond, Virginia Union University, Virginia Commonwealth 
  University, Downtown Richmond, University Of Richmond, Tuckahoe, 
  Bon Air, Mechanicsville, Lakeside, Laurel, Glen Allen, East 
  Highland Park, Greendale, Dumbarton, Solomons Store, Chamberlayne, 
  Longdale, Roslyn Hills and Montrose.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3766 7756 3769 7755 3769 7753 3770 7752
      3769 7749 3768 7748 3769 7747 3768 7746
      3768 7745 3765 7742 3763 7742 3763 7741
      3753 7739 3747 7742 3752 7753 3753 7753
      3753 7754 3754 7755 3754 7756 3755 7758

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR AND GAUGE INDICATED
EXPECTED RAINFALL...1.5-2.5 INCHES IN 1 HOUR

$$

EI
4 follow-up statements
131 
WGUS71 KAKQ 161937
FFSAKQ

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
337 PM EDT Thu Sep 16 2021

VAC087-760-162200-
/O.CON.KAKQ.FF.W.0062.000000T0000Z-210916T2200Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Henrico VA-City of Richmond VA-
337 PM EDT Thu Sep 16 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EDT THIS EVENING 
FOR NORTHWESTERN HENRICO COUNTY AND THE CITY OF RICHMOND...

At 337 PM EDT, local law enforcement reported flash flooding across 
the warned area. There have been reports of vehicles stuck in high 
water in Downtown Richmond. Between 1.5 and 3 inches of rain have 
fallen in the past hour. The expected rainfall rate is 1.5 to 2.5 
inches in 1 hour. Flash flooding is already occurring.

HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing
         flash flooding.

SOURCE...Law enforcement reported.

IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams,
         urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Richmond, Virginia Union University, Virginia Commonwealth 
  University, Downtown Richmond, University Of Richmond, Tuckahoe, 
  Bon Air, Mechanicsville, Lakeside, Laurel, Glen Allen, East 
  Highland Park, Greendale, Dumbarton, Solomons Store, Chamberlayne, 
  Longdale, Roslyn Hills and Montrose.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3766 7756 3769 7755 3769 7753 3770 7752
      3769 7749 3768 7748 3769 7747 3768 7746
      3768 7745 3765 7742 3763 7742 3763 7741
      3753 7739 3747 7742 3752 7753 3753 7753
      3753 7754 3754 7755 3754 7756 3755 7758

FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
EXPECTED RAINFALL...1.5-2.5 INCHES IN 1 HOUR

$$

EI
679 
WGUS71 KAKQ 161954
FFSAKQ

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
354 PM EDT Thu Sep 16 2021

VAC087-760-162200-
/O.CON.KAKQ.FF.W.0062.000000T0000Z-210916T2200Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Henrico VA-City of Richmond VA-
354 PM EDT Thu Sep 16 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EDT THIS EVENING 
FOR NORTHWESTERN HENRICO COUNTY AND THE CITY OF RICHMOND...

At 354 PM EDT, local law enforcement reported flash flooding across 
the warned area. There have been reports of vehicles stuck in high 
water in Downtown Richmond. In addition, water is starting to enter 
buildings near the intersection of Grace and Harrison Street. 
Between 2 and 3 inches of rain have fallen in the past hour. The 
expected rainfall rate is 1.5 to 2.5 inches in 1 hour. Flash 
flooding is already occurring.

HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing
         flash flooding.

SOURCE...Law enforcement reported.

IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams,
         urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Richmond, Virginia Union University, Virginia Commonwealth 
  University, Downtown Richmond, University Of Richmond, Tuckahoe, 
  Bon Air, Mechanicsville, Lakeside, Laurel, Glen Allen, East 
  Highland Park, Greendale, Dumbarton, Solomons Store, Chamberlayne, 
  Longdale, Roslyn Hills and Montrose.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3766 7756 3769 7755 3769 7753 3770 7752
      3769 7749 3768 7748 3769 7747 3768 7746
      3768 7745 3765 7742 3763 7742 3763 7741
      3753 7739 3747 7742 3752 7753 3753 7753
      3753 7754 3754 7755 3754 7756 3755 7758

FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
EXPECTED RAINFALL...1.5-2.5 INCHES IN 1 HOUR

$$

EI
043 
WGUS71 KAKQ 162027
FFSAKQ

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
427 PM EDT Thu Sep 16 2021

VAC087-760-162200-
/O.CON.KAKQ.FF.W.0062.000000T0000Z-210916T2200Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Henrico VA-City of Richmond VA-
427 PM EDT Thu Sep 16 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EDT THIS EVENING 
FOR NORTHWESTERN HENRICO COUNTY AND THE CITY OF RICHMOND...

At 427 PM EDT, flash flooding continues across the warned area. 
There have been reports of vehicles stuck in high water in Downtown 
Richmond. In addition, water has entered buildings near the 
intersection of Grace and Harrison Street. Between 2.5 and 3.5 
inches of rain have fallen. Flash flooding is already occurring. 
While the heaviest rain has ended, the threat for flash flooding 
will continue through at least 6 PM.

HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing
         flash flooding.

SOURCE...Law enforcement reported.

IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams,
         urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Richmond, Virginia Union University, Virginia Commonwealth 
  University, Downtown Richmond, University Of Richmond, Tuckahoe, 
  Bon Air, Mechanicsville, Lakeside, Laurel, Glen Allen, East 
  Highland Park, Greendale, Dumbarton, Solomons Store, Chamberlayne, 
  Longdale, Roslyn Hills and Montrose.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3766 7756 3769 7755 3769 7753 3770 7752
      3769 7749 3768 7748 3769 7747 3768 7746
      3768 7745 3765 7742 3763 7742 3763 7741
      3753 7739 3747 7742 3752 7753 3753 7753
      3753 7754 3754 7755 3754 7756 3755 7758

FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE

$$

EI
980 
WGUS71 KAKQ 162150
FFSAKQ

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
550 PM EDT Thu Sep 16 2021

VAC087-760-162200-
/O.EXP.KAKQ.FF.W.0062.000000T0000Z-210916T2200Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Henrico VA-City of Richmond VA-
550 PM EDT Thu Sep 16 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 6 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR 
NORTHWESTERN HENRICO COUNTY AND THE CITY OF RICHMOND...

Flood waters have receded and the heavy rain has ended. Please 
continue to heed remaining road closures.

LAT...LON 3766 7756 3769 7755 3769 7753 3770 7752
      3769 7749 3768 7748 3769 7747 3768 7746
      3768 7745 3765 7742 3763 7742 3763 7741
      3753 7739 3747 7742 3752 7753 3753 7753
      3753 7754 3754 7755 3754 7756 3755 7758

$$

EI

The office that day

Everything else NWS Wakefield, VA issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Sep 16, 3:30 AM EDTSmall Craft AdvisoryAKQ64 hr
Sep 16, 1:35 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQKing William25 min
Sep 16, 1:52 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryAKQKing and Queen113 min
Sep 16, 2:29 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQCaroline31 min
Sep 16, 2:35 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryAKQChesterfield, Powhatan115 min
Sep 16, 2:49 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQCity of Richmond26 min
Sep 16, 3:08 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryAKQHenrico, City of Richmond9 min
Sep 16, 3:26 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryAKQHanover, Henrico3 hr
Sep 16, 3:51 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningAKQHanover, Henrico2 hr
Sep 16, 4:07 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryAKQGoochland, Henrico113 min
Sep 16, 4:19 PM EDTBeach Hazards StatementAKQAccomack, Northampton, City of Virginia Beach51 hr
Sep 16, 4:45 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQMecklenburg30 min
Sep 16, 4:58 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryAKQFluvanna, Goochland, Louisa3 hr
Sep 16, 6:02 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryAKQFluvanna118 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Virginia, 2021Every flash flood warning in 2021

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.