Alert archive / South Carolina / Flash Flood Warnings in 2021

Flash Flood Warning 2, NWS Columbia, SC

July 16, 2021Lexington County, Richland County, South Carolina

NWS Columbia, SC issued this flash flood warning at Jul 16, 2021, 3:59 PM EDT for Lexington County, Richland County, South Carolina. It was in force for 3 hr. 7 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: Jul 16, 2021, 3:59 PM EDT (19:59 UTC)
Expired: Jul 16, 2021, 6:30 PM EDT
In force: 3 hr
Issued by: NWS Columbia, SC
Area: Storm-based polygon
Flood severity: None

Counties Lexington County, SC, Richland County, SC

The radar

The Columbia radar (KCAE), 10 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:01 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
Jul 16, 4:00 PM EDT	HEAVY RAIN 1.69	1 Ssw Columbia, SC	RC WINDS SITE AT FOUNDERS PARK RECORDED 1.69 INCHES OF RAIN IN 60 MIN. STORM TOTAL AMOUNT SO FAR IS 1.73 INCHES.
Jul 16, 4:15 PM EDT	FLASH FLOOD	1 Sse Columbia, SC	CORRECTS PREVIOUS FLASH FLOOD REPORT FROM 1 SSE COLUMBIA. THE USGS STREAM GAUGE ON ROCKY BRANCH NEAR WHALEY STREET ROSE ABOVE FLOOD STAGE AROUND 4:15 PM, PEAKED AT 10.73 FT AT 4:45 PM THEN FELL BELOW FLOOD STAGE AROUND 5:15 PM.
Jul 16, 4:19 PM EDT	FLASH FLOOD	2 Wnw Forest Acres, SC	COLUMBIA RICHLAND FIRE RESCUE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER REPORTS A FLOODED ROADWAY AND A STALLED TRUCK DUE TO FLOODING ON THE 3000 BLOCK OF HAMMOND AVE IN COLUMBIA, SC. WATER IS UP TO THE DOORS OF THE TRUCK.
Jul 16, 4:33 PM EDT	FLASH FLOOD	2 Sse Columbia, SC	COLUMBIA RICHLAND FIRE RESCUE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER REPORTS A VEHICLE STUCK IN WATER AND ROADWAY FLOODING ON BLUFF ROAD.
Jul 16, 4:35 PM EDT	FLASH FLOOD	2 Ese Columbia, SC	COLUMBIA RICHLAND FIRE RESCUE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER REPORTS A FLOODED ROADWAY AND A STALLED SILVER HONDA CRV DUE TO FLOODING AT THE INTERSECTION OF AMHERST AVE AND WHEAT STREET.
Jul 16, 4:47 PM EDT	FLASH FLOOD	2 Sse Columbia, SC	COLUMBIA RICHLAND FIRE RESCUE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER REPORTS A FLOODED ROADWAY AND A STALLED VEHICLE DUE TO FLOODING AT THE INTERSECTION OF KEY ROAD AND MARKET STREET.
Jul 16, 5:15 PM EDT	FLASH FLOOD	1 Sse Columbia, SC	THE USGS STREAM GAUGE ON ROCKY BRANCH NEAR WHALEY STREET ROSE ABOVE FLOOD STAGE AROUND 4:15 PM, PEAKED AT 10.73 FT AT 4:45 PM THEN FELL BELOW FLOOD STAGE AROUND 5:15 PM.

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, 8.0 hours before the alert went out and 161 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-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

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: 550 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -41 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 974 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 6 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: -4 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 5 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

571 
WGUS52 KCAE 161959
FFWCAE
SCC063-079-162130-
/O.NEW.KCAE.FF.W.0002.210716T1959Z-210716T2130Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Columbia SC
359 PM EDT Fri Jul 16 2021

The National Weather Service in Columbia has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  East Central Lexington County in central South Carolina...
  Central Richland County in central South Carolina...

* Until 530 PM EDT.

* At 359 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing 
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 0.5 and 1.5 inches of 
  rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts up to 1 inch are 
  possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected 
  to begin shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar.

  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...
  Columbia, West Columbia, Cayce, Irmo, Forest Acres, St. Andrews, 
  Dentsville, Arcadia Lakes, Riverbanks Zoo, West Columbia 
  Riverwalk, Five Points, SC State Fair Grounds, Eau Claire, 
  Guignard Park, Olympia, Rosewood and Seven Oaks.

This includes the following highways...
	Interstate 126 between mile markers 0 and 3.
	Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 63 and 70.
	Interstate 26 between mile markers 104 and 109.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Most flooding deaths occur in vehicles. Never drive through a 
flooded roadway or around barricades. Turn around, don't drown.

Flash flooding will occur in the Five Points area extending 
downstream along Rocky Branch Creek. This includes Maxcy Gregg Park, 
areas of the USC campus along the creek, the intersection at Pickens 
and Blossom, the intersection at Whaley and Main and areas of the 
Olympia neighborhood along the creek.

&&

LAT...LON 3407 8115 3408 8115 3407 8109 3408 8105
      3407 8099 3405 8096 3402 8095 3399 8099
      3397 8100 3397 8104 3398 8108 3400 8110
      3402 8113 3404 8116 3406 8116

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

LCV

2 follow-up statements

021 
WGUS52 KCAE 162037
FFWCAE
SCC063-079-162230-
/O.EXT.KCAE.FF.W.0002.000000T0000Z-210716T2230Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Columbia SC
437 PM EDT Fri Jul 16 2021

The National Weather Service in Columbia has extended the

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  East Central Lexington County in central South Carolina...
  Central Richland County in central South Carolina...

* Until 630 PM EDT.

* At 437 PM EDT, local law enforcement reported thunderstorms 
  producing heavy rain in Downtown Columbia. Between 1 and 2 inches 
  of rain have fallen. The expected rainfall rate is 0.5 to 1 inch 
  in 1 hour. Additional rainfall amounts up to 1 inch are possible 
  in the warned area. 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...
  Columbia, West Columbia, Cayce, Irmo, Forest Acres, St. Andrews, 
  Dentsville, Arcadia Lakes, Riverbanks Zoo, West Columbia 
  Riverwalk, Five Points, SC State Fair Grounds, Eau Claire, 
  Guignard Park, Olympia, Rosewood and Seven Oaks.

This includes the following highways...
	Interstate 126 between mile markers 0 and 3.
	Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 63 and 70.
	Interstate 26 between mile markers 104 and 109.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Most flooding deaths occur in vehicles. Never drive through a 
flooded roadway or around barricades. Turn around, don't drown.

Flash flooding will occur in the Five Points area extending 
downstream along Rocky Branch Creek. This includes Maxcy Gregg Park, 
areas of the USC campus along the creek, the intersection at Pickens 
and Blossom, the intersection at Whaley and Main and areas of the 
Olympia neighborhood along the creek.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

Report any flooding directly to the Columbia National Weather 
Service at 803 234 4115 when it is safe to do so. You can also send 
reports by Facebook or Twitter to NWSColumbia or by e-mail at 
NWS.Columbia@noaa.gov.

&&

LAT...LON 3407 8115 3408 8115 3407 8109 3408 8105
      3407 8099 3405 8096 3402 8095 3399 8099
      3397 8100 3397 8104 3398 8108 3400 8110
      3402 8113 3404 8116 3406 8116

FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
EXPECTED RAINFALL...0.5-1 INCH IN 1 HOUR

$$

LCV

496 
WGUS72 KCAE 162215
FFSCAE

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
615 PM EDT Fri Jul 16 2021

SCC063-079-162230-
/O.CON.KCAE.FF.W.0002.000000T0000Z-210716T2230Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Lexington SC-Richland SC-
615 PM EDT Fri Jul 16 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 630 PM EDT THIS 
EVENING FOR EAST CENTRAL LEXINGTON AND CENTRAL RICHLAND COUNTIES...

At 615 PM EDT, gauge reports indicated thunderstorms producing heavy 
rain in Downtown Columbia. Between 1 and 3 inches of rain have 
fallen. Additional rainfall amounts up to 0.25 inch are possible in 
the warned area. Flash flooding is expected to end shortly.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Gauges reported.

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...
  Columbia, West Columbia, Cayce, Irmo, Forest Acres, St. Andrews, 
  Dentsville, Arcadia Lakes, Riverbanks Zoo, West Columbia 
  Riverwalk, Five Points, SC State Fair Grounds, Eau Claire, 
  Guignard Park, Olympia, Rosewood and Seven Oaks.

This includes the following highways...
	Interstate 126 between mile markers 0 and 3.
	Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 63 and 70.
	Interstate 26 between mile markers 104 and 109.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Most flooding deaths occur in vehicles. Never drive through a 
flooded roadway or around barricades. Turn around, don't drown.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

Report any flooding directly to the Columbia National Weather 
Service at 803 234 4115 when it is safe to do so. You can also send 
reports by Facebook or Twitter to NWSColumbia or by e-mail at 
NWS.Columbia@noaa.gov.

&&

LAT...LON 3407 8115 3408 8115 3407 8109 3408 8105
      3407 8099 3405 8096 3402 8095 3399 8099
      3397 8100 3397 8104 3398 8108 3400 8110
      3402 8113 3404 8116 3406 8116

FLASH FLOOD...GAUGE INDICATED

$$

LCV

The office that day

Everything else NWS Columbia, SC issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Jul 16, 1:21 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CAE	Newberry	24 min
Jul 16, 1:58 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CAE	Newberry	32 min
Jul 16, 2:02 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CAE	Edgefield	28 min
Jul 16, 2:23 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CAE	Saluda	37 min
Jul 16, 2:45 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CAE	Newberry	30 min
Jul 16, 3:18 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CAE	Lexington	27 min
Jul 16, 3:34 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CAE	Lexington	26 min
Jul 16, 3:47 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	CAE	Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Richland	58 min
Jul 16, 4:05 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CAE	Chesterfield	40 min
Jul 16, 4:07 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CAE	Lexington, Richland	23 min
Jul 16, 4:39 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	CAE	Aiken, Calhoun, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Orangeburg and 2 more	2 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in South Carolina, 2021 Every 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.