Alert archive / South Carolina / Flash Flood Watches in 2021

Flash Flood Watch 2, NWS Columbia, SC

February 17, 202117 counties in South Carolina; 5 counties in Georgia

NWS Columbia, SC issued this flash flood watch at Feb 17, 2021, 2:01 PM EST for 17 counties in South Carolina; 5 counties in Georgia. It took effect at Feb 18, 2021, 1:00 AM EST. It was in force for 30 hr.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Feb 17, 2021, 2:01 PM EST (19:01 UTC)
In effect from
Feb 18, 2021, 1:00 AM EST
Expired
Feb 19, 2021, 7:00 AM EST
In force
30 hr
Issued by
NWS Columbia, SC
Flood severity
None
All 22 counties

Burke County, GA, Columbia County, GA, Lincoln County, GA, McDuffie County, GA, Richmond County, GA, Aiken County, SC, Bamberg County, SC, Barnwell County, SC, Calhoun County, SC, Chesterfield County, SC, Clarendon County, SC, Edgefield County, SC, Fairfield County, SC, Kershaw County, SC, Lancaster County, SC, Lee County, SC, Lexington County, SC, McCormick County, SC, Newberry County, SC, Richland County, SC, Saluda County, SC, Sumter County, SC

The radar

The Columbia radar (KCAE), 23 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:06 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.

The nearest sounding before it

Charleston AFB, SC (KCHS), launched 12:00Z, 7.0 hours before the alert went out and 163 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, Charleston AFB, SC at 12:00Z on 2021-02-17Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 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, Charleston AFB, SC at 12:00Z on 2021-02-17The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 120 square meters per square second.1939587897117Sfc1 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
1656 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
68 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
120 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
209 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

272 
WGUS62 KCAE 171901
FFACAE

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Flood Watch
National Weather Service Columbia SC
201 PM EST Wed Feb 17 2021

GAZ040-063>065-077-SCZ016-018-020>022-025>031-035>038-041-115-116-
181915-
/O.NEW.KCAE.FF.A.0002.210218T0600Z-210219T1200Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Lincoln-McDuffie-Columbia-Richmond-Burke-Chesterfield-McCormick-
Newberry-Fairfield-Kershaw-Edgefield-Saluda-Lexington-Richland-Lee-
Aiken-Sumter-Barnwell-Orangeburg-Calhoun-Clarendon-Bamberg-Northern
Lancaster-Southern Lancaster-
Including the cities of Lancaster, Bishopville, Hephzibah, Sumter, 
Orangeburg, Winnsboro, Columbia, Saluda, Newberry, Waynesboro, St. 
Matthews, Ridge Spring, Lugoff, Blackville, Barnwell, Cayce, 
Winnsboro Mills, West Columbia, Brookdale, Bamberg, Lexington, 
Augusta, Seven Oaks, Lancaster Mill, Red Bank, Johnston, Pageland, 
Oak Grove, North Augusta, Denmark, Aiken, Elgin, Summerton, 
Edgefield, Mccormick, Evans, Indian Land, Thomson, Martinez, 
Manning, Cheraw, Camden, Williston, and Lincolnton
201 PM EST Wed Feb 17 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM EST THURSDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 
MORNING...

The National Weather Service in Columbia has issued a

* Flash Flood Watch for portions of east central Georgia and central 
  South Carolina, including the following areas, in east central 
  Georgia, Burke, Columbia, Lincoln, McDuffie and Richmond. In 
  central South Carolina, Aiken, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, 
  Chesterfield, Clarendon, Edgefield, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lee, 
  Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Northern Lancaster, Orangeburg, 
  Richland, Saluda, Southern Lancaster and Sumter.

* From 1 AM EST Thursday through Friday morning

* Showers and scattered thunderstorms will move into the region 
  Thursday morning brining heavy rain and the potential for flash 
  flooding. Additional rounds of heavy rain are possible later in 
  the day and overnight. Most of central SC and the CSRA have 
  experienced 300 to 500 percent of normal rainfall over the past 
  seven days which increases flooding concerns. Rises on streams and 
  creeks may also lead to flash flooding.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to 
Flash Flooding. Flash Flooding is a very dangerous situation. You 
should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should 
Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

&&

$$

CJR
5 follow-up statements
211 
WGUS62 KCAE 180349
FFACAE

Flood Watch
National Weather Service Columbia SC
1049 PM EST Wed Feb 17 2021

GAZ040-063>065-077-SCZ016-018-020>022-025>031-035>038-041-115-116-
181615-
/O.CON.KCAE.FF.A.0002.210218T0600Z-210219T1200Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Lincoln-McDuffie-Columbia-Richmond-Burke-Chesterfield-McCormick-
Newberry-Fairfield-Kershaw-Edgefield-Saluda-Lexington-Richland-Lee-
Aiken-Sumter-Barnwell-Orangeburg-Calhoun-Clarendon-Bamberg-Northern
Lancaster-Southern Lancaster-
Including the cities of Lancaster, Bishopville, Hephzibah, Sumter, 
Orangeburg, Winnsboro, Columbia, Saluda, Newberry, Waynesboro, St. 
Matthews, Ridge Spring, Lugoff, Blackville, Barnwell, Cayce, 
Winnsboro Mills, West Columbia, Brookdale, Bamberg, Lexington, 
Augusta, Seven Oaks, Lancaster Mill, Red Bank, Johnston, Pageland, 
Oak Grove, North Augusta, Denmark, Aiken, Elgin, Summerton, 
Edgefield, Mccormick, Evans, Indian Land, Thomson, Martinez, 
Manning, Cheraw, Camden, Williston, and Lincolnton
1049 PM EST Wed Feb 17 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING...

The Flash Flood Watch continues for

* Portions of east central Georgia and central South Carolina, 
  including the following areas, in east central Georgia, Burke, 
  Columbia, Lincoln, McDuffie and Richmond. In central South 
  Carolina, Aiken, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Chesterfield, 
  Clarendon, Edgefield, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lee, Lexington, 
  McCormick, Newberry, Northern Lancaster, Orangeburg, Richland, 
  Saluda, Southern Lancaster and Sumter.

* Through Friday morning

* Showers and scattered thunderstorms will move into the region 
  Thursday morning bringing heavy rain and the potential for flash 
  flooding. Additional rounds of heavy rain are possible later in 
  the day and overnight. Most of central SC and the CSRA have 
  experienced 300 to 500 percent of normal rainfall over the past 
  seven days which increases flooding concerns. Rises on streams and 
  creeks may also lead to flash flooding.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to 
Flash Flooding. Flash Flooding is a very dangerous situation. You 
should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should 
Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

&&

$$

CAL
776 
WGUS62 KCAE 181024
FFACAE

Flood Watch
National Weather Service Columbia SC
524 AM EST Thu Feb 18 2021

GAZ040-063>065-077-SCZ016-018-020>022-025>031-035>038-041-115-116-
182200-
/O.CON.KCAE.FF.A.0002.000000T0000Z-210219T1200Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Lincoln-McDuffie-Columbia-Richmond-Burke-Chesterfield-McCormick-
Newberry-Fairfield-Kershaw-Edgefield-Saluda-Lexington-Richland-Lee-
Aiken-Sumter-Barnwell-Orangeburg-Calhoun-Clarendon-Bamberg-Northern
Lancaster-Southern Lancaster-
Including the cities of Lancaster, Bishopville, Hephzibah, Sumter, 
Orangeburg, Winnsboro, Columbia, Saluda, Newberry, Waynesboro, St. 
Matthews, Ridge Spring, Lugoff, Blackville, Barnwell, Cayce, 
Winnsboro Mills, West Columbia, Brookdale, Bamberg, Lexington, 
Augusta, Seven Oaks, Lancaster Mill, Red Bank, Johnston, Pageland, 
Oak Grove, North Augusta, Denmark, Aiken, Elgin, Summerton, 
Edgefield, Mccormick, Evans, Indian Land, Thomson, Martinez, 
Manning, Cheraw, Camden, Williston, and Lincolnton
524 AM EST Thu Feb 18 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING...

The Flash Flood Watch continues for

* Portions of east central Georgia and central South Carolina, 
  including the following areas, in east central Georgia, Burke, 
  Columbia, Lincoln, McDuffie and Richmond. In central South 
  Carolina, Aiken, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Chesterfield, 
  Clarendon, Edgefield, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lee, Lexington, 
  McCormick, Newberry, Northern Lancaster, Orangeburg, Richland, 
  Saluda, Southern Lancaster and Sumter.

* Through Friday morning

* Showers and scattered thunderstorms will move over the region 
  today through tonight bringing heavy rain and the potential for 
  flash flooding. Most of central SC and the CSRA have experienced 
  300 to 500 percent of normal rainfall over the past seven days 
  which increases flooding concerns. Rises on streams and creeks may 
  also lead to flash flooding.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to 
Flash Flooding. Flash Flooding is a very dangerous situation. You 
should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should 
Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

&&

$$

HC
992 
WGUS62 KCAE 181956
FFACAE

Flood Watch
National Weather Service Columbia SC
256 PM EST Thu Feb 18 2021

GAZ040-SCZ018-020-021-025-026-115-116-182100-
/O.CAN.KCAE.FF.A.0002.000000T0000Z-210219T1200Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Lincoln-McCormick-Newberry-Fairfield-Edgefield-Saluda-Northern
Lancaster-Southern Lancaster-
Including the cities of Lancaster, Winnsboro Mills, Elgin, 
Edgefield, Mccormick, Indian Land, Saluda, Winnsboro, Newberry, 
Lancaster Mill, Johnston, Ridge Spring, and Lincolnton
256 PM EST Thu Feb 18 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS CANCELLED...

The Flash Flood Watch for portions of east central Georgia and 
central South Carolina, including the following areas, in east 
central Georgia, Lincoln. In central South Carolina, Edgefield, 
Fairfield, McCormick, Newberry, Northern Lancaster, Saluda and 
Southern Lancaster has been cancelled.

The Flood Watch is cancelled. The threat for heavy rain has shifted 
east of the region.

$$

GAZ063>065-077-SCZ016-022-027>031-035>038-041-190400-
/O.CON.KCAE.FF.A.0002.000000T0000Z-210219T1200Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
McDuffie-Columbia-Richmond-Burke-Chesterfield-Kershaw-Lexington-
Richland-Lee-Aiken-Sumter-Barnwell-Orangeburg-Calhoun-Clarendon-
Bamberg-
Including the cities of Bishopville, Hephzibah, Sumter, Orangeburg, 
Columbia, Waynesboro, St. Matthews, Lugoff, Blackville, Barnwell, 
Cayce, West Columbia, Brookdale, Bamberg, Lexington, Augusta, Seven 
Oaks, Red Bank, Pageland, Oak Grove, North Augusta, Denmark, 
Summerton, Aiken, Evans, Thomson, Martinez, Manning, Cheraw, Camden, 
and Williston
256 PM EST Thu Feb 18 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING...

The Flash Flood Watch continues for

* Portions of east central Georgia and central South Carolina, 
  including the following areas, in east central Georgia, Burke, 
  Columbia, McDuffie and Richmond. In central South Carolina, Aiken, 
  Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Kershaw, Lee, 
  Lexington, Orangeburg, Richland and Sumter.

* Through Friday morning

* Showers and isolated thunderstorms will move over the region 
  through tonight bringing locally heavy rain and the potential for 
  flash flooding. Most of central SC and the CSRA have experienced 
  300 to 500 percent of normal rainfall over the past seven days 
  which increases flooding concerns. Rises on streams and creeks may 
  also lead to flash flooding.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to 
Flash Flooding. Flash Flooding is a very dangerous situation. You 
should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should 
Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

&&

$$

AWP
650 
WGUS62 KCAE 190149
FFACAE

Flood Watch
National Weather Service Columbia SC
849 PM EST Thu Feb 18 2021

GAZ063>065-077-SCZ016-022-027-028-030-190300-
/O.CAN.KCAE.FF.A.0002.000000T0000Z-210219T1200Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
McDuffie-Columbia-Richmond-Burke-Chesterfield-Kershaw-Lexington-
Richland-Aiken-
Including the cities of Cayce, West Columbia, Oak Grove, Columbia, 
Aiken, Evans, Hephzibah, Lexington, Augusta, Martinez, Seven Oaks, 
Cheraw, Camden, Red Bank, Waynesboro, Pageland, Thomson, North 
Augusta, and Lugoff
849 PM EST Thu Feb 18 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS CANCELLED...

The Flash Flood Watch for portions of east central Georgia and 
central South Carolina, including the following areas, in east 
central Georgia, Burke, Columbia, McDuffie and Richmond. In central 
South Carolina, Aiken, Chesterfield, Kershaw, Lexington and Richland 
has been cancelled.

The Flood Watch is cancelled.

$$

SCZ029-031-035>038-041-191000-
/O.CON.KCAE.FF.A.0002.000000T0000Z-210219T1200Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Lee-Sumter-Barnwell-Orangeburg-Calhoun-Clarendon-Bamberg-
Including the cities of Orangeburg, Summerton, Brookdale, Bamberg, 
Sumter, Bishopville, Blackville, Manning, Denmark, Williston, St. 
Matthews, and Barnwell
849 PM EST Thu Feb 18 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM EST FRIDAY...

The Flash Flood Watch continues for

* A portion of central South Carolina, including the following 
  areas, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Clarendon, Lee, Orangeburg and 
  Sumter.

* Until 7 AM EST Friday

* Additional showers and scattered thunderstorms will move over the 
  eastern Midlands later tonight. Due to previous heavy rainfall, 
  this additional rain could cause the potential for flash flooding. 
  Rises on streams and creeks may also lead to flash flooding.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to 
Flash Flooding. Flash Flooding is a very dangerous situation. You 
should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should 
Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

&&

$$

CAL
886 
WGUS62 KCAE 191142
FFACAE

Flood Watch
National Weather Service Columbia SC
642 AM EST Fri Feb 19 2021

SCZ029-031-035>038-041-191245-
/O.EXP.KCAE.FF.A.0002.000000T0000Z-210219T1200Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Lee-Sumter-Barnwell-Orangeburg-Calhoun-Clarendon-Bamberg-
Including the cities of Orangeburg, Summerton, Brookdale, Bamberg, 
Sumter, Bishopville, Blackville, Manning, Denmark, Williston, St. 
Matthews, and Barnwell
642 AM EST Fri Feb 19 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH WILL EXPIRE AT 7 AM EST THIS MORNING...

The Flash Flood Watch for a portion of central South Carolina, 
including the following areas, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, 
Clarendon, Lee, Orangeburg and Sumter will expire AT 7 AM EST this 
morning.

The Flood Watch is cancelled. Flooding is no longer expected to pose 
a threat. Please continue to heed remaining road closures.

$$

MP

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Feb 17, 3:07 PM ESTWinter Weather AdvisoryCAELancaster13 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Watches in South Carolina, 2021Flash Flood Watches in Georgia, 2021Every flash flood watch 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.