Alert archive / Arizona / Flash Flood Warnings in 2021

Flash Flood Warning 186, NWS Flagstaff, AZ

August 17, 2021Coconino County, Arizona

NWS Flagstaff, AZ issued this flash flood warning at Aug 17, 2021, 12:22 PM MST for Coconino County, Arizona. It was in force for 5 hr. 3 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 17, 2021, 12:22 PM MST (19:22 UTC)
Expired
Aug 17, 2021, 5:30 PM MST
In force
5 hr
Issued by
NWS Flagstaff, AZ
Area
Storm-based polygon
Damage threat
Considerable
Flood severity
None

County Coconino County, AZ

The radar

The Flagstaff radar (KFSX), 82 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:22 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 17, 12:55 PM MSTFLASH FLOODLinda Vista Drive, AZWATER HAS OVERTOPPED ROADWAY WITH DEBRIS.
Aug 17, 1:00 PM MSTFLASH FLOODDortha Ave., AZWATER HAS OVERTOPPED THE BARRIERS AND OVERTOPPED THE ROADS WITH GREATER THAN 1.5 FEET WATER DEPTH.
Aug 17, 1:10 PM MSTFLASH FLOODCedar Ave. And West St., AZSIGNIFICANT FLOODING NEAR SAFEWAY. CEDAR AVE. CLOSED BY THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF.

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

The nearest sounding before it

Flgstf/Belemont, AZ (KFGZ), launched 12:00Z, 7.4 hours before the alert went out and 20 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, Flgstf/Belemont, AZ at 12:00Z on 2021-08-17Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 984 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Flgstf/Belemont, AZ at 12:00Z on 2021-08-17The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 135 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
984 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-55 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
829 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
19 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
135 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
154 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
2.8

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

047 
WGUS55 KFGZ 171922
FFWFGZ
AZC005-172230-
/O.NEW.KFGZ.FF.W.0186.210817T1922Z-210817T2230Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Flagstaff AZ
1222 PM MST Tue Aug 17 2021

The National Weather Service in Flagstaff has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Coconino County in north central Arizona...

* Until 330 PM MST.

* At 1222 PM MST, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing 
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 1.5 inches of 
  rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 1.5 inches 
  are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or 
  expected to begin shortly.

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

  SOURCE...Radar.

  IMPACT...Life-threatening flash flooding of low-water
           crossings, creeks, normally dry washes and roads.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Flagstaff, Doney Park and Flagstaff Mall.

This includes the following highways...
	U.S. Highway 89 between mile markers 419 and 424.
	Route 66 between mile markers 198 and 203.
	Interstate 40 between mile markers 199 and 203.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

Flooding of washes and creeks will occur, some dirt roads will 
become muddy and impassable. Paved roads and underpasses could 
become flooded as well.

Report any flooding to local law enforcement and the NWS Flagstaff 
when you can do so safely.

&&

LAT...LON 3524 11163 3525 11161 3525 11159 3532 11150
      3524 11141 3519 11163 3520 11163

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE

$$

DB
3 follow-up statements
360 
WGUS75 KFGZ 172141
FFSFGZ

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Flagstaff AZ
241 PM MST Tue Aug 17 2021

AZC005-172230-
/O.CON.KFGZ.FF.W.0186.000000T0000Z-210817T2230Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Coconino AZ-
241 PM MST Tue Aug 17 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 330 PM MST THIS 
AFTERNOON FOR COCONINO COUNTY...

At 240 PM MST, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated 
thunderstorms producing heavy rain have ended across east Flagstaff 
and Doney Park. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain have fallen. 
Additional rainfall amounts up to 0.25 inches are possible in the 
warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing.

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

SOURCE...Radar and automated gauges.

IMPACT...Life-threatening flash flooding of low-water crossings,
         creeks, normally dry washes and roads.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Flagstaff, Doney Park and Flagstaff Mall.

This includes the following highways...
	U.S. Highway 89 between mile markers 419 and 424.
	Route 66 between mile markers 198 and 204.
	Interstate 40 between mile markers 199 and 203.

This includes the following streams and drainages...
  San Francisco Wash and Walnut Creek.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

Flooding of washes and creeks will occur, some dirt roads will 
become muddy and impassable. Paved roads and underpasses could 
become flooded as well.

&&

LAT...LON 3524 11163 3525 11161 3525 11159 3532 11150
      3524 11141 3519 11163 3520 11163

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR AND GAUGE INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE

$$

TPS
279 
WGUS55 KFGZ 172220
FFWFGZ
AZC005-180030-
/O.EXT.KFGZ.FF.W.0186.000000T0000Z-210818T0030Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Flagstaff AZ
320 PM MST Tue Aug 17 2021

The National Weather Service in Flagstaff has extended the

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Coconino County in north central Arizona...

* Until 530 PM MST.

* At 318 PM MST, local law enforcement reported flooding and road 
  closures along and north of Route 66 in Flagstaff. Between 1 and 2 
  inches of rain fell in this area a couple hours ago. Flash 
  flooding is already occurring.

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

  SOURCE...Law enforcement reported.

  IMPACT...Life-threatening flash flooding of low-water
           crossings, creeks, normally dry washes and roads.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Flagstaff and Flagstaff Mall.

This includes the following highways...
	U.S. Highway 89 between mile markers 419 and 421.
	Route 66 between mile markers 198 and 204.
	Interstate 40 between mile markers 199 and 203.

This includes the following streams and drainages...
  San Francisco Wash.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

Flooding of washes and creeks will occur, some dirt roads will 
become muddy and impassable. Paved roads and underpasses could 
become flooded as well.

&&

LAT...LON 3524 11163 3525 11161 3525 11159 3526 11157
      3522 11152 3519 11163

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

$$

TPS
631 
WGUS75 KFGZ 180022
FFSFGZ

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Flagstaff AZ
522 PM MST Tue Aug 17 2021

AZC005-180032-
/O.EXP.KFGZ.FF.W.0186.000000T0000Z-210818T0030Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Coconino AZ-
522 PM MST Tue Aug 17 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 530 PM MST THIS AFTERNOON FOR 
COCONINO COUNTY...

The Rio de Flag and area washes will remain high, but gradually 
recede over the next several hours. Please continue to heed 
remaining road closures across the Flagstaff area.

A Flash Flood Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM MST for portions 
of north central Arizona, northeast Arizona and west central Arizona.

LAT...LON 3524 11163 3525 11161 3525 11159 3526 11157
      3522 11152 3519 11163

$$

TPS

The office that day

Everything else NWS Flagstaff, AZ issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 16, 5:04 PM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatFGZApache, Navajo3 hr
Aug 16, 6:33 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGZYavapai27 min
Aug 16, 7:08 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGZYavapai37 min
Aug 16, 7:37 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGZCoconino23 min
Aug 16, 7:42 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGZYavapai33 min
Aug 16, 7:57 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGZCoconino33 min
Aug 16, 8:04 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGZYavapai26 min
Aug 16, 8:21 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGZCoconino24 min
Aug 16, 9:18 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGZGila42 min
Aug 16, 10:01 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGZYavapai29 min
Aug 16, 10:33 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGZYavapai25 min
Aug 17, 12:04 PM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatFGZCoconino, Gila, Navajo3 hr
Aug 17, 12:15 PM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatFGZCoconino60 min
Aug 17, 12:29 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGZCoconino, Gila, Navajo46 min
Aug 17, 12:41 PM MSTFlash Flood Warning EmergencyCatastrophic damage threatFGZCoconino3 hr
Aug 17, 12:59 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGZCoconino46 min
Aug 17, 1:06 PM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatFGZCoconino5 hr
Aug 17, 1:16 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGZCoconino44 min
Aug 17, 1:21 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGZCoconino39 min
Aug 17, 1:28 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGZCoconino47 min
Aug 17, 1:37 PM MSTFlash Flood WatchFGZApache, Coconino, Navajo9 hr
Aug 17, 2:03 PM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatFGZCoconino5 hr
Aug 17, 2:09 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGZCoconino51 min
Aug 17, 2:15 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGZCoconino45 min
Aug 17, 2:18 PM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatFGZCoconino5 hr
Aug 17, 3:03 PM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatFGZCoconino3 hr
Aug 17, 3:42 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGZCoconino33 min
Aug 17, 3:44 PM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatFGZCoconino, Yavapai3 hr
Aug 17, 4:06 PM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatFGZCoconino, Yavapai3 hr
Aug 17, 4:19 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGZYavapai26 min
Aug 17, 4:22 PM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatFGZCoconino3 hr
Aug 17, 4:46 PM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatFGZYavapai3 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Arizona, 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.