Alert archive / North Carolina / Flash Flood Warnings in 2021

Flash Flood Warning 25, NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC

August 17, 2021Buncombe County, Henderson County, North Carolina

NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued this flash flood warning at Aug 17, 2021, 4:16 PM EDT for Buncombe County, Henderson County, North Carolina. It was in force for 5 hr. 2 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, 4:16 PM EDT (20:16 UTC)
Expired: Aug 17, 2021, 9:15 PM EDT
In force: 5 hr
Issued by: NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
Area: Storm-based polygon
Flood severity: None

Counties Buncombe County, NC, Henderson County, NC

The radar

The Greer radar (KGSP), 76 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:19 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

Time	Report	Where	Remark
Aug 17, 6:52 PM EDT	FLOOD	2 Ese Asheville, NC	LOW-LYING AREAS FLOODED, IMPASSABLE IN 2WD VEHICLES
Aug 17, 7:14 PM EDT	FLASH FLOOD	3 Sse Fairview, NC	FLASH FLOODING ON BRUSH CREEK ROAD IN FAIRVIEW

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

The nearest sounding before it

Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC (KGSO), launched 12:00Z, 8.3 hours before the alert went out and 241 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: 522 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -5 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 593 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 26 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 77 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 99 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.1
Supercell composite: 0.9

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

192 
WGUS52 KGSP 172016
FFWGSP
NCC021-089-172315-
/O.NEW.KGSP.FF.W.0025.210817T2016Z-210817T2315Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
416 PM EDT Tue Aug 17 2021

The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Central Buncombe County in western North Carolina...
  Henderson County in western North Carolina...

* Until 715 PM EDT.

* At 416 PM EDT, Widespread heavy tropical-like thunderstorms will 
  continue to develop across many tributaries of the French Broad 
  River which includes but is not limited to Greater Hendersonville, 
  Asheville and Black Mountain. Expect developing high water 
  conditions, stream flooding and possibly mud or landslides.

  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...
  Downtown Asheville, Hendersonville, Arden, East Asheville, North 
  Asheville, Black Mountain, Mills River, Woodfin, Fletcher, 
  Swannanoa, Flat Rock, Etowah, Weaverville, Fairview In Buncombe 
  County, Mountain Home, Laurel Park, Biltmore Forest, Skyland, B.R. 
  Parkway-Nc Arboretum To East Asheville and Biltmore Park.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3550 8258 3554 8256 3565 8258 3574 8266
      3582 8237 3575 8233 3571 8230 3565 8231
      3557 8229 3546 8236 3536 8229 3519 8257
      3525 8260 3534 8263 3543 8273

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

2 follow-up statements

990 
WGUS52 KGSP 172240
FFWGSP
NCC021-089-180115-
/O.EXT.KGSP.FF.W.0025.000000T0000Z-210818T0115Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
640 PM EDT Tue Aug 17 2021

The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has extended 
the

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Central Buncombe County in western North Carolina...
  Henderson County in western North Carolina...

* Until 915 PM EDT.

* At 640 PM EDT, Gages measured widespread 3 to 5 inches of rain 
  across the warned area today and widespread heavy tropical-like 
  thunderstorms will continue to
  taper off through mid-evening.  Excessive runoff, high water 
  conditions and flooding and area streams and rivers will 
  continue.  Remain wary across the the many tributaries of the 
  French Broad River which includes but is not limited to Greater 
  Hendersonville, Asheville and Black Mountain.

  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...
  Downtown Asheville, Hendersonville, Arden, East Asheville, North 
  Asheville, Black Mountain, Mills River, Woodfin, Fletcher, 
  Swannanoa, Flat Rock, Etowah, Weaverville, Fairview In Buncombe 
  County, Mountain Home, Laurel Park, Biltmore Forest, Skyland, B.R. 
  Parkway-Nc Arboretum To East Asheville and Biltmore Park.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3550 8258 3554 8256 3565 8258 3574 8266
      3582 8237 3575 8233 3571 8230 3565 8231
      3557 8229 3546 8236 3536 8229 3519 8257
      3525 8260 3534 8263 3543 8273

FLASH FLOOD...GAUGE INDICATED

$$

980 
WGUS72 KGSP 172327
FFSGSP

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
727 PM EDT Tue Aug 17 2021

NCC021-089-180115-
/O.CON.KGSP.FF.W.0025.000000T0000Z-210818T0115Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Buncombe NC-Henderson NC-
727 PM EDT Tue Aug 17 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 915 PM EDT THIS 
EVENING FOR CENTRAL BUNCOMBE AND HENDERSON COUNTIES...

At 727 PM EDT, Gages measured widespread 3 to 5 inches of rain 
across the warned area today and widespread heavy tropical-like 
thunderstorms will continue to
taper off through mid-evening.  Excessive runoff, high water 
conditions and flooding and area streams and rivers will continue.  
Remain wary across the the many tributaries of the French Broad 
River which includes but is not limited to Greater Hendersonville, 
Asheville and Black Mountain.

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

SOURCE...Gauges reported.

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

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Downtown Asheville, Hendersonville, Arden, East Asheville, North 
  Asheville, Black Mountain, Mills River, Woodfin, Fletcher, 
  Swannanoa, Flat Rock, Etowah, Weaverville, Fairview In Buncombe 
  County, Mountain Home, Laurel Park, Biltmore Forest, Skyland, B.R. 
  Parkway-Nc Arboretum To East Asheville and Biltmore Park.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3550 8258 3554 8256 3565 8258 3574 8266
      3582 8237 3575 8233 3571 8230 3565 8231
      3557 8229 3546 8236 3536 8229 3519 8257
      3525 8260 3534 8263 3543 8273

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

$$

The office that day

Everything else NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Aug 17, 2:22 AM EDT	River Flood Warning	GSP	Henderson, Transylvania	4 days
Aug 17, 3:01 AM EDT	River Flood Advisory	GSP	Buncombe, Henderson	79 min
Aug 17, 3:27 AM EDT	River Flood Advisory	GSP	Buncombe	26 hr
Aug 17, 3:59 AM EDT	River Flood Warning	GSP	Madison	40 hr
Aug 17, 4:12 AM EDT	River Flood Warning	GSP	Buncombe	31 hr
Aug 17, 4:20 AM EDT	River Flood Warning	GSP	Buncombe, Henderson	4 days
Aug 17, 11:36 AM EDT	Tornado Warning Tornado observed	GSP	Alexander, Iredell	39 min
Aug 17, 12:05 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	GSP	Iredell	25 min
Aug 17, 12:06 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	GSP	Iredell	39 min
Aug 17, 12:33 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	GSP	Alexander	12 min
Aug 17, 12:42 PM EDT	Tornado Warning Tornado observed	GSP	Iredell	18 min
Aug 17, 1:09 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	GSP	Jackson, Macon, Transylvania	5 hr
Aug 17, 1:25 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	GSP	Transylvania	4 hr
Aug 17, 1:56 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	GSP	Transylvania	34 min
Aug 17, 2:01 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	GSP	Catawba, Lincoln	29 min
Aug 17, 2:02 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	GSP	Iredell	28 min
Aug 17, 2:02 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	GSP	Alexander	28 min
Aug 17, 2:31 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	GSP	Burke, Caldwell	44 min
Aug 17, 2:31 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	GSP	Macon	19 min
Aug 17, 3:02 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	GSP	Caldwell	43 min
Aug 17, 3:06 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	GSP	Alexander, Caldwell	39 min
Aug 17, 3:12 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	GSP	Haywood	3 hr
Aug 17, 3:41 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	GSP	Buncombe	5 hr
Aug 17, 3:48 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	GSP	Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba	42 min
Aug 17, 4:07 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	GSP	Avery, Burke, McDowell, Mitchell	53 min
Aug 17, 4:08 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	GSP	Madison	9 hr
Aug 17, 4:17 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	GSP	Avery, Burke, Caldwell	43 min
Aug 17, 4:20 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	GSP	Henderson, Polk, Rutherford	12 min
Aug 17, 4:24 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning Considerable damage threat	GSP	Haywood	4 hr
Aug 17, 4:35 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	GSP	Buncombe, Henderson, Polk, Rutherford	8 hr
Aug 17, 4:50 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	GSP	McDowell	9 hr
Aug 17, 4:58 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	GSP	Yancey	4 hr
Aug 17, 4:59 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	GSP	Avery, Burke, McDowell, Mitchell, Yancey	46 min
Aug 17, 5:14 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning Considerable damage threat	GSP	Transylvania	4 hr
Aug 17, 5:17 PM EDT	River Flood Warning	GSP	Haywood	12 hr
Aug 17, 5:26 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	GSP	Avery, McDowell, Mitchell, Rutherford, Yancey	49 min
Aug 17, 5:28 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	GSP	Avery, Burke, Caldwell	47 min
Aug 17, 5:32 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	GSP	Mitchell	4 hr
Aug 17, 5:48 PM EDT	River Flood Warning	GSP	Buncombe	26 hr
Aug 17, 6:00 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	GSP	Avery, Burke, Caldwell	9 hr
Aug 17, 6:16 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	GSP	Henderson, Polk, Rutherford	3 hr
Aug 17, 6:42 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	GSP	Polk, Rutherford	48 min
Aug 17, 6:57 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	GSP	Burke, McDowell	6 hr
Aug 17, 7:59 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	GSP	Cleveland	46 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in North 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.