Alert archive / North Carolina / Flash Flood Warnings in 2021

Flash Flood Warning 27, NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC

August 17, 20214 counties in North Carolina

NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued this flash flood warning at Aug 17, 2021, 4:35 PM EDT for 4 counties in North Carolina. It was in force for 8 hr. 1 report 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, 4:35 PM EDT (20:35 UTC)
Expired
Aug 18, 2021, 12:56 AM EDT
In force
8 hr
Issued by
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Buncombe County, NC, Henderson County, NC, Polk County, NC, Rutherford County, NC

The radar

The Greer radar (KGSP), 50 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:37 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, 5:34 PM EDTFLASH FLOODBat Cave, NCSWIFT FLOODWATERS ENCROACHING ON HOMES

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, 8.6 hours before the alert went out and 232 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, Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC at 12:00Z on 2021-08-17Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 522 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, Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC at 12:00Z on 2021-08-17The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 77 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
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.

063 
WGUS52 KGSP 172035
FFWGSP
NCC021-089-149-161-180030-
/O.NEW.KGSP.FF.W.0027.210817T2035Z-210818T0030Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

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

The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Southeastern Buncombe County in western North Carolina...
  Eastern Henderson County in western North Carolina...
  Northwestern Polk County in western North Carolina...
  Northwestern Rutherford County in western North Carolina...

* Until 830 PM EDT.

* At 435 PM EDT, As the threat of tropical-like thunderstorms 
  continues across the headwaters of the Green and Broad Rivers into 
  this evening, locally as much as 5 on 6 inches of rain may 
  accumulate.  This will result in fast river and stream rises 
  throughout the warned area.

  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...
  Flat Rock, Lake Lure, Saluda, Chimney Rock Village, Chimney Rock 
  State Park, Bat Cave, Dupont State Forest, Lake Adger, Edneyville, 
  Dana, Gerton, Mill Spring, East Flat Rock, Tuxedo, Shingle Hollow 
  and Crab Creek.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3518 8244 3517 8255 3519 8257 3542 8231
      3546 8236 3558 8229 3551 8217 3553 8200
      3541 8207 3536 8212 3532 8213 3529 8223
      3525 8227 3521 8234 3523 8236 3522 8239

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR AND GAUGE INDICATED

$$
3 follow-up statements
959 
WGUS52 KGSP 172328
FFWGSP
NCC021-089-149-161-180130-
/O.EXT.KGSP.FF.W.0027.000000T0000Z-210818T0130Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

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

The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has extended 
the

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Southeastern Buncombe County in western North Carolina...
  Eastern Henderson County in western North Carolina...
  Northwestern Polk County in western North Carolina...
  Northwestern Rutherford County in western North Carolina...

* Until 930 PM EDT.

* At 728 PM EDT, As the threat of tropical-like thunderstorms 
  continues across the headwaters of the Green and Broad Rivers into 
  this evening, locally as much as 5 on 6 inches of rain may 
  accumulate.  This will result in fast river and stream rises 
  throughout the warned area.

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

  SOURCE...Radar and automated gauges.

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

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Hendersonville, Flat Rock, Lake Lure, Saluda, Chimney Rock 
  Village, Chimney Rock State Park, Bat Cave, Dupont State Forest, 
  Lake Adger, Edneyville, Dana, Gerton, Mill Spring, East Flat Rock, 
  Tuxedo, Shingle Hollow and Crab Creek.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3518 8244 3517 8255 3519 8257 3542 8231
      3546 8236 3558 8229 3551 8217 3553 8200
      3541 8207 3536 8212 3532 8213 3529 8223
      3525 8227 3521 8234 3523 8236 3522 8239

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

$$
366 
WGUS52 KGSP 180122
FFWGSP
NCC021-089-149-161-180645-
/O.EXT.KGSP.FF.W.0027.000000T0000Z-210818T0645Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

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

The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has extended 
the

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Southeastern Buncombe County in western North Carolina...
  Eastern Henderson County in western North Carolina...
  Northwestern Polk County in western North Carolina...
  Northwestern Rutherford County in western North Carolina...

* Until 245 AM EDT.

* At 922 PM EDT, Heavy rainfall has ended across the region but 
  flash flooding is still ongoing. The most significant impacts are 
  occurring along the Rocky Broad River above Lake Lure, where the 
  floodwave is currently cresting.  However, it will take several 
  hours for excessive runoff to subside and for all area streams to 
  crest and recede.  Therefore, please do NOT let your guard down 
  and avoid all low-lying areas adjacent to streams.  Do NOT cross 
  flooded roadways as those roadways may have been damaged by swift 
  currents.  Avoid all low-water crossings as flood waters can rise 
  quickly and without warning.

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

  SOURCE...Radar and automated gauges.

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

* Some locations that may continue to experience flooding include...
  Hendersonville, Flat Rock, Lake Lure, Saluda, Chimney Rock 
  Village, Chimney Rock State Park, Bat Cave, Dupont State Forest, 
  Lake Adger, Edneyville, Dana, Gerton, Mill Spring, East Flat Rock, 
  Tuxedo, Shingle Hollow and Crab Creek.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Heavy rain is increasing the risk of landslides, especially in areas 
where slides have occurred in the past. Be especially alert if you 
are near a stream, especially at the base of a mountain or in a 
cove. Watch for loose-moving soil and rocks or a sudden increase in 
streamflow. Leave the area quickly if this is observed. When driving 
along roads where the terrain is steep or rocky, watch and listen 
for falling rocks, mud, trees and other debris.

In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are 
potentially dangerous in heavy rain. Do not attempt to cross flooded 
roads. Find an alternate route.

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

&&

LAT...LON 3518 8244 3517 8255 3519 8257 3542 8231
      3546 8236 3558 8229 3551 8217 3553 8200
      3541 8207 3536 8212 3532 8213 3529 8223
      3525 8227 3521 8234 3523 8236 3522 8239

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

$$

JMP
784 
WGUS72 KGSP 180456
FFSGSP

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
1256 AM EDT Wed Aug 18 2021

NCC021-089-149-161-180506-
/O.CAN.KGSP.FF.W.0027.000000T0000Z-210818T0645Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Buncombe NC-Henderson NC-Polk NC-Rutherford NC-
1256 AM EDT Wed Aug 18 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR SOUTHEASTERN BUNCOMBE, 
EASTERN HENDERSON, NORTHWESTERN POLK AND NORTHWESTERN RUTHERFORD 
COUNTIES...

The heavy rain has ended and area streams have crested and receded 
back below bankfull levels.  Therefore, the Flash Flood Warning will 
be discontinued.  Please continue to heed all barricades and 
evacuation orders which remain in place to ensure areas and roadways 
are safe to return to.

LAT...LON 3518 8244 3517 8255 3519 8257 3542 8231
      3546 8236 3558 8229 3551 8217 3553 8200
      3541 8207 3536 8212 3532 8213 3529 8223
      3525 8227 3521 8234 3523 8236 3522 8239

$$

JMP

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 17, 2:22 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningGSPHenderson, Transylvania4 days
Aug 17, 3:01 AM EDTRiver Flood AdvisoryGSPBuncombe, Henderson79 min
Aug 17, 3:27 AM EDTRiver Flood AdvisoryGSPBuncombe26 hr
Aug 17, 3:59 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningGSPMadison40 hr
Aug 17, 4:12 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningGSPBuncombe31 hr
Aug 17, 4:20 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningGSPBuncombe, Henderson4 days
Aug 17, 11:36 AM EDTTornado Warning Tornado observedGSPAlexander, Iredell39 min
Aug 17, 12:05 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPIredell25 min
Aug 17, 12:06 PM EDTTornado WarningGSPIredell39 min
Aug 17, 12:33 PM EDTTornado WarningGSPAlexander12 min
Aug 17, 12:42 PM EDTTornado Warning Tornado observedGSPIredell18 min
Aug 17, 1:09 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningGSPJackson, Macon, Transylvania5 hr
Aug 17, 1:25 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningGSPTransylvania4 hr
Aug 17, 1:56 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPTransylvania34 min
Aug 17, 2:01 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPCatawba, Lincoln29 min
Aug 17, 2:02 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPIredell28 min
Aug 17, 2:02 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPAlexander28 min
Aug 17, 2:31 PM EDTTornado WarningGSPBurke, Caldwell44 min
Aug 17, 2:31 PM EDTTornado WarningGSPMacon19 min
Aug 17, 3:02 PM EDTTornado WarningGSPCaldwell43 min
Aug 17, 3:06 PM EDTTornado WarningGSPAlexander, Caldwell39 min
Aug 17, 3:12 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningGSPHaywood3 hr
Aug 17, 3:41 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningGSPBuncombe5 hr
Aug 17, 3:48 PM EDTTornado WarningGSPAlexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba42 min
Aug 17, 4:07 PM EDTTornado WarningGSPAvery, Burke, McDowell, Mitchell53 min
Aug 17, 4:08 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningGSPMadison9 hr
Aug 17, 4:16 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningGSPBuncombe, Henderson5 hr
Aug 17, 4:17 PM EDTTornado WarningGSPAvery, Burke, Caldwell43 min
Aug 17, 4:20 PM EDTTornado WarningGSPHenderson, Polk, Rutherford12 min
Aug 17, 4:24 PM EDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatGSPHaywood4 hr
Aug 17, 4:50 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningGSPMcDowell9 hr
Aug 17, 4:58 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningGSPYancey4 hr
Aug 17, 4:59 PM EDTTornado WarningGSPAvery, Burke, McDowell, Mitchell, Yancey46 min
Aug 17, 5:14 PM EDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatGSPTransylvania4 hr
Aug 17, 5:17 PM EDTRiver Flood WarningGSPHaywood12 hr
Aug 17, 5:26 PM EDTTornado WarningGSPAvery, McDowell, Mitchell, Rutherford, Yancey49 min
Aug 17, 5:28 PM EDTTornado WarningGSPAvery, Burke, Caldwell47 min
Aug 17, 5:32 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningGSPMitchell4 hr
Aug 17, 5:48 PM EDTRiver Flood WarningGSPBuncombe26 hr
Aug 17, 6:00 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningGSPAvery, Burke, Caldwell9 hr
Aug 17, 6:16 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningGSPHenderson, Polk, Rutherford3 hr
Aug 17, 6:42 PM EDTTornado WarningGSPPolk, Rutherford48 min
Aug 17, 6:57 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningGSPBurke, McDowell6 hr
Aug 17, 7:59 PM EDTTornado WarningGSPCleveland46 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in North Carolina, 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.