Alert archive / Virginia / Flash Flood Warnings in 2021
Flash Flood Warning 38, NWS Baltimore/Washington
NWS Baltimore/Washington issued this flash flood warning at Aug 15, 2021, 12:13 AM EDT for 4 counties in Virginia; Prince George's County, Maryland. It was in force for 3 hr. 9 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 15, 2021, 12:13 AM EDT (04:13 UTC)
- Expired
- Aug 15, 2021, 3:23 AM EDT
- In force
- 3 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Baltimore/Washington
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Damage threat
- Considerable
- Flood severity
- None
Counties Prince George's County, MD, Arlington County, VA, City of Alexandria, VA, Fairfax County, VA, Prince William County, VA
The radar
The Sterling radar (KLWX), 34 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 04:14 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 15, 12:49 AM EDT | FLASH FLOOD | 1 Se Barcroft, VA | HIGH STANDING WATER BLOCKING THREE LANES ALONG INTERSTATE 395 NORTHBOUND AROUND VA 120 |
| Aug 15, 1:11 AM EDT | FLASH FLOOD | 1 N The Woodrow Wilson, VA | PRINCE STREET WAS CLOSED DUE TO HIGH WATER. |
| Aug 15, 1:11 AM EDT | FLASH FLOOD | Alexandria, VA | KING STREET WAS CLOSED DUE TO HIGH WATER. |
| Aug 15, 1:20 AM EDT | FLASH FLOOD | Alexandria-Eisenhower A, VA | STREAM GAUGE ON CAMERON RUN AT ALEXANDRIA - EISENHOWER AVENUE QUICKLY ROSE NEARLY 8 FEET IN UNDER ONE HOUR, EXCEEDING MINOR FLOOD STAGE OF 11 FEET. THE GAUGE INDICATES THE STREAM CONTINUED TO RISE INTO MODERATE FLOOD STAGE OF 14 FEET SHORTLY AFTER 130 AM, AND |
| Aug 15, 1:20 AM EDT | FLASH FLOOD | Landmark - Alexandria, VA | STREAM GAUGE ON BACKLICK RUN IN LANDMARK - ALEXANDRIA ROSE OVER 6 FEET IN UNDER A HALF HOUR, EXCEEDING MINOR FLOOD STAGE OF 6 FEET. THE GAUGE INDICATES THE STREAM HAS CRESTED AT 9.4 FEET. |
| Aug 15, 1:28 AM EDT | FLASH FLOOD | 1 Wnw The Woodrow Wilso, VA | OLD RICHMOND ROAD WAS CLOSED AROUND RICHMOND HIGHWAY. |
| Aug 15, 1:29 AM EDT | FLASH FLOOD | The I395 And I495, VA | A VEHICLE WAS STUCK ON THE RAMP FROM INTERSTATE 495 TO INTERSTATE 95 NORTH. |
| Aug 15, 2:25 AM EDT | FLASH FLOOD | 1 Nw Rose Hill, VA | BUILDING IN 600 BLOCK OF S PICKETT ST BEING EVACUATED DUE TO HIGH WATER. |
| Aug 15, 3:00 AM EDT | FLASH FLOOD | 1 E Newington, VA | EXTENDED ROAD CLOSURE FOR NEWINGTON RD NEAR CINDER BED RD. FLASH FLOODING OF LONG BRANCH DISPLACED LARGE SECTIONS OF THE TOP LAYER OF ASPHALT. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
The nearest sounding before it
Washington/Dulle, VA (KIAD), launched 00:00Z, 4.2 hours before the alert went out and 27 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 544 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -2 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1447 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 22 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 3 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 70 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
963
WGUS51 KLWX 150413
FFWLWX
DCC001-MDC033-VAC013-059-153-510-150715-
/O.NEW.KLWX.FF.W.0038.210815T0413Z-210815T0715Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
1213 AM EDT Sun Aug 15 2021
The National Weather Service in Sterling Virginia has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
Southeastern District of Columbia...
West Central Prince Georges County in central Maryland...
Southeastern Arlington County in northern Virginia...
Southeastern Fairfax County in northern Virginia...
Prince William County in northern Virginia...
The City of Alexandria in northern Virginia...
* Until 315 AM EDT.
* At 1213 AM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain
have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 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 creeks and streams,
urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.
* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
Arlington... Alexandria...
Annandale... Clinton...
Springfield... Fort Washington...
Fort Hunt... Groveton...
Forestville... Huntington...
Coral Hills... Fort Belvoir...
Woodbridge... National Harbor...
Crystal City... Reagan National Airport...
Nationals Park... RFK Stadium...
Andrews Air Force Base... Lake Ridge...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
&&
LAT...LON 3878 7735 3887 7711 3889 7701 3889 7693
3887 7687 3877 7692 3869 7707 3866 7723
3868 7727 3869 7737 3868 7742 3871 7744
3874 7741
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
$$
BJL5 follow-up statements
046
WGUS71 KLWX 150520
FFSLWX
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
120 AM EDT Sun Aug 15 2021
DCC001-MDC033-VAC013-059-153-510-150715-
/O.CON.KLWX.FF.W.0038.000000T0000Z-210815T0715Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
District of Columbia DC-Prince Georges MD-Arlington VA-Fairfax VA-
Prince William VA-City of Alexandria VA-
120 AM EDT Sun Aug 15 2021
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 315 AM EDT EARLY THIS
MORNING FOR WEST CENTRAL PRINCE GEORGES, SOUTHEASTERN ARLINGTON,
SOUTHEASTERN FAIRFAX AND PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTIES AND THE
SOUTHEASTERN DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA...
At 120 AM EDT, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated
thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between
2.5 and 4.5 inches of rain have fallen. Reports of numerous roads
impassable due to high water. Additional rainfall amounts of 0.5 to
1.5 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is
already occurring.
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...
Arlington... Alexandria...
Annandale... Clinton...
Springfield... Fort Washington...
Fort Hunt... Groveton...
Forestville... Huntington...
Coral Hills... Fort Belvoir...
Woodbridge... National Harbor...
Crystal City... Reagan National Airport...
Nationals Park... RFK Stadium...
Andrews Air Force Base... Lake Ridge...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the
dangers of flooding.
&&
LAT...LON 3878 7735 3887 7711 3889 7701 3889 7693
3887 7687 3877 7692 3869 7707 3866 7723
3868 7727 3869 7737 3868 7742 3871 7744
3874 7741
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR AND GAUGE INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
$$
BKF466
WGUS71 KLWX 150546
FFSLWX
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
146 AM EDT Sun Aug 15 2021
DCC001-MDC033-VAC013-059-153-510-150715-
/O.CON.KLWX.FF.W.0038.000000T0000Z-210815T0715Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
District of Columbia DC-Prince Georges MD-Arlington VA-Fairfax VA-
Prince William VA-City of Alexandria VA-
146 AM EDT Sun Aug 15 2021
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 315 AM EDT EARLY THIS
MORNING FOR WEST CENTRAL PRINCE GEORGES, SOUTHEASTERN ARLINGTON,
SOUTHEASTERN FAIRFAX AND PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTIES AND THE
SOUTHEASTERN DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA...
At 146 AM EDT, Doppler radar and automated gauges indicated
thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 3
and 5 inches of rain have fallen. Stream gauges along Cameron Run
and Backlick Run in Alexandria quickly rose nearly 8 feet in less
than one hour, exceeding minor flood stage. Additional rainfall
amounts up to 0.5 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash
flooding is already occurring.
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...
Arlington... Alexandria...
Annandale... Clinton...
Springfield... Fort Washington...
Fort Hunt... Groveton...
Forestville... Huntington...
Coral Hills... Fort Belvoir...
Woodbridge... National Harbor...
Crystal City... Reagan National Airport...
Nationals Park... RFK Stadium...
Andrews Air Force Base... Lake Ridge...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the
dangers of flooding.
&&
LAT...LON 3878 7735 3887 7711 3889 7701 3889 7693
3887 7687 3877 7692 3869 7707 3866 7723
3868 7727 3869 7737 3868 7742 3871 7744
3874 7741
FLASH FLOOD...GAUGE INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
$$
BKF841
WGUS71 KLWX 150647
FFSLWX
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
247 AM EDT Sun Aug 15 2021
DCC001-MDC033-150657-
/O.CAN.KLWX.FF.W.0038.000000T0000Z-210815T0715Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
District of Columbia DC-Prince Georges MD-
247 AM EDT Sun Aug 15 2021
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR WEST CENTRAL PRINCE GEORGES
COUNTY AND THE SOUTHEASTERN DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA...
Flooding is no longer expected to pose a threat. Please continue to
heed remaining road closures.
A Flash Flood Watch remains in effect until 400 AM EDT for portions
of DC, Maryland and northern Virginia.
A Flash Flood Watch remains in effect until 400 AM EDT for portions
of central Virginia, northern Virginia, northwest Virginia and
western Virginia.
LAT...LON 3878 7735 3887 7711 3888 7704 3885 7702
3882 7703 3879 7702 3877 7703 3874 7702
3873 7703 3871 7706 3871 7705 3869 7708
3866 7723 3868 7727 3869 7737 3868 7742
3871 7744 3874 7741
$$
VAC013-059-153-510-150715-
/O.CON.KLWX.FF.W.0038.000000T0000Z-210815T0715Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Arlington VA-Fairfax VA-Prince William VA-City of Alexandria VA-
247 AM EDT Sun Aug 15 2021
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 315 AM EDT EARLY THIS
MORNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN ARLINGTON, SOUTHEASTERN FAIRFAX AND PRINCE
WILLIAM COUNTIES AND THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA...
At 247 AM EDT, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated
thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 3
and 5 inches of rain have fallen. Stream gauge along Cameron Run in
Alexandria indicates moderate flooding is occurring with a latest
stage of 14.2 feet. Additional rainfall amounts up to 0.5 inches are
possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is already occurring.
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...
Arlington... Alexandria...
Annandale... Springfield...
Fort Washington... Fort Hunt...
Groveton... Huntington...
Fort Belvoir... Woodbridge...
National Harbor... Crystal City...
Reagan National Airport... Lake Ridge...
Burke... Lincolnia...
Lorton... Franconia...
Hybla Valley... Newington...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the
dangers of flooding.
&&
LAT...LON 3878 7735 3887 7711 3888 7704 3885 7702
3882 7703 3879 7702 3877 7703 3874 7702
3873 7703 3871 7706 3871 7705 3869 7708
3866 7723 3868 7727 3869 7737 3868 7742
3871 7744 3874 7741
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR AND GAUGE INDICATED
$$
BKF669
WGUS51 KLWX 150650
FFWLWX
VAC013-059-153-510-151015-
/O.EXT.KLWX.FF.W.0038.000000T0000Z-210815T1015Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
250 AM EDT Sun Aug 15 2021
The National Weather Service in Sterling Virginia has extended the
* Flash Flood Warning for...
Southeastern Arlington County in northern Virginia...
Southeastern Fairfax County in northern Virginia...
Prince William County in northern Virginia...
The City of Alexandria in northern Virginia...
* Until 615 AM EDT.
* At 250 AM EDT, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated
heavy rain has fallen across the warned area, with light to
moderate rain ongoing. Between 3 and 5 inches of rain have fallen.
Stream gauge along Cameron Run in Alexandria indicates moderate
flooding is occurring with a latest stage of 14.2 feet and
falling. Additional rainfall amounts up to 0.5 inches are possible
in the warned area. Flash flooding is already occurring.
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...
Arlington... Alexandria...
Annandale... Springfield...
Fort Washington... Fort Hunt...
Groveton... Huntington...
Fort Belvoir... Woodbridge...
National Harbor... Crystal City...
Reagan National Airport... Lake Ridge...
Burke... Lincolnia...
Lorton... Franconia...
Hybla Valley... Newington...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the
dangers of flooding.
&&
LAT...LON 3878 7735 3887 7711 3888 7704 3885 7702
3882 7703 3879 7702 3877 7703 3874 7702
3873 7703 3871 7706 3871 7705 3869 7708
3866 7723 3868 7727 3869 7737 3868 7742
3871 7744 3874 7741
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR AND GAUGE INDICATED
$$
BKF041
WGUS71 KLWX 150723
FFSLWX
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
323 AM EDT Sun Aug 15 2021
VAC013-059-153-510-150733-
/O.CAN.KLWX.FF.W.0038.000000T0000Z-210815T1015Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Arlington VA-Fairfax VA-Prince William VA-City of Alexandria VA-
323 AM EDT Sun Aug 15 2021
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN ARLINGTON, SOUTHEASTERN
FAIRFAX AND PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTIES AND THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA HAS
BEEN REPLACED WITH A FLOOD WARNING...
LAT...LON 3878 7735 3887 7711 3888 7704 3885 7702
3882 7703 3879 7702 3877 7703 3874 7702
3873 7703 3871 7706 3871 7705 3869 7708
3866 7723 3868 7727 3869 7737 3868 7742
3871 7744 3874 7741
$$
BKFThe office that day
Everything else NWS Baltimore/Washington issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 15, 12:42 AM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | LWX | 2 hr | |
| Aug 14, 8:40 PM EDT | Special Marine Warning | LWX | 72 min | |
| Aug 14, 9:38 PM EDT | Special Marine Warning | LWX | 19 min | |
| Aug 14, 10:25 PM EDT | Special Marine Warning | LWX | 95 min | |
| Aug 14, 11:58 PM EDT | Special Marine Warning | LWX | 92 min | |
| Aug 15, 3:09 AM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | LWX | Fairfax, Prince William, City of Manassas, City of Manassas Park | 2 hr |
| Aug 15, 3:23 AM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | LWX | Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William, City of Alexandria | 2 hr |
| Aug 15, 5:47 PM EDT | Flash Flood Watch | LWX | Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, King George, Stafford, City of Alexandria and 2 more | 18 hr |
| Aug 14, 10:28 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | LWX | Calvert, Charles, Prince George's | 47 min |
| Aug 14, 10:44 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | LWX | Calvert, Charles, Prince George's | 3 hr |
| Aug 14, 11:54 PM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | LWX | Calvert, Charles, Saint Mary's | 4 hr |
| Aug 15, 1:25 AM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | LWX | Calvert, Charles, Prince George's | 2 hr |
Nearby
Flash Flood Warnings in Virginia, 2021Flash Flood Warnings in Maryland, 2021Flash Flood Warnings in District of Columbia, 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.