Alert archive / North Carolina / Flash Flood Warnings in 2021

Flash Flood Warning 25, NWS Raleigh, NC

October 9, 2021Wake County, North Carolina

NWS Raleigh, NC issued this flash flood warning at Oct 9, 2021, 5:44 AM EDT for Wake County, North Carolina. It was in force for 8 hr. 6 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
Oct 9, 2021, 5:44 AM EDT (09:44 UTC)
Expired
Oct 9, 2021, 1:45 PM EDT
In force
8 hr
Issued by
NWS Raleigh, NC
Area
Storm-based polygon
Damage threat
Considerable
Flood severity
None

County Wake County, NC

The radar

The Raleigh/Durham radar (KRAX), 21 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 09:47 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
Oct 9, 7:30 AM EDTFLASH FLOOD4 Ese Cary, NCWAKE COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGER REPORTS FLASH FLOODING NEAR THE 5200 BLOCK OF DANA DRIVE IN RALEIGH. APARTMENTS ARE BEING FLOODED.
Oct 9, 9:06 AM EDTFLASH FLOOD2 Nne Rdu International, NCRALEIGH PD REPORTED FLOODED OUT ROAD WITH NUMEROUS CARS STALLED IN FLOOD WATERS, NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF WESTGATE RD AND FAST PARK DR, WHERE SYCAMORE CREEK RUNS UNDER FAST PARK DR.
Oct 9, 9:18 AM EDTHEAVY RAIN 6.04Cary, NCTRAINED SPOTTER REPORTED 6.04 INCHES OF RAIN AT 106 TOWER HAMLET DRIVE IN CARY.
Oct 9, 10:28 AM EDTFLASH FLOOD2 Nw Lake Wheeler, NCCAMPBELL RD WAS CLOSED NEAR HOLLY SPRINGS RD DUE TO HIGH WATER.
Oct 9, 11:25 AM EDTFLASH FLOOD2 Nw Raleigh, NCLOWER PARKING DECK AT CRABTREE VALLEY MALL (ADJACENT TO CRABTREE CREEK) IS FLOODED WITH WHAT APPEARS TO BE SEVERAL FEET OF WATER INUNDATION.
Oct 9, 12:34 PM EDTFLASH FLOOD2 Sse New Hill, NCHOLLY SPRINGS HEW HILL RD WAS IMPASSABLE BETWEEN CEDAR WREN LANE AND CATESWOOD CT, DUE TO HIGH WATER FROM WHITE OAK CREEK..

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 00:00Z, 9.7 hours before the alert went out and 119 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 00:00Z on 2021-10-09Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 195 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 00:00Z on 2021-10-09The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 13 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
195 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-59 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
579 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
23 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
13 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
19 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

074 
WGUS52 KRAH 090944
FFWRAH
NCC183-091245-
/O.NEW.KRAH.FF.W.0025.211009T0944Z-211009T1245Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
544 AM EDT Sat Oct 9 2021

The National Weather Service in Raleigh has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Wake County in central North Carolina...

* Until 845 AM EDT.

* At 544 AM EDT, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated 
  thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 
  1 and 3 inches of rain have fallen from Holly Springs to RTP. 
  Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

  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...
  Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Wake Forest, Garner, Fuquay-Varina, 
  Zebulon, RDU International, Apex, Holly Springs, Morrisville, 
  Knightdale, Wendell, Rolesville, Lake Wheeler, Lake Benson, 
  William B Umstead State Park, Research Triangle, and Carpenter.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Be 
especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the 
dangers of flooding.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

&&

LAT...LON 3584 7826 3582 7826 3571 7847 3552 7871
      3561 7900 3587 7891 3587 7883 3593 7881
      3592 7876 3597 7871 3601 7870 3586 7827

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

$$

10
7 follow-up statements
932 
WGUS72 KRAH 091045
FFSRAH

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
645 AM EDT Sat Oct 9 2021

NCC183-091245-
/O.CON.KRAH.FF.W.0025.000000T0000Z-211009T1245Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Wake NC-
645 AM EDT Sat Oct 9 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 845 AM EDT THIS 
MORNING FOR WAKE COUNTY...

At 645 AM EDT, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated 
thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 
and 3 inches of rain have fallen, the heaviest between Holly Springs 
and RTP. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. RDU 
International Airport has had 2.9 inches of rain as of 640 AM. 
Walnut Creek in Cary is currently out of its banks in several 
locations.

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...
  Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Garner, Fuquay-Varina, Zebulon, RDU 
  International, Apex, Holly Springs, Morrisville, Knightdale, 
  Wendell, Rolesville, Lake Wheeler, Lake Benson, William B Umstead 
  State Park, Research Triangle, and Carpenter.

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.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

&&

LAT...LON 3584 7826 3582 7826 3571 7847 3552 7871
      3561 7900 3587 7891 3587 7883 3593 7881
      3592 7876 3597 7871 3601 7870 3586 7827

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

$$

10
674 
WGUS72 KRAH 091143
FFSRAH

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
743 AM EDT Sat Oct 9 2021

NCC183-091245-
/O.CON.KRAH.FF.W.0025.000000T0000Z-211009T1245Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Wake NC-
743 AM EDT Sat Oct 9 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 845 AM EDT THIS 
MORNING FOR WAKE COUNTY...

At 743 AM EDT, Emergency management reported that apartments are 
being flooded at the 5200 block of Dana Drive in Raleigh, NC. 
Between 1 and 3 inches of rain have fallen. Flash flooding is 
already occurring.

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

SOURCE...Emergency management reported.

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

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Wake Forest, Garner, Fuquay-Varina, 
  Zebulon, RDU International, Apex, Holly Springs, Morrisville, 
  Knightdale, Wendell, Rolesville, Lake Wheeler, Lake Benson, 
  William B Umstead State Park, Research Triangle, Falls Lake Boat 
  Ramp and Carpenter.

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.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

&&

LAT...LON 3584 7826 3582 7826 3571 7847 3552 7871
      3561 7900 3587 7891 3587 7883 3593 7881
      3592 7876 3597 7871 3601 7870 3586 7827

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

$$

28
670 
WGUS52 KRAH 091231
FFWRAH
NCC183-091445-
/O.EXT.KRAH.FF.W.0025.000000T0000Z-211009T1445Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
831 AM EDT Sat Oct 9 2021

The National Weather Service in Raleigh has extended the

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Wake County in central North Carolina...

* Until 1045 AM EDT.

* At 831 AM EDT, Emergency management reported that apartments are 
  being flooded at the 5200 block of Dana Drive in Raleigh, NC. 
  Between 2 and 5 inches of rain have fallen. In addition, numerous 
  creeks are flooding along Crabtree creek, Swift creek in Apex, and 
  Walnut creek. Additional rainfall amounts up to 1 inch are 
  possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is already occurring.

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

  SOURCE...Emergency management reported.

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

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Wake Forest, Garner, Fuquay-Varina, 
  Zebulon, RDU International, Apex, Holly Springs, Morrisville, 
  Knightdale, Wendell, Rolesville, Lake Wheeler, Lake Benson, 
  William B Umstead State Park, Research Triangle, Falls Lake Boat 
  Ramp and Carpenter.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

&&

LAT...LON 3584 7826 3582 7826 3571 7847 3552 7871
      3561 7900 3587 7891 3587 7883 3593 7881
      3592 7876 3597 7871 3601 7870 3586 7827

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

$$

28
502 
WGUS72 KRAH 091340
FFSRAH

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
940 AM EDT Sat Oct 9 2021

NCC183-091445-
/O.CON.KRAH.FF.W.0025.000000T0000Z-211009T1445Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Wake NC-
940 AM EDT Sat Oct 9 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1045 AM EDT THIS 
MORNING FOR WAKE COUNTY...

At 940 AM EDT, emergency management reported thunderstorms producing 
heavy rain in Raleigh Police Department reported flooded out road 
with numerous cars stalled near the intersection of Westgate Rd and 
Fast Park Dr. Between 2 and 5 inches of rain have fallen. Flash 
flooding is already occurring. Little additional rainfall is 
expected.

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

SOURCE...Emergency management reported.

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

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Wake Forest, Garner, Fuquay-Varina, 
  Zebulon, RDU International, Apex, Holly Springs, Morrisville, 
  Knightdale, Wendell, Rolesville, Lake Wheeler, Lake Benson, 
  William B Umstead State Park, Research Triangle, Falls Lake Boat 
  Ramp and Carpenter.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

&&

LAT...LON 3584 7826 3582 7826 3571 7847 3552 7871
      3561 7900 3587 7891 3587 7883 3593 7881
      3592 7876 3597 7871 3601 7870 3586 7827

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

$$

28
889 
WGUS52 KRAH 091422
FFWRAH
NCC183-091745-
/O.EXT.KRAH.FF.W.0025.000000T0000Z-211009T1745Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
1022 AM EDT Sat Oct 9 2021

The National Weather Service in Raleigh has extended the

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Wake County in central North Carolina...

* Until 145 PM EDT.

* At 1022 AM EDT, emergency management reported thunderstorms 
  producing heavy rain in Several creeks remain at or above flood 
  stage, including portions of Crabtree creek, Swift creek, and 
  Walnut Creek. Between 2 and 5 inches of rain have fallen. Flash 
  flooding is already occurring. Light rain showers are expected 
  into the early afternoon, but rainfall amounts should stay under 
  an inch.

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

  SOURCE...Emergency management reported.

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

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Wake Forest, Garner, Fuquay-Varina, 
  Zebulon, RDU International, Apex, Holly Springs, Morrisville, 
  Knightdale, Wendell, Rolesville, Lake Wheeler, Lake Benson, 
  William B Umstead State Park, Research Triangle, Falls Lake Boat 
  Ramp and Carpenter.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

&&

LAT...LON 3584 7826 3582 7826 3571 7847 3552 7871
      3561 7900 3587 7891 3587 7883 3593 7881
      3592 7876 3597 7871 3601 7870 3586 7827

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

$$

28
738 
WGUS72 KRAH 091526
FFSRAH

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
1126 AM EDT Sat Oct 9 2021

NCC183-091745-
/O.CON.KRAH.FF.W.0025.000000T0000Z-211009T1745Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Wake NC-
1126 AM EDT Sat Oct 9 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 145 PM EDT THIS 
AFTERNOON FOR WAKE COUNTY...

At 1126 AM EDT, Gauge observations at Crabtree creek for both 
Highway 70 and at Old Wake Forest Rd are in minor flood. Between 2 
and 5 inches of rain have fallen. Flash flooding is already 
occurring.

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

SOURCE...Emergency management reported.

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

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Wake Forest, Garner, Fuquay-Varina, 
  Zebulon, RDU International, Apex, Holly Springs, Morrisville, 
  Knightdale, Wendell, Rolesville, Lake Wheeler, Lake Benson, 
  William B Umstead State Park, Research Triangle, Falls Lake Boat 
  Ramp and Carpenter.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

&&

LAT...LON 3584 7826 3582 7826 3571 7847 3552 7871
      3561 7900 3587 7891 3587 7883 3593 7881
      3592 7876 3597 7871 3601 7870 3586 7827

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

$$

28
968 
WGUS72 KRAH 091629
FFSRAH

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
1229 PM EDT Sat Oct 9 2021

NCC183-091745-
/O.CON.KRAH.FF.W.0025.000000T0000Z-211009T1745Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Wake NC-
1229 PM EDT Sat Oct 9 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 145 PM EDT THIS 
AFTERNOON FOR WAKE COUNTY...

At 1229 PM EDT, Conditions are starting to improve with flood waters 
receding. However, flooding remains along Crabtree creek and Walnut 
creek. Between 2 and 5 inches of rain have fallen from rain earlier 
today.

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

SOURCE...Emergency management reported.

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

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Wake Forest, Garner, Fuquay-Varina, 
  Zebulon, RDU International, Apex, Holly Springs, Morrisville, 
  Knightdale, Wendell, Rolesville, Lake Wheeler, Lake Benson, 
  William B Umstead State Park, Research Triangle, Falls Lake Boat 
  Ramp and Carpenter.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

&&

LAT...LON 3584 7826 3582 7826 3571 7847 3552 7871
      3561 7900 3587 7891 3587 7883 3593 7881
      3592 7876 3597 7871 3601 7870 3586 7827

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

$$

28

The office that day

Everything else NWS Raleigh, NC issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Oct 9, 2:10 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRAHAnson, Chatham, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph and 2 more3 hr
Oct 9, 3:47 AM EDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatRAHAnson, Chatham, Montgomery, Moore, Richmond2 hr
Oct 9, 4:34 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRAHChatham, Durham, Lee, Moore, Wake3 hr
Oct 9, 8:15 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRAHEdgecombe, Nash, Wilson3 hr
Oct 9, 8:24 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRAHEdgecombe, Halifax, Nash3 hr
Oct 9, 8:46 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRAHCumberland, Harnett, Johnston, Sampson, Wayne4 hr
Oct 9, 9:17 AM EDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatRAHJohnston, Wayne3 hr
Oct 9, 11:12 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRAHJohnston, Nash, Wilson106 min
Oct 9, 12:56 PM EDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatRAHJohnston, Nash, Wayne, Wilson2 hr
Oct 9, 1:45 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRAHWake3 hr
Oct 9, 5:32 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRAHWake6 hr

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.