Alert archive / Pennsylvania / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026
Flash Flood Warning 91, NWS State College, PA
NWS State College, PA issued this flash flood warning at Sep 3, 2026, 4:11 AM EDT for Dauphin County, Lancaster County, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. It was in force for 4 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
- Sep 3, 2026, 4:11 AM EDT (08:11 UTC)
- Expired
- Sep 3, 2026, 8:00 AM EDT
- In force
- 4 hr
- Issued by
- NWS State College, PA
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Flood severity
- Unknown
Counties Dauphin County, PA, Lancaster County, PA, Lebanon County, PA
The radar
The Sterling radar (KLWX), 153 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 08:11 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 3, 7:10 AM EDT | FLASH FLOOD | 4 N Mount Joy, PA | Brubaker Run overwashed Meadow View Road in Rapho Township, rendering the road impassable. |
| Sep 3, 7:15 AM EDT | FLASH FLOOD | Ephrata, PA | Cocalico Creek flooding Ephrata park near Oak St. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
Did it verify
Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched 2 storm reports to this flash flood warning; the first came 179 minutes after it went out.
Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.
The nearest sounding before it
Washington/Dulle, VA (KIAD), launched 00:00Z, 8.2 hours before the alert went out and 151 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
- 316 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -263 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1068 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 25 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 22 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 95 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- -0.8
The text
As transmitted.
711
WGUS51 KCTP 030811
FFWCTP
PAC043-071-075-031200-
/O.NEW.KCTP.FF.W.0091.260903T0811Z-260903T1200Z/
/00000.U.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service State College PA
411 AM EDT Thu Sep 3 2026
The National Weather Service in State College has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
Southern Dauphin County in south central Pennsylvania...
Lancaster County in south central Pennsylvania...
Lebanon County in south central Pennsylvania...
* Until 800 AM EDT.
* At 411 AM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 3 inches of rain
have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts up to 2 inches are
possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected
to begin shortly.
HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
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...
Lancaster, Harrisburg, Lebanon, Hershey, Ephrata, Colonial Park,
Elizabethtown, Columbia, Progress, Lititz, Middletown,
Millersville, Willow Street, Mount Joy, Palmyra, Linglestown,
Steelton, New Holland, Manheim and Annville.
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 4035 7693 4047 7640 4014 7588 4011 7594
4004 7593 3995 7599 3987 7599 3983 7602
3983 7604 3979 7604 3972 7610 3989 7638
3991 7639 3994 7647 4005 7653 4006 7666
4013 7674 4018 7675 4020 7683 4028 7691
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
$$
Colbert1 follow-up statement
517
WGUS71 KCTP 031207
FFSCTP
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
807 AM EDT Thu Sep 3 2026
PAC043-071-075-031217-
/O.EXP.KCTP.FF.W.0091.000000T0000Z-260903T1200Z/
/00000.U.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Dauphin PA-Lancaster PA-Lebanon PA-
807 AM EDT Thu Sep 3 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING HAS EXPIRED FOR SOUTHERN DAUPHIN, LANCASTER
AND LEBANON COUNTIES...
Flood waters have begun to recede. Please continue to heed remaining
road closures.
A Flood Watch remains in effect until 1200 AM EDT Friday for a
portion of central Pennsylvania.
&&
LAT...LON 4035 7693 4047 7640 4014 7588 4011 7594
4004 7593 3995 7599 3987 7599 3983 7602
3983 7604 3979 7604 3972 7610 3989 7638
3991 7639 3994 7647 4005 7653 4006 7666
4013 7674 4018 7675 4020 7683 4028 7691
$$
DangeloWhat forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this flash flood warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS State College, PA wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Sep 2, 8:27 PM EDT, 7 hours 44 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- 1) Late summer surge of heat and humidity continues severe thunderstorm and excessive rainfall threat through Thursday
Area forecast discussion, Sep 2, 8:27 PM EDT, 7 hours 44 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service State College PA 827 PM EDT Wed Sep 2 2026 .WHAT HAS CHANGED... * No significant changes, severe weather risk continues this evening && .KEY MESSAGES... 1) Late summer surge of heat and humidity continues severe thunderstorm and excessive rainfall threat through Thursday && .DISCUSSION... KEY MESSAGE 1: Late summer surge of heat and humidity continues severe thunderstorm and excessive rainfall threat through Thursday A series of mid level impulses tracking eastward along the northern periphery of an expansive 500mb ridge will continue to interact with anomalous moisture/instability and strong WNW flow aloft to promote severe storm and excessive rain risk through Thursday. After a round of severe storms this morning, robust destabilization is occurring across western and central PA with plenty of heating and very rich dewpoints in the 70-75F range. More thunderstorms are expected this afternoon through the evening in an convective environment highly supportive of organized storms capable of all severe weather hazards. There is also the potential for heavy rain and flash flooding especially were storms repeat over the same area. Increased southwest to westerly flow on Thursday will push the will continue to pump in the late summer heat and very high dewpoints. Heat advisory remains in effect from 11a-8p Thursday across a portion of south central PA where max heat index values are projected to reach/exceed 100F. The severe risk will be focused more across the southwest quadrant of central PA Thursday, and south of the PA-MD border on Friday. An upper trough passage favors one final round of showers and storms on Friday, but fortunately the Labor Day weekend is trending dry. The upper ridge is forecast to retrograde by the end of the week which allows for a return to more seasonal temperatures and lower humidity this weekend into early next week. && .AVIATION /00Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... With scattered storms taking shape over Central PA, have included mentions of thunderstorms over northern and western terminals this evening. Exact timing of when exactly any of this scattered activity could impact a site remains uncertain, but any impacts to terminals could see lightning and IFR visibility drops in heavy rain. Another round of forcing has kicked up storms in New York which is dropping southward. Most guidances continues this line southward into our area overnight with further development along its western flanks. Have included PROB30s for most confident timing of activity overnight, IFR restrictions in heavy downpours are possible. Fog remains possible but guidance has backed off prevailing fog conditions at JST and AOO so adjusted visibilities there. Visibility restrictions remain possible though in any thunderstorms that cross paths with the terminals. Prevailing IFR ceilings look most likely in the eastern terminals starting around tomorrow. Morning thunderstorm activity may lead to these restrictions persisting at MDT and LNS later into the morning. Afternoon thunderstorm activity looks most likely at JST and AOO tomorrow but seeing how these storms tonight unfold may change timing/other sites that may see impacts. Outlook... Thu...Scattered-Numerous SHRA/TSRA with brief restrictions possible; morning fog. Fri...Scattered SHRA/TSRA SW. VFR elsewhere after morning fog. Sat-Mon...VFR favored; morning fog possible. && .CTP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Heat Advisory from 11 AM to 8 PM EDT Thursday for PAZ026>028- 035-036-056-057-059-063>066. && WHAT HAS CHANGED...Steinbugl KEY MESSAGES...Steinbugl DISCUSSION...Steinbugl AVIATION...Lambrech
Hazardous weather outlook, Sep 3, 2:59 AM EDT, 1 hour 12 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service State College PA 259 AM EDT Thu Sep 3 2026 PAZ026>028-035-036-056-057-059-063>066-040700- Huntingdon-Mifflin-Juniata-Fulton-Franklin-Perry-Dauphin-Lebanon- Cumberland-Adams-York-Lancaster- 259 AM EDT Thu Sep 3 2026 ...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING... ...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Flood Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Flood Watch. Heat Advisory. Strong to severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and heavy rainfall are expected again today through early tonight. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather. PAZ004>006-010>012-017>019-024-025-033-034-037-041-042-045-046- 049>053-058-040700- Warren-McKean-Potter-Elk-Cameron-Northern Clinton-Clearfield- Northern Centre-Southern Centre-Cambria-Blair-Somerset-Bedford-Tioga- Northern Lycoming-Sullivan-Southern Clinton-Southern Lycoming-Union- Snyder-Montour-Northumberland-Columbia-Schuylkill- 259 AM EDT Thu Sep 3 2026 ...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Flood Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Flood Watch. Strong to severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and heavy rainfall are expected once again today through early tonight. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather. Lambert
In the hours before
Local storm report, Sep 3, 3:23 AM EDT, 48 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service State College PA
323 AM EDT Thu Sep 3 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0151 AM Flood 1 W South Williamsport 41.23N 77.02W
09/03/2026 Lycoming PA 911 Call Center
Water rescue by West Branch of Susquehanna
on Phillips Park Drive.
&&
JBLLocal storm report, Sep 3, 3:48 AM EDT, 23 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service State College PA
348 AM EDT Thu Sep 3 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0550 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 SW Everett 40.01N 78.38W
09/02/2026 Bedford PA 911 Call Center
Right lane blocked on W 5th Ave near Hollars
Ext due to trees/wires down.
&&
MJTLocal storm report, Sep 3, 3:50 AM EDT, 21 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service State College PA
350 AM EDT Thu Sep 3 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1031 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 SW Beech Creek 41.06N 77.60W
09/02/2026 Centre PA 911 Call Center
Tree came down with wires onto house on Main
St.
&&
MJTLocal storm report, Sep 3, 3:52 AM EDT, 19 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service State College PA
352 AM EDT Thu Sep 3 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0211 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 SE Philipsburg 40.86N 78.17W
09/03/2026 Centre PA 911 Call Center
Tree down blocking most of roadway on Port
Matilda Hwy.
&&
MJTLocal storm report, Sep 3, 3:53 AM EDT, 18 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service State College PA
353 AM EDT Thu Sep 3 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1120 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 ENE Amity Hall 40.46N 76.97W
09/02/2026 Perry PA 911 Call Center
Tree down with wires blocking roadway on
Buffalo Creek Rd. Time estimated by radar.
&&
MJTLocal storm report, Sep 3, 4:07 AM EDT, 4 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service State College PA
407 AM EDT Thu Sep 3 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1115 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 S Sheffield 41.67N 79.02W
09/02/2026 Warren PA 911 Call Center
Numerous trees damaged near the intersection
of Route 948 and Route 666. Time estimated
by radar.
&&
MJTThe office that day
Everything else NWS State College, PA issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2, 8:12 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | CTP | Centre, Clinton | 33 min |
| Sep 2, 8:22 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CTP | Clinton, Lycoming, Potter, Tioga | 38 min |
| Sep 2, 8:29 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | CTP | Tioga | 35 min |
| Sep 2, 8:39 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CTP | Clinton, Lycoming | 51 min |
| Sep 2, 8:44 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | CTP | Centre, Clinton | 31 min |
| Sep 2, 8:50 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CTP | McKean, Potter, Tioga | 55 min |
| Sep 2, 8:58 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CTP | Clinton, Lycoming, Potter | 47 min |
| Sep 2, 9:03 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CTP | Clinton, Lycoming | 57 min |
| Sep 2, 9:24 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | CTP | Centre, Clinton, Lycoming | 3 hr |
| Sep 2, 9:29 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CTP | Tioga | 16 min |
| Sep 2, 9:50 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CTP | Centre, Clinton, Lycoming, Union | 40 min |
| Sep 2, 9:50 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CTP | Lycoming, Sullivan, Tioga | 40 min |
| Sep 2, 10:12 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | CTP | Centre, Clinton, Lycoming, Union | 3 hr |
| Sep 2, 10:35 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CTP | Warren | 40 min |
| Sep 2, 10:51 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CTP | Dauphin, Northumberland, Snyder, Union | 39 min |
| Sep 2, 11:08 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CTP | Clinton | 37 min |
| Sep 2, 11:09 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CTP | Elk, McKean, Warren | 66 min |
| Sep 2, 11:13 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CTP | Dauphin, Juniata, Mifflin, Northumberland, Perry, Snyder | 47 min |
| Sep 2, 11:15 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | CTP | Elk, McKean, Warren | 15 min |
| Sep 2, 11:26 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | CTP | Northumberland, Snyder, Union | 4 hr |
| Sep 2, 11:26 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CTP | Dauphin, Lebanon, Northumberland, Schuylkill, Snyder, Union | 49 min |
| Sep 2, 11:40 PM EDT | River Flood Warning | CTP | Centre, Clinton | 16 hr |
| Sep 2, 11:43 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CTP | Cameron, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Lycoming, McKean and 2 more | 41 min |
| Sep 3, 12:03 AM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | CTP | Dauphin, Lebanon, Schuylkill | 4 hr |
| Sep 3, 12:10 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CTP | Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Schuylkill | 50 min |
| Sep 3, 12:23 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CTP | Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Lycoming and 3 more | 61 min |
| Sep 3, 12:27 AM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | CTP | Centre, Clinton, Lycoming | 6 hr |
| Sep 3, 12:28 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CTP | McKean, Warren | 47 min |
| Sep 3, 12:50 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CTP | Lancaster, York | 70 min |
| Sep 3, 1:09 AM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | CTP | Clinton, Lycoming | 4 hr |
| Sep 3, 1:11 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CTP | Cameron, Elk, McKean | 49 min |
| Sep 3, 1:14 AM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | CTP | Centre, Clinton, Lycoming, Union | 6 hr |
| Sep 3, 1:26 AM EDT | River Flood Warning | CTP | Snyder, Union | 15 hr |
| Sep 3, 1:32 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CTP | Centre, Huntingdon | 43 min |
| Sep 3, 2:12 AM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | CTP | Centre, Clearfield, Huntingdon, Juniata, Mifflin, Perry | 4 hr |
| Sep 3, 2:42 AM EDT | Flood Watch | CTP | Adams, Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Cameron, Centre and 27 more | 20 hr |
| Sep 3, 2:56 AM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | CTP | McKean, Warren | 3 hr |
| Sep 3, 3:23 AM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | CTP | Northumberland, Snyder, Union | 3 hr |
| Sep 3, 3:53 AM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | CTP | Dauphin, Lebanon, Schuylkill | 3 hr |
| Sep 3, 5:03 AM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | CTP | Clinton, Lycoming | 117 min |
| Sep 3, 5:46 AM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | CTP | Centre, Clearfield, Huntingdon, Juniata, Mifflin, Perry | 2 hr |
| Sep 3, 5:56 AM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | CTP | McKean, Warren | 3 hr |
| Sep 3, 6:15 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CTP | Warren | 45 min |
| Sep 3, 6:55 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CTP | Cameron, Clearfield, Elk | 65 min |
| Sep 3, 8:37 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CTP | Somerset | 23 min |
| Sep 3, 8:55 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CTP | Bedford, Somerset | 50 min |
| Sep 3, 9:34 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CTP | Bedford, Franklin, Fulton, Somerset | 41 min |
| Sep 3, 7:01 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CTP | Cambria, Somerset | 44 min |
| Sep 3, 7:20 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CTP | Cambria, Somerset | 25 min |
| Sep 3, 7:21 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | CTP | Cambria, Somerset | 3 hr |
| Sep 3, 7:39 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | CTP | Bedford, Cambria, Somerset | 36 min |
| Sep 3, 7:42 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CTP | Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon, Somerset | 48 min |
| Sep 3, 7:54 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | CTP | Bedford, Blair, Cambria | 36 min |
Nearby
Flash Flood Warnings in Pennsylvania, 2026Every flash flood warning in 2026
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.