Flash Flood, Bedford
- When
- July 28, 6:55 PM EST to 7:15 PM EST
- Where
- Bedford County, 1.38 mi SW of Weyant to 1.2 mi WNW of Osterburg
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- State Official
- Coordinates
- 40.204, -78.566
Houses along Sarah Furnace Road were flooded.
Flash Flooding in Pennsylvania, July 28 to 29, 2017
A low pressure system brought heavy rain to southwest Pennsylvania. Flash flooding was reported in Bedford and Franklin Counties Friday evening.
Where it happened
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
- Tornadoes
- Tropical storms and surge
- Floods
- Wind
- Hail
- Winter weather
- Heat and drought
- Cold
- Fire, smoke and dust
- Marine and coastal
- Other
The toll
- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- None recorded
- Crop damage
- None recorded
- Events
- 2
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
What happened
The episode as NWS CTP wrote it up.
A low pressure system brought heavy rain to southwest Pennsylvania. Flash flooding was reported in Bedford and Franklin Counties Friday evening.
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before the first event, 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 the first event at Jul 28, 2:09 PM EST, 4 hours 46 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 28, 2:09 PM EST, 4 hours 46 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service State College PA 309 PM EDT Fri Jul 28 2017 .SYNOPSIS... Low pressure system will pass to the south of the state tonight and push off the coast early Saturday. Behind this system, high pressure over Great Lakes will build into the region into early next week. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM SATURDAY MORNING/... Heavy rain in showers now covers most of the southern tier. Right in place as they should be/have been expected. PWATs are near 1.5 in the central Cos and slightly over 2" in the S - where it has been raining for a few hours already. Flash flood watch is well- placed. Not much time for more thoughts. Flood threat is high, but the precip should be much lighter north of I-80 and some northern tier locations may stay totally dry. River flooding generally not expected, but some of the smaller tribs to the Juniata and Lower Main Stem Susq need to be watched closely. && .SHORT TERM /6 AM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH 6 PM SATURDAY/... Dry air at the sfc makes a quick entry from the north on Sat as the low pressure deepens to our south. Any showers in the morning in the srn tier should slink off to the SE. Will linger a small chc for the lower Susq into the aftn. Temps will be chillier than normal, but perhaps not quite record mini-maxes. && .LONG TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/... Weather highlights during the period look rather benign in the wake of rare July rainstorm more reminiscent of the cool season. Light rain is still expected to clear out of the far southeast counties by early Saturday night. High pressure and accompanying push of abnormally dry/below normal PW air will work into the area by Sunday with dry and pleasant wx continuing early next week. Sunday morning minimum temps should feel refreshingly cool in the mid 40s to mid 50s. Air/water temperature spread should promote valley fog especially over the northwest Alleghenies. Looking ahead into next week, the models and ensemble means show good consensus in depicting a persistent/deepening mean trough over the eastern U.S. in response to strong/amplifying upper ridge centered over the Great Basin. A stray shower to T'storm is possible Tue-Wed as subtle shortwaves rotate ahead of the main trough axis and warmer temperatures and higher dewpoints return to the area. A signal is emerging in the latest guidance for an increasing risk for showers/storms during the second half of the week as a front progresses east from the northern Plains. Temperatures should trend warmer Sun-Tue and peak a few degrees above early August climo values in the warm sector around midweek. && .AVIATION /19Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... Mostly VFR at 19Z. However, widespread SHRA/TSRA over the srn tier will eventually spread into the terminals. Have made mentions of TS in most of the TAFs except BFD. Heavy rain and poor vis/cigs are poss even in showers without thunder. Have mentioned very little IFR for now, and will allow for more specificity in the fcst for >6hrs. Dry air does work down from the N early tonight in the nrn tier, and in the morning in IPT/UNV/AOO. MDT and LNS will have showers linger longest into Saturday - perhaps even into the early aftn. Dry wx with no restrictions should start late Sat. .OUTLOOK... Sun...FG/low cigs poss AM. Otherwise no sig wx. Mon-Wed...No sig wx. && .CTP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flash Flood Watch through Saturday afternoon for PAZ024>028- 033>036-056-057-059-063>066. && SYNOPSIS...Dangelo NEAR TERM...Dangelo SHORT TERM...Dangelo LONG TERM...Steinbugl AVIATION...Dangelo
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 28, 3:56 AM EST, 14 hours 59 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service State College PA 456 AM EDT Fri Jul 28 2017 PAZ004>006-010>012-017>019-037-041-042-045-046-049>053-058-290900- Warren-McKean-Potter-Elk-Cameron-Northern Clinton-Clearfield- Northern Centre-Southern Centre-Tioga-Northern Lycoming-Sullivan- Southern Clinton-Southern Lycoming-Union-Snyder-Montour- Northumberland-Columbia-Schuylkill- 456 AM EDT Fri Jul 28 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. PAZ024>028-033-034-290900- Cambria-Blair-Huntingdon-Mifflin-Juniata-Somerset-Bedford- 456 AM EDT Fri Jul 28 2017 ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Flash Flood Watch. Some storms could contain gusty winds and small hail this afternoon and evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Flash Flood Watch. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. PAZ035-036-056-057-059-063>066-290900- Fulton-Franklin-Perry-Dauphin-Lebanon-Cumberland-Adams-York- Lancaster- 456 AM EDT Fri Jul 28 2017 ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Flash Flood Watch. Some storms could contain gusty winds and small hail this afternoon and evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Flash Flood Watch. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Jul 28, 3:07 PM EST, 3 hours 48 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
407 PM EDT FRI JUL 28 2017
PAZ017-024-282030-
Clearfield PA-Cambria PA-
407 PM EDT FRI JUL 28 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT PARTS OF CLEARFIELD AND CAMBRIA
COUNTIES UNTIL 430 PM EDT...
At 407 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm over
Northern Cambria, moving east at 25 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible.
Locations impacted include...
Patton, Blandburg, Carrolltown, Prince Gallitzin State Park, Northern
Cambria, Hastings, Chest Springs, Coalport, Irvona, Westover, Glen
Hope and Ashville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 4072 7880 4074 7881 4081 7843 4072 7835
4065 7840 4064 7844 4060 7844 4056 7847
4057 7888
TIME...MOT...LOC 2007Z 261DEG 21KT 4065 7875
JungSpecial weather statement, Jul 28, 3:10 PM EST, 3 hours 45 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
410 PM EDT FRI JUL 28 2017
PAZ024-025-033-034-282115-
Bedford PA-Somerset PA-Blair PA-Cambria PA-
410 PM EDT FRI JUL 28 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT PARTS OF BEDFORD...SOMERSET...
BLAIR...AND CAMBRIA COUNTIES UNTIL 515 PM EDT...
At 408 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm over
Blue Knob State Park, moving east at 20 mph.
Pea size hail and brief wind gusts in excess of 40 mph are possible.
Locations impacted include...
Belmont, Windber, Blue Knob State Park, Salix-Beauty Line Park,
Osterburg, Martinsburg, New Enterprise, Roaring Spring, Scalp Level,
Ski Gap, Dunlo, St. Michael, Queen, Paint, Ogletown, Sidman,
Geistown, St. Clairsville, Claysburg and Beaverdale-Lloydell.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional
information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
Persons in campgrounds should consider seeking sturdy shelter until
this storm passes.
&&
LAT...LON 4021 7886 4028 7891 4034 7878 4036 7822
4030 7826 4023 7824 4021 7822 4005 7839
TIME...MOT...LOC 2008Z 274DEG 19KT 4026 7864
LambertSpecial weather statement, Jul 28, 5:00 PM EST, 1 hour 55 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
600 PM EDT FRI JUL 28 2017
PAZ033-282300-
Somerset PA-
600 PM EDT FRI JUL 28 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT PARTS OF SOUTHERN SOMERSET
COUNTY UNTIL 700 PM EDT...
At 558 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm near
Farmington, moving east southeast at 25 mph.
Torrential rain of over one inch in just 20 to 30 minutes is
expected. pea size hail and wind gusts in excess of 40 mph are
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Meyersdale, Ursina, Mount Davis, Salisbury, Confluence and Addison.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Persons in campgrounds should consider seeking sturdy shelter until
this storm passes.
&&
LAT...LON 3972 7938 3973 7941 3976 7940 3977 7938
3978 7939 3979 7938 3978 7935 3980 7937
3982 7937 3985 7942 3989 7940 3983 7892
3972 7895
TIME...MOT...LOC 2158Z 282DEG 20KT 3982 7949
LambertThe radar
The State College radar (KCCX), 93 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:57 UTC.
Event by event
2 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Flash Flood, Franklin
- When
- July 28, 10:15 PM EST to July 29, 12:00 AM EST
- Where
- Franklin County, 2.23 mi WNW of Shimpstown to 1.95 mi NW of Elbrook
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- State Official
- Coordinates
- 39.790, -77.960
The intersection of Shimpstown Road and Blairs Valley Road was closed due to flooding and debris from an earth slide. Flash flooding closed Commerce Avenue north of downtown in Chambersburg.
What these are
- Flash Flood
- Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
The same day elsewhere
- Heat in Nevada, July 28 to 31, 2017
- Lightning Strike in Florida, July 28, 2017
- Flash Flooding and Flooding in West Virginia, July 28 to 29, 2017
- Flash Flooding and Flooding in Pennsylvania, July 28 to 29, 2017
- Flash Flooding and Flooding in West Virginia, July 28 to 29, 2017
- Flash Flooding and Flooding in New Jersey, July 28 to 29, 2017
- Flash Flooding in Ohio, July 28 to 29, 2017
- Flooding and Heavy Rain in Delaware, July 28 to 29, 2017
- Flash Flooding and Flooding in Maryland, July 28 to 29, 2017
- Flash Flooding and Hail in Arizona, July 28, 2017
- Flash Flooding and Flood in Tennessee, July 28, 2017
- Flash Flood and Heavy Rain in North Carolina, July 28 to 29, 2017
More
Every storm in Pennsylvania in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in Pennsylvania, July 2017
Sources
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 713994, 714007.