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A flash flood warning (SAME code: FFW) is a severe weather warning product of the National Weather Service that is issued by national weather forecasting agencies throughout the world to alert the public that a flash flood is imminent or occurring in the warned area. A flash flood is a sudden, violent flood after a heavy rain, or occasionally after a dam break. Rainfall intensity and duration, topography, soil conditions, and ground cover contribute to flash flooding.

Most flash floods occur when there is a heavy amount of precipitation falling in an area and that water is then channeled through streams or narrow gullies. Flash floods may take minutes or hours to develop. It is possible to experience a flash flood without witnessing any rain.

Flash flood alerts

There are two types of alerts for flash floods which are issued by the National Weather Service. One is a flash flood watch, which means that conditions are favorable for flash flooding, and the other is a flash flood warning, meaning that a flash flood is occurring or one will occur imminently and is usually issued when there are strong weather radar echoes for an area that is prone to flash flooding. Flash floods can also occur because of a dam or levee failure, or because of a sudden release of water held by an ice jam.

Residents are usually urged to do the following when flash flooding is imminent:

• Be aware of any signs of heavy rain
• Move to higher ground if rapidly rising water is seen or heard
• Not attempt to cross the flowing water

In addition, some NWS Weather Forecast Offices have instituted an enhanced flash flood warning, referred to as a flash flood emergency (or as termed by the Albany, New York office as a flash flood warning emergency), which indicates a severe flooding situation in densely populated areas, similar to the procedure for declaring a tornado emergency.

On August 27, 2017, as Hurricane Harvey brought torrential rain to southeast Texas, the NWS issued a "Flash Flood Emergency for Catastrophic Life Threatening Flooding."

On September 10, 2017, the NWS issued a Flash Flood Emergency for life-threatening storm surge because of Hurricane Irma in southwestern Florida at the eye landfall.

On February 6, 2020, the NWS issued a Flash Flood Emergency for Tazewell County, Virginia due to a major storm moving through the area which caused the Clinch River to rise to its highest crest in 40 years.

On May 20, 2020, the NWS issued a Flash Flood Emergency for the Tittabawassee River in Midland County, Michigan due to multiple dam failures causing the river to overflow and reach its highest crest since 1986.

On July 6, 2020, the NWS issued a Flash Flood Emergency for Tacony Creek and Frankford Creek, the former situated along Montgomery County and North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the latter along Philadelphia's Frankford neighborhood.

On September 2, 2021, the NWS issued a first ever Flash Flood Emergency for New York City, Philadelphia, Fairfield and New Haven Counties in Connecticut, and most of Central New Jersey a region that stretches over 200 miles, as the remnants of Hurricane Ida transitioned and intensified into a post tropical cyclone causing torrential rains. Some areas reported up to 10 inches of rain in less than an hour. Although the region was forecasted to experience heavy rains, this event is considered unprecedented as such a warning has never been issued to the area. The region had already experienced above average precipitation for most of the Summer due to previous storm systems and tropical storms affecting the area.

On July 28, 2022, the NWS issued several Flash Flood Emergencies in eastern Kentucky for catastrophic and deadly flooding.

On March 27, 2023, the NWS issued a Flash Flood Emergency for a dam break on the Head's Creek Reservoir in Spaulding County, Georgia. A statement was later posted on Twitter.

On September 27, 2024, a Flash Flood Emergency was issued for Metro Atlanta as Hurricane Helene brought catastrophic flooding to the area.

On October 9, 2024, a Flash Flood Emergency was issued for several counties in the Tampa Bay and Big Bend areas of Florida as Hurricane Milton posed life-threatening flooding to a large portion of the West Coast.

Example of a flash flood warning and emergency

Warning

This warning was issued following a dam failure along the Minnesota-Wisconsin border.

Flash Flood Warning
MNC115-WIC013-031-192330-
/O.NEW.KDLH.FF.W.0012.180618T2329Z-180619T2330Z/
/00000.U.DM.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Duluth MN
1203 PM CDT SUN JUN 18 2018
The National Weather Service in Eastern Duluth MN has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
  A Dam Failure in...
  East central Pine County in east central Minnesota...
  Northwestern Douglas County in northwestern Wisconsin...
  North central Burnett County in northwestern Wisconsin...
* Until 543 PM CDT
* At 1201 PM CDT, local law enforcement reported the Radigan Flowage
  Dam west of Dairyland has failed, causing flash flooding
  downstream on the Tamarack River south of the Dam as it flows
  towards the Saint Croix River.
* Locations impacted include...
  Town Rd T west of Dairyland.
  Swedish Highway at the Tamarack River.
  Highway T west of Cozy Corner.
  Markville Road east of Markville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Move to higher ground now. Act quickly to protect your life.
Please report flooding to your local law enforcement agency when you
can do so safely.
&&
LAT...LON 4623 9218 4616 9226 4611 9228 4607 9229
      4605 9234 4612 9234 4617 9230 4622 9225
$$
LE

This warning was issued for heavy rainfall.

PAC051-102345-
/O.NEW.KPBZ.FF.W.0017.200710T2142Z-200710T2345Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
542 PM EDT Fri Jul 10 2020
The National Weather Service in Northern Pittsburgh has issued a

Flash Flood Warning for...
 Central Fayette County in southwestern Pennsylvania...

Until 745 PM EDT.
At 542 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
 heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 2.5 inches of
 rain have fallen. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin
 shortly.

 HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

 SOURCE...Doppler radar.

 IMPACT...Flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
          highways, streets and underpasses as well as other
          drainage and low lying areas.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
 Uniontown, South Connellsville, Dunbar, Vanderbilt and Dawson.

Additional rainfall amounts up to 1 inch are possible in the warned
area.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
&&
LAT...LON 4006 7967 3997 7982 3986 7972 3995 7955
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
$$

Emergency

Flash flood emergency in initial bulletin

This warning, containing both the "Flash Flood Emergency" wording and the Particularly Dangerous Situation wording, was issued in the wake of the devastating flooding that took place in western North Carolina due to the effects of Hurricane Helene.

Flash Flood Warning
NCC023-027-111-291800-
/O.NEW.KGSP.FF.W.0113.240927T2323Z-240929T1800Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
723 PM EDT Fri Sep 27 2024
...FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY FOR CATAWBA RIVER FROM LAKE JAMES TO LAKE
RHODHISS...
The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Central Burke County in western North Carolina...
  Southeastern Caldwell County in western North Carolina...
  East Central McDowell County in western North Carolina...
* Until 200 PM EDT Sunday.
* At 723 PM EDT, Devastating rainfall of 6-25 (twenty-five) inches
  occurred from Wednesday evening through Friday morning from Lake
  Hickory to the Catawba River headwaters, with the highest totals
  exceeding 2 feet along the Blue Ridge Escarpment across the upper
  Catawba River watershed.  This is resulting in catastrophic and
  historic inflows into Lake James, and releases from Lake James are
  causing catastrophic flooding along the Catawba River into Lake
  Rhodhiss.
* The latest pool elevations for the upper Catawba River lakes are
  as follows (Full Pool is 100.0 feet):
    Lake James: 110.3 feet and rising steadily. RECORD BROKEN.
    Lake Rhodhiss: 108.1 feet and rising steadily.
* The former record pool elevation at Lake James is 107.36 feet
  which occurred in September 8, 2004 during Hurricane Frances.
  Major Flood Stage is 110.0 feet.
* The current record pool elevation at Lake Rhodhiss is 110.10 feet
  which occurred in August 1940.  Major Flood Stage is 110.0 feet.
* This is an unprecedented and extremely dangerous event.  Residents
  are urged to heed guidance from emergency management and law
  enforcement on any potential impacts to property.  We are pleading
  with drivers to heed any barricades and avoid all flooded areas.
  There have been numerous swift water rescues because people are
  choosing to risk their lives and the lives of others by failing to
  Turn Around Don`t Drown.  Please do the right thing and protect
  your life, the life of your family, and the lives of those who
  risk theirs to save you.
  This is a FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY for Catawba River from Lake James
  to Lake Rhodhiss. This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK
  HIGHER GROUND NOW!
  HAZARD...Life-threatening flash flooding from historic rainfall
           and resultant dam floodgate releases.
  SOURCE...Duke Energy and Burke County Emergency Management.
  IMPACT...This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK
           HIGHER GROUND NOW! Life-threatening flash-flooding of
           Lake James, the Catawba River, and Lake Rhodhiss is
           ongoing.  Structural flooding along Lake James
           continues and is developing along Lake Rhodhiss.
           Downstream of Bridgewater Dam on the Catawba River,
           several structrues are damaged or destroyed, with some
           single-level homes submerged by floodwaters.  These
           floodwaters are causing numerous swift-water rescues.
           Backwater effects are causing significant inundation
           along tributaries, including flooding exceeding 4 ft
           deep at the NC 18/US 64 bridge, blocking a primary
           roadway connecting Morganton and Lenoir.
* Please stay weather aware and monitor lake levels and Duke Energy
  projections closely for any changes.
* For more information on lake levels or dam releases, people are
  encouraged to visit https://lakes.duke-energy.com or call
  1-800-829-5253.
* Residents along the Catawba River are encouraged to stay aware of
  the latest updates from Burke County by signing up for alerts at:
  http://smart911.com
* McDowell County Emergency Management, Burke County Emergency
  Management, Caldwell County Emergency Management, and Duke Energy
  are closely monitoring these high flows and pool levels and
  additional updates will be provided as new information becomes
  available.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Move to higher ground now! This is an extremely dangerous and
life-threatening situation. Do not attempt to travel unless you are
fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order.
If you are in low-lying areas along the Catawba River you should move
to higher ground immediately.
&&
LAT...LON 3583 8188 3577 8179 3584 8164 3581 8159
      3581 8146 3578 8135 3573 8139 3574 8143
      3574 8159 3571 8176 3572 8194 3568 8202
      3572 8206 3580 8191
FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CATASTROPHIC
$$
JMP

Flash flood emergency in follow-up statement

This particular Flash flood emergency also includes the enhanced wording "Particularly Dangerous Situation".

844
WGUS71 KBOX 282143
FFSBOX
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
543 PM EDT Sun Jun 28 2020
MAC005-017-021-023-027-282300-
/O.CON.KBOX.FF.W.0003.000000T0000Z-200628T2300Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Norfolk MA-Worcester MA-Middlesex MA-Plymouth MA-Bristol MA-
543 PM EDT Sun Jun 28 2020
...THIS IS A FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY FOR THE TOWN OF NORWOOD AND
SURROUNDING TOWNS...
...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM EDT FOR
NORFOLK...EASTERN WORCESTER...SOUTH CENTRAL MIDDLESEX...WEST CENTRAL
PLYMOUTH AND NORTH CENTRAL BRISTOL COUNTIES...
At 537 PM EDT, law enforcement reported heavy rain falling including
the towns of Norwood and Dedham where up to 3.5 inches have already
fallen. Flash flooding is already occurring. Some evacuations may be
necessary. Listen to local officials.
THIS IS A FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY FOR NORWOOD AND SURROUNDING TOWNS!
This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW!
HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Heavy rain producing flash
         flooding.
SOURCE...Law enforcement.
IMPACT...This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGHER
         GROUND NOW! Life threatening flash flooding of low water
         crossings, small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways,
         streets and underpasses.
Some locations that will experience flooding include...
Brockton, Quincy, Randolph, Franklin, Norwood, Milford, Milton,
Stoughton, Dedham, Walpole, Mansfield, Easton, Canton, Sharon,
Foxborough, Bellingham, Abington, Westwood, Holliston and Medway.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Move to higher ground now. This is an extremely dangerous and
life-threatening situation. Do not attempt to travel unless you are
fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order.
&&
LAT...LON 4210 7096 4204 7114 4203 7151 4219 7152
      4223 7114 4223 7113 4224 7108
FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CATASTROPHIC
EXPECTED RAINFALL...1-2 INCHES IN 1 HOUR
$$
NOCERA

See also

• Flash flood guidance system
• Severe weather terminology (United States)

References

1. "NOAA".
2. "Stormwarn.com".
3. "New Orleans Levee Breach Flash Flood Warning".
4. "NOAAWatch Home". Archived from the original on 23 January 2014. Retrieved 17 January 2014.
5. NWGeek on YouTube. "NWS Albany Flash Flood Warning Emergency EAS - Newfane, VT". NWRGeek. NWRGeek Productions. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
6. "IEM Valid Time Extent Code (VTEC) App". Mesonet.agron.iastate.edu. Retrieved 2017-08-27.
7. "National Weather Service Watch Warning Advisory Summary". forecast.weather.gov. Archived from the original on 10 September 2017. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
8. "IEM :: Valid Time Event Code (VTEC) App".
9. Clay, Alayna (2020-02-06). "Rare Flash Flood Emergency issued for Tazewell County". WCYB. Retrieved 2020-02-06.
10. Fedschun, Travis (2020-05-20). "Michigan flood hits record level, dam breaches 'historic event' playing out in midst of coronavirus, Whitmer says". Fox News. Retrieved 2020-05-22.
11. Cappucci, Matthew (2020-07-06). "Flash flood emergency in Philadelphia as storms dump half a foot of rain in two hours". Washington Post. Retrieved 2020-07-11.
12. "Significant Flooding in Parts of CT After 1st Ever Flash Flood Emergency Issued". NBC Connecticut. September 2021. Retrieved 2021-09-02.
13. "IEM :: Valid Time Event Code (VTEC) App".
14. "FFC Flash Flood Warning 65". mesonet.agron.iastate.edu. National Weather Service Peachtree City, Georgia. 27 September 2024.
15. Herzmann, Daryl. "IEM :: Valid Time Event Code (VTEC) App". mesonet.agron.iastate.edu. Retrieved 2020-07-11.

• Weather warnings and advisories
• Flood control