History of Flash flood warning in Timeline
A flash flood warning, issued by national weather forecasting agencies worldwide, alerts the public about imminent or ongoing flash floods in a specific area. Flash floods are sudden, violent floods caused by heavy rain or dam breaks. Factors like rainfall intensity, duration, topography, soil conditions, and ground cover contribute to their occurrence.
1986: Highest crest of the Tittabawassee River
In 1986, the Tittabawassee River reached its highest crest, which was not surpassed until May 20, 2020.
August 27, 2017: Flash Flood Emergency for Catastrophic Life Threatening Flooding
On August 27, 2017, the NWS issued a "Flash Flood Emergency for Catastrophic Life Threatening Flooding" as Hurricane Harvey brought torrential rain to southeast Texas.
September 10, 2017: Flash Flood Emergency for life-threatening storm surge
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.
February 6, 2020: Flash Flood Emergency for Tazewell County, Virginia
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.
May 20, 2020: Flash Flood Emergency for the Tittabawassee River
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.
July 6, 2020: Flash Flood Emergency for Tacony Creek and Frankford Creek
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.
2020: Flash Flood Warning
In 2020, the National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA issued a Flash Flood Warning.
September 2, 2021: First ever Flash Flood Emergency for New York City, Philadelphia, Fairfield and New Haven Counties in Connecticut, and most of Central New Jersey
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.
July 28, 2022: Flash Flood Emergencies in eastern Kentucky
On July 28, 2022, the NWS issued several Flash Flood Emergencies in eastern Kentucky for catastrophic and deadly flooding.
March 27, 2023: Flash Flood Emergency for a dam break on the Head's Creek Reservoir
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.