History of Flash flood warning in Timeline

A flash flood warning is issued by weather forecasting agencies to alert the public of an imminent or occurring flash flood. Flash floods are sudden and violent, typically caused by heavy rain or dam breaks. Contributing factors include rainfall intensity and duration, topography, soil conditions, and ground cover. These warnings are crucial for public safety, prompting immediate action to avoid hazardous areas.

August 27, 2017: Flash Flood Emergency Issued During Hurricane Harvey

On August 27, 2017, during Hurricane Harvey, the NWS issued a "Flash Flood Emergency for Catastrophic Life Threatening Flooding" in southeast Texas.

September 10, 2017: Flash Flood Emergency Issued During Hurricane Irma

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 Issued for Tazewell County, Virginia

On February 6, 2020, the NWS issued a Flash Flood Emergency for Tazewell County, Virginia, due to a major storm causing the Clinch River to crest at its highest level in 40 years.

May 20, 2020: Flash Flood Emergency Issued for Tittabawassee River

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

July 6, 2020: Flash Flood Emergency Issued 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.

September 2, 2021: First Ever Flash Flood Emergency Issued for Major Northeast Cities

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, due to torrential rains from the remnants of Hurricane Ida. Some areas reported up to 10 inches of rain in less than an hour.

July 28, 2022: Flash Flood Emergencies Issued 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 Issued for Dam Break in Spaulding County, Georgia

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.

September 27, 2024: Flash Flood Emergency Issued for Metro Atlanta

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

October 9, 2024: Flash Flood Emergency Issued for Tampa Bay and Big Bend Areas of Florida

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.

July 14, 2025: Flash Flood Emergency Issued for Union and Somerset Counties in New Jersey

On July 14, 2025, a Flash Flood Emergency was issued for Union and Somerset counties in New Jersey as a slow-moving thunderstorm caused life-threatening flooding to Plainfield and nearby areas in the Raritan Valley.

August 8, 2025: Fatalities Confirmed from Central Texas Flooding

As of August 8, 2025, at least 135 people have been confirmed dead from the catastrophic flooding that occurred from July 4-7 in central Texas due to a slow-moving mesoscale convective complex, particularly in Kerr County.