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Flash Flood in Yakima County, Washington
Flash Flood May 21, 2015 · Yakima County, Washington
Where the report was made, with tornadoes recorded within 15 miles over the years.
What the National Weather Service wrote
Flooding in streets, 911 had some people evacuate buildings in fear of roof collapse. Police set up barricades to help divert drivers from flooded roadways, flooding in some homes. A few places lost power.
The wider storm
A large low pressure system off of southern California would spin up moisture to the area over several previous days. Embedded impulses would enhance convective activity leading up to the day. High CAPE and Perceptible Waters suggested thunderstorms with very heavy rainfall. Several areas across Yakima County WA recorded nearly an inch of rain in 30-60 minutes time. Enough dry air entrainment was available to produce a thunderstorm with a strong outflow boundary producing winds estimated to be 70 mph. These winds took down tree branches and uprooted some trees southwest of the city of Yakima.
Began near Selah (46.6578, -120.5261).
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event 567335. Narratives are written by the National Weather Service forecast office that issued the report.
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