Storm Highway by Dan Robinson
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                   Friday, May 8, 2009 - 3:04PM

Potential major flash flood event tonight

By DAN ROBINSON
Editor/Photographer
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In September of 2025, my work is generating the most income it ever has in my career. Yet, I'm being forced to shut down my successul operation, against my will, due to one cause alone: 95% of that revenue is being stolen by piracy and copyright infringement. I've lost more than $1 million to copyright infringement in the last 15 years, and it's finally brought an end to my professional storm chasing operation. Do not be misled by the lies of infringers, anti-copyright activists and organized piracy cartels. This page is a detailed, evidenced account of my battle I had to undertake to just barely stay in business, and eventually could not overcome. It's a problem faced by all of my colleagues and most other creators in the field.

No time to worry about the Plains right now - as I'm fairly concerned about flash flood potential late this evening and tonight across West Virginia. Our ground is saturated from days of rain, and the MCC (meso-convective complex, which is a large, long-lasting complex of thunderstorms) currently approaching from the west has been dumping precip at estimated rates of 2 inches per hour in Indiana and Kentucky. The sun is out here in Charleston, working to destabilize things and allow for stronger convection when the wave arrives.

If we get 2 inches per hour here in WV with saturated ground, we will be looking at a major flash flood event - particularly if the event lasts 2 or 3 hours. The other thing that worries me is the obvious MCV (circulation, see radar image below) that has developed with this system, which could prolong/enhance the rain event as it crosses the mountains. This is a potent wave approaching with lots of lightning in addition to the heavy rain - reminding me a little of July 8, 2001. I don't think this one will be that bad, as it is moving much faster then the 2001 system - but I would not be surprised to see a few creeks and streams in the area reaching damaging flash flood levels (sweeping away cars and damaging homes). One thing for sure is that this will be an all-nighter for me.


Regional radar image at 3:04PM EDT showing well-developed MCV

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