The Madison County, Virginia, flash flood of 27 June 1995

Abstract

Between 25 and 27 June 1995, excessive rainfall and associated flash flood occurred across portions of western Virginia. Two particular mesoscale convective systems, the Piedmont storm and the Madison storm, were found to be responsible for the event. Analysis of the event indicated that the synoptic conditions responsible for initiating and maintaining the Madison storm were very similar to the Big Thompson and Fort Collins floods along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, as well as the Rapid City flood along the east slopes of the Black Hills of South Dakota. A conceptual model for the Madison-Piedmont convective systems and their synoptic environment is presented. In addition, the similarities and differences between the Madison County flood and the Big Thompson, Fort Collins, and Rapid City floods are highlighted.