Flooding continues to be serious

(See James’ post of flooding pictures below). In addition to the reports of wind damage (and a possible tornado near Oxford and the waterspout on Weiss Lake), flooding is still a big story with this system, and unfortunately will continue even though the severe weather threat has shifted south of a line from Anniston to Demopolis. Take a look at the radar from 725 pm.

The moderate to heavy rain, with rain rates sometimes near 0.50″ per hour, will continue in BHM through 9 or 10 pm, and in east Alabama maybe until way after midnight, as the front is moving very slowly. The additional rain may cause additional problems with flooding, as streams and creeks are full. If you have to drive anywhere tonight, please be very careful, and if you come up to a part of the road that is covered with water, even if it looks like you can cross it, DON’T. This is a common cause of flood deaths each year…especially at night. As the NWS says, “Turn around, don’t drown.”

Here is the radar estimated storm-total precipitation since Sunday evening, and it shows very large amounts.

Even though it shows rainfall amounts from 3 to 6″ from Lamar County to Morgan County, and 1-3″ over much of Jefferson County, rain gage reports indicate that the radar may be underestimating the rain, especially in areas where the beam is blocked partially by Shades mountain (to the north of the Calera radar). The radar indicates 2.5″ in Trussville, but Sid Coleman in Tutwiler Farm in Trussville (my Dad with new rain gage for Christmas) had received 4.29″ as of 7 pm.

The widespread nature of the heavy rain may lead to river flooding also in the coming days. Smith Lake has really filled up, rising 15′ since early December, and now at 512 ft., 2 ft. above normal summer full pool. No more drought now! The normally stable Bankhead Lake on the Black Warrior River has risen to 255.02 ft., slightly above full pool, and is likely higher at locations upstream from the dam (Birmingport, Gorgas, Bluff Creek, Taylor’s Ferry). There may be some flooding along the Warrior River to the west of BHM for the first time in a while.

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