Several days of repeated rainfall, where some of the rain could be moderate to heavy at times, could lead to instances of flash flooding across the area. Flash flooding is a dangerous situation. Remember, turn around don’t drown!
The Flash Flood Watch is for the entire Coverage Area.
Flash Flood Watch – NWS Huntsville
Flash Flood Watch – NWS Birmingham
The Weather Prediction Center has put in a Day 2-3 Moderate/Slight Risk for Excessive Rainfall. The highest amounts are forecasted to be across northeast Alabama. This indicates where flash flooding is most likely to occur.
Flash Flood Watch in effect for our far northern Alabama Coverage Area counties until 7:00 pm Sunday. Rainfall rates could be from 3-4 inches Saturday morning through Sunday evening, leading to the potential for flash flooding.
...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING...
The National Weather Service in Huntsville has issued a
* Flash Flood Watch for portions of Alabama and southern middle
Tennessee, including the following areas, in Alabama, Colbert,
DeKalb, Franklin AL, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone,
Madison, Marshall and Morgan. In southern middle Tennessee,
Franklin TN, Lincoln and Moore.
* Through Sunday evening.
* Multiple rounds of heavy showers and thunderstorms this morning
through Sunday evening are expected to produce flash flooding
across the watch area. Widespread 3-4 inches of rain is forecast
with localized higher amounts possible. Efficient rainfall rates
may exceed 2 inches/hr. Runoff may also lead to rises on area
rivers, creeks, and streams.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action
should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.
The center of Tropical Storm Ida is currently located near Jackson, MS with maximum wind speeds of 30 MPH. The Tropical Storm Warnings/Storm Surge Warnings are set to expire at 12:30pm. Ida wrecked havoc on New Orleans and knocked out power to 100% of the city, according to Entergy. For an update on restoration from Entergy, see this article:
Closer to home, we are expected to start feeling the impacts from Ida tonight. Wind Advisories and Flash Flood Watches are up for almost our entire Coverage Area:
Tropical Storm Ida – NWS Birmingham
Tropical Storm Ida – NWS Huntsville
Tropical Storm Ida Track – RadarOmega
RAINFALL: The biggest story of any Tropical System is the rainfall. We’re looking to receive anywhere from 4-6″ on the western half of the state, and 2-4″ elsewhere. Flash flooding will also be a concern in some areas that receive repeated heavy rainfall.
WINDS: Will begin to pick up as Ida nears. Currently the forecast is for 30+ MPH winds with gusts up to 40. Winds could be felt as early as 8:00 PM Monday for west/northwest Alabama. Winds of this magnitude can easily topple over trees and power lines. Trees with saturated ground could fall more easily.
TORNADOES: With any tropical system – especially on the outer edge of the system – there is the potential for tornadoes. Any tornadoes that do develop will be brief and weak (70+ MPH winds)
Please stay weather aware during this time. Heed all Warnings and have multiple ways to receive them.
As of 12:10 PM August 29th, Hurricane Ida has made landfall as a Category 4 Major Hurricane. The image below is the direct text from the National Hurricane Center.
Around our neck of the woods, we will start seeing impacts from Ida Monday night and Tuesday from west to east. Threats will include flash flooding, strong gusty winds, and a few tornadoes. Flood Watches are in effect for portions of west Alabama up to Interstate 65
Today’s Outlook from the Storm Prediction Center puts most of Coverage Zone 1 and portions of Coverage Zone 2 in a Marginal Risk for severe thunderstorms this evening, tonight and into the overnight hours.
The highest severe weather threat will remain to our north in the Slight Risk area.
Anticipated risks are 50-60 MPH wind gusts along with locally heavy rainfall. Parameters are not in place for tornadoes but remember severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce tornadoes. We have also been highlighted in a Slight Risk for excessive rainfall from the Weather Prediction Center.
![[Image of WPC QPF U.S. rainfall potential]](https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/storm_graphics/AT09/refresh/AL0921WPCQPF+gif/152146WPCQPF_sm.gif)
![[Image of WPC Flash Flooding/Excessive Rainfall Outlook]](https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/storm_graphics/AT09/refresh/AL0921WPCERO+gif/152146WPCERO_sm.gif)
