Flooding Concerns Grow + Storm Threat Builds in West Alabama

Throughout this week, developing weather conditions have continued to increase the risk of rain and flooding across the region. Additionally, severe weather is possible on Thursday and Friday.

Now through Saturday, the National Weather Service in Birmingham said that “Shower and thunderstorm activity will be medium to high across the area.”

Potential Tropical Cyclone One

The Townsquare Media Weather Center has been closely monitoring Potential Tropical Cyclone One as “some strengthening is forecast, and the disturbance could become a tropical storm today, said the National Hurricane Center.

Formation chance through 48 hours...medium...60 percent.
Formation chance through 7 days...medium...60 percent.

For Alabama, this means that regardless of its future development, this system will bring tropical moisture to our area as it moves toward us, resulting in heavy rain and flooding.

Flooding Outlook

A Flood Watch is in effect from 7 a.m. Thursday, June 18, through 7 p.m., Friday, June 19, for many Alabama counties, basically areas along I-20 and southward. For West Alabama, it includes Bibb, Greene, Hale, Perry, Pickens, Sumter, and Tuscaloosa counties.

The National Weather Service in Birmingham said it is a “Dangerous Flood Threat for Thursday and Friday.” Also, stating that “Rainfall will be moderate to heavy at times, with flooding and flash flooding possible.”

Low-Lying Roads Could Become Flooded
Flash Flooding is Likely

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Severe Weather Threat Thursday and Friday

The Storm Prediction Center has areas across Alabama under a Marginal Risk (Level 1 of 5) for Thursday and Friday. Both days of threats include West Alabama counties.

Thursday Timeline and Threats

Residents should stay weather aware “all day,” said the National Weather Service in Birmingham, as “damaging winds and an isolated tornado are the main threats.”

Friday Timeline and Threats

The current timing for the Friday threat is for “mid to late afternoon,” said the National Weather Service in Birmingham. The threat for Friday includes damaging winds.

Mary K. – Weather Forecaster

LOOK: Here are the 50 best beach towns in America

Every beach town has its share of pluses and minuses, which got us thinking about what makes a beach town the best one to live in. To find out, Stacker consulted data from WalletHub, released June 17, 2020, that compares U.S. beach towns. Ratings are based on six categories: affordability, weather, safety, economy, education and health, and quality of life. The cities ranged in population from 10,000 to 150,000, but they had to have at least one local beach listed on TripAdvisor. Read the full methodology here. From those rankings, we selected the top 50. Readers who live in California and Florida will be unsurprised to learn that many of towns featured here are in one of those two states.

Keep reading to see if your favorite beach town made the cut.

Gallery Credit: Keri Wiginton