Quite a boldly worded statement from the NWS in Birmingham, but very appropriate in this situation
WWUS84 KBMX 211508
SPSBMX
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
1008 AM CDT MON SEP 21 2009
…LIFE THREATENING FLASH FLOODING CONDITIONS ACROSS CENTRAL ALABAMA…
A VERY PERSISTENT WET PATTERN OF THE LAST SEVERAL DAYS HAS CREATED
HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS ACROSS PORTIONS OF CENTRAL ALABAMA. SINCE SUNDAY
AFTERNOON…ANYWHERE FROM 5 TO 10 PLUS INCHES OF RAINFALL…WITH
LOCALLY HIGHER TOTALS…HAVE FALLEN ACROSS AREAS OF WESTERN
ALABAMA GENERALLY NORTH OF U.S. 80 AND ALONG AND WEST OF
INTERSTATE 65. ALL COUNTIES ACROSS CENTRAL ALABAMA HAVE RECEIVED
SUBSTANTIAL RAINFALL OVER THE PAST SEVERAL DAYS. PERIODS OF HEAVY
RAINFALL ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE THROUGH TONIGHT…WITH AN
ADDITIONAL 2 TO 4 INCHES OF RAINFALL POSSIBLE ACROSS MUCH OF THE
AREA WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS. GROUNDS ARE SATURATED ACROSS
CENTRAL ALABAMA AND WE HAVE TRANSITIONED TO LIFE THREATENING FLASH
FLOODING CONDITIONS. RESIDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO USE CAUTION WHEN
TRAVELING AS MUCH MORE THAN THE USUAL LOW LYING AREAS WILL BE
SUSCEPTIBLE TO FLASH FLOODING.
Some late notes…
*BMX extends time of Flash Flood Warning for Tuscaloosa [AL] till 1:15 PM CDT
*BMX: 6 E Sprott [Perry Co, AL] emergency mngr reports FLASH FLOOD at 19 Sep, 05:00 PM CDT — overflow of oakmulgee creek caused road closure near highway 219 and county road 64.
*BMX issues Flood Warning valid at Sep 21, 7:42 PM CDT for the Black Warrior River at Selden Lock and Dam [AL] till Sep 26, 10:00 AM CDT
*BMX issues Flash Flood Warning for Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair [AL] till 1:00 PM CDT
