There are a lot of excited people around Alabama this morning. However, we must caution that not everybody got a widespread drenching like we did in North and Central Alabama.
Too, we must remember that one big rain event doth not a drought break. There are so many aspects to a drought, including underground water tables, reservoir levels, agricultural, horticultural, topsoil moisture–you name it. This rain event will temporarily greatly help the topsoil moisture situation, as well as lawns and shrubbery.
The big question: will it rescue our autumn color situation? Don’t know. It may be too late, but surely it will help some.
It will take a lot more rain to get the lake and reservoir levels back up to what they should be, but as we say in this business, every little drop helps. With that in mind, here is a long list of rain amounts around the state so far. I’m sure we will overlook some reports. I will mention the others in routine blog posts as the day goes on, but will probably hold off until tonight for another real long list.
These reports are from all sources, including 33/40 skywatchers, official NWS stations, the Alabama Power rain gauge network and private weather stations.
1.98 Fayette
2.72 Greystone Cove, North Shelby County (an updated total from James Spann at 8 am)
4.77 Inverness (the most reported so far)
1.75 Vernon (a slow beautful rain, the observer said)
0.73 Concord/Hueytown
2.49 Rocky Ridge/Hoover
1.50 Hueytown near Sierra Honda
1.03 SW Trussville
1.26 NE Trussville
1.95 Pinson
1.02 Jemison
2.70 Union Grove (North Chilton County east of I-65)
1.90 Hamilton (1.40 since midnight)
0.52 Ashland
0.56 Alpine
1.12 Aexander City
0.50 Anniston
0.36 Smith Dam
0.59 Ashville
1.15 North Auburn
2.90 Blue Pond (Cherokee County)
0.63 Bald Rock (across I-20 from Cook Springs)
0.67 Blountsville
1.26 Birmingham (Alabama Power)
1.58 Bankhead Lock and Dam
1.53 Blount Springs
1.23 Logan Martin Dam
1.45 Childersburg
1.11 Clanton
1.12 Lay Dam
0.26 Collinsville
0.40 Colvin Gap (near Anniston/Etowah County line)
0.99 Cordova
1.88 Centre (Weiss Dam)
0.39 Carbon Hill
0.29 Dearmandville
0.37 Aliceville
0.97 Ft. Payne
0.40 Gadsden Steam Plant
0.53 Gaylesville
1.40 Hackneyville
0.94 Horseshoe Bend
1.79 Hollins
0.32 Haleyville
0.25 Jackson Shoals
0.46 Jasper
0.62 Manchester (North Walker County)
1.13 Mt. Cheaha
0.47 Newell (Randolph County)
0.71 Oak Grove (West Jefferson County)
0.50 Oneonta
0.90 Pell City
0.52 Henry Dam (near Ohatchee)
0.35 Rock Run
0.58 Roanoke
1.05 Sayre
0.54 Sylacauga
0.42 Steele (extreme North St. Clair County)
1.15 Holt Lock and Dam (east edge of Tuscaloosa)
0.23 Martin Dam
1.03 Trafford
2.03 Varons (Alabama Power Substation, Shelby County)
0.58 Vincent
0.94 Mitchell Dam
1.23 Wadley
0.58 Jordan Dam
3.00 Rex Lake Road (East Jefferson County)
0.02 Anniston Airport (that will definitely change)
1.51 Auburn
1.98 Birmingham Airport
0.60 Brookley Field (Mobile)
2.38 Shelby County Airport (Birmingham NWS Office)
0.22 Decatur
0.12 Dothan
0.40 Evergreen
0.28 Huntsville Airport
1.11 Mobile Regional Airport
0.28 Montgomery Dannelly Field
0.34 Muscle Shoals
0.11 Troy
0.93 Tuscaloosa Airport
1.60 Pinson (NWS Coop Observer)
0.25 Selma
1.88 Harris Dam
1.39 Tallapoosa Water Plant
2.47 Ensley (West Birmingham)
0.57 Oliver Dam (Tuscaloosa/Northport area)
1.42 Bevill Lock and Dam (West/Central Alabama)
1.18 Gainesville Lock and Dam
0.93 Livingston
NWS/Birmingham has issued a Flood Advisory for Walker County until 11:00 this morning due to the very heavy rain.
I feel sure this is the longest list of rain reports I have ever posted. That is a good indication of just how widespread this rain event has been. Makes me want to eat a whole box of brown sugar cinnamon Pop Tarts.
This just in from our Springville 3340 Skywatcher:
St. Clair County Central Dispatch reports tree down and power lines too across Old Springville Road about a mile from Hy 11. Argo Police on scene and have closed the road until Ala Power arrives.
Rain total on Simmons Mt. for Friday now at .45 inches with light rain tapering off.
