Alert archive / Alabama / Flash Flood Warnings in 1990

Flash Flood Warning 41, NWS Birmingham, AL

February 16, 1990DeKalb County, Jackson County, Marshall County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this flash flood warning at Feb 16, 1990, 8:54 AM CST for DeKalb County, Jackson County, Marshall County, Alabama. It was in force for 4 hr.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Feb 16, 1990, 8:54 AM CST (14:54 UTC)
Expired
Feb 16, 1990, 1:00 PM CST
In force
4 hr
Issued by
NWS Birmingham, AL
Area
Whole counties

Counties DeKalb County, AL, Jackson County, AL, Marshall County, AL

The radar

The WSR-88D network and its archive begin in 1991, so there is no radar volume for this alert.

The nearest sounding before it

Nashville Metro, TN (KBNA), launched 12:00Z, 2.9 hours before the alert went out and 185 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Nashville Metro, TN at 12:00Z on 1990-02-16Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 26 joules per kilogram.LCLEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Nashville Metro, TN at 12:00Z on 1990-02-16The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 9 square meters per square second.1939587897117Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
26 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-6 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
710 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
91 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
9 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
78 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
-0.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

000 
TTAA00 KHSV 161458
FFWHSV
ALC049-071-095-161900-
 
BULLETIN - EBS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
854 AM CST FRI FEB 16 1990
 
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN HUNTSVILLE HAS ISSUED A
FLASH FLOOD WARNING EFFECTIVE UNTIL  100 PM CST
FOR THE FOLLOWING NORTH ALABAMA COUNTIES...
 
IN NORTH ALABAMA
 
   ...DEKALB COUNTY...JACKSON COUNTY...MARSHALL COUNTY
 
RADAR AT 845 THIS MORNING INDICATED A LARGE AREA OF LIGHT TO MODERATE
RAIN OVER THE WARNED AREA AND CONTINUED FLOODING IN JACKSON...MARSHALL
...AND DE KALB COUNTIES IS LIKELY THIS MORNING.
 
NUMEROUS ROADS IN JACKSON COUNTY HAVE BEEN COVERED WITH WATER DURING
THE MORNING AND REPORTS OF FLOODED ROADWAYS IN DE KALB COUNTY HAVE
BEEN RECEIVED AT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN HUNTSVILLE. THERE
HAVE ALSO BEEN REPORTS OF MUDSLIDES IN SOME AREAS.
 
...THE TORNADO WATCH FOR MARSHALL AND DE KALB COUNTIES HAS BEEN
CANCELLED...
 
 
MOST DEATHS IN FLASH FLOOD<ING OCCUR IN AUTOMOBILES.  DO NOT
ATTEMPT TO CROSS BRIDGES...DIPS...OR LOW SPOTS IF WATER COVERS
THE ROADWAY.  NEVER TRY TO CROSS A FLOWING STREAM...EVEN A
SMALL ONE...ON FOOT.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this flash flood warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Feb 16, 5:19 AM CST, 3 hours 35 minutes before
ALZ010-011-012-014-017-018-160910-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MONTGOMERY AL
515 AM CST FRI FEB 16 1990

...TORNADO WATCH NUMBER 44 IN EFFECT FOR  A LARGE PART OF CENTRAL
ALABAMA UNTIL 10 AM CST...

AT 510 AM CST MONTGOMERY WEATHER RADAR SHOWED LARGE AREAS OF RAIN WITH
THUNDERSTORMS...MANY WITH HEAVY RAIN. THE THUNDERSTORMS WERE MOVING
NORTHEAST AT ABOUT 40 MILES AN HOUR. THE MOST ACTIVE THUNDERSTORMS WERE
SOUTH OF LAKE MARTIN...JUST SOUTH OF PINE APPLE AND NEAR CHAPMAN AND
IN A BAND THAT WAS MOVING ACROSS WEST CENTRAL ALABAMA TOWARDS DALLAS
AND WILCOX COUNTIES. THIS LATTER LINE SHOULD ARRIVE BEFORE 6AM.

THESE THUNDERSTORMS HAVE HAD DAMAGING WINDS. RESIDENTS NEAR THESE AREAS
SHOULD PROTECT THEMSELVES AGAINST STRONG GUSTY WINDS...LETHAL LIGHTNING
AND TORRENTIAL RAINS.

SNELL
Special weather statement, Feb 16, 6:24 AM CST, 2 hours 30 minutes before
ALZ010-011-012-014-017-018-160910-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MONTGOMERY AL
623 AM CST FRI FEB 16 1990

...TORNADO WATCH NUMBER 44 IN EFFECT FOR  A LARGE PART OF CENTRAL
ALABAMA UNTIL 10 AM CST...

AT 620 AM CST MONTGOMERY WEATHER RADAR SHOWED LARGE AREAS OF RAIN WITH
THUNDERSTORMS...MANY WITH HEAVY RAIN. THE THUNDERSTORMS WERE MOVING
NORTHEAST AT ABOUT 40 MILES AN HOUR. THE MOST ACTIVE THUNDERSTORM WAS
WEST OF MARION JUNCTION MOVING ABOUT 40 MILES AN HOUR TOWARD THE WEST.

THIS THUNDERSTORM IS PRODUCING STRONG GUSTY WINDS..TORRENTIAL RAIN AND
DANGEROUS LIGHTNING. PERSONS IN MARION JUNCTION AND SELMA SHOULD
EXERCIZE CAUTION. STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS AND DO NOT USE ELECTICAL
APPLIANCES DURING A THUNDERSTORM.

SNELL
Special weather statement, Feb 16, 6:27 AM CST, 2 hours 27 minutes before
ALZ010-011-012-014-017-018-160910-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT--CORRECTED FOR STORM MOVEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MONTGOMERY AL
623 AM CST FRI FEB 16 1990

...TORNADO WATCH NUMBER 44 IN EFFECT FOR  A LARGE PART OF CENTRAL
ALABAMA UNTIL 10 AM CST...
...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FOR A LARGE PART OF SOUTH ALABAMA...

AT 620 AM CST MONTGOMERY WEATHER RADAR SHOWED LARGE AREAS OF RAIN WITH
THUNDERSTORMS...MANY WITH HEAVY RAIN. THE THUNDERSTORMS WERE MOVING
NORTHEAST AT ABOUT 40 MILES AN HOUR. THE MOST ACTIVE THUNDERSTORM WAS
WEST OF MARION JUNCTION MOVING ABOUT 40 MILES AN HOUR TOWARD THE WEST.

THIS THUNDERSTORM IS PRODUCING STRONG GUSTY WINDS..TORRENTIAL RAIN AND
DANGEROUS LIGHTNING. PERSONS IN MARION JUNCTION AND SELMA SHOULD
EXERCIZE CAUTION. STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS AND DO NOT USE ELECTICAL
APPLIANCES DURING A THUNDERSTORM.

SNELL
Special weather statement, Feb 16, 6:29 AM CST, 2 hours 25 minutes before
ALZ010-011-012-014-017-018-160910-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT--CORRECTED FOR STORM MOVEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MONTGOMERY AL
623 AM CST FRI FEB 16 1990

...TORNADO WATCH NUMBER 44 IN EFFECT FOR  A LARGE PART OF CENTRAL
ALABAMA UNTIL 10 AM CST...
...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FOR A LARGE PART OF SOUTH ALABAMA...

AT 620 AM CST MONTGOMERY WEATHER RADAR SHOWED LARGE AREAS OF RAIN WITH
THUNDERSTORMS...MANY WITH HEAVY RAIN. THE THUNDERSTORMS WERE MOVING
NORTHEAST AT ABOUT 40 MILES AN HOUR. THE MOST ACTIVE THUNDERSTORM WAS
WEST OF MARION JUNCTION MOVING ABOUT 40 MILES AN HOUR TOWARD THE EAST.

THIS THUNDERSTORM IS PRODUCING STRONG GUSTY WINDS..TORRENTIAL RAIN AND
DANGEROUS LIGHTNING. PERSONS IN MARION JUNCTION AND SELMA SHOULD
EXERCIZE CAUTION. STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS AND DO NOT USE ELECTICAL
APPLIANCES DURING A THUNDERSTORM.

SNELL
Local storm report, Feb 16, 8:07 AM CST, 47 minutes before
STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
805 AM CST FRI FEB 16 1990

7:05 AM ... APPARENT TORNADO TOUCHDOWN IN SE CORNER OF CHILTON COUNTY
            IN THE SMALL COMMUNITIES OF ENTERPRISE AND COOPER.  SEVERAL
            MOBILE HOMES DESTROYED IN THE COOPER COMMUNITY AND FIRE
            DEPT. BUILDING IN ENTERPRISE COMMUNITY WAS DESTROYED.  THIS
            LOCATION IS ABOUT 10S OF CLANTON.
Local storm report, Feb 16, 8:22 AM CST, 32 minutes before
STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MONTGOMERY AL
820AM CST FRI FEB 16 1990

DALLAS...7AM CST...3 HOUSES DAMAGED...POWER LINES DOWN HIGHWAY
         22 AND COUNTY ROAD 861 NEAR PLATERSVILLE...REPORT FROM EMA.
         8 05AM CST...DAMAGE TO CARS AND TREES DOWN ON 294 NORTH OF
         SELMA...REPORT FROM DPS
COOSA...7 50AM CST...4 MILES NORTH OF ROCKFORD...TREES DOWN...REPORT
        FROM SKYWARN HAM RADIO OPERATOR.
        3 05 AM CST...GOODWATER...1 MOBILE HOME DESTROYED...2 BUSINESS
        WITH DAMAGE AND 2 HOUSES DAMAGED FROM POSSIBLE TORNADO...COUPLE
        OF MINOR INJURIES...REPORT FROM ALEX CITY DPS.
PETTIT

The office that day

Everything else NWS Birmingham, AL issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Feb 15, 6:14 PM CSTFlash Flood WarningBMXTuscaloosa3 hr
Feb 15, 6:14 PM CSTFlash Flood WarningBMXShelby3 hr
Feb 15, 6:21 PM CSTFlash Flood WarningBMXDeKalb, Jackson, Marshall6 hr
Feb 15, 6:22 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBibb, Perry58 min
Feb 15, 7:03 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXTalladega42 min
Feb 15, 7:15 PM CSTTornado WarningBMXWinston30 min
Feb 15, 7:50 PM CSTFlash Flood WarningBMXCalhoun, St. Clair3 hr
Feb 15, 8:25 PM CSTFlash Flood WarningBMXLauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Morgan4 hr
Feb 15, 8:25 PM CSTFlash Flood WarningBMXMarshall4 hr
Feb 15, 8:42 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXColbert, Lauderdale63 min
Feb 15, 8:55 PM CSTFlash Flood WarningBMXTalladega5 hr
Feb 15, 8:55 PM CSTFlash Flood WarningBMXHale5 hr
Feb 15, 9:02 PM CSTFlash Flood WarningBMXGreene, Tuscaloosa3 hr
Feb 15, 9:02 PM CSTFlash Flood WarningBMXWalker3 hr
Feb 15, 9:34 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXTuscaloosa41 min
Feb 15, 9:40 PM CSTFlash Flood WarningBMXJefferson3 hr
Feb 15, 10:43 PM CSTFlash Flood WarningBMXBibb, St. Clair, Shelby3 hr
Feb 15, 11:46 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCalhoun, Etowah29 min
Feb 16, 12:04 AM CSTFlash Flood WarningBMXEtowah3 hr
Feb 16, 12:04 AM CSTFlash Flood WarningBMXWalker3 hr
Feb 16, 12:32 AM CSTFlash Flood WarningBMXDeKalb, Jackson, Marshall4 hr
Feb 16, 12:35 AM CSTFlash Flood WarningBMXBlount, Cullman4 hr
Feb 16, 1:50 AM CSTFlash Flood WarningBMXBibb, Perry, Shelby4 hr
Feb 16, 1:50 AM CSTFlash Flood WarningBMXSt. Clair4 hr
Feb 16, 2:48 AM CSTFlash Flood WarningBMXClay, Cleburne, Randolph4 hr
Feb 16, 2:48 AM CSTFlash Flood WarningBMXChilton4 hr
Feb 16, 2:48 AM CSTFlash Flood WarningBMXCalhoun, Etowah, Talladega4 hr
Feb 16, 2:48 AM CSTFlash Flood WarningBMXWalker4 hr
Feb 16, 3:07 AM CSTFlash Flood WarningBMXCherokee4 hr
Feb 16, 4:22 AM CSTFlash Flood WarningBMXGreene, Hale, Tuscaloosa4 hr
Feb 16, 5:06 AM CSTFlash Flood WarningBMXDeKalb, Jackson, Marshall4 hr
Feb 16, 5:29 AM CSTFlash Flood WarningBMXBibb, Jefferson, Perry, Shelby3 hr
Feb 16, 5:29 AM CSTFlash Flood WarningBMXSt. Clair3 hr
Feb 16, 6:36 AM CSTFlash Flood WarningBMXCalhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne, Etowah, Talladega3 hr
Feb 16, 6:36 AM CSTFlash Flood WarningBMXClay, Randolph3 hr
Feb 16, 7:03 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXHale42 min
Feb 16, 8:13 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXRandolph47 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Alabama, 1990Every flash flood warning in 1990

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive.