Alert archive / Alabama / Flash Flood Warnings in 2021
Flash Flood Warning 22, NWS Birmingham, AL
NWS Birmingham, AL issued this flash flood warning at May 4, 2021, 5:17 PM CDT for Jefferson County, Shelby County, Alabama. It was in force for 3 hr. 9 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.
The facts
- Issued
- May 4, 2021, 5:17 PM CDT (22:17 UTC)
- Expired
- May 4, 2021, 8:15 PM CDT
- In force
- 3 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Birmingham, AL
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Emergency
- Flash flood emergency
- Damage threat
- Catastrophic
- Flood severity
- None
Counties Jefferson County, AL, Shelby County, AL
The radar
The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 34 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:15 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.
Open the radar archive at this moment
The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.
What was reported inside it
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 4, 5:25 PM CDT | FLASH FLOOD | Riverchase Galleria, AL | ALL LANES OF HIGHWAY 31 AT HIGHWAY 150 ARE CLOSED DUE TO FLASH FLOODING. |
| May 4, 5:28 PM CDT | FLASH FLOOD | Joe Tucker Park, AL | FLOODING NEAR COUNTY ROADS 52 AND 95 IN HELENA. |
| May 4, 5:30 PM CDT | FLASH FLOOD | 1 Ssw Homewood, AL | RESIDENTS BEING EVACUATED OUT OF THE RUE MAISON APARTMENTS DUE TO FLASH FLOODING. |
| May 4, 5:33 PM CDT | FLASH FLOOD | 1 S Riverchase, AL | FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTING HOMES FLOODED ON NORRIDGE PLACE. |
| May 4, 5:50 PM CDT | FLASH FLOOD | 1 N Hoover, AL | PATTON CREEK OVERTOPPING THE BRIDGE AT SOUTHLAND DRIVE. |
| May 4, 5:54 PM CDT | FLASH FLOOD | 2 Se Vestavia Hills, AL | FLASH FLOODING IN THE 2400 BLOCK OF ACTON ROAD. LARGE ROCKS BEING WASHED INTO THE ROADWAY. |
| May 4, 6:00 PM CDT | FLASH FLOOD | 2 Ese Vestavia Hills, AL | HOMES FLOODED ON LESLIE ANN ROAD. |
| May 4, 6:45 PM CDT | FLASH FLOOD | 1 S Lake Purdy, AL | FAST MOVING AND DEEP WATER RUNNING ACROSS HIGHWAY 119 NEAR LAKE PURDY. |
| May 4, 7:18 PM CDT | FLASH FLOOD | Pelham, AL | WATER COVERING CR 52 BETWEEN HWY 31 AND I-65. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
The nearest sounding before it
Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 12:00Z, 10.3 hours before the alert went out and 33 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 2158 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -5 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 569 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 28 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 145 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 195 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 1.4
- Supercell composite
- 7.3
The text
As transmitted.
263
WGUS54 KBMX 042217
FFWBMX
ALC073-117-050115-
/O.NEW.KBMX.FF.W.0022.210504T2217Z-210505T0115Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
517 PM CDT Tue May 4 2021
...FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY FOR BIRMINGHAN METRO AREA...
The National Weather Service in Birmingham has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
Southeastern Jefferson County in central Alabama...
Northwestern Shelby County in central Alabama...
* Until 815 PM CDT.
* At 517 PM CDT, Emergency Management reported thunderstorms
producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 3 and 5
inches of rain have fallen. Flash flooding is already occurring.
This is a FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY for Birminghan Metro Area. This is
a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW!
HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms
producing flash flooding.
SOURCE...Emergency management.
IMPACT...This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK
HIGHER GROUND NOW! Life threatening flash flooding of
low water crossings, small creeks and streams, urban
areas, highways, streets and underpasses.
* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
Birmingham, Hoover, Vestavia Hills, Bessemer, Homewood, Pelham,
Mountain Brook, Trussville, Helena, Hueytown, Irondale, Leeds,
Moody, Fairfield, Chelsea, Pleasant Grove, Tarrant, Midfield,
Brighton and Indian Springs Village.
This includes the following streams and drainages...
Fivemile Creek, Nabors Branch, Dry Creek, Little Shades Creek,
Dolly Brook, South Prong Cox Creek, Little Cahaba Creek, Coales
Branch, Shoal Creek, Village Creek, Stinking Creek, Lick Creek,
Shephard Branch, Shades Creek, Dry Brook, Bob George Branch,
Prairie Brook, Clear Branch, Coal Branch, Camp Branch, Hogpen
Branch, Rock Creek, Black Creek, Halls Creek, Peavine Creek,
Cahaba River, Opossum Creek, Griffin Brook, Yellowleaf Creek,
Pinchgut Creek, Abeg Creek, Little Creek, Watkins Brook, Hogpen
Creek, Big Black Creek, Lee Branch, Patton Creek, Little Cahaba
River, Valley Creek and Hurricane Branch.
Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible in the
warned area.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Move to higher ground now! This is an extremely dangerous and
life-threatening situation. Do not attempt to travel unless you are
fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order.
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
&&
LAT...LON 3345 8701 3358 8679 3361 8655 3356 8655
3356 8654 3354 8654 3354 8652 3354 8651
3353 8651 3346 8663 3336 8664 3328 8680
3328 8693 3336 8702
FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CATASTROPHIC
$$
40/Sizemore1 follow-up statement
060
WGUS74 KBMX 050111
FFSBMX
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
811 PM CDT Tue May 4 2021
ALC073-117-050121-
/O.EXP.KBMX.FF.W.0022.000000T0000Z-210505T0115Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Jefferson AL-Shelby AL-
811 PM CDT Tue May 4 2021
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 815 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR
SOUTHEASTERN JEFFERSON AND NORTHWESTERN SHELBY COUNTIES...
The heavy rain has ended. However, widespread flooding continues
across the Birmingham Metro area. An Areal Flood Warning remains in
effect until 115 AM CDT. Please continue to heed remaining road
closures and guidance from local officials.
LAT...LON 3345 8701 3358 8679 3361 8655 3356 8655
3356 8654 3354 8654 3354 8652 3354 8651
3353 8651 3346 8663 3336 8664 3328 8680
3328 8693 3336 8702
$$
40/SizemoreThe office that day
Everything else NWS Birmingham, AL issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 3, 7:02 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Elmore, Montgomery | 43 min |
| May 3, 7:13 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Bibb, Chilton, Perry | 32 min |
| May 3, 7:25 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | BMX | Autauga, Elmore, Macon, Montgomery | 5 hr |
| May 3, 7:29 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BMX | Chambers, Lee, Macon, Tallapoosa | 2 hr |
| May 3, 7:40 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Elmore, Macon, Montgomery | 47 min |
| May 3, 7:46 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Chilton | 44 min |
| May 3, 8:30 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Lee, Macon | 45 min |
| May 3, 8:36 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Chilton | 39 min |
| May 3, 8:51 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BMX | Bibb, Chilton, Perry | 3 hr |
| May 3, 8:59 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Russell | 46 min |
| May 3, 9:31 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Shelby | 59 min |
| May 4, 7:27 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Marion | 48 min |
| May 4, 7:57 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Lamar, Marion | 48 min |
| May 4, 9:07 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Winston | 38 min |
| May 4, 10:26 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Blount | 23 min |
| May 4, 10:59 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Walker | 31 min |
| May 4, 11:00 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BMX | Fayette, Lamar, Walker | 3 hr |
| May 4, 11:06 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BMX | Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Etowah, St. Clair | 3 hr |
| May 4, 11:12 AM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Fayette, Tuscaloosa | 21 min |
| May 4, 11:25 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Jefferson, Walker | 50 min |
| May 4, 11:45 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BMX | Jefferson | 2 hr |
| May 4, 11:49 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Blount, Jefferson, St. Clair | 26 min |
| May 4, 12:03 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | BMX | Blount, Etowah, St. Clair | 117 min |
| May 4, 12:10 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | BMX | Jefferson | 7 hr |
| May 4, 12:14 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Calhoun, St. Clair, Talladega | 46 min |
| May 4, 12:17 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Jefferson, St. Clair, Shelby | 28 min |
| May 4, 12:35 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | BMX | Calhoun, Etowah, St. Clair, Talladega | 3 hr |
| May 4, 12:56 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Calhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne, Talladega | 64 min |
| May 4, 1:15 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Jefferson, Shelby | 30 min |
| May 4, 1:25 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Cleburne | 24 min |
| May 4, 1:39 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | BMX | Jefferson, St. Clair, Shelby | 5 hr |
| May 4, 2:07 PM CDT | Areal Flood Warning | BMX | Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Etowah, St. Clair | 6 hr |
| May 4, 2:54 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BMX | Clay, Cleburne, Randolph, Shelby, Talladega | 3 hr |
| May 4, 3:50 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Sumter | 55 min |
| May 4, 4:01 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | BMX | Shelby, Talladega | 3 hr |
| May 4, 4:05 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | BMX | Bibb, Tuscaloosa | 3 hr |
| May 4, 4:13 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Tuscaloosa | 29 min |
| May 4, 4:20 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Greene | 55 min |
| May 4, 4:30 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Hale, Marengo | 63 min |
| May 4, 4:45 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Walker, Winston | 30 min |
| May 4, 5:00 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Bibb, Chilton, Dallas, Perry | 75 min |
| May 4, 5:29 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Autauga, Chilton, Lowndes | 76 min |
| May 4, 5:30 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Chilton, Perry | 30 min |
| May 4, 5:38 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Shelby | 12 min |
| May 4, 5:54 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Coosa | 50 min |
| May 4, 5:59 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Elmore | 61 min |
| May 4, 6:07 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Montgomery | 68 min |
| May 4, 6:19 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Tallapoosa | 56 min |
| May 4, 6:24 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Elmore, Montgomery | 13 min |
| May 4, 6:37 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Bullock, Macon, Pike | 83 min |
| May 4, 6:41 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Chambers, Lee | 61 min |
| May 4, 6:48 PM CDT | River Flood Warning | BMX | Bibb, Jefferson, Shelby | 22 hr |
Nearby
Flash Flood Warnings in Alabama, 2021Every flash flood warning in 2021
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.