Alert archive / Alabama / Flash Flood Warnings in 2021

Flash Flood Warning 60, NWS Birmingham, AL

October 5, 2021Jefferson County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this flash flood warning at Oct 5, 2021, 7:02 PM CDT for Jefferson County, Alabama. It was in force for 6 hr. 13 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
Oct 5, 2021, 7:02 PM CDT (00:02 UTC)
Expired
Oct 6, 2021, 1:00 AM CDT
In force
6 hr
Issued by
NWS Birmingham, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

County Jefferson County, AL

The radar

The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 34 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:04 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

TimeReportWhereRemark
Oct 5, 7:33 PM CDTFLASH FLOOD1 Sw Ensley, ALCARS WERE TRAPPED IN HIGH WATER AT PIKE ROAD AND AVENUE N. BIRMINGHAM FIRE HAD TO PERFORM WATER RECUES.
Oct 5, 7:35 PM CDTFLASH FLOOD1 S Birmingham Fairgrou, ALCARS WERE TRAPPED IN HIGH WATER ON 21ST SW. BIRMINGHAM FIRE HAD TO PERFORM WATER RESCUES.
Oct 5, 7:47 PM CDTFLASH FLOOD2 N Ensley, ALBIRMINGHAM FIRE RESCUED 3 PEOPLE OFF THE TOP OF THEIR CAR STRANDED IN FLOOD WATERS.
Oct 5, 7:50 PM CDTFLASH FLOOD1 Ne Ensley, ALNUMEROUS WATER RESCUES UNDERWAY IN AND AROUND ENSLEY. AT THIS TIME, ALL OF THESE RESCUES ARE PEOPLE IN VEHICLES. VILLAGE CREEK IS ALSO FLOODING AND NEAR 11 FEET.
Oct 5, 7:55 PM CDTFLASH FLOODEnsley, AL21ST ST ENSLEY WAS IMPASSABLE AT I-59.
Oct 5, 7:55 PM CDTFLASH FLOODEnsley, ALCAR WAS TRAPPED IN FLOOD WATERS AND BIRMINGHAM FIRE HAD TO PERFORM A WATER RESCUE.
Oct 5, 7:56 PM CDTFLASH FLOOD1 S Birmingham Fairgrou, ALROADWAY WAS IMPASSABLE.
Oct 5, 8:10 PM CDTFLASH FLOOD2 N Ensley, ALROADWAY IMPASSABLE DUE TO HIGH WATER.
Oct 5, 8:30 PM CDTFLASH FLOOD1 Nne Ensley, ALWATER WAS INTO A FEW HOMES ALONG AVENUE W.
Oct 5, 8:30 PM CDTFLASH FLOOD1 Sse Forestdale, ALVEHICLE WAS TRAPPED IN HIGH WATER AND FORESTDALE FIRE HAD TO PERFORM A WATER RESCUE.
Oct 5, 9:20 PM CDTFLASH FLOOD2 Se Forestdale, ALROADWAY IS FLOODED AND IMPASSABLE. FIRE TRUCK WAS STRANDED IN HIGH WATER.
Oct 5, 9:49 PM CDTFLASH FLOOD1 N Birmingham Fairgrou, ALA FEW CARS WERE TRAPPED IN HIGH WATER.
Oct 5, 10:12 PM CDTFLASH FLOOD2 Nw Birmingham Souther, ALA FEW PEOPLE WERE RESCUED OUT OF THEIR HOME DUE TO HIGH WATER.

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 00:00Z, 0.0 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.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Birmingham, AL at 00:00Z on 2021-10-06Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 734 joules per kilogram.LCLEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Birmingham, AL at 00:00Z on 2021-10-06The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 90 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 km3 km6 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
734 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
449 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
14 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
90 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
188 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

769 
WGUS54 KBMX 060002
FFWBMX
ALC073-060600-
/O.NEW.KBMX.FF.W.0060.211006T0002Z-211006T0600Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
702 PM CDT Tue Oct 5 2021

The National Weather Service in Birmingham has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Central Jefferson County in central Alabama...

* Until 100 AM CDT.

* At 702 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing 
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain 
  have fallen on saturated soils with creeks near their banks. 
  Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible in the 
  warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin 
  shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar.

  IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban
           areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as
           other poor drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Birmingham, Hoover, Vestavia Hills, Bessemer, Homewood, Pelham, 
  Mountain Brook, Trussville, Helena, Hueytown, Gardendale, 
  Irondale, Fairfield, Fultondale, Center Point, Pleasant Grove, 
  Clay, Pinson, Tarrant and Midfield.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood 
deaths occur in vehicles.

Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the 
dangers of flooding.

&&

LAT...LON 3332 8689 3332 8694 3339 8699 3379 8699
      3384 8688 3384 8676 3377 8664 3347 8661
      3347 8667 3345 8667 3345 8669 3342 8672
      3342 8675 3340 8675 3339 8678 3337 8678
      3336 8683 3333 8683 3333 8688

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
EXPECTED RAINFALL...1.5-2.5 INCHES IN 1 HOUR

$$

32/Davis
3 follow-up statements
259 
WGUS74 KBMX 060044
FFSBMX

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
744 PM CDT Tue Oct 5 2021

ALC073-060600-
/O.CON.KBMX.FF.W.0060.000000T0000Z-211006T0600Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Jefferson AL-
744 PM CDT Tue Oct 5 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM CDT WEDNESDAY 
FOR CENTRAL JEFFERSON COUNTY...

At 744 PM CDT, local law enforcement reported thunderstorms 
producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 2 and 3 inches 
of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches 
are possible in the warned area. Water rescues have been reported in 
Ensley and near Valley Creek. Village Creek in Ensley at Avenue W 
has risen above flood stage.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Law enforcement reported.

IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
         highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
         drainage and low-lying areas.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Birmingham, Hoover, Vestavia Hills, Bessemer, Homewood, Pelham, 
  Mountain Brook, Trussville, Helena, Hueytown, Gardendale, 
  Irondale, Fairfield, Fultondale, Center Point, Pleasant Grove, 
  Clay, Pinson, Tarrant and Midfield.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood 
deaths occur in vehicles.

Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the 
dangers of flooding.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

&&

LAT...LON 3332 8689 3332 8694 3339 8699 3379 8699
      3384 8688 3384 8676 3377 8664 3347 8661
      3347 8667 3345 8667 3345 8669 3342 8672
      3342 8675 3340 8675 3339 8678 3337 8678
      3336 8683 3333 8683 3333 8688

FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED
EXPECTED RAINFALL...1.5-2.5 INCHES IN 1 HOUR

$$

32/Davis
592 
WGUS74 KBMX 060053
FFSBMX

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
753 PM CDT Tue Oct 5 2021

ALC073-060600-
/O.CON.KBMX.FF.W.0060.000000T0000Z-211006T0600Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Jefferson AL-
753 PM CDT Tue Oct 5 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM CDT WEDNESDAY 
FOR CENTRAL JEFFERSON COUNTY...

At 753 PM CDT, local law enforcement reported thunderstorms 
producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 2 and 3 inches 
of rain have fallen. The expected rainfall rate is 1.5 to 2.5 inches 
in 1 hour. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible 
in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin 
shortly.

HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing
         flash flooding.

SOURCE...Law enforcement reported.

IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of 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, Helena, Hueytown, Gardendale, Irondale, Fairfield, 
  Fultondale, Pleasant Grove, Tarrant, Midfield, Adamsville, 
  Warrior, Brighton and Kimberly.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood 
deaths occur in vehicles.

Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the 
dangers of flooding.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

&&

LAT...LON 3332 8689 3332 8694 3339 8699 3379 8699
      3379 8697 3380 8697 3380 8695 3384 8688
      3384 8676 3370 8671 3356 8671 3346 8674
      3344 8675 3343 8678 3337 8678 3336 8683
      3333 8683 3333 8688

FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
EXPECTED RAINFALL...1.5-2.5 INCHES IN 1 HOUR

$$

32/Davis
215 
WGUS74 KBMX 060337
FFSBMX

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
1037 PM CDT Tue Oct 5 2021

ALC073-060600-
/O.CON.KBMX.FF.W.0060.000000T0000Z-211006T0600Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Jefferson AL-
1037 PM CDT Tue Oct 5 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM CDT WEDNESDAY 
FOR CENTRAL JEFFERSON COUNTY...

At 1037 PM CDT, emergency management reported continued flooding 
across the warning area.  Between 2 and 4 inches of rain has fallen, 
but heavy rainfall has diminished. Additional light to moderate rain 
showers are expected.

HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing
         flash flooding.

SOURCE...Emergency management reported.

IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of 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, Helena, Hueytown, Gardendale, Irondale, Fairfield, 
  Fultondale, Pleasant Grove, Tarrant, Midfield, Adamsville, 
  Warrior, Brighton and Kimberly.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood 
deaths occur in vehicles.

Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the 
dangers of flooding.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

&&

LAT...LON 3332 8689 3332 8694 3339 8699 3379 8699
      3379 8697 3380 8697 3380 8695 3384 8688
      3384 8676 3370 8671 3356 8671 3346 8674
      3344 8675 3343 8678 3337 8678 3336 8683
      3333 8683 3333 8688

FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE

$$

87/Grantham

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Oct 5, 8:00 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXLamar, Pickens45 min
Oct 5, 8:19 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXBlount, Walker6 hr
Oct 5, 8:43 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningBMXBlount, Walker6 hr
Oct 5, 8:45 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXLamar, Pickens45 min
Oct 5, 9:19 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXLamar4 hr
Oct 5, 10:29 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXMarion31 min
Oct 5, 10:42 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXFayette, Marion3 hr
Oct 6, 2:24 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXWinston3 hr
Oct 6, 4:35 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXWalker25 min
Oct 6, 6:16 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXBlount3 hr
Oct 6, 6:43 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXJefferson3 hr
Oct 6, 6:57 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningBMXBlount2 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.