Alert archive / Alabama / Flash Flood Warnings in 2022

Flash Flood Warning 17, NWS Birmingham, AL

March 22, 2022Shelby County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this flash flood warning at Mar 22, 2022, 9:47 PM CDT for Shelby County, Alabama. It was in force for 88 min. 1 report 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: Mar 22, 2022, 9:47 PM CDT (02:47 UTC)
Expired: Mar 22, 2022, 11:15 PM CDT
In force: 88 min
Issued by: NWS Birmingham, AL
Area: Storm-based polygon
Flood severity: None

County Shelby County, AL

The radar

The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 26 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 02:47 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
Mar 22, 10:13 PM CDT	FLASH FLOOD	1 W Indian Springs Vill, AL	SEVERAL LOCATIONS ALONG VALLEYDALE RD REPORTED TO BE UNDER WATER WITH VEHICLES STALLED IN ROADWAY.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched 2 storm reports to this flash flood warning; the first came 6 minutes after it went out.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 00:00Z, 2.8 hours before the alert went out and 26 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-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

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: 573 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -31 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 1220 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 68 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 305 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 571 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 1.4
Supercell composite: 9.4

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

391 
WGUS54 KBMX 230247
FFWBMX
ALC117-230415-
/O.NEW.KBMX.FF.W.0017.220323T0247Z-220323T0415Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
947 PM CDT Tue Mar 22 2022

The National Weather Service in Birmingham has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Shelby County in central Alabama...

* Until 1115 PM CDT.

* At 947 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated slow moving showers and 
  thunderstorms producing heavy rain across 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...
  Hoover, Alabaster, Pelham, Helena, Leeds, Moody, Calera, Chelsea, 
  Montevallo, Columbiana, Wilsonville, Indian Springs Village, 
  Vincent, Harpersville, Westover, Highland Lakes, Mount Laurel, Oak 
  Mountain State Park, Fowler Lake and Meadowbrook.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3333 8683 3336 8683 3337 8678 3347 8666
      3347 8660 3352 8656 3352 8652 3355 8652
      3355 8648 3350 8648 3350 8638 3333 8637
      3327 8640 3328 8643 3320 8646 3320 8649
      3313 8649 3306 8654 3313 8685 3327 8695

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

2 follow-up statements

070 
WGUS74 KBMX 230314
FFSBMX

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
1014 PM CDT Tue Mar 22 2022

ALC117-230415-
/O.CON.KBMX.FF.W.0017.000000T0000Z-220323T0415Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Shelby AL-
1014 PM CDT Tue Mar 22 2022

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1115 PM CDT THIS 
EVENING FOR SHELBY COUNTY...

At 1014 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated slow moving showers and 
thunderstorms producing heavy rain across portions of Shelby County. 
Spotters report flash flooding with cars stalled and stranded along 
Valleydale Road.

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...
  Hoover, Alabaster, Pelham, Helena, Leeds, Moody, Calera, Chelsea, 
  Montevallo, Columbiana, Wilsonville, Indian Springs Village, 
  Vincent, Harpersville, Westover, Highland Lakes, Mount Laurel, Oak 
  Mountain State Park, Fowler Lake and Meadowbrook.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3333 8683 3336 8683 3337 8678 3347 8666
      3347 8660 3352 8656 3352 8652 3355 8652
      3355 8648 3350 8648 3350 8638 3333 8637
      3327 8640 3328 8643 3320 8646 3320 8649
      3313 8649 3306 8654 3313 8685 3327 8695

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

332 
WGUS74 KBMX 230411
FFSBMX

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
1111 PM CDT Tue Mar 22 2022

ALC117-230421-
/O.EXP.KBMX.FF.W.0017.000000T0000Z-220323T0415Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Shelby AL-
1111 PM CDT Tue Mar 22 2022

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 1115 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR 
SHELBY COUNTY...

The heavy rain has ended across much of Shelby County. Widespread 
flash flooding is no longer expected to pose a threat. Please 
continue to heed remaining road closures and be alert for high 
water. An flood advisory remains in effect for Shelby County for 
residual runoff and flooding of low lying and poor drainage areas 
through 1 AM CST.

A Flood Watch remains in effect until 700 AM CDT Wednesday for a 
portion of central Alabama.

LAT...LON 3333 8683 3336 8683 3337 8678 3347 8666
      3347 8660 3352 8656 3352 8652 3355 8652
      3355 8648 3350 8648 3350 8638 3333 8637
      3327 8640 3328 8643 3320 8646 3320 8649
      3313 8649 3306 8654 3313 8685 3327 8695

$$

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.

NWS Birmingham, AL wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Mar 22, 7:10 PM CDT, 2 hours 37 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 22, 7:10 PM CDT, 2 hours 37 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
710 PM CDT Tue Mar 22 2022

.UPDATE...
For 00Z Aviation.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
/Updated at 532 PM CDT Tue Mar 22 2022/

Broken QLCS/LEWP is currently progressing through much of West
Alabama at this hour. In general, the fast forward propagation of
this line has allowed for very little destabilization of the warm
sector, thus the main axis of instability has been suppressed
further south. However as expected, wind shear will remain
sufficient to support low and mid-level rotating updrafts through
the evening hours and the current tornado watch looks to be
adequate at this time. Any robust updrafts will need to be
monitored for tornado potential. The greatest threat will
remain across the southern-third of the state where the highest
surface based instability values are expected. The threat will
begin to diminish as we move into the early overnight period as
the once sufficient instability trends downward as the main line
surges east.

17/KLAWS

.LONG TERM...
/Updated at 248 PM CDT Tue Mar 22 2022/

Aside from some lingering light showers in the far southeastern
counties Wednesday night, the remainder of the 7-day forecast will
be dry. We'll see a cool down toward the end of the week and into
the weekend, and then a warming trend early next week.

No substantial changes from the previous long term forecast.

/61/

Previous long-term discussion:
/Updated at 300 AM CDT Tue Mar 22 2022/

Wednesday night through Monday.

A large, nearly cut off upper-level trough over the central and
eastern CONUS, will slowly move eastward Wednesday night and
Thursday. The associated dry slot will move over the region and
provide dry conditions behind a slow-moving cold front. Lingering
showers near the front should remain just outside our forecast area
across SE AL and SW GA.

The upper-level trough axis will finally shift eastward on Friday,
with a reinforcing push of cooler and drier air. Yet another
shortwave will dig into the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast states on
Saturday with continued cool northwesterly flow. A surface ridge
axis is expected to promote radiational cooling with the potential
for frost across the northern counties on Sunday morning. This will
be followed by significant warming trend for Monday as southwesterly
flow rapidly develops.

87/Grantham

&&

.AVIATION...
00Z TAF Discussion.

TSRA with gusty winds and heavy rain will continue across C AL
ahead of a front. Winds will also be gusty tonight outside of
convection. MVFR cigs are expected to develop as the night
progresses with some IFR at times with stronger convection.
Conditions should go VFR toward midday on Wednesday behind the
front. However, some clouds will linger through much of the
afternoon. Winds should not quite be as gusty for Wed afternoon.

08

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...

Strong to severe storms are likely this afternoon and tonight,
with gusty south to southeast winds and locally heavy rain. KBDI
values remain very low due to above normal rainfall this month.
Drier and more favorable burn conditions return by Thursday.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Gadsden     61  69  40  64  39 / 100  20  10  10   0
Anniston    64  71  42  65  41 / 100  20  10  10   0
Birmingham  61  66  43  64  43 / 100  20  10   0   0
Tuscaloosa  57  64  42  66  42 / 100  10   0   0   0
Calera      62  67  44  66  43 / 100  10   0  10   0
Auburn      64  73  46  65  45 / 100  50   0  10  10
Montgomery  67  73  45  69  44 / 100  20   0  10   0
Troy        66  76  47  68  46 /  80  20   0  10   0

&&

.BMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES/...
Wind Advisory until 7 AM CDT Wednesday for the following
counties: Autauga...Barbour...Bibb...Blount...Bullock...
Calhoun...Chambers...Cherokee...Chilton...Clay...Cleburne...
Coosa...Dallas...Elmore...Etowah...Fayette...Greene...Hale...
Jefferson...Lamar...Lee...Lowndes...Macon...Marengo...Marion...
Montgomery...Perry...Pickens...Pike...Randolph...Russell...
Shelby...St. Clair...Sumter...Talladega...Tallapoosa...
Tuscaloosa...Walker...Winston.

Flood Watch through Wednesday morning for the following
counties: Bibb...Blount...Chilton...Dallas...Fayette...Greene...
Hale...Jefferson...Lamar...Marengo...Marion...Perry...Pickens...
Shelby...St. Clair...Sumter...Tuscaloosa...Walker...Winston.

&&

17/61/87/08

Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 22, 10:49 AM CDT, 10 hours 58 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
1049 AM CDT Tue Mar 22 2022

ALZ011>015-017>050-231900-
Marion-Lamar-Fayette-Winston-Walker-Blount-Etowah-Calhoun-Cherokee-
Cleburne-Pickens-Tuscaloosa-Jefferson-Shelby-St. Clair-Talladega-
Clay-Randolph-Sumter-Greene-Hale-Perry-Bibb-Chilton-Coosa-Tallapoosa-
Chambers-Marengo-Dallas-Autauga-Lowndes-Elmore-Montgomery-Macon-
Bullock-Lee-Russell-Pike-Barbour-
1049 AM CDT Tue Mar 22 2022

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the counties served by the
National Weather Service office in Birmingham.

.DAY ONE...Outlook through Tonight.

Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon through
tonight across Central Alabama. Threats include tornadoes, damaging
wind gusts, and large hail.

Locally heavy rainfall is likely this afternoon through tonight. One
to four inches of rain is possible, with locally higher amounts in
the northwest. This could lead to flooding of low lying or poor
drainage areas.

Non-thunderstorm wind gusts up to 40 mph are possible across Central
Alabama today and tonight. This could lead to sporadic uprooted
trees and power outages.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

River flooding is forecast for portions of the Tombigbee and Black
Warrior Rivers. Please refer to river products for specific
information.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Activation of storm spotters and emergency management will likely be
needed this afternoon through tonight.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Mar 22, 7:28 PM CDT, 2 hours 19 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
728 PM CDT Tue Mar 22 2022

ALZ015-023-024-230115-
Walker AL-Jefferson AL-Tuscaloosa AL-
728 PM CDT Tue Mar 22 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern Walker,
northeastern Tuscaloosa and western Jefferson Counties through 815 PM
CDT...

At 728 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Bull City, or 15 miles northeast of Holt, moving northeast at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Western Birmingham, Gardendale, Fultondale, Sumiton, Dora, Pleasant
Grove, Adamsville, Graysville, Sylvan Springs, Brookside, Mulga,
Maytown, West Jefferson, Cardiff, Gorgas Steam Plant, Bull City,
Edgewater, Forestdale, Concord and Burnwell.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for central
Alabama. A Tornado Watch also remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for
central and west central Alabama.

&&

LAT...LON 3329 8721 3346 8745 3378 8710 3364 8680
TIME...MOT...LOC 0028Z 217DEG 35KT 3339 8728

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

89^GSatterwhite

Local storm report, Mar 22, 7:42 PM CDT, 2 hours 5 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
742 PM CDT TUE MAR 22 2022

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0701 PM     HAIL             2 NE UNIVERSITY MALL    33.21N 87.50W
03/22/2022  E1.00 INCH       TUSCALOOSA         AL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            QUARTER SIZED HAIL IN ALBERTA CITY.

&&

HA

Local storm report, Mar 22, 8:21 PM CDT, 1 hour 26 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
821 PM CDT TUE MAR 22 2022

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0755 PM     FLASH FLOOD      1 N UNIVERSITY MALL     33.21N 87.52W
03/22/2022                   TUSCALOOSA         AL   PUBLIC

            4-8INCHES OF WATER IN PARKING LOT OF
            APARTMENT COMPLEX ON HELEN KELLER BLVD.

&&

HA

Local storm report, Mar 22, 8:25 PM CDT, 1 hour 22 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
825 PM CDT TUE MAR 22 2022

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0800 PM     FLASH FLOOD      1 N TUSCALOOSA REGIONAL 33.24N 87.61W
03/22/2022                   TUSCALOOSA         AL   PUBLIC

            BUCKHEAD DR IS IMPASSABLE DUE TO FLOODING.

&&

HA

Local storm report, Mar 22, 8:30 PM CDT, 1 hour 17 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
830 PM CDT TUE MAR 22 2022

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0818 PM     FLASH FLOOD      1 NE NORTHPORT          33.24N 87.56W
03/22/2022                   TUSCALOOSA         AL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            EVACUATING RESIDENTS FROM HUNTER CREEK RD
            DUE TO FLOODING.

&&

HA

Special weather statement, Mar 22, 8:55 PM CDT, 52 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
855 PM CDT Tue Mar 22 2022

ALZ024-025-034-035-230230-
Chilton AL-Bibb AL-Jefferson AL-Shelby AL-
855 PM CDT Tue Mar 22 2022

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northwestern Chilton,
southwestern Shelby, Bibb and south central Jefferson Counties
through 930 PM CDT...

At 855 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from North Bibb to 7 miles southeast of Harrisburg.
Movement was east at 45 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Hoover, Vestavia Hills, Alabaster, Bessemer, Pelham, Helena, Calera,
Montevallo, Brent, Centreville, Jemison, Indian Springs Village,
Woodstock, West Blocton, Wilton, American Village, Maylene,
Brierfield Ironworks Park, Patton Creek and Hoover Metropolitan
Stadium.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for central
Alabama. A Tornado Watch also remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for
west central Alabama.

&&

LAT...LON 3313 8723 3313 8720 3319 8720 3324 8714
      3322 8710 3325 8707 3328 8707 3328 8709
      3329 8709 3347 8676 3283 8675 3283 8723
TIME...MOT...LOC 0155Z 261DEG 39KT 3319 8714 3280 8714

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

89^GSatterwhite

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Mar 22, 7:21 PM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	BMX	Tuscaloosa	2 hr
Mar 22, 7:28 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	BMX	Jefferson	47 min
Mar 22, 7:40 PM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	BMX	Greene, Hale, Sumter, Tuscaloosa	2 hr
Mar 22, 7:44 PM CDT	Areal Flood Advisory	BMX	Jefferson, Walker	2 hr
Mar 22, 7:49 PM CDT	Areal Flood Advisory	BMX	Hale	3 hr
Mar 22, 8:43 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Hale, Perry	19 min
Mar 22, 8:52 PM CDT	Areal Flood Advisory	BMX	Bibb, Dallas, Marengo, Perry, Shelby	4 hr
Mar 22, 8:55 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	BMX	Bibb	35 min
Mar 22, 9:04 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Bibb, Shelby	19 min
Mar 22, 9:27 PM CDT	Areal Flood Advisory	BMX	Chilton, Shelby	4 hr
Mar 22, 9:27 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Shelby	48 min
Mar 22, 9:33 PM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	BMX	Jefferson, Walker	87 min
Mar 22, 9:58 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	BMX	Shelby	47 min
Mar 22, 10:02 PM CDT	River Flood Warning	BMX	Bibb, Jefferson, Shelby	23 hr
Mar 22, 10:12 PM CDT	River Flood Warning	BMX	Bibb, Dallas, Perry	35 hr
Mar 22, 10:29 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Clay, Coosa, Talladega	34 min
Mar 22, 10:40 PM CDT	River Flood Warning	BMX	Greene, Hale, Marengo, Tuscaloosa	67 hr
Mar 22, 10:56 PM CDT	Areal Flood Advisory	BMX	Jefferson	2 hr
Mar 22, 11:06 PM CDT	Areal Flood Advisory	BMX	Coosa, Talladega	114 min
Mar 22, 11:35 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	BMX	Coosa	25 min
Mar 22, 11:45 PM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	BMX	Chilton, Clay, Coosa, Shelby, Talladega	4 hr
Mar 23, 1:46 AM CDT	Areal Flood Advisory	BMX	Calhoun, Clay, Cleburne, Talladega	3 hr
Mar 23, 3:50 AM CDT	Areal Flood Warning	BMX	Calhoun, Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Shelby and 1 more	6 hr
Mar 23, 9:33 AM CDT	River Flood Warning	BMX	Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, Walker	24 hr
Mar 23, 2:00 PM CDT	Areal Flood Warning	BMX	Cherokee	24 hr
Mar 23, 6:38 PM CDT	River Flood Warning	BMX	Greene, Hale, Tuscaloosa	14 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Alabama, 2022 Every flash flood warning in 2022

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.