Alert archive / Alabama / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026
Flash Flood Warning 31, NWS Birmingham, AL
NWS Birmingham, AL issued this flash flood warning at Aug 9, 2026, 4:05 PM CDT for Jefferson County, Shelby County, Alabama. It was in force for 3 hr. 2 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
- Aug 9, 2026, 4:05 PM CDT (21:05 UTC)
- Expired
- Aug 9, 2026, 7:00 PM CDT
- In force
- 3 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Birmingham, AL
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Flood severity
- None
Counties Jefferson County, AL, Shelby County, AL
The radar
The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 25 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:04 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
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 9, 4:30 PM CDT | FLASH FLOOD | 0 S Birmingham Fairgrou, AL | Valley creek at Avenue W crossed into flood stage and crested at 12.8ft. |
| Aug 9, 4:36 PM CDT | FLASH FLOOD | 1 Se Legion Field, AL | Valley Creek at Center Street has crossed into flood stage. Water overflows on south side bank of creek and approaches the road south of the bridge. |
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 25 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 12:00Z, 9.1 hours before the alert went out and 24 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
- 1959 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -39 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 910 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 11 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 47 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 25 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
492
WGUS54 KBMX 092105
FFWBMX
ALC073-117-100000-
/O.NEW.KBMX.FF.W.0031.260809T2105Z-260810T0000Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
405 PM CDT Sun Aug 9 2026
The National Weather Service in Birmingham has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
Central Jefferson County in central Alabama...
Central Shelby County in central Alabama...
* Until 700 PM CDT.
* At 405 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain
have fallen. 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 indicated.
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, Alabaster, Bessemer, Homewood,
Pelham, Mountain Brook, Helena, Irondale, Fairfield, Chelsea,
Fultondale, Tarrant, Midfield, Brighton, Indian Springs Village and
Lipscomb.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.
&&
LAT...LON 3326 8698 3335 8697 3363 8691 3361 8663
3341 8661 3324 8664
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
$$
TC2 follow-up statements
535
WGUS74 KBMX 092120
FFSBMX
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
420 PM CDT Sun Aug 9 2026
ALC073-117-100000-
/O.CON.KBMX.FF.W.0031.000000T0000Z-260810T0000Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Jefferson AL-Shelby AL-
420 PM CDT Sun Aug 9 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING
FOR CENTRAL JEFFERSON AND CENTRAL SHELBY COUNTIES...
At 420 PM CDT, local law enforcement reported thunderstorms producing
heavy rain across the warned area. Several water rescues have been
reported. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain have fallen. Additional
rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible in the warned area.
Flash flooding is ongoing.
HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.
SOURCE...Law enforcement reported.
IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
drainage and low-lying areas.
Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
Birmingham, Hoover, Vestavia Hills, Alabaster, Bessemer, Homewood,
Pelham, Mountain Brook, Helena, Irondale, Fairfield, Chelsea,
Fultondale, Tarrant, Midfield, Brighton, Indian Springs Village and
Lipscomb.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.
&&
LAT...LON 3326 8698 3335 8697 3363 8691 3361 8663
3341 8661 3324 8664
FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED
$$
TC457
WGUS74 KBMX 092329
FFSBMX
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
629 PM CDT Sun Aug 9 2026
ALC073-117-100000-
/O.CON.KBMX.FF.W.0031.000000T0000Z-260810T0000Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Jefferson AL-Shelby AL-
629 PM CDT Sun Aug 9 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING
FOR CENTRAL JEFFERSON AND CENTRAL SHELBY COUNTIES...
At 629 PM CDT, local law enforcement reported thunderstorms producing
heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain
have fallen. 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...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, Alabaster, Bessemer, Homewood,
Pelham, Mountain Brook, Helena, Irondale, Fairfield, Chelsea,
Fultondale, Tarrant, Midfield, Brighton, Indian Springs Village and
Lipscomb.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.
&&
LAT...LON 3326 8698 3335 8697 3363 8691 3361 8663
3341 8661 3324 8664
FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED
$$
TCWhat 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 Aug 9, 12:39 PM CDT, 3 hours 26 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Issued at 1235 PM CDT SUN AUG 9 2026
- Summer Pattern: Scattered showers and thunderstorms will persist through the weekend, with locally heavy rainfall likely under high moisture and slow-moving storms.
- Heat: Heat indices will begin to climb by the middle of the new workweek under hot temperatures and high humidity. There is medium confidence in Heat Advisory criteria being met as early as Wednesday.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 9, 12:39 PM CDT, 3 hours 26 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Birmingham AL 1239 PM CDT Sun Aug 9 2026 ...New DISCUSSION, AVIATION... .KEY MESSAGES... Issued at 1235 PM CDT SUN AUG 9 2026 - Summer Pattern: Scattered showers and thunderstorms will persist through the weekend, with locally heavy rainfall likely under high moisture and slow-moving storms. - Heat: Heat indices will begin to climb by the middle of the new workweek under hot temperatures and high humidity. There is medium confidence in Heat Advisory criteria being met as early as Wednesday. && .DISCUSSION... (This afternoon through Saturday) Issued at 1235 PM CDT SUN AUG 9 2026 Scattered afternoon showers and storms will remain in the forecast through tomorrow, as the air mass over the region almost remains in a "steady state." By late tomorrow, the ridge to our east will begin to slightly weaken, sliding to the west under a strengthening trough over New England. This weakened ridge will remain along the Gulf Coast through midweek, keeping these scattered afternoon showers and storms in the forecast. Unfortunately, confidence is increasing that this ridge will begin to strengthen closer to Thursday, and continue strengthening into next weekend. Based on the current trends, there's medium confidence in reaching Heat Advisory criteria as early as Wednesday in some locations, with this ridge only expected to grow stronger. By this time next weekend, afternoon highs could reach into the mid and upper-90s, with an extended period of widespread Heat headlines beginning around Thursday. /44/ && .AVIATION... (18Z TAFS) Issued at 1235 PM CDT SUN AUG 9 2026 Scattered storms are currently expanding across the region, with this activity expected to remain past 10/01z. These storms will be slow moving, primarily driven by outflow boundaries from other storms. All terminals will carry PROB30 groups for TSRA during this time, before slowly clearing back into VFR category past 10/03z. Note: AMD NOT SKED for AUO due to a weather observation outage. /44/ && .FIRE WEATHER... Warm and humid conditions will help keep MinRH values generally above 50% through the week. Isolated to scattered showers and storms are expected daily. Because of this, elevated fire weather concerns will remain low over the next seven days. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Gadsden 73 92 73 92 / 20 40 10 60 Anniston 72 90 73 90 / 20 30 10 60 Birmingham 74 91 75 90 / 20 30 10 50 Tuscaloosa 75 93 75 93 / 20 20 10 30 Calera 73 91 74 91 / 20 30 10 40 Auburn 74 88 74 88 / 20 30 10 30 Montgomery 74 93 75 94 / 20 30 10 20 Troy 73 92 73 93 / 20 30 10 20 && .BMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && DISCUSSION.../44/ AVIATION.../44/
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Aug 9, 2:31 PM CDT, 1 hour 34 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
231 PM CDT Sun Aug 9 2026
ALZ025-092000-
Shelby AL-
231 PM CDT Sun Aug 9 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL SHELBY COUNTY THROUGH
300 PM CDT...
At 231 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Shelby County Airport, or near Calera, moving north at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Hoover, Alabaster, Pelham, Helena, Calera, Chelsea, Montevallo,
Columbiana, Indian Springs Village, Riverchase, American Village, Oak
Mountain State Park, University Of Montevallo, Maylene, Shelby County
Airport, Oak Mountain Amphitheater, Joe Tucker Park, Ballantrae, Camp
Branch, and Saddle Lake Farms.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3333 8653 3307 8666 3309 8677 3309 8688
3333 8685 3333 8683 3336 8683 3336 8681
3337 8681
TIME...MOT...LOC 1931Z 191DEG 16KT 3318 8674
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
TCSpecial weather statement, Aug 9, 3:05 PM CDT, 1 hour before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
305 PM CDT Sun Aug 9 2026
ALZ024-025-092030-
Jefferson AL-Shelby AL-
305 PM CDT Sun Aug 9 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN SHELBY AND
SOUTHEASTERN JEFFERSON COUNTIES THROUGH 330 PM CDT...
At 305 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Hoover Metropolitan Stadium, or over Helena, moving north at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Southern Birmingham, Hoover, Vestavia Hills, Alabaster, Bessemer,
Homewood, Pelham, Mountain Brook, Helena, Hueytown, Irondale,
Fairfield, Pleasant Grove, Midfield, Brighton, Indian Springs
Village, Lipscomb, Birmingham Fairgounds, Five Points South, and Oak
Mountain State Park.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3320 8669 3317 8695 3348 8709 3352 8666
TIME...MOT...LOC 2005Z 175DEG 13KT 3332 8685
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
TCSpecial weather statement, Aug 9, 3:31 PM CDT, 34 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
331 PM CDT Sun Aug 9 2026
ALZ024-025-092100-
Jefferson AL-Shelby AL-
331 PM CDT Sun Aug 9 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTH CENTRAL SHELBY AND
SOUTHEASTERN JEFFERSON COUNTIES THROUGH 400 PM CDT...
At 330 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
eastern Birmingham, moving north at 25 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...
Birmingham, Hoover, Vestavia Hills, Homewood, Pelham, Mountain Brook,
Trussville, Gardendale, Irondale, Leeds, Fairfield, Chelsea,
Fultondale, Center Point, Tarrant, Adamsville, Indian Springs
Village, Graysville, Brookside, and Cardiff.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3332 8665 3333 8684 3365 8698 3365 8655
TIME...MOT...LOC 2030Z 174DEG 22KT 3352 8678
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
TCSpecial weather statement, Aug 9, 3:39 PM CDT, 26 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
339 PM CDT Sun Aug 9 2026
ALZ011-012-092115-
Marion AL-Lamar AL-
339 PM CDT Sun Aug 9 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN MARION AND NORTHEASTERN
LAMAR COUNTIES THROUGH 415 PM CDT...
At 339 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Beaverton, or 9 miles northeast of Sulligent, moving northeast at 25
mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Hamilton, Winfield, Sulligent, Guin, Brilliant, Beaverton, Gu-
Win, Weston, Crews, Twin, Henson Springs, Rankin Fite Airport, Pine
Springs, Marion County Public Lake, and Pikeville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3422 8804 3403 8769 3392 8787 3392 8795
3387 8795 3381 8804 3390 8820
TIME...MOT...LOC 2039Z 216DEG 22KT 3399 8802
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
TCSpecial weather statement, Aug 9, 3:53 PM CDT, 12 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
353 PM CDT Sun Aug 9 2026
ALZ012-013-092130-
Fayette AL-Lamar AL-
353 PM CDT Sun Aug 9 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WEST CENTRAL FAYETTE AND CENTRAL
LAMAR COUNTIES THROUGH 430 PM CDT...
At 353 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Vernon, moving northeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Vernon, Sulligent, Blooming Grove, Lamar County Airport, Crews,
Bedford, Bluff, Crossville, Star, Hightogy, and Lamar County Public
Lake.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3376 8825 3396 8812 3381 8782 3361 8810
3371 8825
TIME...MOT...LOC 2053Z 209DEG 13KT 3376 8811
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
TCLocal storm report, Aug 9, 4:00 PM CDT, 5 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
400 PM CDT Sun Aug 9 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0330 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 S Samford University 33.45N 86.79W
08/09/2026 Jefferson AL 911 Call Center
Several trees down in neighborhoods around
and in vicinity of Vestavia Hills Country
Club. Time estimated by radar.
&&The office that day
Everything else NWS Birmingham, AL issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 8, 7:34 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BMX | Shelby | 82 min |
| Aug 8, 8:00 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BMX | Shelby | 56 min |
| Aug 8, 8:24 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Dallas | 36 min |
| Aug 9, 12:10 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Coosa | 35 min |
| Aug 9, 12:13 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | St. Clair | 32 min |
| Aug 9, 12:49 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Calhoun | 26 min |
| Aug 9, 1:13 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Cherokee | 32 min |
| Aug 9, 1:47 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Etowah | 28 min |
| Aug 9, 2:03 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Shelby | 27 min |
| Aug 9, 2:31 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Shelby | 29 min |
| Aug 9, 3:05 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Shelby | 25 min |
| Aug 9, 3:31 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Jefferson | 29 min |
| Aug 9, 3:37 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Jefferson | 53 min |
| Aug 9, 3:39 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Marion | 36 min |
| Aug 9, 3:45 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BMX | Jefferson, Shelby | 20 min |
| Aug 9, 3:53 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Lamar | 37 min |
| Aug 9, 4:14 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Jefferson | 31 min |
| Aug 9, 4:17 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Tuscaloosa | 28 min |
| Aug 9, 4:28 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Fayette | 32 min |
| Aug 9, 4:36 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Winston | 24 min |
| Aug 9, 4:46 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Marion, Winston | 15 min |
| Aug 9, 4:52 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Pickens, Tuscaloosa | 23 min |
| Aug 9, 4:55 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Blount | 50 min |
| Aug 9, 5:26 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BMX | Blount, Jefferson | 2 hr |
| Aug 9, 5:30 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Tuscaloosa, Walker | 60 min |
| Aug 9, 5:41 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Greene | 34 min |
| Aug 9, 6:05 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Hale | 25 min |
| Aug 9, 6:21 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Sumter | 39 min |
| Aug 9, 6:31 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Greene, Hale | 29 min |
Nearby
Flash Flood Warnings in Alabama, 2026Every flash flood warning in 2026
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.