Alert archive / Alabama / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026
Flash Flood Warning 7, NWS Birmingham, AL
NWS Birmingham, AL issued this flash flood warning at May 6, 2026, 9:09 PM CDT for 7 counties in Alabama. It was in force for 3 hr. 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
- May 6, 2026, 9:09 PM CDT (02:09 UTC)
- Expired
- May 7, 2026, 12:15 AM CDT
- In force
- 3 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Birmingham, AL
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Flood severity
- None
Counties Autauga County, AL, Bullock County, AL, Elmore County, AL, Lowndes County, AL, Macon County, AL, Montgomery County, AL, Russell County, AL
The radar
The Maxwell AFB radar (KMXX), 50 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 02:08 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 6, 9:15 PM CDT | FLASH FLOOD | 3 Nnw Autauga County Ai, AL | Flooding reported near the intersection of Golson Road and U.S. Highway 82 bypass. Several other flood reports in the county including along Briarwood St, near Summerhill and Duster, Sheila Blvd and Tara Dr, Sydney Dr. and Kendrick Way, North Chesnut and West |
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 one storm report 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, 2.2 hours before the alert went out and 103 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
- 690 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -23 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 710 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 73 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 159 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 213 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 1.0
- Supercell composite
- 6.7
The text
As transmitted.
220
WGUS54 KBMX 070209
FFWBMX
ALC001-011-051-085-087-101-113-070515-
/O.NEW.KBMX.FF.W.0007.260507T0209Z-260507T0515Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
909 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026
The National Weather Service in Birmingham has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
Central Autauga County in central Alabama...
Southwestern Elmore County in east central Alabama...
Northern Lowndes County in south central Alabama...
Northern Montgomery County in south central Alabama...
Northern Bullock County in southeastern Alabama...
Southern Macon County in southeastern Alabama...
Southwestern Russell County in southeastern Alabama...
* Until 1215 AM CDT.
* At 909 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
heavy rain across the warned area. Between 2 and 4 inches of rain
have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 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...
Montgomery, Prattville, Millbrook, Hurtsboro, Milstead, Pike Road,
Coosada, Autaugaville, White Hall, Shorter, Lowndesboro, Benton,
Waugh, Mount Meigs, Tysonville, Victoryland, Emerald Mountain,
Auburn University In Montgomery, Eastdale Mall and Lagoon Park.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
&&
LAT...LON 3230 8683 3233 8685 3235 8681 3240 8684
3243 8683 3244 8687 3256 8690 3256 8675
3244 8586 3238 8577 3242 8544 3237 8515
3216 8515 3216 8546 3229 8593 3224 8599
3229 8684
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
$$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 May 6, 6:47 PM CDT, 2 hours 22 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Issued at 645 PM CDT WED MAY 6 2026
- An enhanced risk (levels 3 out of 5) for severe thunderstorms is in effect through early Thursday. Threats include isolated, brief tornadoes, damaging wind gusts, and large hail.
- There is a Moderate Risk (level 3 of 4) of flash flooding with the thunderstorm activity through Thursday morning, especially in urban or poor drainage areas.
Area forecast discussion, May 6, 6:47 PM CDT, 2 hours 22 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Birmingham AL 647 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026 ...New AVIATION... .KEY MESSAGES... Issued at 645 PM CDT WED MAY 6 2026 - An enhanced risk (levels 3 out of 5) for severe thunderstorms is in effect through early Thursday. Threats include isolated, brief tornadoes, damaging wind gusts, and large hail. - There is a Moderate Risk (level 3 of 4) of flash flooding with the thunderstorm activity through Thursday morning, especially in urban or poor drainage areas. && .DISCUSSION... (This afternoon through Tuesday) Issued at 102 PM CDT WED MAY 6 2026 A cold front will continue to move into the area through the rest of the night into Thursday morning. Timing is generally around 1 pm in the far northwest, with a slow progression of the line of storms towards the south and southeast. CAMs have been coming into better agreement with timing, and show isolated storms moving ahead of the main line. Instability is between 1500- 2500 J/kg with these initial storms, and 0-1 km shear is mild, though 0-6 km shear is enough to support strong storms. These isolated storms could easily rotate and produce damaging winds and a tornado, though the threat may be slightly lower than the storms through the late afternoon and early evening. With strong southerly flow, PW values will be around 2 inches or higher today through the morning. This is much greater than max for this time of year climatologically, and with the steering flow parallel to the boundary, storms are likely to train over the same areas, producing high rain rates and high rainfall accumulations. The highest totals look to be in the southeast where the greatest concentration of training storms is expected. Values of 4-5 inches are expected, with locally higher amounts in any stronger storms. Any storm will likely produce rain rates enough to reduce visibilities so driving could become hazardous. Flooding is a concern through the night, especially in those training storms. As the line moves south and east, individual storms are expected to move along that line. Low LCLs, enough instability, and an increase in 0-1 km shear to 40-50 kts will support an increased tornado threat. Mid level winds increase from a strong mid level jet, which causes that increase in low level shear, and will also support stronger updraft and longer lived storms. CAMs have that line moving into the I85 area after midnight, with a concentration of weather in the southeast through the early morning. Instability is slightly weaker in the southeast, values topping around 1000-1500 j/kg, but shear will remain strong, with damaging winds and an isolated tornado threat continuing. Thursday morning, the front will continue to the south and east, and should push all activity south of the area by sunrise. Northerly flow will settle over the area, bringing drier and slightly cooler air, as high pressure continues to build over the southeast. By Friday evening, a shortwave approaches from the south and west, bringing the next chance for rain through the night Friday into Saturday. A low pressure system will move across the Ohio Valley through the latter half of the weekend, with a frontal boundary bringing widespread activity through Sunday. Instability will be higher on Sunday, and shear will be moderate, allowing for strong atoms to develop, though potential for any severe storms remains low at this time. The front will push south and east through night, with rain decreasing through Monday morning, and northwest flow bringing drier air to the state through the beginning of the work week. 24 && .AVIATION... (00Z TAFS) Issued at 645 PM CDT WED MAY 6 2026 Scattered to numerous storms will continue across the area through Midnight. The activity remains strong to severe across the south (MGM and AUO). Storms in the north, associated with the main frontal zone, remain on the weaker side with pockets of heavy rain and a few strikes. Confidence remains high that MGM and AUO will see the biggest impacts through the first 6 to 9 hours. Rain and MVFR to IFR clouds will build in behind the storms line of storms. Any storm moving over a TAF site will produce high rain rates to drop visibilities to IFR or LIFR, and enough low level moisture will be available for IFR ceilings overnight. Thunderstorms should move south with rain lingering over each TAF site through the early morning, before northerly flow brings dry air and a decrease in rain through mid morning Thursday. AMD NOT SKED will continue for TCL due to intermittent observations. 16 && .FIRE WEATHER... Scattered to widespread showers and thunderstorms will bring plenty of rain through the state tonight and Thursday morning. In total, some locations are likely to see 2-4 inches of rain during this timeframe, with 4-5 inches possible in the southeast. After a brief break in rain Thursday afternoon through Friday afternoon, rain returns through the weekend. Given the higher MinRH values and upcoming rain, fire weather concerns remain little to none at this time. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Gadsden 57 72 45 73 / 100 20 0 0 Anniston 60 72 48 73 / 100 40 0 0 Birmingham 60 72 51 74 / 100 20 0 0 Tuscaloosa 60 75 51 75 / 100 10 0 0 Calera 61 75 51 75 / 100 30 0 0 Auburn 67 77 55 73 / 100 80 0 10 Montgomery 67 77 54 74 / 100 70 0 20 Troy 68 78 56 74 / 80 90 10 20 && .BMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch through Thursday morning for the following counties: Autauga-Barbour-Bibb-Blount-Bullock-Calhoun-Chambers-Cherokee- Chilton-Clay-Cleburne-Coosa-Dallas-Elmore-Etowah-Greene-Hale- Jefferson-Lee-Lowndes-Macon-Marengo-Montgomery-Perry-Pickens- Pike-Randolph-Russell-Shelby-St. Clair-Sumter-Talladega- Tallapoosa-Tuscaloosa. && DISCUSSION...24 AVIATION...16
In the hours before
Local storm report, May 6, 8:53 PM CDT, 16 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
853 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0728 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 NE Arcola 32.58N 87.74W
05/06/2026 Hale AL Public
Corrects previous tstm wnd dmg report from 3
NE Arcola. Report of trees down with large
hail in the Lock Five community. Photo of a
camper on its side submitted by the public
near the water due to strong winds. Time and
location approximate.
&&
JHLocal storm report, May 6, 8:56 PM CDT, 13 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
856 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0630 PM Flash Flood Alabama State Capitol 32.38N 86.30W
05/06/2026 Montgomery AL Local Official
Flash flooding affected the Alabama State
Capitol Building in the 6 pm hour due to
heavy rainfall.
&&
JHLocal storm report, May 6, 8:59 PM CDT, 10 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report...Summary
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
859 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0230 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 NW Old Spring Hill 32.46N 87.81W
05/06/2026 Marengo AL Broadcast Media
Trees down across highway 69 south of
Gallion.
0238 PM Hail 2 WNW Faunsdale 32.47N 87.63W
05/06/2026 E0.70 Inch Marengo AL Public
Report of dime size hail near mile marker 47
on us highway 80.
0451 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Montgomery 32.37N 86.30W
05/06/2026 Montgomery AL Emergency Mngr
Montgomery County EMA reports 3303 power
outages, 7 trees down, 4 power lines down
and 5 traffic lights out. Time and location
approximate.
0453 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 SW Maxwell AFB 32.37N 86.38W
05/06/2026 Montgomery AL Public
Tree reported down across 180 West Blvd west
of Montgomery. Time approxmiate.
0459 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 SSW Gunter AFB 32.39N 86.26W
05/06/2026 Montgomery AL Emergency Mngr
Tree down along West Wareingwood Drive in
Montgomery. Time approximate.
0502 PM Tstm Wnd Gst Dannelly Field 32.30N 86.39W
05/06/2026 M58 MPH Montgomery AL Official NWS Obs
MGM 062202Z 35014G50KT 1/2SM +TSRA FG BKN018
BKN034 OVC044 22/21 A2991 RMK AO2 PK WND
33050/2155 WSHFT 2146 LTG DSNT N-SE P0059
T02170211.
0503 PM Hail 1 SE Auburn Univ Montgo 32.36N 86.17W
05/06/2026 E2.50 Inch Montgomery AL Emergency Mngr
Report of tennis ball size hail reported
along Taylor Road near Eastchase Mall. Time
approximate.
0504 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 S Pinedale 32.26N 86.23W
05/06/2026 Montgomery AL Storm Chaser
Report of trees down along Snowdoun Chambers
Road southeast of Montgomery. Time and
location approximate.
0504 PM Flash Flood 2 S Huntingdon College 32.32N 86.28W
05/06/2026 Montgomery AL Public
Street flooding reported by the public.
Location approximate.
0505 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 SSE Brachias 32.26N 86.17W
05/06/2026 Montgomery AL Utility Company
Report and photo of trees down, some
impacting power lines near Trotman Road west
of Pike Road.
0507 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 WSW Pike Road 32.28N 86.13W
05/06/2026 Montgomery AL Public
Public reported a portion of a tree fell on
a car near Pike Road close to U.S. 231. Time
and location approximate.
0507 PM Hail 2 E Auburn Univ Montgom 32.37N 86.14W
05/06/2026 E0.50 Inch Montgomery AL Public
Report from mPING: Half-inch (0.50 in.).
0509 PM Hail 1 E Mitylene 32.38N 86.16W
05/06/2026 E0.75 Inch Montgomery AL Public
Report from mPING: Dime (0.75 in.).
0512 PM Hail 1 SSE Mount Meigs 32.35N 86.09W
05/06/2026 E1.00 Inch Montgomery AL Public
Quarter sized hail reported by the public at
Mellow Mushroom. Time approximate.
0516 PM Hail 1 E Mount Meigs 32.36N 86.08W
05/06/2026 M0.75 Inch Montgomery AL Public
Report from mPING: Dime (0.75 in.).
0518 PM Hail 1 WNW Waugh 32.37N 86.05W
05/06/2026 M2.75 Inch Montgomery AL Trained Spotter
Baseball sized hail reported along
Interstate 85 at Exit 10 reported by trained
spotter. Time approximate.
0533 PM Hail Pike Road 32.28N 86.10W
05/06/2026 M1.00 Inch Montgomery AL Public
Location approximate.
0545 PM Hail Fort Davis 32.24N 85.71W
05/06/2026 M1.00 Inch Macon AL Public
Quarter sized hail reported by the public in
Fort Davis around 5:45 pm. Time and location
approximate.
0545 PM Hail 1 N Fort Davis 32.26N 85.71W
05/06/2026 M1.00 Inch Macon AL Broadcast Media
Hail of at least quarter sized observed by
broadcast meteorologist just north of CR 2
in Macon County.
0630 PM Flash Flood Alabama State Capitol 32.38N 86.30W
05/06/2026 Montgomery AL Local Official
Flash flooding affected the Alabama State
Capitol Building in the 6 pm hour due to
heavy rainfall.
0652 PM Hail Boligee 32.76N 88.03W
05/06/2026 E1.50 Inch Greene AL Broadcast Media
Broadcast media relayed viewer video of ping
pong ball sized hail near Boligee.
0710 PM Hail 2 SSW Forkland 32.63N 87.88W
05/06/2026 E1.50 Inch Greene AL Public
Report of Ping Pong Ball sized hail at
Forkland Campground.
0711 PM Hail 1 W Forkland 32.65N 87.88W
05/06/2026 E1.50 Inch Greene AL Public
Public submitted photo of ping pong ball
sized hail in Forkland.
0711 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 WNW Forkland 32.65N 87.88W
05/06/2026 Greene AL Broadcast Media
Broadcast media relayed viewer report of at
least golf ball hail covering the ground,
backyard garden destroyed.
0713 PM Hail 3 S Birdine 32.57N 87.84W
05/06/2026 E2.75 Inch Greene AL Public
Photo submitted by the public of baseball
sized hail along U.S. Highway 43 in Greene
County. Time and location approximate.
0728 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 NE Arcola 32.58N 87.74W
05/06/2026 Hale AL Public
Corrects previous tstm wnd dmg report from 3
NE Arcola. Report of trees down with large
hail in the Lock Five community. Photo of a
camper on its side submitted by the public
near the water due to strong winds. Time and
location approximate.
0731 PM Hail 3 NE Arcola 32.59N 87.73W
05/06/2026 E1.50 Inch Hale AL Public
At least ping pong ball size hail reported
near the Lock Five Community.
0733 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 W Cedarville 32.61N 87.69W
05/06/2026 Hale AL Emergency Mngr
Hale County EMA reports many without power
in Southern Hale County, many trees down and
some power poles snapped. Hail up to golf
ball size reported west of Newbern.
&&Local storm report, May 6, 9:03 PM CDT, 6 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
903 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0815 PM Rain 2 NE Montgomery Country 32.37N 86.26W
05/06/2026 M3.13 Inch Montgomery AL Broadcast Media
Broadcast meteorologist at WAKA-TV in
Montgomery reports 3.13 inches of rainfall
at this time for the daily rainfall amount
so far.
&&
JHLocal storm report, May 6, 9:04 PM CDT, 5 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
904 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0807 PM Rain 2 W Prattville 32.46N 86.47W
05/06/2026 M4.30 Inch Autauga AL Broadcast Media
Broadcast meteorologist relayed a report of
4.30 inches of rain measured in Prattville
for the day up to this time.
&&
JHLocal storm report, May 6, 9:07 PM CDT, 2 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
907 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0700 PM Flash Flood 2 E Montgomery Country 32.35N 86.24W
05/06/2026 Montgomery AL Public
Flash flooding reported by the public along
Perry Hill Road in Montgomery. Time and
location approximate.
&&
JHThe office that day
Everything else NWS Birmingham, AL issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 6, 7:11 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Greene, Hale, Marengo, Perry, Sumter | 64 min |
| May 6, 7:23 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Macon | 52 min |
| May 6, 7:42 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Sumter | 48 min |
| May 6, 7:49 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Dallas | 26 min |
| May 6, 8:04 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Macon, Russell | 41 min |
| May 6, 8:07 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Dallas | 38 min |
| May 6, 8:11 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Greene, Hale, Marengo, Perry, Sumter | 23 min |
| May 6, 8:23 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Clay | 37 min |
| May 6, 8:39 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Russell | 36 min |
| May 6, 8:43 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | BMX | Dallas, Greene, Hale, Marengo, Perry, Sumter | 3 hr |
| May 6, 9:57 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Autauga | 48 min |
| May 6, 11:21 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Pike | 39 min |
| May 6, 11:30 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | BMX | Autauga, Chambers, Chilton, Dallas, Elmore, Lee and 4 more | 4 hr |
| May 7, 2:24 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Marengo | 36 min |
| May 7, 2:34 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Hale, Marengo | 26 min |
| May 7, 2:55 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Dallas, Perry | 35 min |
| May 7, 3:28 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Chilton | 47 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.