Alert archive / Alabama / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 4, NWS Mobile, AL

May 22, 2026Baldwin County, Clarke County, Mobile County, Alabama

NWS Mobile, AL issued this flash flood warning at May 22, 2026, 10:22 AM CDT for Baldwin County, Clarke County, Mobile County, 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 22, 2026, 10:22 AM CDT (15:22 UTC)
Expired
May 22, 2026, 1:30 PM CDT
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Mobile, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Baldwin County, AL, Clarke County, AL, Mobile County, AL

The radar

The Mobile radar (KMOB), 68 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 15:25 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
May 22, 1:01 PM CDTFLASH FLOOD1 Sw Axis, ALDownstream side of bridge over Turtle Branch on Creax Rd washed out with road closed.

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 159 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

Slidell Radar S, LA (KSIL), launched 12:00Z, 3.4 hours before the alert went out and 205 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, Slidell Radar S, LA at 12:00Z on 2026-05-22Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 2275 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Slidell Radar S, LA at 12:00Z on 2026-05-22The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 125 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 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
2275 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-4 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
674 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
34 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
125 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
169 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

190 
WGUS54 KMOB 221522
FFWMOB
ALC003-025-097-221830-
/O.NEW.KMOB.FF.W.0004.260522T1522Z-260522T1830Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Mobile AL
1022 AM CDT Fri May 22 2026

The National Weather Service in Mobile has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Northwestern Baldwin County in southwestern Alabama...
  South Central Clarke County in southwestern Alabama...
  Northeastern Mobile County in southwestern Alabama...

* Until 130 PM CDT.

* At 1022 AM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing 
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 2 and 2.5 inches of 
  rain have fallen with additional rainfall continuing. 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...
  Axis, Fort Stoddard, Blacksher, Chastang, Bucks, Barry Village and 
  Salco.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3096 8809 3116 8795 3116 8794 3117 8794
      3119 8793 3135 8778 3135 8777 3133 8778
      3131 8778 3130 8778 3130 8776 3130 8775
      3130 8774 3130 8772 3117 8781 3107 8792
      3090 8803

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 Mobile, AL wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at May 22, 10:16 AM CDT, 6 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Issued at 1010 AM CDT Fri May 22 2026
  • A conditional severe threat continues this morning. A brief tornado or two and damaging wind gust cannot be ruled out.
  • High rain chances will be in place through the weekend and into early next week, especially over the western half of the forecast area. Locally heavy rain possible.
Area forecast discussion, May 22, 10:16 AM CDT, 6 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Mobile AL
1016 AM CDT Fri May 22 2026

...New MESOSCALE UPDATE...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Issued at 1010 AM CDT Fri May 22 2026

 - A conditional severe threat continues this morning. A brief
   tornado or two and damaging wind gust cannot be ruled out.

 - High rain chances will be in place through the weekend and
   into early next week, especially over the western half of the
   forecast area. Locally heavy rain possible.

&&

.MESOSCALE UPDATE...
Issued at 1010 AM CDT Fri May 22 2026

22.12Z upper air maps show a more active southwest flow at higher
levels atop the area. A complex, broad upper trof is positioned
over the Plains. Embedded in a short-wave mid/upper level negative
oriented trof, a lead impulse is ejecting north northeast and has
been responsible for an active early portion of the shift with
isolated severe storms over the northwest zones exhibiting
rotation necessitating the issuance of a few tornado warnings.
These storms formed within overlap of sufficient
instability/shear/and 0-1 km storm relative helicity values ~150
m2/s2 atop a weakly defined surface trof draped over southern MS.
The low level speed max ejects northeast and out of the area which
should lower the severe weather potential the remainder of the
day. A few storms could still overachieve which could maintain a
conditional, mainly isolated severe weather threat. Storms will
also be capable of locally heavy rains and the potential for
isolated flooding, especially in lower lying areas subject to poor
drainage where storms move repeatedly over the same areas. /10

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 1225 AM CDT Fri May 22 2026

Through Sunday...a series of upper level shortwave troughs move
northeast along the west side of an upper ridge stretching north
along the Atlantic Seaboard. A surface ridge stretches west over the
East Coast due to the upper ridge, whilst the passing shortwave
energy maintains a semi-stationary surface front running from
southern Tx to the Tenn River Valley. A soupy airmass (precipitable
h20 values of 1.8"-2.0") that has moved over the Southeast south of
the surface front is maintained through the weekend. With the added
upper level instability, rain chances remain high through the period.

There is concern that strong to severe storms will develop later
tonight into Friday morning as a strong series of shortwaves pass
northwest of the forecast area. MLCapes vary in the guidance
(between 1500-2500J/kg) with 0-1km helicities in the 80-120 m^2/s^2.
Add in a modest 30-35kt 850mb jet passing northwest of the forecast
area working with any left over boundaries left over from Thursday's
activity, wind damage from any spinners along with brief tornadoes
are possible, with timing beginning near sunrise Friday. Also, with
the soupy airmass allowing for efficient rainers, water issues are
possible, especially if any favorable boundaries are generated.
Daily thunderstorms continue through the weekend, especially along
and northwest of I-65, but any decent upper support from the passing
shortwave energy is missing until Sunday, when several rounds of
shortwave energy organize into a closed upper low over Tx.

The above seasonal rain chances will create a below seasonal to
around/above gradient in high temperatures through the weekend. Low
to mid 80s Friday see an uptick to mid to upper 80s Saturday and
Sunday, with the lower temperatures being north of Highway 84
Saturday and northwest of I-65 Sunday. With the high moisture levels
and overnight cloud cover limiting overnight cooling, low
temperatures are expected to be above seasonal norms, with upper 60s
to mid 70s expected.

Monday through Thursday...the struggle between the upper low over Tx
and upper high off the East coast continues, with better rain
chances over the northwestern half of the forecast area, closer to
the upper energy. High temperatures remain around or below seasonal
norms over most of the forecast area through the period, with low
temperatures a bit above seasonal norms.

Taking a look at the Rip Current risk on area beaches, consistent
onshore flow varies in strength, with onshore swell varying in
response. The tidal cycle slowly decreases into the coming week, but
the Rip Risk remains moderate to at times high through most of the
week.
/16

&&

.AVIATION...
(12Z TAFS)
Issued at 618 AM CDT Fri May 22 2026

MVFR to IFR ceilings remain prevalent across the region. Scattered
showers and storms have temporarily waned, but will increase to
scattered to numerous for most of the area as we head into the mid
morning and the afternoon hours. Expect reductions in ceiling and
visibility under any storms. Winds remain out of the south to
southeast at 5 to 10 knots, gusting around 15 knots this
afternoon. MM/25

&&

.MARINE...
Issued at 236 AM CDT Fri May 22 2026

Light to moderate southeasterly flow will prevail through this
weekend and into early next week. Seas will generally be 1 to 3
feet. No impacts are expected other than locally higher winds and
seas possible near thunderstorms. MM/25 /96

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Mobile      84  72  86  71 /  90  50  70  20
Pensacola   82  74  84  73 /  80  40  50  20
Destin      83  74  83  73 /  70  60  60  20
Evergreen   82  70  85  69 /  90  40  90  20
Waynesboro  82  69  85  68 /  90  50  70  50
Camden      80  69  84  68 / 100  50  80  40
Crestview   84  70  87  70 /  80  50  80  10

&&

.MOB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AL...None.
FL...None.
MS...None.
GM...None.
&&

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 22, 8:41 AM CDT, 1 hour 41 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mobile AL
841 AM CDT Fri May 22 2026

ALZ052-MSZ067-221415-
Washington AL-Wayne MS-
841 AM CDT Fri May 22 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN WASHINGTON AND EAST
CENTRAL WAYNE COUNTIES THROUGH 915 AM CDT...

At 840 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 5
miles east of Buckatunna, or 12 miles northwest of Chatom, moving
northeast at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations impacted include...
Millry.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3165 8821 3149 8844 3155 8853 3170 8844
      3170 8834
TIME...MOT...LOC 1340Z 217DEG 23KT 3155 8844

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

RD
Special weather statement, May 22, 9:27 AM CDT, 55 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mobile AL
927 AM CDT Fri May 22 2026

ALZ051-053-221515-
Clarke AL-Choctaw AL-
927 AM CDT Fri May 22 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTH CENTRAL CHOCTAW AND
NORTHWESTERN CLARKE COUNTIES THROUGH 1015 AM CDT...

At 927 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 6
miles west of Coffeeville, or 20 miles south of Butler, moving
northeast at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of south central
Choctaw and northwestern Clarke Counties.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3202 8812 3201 8811 3199 8810 3200 8809
      3201 8809 3199 8807 3199 8791 3174 8821
      3178 8830 3203 8812
TIME...MOT...LOC 1427Z 217DEG 22KT 3179 8820

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

RD

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 22, 2:46 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMOBMonroe44 min
May 22, 3:58 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMOBMonroe47 min
May 22, 8:41 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMOBWashington34 min
May 22, 8:56 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMOBChoctaw, Washington34 min
May 22, 9:20 AM CDTTornado WarningMOBChoctaw40 min
May 22, 9:27 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMOBChoctaw48 min
May 22, 9:49 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryMOBBaldwin, Clarke, Mobile, Monroe3 hr
May 22, 10:01 AM CDTTornado WarningMOBChoctaw, Clarke29 min
May 22, 10:30 AM CDTTornado WarningMOBClarke30 min
May 22, 10:45 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningMOBMobile3 hr
May 22, 10:57 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryMOBChoctaw, Clarke3 hr
May 22, 10:58 AM CDTTornado WarningMOBClarke32 min
May 22, 12:00 PM CDTRip Current StatementMOBBaldwin, Mobile19 hr
May 22, 12:09 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningMOB35 min
May 22, 12:27 PM CDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatMOBBaldwin, Mobile9 hr
May 22, 12:30 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMOBMobile30 min
May 22, 12:31 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningMOBMobile5 hr
May 22, 12:55 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningMOBMobile5 hr
May 22, 1:11 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryMOBBaldwin3 hr
May 22, 1:11 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMOBBaldwin49 min
May 22, 1:30 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningMOBMobile5 hr
May 22, 1:35 PM CDTRiver Flood WarningMOBMobile23 hr
May 22, 2:26 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMOBMobile34 min
May 22, 3:05 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMOBCovington55 min
May 22, 3:46 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMOBCrenshaw29 min
May 22, 6:53 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningMOB67 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.