Flash Flooding in Alabama, January 7, 1998

Name: Flash Flooding in Alabama, January 7, 1998
Start: 1998-01-07T09:30
End: 1998-01-07T14:00
Location: Alabama

January 7, 1998 · NWS BMX · 50 events in 50 counties and zones

A strong low pressure system move over Alabama from the Gulf of Mexico, bringing heavy rain to the state. Rivers, creeks and ditches were all out of their banks.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 50 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 1
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $1.5 million
Crop damage: $250,000
Events: 50

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS BMX wrote it up.

A strong low pressure system move over Alabama from the Gulf of Mexico, bringing heavy rain to the state. Rivers, creeks and ditches were all out of their banks. Numerous streets were closed due to water over the road. Bridges were washed out in Cullman, Etowah, and Marshall counties. A five year old girl was killed in Shelby county when she was playing in a storm drain and was sucked in and couldn't get out. There were numerous traffic accidents due to wet roads and several motorist were stranded on top of there cars while trying to cross flooded roads. The following counties were affected by the flooding. Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Limestone, Lawrence, Morgan, Madison, Jackson, Marshall, DeKalb, Marion, Winston, Cullman, Blount, Etowah, Lamar, Fayette, Walker, Jefferson, St. Clair, Pickens, Tuscaloosa, Bibb, Shelby, Sumter, Greene, Hale, Perry, Chilton, Coosa, Marengo, Dallas, Autauga, Lowndes, Montgomery, Cherokee, Calhoun, Cleburne, Talladega, Clay, Randolph, Tallapoosa, Chambers, Lee, Elmore, Macon, Russell, Bullock, Barbour, and Pike. Every county received over two inches with several counties receiving over six inches. F005 A few of the higher rainfall totals were: Blount Co 8.25" Tuscaloosa Co 6.48" Lamar Co 6.42" Jefferson Co 6.42" Pickens Co 6.27" Marshall Co 6.16"

The radar

The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 72 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 15:32 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

50 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Flash Flood, Autauga

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Autauga County, Countywide
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 32.535, -86.643 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Barbour

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Barbour County, Countywide
Property damage: $35,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 31.870, -85.393 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Bibb

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Bibb County, Countywide
Property damage: $30,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 32.999, -87.126 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Blount

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Blount County, Countywide
Property damage: $50,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 33.981, -86.567 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Bullock

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Bullock County, Countywide
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 32.100, -85.716 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Calhoun

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Calhoun County, Countywide
Property damage: $30,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 33.771, -85.826 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Chambers

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Chambers County, Countywide
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 32.914, -85.392 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Cherokee

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Cherokee County, Countywide
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 34.176, -85.604 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Chilton

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Chilton County, Countywide
Property damage: $30,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 32.848, -86.719 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Clay

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Clay County, Countywide
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 33.269, -85.861 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Cleburne

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Cleburne County, Countywide
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 33.675, -85.519 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Colbert

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Colbert County, Countywide
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 34.700, -87.805 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Coosa

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Coosa County, Countywide
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 32.936, -86.248 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Cullman

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Cullman County, Countywide
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 34.132, -86.868 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Dallas

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Dallas County, Countywide
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 32.326, -87.106 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Dekalb

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Dekalb County, Countywide
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 34.460, -85.804 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Elmore

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Elmore County, Countywide
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 32.597, -86.149 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Etowah

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Etowah County, Countywide
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 34.045, -86.035 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Fayette

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Fayette County, Countywide
Property damage: $30,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 33.721, -87.739 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Franklin

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Franklin County, Countywide
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 34.442, -87.844 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Greene

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Greene County, Countywide
Property damage: $30,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 32.853, -87.952 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Hale

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Hale County, Countywide
Property damage: $30,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 32.763, -87.629 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Jackson

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Jackson County, Countywide
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 34.779, -85.999 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Jefferson

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, Countywide
Property damage: $40,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 33.554, -86.896 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Lamar

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Lamar County, Countywide
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 33.779, -88.097 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Lauderdale

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Lauderdale County, Countywide
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 34.901, -87.654 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Lawrence

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Lawrence County, Countywide
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 34.522, -87.311 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Lee

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Lee County, Countywide
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 32.601, -85.356 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Limestone

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Limestone County, Countywide
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 34.810, -86.981 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Lowndes

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Lowndes County, Countywide
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 32.155, -86.650 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Macon

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Macon County, Countywide
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 32.386, -85.693 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Madison

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Madison County, Countywide
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 34.763, -86.550 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Marengo

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Marengo County, Countywide
Property damage: $30,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 32.248, -87.789 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Marion

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Marion County, Countywide
Property damage: $35,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 34.137, -87.887 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Marshall

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Marshall County, Countywide
Property damage: $50,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 34.367, -86.307 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Montgomery

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Montgomery County, Countywide
Property damage: $30,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 32.220, -86.208 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Morgan

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Morgan County, Countywide
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 34.454, -86.853 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Perry

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Perry County, Countywide
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 32.639, -87.294 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Pickens

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Pickens County, Countywide
Property damage: $50,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 33.281, -88.089 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Pike

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Pike County, Countywide
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 31.803, -85.941 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Randolph

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Randolph County, Countywide
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 33.294, -85.459 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Russell

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Russell County, Countywide
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 32.288, -85.185 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Shelby

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Shelby County, Countywide
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $35,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 33.264, -86.661 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, St. Clair

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: St. Clair County, Countywide
Property damage: $30,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 33.716, -86.315 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Sumter

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Sumter County, Countywide
Property damage: $30,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 32.591, -88.199 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Talladega

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Talladega County, Countywide
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 33.380, -86.166 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Tallapoosa

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Tallapoosa County, Countywide
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 32.862, -85.797 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Tuscaloosa

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Tuscaloosa County, Countywide
Property damage: $60,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 33.290, -87.525 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Walker

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Walker County, Countywide
Property damage: $30,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 33.803, -87.297 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Winston

When: January 7, 9:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Winston County, Countywide
Property damage: $30,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 34.149, -87.374 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

Event	Date	Age	Sex	Where	Kind
Flash Flood, Shelby	1998-01-07	5	Female	Outside/Open Areas	Direct

What these are

Flash Flood: Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Alabama in 1998 Every state in 1998 This day in weather history Warnings in Alabama, January 1998

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5628422, 5628423, 5628424, 5628425, 5628426, 5628427, 5628428, 5628429, 5628430, 5628431, 5628432, 5628433, 5628434, 5628435, 5628436, 5628437, 5628438, 5628439, 5628440, 5628441, 5628442, 5628443, 5628444, 5628445, 5628446, 5628447, 5628448, 5628449, 5628548, 5628549, 5628550, 5628551, 5628552, 5628553, 5628554, 5628555, 5628556, 5628557, 5628558, 5628559, and more.