Flooding and Tropical Depression in Alabama, November 9 to 11, 2009

Name: Flooding and Tropical Depression in Alabama, November 9 to 11, 2009
Start: 2009-11-09T14:00
End: 2009-11-11T03:00
Location: Alabama

November 9 to 11, 2009 · NWS BMX · 39 events in 34 counties and zones

The remnants of what was at one time Hurricane Ida brought very heavy rain and gusty winds to a large portion of Central Alabama.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 34 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: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $98,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 39

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.

The remnants of what was at one time Hurricane Ida brought very heavy rain and gusty winds to a large portion of Central Alabama.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, 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 the first event at Nov 9, 12:06 PM CST, 1 hour 54 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Nov 9, 12:06 PM CST, 1 hour 54 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
1206 PM CST MON NOV 9 2009

.UPDATE...MORNING...AVIATION AND ADVISORY UPDATES.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

CLOUD COVER SHOULD BECOME MORE DENSE AND LOWER THROUGH THE AFTERNOON
AS TROPICAL STORM IDA CONTINUES NORTHWARD. RAIN HAS NOW MOVED
INLAND...SPREADING NORTHWARD ACROSS THE INTERSTATE 10 CORRIDOR AND
APPROACHING PORTIONS OF INTERSTATE 65...SOUTH OF GREENVILLE.

LOCALLY...GETTING SCATTERED WIND GUST REPORTS UP TO 18 KTS...AND
SHOULD SEE THOSE BECOME MORE WIDESPREAD AS THE PRESSURE GRADIENT
TIGHTENS THROUGH THE AFTERNOON. MADE CHANGES TO TODAY AND TONIGHTS
FORECAST TO REFLECT CURRENT EXPECTED PROGRESSION OF IDA. LIGHT RAIN
SHOULD MOVE INTO THE SOUTHERN TIER OF COUNTIES OVER THE NEXT HOUR OR
SO...SPREADING NORTHWARD THROUGH THE AFTERNOON. HEAVIER RAIN IS
EXPECTED TO MOVE INTO THE SOUTHERN PORTIONS OF THE AREA AFTER 6PM.

TEMPERATURES THIS AFTERNOON WILL REMAIN IN THE UPPER 60S TO LOWER
70S. GENERALLY TEMPERATURES OVERNIGHT WILL BE STEADY IN THE 60S.

14

&&

.AVIATION...18Z TAF DISCUSSION.

WIND RAIN AND LOW CEILINGS ASSOCIATED WITH HURRICANE IDA WILL BEGIN
TO IMPACT MGM AND TOI BY MID AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING. INCREASING
WIND SPEEDS WILL BE THE FIRST SIGN OF DETERIORATING WEATHER
CONDITIONS. GETTING SCATTERED WIND GUSTS AROUND 18 KTS CURRENTLY
AS THE PRESSURE GRADIENT TIGHTENS AHEAD OF THE APPROACHING SYSTEM.
EXPECT GUSTS TO BECOME MORE WIDESPREAD THROUGH THE AFTERNOON...UP TO
16-20 KTS. PREVAILING WIND DIRECTION WILL BE FROM THE EAST AT ALL
SITES OVER THE NEXT 24 HOURS. OVERNIGHT...SPEEDS WILL CONTINUE TO
INCREASE...SUSTAINED BETWEEN 15 AND 20 KNOTS AT ALL SITES.  MGM AND
TOI COULD SEE SUSTAINED SPEEDS EVEN HIGHER WITH GUSTS IN EXCESS OF
30 KNOTS AFTER 03Z.

LIGHT RAIN WILL BEGIN MOVING NORTHWARD ACROSS THE SOUTHERN TERMINALS
BY 21-22Z...AND SPREAD NORTHWARD THROUGH THE EVENING TO ALL SITES.
HEAVIER RAINFALL WILL LIKELY REDUCE VISIBILITY TO AT LEAST MVFR
CONDITIONS AS EARLY AS 0300Z AT MGM AND TOI...AND AFTER 5Z
ELSEWHERE.

CEILINGS WILL REMAIN AT VFR ACROSS NORTHERN TERMINALS...DROPPING TO
MVFR WITH THE ARRIVAL OF LIGHT RAINFALL. SHOULD START SEEING SCT TO
BKN MVFR CEILINGS AT MGM AND TOI OVER THE NEXT COUPLE
HOURS...BECOMING MORE DENSE THROUGH THE AFTERNOON. WITH THE ARRIVAL
OF HEAVIER RAINFALL AT EACH TERMINAL EXPECT LOWERING OF CEILINGS.
ALTHOUGH...HEIGHTS ARE NOT EXPECTED TO DROP BELOW MVFR CONDITIONS
THROUGH THE PERIOD.

MODERATE TO HEAVY RAINFALL AND GUSTY WINDS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH
MUCH OF TOMORROW...WITH WINDS SLOWLY DIMINISHING AND RAIN ENDING
TUESDAY NIGHT.

14

&&

.BMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...

FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM MONDAY THROUGH 6 PM TUESDAY FOR ALL
OF CENTRAL ALABAMA.

LAKE WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM MONDAY FOR ALL OF CENTRAL
ALABAMA.

WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM MONDAY THROUGH 6 PM TUESDAY FOR
ALL OF CENTRAL ALABAMA.
&&

Hazardous weather outlook, Nov 9, 1:49 PM CST, 11 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
149 PM CST MON NOV 9 2009

ALZ011>015-017>050-101230-
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-
149 PM CST MON NOV 9 2009

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR THE COUNTIES SERVED BY THE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE IN BIRMINGHAM.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT.

MODERATE TO OCCASIONALLY HEAVY RAIN WILL OVERSPREAD CENTRAL ALABAMA
TONIGHT AND LAST THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT. RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 3
TO 6 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE. LOCALIZED HEAVIER RAIN RATES...IN A SHORT
PERIOD OF TIME...MAY PRODUCE SOME FLASH FLOODING. EVEN WITHOUT
HEAVIER RAINS...THE MODERATE RAIN DURATION OF SEVERAL HOURS MAY
EVENTUALLY ADD UP TO SOME AREAL FLOODING CONCERNS. AT THIS
TIME...THE HIGHEST RAIN TOTALS ARE EXPECTED ALONG AND SOUTH OF
INTERSTATE 59.

EASTERLY WINDS WILL GRADUALLY INCREASE THIS AFTERNOON AND THIS
EVENING...WITH WINDY CONDITIONS EXPECTED TONIGHT INTO TUESDAY.
SUSTAINED WINDS WILL BE BETWEEN 15 AND 25 MPH WITH A FEW GUSTS UP
TO 40 MPH POSSIBLE.

WHILE THE THREAT OF A SHORT-LIVED RAIN BAND TORNADO IS NOT ZERO...
WE BELIEVE THE THREAT IS VERY VERY LOW THROUGH THE ENTIRE DURATION OF
THE EVENT.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY.

MODERATE TO HEAVY RAINFALL AND STRONG GUSTY WINDS WILL CONTINUE
THROUGH TUESDAY EVENING.

BREEZY CONDITIONS ARE ALSO EXPECTED ON WEDNESDAY IN THE WAKE OF IDA.
NORTHERLY WINDS OF 10 TO 20 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS MAY BE EXPERIENCED
AREA WIDE.

MINOR RIVER FLOODING IS POSSIBLE ON WEDNESDAY AND WILL BE HIGHLY
DEPENDENT ON THE BASIN AVERAGE RAIN AMOUNTS.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

ACTIVATION OF STORM SPOTTERS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL MAY
BECOME NECESSARY MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT.

75

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

34 tropical depression, 5 flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Tropical Depression, Autauga

When: November 9, 2:00 PM CST to November 11, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Autauga forecast zone
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 32.535, -86.643 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The effects of what was once Hurricane Ida, but had weakened into a Tropical Depression, were felt as early as Monday afternoon, November 9, in Pike, Barbour and Montgomery Counties, as light rain began falling around 2 pm. The rain continued to move northward and intensified Monday night and into the day on Tuesday, November 10. Rains continued across Central Alabama through Tuesday evening. By the time the last area of rain exited Cherokee and Cleburne Counties after midnight on Wednesday, November 11, nearly everyone across Central Alabama had seen at least 3 inches of rain. The highest storm total rainfall of 9.83 inches was reported just south of Opelika. Daily rainfall records were set on November 11 at Anniston (3.51 inches), Birmingham (4.01 inches), Montgomery (2.33 inches), and Tuscaloosa (2.89 inches).

Sustained winds around Central Alabama maxed out between 20 and 30 mph, with peak wind gusts generally between 30 and 40 mph. These winds blew down a few trees around the area, especially shallow rooted trees where the saturated soil likely played a significant role.

Tropical Depression, Barbour

When: November 9, 2:00 PM CST to November 11, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Barbour forecast zone
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 31.870, -85.393 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Depression, Bibb

When: November 9, 2:00 PM CST to November 11, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Bibb forecast zone
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 32.999, -87.126 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Depression, Blount

When: November 9, 2:00 PM CST to November 11, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Blount forecast zone
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 33.981, -86.567 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Depression, Bullock

When: November 9, 2:00 PM CST to November 11, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Bullock forecast zone
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 32.100, -85.716 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Depression, Calhoun

When: November 9, 2:00 PM CST to November 11, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Calhoun forecast zone
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 33.771, -85.826 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Depression, Chambers

When: November 9, 2:00 PM CST to November 11, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Chambers forecast zone
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 32.914, -85.392 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Depression, Cherokee

When: November 9, 2:00 PM CST to November 11, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Cherokee forecast zone
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 34.176, -85.604 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Depression, Chilton

When: November 9, 2:00 PM CST to November 11, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Chilton forecast zone
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 32.848, -86.719 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Depression, Clay

When: November 9, 2:00 PM CST to November 11, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Clay forecast zone
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 33.269, -85.861 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Depression, Cleburne

When: November 9, 2:00 PM CST to November 11, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Cleburne forecast zone
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 33.675, -85.519 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Depression, Coosa

When: November 9, 2:00 PM CST to November 11, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Coosa forecast zone
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 32.936, -86.248 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Depression, Dallas

When: November 9, 2:00 PM CST to November 11, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Dallas forecast zone
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 32.326, -87.106 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Depression, Elmore

When: November 9, 2:00 PM CST to November 11, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Elmore forecast zone
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 32.597, -86.149 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Depression, Etowah

When: November 9, 2:00 PM CST to November 11, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Etowah forecast zone
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 34.045, -86.035 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Depression, Greene

When: November 9, 2:00 PM CST to November 11, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Greene forecast zone
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 32.853, -87.952 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Depression, Hale

When: November 9, 2:00 PM CST to November 11, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Hale forecast zone
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 32.763, -87.629 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Depression, Jefferson

When: November 9, 2:00 PM CST to November 11, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Jefferson forecast zone
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 33.554, -86.896 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Depression, Lee

When: November 9, 2:00 PM CST to November 11, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Lee forecast zone
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 32.601, -85.356 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Depression, Lowndes

When: November 9, 2:00 PM CST to November 11, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Lowndes forecast zone
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 32.155, -86.650 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Depression, Macon

When: November 9, 2:00 PM CST to November 11, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Macon forecast zone
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 32.386, -85.693 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Depression, Montgomery

When: November 9, 2:00 PM CST to November 11, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Montgomery forecast zone
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 32.220, -86.208 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Depression, Perry

When: November 9, 2:00 PM CST to November 11, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Perry forecast zone
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 32.639, -87.294 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Depression, Pike

When: November 9, 2:00 PM CST to November 11, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Pike forecast zone
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 31.803, -85.941 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Depression, Randolph

When: November 9, 2:00 PM CST to November 11, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Randolph forecast zone
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 33.294, -85.459 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Depression, Russell

When: November 9, 2:00 PM CST to November 11, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Russell forecast zone
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 32.288, -85.185 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Depression, Shelby

When: November 9, 2:00 PM CST to November 11, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Shelby forecast zone
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 33.264, -86.661 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Depression, St. Clair

When: November 9, 2:00 PM CST to November 11, 3:00 AM CST
Where: St. Clair forecast zone
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 33.716, -86.315 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Depression, Sumter

When: November 9, 2:00 PM CST to November 11, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Sumter forecast zone
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 32.591, -88.199 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Depression, Talladega

When: November 9, 2:00 PM CST to November 11, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Talladega forecast zone
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 33.380, -86.166 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Depression, Tallapoosa

When: November 9, 2:00 PM CST to November 11, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Tallapoosa forecast zone
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 32.862, -85.797 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Depression, Tuscaloosa

When: November 9, 2:00 PM CST to November 11, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Tuscaloosa forecast zone
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 33.290, -87.525 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Depression, Walker

When: November 9, 2:00 PM CST to November 11, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Walker forecast zone
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 33.803, -87.297 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Depression, Marengo

When: November 9, 2:00 PM CST to November 11, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Marengo forecast zone
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 32.248, -87.789 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Lowndes

When: November 10, 6:00 AM CST to 11:00 AM CST
Where: Lowndes County, 0.8 mi SE of Mt Willing to 1.23 mi SE of Mt Willing
Cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 32.060, -86.712

Heavy rain associated with the remnants of Tropical Depression Ida flooded several roads in the Mount Willing community. Flood waters also entered 3 mobile homes, requiring evacuation.

Flood, Lee

When: November 10, 12:00 PM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Lee County, 2.15 mi SSW of Auburn to 1.65 mi S of North Auburn
Cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 32.590, -85.480

Heavy rainfall from the remnants of Tropical Storm Ida caused several county roads across Lee County to become temporarily closed.

Flood, Etowah

When: November 10, 6:00 PM CST to 11:00 PM CST
Where: Etowah County, 1.1 mi N of East Gasden to 0.31 mi N of Gadsden
Cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.016, -85.998

Heavy rain associated with the remnants of Tropical Storm Ida caused several roads to become flooded in and around the city of Gadsden, leading to their temporary closure.

Flood, Calhoun

When: November 10, 7:00 PM CST to 11:00 PM CST
Where: Calhoun County, 1.34 mi ESE of Blue Mtn to 0.78 mi SSW of Saks
Cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 33.660, -85.810

Heavy rainfall associated with the remnants of Tropical Storm Ida caused several roads around the cities of Anniston and Saks to become flooded and were temporarily closed. A 3 block area in downtown Anniston was, at one point, under 2.5 feet of water.

Flood, Talladega

When: November 10, 8:00 PM CST to 10:00 PM CST
Where: Talladega County, 0.41 mi NNE of Childersburg to 0.39 mi W of Childersburg
Cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 33.275, -86.367

Heavy rainfall associated with the remnants of Tropical Storm Ida caused a portion of Childersburg-Fayetteville Highway to become flooded and temporarily closed.

What these are

Tropical Depression: A tropical cyclone with sustained winds below 34 knots.
Flood: Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Alabama in 2009 Every state in 2009 This day in weather history Warnings in Alabama, November 2009 The 2009 hurricane season

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: 203655, 203722, 203723, 203724, 203725, 203726, 203727, 203729, 203730, 203731, 203732, 203733, 203734, 203735, 203736, 203737, 203738, 203739, 203740, 203741, 203743, 203744, 203745, 203746, 203747, 203748, 203749, 203750, 203751, 203752, 203754, 203755, 203756, 203758, 203668, 203669, 203670, 203675, 203672.