Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Alabama, December 24 to 28, 2015

NWS meteorologists determined a tornado touched down just east of Comer and southwest of U. S. Highway 82. Several trees were snapped and uprooted along U. S. Highway 82. The tornado continued northeast, dissipating close to County Road 89 (Springhill Road), where only minor tree damage was noted. Special thanks to the Barbour County Emergency Management Agency for their assistance on the survey.

NWS meteorologists determined a weak tornado touched down just east of Hurricane Creek along County Road 44, snapping and uprooting several trees along the roadway and damaging two sheds. The tornado continued northeast, uprooting a couple of trees along State Highway 239. The tornado weakened further and dissipated near McCall Road, where only minor tree damage was noted. Special thanks to the Barbour County Emergency Management Agency for their assistance on the survey.

Widespread flash flooding occurred over the northwestwestern portions of Barbour County, generally along and west of a line from the town of Clio to Comer. Three to four inches of rainfall caused water to flow across roadways and creeks to rise above bank full. Numerous roads were closed.

Widespread flash flooding occurred over the eastern portions of Pike County, including the towns of Brundidge, Monticello, and Sandfield. Three to four inches of rainfall caused water to flow across roadways and creeks to rise above bank full. Numerous roads were closed.

Widespread flash flooding occurred over the southeast portions of Bullock County. Three to four inches of rainfall caused water to flow across roadways and creeks to rise above bank full. Several roads were closed, including a U.S. Highway 82 near the Barbour and Bullock county line. A sinkhole developed on Highway 29 south of the town of Perote, causing traffic to be re-routed.

Heavy rainfall moved over northern Randolph County resulting in flash flooding. Several roads were washed out, including County Road 210, and County Roads 208 and 4801. Highway 48 was flooded and impassable.

Heavy rainfall over several hours led to flash flooding in and near the town of Lannett. Flooding has produced a gas leak on Cherry Drive in Lannett. Highway 29 near the Chattahoochee River was closed along with several local streets.

Heavy rainfall over several hours during the morning hours led to flash flooding over the southeast portions of Russell County. Several people were trapped by high water on Lakeview Drive and required assistance from emergency personnel. Two hunters were also trapped by high waters near the town of Pittsview. Three to four homes flooded along Mill Creek due to rises along the Chattahoochee River.

Heavy rainfall over several hours led to flash flooding over the southern half of Montgomery County. Water was flowing across a bridge on Vaughn Road near Marler Road. Highway 331 was closed near the intersection of Grant Road.

Several trees uprooted and some windows were blown out just east of the town of Opelika.

Heavy rainfall led to flash flooding at Auburn University. Flooding was reported on East University Drive and on East Glen Avenue.

Heavy rainfall led to flash flooding and washed out a section of County Road 59. Seven to eight bridges have washed out.

Fourteen homes flooded within the city limits of Montgomery.

Measured 7.00 inches of rain since midnight.

Numerous flooded roads in the city of Prattville. A mud slide occurred on Gin Shop Hill Road.

Greater than six inches of water flowing over Tallassee Highway near Haynes Road.

Numerous reports of flooded roadways across the southeast portions of Shelby County. Roads flooded include Highway 47, Highway 45, County Road 47, Heritage Road and West College Street. Significant flooding in the city of Columbiana along Highway 28. Several persons trapped in their homes along County Road 77 near Horton Road.

Ten people were trapped on a cape on the Chattahoochee River due to river flooding. Three homes were destroyed.

Residual flooding from heavy rainfall that fell during the early morning hours of December 25th. Several roads still closed throughout the county with river flooding from the Coosa and Tallapoosa causing several of the road closures.

Water flowing across West Renfroe Road and impassable.

Heavy rainfall from intense thunderstorms dumped 5 to 7 inches of rain between 1030 CST and 1700 CST, producing widespread flash flooding across the western and northern portions of Marion County.

Numerous roads washed out including Highway 13, County Road 30, County Road 54, County Road 99 and Chickakee Road.

U.S. Highway 231 closed due to water over bridge at Warrior Creek.

NWS meteorologists determined a weak tornado touched down along Clements Road near Leeman Lane and continued northeast crossing Hagler Coaling Road, Wire Road and Dudley Road. The damage path was at its widest along Wire Road and Dudley Road. No damage was observed along Highway 11 farther to the northeast. The tornado is estimated to have lifted just northeast of Dudley Road, south of Upper Dudley Road. Only minor tree damage was observed along the path with approximately one dozen trees snapped or uprooted.

Several roads flooded across the northern portions of the county, including Highway 17 at River Road and Highway 278 in the towns of Sulligent and Beaverton.

Several roads flooded in the city of Oneonta.

NWS meteorologists determined a tornado touched down in the city of Midfield with a fairly brief, but wide damage path, with a core of concentrated significant damage. Initial damage was found near Cairo Avenue, where trees were toppled and snapped. This damage was rated at EF-1 intensity. The tornado then tracked northeast, where EF-2 damage occurred along Jefferson Avenue SW and Park Avenue SW, bounded by 50th Street to the south and 49th Street to the north. Here, residential homes were heavily damaged, with two homes flattened. Many trees were also snapped and uprooted. A rapid decline in intensity was observed as the tornado moved northeast, with EF-1 and EF-0 damage consisting of roof damage and snapped/uprooted trees stretching from Grasselli Avenue SW to Carver Avenue SW and 45th Street SW. There were a total of about 50 homes impacted, with approximately 15 that were uninhabitable.

Portions of Highway 79 flooded between the cities of Tarrant and Pinson. Multiple water rescues in the cities of Center Point and Pinson with numerous roads in the city of Center Point flooded. Nearly one foot of water covering Greathouse Road near Mill Creek.

Street flooding reported in the city of Hueytown. Multiple water rescues in the city of Prattville. Birmingport Road near Finland Avenue flooded. Numerous roads near downtown Birmingham flooded.

Highway 69 near Little Yellow Creek is washing out and impassable.

Numerous roads across the northern part of the county flooded.

State Road 273 closed at Daniels Chapel Bridge. Little River Canyon Creek has risen and overtopped the bridge.

Portions of Morgan Road flooded.

Intersection of Old Stagecoach Road and County Road 27 flooded.

Numerous roads flooded throughout the county. Several water rescues with made with vehicles stranded in high water.

Numerous roads flooded around the county, including Smith Lake Dam Road, State Road 69 near the town of Oakman and State Road 102 near County Road 63.

Residual flooding from heavy rain that fell during Christmas Day. Several roads and homes flooded from rising waters along the Sipsey Fork, Mulberry Fork, and the Blackwater Creek.

Residual flooding from heavy rain that fell on Christmas Day. The flooding was mainly due to rises on Weiss Lake and the Coosa River. Eleven people had to be rescued at a campground near the Coosa River.

Rises along the Alabama River resulted in five homes flooded.