During the overnight hours of August 9th into the wee hours of the morning of the 10th, two separate and significant flash flooding events occurred in Madison County. The overnight/early morning hours event occurred in Northern Madison County, affecting locations from Harvest to Hazel Green/Meridianville and eastward to New Market.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS HUN wrote it up.
During the overnight hours of August 9th into the wee hours of the morning of the 10th, two separate and significant flash flooding events occurred in Madison County. The overnight/early morning hours event occurred in Northern Madison County, affecting locations from Harvest to Hazel Green/Meridianville and eastward to New Market. Widespread rainfall totals of 7-8 inches occurred over the span of a few hours, leading to significant flash flooding, resulting in numerous roads closed and several vehicles inundated with water. The second Flash Flooding event took place that evening over the city of Huntsville, specifically along Highway 431 in eastern Madison County, from California Street near Governors drive eastward along Hwy 431 to Hampton Cove. This mainly was exacerbated both by rainfall rates and enhanced runoff processes due to terrain (Monte Sano Mountain). Numerous roads were closed as well, with one river gage (DUGA1) measuring nearly 4 of rainfall in one hour.
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 Huntsville, AL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Aug 10, 3:17 AM CST, 28 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Huntsville AL 417 AM CDT Thu Aug 10 2017 .NEAR TERM...(Today) Issued at 417 AM CDT Thu Aug 10 2017 A passing upper level disturbance has resulted in the redevelopment of overnight showers and thunderstorms, mainly to the north and east of the greater Huntsville area. Non-operational GOES-16 indicated cloud top temperatures down to -60C along the Madison/Jackson county line before 2 AM. The area of convection appears to be situated along/near a boundary. Locally heavy rains were noted under this complex, with radar and MRMS indicating 2-4" of rainfall in that area (near Owens Crossroads and Paint Rock). Another area of concern was another area of heavy rain moving across the central Limestone and Madison county line. Short term model output, mainly the HRRR and RAP suggest this particular complex should be north and east of the area before daybreak. The above noted boundary should be north of the region as a warm front, bringing deeper moisture across the Tennessee Valley. Those models, as well as the NAM, GFS, ECMWF, Canadian all suggest that after a temporary lull in rainfall this morning, business should pick up this afternoon as more showers and thunderstorms redevelop - mainly from instability caused by daytime heating and another upper level system nearing from the west. Went with likely rain chances this afternoon given a greater expected coverage of showers. Big picture rainfall amounts should range from a few tenths of an inch, upwards to maybe an inch or two in spots. With generally overall "dry" soils, held off on a Flash Flood Watch for today. With some sun expected, high temperatures this afternoon should range from the lower 80s east to mid 80s west. .SHORT TERM...(Tonight through Saturday) Issued at 417 AM CDT Thu Aug 10 2017 Shower activity per the models trends on a downward side after sunset this evening. Muggy night lows only in the lower 70s are expected. Almost a repeat performance weather wise is expected on Friday, with more widespread showers and thunderstorms possible. Somewhat stronger shear, with already high instability could lead to some storms becoming strong in the afternoon, with gusty winds to 50 mph, locally heavy rainfall and frequent lightning. Storm activity should wind down again Friday night with a loss of daytime heating. High temps before the showers commence should rise into the mid 80s east to upper 80s west. For Saturday, stayed with similar thinking, with the higher rain chances during the afternoon as should be the case today and on Friday. Flooding could become an issue during the short term, especially if areas are impacted by heavy rain events. Large scale rainfall across the area into Saturday should range in the 0.5 to 1.5 inch range, but of course locally higher amounts are always possible. .LONG TERM...(Saturday night through Wednesday) Issued at 417 AM CDT Thu Aug 10 2017 Generally unsettled wx will continue into this portion of the forecast period, as another weak frontal boundary approaches the cntrl TN Valley from the NW. Latter half of the global models suggest this next front stalling invof the mid TN Valley during the second half of the weekend period. With a broad upper trough axis xpcted to remain in place over much of the ern CONUS coupled with a persistent moisture surge along/S of the stalled boundary, showers/tstms should easily continue into the new work week. Weak embedded upper impulses traversing ewd over much of the region should also provide an extra focus mech for convective development. Given a fairly high moisture column and broad upper forcing along the lingering frontal boundary, multiple waves of mod/heavy rainfall/tstms impacting the same areas may result in a localized flooding threat thru at least Tue. Latter half of the models are then hinting at the front dropping further to the S around mid week, as a strong area of high pressure builds ewd into the Midwest/OH Valley states. If this scenario develops, this may bring an end to the wet pattern affecting the local area near the end of the forecast period. In any case, given the rainfall/unsettled wx, afternoon highs are xpcted to continue trending slightly below normal for this time of the yr, or more in the mid/upper 80s well into next week. && .AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Thursday night) Issued at 1242 AM CDT Thu Aug 10 2017 Overnight, weak upper level disturbances will track in a SW-NE manner across the region. These will bring and/or enhance overnight convection (mostly showers). KMSL for the most part should remain just NW of these systems, while KHSV will be closer to them. As such, reductions to MVFR 2000-3000' AGL CIGs and 4-5SM VIS reductions in the shower activity. Brief reductions to IFR or lower will occur within the heaviest showers, along with occasional lightning. Deeper moisture and more instability will be present during Thu, with widespread showers and thunderstorms, especially in the afternoon and early evening. Overall, VFR weather is expected, however TEMPO CIGs to 2000-3000' AGL and/or 3-5SM VIS reductions will accompany the showers. Even lower VIS/CIG values and gusty winds are possible in the heavier showers and/or storms. && .HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AL...NONE. TN...NONE. && NEAR TERM...RSB SHORT TERM...RSB LONG TERM...09 AVIATION...RSB For more information please visit our website at weather.gov/huntsville.
Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED National Weather Service Huntsville AL 921 PM CDT Wed Aug 9 2017 ALZ001>010-016-TNZ076-096-097-101730- Lauderdale-Colbert-Franklin AL-Lawrence-Limestone-Madison-Morgan- Marshall-Jackson-De Kalb-Cullman-Moore-Lincoln-Franklin TN- 921 PM CDT Wed Aug 9 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north Alabama and portions of southern middle Tennessee. .DAY ONE...Tonight... Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms are expected to continue through the overnight, favoring areas near and south of the Tennessee River. Locally heavy rainfall may lead to some minor flooding issues in areas were training occurs. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday... Rain chances will continue each day this weekend and early next week. A frontal boundary will return northward on Thursday, bringing more numerous thunderstorms, mainly on areas east of the Interstate 65 corridor. Numerous thunderstorms are also possible during Sunday, as passing upper level disturbances interact in an unstable and very moist atmosphere. Locally heavy rainfall, gusty winds and frequent lightning will be possible in the stronger storms. .SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT... Activation of storm spotters and emergency management personnel is not anticipated at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
153 AM CDT THU AUG 10 2017
ALZ006-009-100715-
Madison AL-Jackson AL-
153 AM CDT THU AUG 10 2017
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WEST CENTRAL JACKSON AND
SOUTHEASTERN MADISON COUNTIES UNTIL 215 AM CDT...
At 152 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Gurley, or 14 miles southeast of Huntsville, moving northeast at 20
mph.
Pea size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Owens Cross Roads, Gurley, Woodville, Paint Rock, Lim Rock, Garth,
Trenton and Hampton Cove.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Very heavy rainfall is occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is also occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike several miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a
safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3462 8612 3460 8618 3460 8631 3459 8630
3458 8630 3457 8633 3456 8631 3455 8631
3452 8640 3461 8649 3481 8629
TIME...MOT...LOC 0652Z 230DEG 17KT 3463 8636
09Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
218 AM CDT THU AUG 10 2017
ALZ006-009-100815-
Madison AL-Jackson AL-
218 AM CDT THU AUG 10 2017
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN JACKSON AND
SOUTHEASTERN MADISON COUNTIES UNTIL 315 AM CDT...
At 217 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Woodville, or 16 miles southeast of Huntsville, moving northeast at
10 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and locally heavy downpours will be
possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Owens Cross Roads, Gurley, Woodville, Pleasant Groves, Paint Rock,
Lim Rock, Garth, Trenton and Hampton Cove.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Strong gusty winds will be capable of knocking down small tree limbs
along with other small unsecured items. Seek safe shelter until this
storm has passed.
Very heavy rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3460 8609 3458 8615 3460 8616 3460 8631
3458 8630 3457 8633 3456 8631 3454 8631
3452 8640 3463 8648 3481 8623
TIME...MOT...LOC 0717Z 240DEG 7KT 3463 8633
09PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
305 AM CDT THU AUG 10 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0255 AM FLOOD 1 NNE OWENS CROSSROADS 34.60N 86.45W
08/10/2017 MADISON AL EMERGENCY MNGR
NORTH AND SOUTH BOUND LANES OF HIGHWAY 431
AT CAVE SPRING RD CLOSED DUE TO WATER
COVERING THE ROAD.
&&The Northeast Alabama radar (KHTX), 59 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 09:45 UTC.
21 flash flood, 5 flood, 2 heavy rain. Local standard time, as filed.
The intersection of Harvest Road and Highway 53 is impassable due to flowing water.
Water covering the road at the intersection of Wall Triana Highway and Ford Chapel Road in Harvest.
McKee Road just south of Toney Road is impassable due to flowing water.
The intersection of Pulaski Pike and Toney Road is considered impassable due to flowing water.
The intersection of Grimwood Road and Jack Thomas is considered impassable due fast flowing water.
The intersection of Grimwood Road and Cherry Drive is considered impassable due to fast flowing water.
Billy D Harbin Road at Walker Lane closed. Part of roadway washed out.
The intersection of Old Railroad Bed Road and Dan Crutcher Road is considered impassable due to flowing water.
Reports of flooding along Murphy Hill Road and the Whitt Haven Subdivision. Report relayed by public and social media.
Media relayed report of flooding near Lynn Fanning Elementary School.
Media relayed social media report of flooding along West Limestone Road near Hazel Green.
Flooding was occurring on Moores Mill Road at Jacobs Farm Road along the Briar Fork of the Flint River.
Event total near the corner of Old Highway 431 and Brockway Road.
Event total at Owens Crossroads Volunteer Fire Dept.
The parking lot at Columbia High School flooded. Several cars were partially submerged. Report relayed by Social Media.
Huntsville Police reporting that part of the road was washing away on Highway 431 Southbound just South of Dug Hill Road with water overtopping the retaining wall.
Water flowing over Homer Nance Road at the curve near Jordan Road where a tributary flows into Chase Creek. Report relayed by social media.
Houses flooded on Cove Creek Drive.
Flood waters up to car doors on Giles Road.
Three feet of flood waters reported on Cabaniss Road.
Flood waters in a residence near Lee High School on Belle Meade Drive.
Flash flooding occurring on Oakwood Avenue at Oak Park along Dallas Branch.
Barricades being installed on Saundralane Drive due to flash flooding.
HPD reports a vehicle underwater at 4320 University Drive. 2-3 adjacent apartments are also experiencing flood water.
Video indicates flowing flash flood water on Oakwood Avenue at Stapp Drive.
North and South bound lanes of Highway 431 at Cave Spring Road closed due to water covering the road.
Flood water up to the hood of a car on Wakefield Drive at Pettus Drive.
Flash flooding on Hermitage Avenue at Locust Street with a portable toilet flowing down the street with the flood waters.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Alabama in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in Alabama, August 2017
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: 718158, 718394, 718160, 718163, 718164, 718165, 718402, 718180, 718181, 718185, 718303, 718401, 718405, 718406, 718403, 718305, 718306, 718307, 718309, 718310, 718311, 718312, 718313, 718314, 718389, 718393, 718390, 718392.