Heavy rains caused flooding in southwest Alabama.
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 MOB wrote it up.
Heavy rains caused flooding in southwest Alabama.
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 Mobile, AL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 20, 3:26 PM CST, 4 hours 4 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Mobile AL 426 PM CDT Sat May 20 2017 .NEAR TERM /Now Through Sunday/...Complicated weather pattern with periods of rain, heavy at times, possible but timing and location of heavier rainfall is difficult to pinpoint. Scattered showers and a few thunderstorms have been streaming northwest across the area today, and this general trend will continue tonight and into Sunday. PWAT's generally around 2 inches through the near term, so showers and storms likely to be efficient rain producers. Nearly all of the Hi-Res models (ARW's HRRR, 3KM NAM) indicate this scattered activity to continue into early this evening, then a larger more organized convective system move east into and across most of the forecast area mid evening through the overnight hours. With this some locally heavy rainfall will be possible overnight, but believe that a fairly progressive movement of the complex across our area will preclude the necessity of a Flash Flood Watch (FFA) for tonight. Local FFG indicates 1" hour and 5" three hour total for Flash Flooding, and for now we don't anticipate exceeding those amounts tonight, at least over a large area. However, some nuisance flooding of urban and/or poor drainage areas could be possible in locations where heavier rainbands may set up. Will have to monitor later data for the possibility of a FFA late tonight or tomorrow, perhaps even into the early part of next week. All of the Hi-Res models indicated above indicate that an outflow boundary associated with tonights convection may well move offshore and push greater chances for additional pcpn tomorrow offshore (or at least limit it to coastal and southeastern portions of the forecast area). If this occurs, pcpn coverage (and rainfall-QPF totals) could possibly be much lower over interior sections of the forecast area on Sunday than current forecast indicates. We will have to monitor for this potential. This uncertainty with regard to rainfall potential on Sunday, combined with the expected progressive movement of the system tonight mentioned above, gives further justification for holding off on the FFA at this time. Only a marginal risk of severe storms expected. Enough instability this afternoon (MLCAPE up to 2500 J/KG), but lacking in forcing with Bulk Shear generally no more than about 25 KNOTS and Wet Bulb Zero heights between 10-13 KFT. Breezy onshore southeast to south flow will continue to create a High Risk of rip currents along area Gulf Beaches. Low temperatures tonight mainly in the lower 70s. High temperatures on Sunday mainly in the lower 80s, but could be a few degrees cooler or warmer, depending on the precipitation coverage. 12/DS .SHORT TERM /Sunday night Through Tuesday night/...Rain continues to be the main story during the short term. The region remains between a broad upper level ridge east of the area and a broad upper level trough well off to our northwest. This upper level pattern remains relatively zonal through the short term. At the surface, the southwesterly to westerly winds will keep the doors wide open for increasing moisture as PWATs surge to 2+" at times in the short term period. Abundant moisture in combination with a stalled frontal boundary across the northern Gulf Coast and several upper level disturbances that move through the region in the short term, will result in widespread showers and storms. The best coverage of showers and storms appears to be overnight Monday into Tuesday as a shortwave quickly shifts east through the area. Uncertainty still exists with the exact timing, but heavy rain will be possible. Some storms will be capable of producing frequent lightning, heavy rain and gusty winds. Widespread severe weather is not anticipated. Additional rainfall amounts will range from nearly 2" inland to 3" across the southern portion of the area with locally higher amounts possible. This will likely result in minor flooding problems across the area and will need to be monitored closely. On Monday, temperatures may rebound into the mid to low 80s across the area if we see a break in the rain during the morning and early afternoon. Temperatures on Tuesday will struggle to reach 80 due to cloud cover and widespread rain across the region. Overnight temperatures will fall into the 60s inland each night with temperatures closer to 70 along the coastline. 07/MB .LONG TERM /Wednesday Through Saturday/...The broad upper level trough to the northwest of the region during the short term will dig south early in the long term then sweep across the area and up the northern seaboard late in the week. Another frontal passage is expected mid week, which will keep rain chances high through much of the day Wednesday before tapering off from west to east overnight. Scattered showers and storms will persist on Wednesday ahead of the next frontal passage. Some storms may produce frequent lightning, heavy rain and gusty winds. Widespread severe weather is not anticipated. In the wake of the front, cooler and drier air filters back into the region beginning Wednesday night. Overnight temperatures will fall into the 50s on both Thursday and Friday. Daytime temperatures will rebound behind the front as we approach the weekend. 07/MB && .MARINE...A surface ridge stretching west over the northern Gulf coast will weaken through the remainder of the weekend, but remain intact over area coastal waters into the early part of next week. A frontal boundary will drift south down toward the coast by late Monday into Tuesday, but likely remain just north of the marine area. A moderate onshore flow will continue through early Sunday and then gradually weaken late in the day into Sunday night. The front along the coast may move just offshore by Wednesday, bringing a moderate offshore flow for the latter half of the coming week. 12/DS && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Mobile 71 83 68 84 / 80 80 60 60 Pensacola 73 81 70 83 / 80 80 70 60 Destin 75 80 73 84 / 70 80 70 60 Evergreen 71 83 68 84 / 80 70 60 60 Waynesboro 70 80 66 83 / 70 80 40 50 Camden 70 81 67 82 / 80 70 60 40 Crestview 72 83 68 85 / 80 80 70 60 && .MOB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AL...High Rip Current Risk through Sunday evening for ALZ265-266. FL...High Rip Current Risk through Sunday evening for FLZ202-204-206. MS...None. GM...None. && This product is also available on the web at: http://weather.gov/mob
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Mobile AL 1144 AM CDT Sat May 20 2017 ALZ051>060-261>266-FLZ201>206-MSZ067-075-076-078-079-211645- Choctaw-Washington-Clarke-Wilcox-Monroe-Conecuh-Butler-Crenshaw- Escambia-Covington-Mobile Inland-Baldwin Inland-Mobile Central- Baldwin Central-Mobile Coastal-Baldwin Coastal-Escambia Inland- Escambia Coastal-Santa Rosa Inland-Santa Rosa Coastal- Okaloosa Inland-Okaloosa Coastal-Wayne-Perry-Greene-Stone-George- 1144 AM CDT Sat May 20 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of south central Alabama...southwest Alabama...northwest Florida and southeast Mississippi. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected across the region this afternoon and tonight. A few storms may become strong to severe this afternoon into this evening with damaging winds and small hail possible. The overall severe threat is low. Nuisance flooding is possible tonight, especially in those areas that see numerous storms. Moderate onshore winds and long period swell will combine to create a high risk of rip currents on area beaches through tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue across the area Sunday through Wednesday. Strong to possibly severe storms are again possible Sunday into Sunday night, with strong to damaging winds the primary threat. Small hail is also possible. With an extended period of rain lasting through Wednesday, an increasing possibility of nuisance flooding exists. Moderate onshore winds and long period swell will combine to create a high risk of rip currents on area beaches through Sunday. At least a moderate risk of rip currents will likely continue into mid week. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... GMZ630>635-650-655-670-675-211645- Northern Mobile Bay-Southern Mobile Bay-Mississippi Sound- Perdido Bay-Pensacola Bay System-Choctawhatchee Bay- Coastal waters from Pensacola FL to Pascagoula MS out 20 NM- Coastal waters from Destin to Pensacola FL out 20 NM- Waters from Pensacola FL to Pascagoula MS from 20 to 60 NM- Waters from Destin to Pensacola FL from 20 to 60 NM- 1144 AM CDT Sat May 20 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of the coastal waters of Alabama and northwest Florida. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight Small craft should exercise caution this afternoon and tonight, as moderate winds will frequently approach the 15 to 20 knot range. Choppy conditions on area bays and protected waters, seas offshore up to 4 or 5 feet. Winds and seas higher near the showers and storms. These conditions could be hazardous for small craft. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday A moderate flow continues over the marine area through Sunday, then subsides slightly through midweek, before increasing again late in the week. Conditions occasionally hazardous for small craft through Sunday.
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Mobile AL 627 PM CDT SAT MAY 20 2017 ALZ261>264-210015- Baldwin Central AL-Baldwin Inland AL-Mobile Central AL- Mobile Inland AL- 627 PM CDT SAT MAY 20 2017 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES...CENTRAL MOBILE AND WEST CENTRAL BALDWIN COUNTIES UNTIL 715 PM CDT... At 627 PM CDT, the strong thunderstorm was located over Prichard, moving north at 15 mph. Winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Midtown Mobile, Downtown Mobile, Prichard, Saraland, Chickasaw, Satsuma, Creola, Axis, I65 And I165 and I65 And AL 158. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle. && LAT...LON 3098 8819 3095 8789 3066 8799 3065 8814 TIME...MOT...LOC 2327Z 183DEG 12KT 3071 8807
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mobile AL
719 PM CDT SAT MAY 20 2017
ALZ261>263-210100-
Baldwin Inland AL-Mobile Central AL-Mobile Inland AL-
719 PM CDT SAT MAY 20 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES...
NORTHEASTERN MOBILE AND NORTHWESTERN BALDWIN COUNTIES UNTIL 800 PM
CDT...
At 719 PM CDT, the strong thunderstorm was located over Saraland,
moving northeast at 15 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph, numerous cloud to ground lightning strikes
and very heavy rain will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Prichard, Saraland, Chickasaw, Satsuma, Creola, Chunchula, Stockton,
Axis, I65 And I165, I65 And AL 158 and Movico.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3071 8818 3107 8823 3106 8781 3079 8795
3079 8796 3078 8797 3079 8799 3077 8799
3076 8798 3074 8798 3074 8800 3072 8800
3073 8799 3071 8799 3075 8797 3074 8796
3072 8797 3070 8795
TIME...MOT...LOC 0019Z 240DEG 11KT 3084 8808Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Mobile AL 746 PM CDT SAT MAY 20 2017 ALZ261-263-210130- Mobile Central AL-Mobile Inland AL- 746 PM CDT SAT MAY 20 2017 ...STRONG THUNDERSTORMs WILL AFFECT THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES... NORTHWESTERN MOBILE COUNTY UNTIL 830 PM CDT... At 744 PM CDT, strong thunderstorm was located from near Gulfcrest to Wilmer to Tanner Williams, moving east at 10 mph. Winds in excess of 40 mph, frequent cloud to ground lightning strikes and very heavy rain will be possible with these storms. Locations impacted include... Gulfcrest, Semmes, Tanner Williams, Mobile Regional Airport and Wilmer. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle. && LAT...LON 3062 8841 3105 8843 3107 8823 3061 8818 TIME...MOT...LOC 0044Z 253DEG 6KT 3085 8834
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mobile AL
809 PM CDT SAT MAY 20 2017
ALZ261-263>266-FLZ201-202-MSZ079-210200-
Mobile Coastal AL-Baldwin Coastal AL-Baldwin Central AL-
Mobile Central AL-Mobile Inland AL-Escambia Inland FL-
Escambia Coastal FL-George MS-
809 PM CDT SAT MAY 20 2017
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT THE FOLLOWING
COUNTIES...CENTRAL MOBILE...SOUTHERN BALDWIN...SOUTH CENTRAL ESCAMBIA
AND SOUTHEASTERN GEORGE COUNTIES UNTIL 900 PM CDT...
At 807 PM CDT, the strong thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from 7 miles east of Big Point to Chickasaw to near
Stockton,and moving south at 35 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph, frequent lightning and very heavy rain will
be possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Midtown Mobile, Downtown Mobile, Pensacola, Prichard, Daphne,
Tillmans Corner, Fairhope, Saraland, Gonzalez, Foley, Theodore,
Chickasaw, Spanish Fort, Robertsdale, Point Clear, Loxley, Lillian,
Stapleton, Summerdale and Silverhill.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3055 8841 3074 8841 3074 8846 3091 8845
3081 8798 3079 8799 3080 8793 3066 8727
3064 8724 3063 8726 3063 8724 3062 8726
3060 8725 3034 8739
TIME...MOT...LOC 0107Z 020DEG 30KT 3062 8837 3079 8806 3105 8784PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
811 PM CDT SAT MAY 20 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0745 PM FLASH FLOOD SARALAND 30.82N 88.07W
05/20/2017 MOBILE AL EMERGENCY MNGR
STREET FLOODING IN SARALAND, AL. POLICE HAVE BLOCKED OFF
SOME LOCAL ROADS.
&&
DJOHNSONSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Mobile AL 812 PM CDT SAT MAY 20 2017 ALZ052-053-055-056-059-261-262-264-FLZ201-203-210200- Clarke AL-Baldwin Central AL-Baldwin Inland AL-Monroe AL-Conecuh AL- Escambia AL-Washington AL-Mobile Inland AL-Escambia Inland FL- Santa Rosa Inland FL- 812 PM CDT SAT MAY 20 2017 ...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES...SOUTHWESTERN MONROE...NORTHEASTERN MOBILE...NORTHERN BALDWIN...SOUTHEASTERN WASHINGTON...SOUTH CENTRAL CLARKE...WESTERN ESCAMBIA...SOUTHWESTERN CONECUH...NORTHWESTERN SANTA ROSA AND NORTHWESTERN ESCAMBIA COUNTIES UNTIL 900 PM CDT... At 812 PM CDT, the strong thunderstorms were located along a line extending from 8 miles northeast of Bay Minette to near I65 And CR 1 to near I65 And AL 113,and moving east at 85 mph. Wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with these storms. Locations impacted include... Bay Minette, Atmore, Satsuma, Citronelle, Creola, Century, Flomaton, Chunchula, Stockton, McCullough, Gulfcrest, Axis, Uriah, Molino, Calvert, Mount Vernon, Repton, Bratt, I65 And CR 1 and I65 And AL 113. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle. && LAT...LON 3086 8821 3117 8833 3145 8721 3066 8725 TIME...MOT...LOC 0112Z 255DEG 76KT 3099 8769 3106 8752 3120 8736
The Mobile radar (KMOB), 23 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 01:30 UTC.
3 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Heavy rain caused street flooding around Saraland. Several roads were blocked off.
Heavy rain caused street flooding near Airport and University Blvd.
Heavy rain caused flooding on International Boulevard.
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, May 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: 702138, 702369, 703460.