Weather: Birmingham

Hurricane Isaias will continue to move towards the Northern Gulf Coast, making landfall this evening. Winds will gust as high as 50 to 60+ mph late tonight through Saturday, resulting in the potential for widespread downed trees and power lines. Rainfall amounts of 1.5 to 4 inches with locally higher amounts up to 5 inches will result in the potential for flash flooding, especially in urban and other poor drainage areas. Isolated tornadoes may develop across portions of Central Alabama, mainly east of Interstate 65. Eastern portions of the state are in a Marginal (Level 1 of 5) severe risk to account for this activity.

WIND: LATEST LOCAL FORECAST

Peak Wind Forecast: 30-40 mph with gusts to 60 mph

WIND: THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY

The wind threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. PLAN: Plan for hazardous wind of equivalent tropical storm force. PREPARE: Remaining efforts to protect property should be completed as soon as possible. Prepare for limited wind damage. ACT: Move to safe shelter before the wind becomes hazardous.

WIND: POTENTIAL IMPACTS

Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile and manufactured homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about. Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted, especially weaker trees. Some fences and roadway signs blown over. A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways. Scattered power and communications outages.

FLOODING RAIN: LATEST LOCAL FORECAST

Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 2-4 inches, with locally higher amounts

FLOODING RAIN: THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY

The flooding rain threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for moderate flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues are possible. PREPARE: Consider protective actions if you are in an area vulnerable to flooding. ACT: Heed any flood watches and warnings. Failure to take action may result in serious injury or loss of life.

FLOODING RAIN: POTENTIAL IMPACTS

Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and rescues. Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, and ditches overflow. Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations. Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures.

TORNADO: LATEST LOCAL FORECAST

Situation is unfavorable for tornadoes

TORNADO: THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY

The tornado threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. PLAN: Tornadoes are not expected. Showers and thunderstorms with gusty winds may still occur. PREPARE: Little to no preparations needed to protect against tornadoes at this time. Keep informed of the latest tornado situation. ACT: Listen for changes in the forecast.

TORNADO: POTENTIAL IMPACTS

Little to no potential impacts from tornadoes.

Precautionary

You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.

Locations

WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible.

Info1

WHERE...A portion of central Alabama, including the following counties, 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 and Winston.

Info2

WHEN...Through Sunday morning.

Info3

IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.

Info4

ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Heavy rainfall associated with Hurricane Isaias will move into the area Friday night, and may last as long as early Sunday morning. Rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches with locally higher amounts up to 5 inches will result in the potential for flash flooding, especially in urban and other poor drainage areas.