A wet weather pattern is expected to bring several inches of rain to Alabama through Tuesday, potentially causing widespread flash flooding.
The National Weather Service office in Birmingham forecasts different rain totals for various regions: 1 to 1.5 inches for Tuscaloosa and Gadsden, 2 to 4 inches for the Montgomery area, and 3 to 5 inches for a large portion of Southwest State Alabama, including Camden and areas to the south and west.
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According to Josh Johnson, chief meteorologist for WSFA, the rain will come in three distinct "waves." "We will see rain in two waves on Monday and then another wave on Tuesday," Johnson explained. "Everyone will get 1 to 3 inches of rain. Tuesday’s rain will be more hit and miss than Monday. But if you get under one of the heavier thunderstorms on Tuesday, you could get an additional 2 to 3 inches, or more."
Severe Weather Forecast for Alabama
Some of the storms could become severe, with the potential for flash flooding, high winds, and hail, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) forecast. While the chance of a tornado is slim, it remains a possibility. Josh Johnson, chief meteorologist for WSFA, noted that the likelihood of severe weather is higher in the Montgomery area and points south.
Forecasts Through Midnight Wednesday:
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Tuscaloosa:
- Monday: 90% chance of rain
- Tuesday: 70% chance of rain
- Wednesday & Thursday: Clear with highs in the mid-80s
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Gadsden:
- Monday & Tuesday: 80% chance of rain
- Wednesday: Partly cloudy with a 20% chance of rain
- Thursday: Clear with highs in the lower to mid-80s
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Montgomery:
- Monday: 100% chance of rain
- Tuesday: 70% chance of rain
- Wednesday & Thursday: Clear with highs in the mid-80s
Additional Rain Expected Friday
Forecasts predict more rain for the state on Friday.
"Late in the week and into next week, we need to be vigilant for the possibility of river flooding," said Josh Johnson, chief meteorologist for WSFA. "We experienced heavy rains at the end of last week, and the rivers are already full. The rain this week is falling on already saturated ground. Therefore, river flooding is a significant possibility."
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Community members say state officials have largely dismissed their concerns, even as the flooding continues to worsen. It remains unclear what actions, if any, the state of Alabama is taking to mitigate the floods and the financial hardships they have caused in Shiloh. During a series of interviews conducted by Bullard with residents over a two-day visit this month, he heard "horror stories" of flooded yards, homes, and businesses; sewage oozing from drains due to overfilled septic tanks; and residents receiving little help from public officials. Weather forecast 35007 - Alabaster AL
"What’s happening in the Shiloh community of Elba, Alabama—my hometown, a place I left in 1968, 55 years ago—is textbook environmental racism," Bullard said. "All of the longtime residents we interviewed and those who commented at the community forum meeting said the Shiloh community did not flood before ALDOT built the four-lane elevated highway in 2018."
