Severe weather for area could get worse by week’s end
Published 10:57 pm Thursday, March 26, 2009
Severe weather and flooding haven’t ended for the Selma and Dallas County area. Another two fronts are expected to roll through before the hazardous weather ends Saturday afternoon.
Then, river flooding is expected through early next week, according to the National Weather Service in Birmingham.
John Sirmon, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, informed reporters and others through a forecast Webinar on Thursday afternoon. He said severe weather consisting of heavy rain, damaging wind, hail and the possibility of tornadoes would evolve Friday at 4 a.m. and last until 1 p.m. — the first of the two events expected this weekend. Central Alabama, including the Selma-Dallas County area, should expect the increasing threat of severe weather, beginning after 3 a.m. Friday. A developing low front in southern Mississippi is expected to rumble across the area at that time, according to Sirmon. Emergency management agencies south of Interstate 20 were told to make staffing plans now. The Mississippi front will come out of the southwest and move northeast at about 25 mph.
After 1 p.m. Friday, the threat of severe weather in this area will diminish, but the flooding potential will remain through early next week. Sirmon said the area already had received 1 to 2 1/2 inches of rainfall Thursday and could expect another 1 to 4 inches. River flooding would like not begin until Saturday and into the workweek. Friday’s flooding possibility is in low lying areas that flood during periods of heavy rain.
Rhonda Abbott, interim director of the Dallas County EMA, said those living near or having property along the Alabama or Cahaba rivers or streams prone to flooding should be aware of this potential.
“Residents living in low lying areas with cattle or equipment need to be aware of the potential of rising water during the next five-to-seven days,” she said.
So far, no flooding and no evacuations have been reported to the EMA office.
Sirmon said another front from Mississippi will pass through Central Alabama on Saturday, beginning at 3 a.m. and rolling across the state into Georgia by the afternoon. “The bulk of the sever weather should be over by 2 p.m.,” Sirmon said.