Flood warning for Baldwin County until Sunday evening

The National Weather Service issued a flood warning at 5:35 a.m. Sunday, effective for Baldwin County from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

The weather service added: “Minor flooding is forecast for the Fish River near Silverhill.”

“At 11.0 feet, County Road 48 is in flood stage inundating Bohemian Park,” the weather service describes. “Turn around and don’t drown if you encounter flooded streets. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.”

Deciphering Notices, Watches and Warnings: Understanding Weather Alerts

• Flash flood warning: take action!

A flash flood warning is issued when a flash flood is imminent or occurring. If you find yourself in a flood-prone area, move to higher ground immediately. A flash flood is a sudden, intense flood that can take minutes to hours to develop. Flash flooding may even occur in areas where it does not rain immediately.

• Flood warning: take action!

A flood warning is issued when flooding is imminent or is already underway.

• Flood Warning: Be Aware:

A flood warning is issued when flooding is not expected to reach a level of severity requiring a warning. However, it can cause considerable inconvenience and, if not exercised caution, could potentially lead to life-threatening and/or property-threatening situations.

• Flood watch: Be prepared:

A flood warning is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. That doesn’t mean there will be flooding, but it is possible.

Weathering the Storm: Flood Safety Guidelines from the Weather Service

In flood-prone regions or when camping in low-lying areas, understanding and following the Weather Service’s flood prevention guidelines can be life-saving:

Go to a higher level:

If you are in a flood-prone area or camping in a low-lying location, your first step should be to move to higher ground.

Follow the evacuation instructions:

If local authorities issue an evacuation order, follow it immediately. Before leaving, secure your home by locking it.

Disconnect utilities and devices:

If time permits, disconnect your utilities and appliances. This precaution minimizes electrical hazards during flooding.

Avoid flooded basements and flooded areas:

Stay away from basements or rooms where electrical outlets or cords are submerged. This helps prevent electrical accidents.

Quick evacuation for your safety:

If you notice sparks or hear buzzing, crackling, cracking or popping noises, evacuate immediately. Do not enter water that may be electrically charged.

Do not walk in flood waters:

Never attempt to walk through flood water. Even 6 inches of fast-moving water can force you off your feet.

In the event of an accident, seek higher ground:

If you become trapped by running water, get to the highest point available and call emergency services at 911.

During heavy rain, there is a risk of flooding, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone regions. It is important that you never attempt to drive through water on the road, no matter how deep it may be. According to the weather service, just 30 centimeters of water can wash away most vehicles. Stay safe by being prepared and informed.

Roads likely to be rainy: Important safety tips in heavy rain

Rain can make roads dangerous. Stay informed and follow these tips from the Weather Service to stay safe during heavy rains:

Beware of swelling waterways:

During heavy rain, avoid parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches where fast-moving water can pose a serious hazard.

Maintain safe driving distances:

The two-second rule of maintaining distance is your ally in heavy rain. Extend the time to four seconds to ensure a safe distance in adverse conditions.

Slow down and stay careful:

If it is raining and the roads are wet, drive slower. Take your foot off the accelerator and let the speed gradually decrease. Never apply the brakes suddenly as this may cause the vehicle to skid.

Choose your lane wisely:

Stay toward the center lanes – water often collects in the outside lanes.

Visibility is important:

Improve your visibility in heavy rain by activating your headlights. Be particularly vigilant of vehicles in blind spots, as rain-smeared windows can obscure them.

Be careful of slippery roads:

During the first half hour of rain, the roads are most slippery due to a mix of rain, dirt and oil. Be particularly careful during this time.

Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles:

Large trucks and buses can obscure your visibility from tire spray. Avoid traffic jams and pass through them quickly and safely.

Pay attention to your windshield wipers:

• Heavy rain can overload the wiper blades. If visibility is so limited that the sides of the road or other vehicles cannot be seen from a safe distance, it’s time to stop and wait for the rain to let up. It’s best to stop at rest areas or other protected areas.
• If the side of the road is your only option, drive off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guardrail, and wait for the storm to pass. Keep your headlights on and turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers to your position.

During heavy rain, these precautions can go a long way toward ensuring your safety on the road. Remember to keep up to date with weather conditions and follow advice from local authorities to ensure a safe journey.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service from United Robots that uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.