Mobile County is under a flood warning through Saturday night

The National Weather Service issued a flood warning at 6:59 p.m. Saturday that was in effect for Mobile County until 10 p.m.

The weather service said: “City flooding and small stream flooding from excessive rainfall is expected.”

“Minor flooding in low-lying and poorly drained areas,” describes the weather service. “Turn around and don’t drown if you encounter flooded streets. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Be particularly cautious at night when flood hazards are harder to detect.”

Understand the differences between notices, watches and warnings

• 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 threatened or occurs.

• Flood Warning: Be Aware:

A flood warning is issued when flooding is not expected to be severe enough to trigger a warning. However, this can cause significant inconvenience and, if not careful, can result in situations that can endanger life and/or property.

• 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.

Be prepared for floods: expert guidance from the weather service for your safety

Flooding can pose a significant hazard, especially if you live in a flood-prone area or are camping in a low-lying region. To ensure your safety, the Weather Service offers important flood protection guidelines:

Find higher ground:

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. Secure your home by locking it before you leave.

Disconnect utilities and devices:

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

Avoid basements and flooded areas:

Avoid basements or flooded rooms with electrical outlets or cords. Preventing electrical accidents is crucial.

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 periods of heavy rainfall, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas, the risk of flooding increases. Remember this important advice: Never attempt to drive on the road through water, even if it appears shallow. According to the weather service, just 30 cm of fast-moving water can sweep away most vehicles. Prioritize your safety by staying informed and prepared.

Coping with Heavy Rain: Important Safety Measures for Wet Roads

Heavy rains, if prolonged or excessive runoff, can cause flooding. Excessive runoff may be due to saturated soil and/or rainfall intensity. Follow these weather service recommendations to stay safe during heavy rain:

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:

Follow the two-second rule to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front. In heavy rain, allow an additional two seconds of travel to compensate for reduced traction and braking effectiveness.

Reduce speed and drive carefully:

It is important to reduce speed on wet roads. To prevent skidding, ease off the accelerator pedal slowly and avoid sudden braking.

Choose your lane wisely:

Stay in the middle lanes to minimize the risk of aquaplaning. The outer lanes are more prone to water accumulation.

Visibility is important:

Improve your visibility in heavy rain by turning on your headlights. Be aware 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:

• Overloaded wiper blades can impair visibility. If rain severely limits your visibility, stop and wait for conditions to improve. Seek shelter in rest areas or sheltered areas.
• If you can only stop on the side of the road, position your vehicle as far away from the road as possible, ideally outside the guardrails. Keep your headlights on and activate 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.