Update: Flood Warning for Southwest Alabama until early Sunday morning

At 1:43 a.m. Sunday, the National Weather Service issued an updated flood warning that was in effect until 4:45 a.m. for Baldwin, Conecuh and Escambia counties.

The weather service comments: “Flooding from excessive rainfall is expected.”

“Minor flooding in low-lying and poorly drained areas,” the weather service explains. “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 already occurring. In flood-prone areas, it is important to move to higher ground immediately. A flash flood is a sudden and intense flood that can develop within minutes to hours and can occur even in areas where there is currently no rain.

• 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 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.

Stay safe during floods: competent advice from the weather service

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:

Go to a higher level:

If you live in a flood-prone area or are camping in low-lying terrain, the first step to safety is to move to higher ground.

Follow 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 reduces the risk of electrical hazards during flooding.

Avoid flooded basements and flooded areas:

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

Evacuate immediately for safety reasons:

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 flowing water, reach the highest point possible and call 911 to contact emergency services.

During heavy rainfall, the risk of flooding increases, especially in low-lying and flood-prone regions. Always remember to never drive through water on the road, no matter how shallow it may be. According to the weather service, just 30 cm of fast-moving water can sweep away most vehicles. Stay safe by being prepared and informed.

Mastering wet roads: safety tips in heavy rain

Heavy rain increases the risk of flooding and dangerous roads. Here’s your guide from the Weather Service on how to stay safe when it rains:

Beware of rapid water flow:

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:

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:

Turn on your headlights and pay attention to other vehicles in the background and in your blind spots, as they are especially difficult to see through rain-spattered windows.

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 reduces your visibility, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek shelter in rest areas or sheltered 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.