Tropical Storm Francine Brings Heavy Rain, Wind, and Tornado Threats
BIRMINGHAM — Issued by the National Weather Service at 4:48 AM on September 11, 2024.
Central Alabama is bracing for severe weather as Tropical Depression Francine makes landfall along the Louisiana coast today, moving inland toward southern Mississippi by tonight. The National Weather Service in Birmingham has issued a Flood Watch and Wind Advisory, with potential for locally heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and brief tornadoes across the region.
Flood Watch: Significant Rainfall Expected Through Friday Evening
A Flood Watch is in effect through Friday evening across Central Alabama. As Francine pushes inland, waves of showers and thunderstorms are expected to dump 2 to 4 inches of rain, with locally higher amounts reaching 6 to 9 inches in some areas. This heavy rainfall is anticipated to cause urban and flash flooding, particularly in low-lying and poor drainage areas.
Affected Counties Include: Autauga, Bibb, Blount, Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee, Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore, Etowah, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Jefferson, Lamar, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Marion, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Randolph, Shelby, St. Clair, Sumter, Talladega, Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa, Walker, and Winston.