USA – Deadly Floods Hit Alabama After Torrential Rain

by in News, USA

Four people have died in devastating flooding in Alabama, USA after torrential rain.

According to National Weather Service (NWS) Birmingham, Alabama, several waves of slow-moving, intense storms brought estimated rain rates as high as 4-5 inches (100 to 130 mm) per hour late on 06 October 2021. “Heavy rainfall, back-building, and saturated soils resulted in extreme, rapid flooding with rainfall estimates up to 13 inches (330mm)”, NWS Birmingham said.

Rainfall in Alabama USA 06 October 2021. Image: US National Weather Service Birmingham Alabama

As of 07 October, the hardest hit areas were in Jefferson and Shelby counties in central Alabama, Marshall county in the north, and Escambia and Baldwin counties in the south.

Two people lost their lives in separate incidents as a result of flooding in Marshall County in northern Alabama, the county coroner’s office said. The victims include a young child who died after in a vehicle submerged in flood water in the city of Arab. Three people survived.

Severe flooding affected Hoover, near Birmingham, late on 06 October where emergency services had an extremely busy night.

“Last night the City of Hoover experienced unprecedented intense rainfall that caused flash flooding in numerous areas. Several of these areas have not experienced flash flooding in the last 20 years. Numerous water rescues were conducted from stranded vehicles in multiple areas,” Hoover Fire Department said in a statement of 07 October.

Hoover Police Department said the bodies of 2 people were found early on 07 October after their vehicle was swept away in floodwaters.

Pelham in Shelby County was also badly affected. Fire officials said they responded to 282 calls for assistance and conducted 82 rescues from flooded homes and 15 to 20 people were rescued from stranded vehicles. Schools in Pelham have been closed.

In the south, wide areas of Brewton and East Brewton were under water after floods in Escambia, while Baldwin County huge amounts of wastewater overflowed from sewage systems along Mobile Bay.

NWS Birmingham said dense fog in the area is making conditions more treacherous, limiting visibility for drivers.

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