This product covers Central Alabama TROPICAL STORM WARNINGS EXPANDED FOR MUCH OF CENTRAL ALABAMA NEW INFORMATION --------------- CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm Warning for Bibb, Chambers, Chilton, Clay, Coosa, Greene, Hale, Jefferson, Lee, Perry, Pickens, Randolph, Russell, Shelby, St. Clair, Sumter, Talladega, Tallapoosa, and Tuscaloosa - A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Fayette, Lamar, Marion, Walker, and Winston CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Autauga, Barbour, Bibb, Bullock, Chambers, Chilton, Clay, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Jefferson, Lamar, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Marion, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Randolph, Russell, Shelby, St. Clair, Sumter, Talladega, Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa, Walker, and Winston STORM INFORMATION: - About 400 miles south of Birmingham AL or about 330 miles south of Montgomery AL - 27.7N 87.3W - Storm Intensity 120 mph - Movement North-northeast or 25 degrees at 16 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Hurricane Isaias will continue to move towards the Northern Gulf Coast, making landfall this evening. Winds will gust as high as 50 to 60+ mph late tonight through Saturday, resulting in the potential for widespread downed trees and power lines. Rainfall amounts of 1.5 to 4 inches with locally higher amounts up to 5 inches will result in the potential for flash flooding, especially in urban and other poor drainage areas. Isolated tornadoes may develop across portions of Central Alabama, mainly east of Interstate 65. Eastern portions of the state are in a level 1 to 2, out of 5 severe risk to account for this activity. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- WIND: Protect against dangerous wind having possible significant impacts across Central Alabama. Potential impacts in this area include: - Some damage to roofing and siding materials, along with damage to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds. A few buildings experiencing window, door, and garage door failures. Mobile and manufactured homes damaged, especially if unanchored. Unsecured lightweight objects become dangerous projectiles. - Several large trees snapped or uprooted. Several fences and roadway signs blown over. - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. - Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent in areas with above ground lines. Also, protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across Central Alabama. FLOODING RAIN: Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant impacts across Central Alabama. Potential impacts include: - Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, and ditches overflow. - Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations. Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures. TORNADOES: Protect against a dangerous tornado event having possible significant impacts across eastern portions of Central Alabama. Potential impacts include: - Several places may experience tornado damage with a few spots of considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures. - Locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile and manufactured homes demolished, large trees snapped or uprooted, and vehicles tumbled. Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll. Elsewhere across Central Alabama, little to no impact is anticipated. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- EVACUATIONS: Follow the advice of local officials. OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to check your emergency plan and emergency supplies kit and take necessary actions to protect your family and secure your home or business. When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the exact forecast track since hazards such as flooding rain, damaging wind gusts, and tornadoes extend well away from the center of the storm. If in a place that is vulnerable to high wind, such as near large trees or in a mobile or manufactured home, plan to move to safe shelter. If you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, such as in a low-lying or poor drainage area, in a valley, or near an already swollen river, plan to move to safe shelter on higher ground. Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with orders that are issued. Do not needlessly jeopardize your life or the lives of others. When securing your property, outside preparations should be concluded as soon as possible before conditions deteriorate. The onset of strong gusty winds or flooding can cause certain preparedness activities to become unsafe. Check on those who may not be fully aware of the situation or who are unable to make personal preparations. If you are a visitor, know the name of the county in which you are located and where it is relative to current watches and warnings. If staying at a hotel, ask the management staff about their onsite disaster plan. Listen for evacuation orders, especially pertaining to area visitors. Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather Radio and local news outlets for official storm information. Listen for possible changes to the forecast. There is a threat from tornadoes with this storm. Have multiple ways to receive Tornado Warnings. Be ready to shelter quickly. ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION: - For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov - For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org - For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org NEXT UPDATE ----------- The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Birmingham AL around 4 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.