A surge of tropical moisture in advance of a slow moving but strong upper level trough tracking east from Texas produced copius amounts of heavy showers and a few thunderstorms over an 18-24 hour period.  Rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches were observed at most locations, with some seeing 5 to just over 7 inches.  The heaviest amounts were atop the Cumberland Plateau, possibly enhanced by this elevation change.  Significant flash flooding occurred in the Florence, Sheffield, Muscle Shoals and Tuscumbia areas (the Quad Cities) during the afternoon hours, including one swift water rescue.  Some small streams and creeks over-topped their banks, but larger river flooding did not become a problem due to dry antecedent soil conditions.

Flash Flood in COLBERT, ALABAMA
From 17-SEP-12 13:16:00 to 17-SEP-12 18:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: WILSON DAM
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Flash flooding resulted in at least three feet of water estimated to be over locations near Woodward Avenue near the Pizza Hut in Muscle Shoals.

Flash Flood in LAUDERDALE, ALABAMA
From 17-SEP-12 13:00:00 to 17-SEP-12 18:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: FLORENCE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Commerce street was closed due to high water over the street, near Florence.

Heavy Rain in JACKSON, ALABAMA
From 17-SEP-12 21:00:00 to 18-SEP-12 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOLLYTREE
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Heavy rainfall occurred, with 4.85 inches measured, near Hollytree.

Heavy Rain in DEKALB, ALABAMA
From 18-SEP-12 04:54:00 to 18-SEP-12 04:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: VALLEY HEAD
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A tree fell onto county road 89 due to saturated ground, just west-southwest of Valley Head.

Heavy Rain in DEKALB, ALABAMA
From 18-SEP-12 04:54:00 to 18-SEP-12 04:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: COLLINSVILLE
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A tree fell down onto Interstate 59 between mile markers 202 and 203 due to saturated ground from heavy rainfall, just southwest of Collinsville.

Heavy Rain in DEKALB, ALABAMA
From 18-SEP-12 04:54:00 to 18-SEP-12 04:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: DOG TOWN
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Insurance Company

A tree fell down onto the road along county road 243 due to saturated ground, about five miles southeast of Fort Payne.

Heavy Rain in LAUDERDALE, ALABAMA
From 17-SEP-12 09:15:00 to 17-SEP-12 14:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: THREET
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Heavy rainfall occurred, with 4.25 inches measured, just southwest of Threet.

Heavy Rain in COLBERT, ALABAMA
From 17-SEP-12 10:00:00 to 18-SEP-12 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: MUSCLE SHOALS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Heavy rain occurred, with 4.66 inches measured at Muscle Shoals.

Flood in CULLMAN, ALABAMA
From 18-SEP-12 02:00:00 to 18-SEP-12 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: VINEMONT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

County road 1223 at the Longview Church had a partial road wash out due to flooding, near Vinemont.

Flash Flood in COLBERT, ALABAMA
From 17-SEP-12 14:50:00 to 17-SEP-12 18:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: WILSON DAM
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Persistent torrential rain resulted in over five feet of water covering portions of the Southgate mall parking lot in Muscle Shoals. One car at this location was almost completely submerged.

Flash Flood in COLBERT, ALABAMA
From 17-SEP-12 11:16:00 to 17-SEP-12 13:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: TUSCUMBIA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Flash flooding occurred, with several inches of water over Cave Street in Muscle Shoals. Cave Street was closed due to this higher water.

Heavy Rain in CULLMAN, ALABAMA
From 17-SEP-12 18:30:00 to 18-SEP-12 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: CULLMAN
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Heavy rainfall occurred, with 5.03 inches measured just northeast of the city of Cullman.

Heavy Rain in MADISON, ALABAMA
From 18-SEP-12 03:30:00 to 18-SEP-12 03:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: MADISON
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Two trees fell along Steakley road, one onto the road and another onto a home, near Madison. The felled trees were due to saturated ground and not wind damage.