On Friday, May 17th, a slow-moving upper level low was rotating across the mid Mississippi River Valley with an associated surface low over Arkansas and surface trough extending southeastward into Alabama. Warm, moist airflow resulted in widespread showers and thunderstorms across northwest Central Alabama during the day, while stronger thunderstorms developed south of the rain area in a more unstable airmass. Some of these storms produced large hail. As this area of rain shifted east through the evening hours on Friday, May 17th, additional thunderstorms developed upstream and tracked across east Central Alabama. A mid level short wave rotating around the upper level low interacted with a low level convergent zone and continued moisture transport into the area to focus developing thunderstorms, which then tracked over the same areas for many hours, resulting in flash flooding during the early morning hours on Saturday, May 18th. Precipitable water values were around 1.70 inches, the 99th percentile for normal precipitable water values for that day. Rainfall estimates of three to five inches with localized amounts over eight inches occurred.

Hail in SHELBY, ALABAMA
From 17-MAY-13 19:50:00 to 17-MAY-13 19:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: DARGIN
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Flash Flood in TALLADEGA, ALABAMA
From 18-MAY-13 05:40:00 to 18-MAY-13 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: CURRY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Four to five inches of rainfall across portions of central Talladega County led to numerous roads becoming impassable due to high water, including Coosa St., Ward St., Battle St., Court St., and East St., all in the city of Talladega. In addition, Kelly Springs Rd at Eastaboga Rd was impassable, and U.S. Highway 77 between Talladega and Waldo was impassable.

Flood in CALHOUN, ALABAMA
From 18-MAY-13 08:44:00 to 18-MAY-13 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: MAHLEP
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

After heavy rainfall overnight, six to ten inches of standing water surrounded Leatherwood Baptist Church in Saks.

Hail in DALLAS, ALABAMA
From 17-MAY-13 20:07:00 to 17-MAY-13 20:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: SELMA SKYHARBOR ARPT
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Quarter sized hail fell near Morgan Academy for nearly 15 minutes, covering the ground.

Heavy Rain in CLEBURNE, ALABAMA
From 18-MAY-13 01:30:00 to 18-MAY-13 02:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: BEASONS MILL
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Approximately two to four inches of rainfall across the area resulted in travel problems in and around Mt. Cheaha State Park, including County Road 13, as portions of the road became impassable.

Flash Flood in TALLADEGA, ALABAMA
From 18-MAY-13 02:30:00 to 18-MAY-13 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: MC ELDERRY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Three to four inches of heavy rainfall across the area resulted in several roads quickly becoming impassable in northern Talladega county, including Campbell Rd, Highway 21, and Granttown Rd in the city of Munford. Heavy rainfall continued, eventually totaling over five inches, further contributing to flooding problems.

Flash Flood in ST. CLAIR, ALABAMA
From 18-MAY-13 03:00:00 to 18-MAY-13 05:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: SEDDON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Three to four inches of rainfall resulted in numerous roads in and around Pell City and Wattsville becoming impassable, including portions of Dr. John Haynes Dr., Florida Rd., Mt. Moriah Rd., and 19th St.

Flash Flood in CLAY, ALABAMA
From 18-MAY-13 02:45:00 to 18-MAY-13 08:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: DAMPSEY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Heavy rainfall trained over northern Clay county, dropping over three inches of rainfall over a couple hours. Stream flow into Lake Chinabee rose quickly, flooding the nearby campground and stranding campers as roads into the area were also flooded. Twenty campers and one animal had to be rescued by law enforcement in boats. Water rescues began around 300AM CST per personal accounts of the campers. No injuries were reported.  The Lake Chinabee Recreation Area was closed by the U.S. Forest Service in order to repair damage to the campground, roadways, and hiking trails. It is expected to reopen in September 2013.

Flash Flood in CLAY, ALABAMA
From 18-MAY-13 05:05:00 to 18-MAY-13 09:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: DAMPSEY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

As heavy rainfall continued over portions of Clay County overnight, dropping an additional three to four inches of rain to total over 10 inches near Lake Chinabee, flooding worsened and numerous roads in the area became impassable or were washed out, including Abel Rd., Nubbin Creek Rd., Ketchemedoggie Rd., and Good Hope Delta Rd.

Flash Flood in RANDOLPH, ALABAMA
From 18-MAY-13 10:00:00 to 18-MAY-13 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: RICE MILL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

As a result of three to four inches of rainfall, a culvert along County Road 270 north of Wedowee washed out.

Flash Flood in CALHOUN, ALABAMA
From 18-MAY-13 03:00:00 to 18-MAY-13 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: EASTABOGA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Four to six inches of rainfall resulted in several roads becoming impassable, including portions of U.S. Highway 78 between Oxford and Eastaboga, and portions of Alabama Highway 21 between Oxford and Munford. All lanes of U.S. Highway 21 south of Oxford were impassable and a stranded motorist was rescued from the high waters. Additionally, during the early afternoon hours on May 18th, a 15 year old male was swept into the swift moving, elevated waters in a culvert and rescued several hundred feet downstream, suffering indirect minor injuries.

Heavy Rain in CLEBURNE, ALABAMA
From 18-MAY-13 01:30:00 to 18-MAY-13 02:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: HEFLIN
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Approximately two inches of rainfall across the area led to water covering portions of U.S. Highway 78 northeast of Heflin.

Hail in PERRY, ALABAMA
From 17-MAY-13 18:55:00 to 17-MAY-13 18:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: MARION
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Flash Flood in RANDOLPH, ALABAMA
From 18-MAY-13 02:30:00 to 18-MAY-13 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: PINE TUCKEY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Over four inches of rainfall led to road closures and damage in northern Randolph county. Portions of old U. S. Highway 431 near Pineywood Creek and County Road 92 were impassable. A portion of County Road 9 near Lofty was washed away with repairs estimated at $100,000.