Multiple rounds of thunderstorms and showers produced rain amounts of 3 to 5 inches across north Alabama. The heaviest rains were in northwest Alabama around the Quad Cities/Shoals area, and south of the Tennessee River, mainly along and east of the I-65 corridor. This resulted in numerous reports of flash flooding, particularly in the Shoals of northwest Alabama and Cullman County. The flooding prompted the closure of many roads and schools affected by the flooding. The thunderstorms came in multiple waves, one during early morning, another around Midday, with two final waves during the evening hours. Although the majority of severe weather this day occurred south of north Alabama, one EF-1 tornado tracked across northeast Cullman County during the evening hours.

Tornado in CULLMAN, ALABAMA
From 17-MAR-21 20:31:00 to 17-MAR-21 20:43:00 (CST-6)
Location: BERLIN
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado began north of CR1605, between CR 1609 and CR 1610. Initially, branches were broken, but the tornado began snapping tree trunks as it crossed CR 747 and CR 1630. The tornado continued northeast and crossed CR 1635, uprooting multiple trees, pulling some roofing material from a site-built home, and damaging or destroying several sheds. From there, the tornado tracked along Alabama Highway 69, causing minor roof damage to a shed, snapping and uprooting several trees, and severely damaging a detached garage. The tornado continued north of Fairview along Welcome Drive and CR 1568, snapping trees and causing roof damage to large farm outbuildings. Roof and tree damage was most significant on CR 1568 and 1569 northeast of Fairview.  A large portion of roofing was removed from a house, numerous trees were snapped and uprooted, several large agricultural sheds were demolished, and several chicken houses had roofing and siding removed. At this point, the tornado reached its peak width of approximately 50 yards and peak intensity of 100 mph. The final damage of note was observed along CR 1579 where a few more trees were snapped and the roof was peeled back from a large shed. Little additional damage was noted northeast of this location, so the end point is placed east of CR 1579 and south of CR 1570.

Flash Flood in CULLMAN, ALABAMA
From 17-MAR-21 15:33:00 to 17-MAR-21 21:26:00 (CST-6)
Location: BETHEL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Highway 278 at CR866 closed due to water over the road. Depth of water unknown at this time.

Flash Flood in CULLMAN, ALABAMA
From 17-MAR-21 15:33:00 to 17-MAR-21 21:27:00 (CST-6)
Location: WEST PT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

CR1141 at West Point School closed due to water over the road. Depth unknown at this time.

Flash Flood in CULLMAN, ALABAMA
From 17-MAR-21 15:33:00 to 17-MAR-21 21:29:00 (CST-6)
Location: WEST PT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

CR 1218 impassable due to water over the roadway between Hwy 157 and CR1216.

Flash Flood in CULLMAN, ALABAMA
From 17-MAR-21 15:33:00 to 17-MAR-21 21:28:00 (CST-6)
Location: BATTLEGROUND
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Intersection of CR1114 and 1141 closed due to water over the road. Depth of water unknown at this time.

Flash Flood in LAUDERDALE, ALABAMA
From 17-MAR-21 15:58:00 to 17-MAR-21 21:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: SULLIVAN XRDS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Intersection of CR81 and CR112 closed in Oakland. Depth of water unknown at this time.

Flash Flood in CULLMAN, ALABAMA
From 17-MAR-21 16:36:00 to 17-MAR-21 21:57:00 (CST-6)
Location: BROOKLYN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Brooklyn Road flooded near Mud Creek north of Holly Pond. Depth of water unknown.

Flash Flood in CULLMAN, ALABAMA
From 17-MAR-21 16:36:00 to 17-MAR-21 22:22:00 (CST-6)
Location: JOPPA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Water over the bridge on CR1755 near Hwy 67. Depth of water unknown.

Flash Flood in MORGAN, ALABAMA
From 17-MAR-21 19:00:00 to 18-MAR-21 02:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: WILHITES
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Rescue squad responding to a swift water rescue on Wilhite Road in Lacon.

Flash Flood in COLBERT, ALABAMA
From 17-MAR-21 19:46:00 to 18-MAR-21 02:21:00 (CST-6)
Location: TUSCUMBIA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Home flooded on Almon Avenue in Tuscumbia. Depth of water unknown.

Flash Flood in MADISON, ALABAMA
From 17-MAR-21 20:36:00 to 18-MAR-21 03:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: OWENS XRDS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

High water rescue underway with an SUV in 4 feet of water near a creek on South Green Mountain Road and Old Big Cove Road. Both occupants successfully rescued.

Flash Flood in LAUDERDALE, ALABAMA
From 17-MAR-21 20:37:00 to 18-MAR-21 02:19:00 (CST-6)
Location: KILLEN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Road impassable due to rushing water at CR63 at Brush Creek. Depth of water unknown.

Flash Flood in COLBERT, ALABAMA
From 17-MAR-21 20:46:00 to 18-MAR-21 02:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHEFFIELD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Ten to twelve residences near Oakwood Blvd in Sheffield have up to 5 feet of water in them. Retention pond overflowed again into neighborhood.

Flash Flood in MADISON, ALABAMA
From 17-MAR-21 21:00:00 to 18-MAR-21 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: NUNN STORE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Significant flooding in Cove Subdivision at Jacks Creek Lane and Pale Dawn. Water covers mailboxes and there are waves in the rushing water moving down the street. Report received via Social Media.

Flash Flood in MADISON, ALABAMA
From 17-MAR-21 21:01:00 to 18-MAR-21 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hobbs Island and Hyatt Intersection flooded with furniture floating in the roadway. Depth of water unknown.

Flash Flood in MORGAN, ALABAMA
From 17-MAR-21 21:03:00 to 18-MAR-21 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: HUNTSVILLE LACEYS SP
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Residence in Laceys Spring at River Loop Road has water standing in the home. Depth of water unknown.

Flash Flood in MADISON, ALABAMA
From 17-MAR-21 22:11:00 to 18-MAR-21 04:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: GURLEY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Car submerged at Rock Road at Hwy 72. Water was flowing over the roadway, but depth of water unknown at this time.

Flood in CULLMAN, ALABAMA
From 18-MAR-21 02:42:00 to 18-MAR-21 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: MT VIEW
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

County Road 1485 partially washed out in Cullman. Report relayed via Social Media.

Thunderstorm Wind in CULLMAN, ALABAMA
From 17-MAR-21 20:28:00 to 17-MAR-21 20:28:00 (CST-6)
Location: GOLD RIDGE
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A large amount of roofing was torn off of a barn on CR 1518 at Bentley Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in CULLMAN, ALABAMA
From 17-MAR-21 20:29:00 to 17-MAR-21 20:29:00 (CST-6)
Location: GOLD RIDGE
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A large tree was uprooted along CR 1488 between CR 1521 and CR 1528.