An upper level trough just west of the Mississippi River on October 3rd become stationary and evolved into a closed upper low by October 5th. The closed upper low remained nearly stationary for 48 hours and before finally lifting northward on October 7th. This system brought a variety of severe weather across Central Alabama over a five day period, including wind damage, large hail and extensive flash flooding. The most impactful flooding taking place during the evening of October 6th. Torrential, training rain and thunderstorms produced excessive rain totals across Blount, Shelby and Jefferson Counties and resulted in two fatalities in Shelby County.

Flash Flood in JEFFERSON, ALABAMA
From 06-OCT-21 18:45:00 to 07-OCT-21 00:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: PARKWOOD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

During the evening of the 6th, a north to south low-level boundary set up along the Interstate 65 corridor that became the focus for back-building thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. Over the course of just a few hours, a wide swath of 6-10 inches of rain occurred. Numerous roads became submerged and impassable. Countless water rescues were performed as travelers either became trapped by or drove into flood waters. Flood water several feet deep impacted parts of neighborhoods and townhomes. Several businesses were damaged by flooding. Extreme runoff also caused creeks and other waterways to rapidly swell. A Flash Flood Watch had already been in place for a few days, highlighting the potential for flooding rainfall. A Flash Flood Warning was issued for Jefferson County, including the city of Birmingham, early in the evening. At least four rounds of thunderstorms occurred, with ongoing and forecast impacts pushing the event to the highest level of flash flooding, a Flash Flood Emergency. Scanner traffic became nonstop with public calls for help and first responder needs for mutual aid and resources. Even after the rain subsided later in the evening, flooding persisted for several more hours.

Hail in JEFFERSON, ALABAMA
From 04-OCT-21 17:09:00 to 04-OCT-21 17:09:00 (CST-6)
Location: PARKWOOD
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Flash Flood in SHELBY, ALABAMA
From 06-OCT-21 18:45:00 to 07-OCT-21 00:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELVIRA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

During the evening of the 6th, a north to south low-level boundary set up along the Interstate 65 corridor that became the focus for back-building thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. Over the course of just a few hours, a wide swath of 6-10 inches of rain occurred. Numerous roads became submerged and impassable. Countless water rescues were performed as travelers either became trapped by or drove into flood waters. Flood water several feet deep impacted parts of neighborhoods and townhomes. Several businesses were damaged by flooding. Extreme runoff also caused creeks and other waterways to rapidly swell. There was at least one report of a partial landslide in Pelham, sending dirt, rocks, and pine trees onto the road. A Flash Flood Watch had already been in place for a few days, highlighting the potential for flooding rainfall. A Flash Flood Warning was issued for north Shelby County early in the evening. At least four rounds of thunderstorms occurred, with ongoing and forecast impacts pushing the event to the highest level of flash flooding, a Flash Flood Emergency. Scanner traffic became nonstop with public calls for help and first responder needs for mutual aid and resources. Even after the rain subsided later in the evening hours,
flooding persisted for several more hours. Two deaths occurred when a vehicle was swept off the roadway and into a creek.

Flash Flood in BLOUNT, ALABAMA
From 06-OCT-21 18:30:00 to 06-OCT-21 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: STRAWBERRY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A stationary north to south surface boundary near the I-65 corridor became the focus for back-building thunderstorms. The storms tapped into an unusually warm and moist air mass for the month of October. The storms produced rainfall amounts of 3-5 inches during the evening hours of October 6th, resulting in flash flooding across northern Blount County. Highway 231 in the city of Blountsville was flooded and impassable and County Road 48 in the town of Summit also flooded with a stranded vehicle.

Thunderstorm Wind in WALKER, ALABAMA
From 03-OCT-21 19:18:00 to 03-OCT-21 19:19:00 (CST-6)
Location: DORA
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Multiple trees uprooted and power lines downed in the city of Dora.

Flash Flood in CHAMBERS, ALABAMA
From 05-OCT-21 00:05:00 to 05-OCT-21 01:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: FAIRVIEW
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Moores Creek out of its banks and flooded Fob James Drive in the Valley Community.

Flash Flood in WALKER, ALABAMA
From 03-OCT-21 19:45:00 to 03-OCT-21 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: DORA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Several roads flooded and impassable in the city of Dora.

Flash Flood in RUSSELL, ALABAMA
From 04-OCT-21 09:00:00 to 04-OCT-21 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: LADONIA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Extensive flooding in Phenix City with several roads flooded and impassable.

Flash Flood in LOWNDES, ALABAMA
From 04-OCT-21 13:30:00 to 04-OCT-21 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: LOWNDESBORO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Several roads washed in the city of Lowndessboro and Highway 80 impassable in a few locations.

Hail in SHELBY, ALABAMA
From 04-OCT-21 16:44:00 to 04-OCT-21 16:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: PARAMOUNT
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Flash Flood in CHILTON, ALABAMA
From 04-OCT-21 15:30:00 to 04-OCT-21 17:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: BESSIE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Highway 191 and County Road 37 flooded and impassable.

Flash Flood in CHAMBERS, ALABAMA
From 05-OCT-21 04:00:00 to 05-OCT-21 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: FAIRVIEW
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Moores Creek out of its banks and flooded Fob James Drive in the Valley Community. Fairfax Bypass also flooded near the intersection of Highway 29 due to Osanippa Creek out of its banks. Several businesses in the area reported several feet of water in their buildings.

Flash Flood in JEFFERSON, ALABAMA
From 05-OCT-21 18:30:00 to 05-OCT-21 21:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: FAIRVIEW
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

An south to south band of training thunderstorms produced a concentrated area of heavy rainfall across Jefferson County just west of I-65.  Rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches fell in a 3 hour period.  Numerous water rescues performed within the city limits of Ensley.
Village Creek at Avenue W in Ensley one foot above flood stage with standing water in a few homes along Avenue W.  Numerous roads flooded and impassable in cities of Ensley and Forestdale.

Flash Flood in LEE, ALABAMA
From 04-OCT-21 08:00:00 to 04-OCT-21 11:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHEWACLA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

At least six inches of flowing water over Highway 280 near the intersection of Meadows Mill Road.  Lee Road 215 and Lee Road 318 flooded and impassable.