Strong Wind — Jefferson, Alabama

2024-01-09 · Jefferson, Alabama

Event narrative

A tree fell onto a passing car on Crestwood Blvd in Birmingham around 10:45 AM CST, resulting in a fatality. Non-thunderstorm gradient winds at nearby station KBHM gusted to 30-40 mph during this time.

Wider weather episode

A line of thunderstorms moved across Central Alabama early on January 9, bringing heavy rainfall across much of the area. Rainfall totals were highest along the Interstate 65 corridor from Birmingham to Montgomery, with up to 5 inches of rain resulting in flooding in parts of Autauga and Elmore counties. Aside from the precipitation, strong gradient winds late January 8 through the day on January 9, with gusts up to 40 mph, resulted in trees falling on homes, vehicles, and power lines. A fatality and an injury occurred when trees fell onto vehicles in two separate events.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1150326. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.