Flash Flood in Jefferson County, Alabama

Prolonged heavy rainfall over the Birmingham metro area led to numerous instances of flash flooding after 2 to 4 inches of rainfall accumulation over the span of 4-5 hours. Flooding was observed in numerous areas of Jefferson County, including Birmingham, Hoover, Vestavia Hills, Cahaba Heights, Ensley, Adamsville, and Graysville.

Several portions of Columbiana Road in Vestavia Hills were flooded and closed. Nearby, Patton Creek flooded parts of U.S. 31/Montgomery Highway, resulting in temporary closure of the roadway and impacting businesses and shopping centers, including the area around the Vestavia Bowl. Little Shades Creek overflowed in this area as well, flooding the Loch Haven area and the Hoover Dog Park near Rocky Ridge Rd. Additionally, in Cahaba Heights, a tributary of Little Shades Creek caused flooding over Dolly Ridge Rd and in Meadowlawn Park.

In Ensley, Village Creek rose into minor flood stage (10 ft), topping out at 11.38 ft, while Valley Creek at Ave W also rose briefly to minor flood stage (12 ft), cresting at 12.39 ft. In North Birmingham, Interstate 65 was flooded between Finley Blvd and I-22, with several inches of standing or flowing water impeding traffic.

Across northwestern Jefferson County, closer to 4 to 5 inches of rain fell around Adamsville and Graysville, with numerous flooded and closed roadways. Floodwater entered a home along Cherry Ave on the east side of Graysville, forcing residents to evacuate.

Moisture associated with Tropical Storm Arthur approached Central Alabama on June 17 into June 18. On June 17, several showers and low-topped supercells developed over southeastern Central Alabama. One cell produced a well-defined funnel cloud in southeastern Lowndes County that was caught in at least two videos posted to social media. The next day, heavy rainfall near Chalkville led to a portion of Sweeny Hollow Rd being flooded.

In the wake of the remnants of Arthur passing through Central Alabama on June 18, a cold front entered the area and became stalled. On June 19, heavy rainfall became concentrated along a boundary along and south of the U.S. 80 corridor, leading to flooding issues in Pike and Lowndes counties. By June 20, the stalled front over Central Alabama reignited training thunderstorms along the U.S. 280 and I-22 corridors, with heavy rainfall of 2 to 5 inches causing flash flooding in the Birmingham metro area during the afternoon hours.