Flash Flood — Baldwin, Alabama

2014-04-29 to 2014-04-30 · near Spanish Ft, Baldwin, Alabama

Event narrative

The southern half of Baldwin county experienced historic flooding the night of April 29th into the early morning of April 30th. Rain totals of 12 to 24 inches were reported, with the maximum rainfall occurring in a swath from Foley south to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, east to the Florida state line. The highest reported was 23.67 inches in Orange Beach via a CoCoRAHS observer. The Fish River at Silverhill crested at record high level of 23.18 feet. The Styx River at Elsanor experienced its second highest crest on record at 20.90 feet.

1400 homes and businesses experienced flooding and private property losses are estimated at $17 million with another $10 million estimated for infrastructure damage. Almost every road south of Highway 104 experienced flooding. Numerous roads were flooded between Highway 104 and just north of Interstate 10. The flooding resulted in extensive damage to numerous roads and bridges throughout the county. Emergency management officials reported having to rescue dozens of people from homes and vehicles due the rapid rise of the water. A significant portion of the bluff in Spanish Fort, along Patrician Drive, was washed away.

A 67 year old man was killed in Foley when his car was swept off Airport Drive by fast rising water from the adjacent Magnolia River.

Wider weather episode

A strong storm system brought record flooding along with severe thunderstorms that produced damaging winds and tornadoes to the region.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (30.7161, -87.9181)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 516848. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.