Flash Flood — Jefferson, Alabama

2002-09-22 · near Countywide, Jefferson, Alabama

Wider weather episode

Very heavy rain fell across central Alabama during the early morning hours. The heaviest rain was measured generally from Tuscaloosa to Birmingham to Wedowee. Radar-estimated rainfall amounts averaged from 3 to 5 inches with many localized areas over 7 inches in only a few hours. The hardest hit area was the Birmingham Metropolitan area where the damage stretched from Bessemer to Pelham to Mountain Brook to Vestavia Hills. The following events were reported: numerous high water rescues were performed by area fire departments, one junior high school sustained major damage, one home was totally destroyed, 100 homes suffered varying degrees of damage, 22 apartments were flooded, one bowling alley sustained major damage, at least 20 businesses were damaged, a few bridges were washed out, a few culvert pipes were washed away, trees and power lines fell down due to the saturated ground, numerous roads were temporarily closed and impassable, and over 200 automobiles suffered significant damage in Vestavia Hills. No injuries were reported. Some 24 hour rainfall totals in inches (most of which fell in two to four hours); Logan Martin Dam 10.96 Vincent 8.19 Mitchell Dam 7.64 Wilsonville 7.75 Alabaster 5.60 Childersburg 5.05 Palmerdale 5.03 Helena 4.71 Calera 4.67 Pinson 4.50

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5315840. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.