Flood — Coffee, Alabama

2015-12-24 to 2015-12-28 · near Roeton, Coffee, Alabama

Event narrative

Significant flooding occurred across Coffee county during the last week in December due to 10-20 inches of rain falling in the Pea River basin. The Pea River at Elba reached its third highest crest on record on December 26th. An aerial survey indicated 117 structures submerged with numerous others impacted near Elba. A later survey by the Red Cross indicated that 14 structures were destroyed, 48 received major damage, and 31 received minor damage. A family tried to cross the Pea River on Highway 107 and their vehicle was swept away on December 25th. Two fatalities resulted. The monetary damage to Coffee county is estimated at $1,717,980. Of that amount, $1,039,500 was due to mainly road and bridge damage in the county, $15,219.50 was from the Sheriff's department, $440,260.94 was from the city of Elba, $200,000 was from the city of Enterprise, and $23,000 was from the city of New Brockton.

Wider weather episode

An anomalous upper level pattern developed across the country with a large upper level trough remaining nearly stationary west of the area for several days. Continuous southwest flow brought unseasonably warm temperatures and high moisture content across the area. Excessive rainfall amounts occurred during the last week of the month with amounts in excess of 15 inches falling across portions of the Pea, Choctawhatchee, and Chattahoochee River basins, resulting in major flooding with significant damage. The Pea River at Ariton set a new record high crest, and the Pea River at Elba reached its third highest crest on record.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (31.6179, -85.7894)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 611273. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.