Coastal Flood Warning issued for Mobile and Baldwin counties for Thursday

The National Weather Service issued a coastal flood warning at 11:18 a.m. Wednesday, effective from 1 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday for Mobile and Baldwin counties.

“Significant coastal flooding is expected,” the weather service said. “With flooding of approximately 3 feet, much of the US 90/98 Causeway (both lanes) from just west of Battleship Park through the I-10 interchange area to near Mayer Park will be flooded and closed to traffic. In some locations, lanes will be several feet deep. Some coastal areas and coastal roads east of Water Street will begin to flood. Portions of Conception Street near Three Mile Creek and portions of Telegraph Road near Industrial Canal may be flooded. Flooding will increase along Dauphin Island Parkway on the north side of the Dog River Bridge, with the roadway often becoming impassable. Fort Morgan Road between mile markers 4 and 6 will be flooded.”

“Numerous roads may be closed. Low-lying buildings such as homes, businesses and some important infrastructure will be flooded. Coastal erosion will occur,” the weather service explains. “Take the necessary measures to protect buildings at risk of flooding. If you must travel, do not drive around barriers or through waters of unknown depth.”

Understanding the differences between advisories, observations and warnings

• Flash flood warning: take action!

A flash flood warning is issued when a flash flood is imminent or is already occurring. In areas at risk of flooding, it is important to get to higher ground immediately. A flash flood is a sudden and severe flood that can develop within minutes to hours and can occur even in areas where there is currently no rainfall.

• Flood warning: take action!

A flood warning is issued when flooding is imminent or already underway.

• Flood warning: Please note:

A Flood Warning is issued when flooding is not expected to reach a level of severity that would warrant a warning. However, such a warning may cause significant inconvenience and, if ignored, may result in situations threatening life and/or property.

• Flood warning: Be prepared:

A flood warning is issued when conditions are favourable for flooding. It does not guarantee that flooding will occur, but indicates that the possibility exists.

Braving the storm: Advice on flood protection from the weather service

In flood-prone regions or when camping in low-lying areas, understanding and following the weather service's flood safety guidelines can be life-saving:

Find higher ground:

If you are in a flood-prone area or camping in a low-lying area, the first step is to move to higher ground.

Follow the evacuation instructions:

If local authorities issue an evacuation order, obey it immediately. Secure your home by locking it before leaving.

Disconnect utilities and equipment:

If time permits, unplug your utilities and appliances. This precaution will minimize electrical hazards during flooding.

Avoid basements and flooded areas:

Avoid basements or rooms in contact with water where there are electrical outlets or cables. Preventing electrical accidents is crucial.

For safety reasons, evacuate immediately:

If you notice sparks or hear buzzing, crackling, popping or banging noises, leave the area immediately. Avoid water that may be live.

Avoid going into flood water:

Never attempt to walk through flood water, even if it appears shallow. Even 6 inches of fast-flowing water can sweep you off your feet with full force.

Seek higher ground if you are trapped:

If you become trapped in running water, go to the highest possible point and call 911.

During heavy rain, there is a risk of flooding, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas. Remember, never drive through water on the road, even if it is not deep. According to the weather service, just 30 cm of fast-moving water can sweep away most cars. Your safety is paramount by staying informed and prepared.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service from United Robots that uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.