National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Heat Wave Expands to the East Coast; Flash Flooding Likely in the Central Plains into the Midwest; Severe Thunderstorms in the Northeast

Dangerous, prolonged heat is ongoing in the Mid-South to Mid-Mississippi Valley and heat expands into the Northeast for a brief period today. Widely scattered instances of flash flooding due to heavy rains are forecast from northeast Kansas to much of Indiana. Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms are possible across parts of New England, northern Mid-Atlantic, and North Dakota. Read More >

 

Flooding Event May 4th - 8th, 2003

The heaviest rain in quite some time fell across northern Alabama in early May 2003. For many locations, it was the wettest month in a decade or more.

All the rain also caused some significant flooding along the Tennessee River and its tributaries, and flash flooding, especially in the Huntsville metropolitan area.

One automated precipitation station in Northeast Huntsville reported 0.96" of rain in just five minutes -- and over four inches in an hour!

· Graphic of rainfall totals from across Huntsville HSA
· Statement regarding rainfall totals for the month of May
· Percentage of normal precipitation for May 2003 in Alabama (through 5/23)
· Observed precipitation for May 2003 in Alabama (through 5/23)

IMAGES (some images courtesy Jared Cassidy, Madison EMA)
Click on the image to see a larger view.

Aerial view of water in McFarland Park, Florence.


Waters from the Tennessee River inundate McFarland Park in Florence. This view taken from above on Hwy 72.

Ground view of McFarland Park, Florence


A closer view of McFarland Park from the ground. Note the floating ice machine near the building.

Ashmont Road flooding


Flooding along Ashmont Road in southern Madison County.

Fischer Road flooding.


Flooding along Fischer Road in Madison County.

Riverloop Road flooding


Flooding near Riverloop Road in northeastern Morgan County.

Riverloop Road flooding


Flooding near Riverloop Road in northeastern Morgan County.