Image shows latest projected path of Hurricane Irma, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Below is the latest information from the National Weather Service in Huntsville on how Hurricane Irma will impact the Cullman area. Hurricane Irma is forecast to be Tropical Depression Irma when it passes over Cullman County at approximately 8 a.m. Tuesday morning.
Tropical Storm Watch (through Tuesday)
WIND – LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Below tropical storm force wind – Peak Wind Forecast: 25-35 mph with gusts to 55 mph – CURRENT THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY: Elevated – The wind threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. – Emergency plans should include a reasonable threat for tropical storm force wind of 39 to 57 mph. – To be safe, prepare for the potential of limited wind impacts. Remaining efforts to secure properties should now be brought to completion. – Hazardous wind is possible. Failure to adequately shelter may result in serious injury. Move to safe shelter before the wind becomes hazardous.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited – Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about. – Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over. – A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways. – Scattered power and communications outages.
FLOODING RAIN – LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: – Peak Rainfall Amounts: 2-4 inches, with locally higher amounts
CURRENT THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY: Elevated – The flooding rain threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. – Emergency plans should include a reasonable threat for minor flooding where peak rainfall totals are near amounts conducive for localized flash flooding and rapid inundation. – To be safe, prepare for the potential of limited flooding rain impacts. – Localized flooding is possible. If flood related watches and warnings are issued, heed recommended actions.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited – Localized rainfall flooding may prompt a few evacuations. – Rivers and tributaries may quickly rise with swifter currents. Small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos, and ditches may become swollen and overflow in spots. – Flood waters can enter a few structures, especially in usually vulnerable spots. A few places where rapid ponding of water occurs at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Several storm drains and retention ponds become near-full and begin to overflow. Some brief road and bridge closures.
TORNADO – LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: – Situation is unfavorable for tornadoes – The tornado threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. – Emergency plans need not include a threat for tornadoes. Showers and thunderstorms with strong gusty winds may still occur. – Little to no preparations needed to guard against tropical tornadoes. – Ensure readiness for the next tropical tornado event.
Hurricane Local Statement
Tropical Storm Irma may affect the Tennessee Valley Monday night through Tuesday. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for northeast and north central Alabama and southern middle Tennessee. A Tropical Storm Watch continues for Cullman, De Kalb, Franklin TN, Jackson, Lincoln, Madison, Marshall, Moore, and Morgan counties.
The system is forecast to move across the Tennessee Valley Monday night into Tuesday. Winds of at least 35 MPH may begin on Monday evening across northeast Alabama and southern middle Tennessee, gradually spread west on Monday night into Tuesday. Wind gusts may reach 50 to 55 MPH, and possibility higher in the higher terrain. With these wind speeds, tree and power line damage is possible along with power outages. Unsecured lightweight objects may also be lofted. Some structural damage is also possible. The greatest wind gusts and impacts are expected to be generally along and east of a line from Cullman to Huntsville to Fayetteville. Conditions should gradually improve on Tuesday as the remnants of Irma move off to the north and northwest.
WIND: Prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across The Tennessee Valley. Potential impacts include: – Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about. – Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over. – A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways. – Scattered power and communications outages.
FLOODING RAIN: Prepare for locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible limited impacts across the Tennessee Valley. Potential impacts include: – Localized rainfall flooding may prompt a few evacuations. – Rivers and tributaries may quickly rise with swifter currents. Small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos, and ditches may become swollen and overflow in spots. – Flood waters can enter a few structures, especially in usually vulnerable spots. A few places where rapid ponding of water occurs at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Several storm drains and retention ponds become near-full and begin to overflow. Some brief road and bridge closures. Elsewhere across The Tennessee Valley, little to no impact is anticipated.
Hydrologic Outlook
Flooding and Flash Flooding Possible late Monday through Wednesday… With the remnants of Hurricane Irma affecting the Tennessee Valley from late Monday night through the better part of Wednesday, widespread rainfall totals of two to three inches will be likely. Isolated higher amounts of rainfall of four or more inches are possible, especially for areas East of Interstate 65. Locations West of the Interstate will receive the lower rainfall amounts. While the brunt of the heavy rainfall will occur late Monday night through much of Tuesday, moderate to heavy rainfall is still possible well into Wednesday, and perhaps into Thursday, depending on where the remnants of Irma track. While widespread flooding and flash flooding are not expected, a few instances of flash flooding are possible depending on where the heaviest rainfall occurs early next week. By Wednesday and Thursday, rises on area creeks, streams, and rivers will be noticeable from recent heavy rainfall. Stay tuned to further forecast updates regarding the remnants of Irma and her eventual track across Northern Alabama and portions of Southern Middle Tennessee. Though none have been issued at this time, Flash Flood or Flood Watches and Warnings may be warranted from late Monday night through much of Wednesday. For additional hydrologic information, visit our website at www.weather.gov/huntsville.
