Hurricane Local Statement

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Hurricane Isaias Local Statement Advisory Number 8
National Weather Service Birmingham AL  AL092026
1019 AM CDT Thu Oct 8 2026

This product covers Central Alabama

**TROPICAL STORM WATCH ISSUED FOR MUCH OF CENTRAL ALABAMA** 

NEW INFORMATION
---------------

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Autauga, Barbour, 
      Bibb, Bullock, Chambers, Chilton, Clay, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore, 
      Greene, Hale, Jefferson, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, 
      Montgomery, Perry, Pike, Randolph, Russell, Shelby, St. Clair, 
      Sumter, Talladega, Tallapoosa, and Tuscaloosa

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Autauga, Barbour, Bibb, 
      Bullock, Chambers, Chilton, Clay, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore, 
      Greene, Hale, Jefferson, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, 
      Montgomery, Perry, Pike, Randolph, Russell, Shelby, St. Clair, 
      Sumter, Talladega, Tallapoosa, and Tuscaloosa

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 710 miles south-southwest of Birmingham AL or about 640 
      miles south-southwest of Montgomery AL
    - 23.7N 90.2W
    - Storm Intensity 85 mph
    - Movement East-northeast or 60 degrees at 10 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------

Hurricane Isaias will continue to move towards the Northern Gulf 
Coast, making landfall Friday evening. Winds may gust as high as 40 
to 50 mph late Friday night through Saturday, resulting in the 
potential for numerous downed trees and power lines. Rainfall 
amounts of 2 to 4 inches with locally higher amounts up to 5 inches 
will result in the potential for flash flooding, especially in urban 
and other poor drainage areas. A threat for isolated tornadoes may 
develop across portions of Central Alabama along and east of the 
track on Saturday, with  the highest potential along and east of 
Interstate 65. Confidence is low to medium at this time.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------

* WIND:
Prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across 
Central Alabama. Potential impacts include:
    - Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored 
      mobile and manufactured homes. Unsecured lightweight objects 
      blown about.
    - Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or 
      uprooted, especially weaker trees. 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 dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant 
impacts across Central Alabama. Potential impacts include:
    - Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and 
      rescues.
    - Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter 
      currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially 
      in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, and ditches 
      overflow.
    - Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations. 
      Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid 
      inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage 
      areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as 
      storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions 
      become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures.

* TORNADOES:
Prepare for a dangerous tornado event having possible significant
impacts across eastern portions of Central Alabama. Potential impacts 
include:
    - Several places may experience tornado damage with a few spots 
      of considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures.
    - Locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile and 
      manufactured homes demolished, large trees snapped or uprooted, 
      and vehicles tumbled. Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------

* EVACUATIONS:
Follow the advice of local officials.


* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to check your emergency plan and emergency supplies 
kit and take necessary actions to protect your family and secure your 
home or business.

When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the 
exact forecast track since hazards such as flooding rain, damaging 
wind gusts, and tornadoes extend well away from the center of the 
storm. 

If in a place that is vulnerable to high wind, such as near large 
trees or in a mobile or manufactured home, plan to move to safe 
shelter.

If you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, such as 
in a low-lying or poor drainage area, in a valley, or near an already 
swollen river, plan to move to safe shelter on higher ground.

Check on those who may not be fully aware of the situation or who are 
unable to make personal preparations.

Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather Radio and local news outlets
for official storm information. Listen for possible changes to the 
forecast.

There is a threat from tornadoes with this storm. Have multiple ways 
to receive Tornado Warnings. Be ready to shelter quickly.


* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
- For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov
- For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org
- For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org

NEXT UPDATE
-----------

The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather 
Service in Birmingham AL around 4 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions 
warrant.