Tropical Storm Barry Floods Alabama Shores

ALABAMA — Alabama residents are weathering the effects of Tropical Storm Barry, which made landfall Saturday afternoon in Louisiana. Although the storm hit land as a hurricane and was quickly downgraded to a tropical storm, forecasters say the threat of dangerous flooding looms.

A hurricane has winds of at least 74 mph, while tropical storm-force winds are 39 to 73 mph.

"It is important not to focus on the category of this storm," according to Alabama Emergency Management Agency Meteorologist Jim Stefkovich. "Even in Alabama, we could see heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding as well as a few tornadoes...potentially lasting into Monday."

Radar indicated that 6 to 8 inches of rain had fallen over parts of Mobile and Baldwin counties by 5:11 p.m. Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. Rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour were expected to continue through Sunday, officials said.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for the area until 5:15 p.m. Sunday, July 14, in addition to alerts about the surf, tides and rip currents.

"It's not over yet by any means," National Hurricane Center Director Ken Graham said in an update at 4:30 p.m. EST Saturday, July 13. "There's been some flooding problems and even some tornadoes" in Alabama.

Looking at the radar, he pointed to bands of rain bound for Alabama shores, as well as showers that had remained constant in one spot off the southwest coast of the state.

"You can see all that moisture headed to Alabama," he said. "It's just best not to be on the roads," particularly at night, when flooding is occurring.

A flood warning is in effect until 5:15 p.m. Sunday for the following:

• Mobile County
• Baldwin County
• South central Clarke County

Squalls may hit the Alabama coast with tropical storm-force winds, according to the National Hurricane Center, which advised isolated tornadoes are also possible overnight Saturday in the southwestern part of the state.

Some beaches along the Alabama coast have closed or are experiencing red flag conditions, according to the Alabama News Network.

Coastal flood and high surf advisories are in effect until 1 p.m. Sunday for the gulf beaches of Alabama, and a high rip current risk remains through Monday night, weather officials said.

Officials say 3 feet of inundation is possible, leading to minor coastal shoreline flooding until early Sunday afternoon, and 4 to 8-foot waves with significant wave run up are expected.

Dangerous, life-threatening rip currents are anticipated through Monday night. These conditions are hazardous for all levels of swimmers and mean that people should only swim if a lifeguard is present, according to authorities. If swimmers get caught in rip currents, they should swim along the shoreline, not fight the current, float or tread water if tired and wave or call for help.

As Tropical Storm Barry inches inland, traveling at speeds of 6 to 7 mph, states from Louisiana to Missouri are bracing for gushing waters. The state of Louisiana is under an emergency declaration, which President Donald Trump authorized Friday to enable federal resources to supplement local and state response efforts. Evacuation orders took effect Saturday, while flights at the airport in New Orleans were canceled as the storm arrived.

The National Hurricane Center reported that Barry was packing 65 mph winds and may lead to dangerous storm surge and heavy rainfall. The storm may drop 10 to 20 inches of rain in parts of southeast Louisiana and southwest Mississippi, with isolated amounts of up to 25 inches possible, according to weather officials.

See the latest weather forecast for southern Alabama as well as central Alabama and get advisories about Tropical Storm Barry from the National Hurricane Center.