Torrential downpours

Published 12:05 am Tuesday, June 12, 2012

 

It was a super summer soaking this weekend, with some areas of the county reporting 10 inches of rain, and forecasts show more of the same through Friday.

From southeast Louisiana to southern Alabama and the western Florida Panhandle, reported rainfall totals broke historic figures – including areas in Mobile and Pensacola, Fla., where radar estimates indicated 12 to 18 inches on Saturday. And rains continued to fall Sunday and Monday.

County Engineer Darren Capps said the rainfall is credited with three road closures in Covington County – Kelley Road near Pleasant Home, Bass Bridge Road and Blackmon Road off Prestwood Bridge Road. He said crews should complete repairs “pretty quickly,” but urged motorists to avoid the areas.

County Emergency Management Agency Director Susan Carpenter said Sunday’s weather brought two tornado warnings and copious amounts of rain.

“There was a bunch of flash flooding in areas because of the rain,” she said. “We had reports of a tree across a road and one building that was struck by lightning.

“Areas in the southwestern portion of the county near Florala and up in the northwest corner reported 10 inches of rain,” she said. “We had several storm lines that went straight north through the county and dumped a lot of rain. The rest of the week is more of the same, too.”

Records show weather stations in Andalusia recorded 5.5 inches of rain this weekend, while in Florala, there was a recorded 4.12 inches. In Opp, 5.6 inches of rainfall was recorded.

“It’s going to be spotty,” Carpenter said of the totals throughout the county. “These are cells that can deliver a lot of rain, with the possibility of heavy thunderstorms (Tuesday).”

Forecasts indicate a 60 percent chance of rain today; 50 percent on Wednesday and 40 percent Thursday and Friday. Highs will range between the upper 80s and low 90s.