Flash Flood in Mobile County, Alabama

Ten to seventeen inches of rain fell across much of central and southern Mobile county. Most of that rain fell during the evening of April 29th through the early morning of April 30th. Widespread flash flooding was reported across central and southern Mobile county, including the city of Mobile. Numerous roads were closed due to being impassable and dozens of people had to be rescued from cars that drove into flooded areas. Massive sinkholes developed on Girby Street and on Dauphin Street at Mcgreror Street. Homes were flooded in a Theodore subdivision.

Heavy rains from Gustav brought flooding to generally the north and east parts of Mobile county. The heavy rains began around mid day and lasted into the evening. Rainfall estimates of 6-8 inches were widespread across the area. Many streets had standing water in them and had to be closed for several hours due to high water. The heaviest rains occurred in downtown Mobile and near Saraland. Heavy rains along with storm surge caused Bayou Sara in Saraland to reach the second highest reading in over ten years. The water forced several people along the bayou to evacuate.

A series of slow moving thunderstorms produced several inches of rain in the Mobile metro in just a few hours. Mobile Regional Airport recorded a storm total of 7.79 inches. ||An off-duty employee reported 10-12 inches of water cover Airport Blvd just west of I-65. Numerous cars were flooded and people had to be rescued from their cars. Dauphin St near Du Rhu Dr was impassable. Flooding was also reported on parts of Old Shell Rd as well as near Grelot Rd and Hillcrest Rd. A parking lot at the University of South Alabama was severely flooded with water entering some parked vehicles.