Forecast calls for 90% chance of wet stuff through Thursday

Rain and more rain.

That’s what is expected to hit the Atmore and surrounding areas today and tomorrow, according to the National Weather Service.

A flash flood watch was issued Tuesday until Thursday at 7 p.m. by the NWS.

Late Tuesday morning, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey declared a state of emergency because of the flood threat to the Gulf Coast.

The weather today is expected to have showers and possibly a thunderstorm turn up with a high near 82 degrees. The chance of precipitation is 90 percent with new rainfall totals amounting to between 1-2 inches possible.

On Thursday, the chance of precipitation falls to 80 percent, but the wind is expected to gust between 10-15 miles per hour.

When it rains in Atmore, flooding does become an issue in some areas.

Mayor Jim Staff said areas that are prone to flooding include the intersections of Craig Street and Fourth Avenue, Laurel and First Streets and Presley and Poplar Streets.

“Stay out of standing water and do not run through deep water,” he said. “It’s kind of like a boat, you’re responsible for your wake. That can push water into the house. That makes your insurance liable. On top of that, the water can get sucked up into your motor.”

Rain hasn’t been an unfamiliar sight for residents as of late.

Last Thursday, Atmore received some 6 inches of rain in 58 minutes, Staff said.

Staff said we’ve been lucky.

“I’ve seen people chest high in water,” he said. “We didn’t have any of that (last week).”

Staff said the best thing people can do is to wait an hour and let the water go down before getting on the road.

Staff said a way residents can prevent flooding is to not put their yard clippings in the road or in their ditches.

“Please do not mow the grass into the street; it clogs the drain,” he said. “Please do not pile their limbs and trash in the ditch because it causes flooding.

“They can put them back toward their yard,” he sad. “If they put it in the street, please blow it back in the yard.”

After Thursday, the rain percentage drops to 40 for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.