Heavy Rains Slam East Alabama; Causes Flooding

Valley, ALShowers and heavy storms pushed across portions of east Central Alabama on early Monday morning. the downpours and rain caused extensive flash flooding across parts of Valley and Lanett as well as other parts of Chambers County.

As the remains of Tropical Storm Nate exited the area heavy rainfall sprung up Monday morning as tropical moisture still filled in the area. That heavy rainfall caused already saturated areas of east Alabama to receive additional rainfall amounts from heavy downpours.

That rainfall fell on some areas that had received as much as 6" of rain from the Tropical system over the weekend. The additional rainfall on Monday caused heavy rainfall to push local creeks and waterways over their banks and onto area roadways. Many low lying and flood prone areas were also caught by quickly rising waters.

The flash flooding which began before daybreak caught many off guard. Heavy rainfalls flooded the downtown area of Lanett and caused emergency crews to have to close several local roadways into the downtown area until flood waters receded. As waters left roadways they filed into local creeks and stream beds, such as Moores Creek which overflowed its banks quickly resulting in additional road closures across the area.

The city of Lanett schools delayed school buses until 9:00 a.m. because buses could not pass the flooded roadways to get children to school. As waters rose many were caught off guard in their homes. Water surrounded houses and even found its way into a few homes and businesses.

In nearby Valley flood waters filled in several roadways and resulted in the closure of Fob James Drive near U.S. 29 in the city. Heavy flooding caused several road closures in that city and put some of those streets under rushing water such as near the Langdale Mils building.

Further into Chambers County. The Chambers County Highway Department has closed a portion of County Road 83 in the city of Cusseta. The closure begins at the former Cusseta Head Start building. Heavy flooding along that waterway caused a portion of the roadway to be damaged and is unsafe for motorist travel. That roadway is closed until further notice.

Officials will keep roadways in east Alabama closed until the flood waters across the area can begin to recede. and the roads are safe for travel.