Tropical Storm Warning Issued for Central Alabama: Prepare for Dangerous Winds, Flooding, and Tornadoes

A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for southern portions of Central Alabama, including Autauga, Barbour, Bullock, Dallas, Elmore, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Montgomery, and Pike counties, as Hurricane Isaias approaches. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Bibb, Chambers, Chilton, Clay, Coosa, Greene, Hale, Jefferson, Lee, Perry, Pickens, Randolph, Russell, Shelby, St. Clair, Sumter, Talladega, Tallapoosa, and Tuscaloosa counties.

The National Weather Service in Birmingham, AL, issued this alert at 7:18 PM CDT on October 8, 2026. Hurricane Isaias, with current intensity of 100 mph, is moving northeast at 13 mph and is expected to make landfall Friday evening.

Residents should prepare for widespread downed trees and power lines due to winds gusting 50 to 60+ mph late Friday night through Saturday. Rainfall of 1.5 to 4 inches, with isolated amounts up to 5 inches, could cause flash flooding, especially in urban areas. An isolated tornado threat may develop Saturday, mainly east of Interstate 65 in eastern Central Alabama.

Protect your property and have an emergency plan in place. Stay informed by monitoring weather.gov, NOAA Weather Radio, and local news. If in an area vulnerable to high winds or flooding, plan to move to safe shelter. Heed all official advice and evacuation orders. The next update from the NWS Birmingham AL is expected around 10 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.