CENTRE– The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Advisory for Cherokee County until 7:45 p.m. Friday.

Forecasters expect excessive rainfall to cause urban and small stream flooding. Minor flooding could develop in low-lying locations and areas with poor drainage.

Heavy Rain Detected Across Cherokee County

Doppler radar indicated heavy rain from thunderstorms at 4:37 p.m. Friday.

The advisory includes Centre, Cedar Bluff, Leesburg, Sand Rock, Gaylesville, Forney, and Moshat. It also covers the Centre Municipal Airport and Little River Canyon National Preserve.

Additional locations include Eastern Weiss Lake, Western Weiss Lake, Tennala, Cornwall Furnace Park, Ball Flat, Pleasant Gap, Blanche, Cherokee Rock Village, Slackland, Howells Crossroads, and Coloma.

Advisory Continues in Four Additional Counties

A separate Flood Advisory remains in effect until 6:45 p.m. for Blount, Calhoun, Etowah, and St. Clair counties.

Flooding has already been reported in Rainbow City and Southside.

Communities within that advisory include Gadsden, Anniston, Jacksonville, Rainbow City, Oneonta, Attalla, Hokes Bluff, Blountsville, Cleveland, Saks, and Glencoe.

Other affected locations include Weaver, Ashville, Ragland, Locust Fork, Ohatchee, Steele, Altoona, Snead, and Susan Moore.

Flood Watch Continues Through Saturday Morning

A Flood Watch remains in effect through Saturday morning. The watch covers Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne, Etowah, Jefferson, St. Clair, Walker, and Winston counties.

Additional heavy rainfall could produce excessive runoff. That runoff may cause flooding along rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying or flood-prone locations.

Residents should monitor updated forecasts and remain alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in flood-prone areas should prepare to act if flooding develops.

Drivers Urged to Avoid Flooded Roads

Drivers should never attempt to cross a flooded roadway. The National Weather Service reminds motorists to “turn around, don’t drown.” Most flood-related deaths occur in vehicles.