Flood danger to persist in southeastern US as Alberto moves inland

The danger for flooding will expand across the southeastern United States as Alberto moves inland into Tuesday night.

After Alberto made landfall along the Florida Panhandle, it is expected to continue to track northward across Alabama and into central Kentucky.

The risk for damaging winds accompanying Alberto will lessen as the storm interacts with land, but flooding rain will remain a danger.

Rainfall totals can range from 4 to 8 inches along the Interstate-65 corridor from Montgomery, Birmingham and Huntsville, Alabama. Amounts may be closer to 4 inches from Nashville, Tennessee, to Bowling Green, Kentucky, and Evansville, Indiana.

"There can be another area of enhanced rainfall along the southern and southeastern slopes of the southern Appalachians," AccuWeather Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski said. That would create dangers for anyone still camping in the Chattahoochee and Nantahala national forests.

"The heaviest rains are expected to swell rivers and streams with flooding possible," AccuWeather Meteorologist Evan Duffey said.

Neighboring land, roads and communities could become inundated. The flooding can close or damage roads and bridges, creating major travel disruptions. Air and rail travel may also be severely impacted.

As a result, there can be school closures and disruptions to daily routines.

While flooding will be the greatest risk to lives and property, an isolated tornado causing additional damage cannot be ruled out east of Alberto's track through the Southeast.

Localized flooding may still be a concern at midweek as Alberto spreads its soaking rain to the Midwest and the Chicago area. Alberto is expected to get picked up by another storm and sweep across eastern Canada later this week.

Even where flooding does not ensue, motorists may still face hazards. Downpours and spray from other vehicles can dramatically reduce visibility, while standing water will heighten the risk of vehicles hydroplaning when traveling at highway speeds. This includes on stretches of interstates 20, 22, 24, 40 and 59.

Sporting events and other outdoor plans could be in jeopardy.

Despite the storm’s departure, additional showers and thunderstorms may erupt amid the persistent steamy air over the Southeast as May gives way to June.

As will be the case along the upper Gulf Coast, the saturated ground left in Alberto's wake will make the region susceptible to new flooding problems from any downpours. Any heavy rain would also prevent rivers that become swollen from receding.

The one advantage to the heavy rain is that it can erase the abnormally dry conditions that remained across the upper Gulf Coast, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor's report on Thursday, May 24.

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