Etowah County Emergency Management Agency

Flash Flood WATCH Etowah County 6/18-6/19

⛈️ FLOOD WATCH: Now through Friday Evening 🌧️
A Flood Watch is in effect for parts of central Alabama, including Etowah, Blount, and Cherokee counties.
Heavy rainfall may lead to flash flooding 🚨, especially in low‑lying areas, creeks, and near rivers.
What to know:
• 🌊 Roads may flood quickly—never drive through water.
• 📉 Keep an eye on rising creeks and streams.
• 🚗 Move vehicles or belongings if you’re in a flood‑prone spot.
Stay safe and stay weather-aware. ⚠️

More updates as conditions change.

Update from the previous weather forecast from the US National Weather Service Birmingham Alabama.

🌩️ Rain & Storms Through Saturday
Medium to high chances of showers and thunderstorms will continue across the area. Some storms may be strong at times.

⚠️ Flood Watch (Thu AM – Fri PM)
A Flood Watch is in effect due to the potential for heavy rainfall. With multiple rounds of rain expected, flooding could develop quickly in low‑lying or poor‑drainage areas.

⛈️ Severe Weather Risk on Thursday
Central Alabama is under a Marginal Risk (Level 1 of 5) for severe storms Thursday.
Possible threats include:
• Damaging wind gusts
• A brief, isolated tornado

🌊 Rising Water Levels Possible
Saturated soils may lead to rising streams, rivers, and lakes late this week into the weekend.

Please stay alert, monitor forecasts, and never drive through flooded roadways. Turn Around, Don’t Drown.

Latest from the US National Weather Service Birmingham Alabama,

Rain and storms remain likely through Saturday, with medium to high chances each day.
🌩️ Thursday: A Marginal Risk (Level 1 of 5) for severe storms — damaging winds and a brief tornado can’t be ruled out.
🌧️ Heavy Rain: Saturated soils may lead to rising streams, rivers, and lake levels late this week into the weekend.

Stay weather‑aware and monitor local alerts.

Part of our overall plan to improve safety and traffic flow in downtown Gadsden includes converting intersections from red lights into four-way stops.

Beginning this morning, June 15, 2026, we will begin flashing traffic lights red for 30 days in preparation for installing those four-way stops.

All traffic signals on Broad St. and Chestnut St. from 1st St. to 7th St. (except for 1st and Broad) will be flashing red.

If you come to an intersection with flashing red lights, remember to treat the intersection exactly like a four-way stop.

    1    Come to a complete stop behind the stop line, crosswalk or before entering the intersection.
    2    Yield to vehicles already stopped first. The first vehicle to stop is the first vehicle allowed to go.
    3    If two vehicles stop at the same time, the vehicle on the right has the right-of-way.
    4    Yield to pedestrians and emergency vehicles. Always allow pedestrians to cross safely and pull over for emergency responders when necessary.
    5    Proceed only when safe. After yielding appropriately, continue through the intersection cautiously.
    6    Never roll through or assume you automatically have the right-of-way.

We’re looking forward to the improvement this will make for downtown, and we appreciate your patience as we all get used to the new traffic flow!

It looks like we have several days of rain forecast for us this week. We are not expecting any severe weather, but if the forecast changes we will keep you updated. Stay safe Etowah County and have a great week!

Burning Information

If you live in Etowah County, here is some burn permit information.

ADEM - NO BURN May 1 to OCT 31
Small camp fires are allowed
All other fires must be permitted by ADEM, and the burn must be for agricultural or silvicultural purposes

Alabama Forestry Permits - All Year
Any area larger than 1/4 acre requires a forestry permit

All burning, even with permits, is subject to weather conditions at the time of burning. Even with a permit, the burner is responsible for any damages.

If you live inside a city, additional permits may be required. Please check with your city.

It's definitely starting to feel like summer! Take the proper precautions if you find yourself working out in the heat! Drink plenty of water, take regular breaks out of the sun, and check on family and friends!

We will NOT be conducting a test of the outdoor warning sirens today.