MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Strong storms Friday in Alabama dumped torrential rain on an already water-logged state, flooding roadways and making rivers rise.
The National Weather Service issued flood warnings for multiple counties across the state - including Blount, Cullman, Marshall and Etowah - and for areas along several rivers. The weather service said that up to 2 inches of rain per hour was possible as the latest round of storms pushed through the state.
The new precipitation comes with the ground already saturated by days of heavy rainfall. The National Weather Service in Birmingham estimated that some sections of the state had received as much as 5 inches of rain over a 24 hour-period that ended at 7 a.m. Friday.
Rainwater covered city streets in Jasper on Friday morning. However, Harry Markham of the Walker County Emergency Management Agency said the waters began to recede after storms left the area.
Water also covered a low-lying intersection in Curry and seeped into a nearby pizza restaurant, but workers said it quickly dried after the rain stopped.
The Alabama Emergency Management Agency urged motorists to be cautious and not to drive through standing water.
More severe storms could be headed to the state Saturday. The weather service said a few strong thunderstorms are possible, bringing more heavy downpours and wind gusts of up to 60 mph.
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