Flood Warning Issued for Black Warrior River Affecting Hale, Greene, and Marengo Counties

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Birmingham AL has issued a Flood Warning for the Black Warrior River at Selden Lock and Dam. This alert follows heavy rainfall that has occurred over the past 48 to 72 hours over the Black Warrior River basin. The warning indicates that minor flooding is forecast for the region.

Affected Areas

The following counties in Alabama are included in this warning:

• Hale County
• Greene County
• Marengo County

Expected Conditions

As of 8:15 AM CDT on Thursday, the river stage was measured at 87.0 feet. The flood stage for this location is 90.0 feet. The river is forecast to rise above flood stage this evening and reach a crest of 95.4 feet on Sunday morning.

Specific impacts based on water levels include:

• 90.0 feet: Pasture and wood lands begin to flood.
• 94.0 to 97.0 feet: Secondary roads near Lock 5 park and Sandpiper Road begin to flood, which could cut off residents.
• 96.0 to 97.0 feet: Roads leading into Roebuck Landing are expected to flood. Farm and pasture land flooding will continue at these levels.

Timeline

• Effective Date: March 12, 2026
• Onset: The river is expected to rise above flood stage starting Thursday evening, March 12.
• Crest: A peak of 95.4 feet is expected Sunday morning, March 15.
• Duration: The river is forecast to fall below flood stage early Tuesday morning, March 17. The warning remains in effect until 1:30 PM CDT on Tuesday.

What You Should Do

Residents and travelers in the affected areas should adhere to the following safety guidelines:

• Move Livestock: Livestock should be moved to higher ground if they are in areas prone to flooding at stages above 90 feet.
• Road Safety: Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
• Avoidance: Avoid flooded areas and monitor local updates. The next statement is expected to be issued this evening or sooner if conditions warrant.