Dothan faces possible floods, tornadoes from Fay

By Greg Phillips

Published: August 20, 2008

Fay’s track still isn’t certain, but meteorologists agree—it’s going to be a wet weekend in the Wiregrass.

“It depends on the final track of Fay and what happens, but we have estimates anywhere from five-to-eight-inch rainfall possibilities,” said Alex Gibbs, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Tallahassee.

Rainfall from the storm is expected to reach Dothan by Friday night or Saturday, with the bulk of the rain accumulating on Saturday and Sunday.

“For Southeast Alabama, it looks like the best chance for heavy rainfall is Saturday, Sunday and into Monday,” Gibbs said.

Houston County EMA Director Clark Matthews is preparing for the worst.

According to Matthews, Houston County will be at high risk for tornadoes and flooding over the weekend.

“We think we’re at high risk of isolated tornadoes,” Matthews said. “Further south we go, more in danger we’re gonna be to tornadoes. Tornadoes and flooding, our two biggest threats to Houston County, we’re facing them.”

Matthews said that with the heavy rainfall, residents should be weary of roads prone to flooding.

Dothan Police Chief John Powell again stressed to the public not to call 911 for weather updates.