Prepare for heavy rain in Marshall and Jackson counties early Wednesday evening

The National Weather Service issued a weather warning Wednesday at 3:42 p.m. for heavy rain until 4:15 p.m. for Marshall and Jackson counties.

“At 3:36 p.m., Doppler radar tracked heavy rain and isolated thunderstorms from near Grant in the northeast to just southwest of Scottsboro, moving northeast at 20 miles per hour,” the weather service said. “Heavy rainfall rates of up to 1 inch per hour may result in flooding on area roads. Please allow additional time to reach your destination and additional driving distance in these areas.”

Locations affected by the warning include Scottsboro, Grant, Section, Dutton, Langston, Union Grove, Larkinsville and Columbus City.

According to the weather service, “If you are outdoors, consider seeking shelter in a building.”

Navigating Rainy Roads: Wet Weather Safety Tips

When heavy rain falls, safety comes first. Equip yourself with these weather service guidelines to navigate wet roads and avoid hazards:

Beware of rapid water flow:

• During heavy rain, avoid playing near culverts or drainage ditches, where fast-moving water can pose a serious hazard.

Maintain safe driving distances:

• The two-second distance tracking rule is your ally in heavy rain. Extend this to four seconds to ensure a safe distance under adverse conditions.

Slow down and drive carefully:

• On wet roads, reducing your speed is crucial. Release the accelerator pedal gradually and avoid abrupt braking to avoid skidding.

Choose your lane wisely:

• Stay in the center lanes to minimize the risk of aquaplaning. Outer lanes are more susceptible to water accumulation.

Visibility is important:

• Improve your visibility in heavy rain by turning on your headlights. Beware of vehicles in blind spots, as rain-stained windows can obscure them from view.

Beware of slippery roads:

• The first half hour of rain is when the roads are slipperiest due to a mix of rain, dirt and oil. Be extra careful during this period.

Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:

• Large trucks and buses can reduce your visibility with tire spray. Avoid tailgating and pass them quickly and safely.

Pay attention to your windshield wipers:

Overloaded wiper blades can obscure vision. If rain severely limits your visibility, stop and wait for conditions to improve. Take refuge in rest areas or protected areas. When stopping along the road, position your vehicle as far away from the road as possible, ideally beyond the guardrails. Keep your headlights on and activate emergency flashers to warn other drivers.

In heavy rain, these precautions can make a significant difference in ensuring your safety on the road. Remember to stay aware of weather conditions and follow local authority guidelines for a safe trip.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service from United Robots, which uses machine learning to gather the latest data from the National Weather Service.