The Michigan Panthers play against the Arlington Renegades in a UFL game today. The matchup will begin at 12 p.m. CT on FOX. Fans can watch this football game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV Stream and Fubo TV.
The Panthers enter this matchup with a 4-2 record, and they are coming off a 38-14 win against the DC Defenders.
During the victory, Michigan racked up 401 total yards. The team’s star quarterback Bryce Perkins threw for 188 yards and two touchdowns. Notably, Perkins also rushed for 76 yards and a touchdown last week.
If Perkins performs similarly this afternoon, then the Panthers will be a difficult team to beat.
The Renegades enter this matchup with a 3-3 record, and they have lost back-to-back games. In their most recent game, the Renegades lost 12-6 against St. Louis.
In order to bounce back this afternoon, the Renegades will need a great performance from their star quarterback Luis Perez. He has completed nearly 71% of his passes this season, and he has thrown for more than 1,100 yards.
Fans can watch this UFL game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV Stream and Fubo TV.
The annual Boston Calling Music Festival is returning to the Harvard Athletic Complex in Boston, Massachusetts on the weekend of May 23-25 this year.
This year’s headliners include Luke Combs, Megan Moroney, Fall Out Boy, Avril Lavigne, Dave Matthews Band and Vampire Weekend.
Along with the popular headliners set to perform this year, additional performances by other fan-favorite artists such as Sherly Crow, T-Pain, Cage the Elephant, Sublime, The Black Crowes, Tom Morello, The 502s, The Maine and more are set to take the stage during the three-day festival.
Where can I find last-minute Boston Calling Music Festival tickets?
Those interested in attending this year’s festival at the end of the month can still find both three-day passes and individual-day passes still available for purchase through secondary markets such as Vivid Seats, StubHub, Viagogo and Seat Geek.
Below you can find the current ticket prices for the remaining three-day passes for this year’s festival.
Those unable to stay the full three-days can find individual-day tickets available for purchase, as well as some two-day tickets floating around on the secondary markets mentioned above. Below you can find the current individual day ticket prices available through Vivid Seats.
Friday, May 23: Luke Combs, Megan Moroney, Sheryl Crow, T-Pain, TLC, Mike., Thee Sacred Souls, Max McNown, Wilderado, Infinity Song, Kyle Dion, Bebe Stockwell, Holy Roller, Latrell James, Megan From Work, Future Teens, Battlemode
Saturday, May 24: Fall Out Boy, Avril Lavigne, Cage the Elephant, The Black Crowes, All Time Low, James Bay, The Maine, Lucius, Valley, Mon Rovia, Amble, Sofia Isella, Timmy Skelly, Simon Robert French, Rebuilder, Sidebody, Pinklids
Sunday, May 25: Dave Matthews Band, Vampire Weekend, Sublime, Public Enemy, Remi Wolf, Goth Babe, Tom Morello, The 502s, Spin Doctors, IDK How But They Found Me, Mo Lowda & The Humble, Sam Austins, Snacktime, Layzi, Copilot, Vivid Bloom, Nate Perry & Ragged Company
Mother’s Day weekend is here, and Real Prize is celebrating with an incredible welcome offer. With the Real Prize promo code for Mother’s Day, all new players are eligible to receive up to 625,000 Gold Coins, 125 free Sweeps Coins and 1,250 VIP points.
This offer from Real Prize is one of the most generous online sweeps casino welcome offers available today. Here, I explain what this offer includes, how it can be claimed and what games can be played with it.
All US states except Connecticut, Idaho, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New York and Washington
📓 Playthrough requirement
1x (for Sweeps Coins)
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Real Prize promo code: How to claim this offer
Real Prize has been live since 2024. Despite being relatively new to the market, it has developed a reputation for having one of the top designs of any sweeps casino currently operating.
I agree that Real Prize is one of the best sweepstakes casinos in the US. Its great design helps players sign up and claim the welcome offer in only a few minutes.
Click the Register button on the Real Prize landing page.
Create a new account with Real Prize by providing your name, email address, date of birth and home address.
Agree to the Real Prize terms and conditions.
Head to the Real Prize store.
To take full advantage of the offer, purchase 625,000 Gold Coins, 125 free Sweeps Coins and 1,250 VIP points for $100.
This is a straightforward offer all players can take advantage of.
Of course, there is never a requirement to spend money at Real Prize. As a signup offer, all players are eligible to receive 100,000 Gold Coins and two free Sweeps Coins without spending a dime.
A wide variety of purchase options are available at Real Prize. Players can buy Gold Coin packages for as low as $1.99.
Real Prize promo code terms and conditions
It’s not easy to stand out in the US online sweepstakes casino industry. Real Prize has done that due in large part to its great bonuses with fair terms and conditions.
The rules connected to the Real Prize promo code for Mother’s Day are very reasonable. Below, I highlight these rules, along with some other basic terms and conditions connected to Real Prize:
The minimum age to join and play at Real Prize is 18 years old.
Real Prize is not accessible in Connecticut, Idaho, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New York and Washington.
To earn the full 625,000 Gold Coins, 125 free Sweeps Coins and 1,250 VIP points, players must make a purchase of $100.
Sweeps Coins earned from the Real Prize promo code offer come with a 1x playthrough requirement.
Real Prize can terminate a player’s account at its sole discretion.
Some popular online sweepstakes casinos have a minimum age requirement of 21. Real Prize accepts players above the age of 18. It’s also great to see that Real Prize is restricted in only states.
To earn the full welcome offer, players will need to make a purchase of $100. As I pointed out, there is never a requirement to spend money on this platform. Real Prize provides its players with 100,000 Gold Coins and two free Sweeps Coins, simply for making a new account.
How do Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins work at Real Prize?
The US online sweepstakes casino industry continues to grow at a rapid pace. With legal online real money casinos limited to only seven states, sweeps casinos are the best alternative for most players around the country.
In order to legally operate, Real Prize (and all other sweeps casinos) must utilize a dual-currency system. It provides players with Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins, each of which has a specific function.
Gold Coins are used to play games at Real Prize, completely for fun. Gold Coins have no monetary value and never can be redeemed for prizes.
Sweeps Coins can be used to play all of the games at Real Prize, too. These can be redeemed for prizes such as gift cards and real money.
Top online slot at Real Prize this Mother’s Day weekend
Many online sweepstakes casinos are operating around the country. Real Prize has gained a reputation as one of the best. It offers more than 500 games, including over 480 unique and high RTP slots from the top developers in the industry.
Players will find no shortage of fun slots to play at Real Prize this Mother’s Day weekend. Here is a look at one of the most exciting games available:
Gemstone Rush
A screenshot of the Gemstone Rush slot game.Spadegaming
The variety of games at Real Prize is excellent. Players will find slots, table games and live dealer games being offered.
As a fan of slots, I tend to focus on slot games with high return to player (RTP) rates. One of the best is called Gemstone Rush. This is a six-reel online slot developed by Spadegaming.
Six-reel slots are almost always exciting. They tend to come with a large number of unique features, and Gemstone Rush is no different.
Players will find many fun features, including free spins, wild symbols, scatter symbols and more. Land three or more golden symbols, and they are immediately converted into wilds, which can help players earn some huge payouts.
A multiplier also offers players increasing payouts for each consecutive win.
This game’s theme and soundtrack are great, too. It’s set in an old mine with symbols that include a variety of precious gems. The game looks fantastic using a desktop computer and a mobile device.
Gemstone Rush is more of a sweeps slot game and is not necessarily one of the most popular real money slots. It is growing more popular every month, and it would not be a surprise to see this game become a hit at online casinos such as FanDuel Casino in the near future.
Halfway through a $115 million expansion of its Redstone missile integration facility, Raytheon is looking to deepen its investment in Huntsville.
The company, a unit of RTX Corp., is on track to finish construction in November and bring the 26,000 square-foot addition online in January. And the expansion has not interrupted its day-to-day work for global defense clients, a company executive told AL.com on Friday.
“The fantastic part about this is we’re doing all this while we’re continuing to operate, while we’re continuing to put out all-up-rounds, while we’re continuing to deliver to the warfighter,” said Michael Cox, who represents the three business units — Raytheon, Pratt & Whitney and Collins Aerospace — as RTX site executive in Huntsville.
The expansion, which broke ground last year, is expected to bring with it 185 new jobs. When complete, RTX will be employing about 2,200 in Alabama, over 1,000 of them in the Huntsville area. Huntsville is one of just two RTX locations to house facilities for all three units.
For the initial hiring phase of the Redstone facility, “We’ll draw from the local community — primarily — for the manufacturing jobs, those integration and test folks, and engineers,” Cox said.
Raytheon’s Redstone facility is the final integration point for numerous missile programs — including nine variants of the Standard Missile family — for the Missile Defense Agency, U.S. Navy and other defense customers. The company has won missile contracts worth over $2 billion this year alone, some of which will involve work in Huntsville, AL.com has reported.
With the expanded missile integration facility, “We are scaling up for the future,” Cox said. “We have a few new programs that we would like to bring in at some point in time … but certainly what we want to do is increase our capacity, increase our throughput, so that we can deliver more systems [more quickly] to the warfighter, to our customers and to our allies.”
Raytheon had also planned to work on the glide phase interceptor (GPI) at its expanded Redstone missile integration facility. The GPI is a hypersonic missile defense system.
Yet the Missile Defense Agency chose Northrop Grumman last year to proceed to full production. Raytheon launched a bid protest action in response, which is currently being heard before a federal claims court in Washington, D.C. The judge ruled in February that the challenge can continue.
The GPI is designed to defeat hostile missiles in their “glide phase,” which follows a ballistic launch. During the glide phase, hypersonic missiles – which travel many times the speed of sound — pose a unique threat because they are faster and more maneuverable than ballistic missiles.
Hypersonic missile defense is a key part of President Donald Trump’s “Golden Dome” proposal, which has drawn interest from Raytheon and other defense contractors with north Alabama operations. In a January earnings call just days after Trump announced what was then called “Iron Dome,” Christopher Calio, RTX president and CEO called it, “a significant opportunity for us; something right in our wheelhouse.”
Although details are scarce so far, the president’s order signaled new investment and funding opportunities for anti-missile programs, particularly space-based initiatives.
Regardless of what the Golden Dome architecture eventually entails, the Redstone expansion could lead to “significant growth” in Raytheon’s missile defense programs, according to Cox.
“We have significant capability in terms of combat-proven systems,” he said. “Being able to bring more and more work here is something we’re looking forward to.”
Alabama led all public SEC football programs in reliance on donations for Fiscal Year 2024, according to data from financial reports submitted to the NCAA by the league’s 15 public schools. AL.com obtained the reports via a series of open records requests.
The Crimson Tide football program brought in 38.2% of its FY 2024 revenue via contributions from donors. The Fiscal Year ran from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024.
Alabama outpaced second-place Tennessee, which counted on donations for 35.7% of its football revenue. Auburn ranked eighth among the 15 public schools, with 29.9% of its football dollars coming from contributions.
The Crimson Tide moved up from third place in Fiscal Year 2023, when it had counted on contributions as 33% of its football revenue. Auburn ranked seventh in FY 2023, at 25.7%
Three schools, Kentucky, Mississippi State and Arkansas, did not list any football-specific donations on their FY 2024 reports. Among the schools that did, Missouri relied on contributions the least, with 10.9% of its revenue coming from donations.
Across all sports, both the Tide and Tigers were further down the list. Taking into account all athletic department revenue, Georgia was most reliant on donors, with 41.9% of its revenue coming from contributions.
Texas was second, at 40.3%, and was the only other public school in the league to top the 40% mark. Alabama was sixth, with 32.1% of its athletics revenue coming from donations.
Auburn ranked 12th, at 23.4%. Only two schools had less than 20% of their athletics revenue come through contributions, those being South Carolina (18.4%) and Arkansas (17.1%).
It’s in the actual dollars where the SEC’s financial disparities become more obvious. In the football-only contributions, Texas led the way at $63.3 million.
Excluding the three schools that did not report football-specific donations, Missouri brought up the rear. The Tigers reported $6.1 million in the category, over $10 million behind South Carolina, the next closest school.
Alabama ranked second in football-only gifts, at $53.5 million. Tennessee ranked one spot below the Tide, at $53.2 million.
Auburn sat seventh in the league, with $36.2 million in football contributions.
Texas also topped out the SEC in contributions for all sports. The Longhorns reported $133.9 million in total donations, which was more than Mississippi State’s total athletics revenue in FY 2024, which came to $127.2 million.
Georgia came in a distant second place, reporting $101.3 million in contributions. Alabama was fifth, with $75.3 million, an increase from FY 2023, when it reported nearly $49 million in the category.
Texas A&M, which had led the SEC with $115.4 million in contributions last fiscal year, was down to third place, with $88.6 million.
Auburn was 10th in the SEC for FY 2024 contributions, with $45.4 million. The Tigers had reported $41.5 million in FY 2023.
Arkansas brought in the least FY 2024 donations, at $29.2 million. The Razorbacks were the lone public SEC program below $30 million, with Mississippi State reporting $30.8 million in the category.
The first set of soccer champions were crowned in Huntsville.
Among the victors at John Hunt Park were some teams plenty familiar with hoisting trophies — Westminster’s girls claimed their third straight title — and others who brought home a long-awaited championship back home, including St. John Paul II’s girls and Guntersville’s boys.
Other situations were a little different.
Lee-Scott’s girls claimed an AHSAA Class 1A-3A title in their first year as full AHSAA members, capping off an incredible season for the Warriors.
Meanwhile, Collinsville’s boys claimed the program’s first state championship since 2013 with a glimmering 5-2 victory over Tuscaloosa Academy that saw a community pack the stands in Huntsville.
Westminster-Oak Mountain’s boys completed a revenge tour for its first state title; the Knights fell in the semifinals in 2023 and lost in the championship game last season before claiming this year’s 4A title.
With all of those great stories, there’s plenty more on deck for the final day of the AHSAA soccer season on Saturday.
In the meantime, here’s what to know from Friday and looking ahead to the final day of high school soccer games in Alabama:
TOP PERFORMANCES
1. St. John Paul II star has MVP performance
Ella Cazzavillan scored a pair of goals, logged an assist and claimed Class 4A state tournament MVP as St. John Paul II beat St. Luke’s Episcopal 3-1 for the Class 4A state title. The school record-holder for goals and assists will play soccer at NCAA Division II Pittsburg State University.
2. One of the state’s best adds to career
Guntersville star A.J. Shumate scored a pair of goals in the second half of the Class 5A state championship to lead the Wildcats to a 2-0 victory over Indian Springs. He finished his career with a state-record 212 career goals and 50 goals on the season.
3. Hat trick in a big win
Westminster-Oak Mountain’s Charlie Krulak scored a trio of goals and added an assist as the Knights beat Oneonta 6-0 in the Class 4A state championship game. He claimed the state tournament MVP award following the victory.
4. A pair of assists
Annie Collier logged assists on both goals and claimed Class 5A tournament MVP as Westminster Christian picked up a 2-1 victory over St. Michael in the state title game. She also had the final penalty kick in a semifinal victory over Springville on Wednesday.
PHOTO OF THE DAY
Lee-Scott Academy celebrates a state championship after a penally kick win over Madison Academy at an AHSAA Class 1A-3A state final soccer game in Huntsville, Ala., Friday, May 9, 2025.
(Vasha Hunt | [email protected])Vasha Hunt
FRIDAY’S ACTION
Here’s a full schedule for the Class 6A and 7A championships on Friday:
Class 6A girls championship: Mountain Brook vs. Briarwood Christian, 9 a.m. (Field 1)
Class 7A boys championship: Oak Mountain vs. Montgomery Academy, 9 a.m. (Field 2)
Class 7A girls championship: Vestavia Hills vs. Auburn, 11:30 a.m. (Field 2)
Class 6A boys championship: Southside-Gadsden vs. Spanish Fort, 11:30 a.m. (Field 1)
DEAR ABBY: My cousin (more like a sister) has made some extremely rash and concerning choices over the last year. After she had her second baby, she left her husband and started seeing a series of borderline-abusive men. She’s now in the process of signing full custody of the children over to her ex-husband and impulsively buying a house out of state.
What I’m finding challenging is, she will accept nothing less than “full support” from her family and friends. She has cut off her sister, to the point of not attending her wedding, because she expressed that maybe it was time for her to talk to a professional about her mental health.
She hasn’t spoken to her mother in months either.
I don’t want to cut her off, because I think she genuinely needs help and is experiencing something very challenging. But she’s trying to manipulate her ex-husband into giving her more alimony money, while she runs around with a man who verbally abuses her in public.
I think she’s a danger to herself, but if I say as much, she’ll cut me off too. Should I stay in her life so I can help when she inevitably needs it? Or should I take a harsher stance? — CONCERNED COUSIN IN OREGON
DEAR COUSIN: Tell your cousin (who is more like a sister) you love her dearly, but she’s making some serious mistakes, and you are afraid for her future. It’s the truth. Let her know that watching her estrange herself from her family has been painful for you, and if things don’t turn out as she hopes, you will be there for her. Then back away until the dust settles.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
At 5:39 a.m. on Saturday, the National Weather Service released a tornado warning in effect until 6:15 a.m. for Baldwin County.
“At 5:38 a.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Lillian, or 8 miles west of West Pensacola, moving north at 20 mph,” according to the weather service. “Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely.”
The warning is for emain over mainly rural areas of southeastern Baldwin and south central Escambia counties.
The weather service adds, “Take cover now! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.”
Tornado watches and warnings: Your safety guide
When it comes to tornadoes, understanding the distinction between a Tornado watch and a Tornado warning can be a matter of life and death. Here’s a breakdown:
Tornado watch: Be prepared!
A Tornado watch is your advance warning that conditions are ripe for tornado formation.
It’s your signal to review your emergency plans, ensure your supplies are in order, and identify your safe room.
While it doesn’t indicate an imminent tornado, it’s a heads-up to be prepared to take swift action if a Tornado warning is issued or if you suspect a tornado is approaching.
Tornado Watches are issued by the Storm Prediction Center and often encompass a broad area, potentially spanning multiple counties or even states.
Tornado warning: Take action!
A Tornado warning signifies that a tornado has been spotted or detected by weather radar.
This is the real deal – there’s an immediate threat to life and property.
Your response should be quick: seek shelter in an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, away from windows.
If you’re in a mobile home, a vehicle, or caught outdoors, find the nearest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.
Warnings are issued by your local forecast office and pinpoint a much smaller area, typically the size of a city or a small county, where a tornado has been identified, either by radar or through reports from trained spotters and law enforcement.
Knowing the distinction between these two alerts is paramount for staying safe during tornado season. Stay informed, have a plan, and act promptly when danger looms.
Get ready for tornadoes
Stay weather-ready:
Check the forecast regularly to see if you’re at risk for tornadoes. Listen to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay informed about tornado watches and warnings.
Sign up for alerts:
Know how your community sends warnings. Some communities have outdoor sirens. Others depend on media and smartphones to alert residents of severe storms capable of producing tornadoes.
Establish a communication plan:
Create a family emergency plan that includes a designated meeting place and important contact information. If your home lacks a basement, identify a nearby safe building, like a church or a relative’s house, that you can reach quickly.
Choose a secure shelter:
Pick a safe room within your home, such as a basement, storm cellar, or an interior room on the lowest floor without windows.
Establish a communication plan:
Conduct regular family drills for severe thunderstorms so everyone knows what to do when a tornado threat arises. Ensure that all family members are aware of the safe location to seek shelter, and don’t forget about your pets if time permits.
Secure your home:
Consider having your safe room reinforced. You can find plans for reinforcing an interior room to provide better protection on the Federal Emergency Management Agency website.
Extend a helping hand:
Encourage your loved ones to prepare for the possibility of tornadoes. Take CPR training so you can help if someone is hurt.
Tornado survival guide: Immediate actions for your safety
When a tornado strikes, taking swift action is crucial to ensuring your safety and minimizing potential harm. Follow these guidelines from the weather service:
Stay informed:
Remain vigilant and stay updated by listening to local news broadcasts or a NOAA Weather Radio for tornado watches and warnings.
At home:
If you are at home and a tornado warning is issued, make your way to the basement, a designated safe room, or an interior space away from windows. Don’t forget to ensure the safety of your pets if time allows.
At work or school:
If you are at your workplace or school, adhere to tornado drill procedures. Move promptly and calmly to your designated tornado shelter, avoiding large open areas like cafeterias, gymnasiums, or auditoriums, and steer clear of windows.
Outdoors:
If you’re outdoors and a tornado is approaching, seek immediate shelter inside a sturdy building. Sheds, storage facilities, mobile homes, and tents are not safe. If there’s time, make your way to a secure structure.
In a vehicle:
Being inside a vehicle during a tornado is highly unsafe. Your best course of action is to drive to the nearest shelter. If reaching shelter is not possible, either stay inside your car while covering your head, or abandon the vehicle and seek safety in a low-lying area such as a ditch or ravine.
Remember, acting swiftly and following safety protocols are essential for your well-being when a tornado is imminent.
Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.
A flood advisory was issued by the National Weather Service on Saturday at 5:12 a.m. in effect until 8:15 a.m. for Baldwin County.
The weather service says, “Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected.”
“Minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas,” describes the weather service. “Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.”
Understanding the differences between advisories, watches, and warnings
Flash flood warning: Take action!
A flash flood warning is issued when a flash flood is either imminent or already occurring. In flood-prone areas, it’s crucial to move immediately to higher ground. A flash flood is a sudden and violent inundation that can develop within minutes to hours, and it can even happen in areas not currently experiencing rainfall.
Flood warning: Take action!
A flood warning is issued when flooding is imminent or occurring.
Flood advisory: Be aware:
A flood advisory is released when flooding is not expected to reach a severity level necessitating a warning. Nonetheless, it can still cause considerable inconvenience and, without exercising caution, potentially lead to situations that threaten life and/or property.
Flood watch: Be prepared:
A flood watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It doesn’t guarantee that flooding will occur, but it signifies that the possibility exists.
Weathering the storm: Flood safety guidelines from the weather service
In flood-prone regions or while camping in low-lying areas, understanding and following the weather service flood safety guidelines can be a lifesaver:
Move to higher ground:
If you’re in a flood-prone area, or if you’re camping in a low-lying spot, move to higher ground as a first step.
Adhere to evacuation orders:
If local authorities issue an evacuation order, heed it promptly. Prior to leaving, secure your home by locking it.
Disconnect utilities and appliances:
If time allows, disconnect your utilities and appliances. This reduces the risk of electrical hazards during flooding.
Avoid basements and submerged areas:
Avoid basements or rooms submerged in water with electrical outlets or cords. Preventing electrical accidents is crucial.
Swift evacuation for your safety:
If you notice sparks or hear buzzing, crackling, snapping, or popping sounds, evacuate without delay. Do not enter water that may carry an electrical charge.
Refrain from walking in floodwaters:
Never attempt to walk through floodwaters. Even just 6 inches of swiftly moving water can forcefully knock you off your feet.
Seek higher ground when trapped:
Should you become trapped by moving water, reach the highest point possible and dial 911 to contact emergency services.
During periods of intense rainfall, the risk of flooding increases, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas. It is imperative to avoid driving through any water on the road, even if it seems shallow. According to the weather service, most cars can be swept away by just 12 inches of rushing water. Stay safe by being prepared and informed.
Driving through downpours: Safety guidelines for wet roads
When heavy rain strikes, safety is paramount. Equip yourself with these guidelines from the weather service to navigate wet roads and avoid hazards:
Beware of swollen waterways:
During heavy rain, avoid parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a serious risk.
Maintain safe driving distances:
The two-second rule for following distance is your ally in heavy rain. Extend it to four seconds to ensure safe spacing in adverse conditions.
Slow down and stay cautious:
On wet roads, slowing down is paramount. Gradually ease off the accelerator and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.
Choose your lane wisely:
Stick to the middle lanes on multi-lane roads to minimize the risk of hydroplaning, as water tends to accumulate in outer lanes.
Prioritize visibility:
Turn on your headlights and be careful of other vehicles to the rear and in blind spot areas as they are especially difficult to see through rain-spattered windows.
Watch out for slippery roads:
The initial half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mixture of rain, grime, and oil. Exercise heightened caution 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 swiftly and safely.
Mind your windshield wipers:
Heavy rain can overload the wiper blades. When visibility is so limited that the edges of the road or other vehicles cannot be seen at a safe distance, it is time to pull over and wait for the rain to ease up. It is best to stop at rest areas or other protected areas.
If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guard rail, and wait until the storm passes. Keep your headlights on and turn on emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position.
By following these safety measures, you can significantly reduce risks and ensure your well-being when heavy rain pours down. Stay informed about weather conditions and heed advice from local authorities to make your journey safe and sound.
Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.
On Saturday at 2:51 a.m. a flash flood warning was issued by the National Weather Service in effect until 6 a.m. for Mobile County.
“At 2:51 a.m., Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 2 and 4 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly,” states the weather service. “Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas.”
Locations impacted by the warning include Midtown Mobile, Downtown Mobile, Prichard, Tillmans Corner, Theodore, Chickasaw, Grand Bay, Bayou La Batre, I10 And I65, Coden, Alabama Port, I65 And I165, Laurendine, Irvington, Fowl River, South Orchard, Hollingers Island, Mann, Belle Fontaine and Saint Elmo.
The weather service states, “Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding.”
Breaking down weather alerts: advisories, watches, and warnings
Flash flood warning: Take action!
A flash flood warning is issued when a flash flood is imminent or occurring. If you are in a flood-prone area, move immediately to high ground. A flash flood is a sudden violent flood that can take from minutes to hours to develop. It is even possible to experience a flash flood in areas not immediately receiving rain.
Flood warning: Take action!
A flood warning is issued when flooding is imminent or occurring.
Flood advisory: Be aware:
A flood advisory is issued when flooding is not expected to be bad enough to issue a warning. However, it may cause significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, it could lead to situations that may threaten life and/or property.
Flood watch: Be prepared:
A flood watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It doesn’t guarantee that flooding will occur, but it signifies that the possibility exists.
Be flood-ready: Expert guidance from the weather service for your safety
Floods can pose a significant threat, especially if you live in a flood-prone area or find yourself camping in a low-lying region. To ensure your safety, the weather service offers essential flood safety guidelines:
Move to higher ground:
If you reside in a flood-prone region or are camping in low-lying terrain, the first step to safety is relocating to higher ground.
Adhere to evacuation orders:
When local authorities issue an evacuation order, promptly comply. Before leaving, secure your home by locking it.
Disconnect utilities and appliances:
If time permits, disconnect your utilities and appliances. This precaution minimizes electrical hazards during flooding.
Avoid basements and submerged areas:
Avoid basements or rooms submerged in water with electrical outlets or cords. Preventing electrical accidents is crucial.
Evacuate promptly for safety:
If you notice sparks or hear buzzing, crackling, snapping, or popping sounds, evacuate without delay. Do not enter water that may carry an electrical charge.
Refrain from walking in floodwaters:
Never attempt to walk through floodwaters. Even just 6 inches of swiftly moving water can forcefully knock you off your feet.
Seek higher ground when trapped:
In the event you become trapped by moving water, make your way to the highest point available and contact emergency services by calling 911.
During heavy rain, flooding is possible, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas. Never drive through water on the road, even if it does not appear to be deep. It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most cars, according to the weather service. Stay safe by being prepared and informed.
Driving through downpours: Safety guidelines for wet roads
When heavy rain strikes, safety is paramount. Equip yourself with these guidelines from the weather service to navigate wet roads and avoid hazards:
Beware of swollen waterways:
In heavy rain, refrain from parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a grave danger.
Maintain safe driving distances:
Adhere to the two-second rule for maintaining a safe following distance behind the vehicle in front of you. In heavy rain, allow an additional two seconds of distance to compensate for reduced traction and braking effectiveness.
Slow down and stay cautious:
If it is raining and the roads are wet, slow down. Take your foot off the accelerator and let your speed drop gradually. Never use the brakes suddenly because this may cause the car to skid.
Choose your lane wisely:
Stick to the middle lanes to minimize the risk of hydroplaning. Outer lanes are more prone to accumulating water.
Visibility matters:
Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by turning on your headlights. Watch out for vehicles in blind spots, as rain-smeared windows can obscure them.
Watch out for slippery roads:
The first half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mix of rain, grime, and oil. Exercise heightened caution during this period.
Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:
Don’t follow large trucks or buses too closely. The spray created by their large tires reduces your vision. Take care when passing them as well; if you must pass, do so quickly and safely.
Mind your windshield wipers:
Heavy rain can overload the wiper blades. When visibility is so limited that the edges of the road or other vehicles cannot be seen at a safe distance, it is time to pull over and wait for the rain to ease up. It is best to stop at rest areas or other protected areas.
When stopping by the roadside is your only option, position your vehicle as far off the road as possible, ideally beyond guardrails. Keep your headlights on and activate emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position.
By following these safety measures, you can significantly reduce risks and ensure your well-being when heavy rain pours down. Stay informed about weather conditions and heed advice from local authorities to make your journey safe and sound.
Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.