Flood Warning Extends in Choctaw County as Persistent Rain Swells Tombigbee River

Rising Water Levels Put Choctaw County on High Alert

Flooding isn’t rare in Choctaw County, Alabama, but this past week’s steady rain has the area bracing for more trouble than usual. With the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Mobile issuing multiple urgent warnings, locals are keeping a close eye on the Tombigbee River—and their own backyards.

The latest flood advisory kicked in early Wednesday, following two days of persistent storms. By the time NWS updated its warning at 9:25 AM on June 11, the timeline for flood risk had already ballooned. The advisory was set to cover Choctaw County until at least Friday evening, but growing concerns about high water levels made the warning last through the entire weekend, extending to 9:00 AM on Saturday. That means this isn’t your usual flash flood; it’s turning into a days-long event.

At the heart of all this is the Tombigbee River, which snakes through the county and serves as both a lifeline and—during weeks like this—a serious hazard. Observers at the Brackett Ridge Road bridge reported the river creeping out of its channel, flooding nearby woodlands, low-lying fields, and pastures. The NWS flagged these specific areas as the most at risk, which isn’t just an inconvenience for landowners. Local livestock can be cut off from dry ground, and travel in rural areas becomes a game of chance with unpredictable water depths.

Safety Warnings and What’s at Stake

If you’ve heard the motto, “Turn around, don’t drown,” you know authorities take flooded roads seriously. It’s a simple message, but numbers back it up: most deaths in flood events actually happen when people try to drive through standing water. The NWS and local first responders have been hammering that point home, telling residents to stay off flooded streets and not even try wading across strong currents.

Far from being just an inconvenience, flooding like this disrupts daily life. Farmers are forced to move equipment to higher ground or risk losing valuable crops. Families along the river keep their bags packed, just in case things get worse. Some roads near the river are already marked with makeshift barriers—sometimes just boards or colored tape—warning drivers to seek another way around.

With weather models showing rain lingering over the area, officials aren’t letting their guard down. Local volunteer groups are checking in with isolated neighbors, especially those close to the riverbank. Emergency services have been prepping for possible rescues, ready to respond if the situation takes a turn for the worse.

Researchers monitoring regional river data noted that the Brackett Ridge gauge was inching towards levels known to cause trouble. While the flooding is currently listed as “minor to moderate,” this still means disrupted routines, stranded vehicles, and a whole lot of stress for a community used to close calls with Mother Nature.

For now, locals in Choctaw County are watching the skies, checking river levels, and hoping this string of advisories ends sooner rather than later. Until then, everyone’s got the same priority: stay dry, stay safe, and don’t take chances with nature’s unpredictable moods.