AMU Emergency Management Public Safety

Young Boy Killed as Tropical Storm Cindy Strikes Alabama Coastline

By David E. Hubler
Contributor, EDM Digest

Tropical Storm Cindy made landfall Wednesday and tragically killed a 10-year-old boy in the coastal town of Fort Morgan.

According to the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, the boy and his family, who were not immediately identified, were visiting the area from St. Louis, Missouri. The boy had just stepped outside the condominium where they were staying, his father told police. He said he saw a huge wave coming ashore where his son was standing near a large log.

The father said the wave hit the log, knocking it into his son. The father and a witness quickly took the boy inside the condo and attempted to resuscitate him, while others called for medical assistance.

Units of the Fort Morgan Fire Department and Med-Star Ambulance arrived and attempted resuscitation, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

Severe Weather Predicted Thursday and into Friday

Alabama isn’t through dealing with the storm, the Alabama Media Group news site AL.com reports. Severe weather is predicted for much of the state and neighboring Mississippi all day Thursday.

The National Weather Service in Mobile said that rain from Cindy will continue through today, and some of it will be heavy. An additional one to three inches of rain is possible today, with isolated spots getting four to possibly eight inches.

A flash flood watch will continue through late tonight, according to the NWS. There is a chance of localized flash flooding and even river flooding through Friday.

Along with continued flooding concerns, there is also a risk of tornadoes. The Storm Prediction Center describes the risk as moderate, but any tornadoes that do form are expected to be short-lived and on the weak side.

Parts of southwest Alabama have been under a tornado watch continuously since late Tuesday. The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for 19 counties in Alabama until 1 p.m. But the watch could be extended later today depending on where Cindy’s rain bands set up.

Alabama faces increased severe weather again on Friday, when the remnants of Cindy move closer to the state. The weather service said an additional flood watch might be needed for Friday.

David E. Hubler brings a variety of government, journalism and teaching experience to his position as a Quality Assurance Editor. David’s professional background includes serving as a senior editor at CIA and the Voice of America. He has also been a managing editor for several business-to-business and business-to-government publishing companies.

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