Flooding washes out roads in Hale County

Rising water levels and flooding continue to make a couple of roads in Hale County inaccessible, leading to power outages and the evacuation of nearly 20 people.

According to the Hale County EMA, Riverview Beach Road and Cutoff Road in Moundville are blocked because of flooding after heavy rainfall in the past few days. Since Sunday, first-responders with the Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and Hale County EMA have been working in the area assisting people trapped by the floodwaters.

Hale County EMA Director Russell Weeden said around 19 people and four dogs had been evacuated by first-responders as of Monday. The total included five children, two medical patients and two adults requiring oxygen.

In a Facebook post Sunday, Hale County Commissioner Scott Hallman said that around 75 yards of Riverview Beach Road had been destroyed by the floodwaters at that point. Other social media posts point to significant damage to parts of Cutoff Road as well.

"The road (River View Beach) is impassible," Weeden said. "There’s about a 30-foot hole in the road that has washed out."

Flooding has caused several people to be evacuated by boat from neighborhoods affected by the flooding in those areas. Hallman said it could take as long as a week before power is restored in the area.

Those who need assistance or know someone in need of assistance can call 911 or the Hale County EMA at 334-624-8160.

Reach Drew Taylor at drew.taylor@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0204.