Streets in downtown Mobile took on water Monday as the remnants of Tropical Storm Cristobal moved through the Gulf Coast, leaving at least one driver’s car stranded and others wary of venturing through flooded roadways.
The worst of the ponding was concentrated on streets leading off Water Street, including St. Louis and St. Anthony, where standing water covered stretches of pavement through much of the day.
Driver Learns a Costly Lesson
One woman had to have her car towed from St. Louis Street after attempting to drive through what turned out to be deeper water than it appeared.
“It was very deep. I don’t know, it just happened. It did not look like it was that deep, and it mostly doesn’t,” she said.
Others downtown said they simply avoided the flooded blocks altogether. One woman described the unsettling experience of navigating around the water: “It is crazy right now. I thought I was going to float down this road — so it was definitely scary.”
Water Receding as Rain Eases
Conditions improved as the day wore on. Photos sent in by an employee at One St. Louis Center earlier Monday showed floodwater that had visibly decreased by later in the day as the rain subsided.
Safety officials routinely warn drivers never to drive through flooded roads, since water depth is difficult to judge and just a foot of moving water can sweep away a vehicle. Taking an alternate route remains the safest choice when streets are under water.