Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) —  Baldwin County officials are sounding the alarm as dangerous weather moves into the region. The remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur are expected to bring heavy rain, flooding, and rough seas. The Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency urges residents and visitors to take this threat seriously. Officials say hazardous conditions could persist into the weekend.

The National Weather Service office in Mobile issued a Flood Watch that runs through 7 PM Friday. Forecasters say four to eight inches of rain could fall across the area, with some spots seeing more than 10 inches. Thursday and Friday are expected to be the most dangerous days, as the ground becomes saturated and can no longer absorb more water. Rivers such as the Styx River and Fish River could reach flood stage if heavy rain bands line up in the right places.

Officials say life-threatening flash flooding could develop quickly and with little warning. Residents in flood-prone areas are being urged to plan now. People should know how to receive emergency alerts and be ready to move to higher ground. The message from officials is simple — do not wait until water is rising to act.

The storm system also poses a risk of severe weather beyond flooding. The National Weather Service says isolated tornadoes are possible today, Thursday. Damaging winds are also a concern. Confidence in tornado development is low to moderate, but that can change quickly.

Baldwin County's beaches are also experiencing dangerous conditions. The National Weather Service is warning of life-threatening coastal hazards through at least Saturday. Rip currents are rated as high risk through the end of the week and possibly into the weekend. Waves of five to seven feet are expected through Friday morning, and minor coastal flooding is possible Thursday afternoon.

Beach safety officials urge everyone to stay out of the water. When double red flags are flying, the Gulf is closed, and entering the water is illegal. Rip currents can form suddenly and are strong enough to pull even experienced swimmers away from shore. Anyone caught in a rip current is advised to float, not fight the current, and wave for help.

The Baldwin County Commission and its public safety partners are closely monitoring conditions. Officials are also reminding drivers not to drive through flooded roads. The well-known advice — "Turn Around, Don't Drown" — applies here. Residents are also asked to clear gutters, drains, and ditches around their homes to help reduce local flooding.

For those who need sand to fill sandbags, the Baldwin County Commission has made it available. Free sand can be picked up behind the Baldwin County Central Annex at 22251 Palmer Street in Robertsdale. Residents need to bring their own shovels and sandbags, as the site is self-serve. Officials set it up this way to provide fast, easy access before and during the storm.

Residents can stay informed by monitoring NOAA Weather Radio, local news outlets, and updates from the Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service in Mobile. Conditions are expected to change throughout the weekend, so staying connected to reliable weather sources is important. Officials are asking everyone in the area to take these warnings seriously and act before conditions worsen.