By EMILY SPARACINO / Staff Writer

Persistent rain throughout the day in Shelby County has spilled into the evening, causing more flooding in areas already saturated with water.

At 9:32 p.m., the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office posted an update on the flooding situation, noting several problem areas.

Water is covering roads including Cahaba Valley Road, Highway 55 and Highway 51, the Kingdom area in Four Mile and multiple roads in Westover and Shelby, the post read.

Since deputies and emergency road personnel will not be able to block all of the flooded areas, residents are urged to avoid driving in the areas, if possible, as flooding will continue until the rain subsides.

Heavy rain caused flooding and road closures in south Shelby County in the morning hours on Christmas day.

The intersection of County Roads 42 and 86 near Lay Lake was flooded, an SCSO representative said.

SCSO Deputy Debbie Sumrall said Shelby and Wilsonville experienced heavy flooding throughout the morning and could have more if rainfall continued in the afternoon.

“We’re keeping a close watch on it,” Sumrall said at about 1:45 p.m.

As of about 4:45 p.m., officials were monitoring the area near Oak Mountain High School and other areas in the county that could encounter problems with continued rainfall.

“That water was receding,” Sumrall said of the OMHS area. “No (road) closures, nothing serious, but we’re monitoring a lot of areas right now.”

A flash flood watch remained in effect for Shelby County until 6 p.m., according to the National Weather Service’s website. The NWS advised that motorists stay off affected roadways.

Numerous photos of flooded areas in Columbiana and Wilsonville have been posted on Facebook, including Town Creek Apartments and the CVS parking lot in Columbiana.

Flooding also occurred near Piggly Wiggly, First US Bank, Howard Tire Service and the Rescue 88 building in Columbiana, according to Police Chief Lamar Vick.

Vick said he received reports of water inside Howard Tire, the rescue building and the lower end of Town Creek Apartments, where several cars in the parking lot were also submerged. A mudslide was reported on Highway 30.

“(There is) still a lot of water standing,” Vick said at about 11:45 a.m.

Vick said reports of flooding started coming at about 4:30 or 5 a.m. and continued for several hours.

As of 11:45 a.m., he had not received any reports of injuries due to the flooding.

The Shelby County Emergency Management Agency’s website does not currently list any road closures. For updates, visit Shelbyal.com/AlertCenter.aspx?CID=Road-Closures-and-Construction-3.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.