BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Several inches of rain fell overnight in parts of the Birmingham area leaving more than a foot of rain on some roads.

First responders rescued people trapped in cars and homes and in at least one case saved dogs from drowning. Several Birmingham area

schools opened late

this morning and driving remains difficult in some areas.

(Updated at 10:15 a.m. with corrected rainfall total.)

Check back here for updates.

7:33 a.m. AL.com's Traffic Mike has the latest on

road conditions

across the area.

7:36 a.m. Carol Robinson is hearing reports of a man swimming from his car at 7 a.m. on Morgan Road in Bessemer at Aviation Drive. Jefferson County deputies are rescuing three dogs, she reports.

7:39 a.m. Bob Sims of AL.com live-streamed video from Homewood:

Live streaming video by Ustream

7:47 a.m. AL.com Photographer Frank Couch spoke with Whitney Maske, who was rescued from the Lakeshotre Gardens apartments in Homewood by first responders in a boat. She awoke to the sound of car alarms at 3 a.m., looked outside and saw cars floating. Her boyfriend woke up downstairs neighbors and they gathered in Maske's apartment.

8:26 a.m. AL.com reporter Joseph Bryant reports Birmingham City hall will open at 10 a.m.

8:32 a.m. From Carol Robinson:

Rescue underway for dogs trapped by floodwaters in Jefferson County

8:34 a.m. Traffic Mike has the

latest on road conditions

.

8:36 a.m. From Alabama Power:



8:55 a.m. From AL.com reporter Ana Rodriguez: Samford University delays classes this morning after reports of flooding, leaks



9:09 a.m. From AL.com reporter Theresa Seiger: Thousands across the state are without power following this morning's heavy storms



9:53 a.m. Carol Robinson has an update. The dogs were rescued!

10 a.m. From AL.com reporter Paul Gattis: Rainfall totals top 7 inches in metro Birmingham; central Alabama gets brunt of heavy rain

10:02 a.m. From AL.com reporter Ana Rodriguez: Mud slides, erosion render some Vestavia Hills roads impassable

10:18 a.m. American Red Cross is operating shelters at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church: 1114 Oxmoor Road; Homewood and Helena Cumberland Presbyterian Church: 3396 Helena Road; Helena. AL.com's Jon Anderson has more details.





11:09 a.m. From Ana Rodriguez: Lakeshore Gardens resident rescued from Homewood flood waters captures images 'out of movie'

11:17 a.m. From Martin Reed: Pelham flooding hits homes: 'They're stuck on the second floor'

11:34 a.m. From Jon Anderson: Flooded creek blocks normal access to 2 Hoover neighborhoods

11:36 a.m. From KT Jacoby: Do I need flood insurance for my car?

11:36 a.m. From Mike D. Smith: U.S. 31 northbound lanes expected to reopen at 12:30 p.m. as crews clear mudslide debris

12:13 p.m. From Jon Anderson: What to do if your home or business floods: Red Cross offers tips

12:18 p.m. From Madison Underwood: Pelham woman describes problem-plagued water rescue after flash floods

12:18 p.m. From Kelsey Stein: Emergency operations center in Clanton offers help to Alabamians affected by heavy rainfall, flooding

12:47 p.m. From Theresa Seiger: Alabama Power crews work to restore power to 8,100 statewide

1:05 p.m. From AL.com weather specialist Leigh Morgan: Not your usual severe weather setup: Ingredients mixed just right for Alabama's dangerous drenching



1:30 p.m. Jay Reeves of the Associated Press has this report on the overnight storms. Battalion Chief Mike Knight of the Pelham Fire Department told Reeves people realized at daybreak that water, 7 feet deep in some places, was surrounding their homes. Some people had to abandon cars after driving into areas where the flood water was deeper than expected. "It's been a long time since it's done this, so people kind of weren't expecting it," he said.