Severe thunderstorms developed over southern Georgia along the cold front during the afternoon of the 8th, and with the trailing upper level low during the morning of the 9th.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS TAE wrote it up.
Severe thunderstorms developed over southern Georgia along the cold front during the afternoon of the 8th, and with the trailing upper level low during the morning of the 9th.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Tallahassee, FL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Oct 8, 2:38 PM EST, 38 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL 338 PM EDT WED OCT 8 2008 .SHORT TERM...(TONIGHT-FRIDAY NIGHT) SHOWERS AND STORMS AHEAD OF THE WEAK COLD FRONT WILL CONTINUE INTO THE EVENING AND OVERNIGHT HOURS TONIGHT AS THE COLD FRONT SLOWLY MOVES ACROSS THE CWA FROM WEST TO EAST. SOME STORMS MAY BE STRONG TO SEVERE THROUGH THE EARLY EVENING HOURS. SUFFICIENT LOW- LEVEL SHEAR WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT ROTATION THAT COULD LEAD TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN ISOLATED TORNADO OR TWO. A GRADUAL DRYING TREND FROM WEST TO EAST WILL BE EXPECTED THROUGH THE OVERNIGHT HOURS TONIGHT AS THE COLD FRONT CONTINUES TO TRACK EAST ACROSS THE FORECAST AREA. THE BEST CHANCE FOR SHOWERS THROUGH TONIGHT AND INTO THURSDAY WILL BE AHEAD OF THIS BOUNDARY ACROSS THE EASTERN HALF OF THE CWA...OR FROM ABY TO TLH EAST. ALOFT...THE MODELS ARE ALL IN DECENT AGREEMENT AND TAKE THE UPPER LOW EASTWARD TOWARD THE SE GA COAST THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT. BEYOND THIS THE ECMWF AND GFS BEGIN TO SLIGHTLY DIVERGE THROUGH THE REMAINDER OF THE SHORT-TERM PERIOD. THE GFS AND ITS ENSEMBLE MEMBERS CONTINUE TO TAKE THIS UPPER-LEVEL FEATURE EAST AND OUT OVER THE WESTERN ATLANTIC THROUGH THE DAY FRIDAY WITH AN UPPER RIDGE BUILDING ACROSS THE SOUTHEASTERN REGION. THE ECMWF TAKES THIS FEATURE INTO SE GA AND STALLS THROUGH THE END OF THE PERIOD. AT THE SURFACE...A VERY WEAK PRESSURE GRADIENT WILL REMAIN IN PLACE ACROSS THE LOCAL AREA THROUGH THE PERIOD AS A HIGH PRESSURE RIDGE BEGINS TO BUILD NORTH OF THE AREA. TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN NEAR NORMAL. .LONG TERM...(SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY) ALTHOUGH THE GFS AND ECMWF HAVE NOW COME INTO GOOD AGREEMENT WITH THE COLD FRONTAL PASSAGE AND UPPER LOW PASSING TO OUR EAST OVER THE SHORT TERM...THE FCST FOR THE UPCOMING WEEKEND REMAINS FAIRLY COMPLEX FOR OUR AREA. INSTEAD OF CONTINUING TO PUSH OFF TO THE EAST AS WOULD BE CLIMATOLOGICALLY EXPECTED THIS TIME OF YEAR...THE UPPER LOW IS PROGGED TO RETROGRADE WESTWARD ACROSS THE FL PENINSULA OVER THE WEEKEND...AS STRONG SFC AND UPPER LEVEL RIDGING BUILD IN TO OUR NORTH. THIS RIDGING WILL WIN OUT BY MONDAY AND TUESDAY OF NEXT WEEK WITH FAIR...WARM...AND DRY CONDITIONS...BUT THE POP AND CLOUD FCST FOR THE WEEKEND WILL BE VERY CHALLENGING ACROSS THE CWA. DO NOT EXPECT ANY SIGNIFICANT RAINFALL ACCUMULATIONS OVER THE WEEKEND WITH THIS SYNOPTIC PATTERN (WITH THE AVAILABLE MOISTURE ESSENTIALLY CAPPED OFF AT 600 MB)...BUT SCATTERED LIGHT FAST MOVING SHOWERS WILL BE POSSIBLE THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND...BUT HOPEFULLY THEY WILL BE BRIEF ENOUGH NOT TO OVERLY DAMPEN MANY OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES. ALSO...AS THE NEW STRONG SFC RIDGE BUILDS IN FROM THE NORTH...THE E-NE WINDS COULD REACH SCA LEVELS BY LATE IN THE WEEKEND OVER THE COASTAL WATERS. && .MARINE...A COLD FRONT WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE EAST AND OVER THE MARINE AREA THROUGH THE OVERNIGHT HOURS TONIGHT. THIS WILL KEEP THE SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM CHANCES UP ACROSS THE WATERS INTO THURSDAY. WIND AND SEAS WILL BE HIGHER IN AND AROUND SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS DURING THIS TIME. THURSDAY THROUGH FRIDAY...A GRADUAL CLEARING TREND IS EXPECTED FROM WEST TO EAST WITH WINDS AND SEAS REMAINING ON THE LOW SIDE. OVER THE WEEKEND...THE GRADIENT IS EXPECTED TO TIGHTEN AS A HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS NORTH OF THE MARINE AREA. EASTERLY WINDS AND SEAS MAY REACH CAUTIONARY LEVELS THROUGH THIS PERIOD. && .AVIATION...SCATTERED SHOWERS/ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE TO AFFECT THE REGION THROUGH THE EVENING...WITH MVFR VIS/CIGS OCCURRING IN THESE SHOWERS. THE STRONGER STORMS WILL PRODUCE GUSTY WINDS WITH BRIEF IFR VIS/CIGS. THE RAIN WILL SLOWLY TAPER OFF FROM WEST TO EAST LATER THIS EVENING AS THE WEAK COLD FRONT SLOWLY MOVES THROUGH. && .FIRE WEATHER...A COLD FRONT MOVE ACROSS THE AREA FROM WEST TO EAST TONIGHT INTO THURSDAY AND WILL KEEP THE SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM CHANCES UP ACROSS PORTIONS OF THE AREA. THESE CHANCES WILL GRADUALLY TAPER OFF AND END FROM WEST TO EAST ACROSS THE AREA LATE TONIGHT AND THURSDAY. SOMEWHAT DRIER AIR WILL BUILD INTO THE REGION ON FRIDAY...BEFORE LOW-LEVEL MOISTURE INCREASES ONCE AGAIN OVER THE WEEKEND. AT THIS TIME...AFTERNOON RELATIVE HUMIDITIES ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN SAFELY ABOVE RED FLAG LEVELS THROUGH THE ENTIRE FORECAST PERIOD. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... TALLAHASSEE 65 81 59 85 64 / 50 20 10 0 10 PANAMA CITY 67 81 64 85 65 / 20 10 0 0 0 DOTHAN 62 83 59 85 63 / 20 10 0 0 10 ALBANY 65 80 60 85 65 / 60 20 10 10 10 VALDOSTA 65 79 61 85 64 / 60 30 10 10 10 CROSS CITY 66 82 61 86 63 / 60 30 10 10 10 && .TAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AL...NONE. GA...NONE. FL...NONE. GM...NONE. && SHORT TERM/AVIATION...GIBBS LONG TERM...GOULD FIRE WEATHER/AVIATION...FOURNIER
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL 600 AM EDT WED OCT 8 2008 ALZ065>069-FLZ007>019-026>029-034-GAZ120>131-142>148-155>161- GMZ730-750-755-765-770-775-090800- COFFEE-DALE-HENRY-GENEVA-HOUSTON-INLAND WALTON-COASTAL WALTON- HOLMES-WASHINGTON-JACKSON-BAY-CALHOUN-GULF-FRANKLIN-GADSDEN-LEON- JEFFERSON-MADISON-LIBERTY-WAKULLA-TAYLOR-LAFAYETTE-DIXIE-QUITMAN- CLAY-RANDOLPH-TERRELL-DOUGHERTY-LEE-WORTH-TURNER-TIFT-BEN HILL- IRWIN-EARLY-MILLER-BAKER-MITCHELL-COLQUITT-COOK-BERRIEN-SEMINOLE- DECATUR-GRADY-THOMAS-BROOKS-LOWNDES-LANIER- APALACHEE BAY OR COASTAL WATERS FROM KEATON BEACH TO OCHLOCKONEE RIVER FL OUT TO 20 NM- COASTAL WATERS FROM APALACHICOLA TO DESTIN FL OUT 20 NM- COASTAL WATERS FROM OCHLOCKONEE RIVER TO APALACHICOLA FL OUT TO 20 NM- COASTAL WATERS FROM SUWANNEE RIVER TO KEATON BEACH OUT 20 NM- WATERS FROM APALACHICOLA TO DESTIN FL FROM 20 TO 60 NM- WATERS FROM SUWANNEE RIVER TO APALACHICOLA FL FROM 20 TO 60 NM- 600 AM EDT WED OCT 8 2008 /500 AM CDT WED OCT 8 2008/ THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHEAST ALABAMA... SOUTHWEST AND SOUTH CENTRAL GEORGIA...AND THE FLORIDA BIG BEND AND PANHANDLE...AND ADJACENT COASTAL WATERS. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT... A POTENT UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE AND ASSOCIATED SURFACE COLD FRONT WILL APPROACH THE REGION TODAY AND BEGIN CROSSING THE AREA TONIGHT. AHEAD OF THIS SYSTEM...SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP AND MOVE NORTH AND NORTHEAST. THE SHOWERS WILL DECREASE IN COVERAGE ACROSS THE WEST LATER TODAY AND THEN CONTINUE TO TAPER OFF FROM WEST TO EAST THROUGH TONIGHT. RAINFALL AMOUNTS ARE GENERALLY EXPECTED TO BE AROUND AN INCH...HOWEVER WITH ABUNDANT GULF MOISTURE AVAILABLE...A FEW LOCATIONS WILL HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO SEE MULTIPLE ROUNDS OF THUNDERSTORMS RESULTING IN SEVERAL INCHES OF RAINFALL. THIS RAINFALL WILL HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE SOME LOCALIZED FLOODING OF LOW LYING AND MORE POPULATED AREAS. SOUTHERLY FLOW AHEAD OF THE FRONT WILL PRODUCE PERIODS OF CAUTIONARY WINDS ACROSS THE MARINE AREA INTO THIS AFTERNOON. THESE WINDS AND ASSOCIATED SURF WILL ALSO RESULT IN A MODERATE RISK OF RIP CURRENTS INTO THIS EVENING ALONG THE BEACHES OF THE EASTERN FLORIDA PANHANDLE AND FLORIDA BIG BEND. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY... SCATTERED LINGERING SHOWERS AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS WILL STILL BE POSSIBLE OVER THE EASTERN HALF OF THE AREA THURSDAY MORNING. A TIGHTENING PRESSURE GRADIENT DURING THE UPCOMING WEEKEND IS ANTICIPATED TO RESULT IN A PERIOD OF CAUTIONARY WINDS AND SEAS SATURDAY NIGHT INTO SUNDAY. THESE WINDS AND SEAS ARE THEN ANTICIPATED TO CONTINUE BUILDING TO POTENTIAL ADVISORY LEVELS SUNDAY NIGHT INTO MONDAY. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT ANTICIPATED AT THIS TIME. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...VISIT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WEBSITE ON THE INTERNET AT WEATHER.GOV...THEN CLICK ON YOUR AREA OF INTEREST ON THE NATIONAL MAP. 14-MROCZKA
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL 142 PM EDT WED OCT 8 2008 FLZ009-081845- HOLMES- 1242 PM CDT WED OCT 8 2008 ...A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT IS IN EFFECT FOR HOLMES COUNTY IN THE PANHANDLE OF FLORIDA... * UNTIL 145 PM CDT AT 1237 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM 12 MILES NORTHEAST OF DE FUNIAK SPRINGS...MOVING EAST AT 21 MPH. WINDS 40 TO 50 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM. THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING TORRENTIAL DOWNPOURS WHICH MAY CAUSE LOCALIZED FLOODING OF STREETS AND LOW LYING AREAS...AND IS ALSO PRODUCING NEARLY CONTINUOUS CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING. MOVE INDOORS IMMEDIATELY LIGHTNING IS ONE OF NATURES NUMBER ONE KILLERS. REMEMBER...IF YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER...YOU ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. RELAY REPORTS OF SIGNIFICANT WEATHER TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TALLAHASSEE AT (8 5 0) 9 4 2 8 8 3 3. OR...YOU MAY CONTACT THE NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY OR YOUR COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. THEY WILL RELAY YOUR REPORT TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE. 38-GODSEY
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL 159 PM EDT WED OCT 8 2008 ALZ066-069-081845- DALE-HOUSTON- 1259 PM CDT WED OCT 8 2008 ...A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT IS IN EFFECT FOR SOUTHERN DALE AND WESTERN HOUSTON COUNTIES IN SOUTHEAST ALABAMA... * UNTIL 145 PM CDT AT 1256 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM 6 MILES SOUTH OF PINCKARD...OR 10 MILES WEST OF DOWNTOWN DOTHAN...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 21 MPH. WINDS 40 TO 50 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM. ONE OF MORE FUNNEL CLOUDS HAVE BEEN REPORTED WITH THIS STORM. THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING TORRENTIAL DOWNPOURS WHICH MAY CAUSE LOCALIZED FLOODING OF STREETS AND LOW LYING AREAS...AND IS ALSO PRODUCING NEARLY CONTINUOUS CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING. MOVE INDOORS IMMEDIATELY LIGHTNING IS ONE OF NATURES NUMBER ONE KILLERS. REMEMBER...IF YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER...YOU ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. RELAY REPORTS OF SIGNIFICANT WEATHER TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TALLAHASSEE AT (8 5 0) 9 4 2 8 8 3 3. OR...YOU MAY CONTACT THE NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY OR YOUR COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. THEY WILL RELAY YOUR REPORT TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE. 38-GODSEY
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL 214 PM EDT WED OCT 8 2008 FLZ010-011-081915- JACKSON-WASHINGTON- 114 PM CDT WED OCT 8 2008 ...A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT IS IN EFFECT FOR JACKSON AND EASTERN WASHINGTON COUNTIES IN THE PANHANDLE OF FLORIDA... * UNTIL 215 PM CDT AT 107 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM NEAR CHIPLEY...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 23 MPH. WINDS 40 TO 50 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM. THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING TORRENTIAL DOWNPOURS WHICH MAY CAUSE LOCALIZED FLOODING OF STREETS AND LOW LYING AREAS...AND IS ALSO PRODUCING NEARLY CONTINUOUS CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING. MOVE INDOORS IMMEDIATELY LIGHTNING IS ONE OF NATURES NUMBER ONE KILLERS. REMEMBER...IF YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER...YOU ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. RELAY REPORTS OF SIGNIFICANT WEATHER TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TALLAHASSEE AT (8 5 0) 9 4 2 8 8 3 3. OR...YOU MAY CONTACT THE NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY OR YOUR COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. THEY WILL RELAY YOUR REPORT TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE. 38-GODSEY
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
232 PM EDT WED OCT 08 2008
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1257 PM TORNADO ENTERPRISE 31.31N 85.85W
10/08/2008 COFFEE AL NWS EMPLOYEE
SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO CIVIC CENTER...ROOF PEELED OFF AND
WINDOWS BLOWN OUT. CAR WINDOWS BLOWN OUT TOO. SEVERAL
TREES DOWN AND A LOT OF DEBRIS.
&&
FOURNIERSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL 343 PM EDT WED OCT 8 2008 GAZ155-156-082045- DECATUR-SEMINOLE- 343 PM EDT WED OCT 8 2008 ...A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT IS IN EFFECT FOR DECATUR AND SEMINOLE COUNTIES IN SOUTHWEST GEORGIA... * UNTIL 445 PM EDT AT 237 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM 12 MILES NORTHWEST OF CHATTAHOOCHEE...OR 16 MILES EAST OF MARIANNA...MOVING EAST AT 25 MPH. THIS STORM WILL BE NEAR... BAINBRIDGE BY 435 PM EDT. WINDS 40 TO 50 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM. THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING TORRENTIAL DOWNPOURS WHICH MAY CAUSE LOCALIZED FLOODING OF STREETS AND LOW LYING AREAS...AND IS ALSO PRODUCING NEARLY CONTINUOUS CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING. MOVE INDOORS IMMEDIATELY LIGHTNING IS ONE OF NATURES NUMBER ONE KILLERS. REMEMBER...IF YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER...YOU ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. RELAY REPORTS OF SIGNIFICANT WEATHER TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TALLAHASSEE AT (8 5 0) 9 4 2 8 8 3 3. OR...YOU MAY CONTACT THE NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY OR YOUR COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. THEY WILL RELAY YOUR REPORT TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE. 38-GODSEY
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL 410 PM EDT WED OCT 8 2008 FLZ011-082115- JACKSON- 310 PM CDT WED OCT 8 2008 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT IN EFFECT FOR JACKSON COUNTY... * UNTIL 415 PM CDT AT 305 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 11 MILES NORTHEAST OF CHIPLEY TO 6 MILES NORTHEAST OF CHIPLEY TO CHIPLEY...OR ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 11 MILES NORTHEAST OF CHIPLEY TO CHIPLEY...MOVING EAST AT 22 MPH. THESE STORMS WILL BE NEAR... MARIANNA BY 345 PM CDT. WINDS 40 TO 50 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THESE STORMS. ALSO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING TORRENTIAL DOWNPOURS WHICH MAY CAUSE LOCALIZED FLOODING OF STREETS AND LOW LYING AREAS. 18-WOOL
The Tallahassee radar (KTLH), 70 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:16 UTC.
3 hail, 2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Straight line winds estimated between 60 and 70 mph damaged two vacant homes near Seminole State Park. Several trees were uprooted.
Straight line winds blew down road signs and damaged a contruction company building on Highway 262.
Quarter size hail was reported.
Golf ball size hail was reported on 28th Street in Tifton.
Quarter size hail reported in Tifton.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Georgia in 2008Every state in 2008This day in weather historyWarnings in Georgia, October 2008
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 137834, 137835, 137836, 137837, 137838.