Florida, 2011Tornadoes and Storm Surge in Florida, September 3 to 6, 2011
September 3 to 6, 2011 · NWS TAE · 44 events in 13 counties and zones
A fairly widespread outbreak of severe thunderstorms occurred on Labor Day across much of the NWS Tallahassee County Warning Area (CWA). This event was forced by unseasonably strong wind fields associated with a potent extra-tropical cyclone that was formerly Tropical Storm Lee.
Every event with a place to put it; 3 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
- Tornadoes
- Tropical storms and surge
- Floods
- Wind
- Hail
- Winter weather
- Heat and drought
- Cold
- Fire, smoke and dust
- Marine and coastal
- Other
Open the live radar over this ground
- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- $226,000
- Crop damage
- None recorded
- Events
- 44
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.
A fairly widespread outbreak of severe thunderstorms occurred on Labor Day across much of the NWS Tallahassee County Warning Area (CWA). This event was forced by unseasonably strong wind fields associated with a potent extra-tropical cyclone that was formerly Tropical Storm Lee. Post-tropical cyclone Lee was moving slowly toward the east-northeast along the north central Gulf Coast during the morning hours of September 5, 2011. By 3:00 pm EDT (1900 UTC), the cyclone was centered near Mobile Bay. It was at this point that the system finally began to accelerate off to the northeast. While tornadoes were initially considered to be the primary threat, examination of a special 1800 UTC KTAE sounding showed that low level winds had veered and that the flow was unidirectional through a deep layer. WFO Tallahassee coordinated with the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) to replace the existing tornado watch with a severe thunderstorm watch at 4:00 pm EDT (2000 UTC). WFO Tallahassee issued a total of 35 convective warnings during the event along with several special marine warnings. A total of 52 severe weather reports were received across southeast Alabama, southwest and south central Georgia, and the Florida panhandle and big bend.
Aside from the severe weather, the forecast area experienced other peripheral impacts from post-tropical storm Lee. Widespread storm-total rainfall of 3 to 6 inches was measured across the Florida panhandle and big bend, with 1 to 2 inch totals more common across the Alabama and Georgia portions of the CWA. The Apalachicola and Cedar Key tide gauges showed that tidal departures ran just over 2 feet above normal along the Florida big bend coastline during the high tide cycle of Tuesday morning, September 6. For the most part, flooding was avoided. The water rose up to the top of the sea walls in Dixie County, and there was some minor flooding in Wakulla County where the emergency manager reported about a 2-inch over-wash in St. Marks on Old Fort Rd. The pressure gradient associated with Post-Tropical Storm Lee produced occasional strong wind gusts across Wakulla county for around 10 hours. These strong wind gusts, combined with periods of heavy rain and wet soils, led to numerous trees and power lines falling throughout the day and into the evening hours. The emergency manager reported a total of 16 trees down and 28 power lines down by the end of the day. Of those 28 power lines, 10 of them sparked fires as a result of blowing down.
What forecasters said that day
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 Sep 3, 2:45 AM EST, 4 hours 15 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Sep 3, 2:45 AM EST, 4 hours 15 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
345 AM EDT SAT SEP 3 2011
.SYNOPSIS...
THE 03 UTC REGIONAL SURFACE ANALYSIS SHOWED TROPICAL STORM LEE ABOUT
60 MILES SOUTH OF THE LA COAST...MOVING VERY SLOWLY NORTHWARD. A
TROUGH EXTENDED FROM LEE EASTWARD ACROSS APALACHEE BAY. A POCKET OF
DRY CONTINENTAL AIR (WITH DEWPOINTS IN THE 50S) COVERED MUCH OF
SOUTHEAST AL AND SOUTHWEST GA..AND (ALONG THE FRESH BREEZES) WILL
HELP IT TO FEEL RELATIVELY COMFORTABLE TODAY...AT LEAST FOR THE LATE
SUMMER. VAPOR IMAGERY AND UPPER AIR DATA SHOWED THE RIDGE THAT HAD
BEEN BLOCKING LEE FROM THE NORTH WAS SHIFTING EASTWARD AS A TROUGH
DEVELOPED OVER THE NORTHERN PLAINS. LEE DID NOT LOOK LIKE THE PUREST
TROPICAL SYSTEM IN THE WORLD...AS HE WAS INGESTING PLENTY OF DRY AIR
ALOFT FROM THE WEST.
&&
.SHORT TERM...
(TODAY THROUGH MONDAY) THE LATEST NWP GUIDANCE CONSENSUS REMAINS IN
DECENT AGREEMENT...SHOWING LEE MOVING SLOWLY NORTH TODAY...THEN
DOING AN ACROBATIC ANTICYCLONIC LOOP OVER SOUTHERN LA TONIGHT AND
SUNDAY...THEN FINALLY GETTING PICKED UP BY THE DEVELOPING TROUGH
(CURRENTLY OVER THE NORTHERN PLAINS) AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT A
FASTER SPEED MONDAY AND TUESDAY. THE PHASE DIAGRAM FROM THE 00 UTC
GFS (COURTESY OF DR. HART'S F.S.U. WEB PAGE) SHOWED LEE BECOMING
POST-TROPICAL ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY AS IT MERGES WITH AN APPROACHING
FRONTAL SYSTEM. OF COURSE LEE WILL HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT TO
LOCAL WOULD-BE BEACH GOERS AND BOATERS THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND...BUT
THOSE EFFECTS CAN EASILY BE MITIGATED BY STAYING OUT OF THE OCEAN.
THERE ARE TWO POTENTIAL IMPACTS FROM LEE THAT CAN NOT BE AVOIDED AS
EASILY. ONE IS FLASH FLOODING. FORECASTING RAINFALL FROM HYBRID
TROPICAL CYCLONES LIKE THIS CAN BE VERY CHALLENGING AS THEIR
ASYMMETRICAL STRUCTURE ADDS TO THE NORMAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY. FOR
INSTANCE...IT IS NOT CLEAR HOW AND IF THE CURRENTLY-DEVELOPING DRY
SLOT WILL CHANGE THE RAINFALL DISTRIBUTION PATTERN OF THE
STORM ...THE NWP GUIDANCE IS SIMPLY NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO PREDICT THESE
SMALL-SCALE BUT IMPORTANT CHANGES TO A STORM CORE. AT THIS TIME WE
ARE FOLLOWING THE CONSENSUS OF THE LATEST GLOBAL MODELS AND
NCEP...WITH 3 TO 6INCHES OF RAIN FORECAST OVER THE FL
PANHANDLE...THEN TAPERING OFF TO AN INCH OVER THE EASTERN PORTIONS
OF OUR REGION. THAT ENCOMPASSES THE PERIOD FROM TODAY THROUGH MONDAY
AFTERNOON...THOUGH MOST OF THIS RAIN WILL LIKELY OCCUR SUNDAY AND
MONDAY. TROPICAL CYCLONES...EVEN WEAK ONES...ARE NOTORIOUS FOR
CAUSING LOCALIZED RAINFALL TOTALS 2 TO 3 TIMES THAT OF THE LARGER
SCALE RAIN AMOUNTS. THE QPF VALUES WE CURRENTLY HAVE WOULD NOT BE
VERY PROBLEMATIC FOR OUR AREA...BUT AMOUNTS MUCH HIGHER THAN THIS
OVER A SHORT TIME WOULD BE...ESPECIALLY IF THEY OCCUR IN FLOOD-PRONE
AREAS. (THE REMNANTS OF ALLISON IN JUNE 2000 COME TO MIND). IT IS
TOO EARLY TO ISSUE A FLASH FLOOD WATCH...BUT ONE MAY BE NEEDED LATER
TODAY OR EARLY SUNDAY AS THE RAINFALL STRUCTURE OF LEE BECOMES MORE
EVIDENT.
ANOTHER CONCERN IS THE POTENTIAL FOR TORNADOES. IN THE LAST DECADE
OR SO WE HAVE SEEN WEAKENING TROPICAL CYCLONES TAKE THIS PATH AND
PRODUCE TORNADOES. SUCH TORNADOES TEND TO BE A LITTLE WEAKER THAN
THE MASSIVE ONES THAT OFTEN OCCUR IN THE CENTRAL PLAINS...BUT THEY
ARE STILL DANGEROUS AS THEY CAN DEVELOP QUICKLY WITH LITTLE WARNING.
THERE IS A LOW-END TORNADO THREAT...ABOUT 2 PERCENT WITHIN 25 MILES
OF A POINT...ALONG THE FL PANHANDLE COAST TODAY. A SIMILAR THREAT IS
EXPECTED SUNDAY ACROSS A SOMEWHAT LARGER AREA...AS THE BOUNDARY
LAYER GRADUALLY DESTABILIZES AND MOISTENS FROM SOUTHWEST TO
NORTHEAST. MONDAY MAY HOLD A MORE SIGNIFICANT THREAT AS THE GFS
FORECASTS A 60 KT 850 MB JET PROPAGATING FROM WEST TO EAST ACROSS
OUR FORECAST AREA MONDAY AND MONDAY NIGHT. THE 0-1 KM VERTICAL WIND
SHEAR VALUES ARE FORECAST TO EXCEED 30 KT....WHICH IS QUITE HIGH FOR
THIS TIME OF YEAR. AGAIN...THIS THREAT WILL DEPEND ON THE
INTENSITY...STRUCTURE...AND TRACK OF LEE...SO WE WILL HAVE PLENTY OF
TIME TO RE-ASSESS THIS THREAT IN SUBSEQUENT FORECAST
PACKAGES.
.LONG TERM...
(MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH NEXT SATURDAY) THE OFFICIAL FORECAST FROM
NHC PLACES THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM LEE INLAND OVER SOUTHERN
MISSISSIPPI MONDAY NIGHT AND SHOWS IT WEAKENING TO A DEPRESSION ON
TUESDAY AS IT MOVES INTO NORTHERN ALABAMA. THE 00Z GFS TRACKS THE
CENTER A LITTLE TO THE RIGHT BUT THE IMPACT WILL BE PRETTY MUCH
THE SAME FOR OUR CWA. DEEP TROPICAL MOISTURE WILL CONTINUE TO BE
PULLED NORTHWARD WITH UNSETTLED CONDITIONS FOR THE LOCAL REGION
THROUGH TUESDAY. THE REMNANT LOW IS FORECAST TO PULL FURTHER AWAY
INTO THE TENNESSEE VALLEY AND EVENTUALLY DISSIPATE. HOWEVER...THE
UPPER LOW WILL BE CUT OFF AND MEANDER OVER THE OHIO VALLEY THROUGH
THE REMAINDER OF THE EXTENDED PERIOD. DEEP NORTHWEST TO WEST FLOW
WILL BRING MUCH DRIER AIR TO OUR REGION BEGINNING AND CONTINUE
INTO THE NEXT WEEKEND. THERE SHOULD BE ENOUGH LOW LEVEL MOISTURE
THAT AN ISOLATED SHOWER OR THUNDERSTORM CAN'T BE RULED OUT SO I
LEFT A 20 POP IN EACH DAYTIME PERIOD. TEMPS WILL BE NEAR SEASONAL
NORMALS THROUGH MOST OF THE EXTENDED PERIOD. MAX TEMPS WILL BE AT
OR OR JUST BELOW SEASONAL LEVELS WHILE MIN TEMPS WILL BE A FEW
DEGREES COOLER THAN NORMAL.
&&
.AVIATION...
A FEW SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL BEGIN TO SPREAD
INLAND ACROSS THE PANHANDLE LATER THIS MORNING POSSIBLY REACHING AS
FAR NORTH AS DHN AND EASTWARD TO TLH BY LATE THIS AFTERNOON OR
EVENING. MVFR VSBYS/CIGS POSSIBLE WITH THE CONVECTION. ALL OTHER
TERMINALS WILL REMAIN VFR UNDER PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES. ONSHORE WINDS
WILL INCREASE TO 10 TO 15 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS ESPECIALLY ACROSS
KECP...KTLH AND KDHN AFTER MIDDAY.
&&
.MARINE...
WINDS AND SEAS WILL GRADUALLY INCREASE FROM WEST TO EAST THROUGH
MONDAY...WITH PEAK WINDS AND SEAS LIKELY TO OCCUR MONDAY OR MONDAY
NIGHT AS LEE MAKES HIS CLOSEST APPROACH. WIND GUSTS TO
34 KT AND SEAS UP TO 18 FEET WILL BE POSSIBLE...MAINLY WEST OF
APALACHICOLA. WE WILL ISSUE A HIGH SURF ADVISORY FOR BREAKERS
REACHING 7 FT ALONG THE FL PANHANDLE BEACHES TODAY...BUT THEY MAY
REACH 10 FT SUNDAY OR MONDAY. OBVIOUSLY RIP CURRENTS WILL BE
FREQUENT AND STRONG FOR THE ENTIRE HOLIDAY WEEKEND. THE LATEST
EXTRATROPICAL STORM SURGE GUIDANCE...BASED ON GFS WINDS...FORECAST
TIDES OF ABOUT 1 FT ABOVE NORMAL SUNDAY AND MONDAY. THE MEOW FROM
THE SLOSH FOR A MINIMAL HURRICANE MOVING SLOWLY NORTHEAST ACROSS THE
FL PANHANDLE IS ONLY 2 TO 3 FT...SO WE DO NOT THINK TIDE LEVELS WILL
HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT.
&&
.FIRE WEATHER...
LOW LEVEL MOISTURE WILL GRADUALLY INCREASE FROM SOUTHWEST TO
NORTHEAST TODAY AS THE OUTER FRINGE OF TROPICAL STORM LEE GETS
CLOSER. RAIN CHANCES WILL ALSO BE INCREASING ESPECIALLY SUNDAY AND
EARLY NEXT WEEK AS THE TROPICAL SYSTEM LIFTS INLAND ACROSS THE
LOWER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY AND THE SOUTHEAST STATES. BENEFICIAL
RAINS ARE EXPECTED ACROSS THE LOCAL REGION AND ERC VALUES SHOULD
DROP WELL BELOW CRITICAL LEVELS BY THE EARLY OR THE MIDDLE OF NEXT
WEEK. THUS...WE DO NOT ANTICIPATE ANY FIRE WEATHER CONCERNS AT
LEAST THROUGH THE UPCOMING WEEK.
&&
.HYDROLOGY...
OUR LATEST STORM TOTAL QPF VALUES OF 3 TO 6 INCHES WOULD NOT CAUSE
ANY MAJOR RIVER RISES...ESPECIALLY SINCE IT IS FORECAST TO OCCUR SO
FAR DOWNSTREAM. A SECONDARY RISE IN THE RIVERS IS POSSIBLE LATER
THIS WEEK...DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH RAIN FALLS OVER NORTH GA AND
CENTRAL AL...BUT THERE WILL BE PLENTY OF TIME TO ANALYZE THIS ONCE
WE KNOW THE ACTUAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS AND DISTRIBUTION.
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
TALLAHASSEE 90 73 87 74 91 / 20 40 80 60 60
PANAMA CITY 88 76 83 77 88 / 50 60 80 60 60
DOTHAN 91 71 85 72 92 / 20 40 80 60 60
ALBANY 93 72 85 73 91 / 10 20 70 60 60
VALDOSTA 92 72 88 73 91 / 10 20 60 50 60
CROSS CITY 89 72 85 73 88 / 10 30 70 60 60
APALACHICOLA 86 79 85 79 88 / 50 50 80 60 60
&&
.TAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AL...NONE.
GA...NONE.
FL...HIGH SURF ADVISORY UNTIL 8 AM EDT /7 AM CDT/ TUESDAY FOR THE
FOLLOWING ZONES: COASTAL BAY...COASTAL GULF...SOUTH WALTON.
GM...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY UNTIL 8 AM EDT MONDAY FOR THE FOLLOWING
ZONES: COASTAL WATERS FROM APALACHICOLA TO DESTIN FL OUT 20
NM...WATERS FROM APALACHICOLA TO DESTIN FL FROM 20 TO 60 NM.
&&
LONG TERM/AVIATION/FIRE WX...BARRY
REST OF DISCUSSION...FOURNIERHazardous weather outlook, Sep 3, 4:07 AM EST, 2 hours 53 minutes before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
507 AM EDT SAT SEP 3 2011
ALZ065>069-FLZ007>019-026>029-034-108-112-114-115-118-127-128-134-
GAZ120>131-142>148-155>161-GMZ730-750-755-765-770-775-040915-
COFFEE-DALE-HENRY-GENEVA-HOUSTON-INLAND WALTON-CENTRAL WALTON-
HOLMES-WASHINGTON-JACKSON-INLAND BAY-CALHOUN-INLAND GULF-
INLAND FRANKLIN-GADSDEN-LEON-INLAND JEFFERSON-MADISON-LIBERTY-
INLAND WAKULLA-INLAND TAYLOR-LAFAYETTE-INLAND DIXIE-SOUTH WALTON-
COASTAL BAY-COASTAL GULF-COASTAL FRANKLIN-COASTAL JEFFERSON-
COASTAL WAKULLA-COASTAL TAYLOR-COASTAL 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-
507 AM EDT SAT SEP 3 2011 /407 AM CDT SAT SEP 3 2011/
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...
...TROPICAL STORM LEE WILL SLOWLY APPROACH THE LOUISIANA COAST
TODAY...
...HIGH SURF ADVISORY AND HIGH RISK OF RIP CURRENTS ALONG THE
FLORIDA PANHANDLE BEACHES....
...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY FOR THE GULF COASTAL WATERS...
ALTHOUGH MUCH OF THE REGION WILL BE DRY TODAY...SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS FROM THE OUTER RAIN BANDS OF TROPICAL STORM LEE MAY
AFFECT THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE AND ADJACENT COASTAL WATERS...MAINLY
SOUTH OF INTERSTATE TEN. THERE IS A SMALL CHANCE...2 PERCENT
WITHIN 25 MILES OF A POINT...OF A TORNADO IN THIS REGION.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY...
...TROPICAL STORM LEE WILL MOVE SLOWLY INLAND ACROSS THE LOUISIANA
COAST LATER TODAY AND SUNDAY...THEN SLOWLY WEAKEN AS LEE MOVES
NORTHEAST MONDAY AND TUESDAY...
...BRIEF PERIOD OF TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS POSSIBLE OVER THE
FLORIDA PANHANDLE COASTAL WATERS MONDAY OR MONDAY NIGHT...
...PERIODS OF HEAVY RAIN WILL SPREAD WEST AND NORTHWARD ACROSS THE
REGION TONIGHT AND SUNDAY...
...STRONG WINDS AND VERY HIGH SEAS WILL CONTINUE OVER THE COASTAL
WATERS INTO TUESDAY...
...HIGH SURF AND FREQUENT RIP CURRENTS WILL CONTINUE ALONG THE
FLORIDA PANHANDLE BEACHES...
...ISOLATED TORNADOES POSSIBLE...ESPECIALLY MONDAY...
...GRADUALLY IMPROVING CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TUESDAY AND
WEDNESDAY AS A COLD FRONT MOVES THROUGH OUR REGION...
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE NEEDED TODAY...BUT AT LEAST SOME
ACTIVATION MAY BE REQUESTED SUNDAY OR MONDAY.
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.
FOURNIER
Event by event
27 thunderstorm wind, 11 heavy rain, 2 tornado, 2 strong wind, 1 funnel cloud, 1 storm surge/tide. Local standard time, as filed.
Heavy Rain, Franklin
- When
- September 3, 7:00 AM EST to September 6, 7:00 AM EST
- Where
- Franklin County, (Aaf)apalachicola Arpt
- Reported by
- ASOS
- Coordinates
- 29.720, -85.020
A 72 hour rainfall total of 4.17 inches was reported at the Apalachicola airport.
Heavy Rain, Leon
- When
- September 3, 7:00 AM EST to September 6, 7:00 AM EST
- Where
- Leon County, 5.7 mi SE of State Capitol Complex
- Reported by
- CoCoRaHS
- Coordinates
- 30.372, -84.212
A 72 hour rainfall total of 4.49 inches was reported by CoCoRaHS site FLLN04.
Heavy Rain, Leon
- When
- September 3, 7:00 AM EST to September 6, 7:00 AM EST
- Where
- Leon County, 6.1 mi SE of State Capitol Complex
- Reported by
- CoCoRaHS
- Coordinates
- 30.368, -84.208
A 72 hour rainfall total of 4.60 inches was reported by CoCoRaHS site FLLN33.
Heavy Rain, Wakulla
- When
- September 3, 7:00 AM EST to September 6, 7:00 AM EST
- Where
- Wakulla County, 2.5 mi NE of Crawfordville
- Reported by
- CoCoRaHS
- Coordinates
- 30.196, -84.340
A 72 hour rainfall total of 4.32 inches was reported by CoCoRaHS site FLWK04.
Heavy Rain, Washington
- When
- September 3, 6:00 AM CST to September 6, 6:00 AM CST
- Where
- Washington County, 10.6 mi WSW of Vernon
- Reported by
- CoCoRaHS
- Coordinates
- 30.561, -85.875
A 72 hour rainfall total of 4.87 inches was reported by CoCoRaHS site FLWS01.
Heavy Rain, Bay
- When
- September 3, 6:00 AM CST to September 6, 6:00 AM CST
- Where
- Bay County, 1.05 mi NW of Hiland Park
- Reported by
- COOP Observer
- Coordinates
- 30.200, -85.633
A 72 hour rainfall total of 4.77 inches was reported by the Florida COOP site PCYF1.
Heavy Rain, Franklin
- When
- September 3, 7:00 AM EST to September 6, 7:00 AM EST
- Where
- Franklin County, 0.92 mi WSW of Bay City
- Reported by
- COOP Observer
- Coordinates
- 29.733, -85.033
A 72 hour rainfall total of 5.90 inches was reported by the Florida COOP site APLF1.
Heavy Rain, Leon
- When
- September 4, 12:00 AM EST to 7:00 PM EST
- Where
- Leon County, Southwood
- Reported by
- Public
- Coordinates
- 30.390, -84.210
The public reported 3.46 inches of rain from noon to 8 pm EDT on September 4th and a storm total of 3.79 inches through 8 pm EDT.
Heavy Rain, Leon
- When
- September 4, 12:00 AM EST to September 6, 12:00 AM EST
- Where
- Leon County, 0.5 mi WNW of Eight Mile Pond Area
- Reported by
- Mesonet
- Coordinates
- 30.324, -84.307
A 48 hour rainfall total of 4.57 inches was reported by the Capital Area Flood Warning Network rain gauge located at Ames Sink.
Heavy Rain, Leon
- When
- September 4, 3:00 AM EST to September 5, 6:00 AM EST
- Where
- Leon County, 0.59 mi E of Tom Brown Park
- Reported by
- Trained Spotter
- Coordinates
- 30.441, -84.200
A trained spotter reported 3.65 inches of rain in the Piney Z community between 4 am EDT on September 4th and 7 am EDT on September 5th. Of that amount, 3.42 inches fell in a 24 hour period between 7 am on the 4th and 7 am on the 5th.
Tornado, Bay
- When
- September 4, 9:32 AM CST to 9:35 AM CST
- Where
- Bay County, 7.27 mi NNW of Vicksburg to 8.2 mi NNW of Vicksburg
- Rating
- EF0
- Path length
- 1.05 mi
- Path width
- 25 yd
- Reported by
- Public
- Coordinates
- 30.421, -85.695
The public reported a tornado near Highway 20 around Crystal Lake. The tornado dissipated as it crossed the highway. No known damage occurred. This tornado was associated with the outer feeder bands from the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee.
Funnel Cloud, Bay
- When
- September 4, 9:42 AM CST
- Where
- Bay County, 0.91 mi SE of Panama City Beach
- Reported by
- Public
- Coordinates
- 30.200, -85.830
Home video was forwarded to the NWS by the public that showed a funnel cloud near Panama City Beach.
Heavy Rain, Leon
- When
- September 4, 3:30 PM EST
- Where
- Leon County, 0.86 mi WSW of Tallahassee Memorial Hospital
- Reported by
- Trained Spotter
- Coordinates
- 30.444, -84.273
A trained spotter reported minor street flooding on Franklin Blvd extending from Tennessee Street to Call Street. All drainage ditches on Franklin Blvd were close to overflowing. Based on surrounding reports, rainfall amounts around 3.50 inches had fallen since midnight.
Strong Wind, Inland Wakulla
- When
- September 5, 11:45 AM EST to 9:30 PM EST
- Where
- Inland Wakulla forecast zone
- Measured
- 45 kt (52 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $29,000
- Reported by
- Emergency Manager
- Coordinates
- 30.148, -84.376 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Strong Wind, Coastal Wakulla
- When
- September 5, 11:45 AM EST to 9:30 PM EST
- Where
- Coastal Wakulla forecast zone
- Measured
- 45 kt (52 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $29,000
- Reported by
- Emergency Manager
- Coordinates
- 30.148, -84.376 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Tornado, Jackson
- When
- September 5, 11:57 AM CST to 11:58 AM CST
- Where
- Jackson County, 2.39 mi SSE of Dellwood to 2.08 mi SE of Dellwood
- Rating
- EF0
- Path length
- 0.35 mi
- Path width
- 25 yd
- Property damage
- $1,000
- Reported by
- Public
- Coordinates
- 30.790, -85.030
A brief tornado touchdown occurred near 3164 Highway 69 NE. The public reported seeing a condensation funnel with trees uprooted and a farm tractor moved. The report was relayed by the Florida State Watch Office. This tornado occurred in association with the outer feeder bands of the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee. Monetary damage was estimated.
Thunderstorm Wind, Walton
- When
- September 5, 12:30 PM CST
- Where
- Walton County, 0.6 mi E of Freeport
- Measured
- 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $3,000
- Reported by
- County Official
- Coordinates
- 30.490, -86.120
Power lines were blown down near Highway 20 between Business 331 and the 331 bypass. The monetary damage figure provided is a rough estimate.
Thunderstorm Wind, Walton
- When
- September 5, 12:30 PM CST
- Where
- Walton County, 1.64 mi SSW of Pleasant Ridge
- Measured
- 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $3,000
- Reported by
- County Official
- Coordinates
- 30.667, -86.178
Trees were blown down near the intersection of Bond Drive and Cosson Road. The monetary damage figure provided is a rough estimate.
Thunderstorm Wind, Walton
- When
- September 5, 12:33 PM CST
- Where
- Walton County, 4.15 mi N of Rock Hill
- Measured
- 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $2,000
- Reported by
- County Official
- Coordinates
- 30.650, -86.110
A tree was blown down onto a power line near 5687 S US 331. The monetary damage figure provided is a rough estimate.
Thunderstorm Wind, Walton
- When
- September 5, 12:33 PM CST
- Where
- Walton County, 2.73 mi SW of Alpine Heights
- Measured
- 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $4,000
- Reported by
- County Official
- Coordinates
- 30.710, -86.230
Several trees were blown down around 6120 Bob Sikes Road. The monetary damage figure provided is a rough estimate.
Thunderstorm Wind, Walton
- When
- September 5, 12:33 PM CST
- Where
- Walton County, 2.76 mi S of De Funiak Springs
- Measured
- 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $5,000
- Reported by
- Trained Spotter
- Coordinates
- 30.680, -86.120
Widespread tree damage was reported in the area. The monetary damage figure provided is a rough estimate.
Thunderstorm Wind, Walton
- When
- September 5, 12:34 PM CST
- Where
- Walton County, 1.38 mi N of Pleasant Ridge
- Measured
- 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $3,000
- Reported by
- County Official
- Coordinates
- 30.710, -86.170
Trees were blown down around 2644 Bob Sikes Road. The monetary damage figure provided is a rough estimate.
Thunderstorm Wind, Walton
- When
- September 5, 12:35 PM CST
- Where
- Walton County, De Funiak Springs
- Measured
- 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $2,000
- Reported by
- County Official
- Coordinates
- 30.720, -86.120
A tree was blown down onto a power line near 288 County Highway 83A. The monetary damage figure provided is a rough estimate.
Thunderstorm Wind, Walton
- When
- September 5, 12:41 PM CST
- Where
- Walton County, Liberty
- Measured
- 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $3,000
- Reported by
- County Official
- Coordinates
- 30.820, -86.210
Trees were blown down around 7140 US Highway 331. The monetary damage figure provided is a rough estimate.
Thunderstorm Wind, Holmes
- When
- September 5, 12:52 PM CST
- Where
- Holmes County, 3.27 mi WSW of Hickory Hill
- Measured
- 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $2,000
- Reported by
- County Official
- Coordinates
- 30.800, -85.960
Two trees were blown down on Highway 81 north of Ponce De Leon. The monetary damage figure provided is a rough estimate.
Thunderstorm Wind, Holmes
- When
- September 5, 12:52 PM CST
- Where
- Holmes County, 0.27 mi ESE of Ponce de Leon
- Measured
- 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $2,000
- Reported by
- County Official
- Coordinates
- 30.718, -85.926
Two trees were blown down along Interstate 10. The monetary damage figure provided is a rough estimate.
Thunderstorm Wind, Bay
- When
- September 5, 12:53 PM CST
- Where
- Bay County, Panama City Beach
- Measured
- 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $2,000
- Reported by
- Trained Spotter
- Coordinates
- 30.210, -85.840
A trained spotter estimated winds of 60 to 70 mph with power lines blown down. The monetary damage figure provided is a rough estimate.
Thunderstorm Wind, Holmes
- When
- September 5, 12:57 PM CST to 1:15 PM CST
- Where
- Holmes County, Westville to Bonifay
- Measured
- 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $50,000
- Reported by
- Broadcast Media
- Coordinates
- 30.770, -85.850
WMBB News 13 reported widespread and extensive tree and power line damage in Holmes county and the western part of Washington county. The West Florida Electric Cooperative experienced widespread damage throughout its service area due to numerous downed trees and power lines with crews working non-stop throughout the afternoon to restore power. Radar showed that a line of storms capable of producing winds in excess of 70 mph moved through the area. Monetary damage was estimated.
Thunderstorm Wind, Bay
- When
- September 5, 12:58 PM CST
- Where
- Bay County, 6.02 mi NE of Westbay
- Measured
- 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
- Reported by
- ASOS
- Coordinates
- 30.360, -85.800
A 60 mph wind gust was measured at KECP airport.
Thunderstorm Wind, Washington
- When
- September 5, 1:28 PM CST
- Where
- Washington County, Chipley
- Measured
- 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $5,000
- Reported by
- County Official
- Coordinates
- 30.770, -85.530
Trees were blown down county wide. The monetary damage figure provided is a rough estimate.
Thunderstorm Wind, Jackson
- When
- September 5, 1:28 PM CST to 1:50 PM CST
- Where
- Jackson County, Graceville to Malone
- Measured
- 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $50,000
- Reported by
- Broadcast Media
- Coordinates
- 30.950, -85.510
WMBB News 13 reported that the West Florida Electric Cooperative lost its main transmission feed lines from Graceville to the Bascom and Malone areas due to high winds and numerous trees falling on the lines. Radar showed that a line of storms capable of producing winds in excess of 70 mph moved through the area. Monetary damage was estimated.
Thunderstorm Wind, Madison
- When
- September 5, 2:50 PM EST to 2:55 PM EST
- Where
- Madison County, 0.51 mi W of Madison to 0.91 mi NNW of Madison
- Measured
- 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $3,000
- Reported by
- County Official
- Coordinates
- 30.461, -83.418
Trees were blown down across Madison on Marion St, Horry Ave, and Washington St. A large palm tree was also snapped about 15 feet off the ground. Monetary damage was estimated.
Thunderstorm Wind, Leon
- When
- September 5, 3:01 PM EST
- Where
- Leon County, 1.82 mi NE of Maclay Gardens
- Measured
- 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $2,000
- Reported by
- Public
- Coordinates
- 30.540, -84.230
Trees were blown down near Kerry Forest Pkwy. Monetary damage was estimated.
Thunderstorm Wind, Leon
- When
- September 5, 3:01 PM EST
- Where
- Leon County, Bradfordville
- Measured
- 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $3,000
- Reported by
- Amateur Radio
- Coordinates
- 30.570, -84.220
Trees were blown down and traffic lights were out around Bradfordville. Monetary damage was estimated.
Thunderstorm Wind, Walton
- When
- September 5, 2:30 PM CST
- Where
- Walton County, De Funiak Springs
- Measured
- 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $5,000
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 30.720, -86.120
More trees were blown down from another round of storms. The monetary damage figure provided is a rough estimate.
Thunderstorm Wind, Wakulla
- When
- September 5, 3:46 PM EST
- Where
- Wakulla County, 0.69 mi N of Newport
- Measured
- 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $3,000
- Reported by
- County Official
- Coordinates
- 30.200, -84.180
Trees and power lines were blown down in the eastern part of the county. Monetary damage was estimated.
Thunderstorm Wind, Lafayette
- When
- September 5, 4:03 PM EST
- Where
- Lafayette County, Cooks Hammock
- Measured
- 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $3,000
- Reported by
- County Official
- Coordinates
- 29.920, -83.270
Power lines were blown down around the county. Monetary damage was estimated.
Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson
- When
- September 5, 4:08 PM EST
- Where
- Jefferson County, Hell'S Half Acre
- Measured
- 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $3,000
- Reported by
- County Official
- Coordinates
- 30.190, -83.980
Trees were blown down in the southern part of the county. Monetary damage was estimated.
Thunderstorm Wind, Jackson
- When
- September 5, 3:09 PM CST
- Where
- Jackson County, Bascom
- Measured
- 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $2,000
- Reported by
- County Official
- Coordinates
- 30.920, -85.110
A few trees were blown down. Monetary damage was estimated.
Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson
- When
- September 5, 4:13 PM EST
- Where
- Jefferson County, Capps
- Measured
- 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $3,000
- Reported by
- County Official
- Coordinates
- 30.410, -83.910
Trees were blown down around Capps. Monetary damage was estimated.
Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson
- When
- September 5, 4:24 PM EST
- Where
- Jefferson County, 2.38 mi E of Alma
- Measured
- 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $2,000
- Reported by
- County Official
- Coordinates
- 30.610, -83.860
Power lines were blown down along Barnes Road. Monetary damage was estimated.
Thunderstorm Wind, Washington
- When
- September 5, 4:10 PM CST
- Where
- Washington County, Caryville
- Measured
- 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $1,000
- Reported by
- County Official
- Coordinates
- 30.770, -85.810
A tree was blown down in Caryville. Monetary damage was estimated.
Thunderstorm Wind, Madison
- When
- September 5, 7:00 PM EST
- Where
- Madison County, 0.69 mi N of Lee
- Measured
- 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $1,000
- Reported by
- County Official
- Coordinates
- 30.420, -83.300
A power line was blown down near Henderson Farm. Monetary damage was estimated.
Storm Surge/Tide, Coastal Wakulla
- When
- September 6, 7:00 AM EST
- Where
- Coastal Wakulla forecast zone
- Reported by
- Emergency Manager
- Coordinates
- 30.148, -84.376 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Some minor storm surge flooding was reported with around 2 inches of over-wash in St. Marks on Old Fort Rd. Tidal departures ran just over 2 feet above normal for the morning high tide cycle on September 6th.
- Heavy Rain
- Rainfall totals unusual for the place and season that did not produce a flood.
- Tornado
- A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.
- Funnel Cloud
- A rotating column of cloud extending from a thunderstorm that did not reach the ground.
- Strong Wind
- Non-thunderstorm winds below high wind criteria that nonetheless caused damage or casualties.
- Thunderstorm Wind
- Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
- Storm Surge/Tide
- Water pushed ashore above the normal tide by a storm’s winds and low pressure.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
- Hail and Damaging Winds in Ohio, September 3 to 4, 20111 death · 1 injured · $296,000 · 1 in hail · 13 events
- Flash Flooding and Damaging Winds in Tennessee, September 3 to 5, 20111 death · $60,000 · 65 kt wind · 16 events
- Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Mississippi, September 3 to 5, 20111 injured · $1.8 million · EF1 · 64 events
- High Surf in Texas, September 3, 20111 death · 1 event
- Damaging Winds in Michigan, September 3, 201110 injured · $39,000 · 65 kt wind · 15 events
- Tornadoes and Flash Flood in Alabama, September 3 to 5, 2011$247,000 · EF1 · 8 events
- Hail and Damaging Winds in Wisconsin, September 3, 2011$415,000 · 70 kt wind · 15 events
- Tornado and Tropical Storm in Louisiana, September 3 to 4, 2011$275,000 · EF0 · 19 events
- Hail and Damaging Winds in Ohio, September 3 to 4, 2011$317,000 · 1 in hail · 10 events
- Hail and Damaging Winds in Illinois, September 3, 2011$260,000 · 1.75 in hail · 8 events
- Tornadoes in Mississippi, September 3 to 4, 2011$100,000 · EF1 · 3 events
- Damaging Winds in Indiana, September 3, 20111 injured · $79,000 · 56 kt wind · 15 events
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 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 331987, 331988, 331990, 331992, 331993, 331996, 331998, 331976, 331985, 331981, 338707, 338708, 332001, 338778, 339004, 338722, 332005, 332006, 332007, 332008, 332009, 332010, 332011, 332013, 332014, 332016, 332017, 348086, 332018, 332019, 348087, 342428, 338737, 338738, 332020, 338741, 338742, 338743, 338739, 338744, and more.