Persistent strong storms produced heavy rainfall amounts that resulted in flash flooding across portions of Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties during the afternoon and early evening hours on July 5th. A few thunderstorms became severe as they moved north through the Destin area.
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 MOB wrote it up.
Persistent strong storms produced heavy rainfall amounts that resulted in flash flooding across portions of Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties during the afternoon and early evening hours on July 5th. A few thunderstorms became severe as they moved north through the Destin area.
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 Mobile, AL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 5, 4:47 AM CST, 8 hours 13 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
547 AM CDT FRI JUL 5 2013
.SHORT TERM (TODAY AND TONIGHT)...MOIST AXIS BETWEEN AN UPPER TROF
TO OUR WEST AND AN UPPER RIDGE OFF THE EASTERN SEABOARD CONTINUES TO
SLOWLY MOVE WEST. THIS AIRMASS IS EXTREMELY MOIST WITH PRECIPITABLE
WATER VALUES IN EXCESS OF 2 INCHES...WHICH IS 125 PERCENT OF NORMAL.
GLOBAL AND MESOSCALE MODELS CONTINUE TO INCREASE AND EXPAND SHOWERS
AND THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS OUR REGION LATER THIS MORNING INTO THE
AFTERNOON. DUE TO THE HIGH PW VALUES...SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS
WILL BE VERY EFFICIENT RAIN PRODUCERS WITH AMOUNTS OVER 2 INCHES PER
HOUR POSSIBLE. DUE TO RECENT HEAVY RAINFALL...GROUND CONDITIONS ARE
BECOMING RATHER SOGGY ESPECIALLY ACROSS PORTIONS OF SOUTHEAST
MISSISSIPPI AND THE WESTERN FLORIDA PANHANDLE. IN THESE AREAS ANY
ADDITIONAL HEAVY RAINFALL WILL LIKELY LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING AND/OR
RIVER FLOODING. AS A RESULT...THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH WILL BE EXPANDED
WESTWARD TO ENCOMPASS THE ENTIRE CENTRAL GULF COAST THROUGH SUNDAY
MORNING. TEMPS ON THURSDAY WERE SEVERAL DEGREES BELOW GUIDANCE
VALUES...ESPECIALLY IN EASTERN ZONES...AND HAVE CONTINUED THAT TREND
TODAY WITH MID/UPPER 70S EAST TO LOW 80S IN WESTERN ZONES. LOW RISK
OF WET MICROBURSTS TODAY. /13
(SATURDAY THROUGH SUNDAY)...HEAVY RAIN THREAT WILL CONTINUE THROUGH
AT LEAST SATURDAY AS AXIS OF DEEPER MOISTURE SHIFTS WEST ACROSS THE
REGION. RADAR INDICATES THAT PARTS OF INTERIOR SOUTHEAST MISSISSIPPI
RECEIVED IN EXCESS OF 6 INCHES (LOCALLY UP TO 13 INCHES IN SMALL
AREAS) PRIMARILY OVER WAYNE AND GREENE COUNTIES WHERE NUMEROUS ROADS
WERE FLOODED AND RESCUES FROM SOME HOMES WERE REQUIRED. WITH THIS AND
THE FACT THAT ADDITIONAL HEAVY RAINS ARE EXPECTED TO SPREAD WEST OVER
THE NEXT DAY OR TWO...HAVE EXTENDED THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH WESTWARD TO
INCLUDE THE ENTIRE FCST AREA...AND ALSO EXTENDED IT IN TIME...NOW
RUNNING THROUGH 7 AM SUNDAY. STILL LOOKING AT GENERALLY 2 TO 4 INCHES
OF ADDITIONAL RAINFALL (WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS) ALONG AND WEST
OF I-65 THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT...AND 3 TO 6 INCHES EAST OF I-65 WITH
THE HIGHER TOTALS EXPECTED OVER THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE. AS MENTIONED THE
STORMS ARE EFFICIENT RAINFALL PRODUCERS...AND AS BEEN THE CASE OVER
THE PAST COUPLE OF DAYS...SOME LOCALIZED AREAS COULD SEE DOUBLE THESE
RAINFALL AMOUNTS THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT. THE GROUNDS ARE SATURATED
OVER MUCH OF THE REGION...AND THE FLASH FLOODING THREAT WILL REMAIN
ELEVATED. WENT BELOW MOS GUIDANCE FOR MAX TEMPS BOTH SATURDAY AND
SUNDAY...MORE SIGNIFICANTLY SATURDAY...DUE TO WIDESPREAD CLOUD AND
PCPN COVERAGE. LOWS SATURDAY NIGHT NEAR MOS NUMBERS. 12/DS
&&
.LONG TERM (MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY)...WEATHER PATTERN GRADUALLY
RETURNS TO MORE OF A TYPICAL PATTERN FOR THIS TIME OF THE YEAR
THROUGH THE LONG TERM PERIOD AS A HIGH PRESSURE RIDGE BUILDS IN FROM
THE EAST. BOTH TEMPS AND POPS RETURN TO NEAR CLIMO. 12/DS
&&
.AVIATION (05.12Z ISSUANCE)...SHRA/TSRA WILL INCREASE AT ALL
TERMINALS LATER THIS MORNING THROUGH THE AFTERNOON. MVFR CIGS AND
MVFR TO LOCALIZED IFR VISIBILITY REDUCTIONS WILL ACCOMPANY THE
HEAVIER TSRA. OTHERWISE SOUTH TO SOUTHEAST WINDS AROUND 10 KNOTS
SHOULD CONTINUE THROUGH THE PERIOD. /13
&&
.MARINE...WINDS AND SEAS WILL DECREASE TODAY AS A RIDGE OF HIGH
PRESSURE BUILDS WESTWARD. THIS WILL MAINTAIN A SOUTH TO SOUTHEAST
WIND FLOW THROUGH MUCH OF THE FORECAST PERIOD. WINDS AND SEAS WILL
BE HIGHER NEAR SCATTERED TO NUMEROUS SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. /13
&&
.FIRE WEATHER...NO HIGHLIGHTS WITH REGARD TO FIRE...WET AND MOIST
CONDITIONS CONTINUE. 12/DS
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
MOBILE 82 72 83 72 88 / 90 60 80 40 60
PENSACOLA 83 75 78 75 87 / 90 60 80 40 60
DESTIN 81 77 83 78 85 / 90 60 70 40 50
EVERGREEN 79 71 79 71 87 / 90 60 80 40 60
WAYNESBORO 82 69 83 71 86 / 70 60 80 40 60
CAMDEN 79 71 83 70 87 / 90 60 70 40 60
CRESTVIEW 77 71 77 70 86 / 90 60 70 40 60
&&
.MOB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AL...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK UNTIL 7 PM SATURDAY FOR THE FOLLOWING
ZONES: LOWER BALDWIN...LOWER MOBILE...
FLASH FLOOD WATCH UNTIL 7 AM SUNDAY FOR THE FOLLOWING ZONES:
BUTLER...CHOCTAW...CLARKE...CONECUH...COVINGTON...
CRENSHAW...ESCAMBIA...LOWER BALDWIN...LOWER MOBILE...
MONROE...UPPER BALDWIN...UPPER MOBILE...WASHINGTON...
WILCOX...
HIGH SURF ADVISORY UNTIL 7 PM SATURDAY FOR THE FOLLOWING ZONES:
LOWER BALDWIN...LOWER MOBILE...
FL...FLASH FLOOD WATCH UNTIL 7 AM SUNDAY FOR THE FOLLOWING ZONES:
COASTAL ESCAMBIA...COASTAL OKALOOSA...COASTAL SANTA ROSA...
INLAND ESCAMBIA...INLAND OKALOOSA...INLAND SANTA ROSA...
HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK UNTIL 7 PM SATURDAY FOR THE FOLLOWING
ZONES: COASTAL ESCAMBIA...COASTAL OKALOOSA...COASTAL SANTA
ROSA...
HIGH SURF ADVISORY UNTIL 7 PM SATURDAY FOR THE FOLLOWING ZONES:
COASTAL ESCAMBIA...COASTAL OKALOOSA...COASTAL SANTA ROSA...
MS...FLASH FLOOD WATCH UNTIL 7 AM SUNDAY FOR THE FOLLOWING ZONES:
GEORGE...GREENE...PERRY...STONE...WAYNE...
GM...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY UNTIL 1 PM FRIDAY FOR THE FOLLOWING ZONES:
COASTAL WATERS FROM DESTIN TO PENSACOLA FL OUT 20 NM...
COASTAL WATERS FROM PENSACOLA FL TO PASCAGOULA MS OUT 20
NM...WATERS FROM DESTIN TO PENSACOLA FL FROM 20 TO 60 NM...
WATERS FROM PENSACOLA FL TO PASCAGOULA MS FROM 20 TO 60
NM...
&&HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL 551 AM CDT FRI JUL 5 2013 ALZ051>064-FLZ001>006-MSZ067-075-076-078-079-061100- CHOCTAW-WASHINGTON-CLARKE-WILCOX-MONROE-CONECUH-BUTLER-CRENSHAW- ESCAMBIA-COVINGTON-UPPER MOBILE-UPPER BALDWIN-LOWER MOBILE- LOWER BALDWIN-INLAND ESCAMBIA-COASTAL ESCAMBIA-INLAND SANTA ROSA- COASTAL SANTA ROSA-INLAND OKALOOSA-COASTAL OKALOOSA-WAYNE-PERRY- GREENE-STONE-GEORGE- 551 AM CDT FRI JUL 5 2013 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTH CENTRAL ALABAMA...SOUTHWEST ALABAMA...NORTHWEST FLORIDA AND SOUTHEAST MISSISSIPPI. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT A MODERATE SOUTHERLY WILL CREATE A HIGH RISK OF RIP CURRENTS ALONG THE ALABAMA AND WESTERN FLORIDA PANHANDLE BEACHES. SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL INCREASE ACROSS THE AREA TODAY. THESE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING VERY HEAVY RAINFALL WHICH COULD PRODUCE FLOODING AND A FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR THE AREA. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY THE POTENTIAL FOR LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL AND POTENTIAL LOCAL FLOODING WILL EXIST THROUGH THE WEEKEND FOR THE ENTIRE AREA. IN ADDITION...THE STRONGER STORMS WILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING FREQUENT LIGHTNING AND STRONG GUSTY WINDS. HIGH SURF AND A HIGH RISK OF RIP CURRENTS ALONG AREA BEACHES WILL PERSIST THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... STORM SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO RELAY ANY REPORTS...ESPECIALLY FOR FLOODING ISSUES...THAT ARISE THROUGH THE END OF THE WEEK. GMZ630>635-650-655-670-675-061100- NORTHERN MOBILE BAY-SOUTHERN MOBILE BAY-MISSISSIPPI SOUND- PERDIDO BAY-PENSACOLA BAY SYSTEM-CHOCTAWHATCHEE BAY- COASTAL WATERS FROM PENSACOLA FL TO PASCAGOULA MS OUT 20 NM- COASTAL WATERS FROM DESTIN TO PENSACOLA FL OUT 20 NM- WATERS FROM PENSACOLA FL TO PASCAGOULA MS FROM 20 TO 60 NM- WATERS FROM DESTIN TO PENSACOLA FL FROM 20 TO 60 NM- 551 AM CDT FRI JUL 5 2013 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF THE COASTAL WATERS OF ALABAMA AND NORTHWEST FLORIDA. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT SCATTERED TO NUMEROUS SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE ACROSS THE MARINE AREA THROUGH TONIGHT. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY HEAVY SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE TO IMPACT BOATERS THROUGH THE WEEKEND BUT STORMS WILL SLOWLY DECREASE IN INTENSITY AND COVERAGE MONDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL 1212 PM CDT FRI JUL 5 2013 FLZ006-051815- COASTAL OKALOOSA FL- 1212 PM CDT FRI JUL 5 2013 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHERN OKALOOSA COUNTY IN NORTHWEST FLORIDA...THROUGH 115 PM CDT... AT 1208 PM CDT...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED 6 MILES SOUTH OF DESTIN...OR 11 MILES SOUTHEAST OF CINCO BAYOU...AND MOVING NORTHWEST AT 15 MPH. * LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... OCEAN CITY... FORT WALTON BEACH... SHALIMAR... LAKE LORRAINE... CINCO BAYOU... WRIGHT... VALPARAISO... NICEVILLE... EGLIN AFB... THE PRIMARY THREATS FROM THIS STORM ARE WIND GUSTS UP TO 55 MPH. WINDS THIS STRONG COULD BLOW OFF TREE LIMBS AND ALSO BLOW AROUND SMALL UNSECURED OBJECTS. SEEK SHELTER UNTIL THIS STORM HAS PASSED. THIS STORM MAY CONTINUE TO INTENSIFY AND A WARNING MAY SOON BE NEEDED. PLEASE CONTINUE TO MONITOR LOCAL RADIO OR TV FOR FURTHER NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE UPDATES OR POSSIBLE WARNINGS. &&
The Eglin Afb radar (KEVX), 50 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:59 UTC.
8 flash flood, 1 tornado, 1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Brief tornado moved north from Choctawhatchee Bay and quickly dissipated after producing minor damage to the roofing of some buildings. A few roofing tiles were blown off.
Santa Rosa Emergency Services reported they had closed portions of Onich Driver, Shipton Street and Ortega Street due to at least 6 inches of water covering the roadways.
Intersection of U.S. Highway 98 and Crystal Beach Drive is flooded under one to two feet of water. Automobiles were disabled and stranded due to the flood waters.
Flooding of water greater than 6 inches in depth reported in the Destin Dog Park.
Flooding in Indian Bayou. Water was up to the bumpers of automobiles. Photographs were taken of residents paddleboarding through the street.
Minor street flooding reported on Okaloosa Island near the Emerald Coast Inn and Suites.
Restaurant parking lots were flooded with water in excess of 6 inches deep in the near Santa Rosa Boulevard and Amberjack Drive in Fort Walton.
Santa Rosa Boulevard at Starfish Avenue and Seahorse Avenue on Okaloosa Island was nearly completely submerged with water at least 6 inches in depth.
Avenida Del Sol was flooded with water at least 6 inches deep in Navarre.
Northbound lane of Sunrise Drive at U.S. Highway 98 at the entrance to Holley by the Sea was closed due flooding of water at least 6 inches deep.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Florida in 2013Every state in 2013This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Florida, 2013Warnings in Florida, July 2013
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: 472071, 472047, 472053, 472054, 472056, 472072, 472058, 472059, 472061, 472065.