Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Florida, October 13 to 14, 2014

Name: Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Florida, October 13 to 14, 2014
Start: 2014-10-13T15:20
End: 2014-10-14T11:38
Location: Florida

October 13 to 14, 2014 · NWS TAE · 26 events in 13 counties and zones

An unseasonably strong upper level trough and cold brought a round of strong to severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall to the area. There were several tornadoes confirmed across northwest Florida.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. 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

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $70,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 26

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS TAE wrote it up.

An unseasonably strong upper level trough and cold brought a round of strong to severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall to the area. There were several tornadoes confirmed across northwest Florida. All of the tornadoes were rated EF0, and most of them occurred in forested areas with no structures impacted. However, there was some minor damage to structures around Cottondale in Jackson county and Sumatra in Liberty county. All of the tornadoes exhibited tornadic debris signatures using dual-pol radar.

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 Oct 13, 2:22 PM CST, 58 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Oct 13, 2:22 PM CST, 58 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
422 PM EDT Mon Oct 13 2014

...ACTIVE WEATHER EXPECTED TONIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY WITH THE
POTENTIAL FOR SEVERE STORMS AND FLASH FLOODING ACROSS PORTIONS OF
THE AREA...

.Near Term [Through Tonight]...
A strong frontal system will affect the area over the next 24
hours, bringing with it a threat for severe storms and heavy
rainfall. In terms of severe weather, the main threat will come
late tonight through early Tuesday afternoon in the form of the
squall line that is currently back across the MS/LA area. Straight
line winds will be the main threat, but we cannot rule out a small
chance of an isolated tornado either with rather high low-level
shear values in place. SPC has the entire area outlooked in a
slight risk for severe storms. The flash flood threat will come
from the potential for training convection from south to north out
ahead of the main squall line. WPC has roughly the same area as
the flash flood watch outlooked for a moderate risk of excessive
rainfall.

.Short Term [Tuesday Through Wednesday Night]...
There may be some lingering convection into early Tuesday night
across the eastern portions of the area just ahead of the front.
Otherwise, a drier and cooler airmass will be moving into the area
in the wake of the front.

.Long Term [Thursday Through Monday]...
Dry weather is expected through the period with high pressure in
the wake of the strong cold front on Tuesday. Temperatures will
be within a few degrees of average for this time of year.

&&

.Aviation...
[Through 18Z Tuesday] Best chance for TS will be near the coast
this afternoon. Overnight TS will move in from the west as a cold
front approaches. MVFR conditions are expected overnight and
during the morning hours. IFR conditions will likely be brief. A
stronger line of TS will likely develop in the morning and move
through the area from west to east. Some storms could be severe.

&&

.Marine...
Winds and seas will continue to increase in response to a sharp
pressure difference between the approaching low pressure from the
west and high pressure over the western Atlantic. Winds and seas
should fall below advisory levels Tuesday evening as the pressure
pattern becomes weak behind the departing low.

&&

.Fire Weather...
Widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected on Tuesday with
drying conditions for Wednesday. Red flag conditions are not
expected at least through the remainder of the week.

&&

.Hydrology...
Rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches with localized amounts in excess
of 6 inches in a short period of time are possible across the flash
flood watch area through Tuesday afternoon. Elsewhere, around 1 to
2 inches of rain is expected. River levels are starting out
fairly low, so even though some decent rises are expected across
the western basins, main stem river flooding is not expected at
this time.

&&

.Preliminary Point Temps/PoPs...

Tallahassee   73  82  58  80  50 /  70 100  50   0   0
Panama City   75  81  60  79  57 / 100 100  10   0   0
Dothan        70  80  53  78  51 / 100 100  10   0   0
Albany        72  80  57  78  52 /  60 100  40  10   0
Valdosta      71  82  61  79  51 /  30 100  70  10  10
Cross City    71  84  68  81  52 /  30  80  70  10  10
Apalachicola  76  82  62  79  57 /  90 100  30   0   0

&&

.TAE Watches/Warnings/Advisories...

FL...Flash Flood Watch from 8 PM EDT /7 PM CDT/ this evening through
     Tuesday afternoon for Calhoun-Central Walton-Coastal Bay-
     Coastal Franklin-Coastal Gulf-Gadsden-Holmes-Inland Bay-
     Inland Franklin-Inland Gulf-Inland Walton-Jackson-Liberty-
     South Walton-Washington.

     High Rip Current Risk through Tuesday evening for Coastal Bay-
     Coastal Franklin-Coastal Gulf-South Walton.

GA...Flash Flood Watch from 8 PM EDT this evening through Tuesday
     afternoon for Clay-Decatur-Early-Miller-Seminole.

AL...Flash Flood Watch from 7 PM CDT this evening through Tuesday
     afternoon for Coffee-Dale-Geneva-Henry-Houston.

GM...Small Craft Advisory until 8 PM EDT Tuesday for Apalachee Bay-
     Coastal waters From Ochlockonee River to Apalachicola FL
     out to 20 NM-Coastal waters from Suwannee River to Keaton
     Beach FL out 20 NM-Coastal waters from Apalachicola to
     Destin FL out 20 NM-Waters from Suwannee River to
     Apalachicola FL from 20 to 60 NM-Waters from Apalachicola
     to Destin FL from 20 to 60 NM.

&&

NEAR TERM...DVD
SHORT TERM...DVD
LONG TERM...DVD
AVIATION...MCDERMOTT
MARINE...HARRIGAN
FIRE WEATHER...DVD
HYDROLOGY...DVD

In the hours before

Local storm report, Oct 13, 11:25 AM CST, 3 hours 55 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
125 PM EDT MON OCT 13 2014

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1154 AM     MARINE TSTM WIND 2 W PANAMA CITY BEACH   30.21N 85.88W
10/13/2014  M45 MPH          BAY                FL   MESONET

            WIND GUST OF 39 KNOTS MEASURED AT THE PCBF1 TIDE STATION

&&

DVD

The radar

The Eglin Afb radar (KEVX), 78 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:19 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

16 thunderstorm wind, 6 tornado, 3 flash flood, 1 funnel cloud. Local standard time, as filed.

Tornado, Calhoun

When: October 13, 3:20 PM CST to 3:25 PM CST
Where: Calhoun County, 2.94 mi W of Scotts Ferry to 3.12 mi SE of Frink
Rating: EF0
Path length: 2.58 mi
Path width: 30 yd
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 30.287, -85.179

The KTLH and KEVX dual-pol radars detected a tornadic debris signature at this location. In addition, a member of the media conducted a survey of the area using an aerial drone. Although no damage to structures occurred, the tornado missed some residential and mobile homes by less than a mile in some cases. Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted (over 30 estimated) along the path. The tornado was rated EF0 with winds estimated at 65 to 75 mph.

Funnel Cloud, Calhoun

When: October 13, 4:02 PM CST to 4:06 PM CST
Where: Calhoun County, 4 mi SSW of Chason to 3.65 mi SW of Chason
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 30.480, -85.225

A funnel cloud was spotted near the intersections of Gray Road and CR287 as well as Cain Road and CR287 between 5:02 pm CDT and 5:06 pm CDT.

Tornado, Franklin

When: October 13, 7:29 PM EST
Where: Franklin County, 3.66 mi E of Buck Siding
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.01 mi
Path width: 20 yd
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 29.890, -84.910

The KTLH dual-pol radar detected a tornadic debris signature at this location. This is in the middle of the Apalachicola National Forest with no damage to structures reported. The tornado was rated EF0 based on tree damage.

Tornado, Liberty

When: October 13, 7:50 PM EST
Where: Liberty County, 3.66 mi E of Sumatra
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.01 mi
Path width: 20 yd
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 30.010, -84.910

Tornado, Liberty

When: October 13, 8:59 PM EST to 9:01 PM EST
Where: Liberty County, 0.6 mi W of Sumatra to 2.16 mi NNW of Sumatra
Rating: EF0
Path length: 2.07 mi
Path width: 20 yd
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 30.020, -84.980

Trees were blown down and a roof was blown off a shed in the vicinity of Sumatra. A tornadic debris signature was also seen by KTLH radar. This tornado was rated EF0 with winds of 65 to 75 mph. Monetary damage was estimated.

Tornado, Liberty

When: October 13, 9:58 PM EST
Where: Liberty County, 2.83 mi SSE of Central City
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.01 mi
Path width: 20 yd
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 30.140, -84.910

Thunderstorm Wind, Walton

When: October 14, 1:00 AM CST
Where: Walton County, Eucheeanna
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 30.640, -86.040

A wind gust of 60 mph was measured by a trained spotter with an anemometer. In addition, lightning also struck a tree near the home.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bay

When: October 14, 1:05 AM CST
Where: Bay County, 0.6 mi W of Panama City Beach
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.210, -85.850

Power lines were blown down in several locations around Panama City Beach.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bay

When: October 14, 1:06 AM CST
Where: Bay County, 0.35 mi NNE of Bahama Beach
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 30.195, -85.838

Roof damage occurred to a restaurant on Front Beach Road. Monetary damage was estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bay

When: October 14, 1:25 AM CST
Where: Bay County, Panama City
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.170, -85.660

Several reports of power lines blown down were received from around Panama City . Wind was also driving rainwater into some condo units through the balcony doors on Panama City Beach.

Tornado, Jackson

When: October 14, 2:00 AM CST to 2:03 AM CST
Where: Jackson County, 0.59 mi E of Cottondale Arpt to 2.02 mi E of Cottondale
Rating: EF0
Path length: 1.73 mi
Path width: 20 yd
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 30.780, -85.360

Most of the damage from this tornado was limited to trees. However, one house had a garage door blown in and some of the roof structure removed. The tornado was rated EF0 with winds estimated at 75 to 80 mph. A small debris signature was also seen on KEVX dual-pol radar. Monetary damage was estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Gulf

When: October 14, 2:45 AM CST
Where: Gulf County, Honeyville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.050, -85.190

Power lines were blown down along Highway 71.

Thunderstorm Wind, Walton

When: October 14, 4:43 AM CST
Where: Walton County, Santa Rosa Beach
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.380, -86.220

A couple of trees were blown down around Santa Rosa Beach.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When: October 14, 5:47 AM CST
Where: Washington County, 1.14 mi SW of Riverside
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $500
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.467, -85.672

A tree was blown down at Pine Ridge and Rolling Pines Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Holmes

When: October 14, 5:55 AM CST
Where: Holmes County, 1.79 mi S of Cobb Crossroads
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.954, -85.542

A tree was blown down on JS Jones Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When: October 14, 5:55 AM CST
Where: Washington County, 0.25 mi SSW of Wausau
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.627, -85.581

A tree was blown down at Olie and Ambus Roads.

Thunderstorm Wind, Leon

When: October 14, 9:15 AM EST
Where: Leon County, 1.38 mi ESE of Lake Munson
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 30.350, -84.280

A retired NWS employee reported 4 to 5 trees down across Munson Trails near Woodville Highway.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wakulla

When: October 14, 9:55 AM EST to 10:30 AM EST
Where: Wakulla County, Smith Creek to Wakulla Springs
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.180, -84.650

Several trees were blown down across the county.

Flash Flood, Leon

When: October 14, 10:02 AM EST to 11:30 AM EST
Where: Leon County, 0.75 mi NNW of Tallahassee Community College to 0.48 mi NNE of Tallahassee Community College
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 30.451, -84.343

Flooding was reported on Appleyard Drive with road blocks in place.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wakulla

When: October 14, 10:18 AM EST
Where: Wakulla County, 1.51 mi NNW of Ivan
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 30.239, -84.373

Roof damage occurred to a home near Whiddon Lake Road and Zion Hills Road. Monetary damage was estimated.

Flash Flood, Leon

When: October 14, 10:20 AM EST to 11:30 AM EST
Where: Leon County, 0.33 mi ESE of Levy Park to 0.71 mi ESE of Levy Park
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.457, -84.285

Flooding was reported on Bronough Street north of Brevard Street.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wakulla

When: October 14, 10:25 AM EST
Where: Wakulla County, 3 mi NNE of Bethel
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 30.288, -84.296

A power pole was snapped on Cooperwood Road along with roof damage to a house. Monetary damage was estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Leon

When: October 14, 10:35 AM EST
Where: Leon County, 1.36 mi SSE of Southwood
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $500
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 30.373, -84.199

A tree was blown down on Tram Road to the east of Capital Circle.

Flash Flood, Leon

When: October 14, 10:51 AM EST to 11:30 AM EST
Where: Leon County, 0.69 mi N of Tallahassee Mall to 0.21 mi SSW of Macon Community Park
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 30.480, -84.290

Cars were stalled in high water on roads near the Tallahassee Mall.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson

When: October 14, 11:20 AM EST
Where: Jefferson County, 3.68 mi WSW of Aucilla
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.469, -83.811

Trees were blown down on I-10 at Mile Marker 229.

Thunderstorm Wind, Taylor

When: October 14, 11:38 AM EST
Where: Taylor County, 1.29 mi NNE of Bucell Junction
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 30.077, -83.542

Power lines were blown down on Mixon Road.

What these are

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.
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.
Flash Flood: Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Florida in 2014 Every state in 2014 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Florida, 2014 Warnings in Florida, October 2014

Sources

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: 540511, 540512, 540510, 540509, 540507, 540504, 540513, 540514, 540515, 540516, 540505, 540517, 540518, 541836, 541839, 541840, 541834, 541847, 541826, 541843, 541827, 541841, 541830, 541828, 541849, 541829.