Scattered afternoon thunderstorms developed in an environment of high instability favorable for isolated, brief severe storms. On July 21st, two outflow boundaries collided and initiated a large cluster of storms that moved slowly across portions of southern Houston and northwestern Jackson counties, causing flash flooding.
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.
Scattered afternoon thunderstorms developed in an environment of high instability favorable for isolated, brief severe storms. On July 21st, two outflow boundaries collided and initiated a large cluster of storms that moved slowly across portions of southern Houston and northwestern Jackson counties, causing flash flooding. Dual-pol radar estimates were as high as 4 inches in 1 hour in some areas.
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 Jul 17, 12:47 PM CST, 1 hour 25 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Tallahassee FL 247 PM EDT SUN JUL 17 2016 .NEAR TERM [Through Tonight]... Scattered showers and thunderstorms are ongoing across the FL Panhandle and Big Bend regions early this afternoon, and will continue to expand northward through the rest of the afternoon and early evening. Latest mesoanalysis from the SPC shows PWAT values from 1.9-2.1" across our area, and combined with sea breeze forcing and SBCAPE from 2500-4000 J/kg, will keep likely PoPs in place across much of our area. A weak upper level shortwave may maintain some convection across SW Georgia for a few hours this evening, but otherwise expect most showers and storms to dissipate by sunset. A few isolated storms may persist overnight offshore and near the coast, but generally dry conditions will prevail inland during this time. Lows will be in the low-mid 70s inland and upper 70s along the coast. .SHORT TERM [Monday Through Tuesday Night]... Upper ridging will build west of the area on Monday into Tuesday with north to northeast flow aloft. Scattered convection is expected each day with PoPs mainly in the 40-50% range, which is near the seasonal average. Highs are expected to be generally be in the mid 90s away from the coast with heat indices maxing out in the 100-105 range over most areas. Overnight lows are expected to be in the mid 70s. .LONG TERM [Wednesday Through Sunday]... Upper ridging will continue west of the area through the extended with north to northeast flow aloft. A few shortwaves in the flow are expected to help to enhance convection across the area in the mid to late week time frame. Highs will generally be in the mid 90s with peak heat indices in the 100-105 range. && .AVIATION... [Through 18z Monday] Scattered showers and storms will continue to expand in coverage this afternoon, starting out near TLH and ECP and possibly impacting DHN, ABY, and VLD during the late afternoon or early evening. With scattered coverage and uncertainty in exact timing, will leave prevailing VFR in TAFs for now. Brief reductions in visibility to MVFR/IFR could occur in heavier showers and thunderstorms. Any remaining showers and storms will dissipate this evening as instability decreases, and VFR conditions are expected to prevail overnight and Monday morning. && .MARINE... Light winds, generally 10 knots or less, and seas 2 feet or less will continue over the next week. Seas may reach up to 3 feet on Monday and Tuesday, but this should be confined to the offshore areas. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected with the best chances in the overnight to mid morning hours. && .FIRE WEATHER... There are no fire weather concerns with relative humidity values remaining well above critical thresholds. && .HYDROLOGY... While rain is expected each day, heavy rain will be isolated. Thus localized flooding and ponding of water is possible, however widespread flooding is not expected. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Tallahassee 75 95 74 95 75 / 10 50 30 50 30 Panama City 78 88 78 89 78 / 20 50 20 50 30 Dothan 74 93 73 93 75 / 20 50 30 50 30 Albany 73 94 74 94 75 / 30 50 30 40 20 Valdosta 73 93 74 93 74 / 30 50 30 50 20 Cross City 73 95 73 95 74 / 30 40 20 40 20 Apalachicola 77 91 76 90 76 / 20 40 20 40 30 && .TAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... FL...None. GA...None. AL...None. GM...None. && NEAR TERM...Lahr SHORT TERM...DVD LONG TERM...DVD AVIATION...Lahr MARINE...DVD FIRE WEATHER...Godsey HYDROLOGY...Fieux
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
213 PM EDT SUN JUL 17 2016
FLZ010-012>014-112-171900-
INLAND GULF FL-COASTAL BAY FL-INLAND BAY FL-CALHOUN FL-WASHINGTON FL-
213 PM EDT SUN JUL 17 2016
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EASTERN BAY...NORTHWESTERN
GULF...SOUTHWESTERN CALHOUN AND SOUTHEASTERN WASHINGTON COUNTIES
UNTIL 300 PM EDT/200 PM CDT/...
AT 213 PM EDT/113 PM CDT/...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR
INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM 9 MILES NORTHEAST OF CALLAWAY...
MOVING SOUTHWEST AT 5 MPH.
HALF INCH HAIL AND WINDS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH
THIS STORM.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
PANAMA CITY...LYNN HAVEN...CALLAWAY...SPRINGFIELD...HILAND PARK...
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE...PARKER...GAINER SPRING...BAYOU GEORGE...
RIVERSIDE...NIXON...MILLVILLE...CAMP FLOWERS...FOUNTAIN...
RECOTA BEACH...VICKSBURG...SOUTHPORT...COLLEGE STATION...
BAY HARBOR AND BENNETT.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM.
LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE 15 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM. SEEK A SAFE
SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE.
&&
LAT...LON 3057 8566 3055 8538 3010 8532 3006 8558
3018 8571
TIME...MOT...LOC 1813Z 046DEG 6KT 3021 8544
ADLSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL 215 PM EDT SUN JUL 17 2016 FLZ011-016-GAZ155-156-171900- JACKSON FL-GADSDEN FL-DECATUR GA-SEMINOLE GA- 215 PM EDT SUN JUL 17 2016 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN GADSDEN...JACKSON... DECATUR AND SEMINOLE COUNTIES UNTIL 300 PM EDT/200 PM CDT/... AT 215 PM EDT/115 PM CDT/...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER CHATTAHOOCHEE...OR 15 MILES NORTHWEST OF QUINCY...MOVING NORTH AT 20 MPH. WINDS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM. LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... CHATTAHOOCHEE...SNEADS...FAIRCHILD...MOUNT PLEASANT... SEMINOLE STATE PARK...RIVER JUNCTION...HARDIN HEIGHTS...JINKS... DELLWOOD...ROSEDALE...RECOVERY...DRAKES STILL... LAKE SEMINOLE AND REYNOLDSVILLE. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM. LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE 15 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM. SEEK A SAFE SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE. && LAT...LON 3065 8469 3061 8491 3083 8506 3089 8475 TIME...MOT...LOC 1815Z 159DEG 19KT 3069 8480 ADL
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL 248 PM EDT SUN JUL 17 2016 GAZ155-156-171915- DECATUR GA-SEMINOLE GA- 248 PM EDT SUN JUL 17 2016 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN DECATUR AND EAST CENTRAL SEMINOLE COUNTIES UNTIL 315 PM EDT... AT 247 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM NEAR BAINBRIDGE...MOVING NORTH AT 20 MPH. WINDS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM. LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... BAINBRIDGE...WEST BAINBRIDGE...ATTAPULGUS...BRINSON...HANOVER... FOWLSTOWN...DECATUR CO A/P...CYRENE AND FACEVILLE. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM. LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE 15 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM. SEEK A SAFE SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE. && LAT...LON 3075 8448 3071 8470 3096 8480 3100 8453 TIME...MOT...LOC 1847Z 157DEG 25KT 3081 8457 ADL
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
208 PM CDT SUN JUL 17 2016
FLZ008>011-172000-
JACKSON FL-HOLMES FL-CENTRAL WALTON FL-WASHINGTON FL-
208 PM CDT SUN JUL 17 2016
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHERN WASHINGTON...
NORTHEASTERN WALTON...HOLMES AND NORTHWESTERN JACKSON COUNTIES UNTIL
300 PM CDT...
AT 208 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM NEAR BONIFAY...MOVING NORTH AT 10 MPH.
WINDS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
CHIPLEY...BONIFAY...GRACEVILLE...LIVE OAK...COTTONDALE...
PONCE DE LEON...CARYVILLE...WESTVILLE...CAMPBELLTON...
RICHTER CROSSROADS...BAKER SETTLEMENT...HICKORY HILL...PROSPERITY...
KNOX HILL...GRITNEY...BAHOMA...MILLER CROSSROADS...
ARRANT SETTLEMENT...BETHLEHEM AND KYNESVILLE.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM.
LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE 15 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM. SEEK A SAFE
SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE.
&&
LAT...LON 3072 8534 3067 8570 3055 8581 3064 8603
3082 8603 3096 8583 3097 8536
TIME...MOT...LOC 1908Z 159DEG 8KT 3074 8574
ADLSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
240 PM CDT SUN JUL 17 2016
ALZ065-066-068-069-FLZ009-011-172030-
DALE AL-HOUSTON AL-COFFEE AL-GENEVA AL-JACKSON FL-HOLMES FL-
240 PM CDT SUN JUL 17 2016
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN COFFEE...WESTERN
HOUSTON...GENEVA...SOUTHWESTERN DALE...NORTHERN HOLMES AND
NORTHWESTERN JACKSON COUNTIES UNTIL 330 PM CDT...
AT 240 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER GRACEVILLE...MOVING NORTH AT 20 MPH.
WINDS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
DALEVILLE...GENEVA...GRACEVILLE...DOTHAN...ENTERPRISE...
FORT RUCKER...HARTFORD...TAYLOR...LEVEL PLAINS...SLOCOMB...MALVERN...
REHOBETH...CLAYHATCHEE...ESTO...MADRID...CAMPBELLTON...
COFFEE SPRINGS...NOMA...BLACK AND MEMPHIS.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM.
LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE 15 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM. SEEK A SAFE
SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE.
&&
LAT...LON 3127 8591 3133 8571 3128 8552 3112 8535
3095 8537 3093 8599
TIME...MOT...LOC 1940Z 177DEG 16KT 3096 8551
ADLPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
341 PM EDT SUN JUL 17 2016
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0316 PM TSTM WND GST HOLMES COUNTY AIRPORT 30.84N 85.60W
07/17/2016 M39 MPH HOLMES FL ASOS
&&
DVDThe Ft Rucker radar (KEOX), 36 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:11 UTC.
3 thunderstorm wind, 3 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
A tree blew down onto a power line near 1060 Shiver Road.
A tree blew down near 2192 North County Road 49.
A tree blew down onto a power line near County Road 518, resulting in a power outage.
County Road 33 at Willie Varnum Road was reported underwater. Radar estimated that 3-4 inches of rain fell in 1 hour.
County Road 33 at Cottonwood Road was reported underwater. Radar estimated that 3-4 inches of rain fell in 1 hour.
Cobb Road was reported to have collapsed and was barricaded. Radar estimated that 3-4 inches of rain fell in 1 hour. Damage was estimated.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Alabama in 2016Every state in 2016This day in weather historyWarnings in Alabama, July 2016
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: 639349, 639350, 639348, 639351, 639352, 639354.