Florida, 2016Flooding in Florida, April 2 to 4, 2016
April 2 to 4, 2016 · NWS TAE · 6 events in 5 counties and zones
Heavy rainfall amounts at the end of March into the first part of April led to some flooding across portions northwest Florida with impacts mainly to roads in Leon, Jackson, Walton, Washington, and Holmes counties.
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
- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- $15,000
- Crop damage
- None recorded
- Events
- 6
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.
Heavy rainfall amounts at the end of March into the first part of April led to some flooding across portions northwest Florida with impacts mainly to roads in Leon, Jackson, Walton, Washington, and Holmes counties.
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 Apr 1, 8:16 PM EST, 3 hours 44 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 1, 8:16 PM EST, 3 hours 44 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
916 PM EDT FRI APR 1 2016
.Near Term [Through Tonight]...
The afternoon forecast remains on track this evening. The first
batch of rain continues to slowly move east. A second line of
thunderstorms is moving into the western Panhandle. The tornado
watch has been extended until 4am EDT/ 3am CDT. We have also seen
some very heavy rain over the panhandle with instantaneous rates
up to 6 inches per hour. The flash flood watch continues until 8am
EDT/ 7am CDT.
&&
.Prev Discussion [812 PM EDT]...
.Short Term [Saturday Through Sunday Night]...
Most models have the cold front sweeping clear of the area quite
early in the morning, with chances of rain quickly diminishing.
Given that there has been a southeastward bias in model precip
forecasts thus far today, we did not clear rain out as fast as
some models indicate on Saturday, but the heaviest rain rates
associated with thunderstorms should be mostly clear of our area
by 15Z. In the wake of the front, slightly cooler and drier
conditions are expected with highs in the low-mid 70s and lows in
the upper 40s.
.Long Term [Monday Through Friday]...
Early in the week northwesterly flow will develop aloft due to the
upper trough axis along the eastern seaboard. This is expected
to lead to drier and more seasonable conditions through the first
half of the work week. Highs are expected in the upper 70s and
lows are expected in the upper 40s and lower 50s through
Wednesday. Another cold front is expected to rapidly pass through
the area on Thursday. Winds will gain a southerly component ahead
of the front, bringing humid from the Gulf of Mexico air into the
area. There will also be a chance of showers and the possibility
of a few thunderstorms associated with this front. After the front
passes, there should again be northwesterly flow promoting drier
and cooler conditions.
.Aviation...
[Through 00Z Sunday]...
Expect mostly IFR CIGs overnight as rain continues throughout the
night. A few pockets of LIFR CIGs are possible particularly in the
Panhandle Florida and Southeast Alabama. Some thunder is possible
particularly before midnight. Rain will move out from west to east
in the morning hours as a cold front moves through. VFR conditions
will likely return by late morning.
.Marine...
We issued a Small Craft Advisory for areas west of Apalachicola
from later tonight through Saturday morning. Model forecast wind
speeds were close to 20 knots in those areas. After a brief lull
during the afternoon in which northwest winds should be around 15
knots over most of the coastal waters, the winds will veer
slightly to the north and increase to advisory levels again on
Saturday Night. An advisory has not been issued for that timeframe
quite yet. After that, winds and seas should quickly subside as
high pressure builds into the region.
.Fire Weather...
Widespread showers and thunderstorms will further wet fuels.
Therefore, even though much drier air will arrive so a few days
starting Sunday, red flag criteria will not be threatened.
.Hydrology...
Local rivers are rising as heavy rain moves into the region. Most
area rivers were already high with the exception of the
Suwannee. Flooding is occurring on the Ochlockonee, Apalachicola,
Withlacoochee, and Choctawhatchee Rivers in Florida. Most rivers
will continue to rise this weekend and early next week. The
Kinchafoonee Creek and the Chipola River need to be monitored and
a warning may be issued later.
Several inches of rain has already fallen over Southeast Alabama
today. Light to moderate rain will continue to soak the region this
evening and overnight with heavy rain possible within thunderstorms.
Expect another two to four inches of rain with higher amounts in
thunderstorms.
The Flash Flood Watch remains in place for most of the region
through Saturday morning.
&&
.Preliminary Point Temps/PoPs...
Tallahassee 65 74 48 73 48 / 90 50 0 0 0
Panama City 61 70 52 70 54 / 100 40 0 0 0
Dothan 56 69 46 70 47 / 90 10 0 0 0
Albany 59 70 46 70 45 / 90 20 0 0 0
Valdosta 66 73 48 72 47 / 90 60 0 0 0
Cross City 70 77 49 75 49 / 50 80 10 0 0
Apalachicola 65 73 51 71 54 / 80 60 0 0 0
&&
.TAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...Flash Flood Watch until 8 AM EDT /7 AM CDT/ Saturday FOR Calhoun-
Central Walton-Coastal Bay-Coastal Franklin-Coastal Gulf-
Coastal Jefferson-Coastal Wakulla-Gadsden-Holmes-Inland Bay-
Inland Franklin-Inland Gulf-Inland Jefferson-Inland Wakulla-
Jackson-Leon-Liberty-North Walton-South Walton-Washington.
High Rip Current Risk until 8 AM EDT /7 AM CDT/ Saturday FOR
Coastal Bay-Coastal Franklin-Coastal Gulf-South Walton.
GA...Flash Flood Watch until 8 AM EDT Saturday FOR Baker-Ben Hill-
Berrien-Brooks-Calhoun-Clay-Colquitt-Cook-Decatur-Dougherty-
Early-Grady-Irwin-Lee-Miller-Mitchell-Quitman-Randolph-
Seminole-Terrell-Thomas-Tift-Turner-Worth.
AL...Flash Flood Watch until 7 AM CDT Saturday FOR Coffee-Dale-Geneva-
Henry-Houston.
GM...Small Craft Advisory from 2 AM to 2 PM EDT Saturday FOR Coastal
waters from Apalachicola to Destin FL out 20 NM-Waters from
Apalachicola to Destin FL from 20 to 60 NM.
&&
NEAR TERM...WESTON
SHORT TERM...LAMERS
LONG TERM...LAMERS/KING
AVIATION...MCDERMOTT
MARINE...LAMERS
FIRE WEATHER...WOOL
HYDROLOGY...MCDERMOTTFlood, Leon
- When
- April 2, 12:00 AM EST to 12:00 PM EST
- Where
- Leon County, 3.82 mi SSE of Chaires Crossing to 3.67 mi SSE of Chaires Crossing
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Emergency Manager
- Coordinates
- 30.371, -84.080
Tram road washed out near the Leon and Jefferson county border on the Leon county side.
Flood, Holmes
- When
- April 2, 12:00 AM CST to April 4, 12:00 AM CST
- Where
- Holmes County, 2.74 mi WNW of Royals Crossroads to 5.98 mi ENE of Cobb Crossroads
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Social Media
- Coordinates
- 30.990, -86.030
Areal flooding occurred in Holmes county due to moderate to heavy rainfall in late March into early April. Some roads that were closed included but may not be limited to Spring Valley Rd at the creek, Howell Williams Rd at the creek, Bonifay-Chipley Rd, Horseshoe Loop, Old Mill Rd, Francis Ln, Landing Cove, Blue Springs Rd, and Bear Hewett Landing. This road information was posted on the Holmes County Emergency Management facebook page.
Flood, Washington
- When
- April 2, 12:00 AM CST to April 4, 12:00 AM CST
- Where
- Washington County, 0.38 mi ESE of Live Oak to 1.13 mi SSE of Holmes Valley
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Social Media
- Coordinates
- 30.568, -85.854
Scattered pockets of flooding resulted from a build-up of moderate to heavy rainfall from late March through early April. Some roads were closed and included but may not be limited to the south end of Summerhouse Rd, Island Ave from Summerhouse to Treasure Terrace, Bream Blvd, Odom Rd off Highway 90, and Old Bonifay Rd at Holmes/Washington County line. This information was posted on the Washington County Emergency Management facebook page.
Flood, Jackson
- When
- April 2, 12:00 AM CST to April 4, 12:00 AM CST
- Where
- Jackson County, 2.74 mi WNW of Browntown to 5.93 mi N of Hornsville
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Emergency Manager
- Coordinates
- 31.000, -85.500
Flooding from persistent moderate to heavy rainfall in late March into early April resulted in numerous road closures across the county. Some roads included but may not be limited to Christoff Ferry Ln, Holyneck Rd, Stadsklev Rd, Iron Bridge Rd, Stone Rd, Dean Rd, Pittman Hill, Swails Rd, Jerusalem Church Rd, Dry Creek Rd, Gilley Rd, Pooser Rd, Sandridge Church Rd, New Bridge Rd, Chason Rd, Old US Rd, and Fairview Rd.
Flood, Walton
- When
- April 2, 12:00 AM CST to April 4, 12:00 AM CST
- Where
- Walton County, 3.61 mi NW of Clear Springs to 0.6 mi N of Darlington
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Property damage
- $10,000
- Reported by
- Social Media
- Coordinates
- 31.000, -86.390
Several roads were flooded due to persistent moderate to heavy rainfall. In addition, a small earthen dam was breached which resulted in damage to County Highway 3280. The following roads were closed: Natural Bridge Rd, Woods Rd, Indian Creek Ranch Rd, River Rd, Earl Godwin Rd, and County Highway 3280. This information was posted on the Walton County Emergency Management facebook page. Damage to County Highway 3280 was estimated.
Flood, Leon
- When
- April 2, 1:05 AM EST to 9:00 AM EST
- Where
- Leon County, 0.85 mi NNW of Macon Community Park to 0.93 mi NNW of Macon Community Park
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Property damage
- $5,000
- Reported by
- Emergency Manager
- Coordinates
- 30.502, -84.275
Flooding occurred near Meridian Road and Cloverdale Road. A minivan drove into the water and become disabled. There were no injuries.
- Flood
- Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
- Avalanche and High Wind in Virginia, April 2 to 3, 201650 injured · $533,000 · 56 kt wind · 22 events
- Flooding and Heavy Rain in Georgia, April 2 to 4, 20162 deaths · 1 injured · $30,000 · 3 events
- High Wind and Strong Wind in West Virginia, April 2 to 3, 2016$490,000 · 56 kt wind · 34 events
- High Wind in Kentucky, April 2, 2016$268,000 · 60 kt wind · 30 events
- Damaging Wind in Maryland, April 2, 2016$600,000 · 52 kt wind · 1 event
- High Wind in Illinois, April 2, 2016$265,000 · 52 kt wind · 14 events
- Strong Wind in Ohio, April 2, 2016$310,000 · 9 events
- High Wind in Maryland, April 2 to 3, 20166 injured · 54 kt wind · 24 events
- High Wind in Indiana, April 2, 2016$78,000 · 62 kt wind · 28 events
- High Wind in Indiana, April 2, 2016$130,000 · 52 kt wind · 10 events
- High Wind and Strong Wind in West Virginia, April 2 to 3, 2016$150,000 · 50 kt wind · 6 events
- High Wind and Strong Wind in Pennsylvania, April 2 to 3, 2016$110,000 · 50 kt wind · 5 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: 620636, 624273, 624275, 624281, 624284, 620635.