Flash Flooding and Damaging Wind in Florida, July 21 to 22, 2016

Name: Flash Flooding and Damaging Wind in Florida, July 21 to 22, 2016
Start: 2016-07-21T15:43
End: 2016-07-22T15:20
Location: Florida

July 21 to 22, 2016 · NWS TAE · 6 events in 3 counties and zones

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.

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: $5,000
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.

What happened

The episode as NWS TAE wrote it up.

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 Jul 21, 1:34 PM CST, 2 hours 9 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 21, 1:34 PM CST, 2 hours 9 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
334 PM EDT THU JUL 21 2016

.NEAR TERM [Through Tonight]...

A large ridge of high pressure is centered over the southern Plains.
Our area lies under its eastern edge, with mostly northern flow
aloft of our area. This means that any disturbances along the
northern edge of the ridge may get steered southward into our area
this evening. Some of the models are keying in on such a disturbance
making its way into our southeast Alabama counties in the late
afternoon-early evening hours. Otherwise, the main forcing for
storms today is on the smaller scale- the seabreeze front and
outflow boundaries from storms through the day. Moisture is
plentiful as evidenced in our 12Z TAE sounding with a PW of almost 2
inches and the airmass in place is unstable with quick heating today
at the surface, but much cooler air aloft. Storms today may be
capable of producing downbursts of damaging winds and small hail.
The high heat and humidity will also make our highs in the mid-upper
90s this afternoon feel like they're around 104-107. Overnight,
temperatures will fall to the low 70s.

.SHORT TERM [Friday Through Saturday Night]...

Surface ridging over the Central CONUS begins to retreat eastward
throughout the short term. The main source of convection will be
from the sea breeze with storms likely having scattered coverage.
With a generally weak flow, this will cause a lack of energy
needed to push the sea breeze front inland and so will lead to
convection initiating later in the afternoon and keep the highest
chances for rain in FL. Highs will be in the mid to upper 90s
decreasing to low to mid 90s closer to the coast.

.LONG TERM [Sunday Through Thursday]...

Well advertised mid level ridge will be draped across the
southern half of the CONUS to begin this period. A break in the
ridge, in the form of an inverted mid level trough, will be moving
westward towards Florida Monday then across the Gulf of Mexico
Tuesday then towards Texas Wednesday. The Euro solution is weaker
and slower with this feature, around 24 hours. The CWA will
experience some added moisture and lift as the feature passes by.

Precipitation chances are on the lower end for Sunday and have
raised chances Monday and Tuesday to account for the mid level
trough passing by and uncertainty in timing between the GFS and
Euro. High temperatures appear to decrease a few decreases at the
beginning of the new work week granted we have more convection and
cloud cover around. Heat indices will be in the low to mid 100s
each day.

&&

.AVIATION [Through 18Z Friday]...

Numerous small thunderstorms across the area this afternoon are
expected to dissipate around 02Z. Any of these individual storms may
produce downbursts of damaging wind and small hail as well as a
temporary reduction in visibility. The overall outlook, however, is
for VFR conditions to prevail throughout the period.

&&

.MARINE...

High pressure will remain over the northern Gulf coast. This will
cause light winds of 10 knots or less and seas to be 2 feet or less.
Isolated to scattered thunderstorms will be possible mainly during
the overnight period.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...

With RH values above critical thresholds, hazardous fire weather
conditions are not expected over the next several days.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...

Isolated to scattered afternoon and early evening thunderstorms
are expected each day. There are no widespread flooding concerns
at this time. However, stronger and slower moving storms will have
the potential to produce locally heavy rainfall producing ponding
or standing of water in low lying and poorly draining areas.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...

Tallahassee   74  96  75  95  75 /  40  30  20  30  20
Panama City   78  91  78  90  79 /  30  40  10  30  10
Dothan        74  95  74  95  75 /  40  30  10  20  20
Albany        74  97  74  97  75 /  30  20  10  10  20
Valdosta      74  97  73  96  74 /  30  20  20  20  10
Cross City    74  95  73  95  74 /  40  30  30  30  20
Apalachicola  75  91  77  91  78 /  20  20  20  20  10

&&

.TAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...

FL...None.
GA...None.
AL...None.
GM...None.

&&

NEAR TERM...Moore
SHORT TERM...Chaney/Scholl
LONG TERM...Scholl
AVIATION...Moore
MARINE...Chaney/Scholl
FIRE WEATHER...DVD
HYDROLOGY...Scholl

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 21, 2:42 PM CST, 1 hour 1 minute before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
442 PM EDT THU JUL 21 2016

GAZ121>123-142-144-212130-
BAKER GA-CLAY GA-CALHOUN GA-RANDOLPH GA-EARLY GA-
442 PM EDT THU JUL 21 2016

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EARLY...CALHOUN...NORTHWESTERN
BAKER...SOUTHEASTERN CLAY AND SOUTHERN RANDOLPH COUNTIES UNTIL 530 PM
EDT...

AT 442 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM NEAR EDISON
TO 7 MILES NORTH OF COLQUITT...AND MOVING NORTHWEST AT 10 MPH.

WINDS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH THESE STORMS.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
MORGAN...BLAKELY...EDISON...ARLINGTON...LEARY...DOUGLASVILLE...
CENTERVILLE...DAMASCUS...BELLVILLE...BLUFFTON...SUTTONS CORNER...
PATMOS...CUBA...BETHANY...CORDRAYS MILL...MOYE...ROWENA...
EARLY CO A/P...PARKSVILLE AND TURMAN.

LAT...LON 3163 8454 3162 8454 3162 8448 3121 8441
      3122 8454 3125 8454 3126 8492 3124 8492
      3124 8502 3170 8496
TIME...MOT...LOC 2042Z 115DEG 11KT 3162 8478 3128 8476

42-DVD

Special weather statement, Jul 21, 3:07 PM CST, 36 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
507 PM EDT THU JUL 21 2016

FLZ014-026-212145-
INLAND GULF FL-LIBERTY FL-
507 PM EDT THU JUL 21 2016

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN LIBERTY AND
NORTHEASTERN GULF COUNTIES UNTIL 545 PM EDT/445 PM CDT/...

AT 507 PM EDT/407 PM CDT/...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR
INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM 13 MILES EAST OF STONEMILL CREEK...OR
20 MILES SOUTH OF BLOUNTSTOWN...MOVING WEST AT 25 MPH.

NICKEL SIZE HAIL AND WINDS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH
THIS STORM.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
STONEMILL CREEK...ORANGE...WEWAHITCHKA...OWENS BRIDGE...TWIN POLE...
WILLIS LANDING...CENTRAL CITY...RED HILL...WILMA...HONEYVILLE...
JENSEN PLACE...LEWIS...SUMATRA...CHIPOLA CUTOFF...VILAS...KERN...
NIXON GARDEN AND DALKEITH.

LAT...LON 2993 8519 3020 8534 3020 8512 3021 8512
      3021 8511 3022 8511 3021 8510 3023 8509
      3024 8488 3002 8482 3001 8486 3001 8500
      2997 8503
TIME...MOT...LOC 2107Z 081DEG 20KT 3014 8495

42-DVD

Local storm report, Jul 21, 3:12 PM CST, 31 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
512 PM EDT THU JUL 21 2016

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

0420 PM     TSTM WND DMG     8 SE LEARY              31.42N 84.40W
07/21/2016                   BAKER              GA   UTILITY COMPANY

            MITCHELL EMC REPORTED POWER OUTAGES ALL DUE TO WINDS IN
            PORTIONS OF BAKER AND DOUGHERTY COUNTIES

&&

DVD

Special weather statement, Jul 21, 3:19 PM CST, 24 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
519 PM EDT THU JUL 21 2016

FLZ011-016-026-212200-
JACKSON FL-LIBERTY FL-GADSDEN FL-
519 PM EDT THU JUL 21 2016

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTH CENTRAL LIBERTY...WESTERN
GADSDEN AND SOUTHEASTERN JACKSON COUNTIES UNTIL 600 PM EDT/500 PM
CDT/...

AT 519 PM EDT/419 PM CDT/...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR
INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM NEAR GREENSBORO...OR 14 MILES WEST OF
QUINCY...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 15 MPH.

DIME SIZE HAIL AND WINDS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH
THIS STORM.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
CHATTAHOOCHEE...GREENSBORO...SNEADS...GRETNA...BRISTOL...
TORREYA STATE PARK...MOUNT PLEASANT...ROCK BLUFF...RIVER JUNCTION...
HARDIN HEIGHTS...SAWDUST...SYCAMORE...JUNIPER...ROY...ROSEDALE...
HARDAWAY...LOWRY AND HOSFORD.

LAT...LON 3038 8501 3044 8500 3044 8498 3045 8500
      3047 8499 3054 8498 3058 8496 3058 8494
      3061 8493 3061 8497 3074 8495 3073 8489
      3071 8486 3069 8459 3035 8479
TIME...MOT...LOC 2119Z 206DEG 11KT 3052 8482

42-DVD

Special weather statement, Jul 21, 3:29 PM CST, 14 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
529 PM EDT THU JUL 21 2016

ALZ067-GAZ121-122-142-212215-
HENRY AL-CLAY GA-RANDOLPH GA-EARLY GA-
529 PM EDT THU JUL 21 2016

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR HENRY...EARLY...CLAY AND
SOUTHWESTERN RANDOLPH COUNTIES UNTIL 615 PM EDT/515 PM CDT/...

AT 529 PM EDT/429 PM CDT/...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR
INDICATED A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM
8 MILES NORTHEAST OF FORT GAINES TO 9 MILES SOUTH OF BLAKELY...AND
MOVING WEST AT 30 MPH.

WINDS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH THESE STORMS.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
ABBEVILLE...FORT GAINES...BLAKELY...HEADLAND...COLUMBIA...
CENTERVILLE...NEWVILLE...BELLVILLE...HALEBURG...BLUFFTON...
SCOTTSBORO CROSSROADS...CAPPS...BETHEL...SCREAMER...GRABALL...
STANDLEYS STORE...KOLOMOKI MOUNDS SP...ZETTO...
LAWRENCEVILLE AND PECAN.

LAT...LON 3170 8487 3127 8489 3128 8511 3129 8510
      3131 8509 3132 8542 3171 8542 3170 8522
      3171 8521 3174 8520
TIME...MOT...LOC 2129Z 091DEG 25KT 3170 8494 3124 8493

42-DVD

Special weather statement, Jul 21, 3:30 PM CST, 13 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
430 PM CDT THU JUL 21 2016

FLZ007-009-212215-
HOLMES FL-NORTH WALTON FL-
430 PM CDT THU JUL 21 2016

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WESTERN HOLMES AND NORTHEAST
WALTON COUNTIES UNTIL 515 PM CDT...

AT 429 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM 12 MILES SOUTH OF SAMSON...OR 13 MILES SOUTHWEST
OF GENEVA...MOVING EAST AT 20 MPH.

WINDS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
UNION...LIBERTY...PONCE DE LEON...WESTVILLE...ROYALS CROSSROADS...
BARKER STORE...BAKER SETTLEMENT...HICKORY HILL...PLEASANT HILL...
PINEY GROVE...NEW HOPE...PROSPERITY...GRITNEY...MILLER CROSSROADS...
ARRANT SETTLEMENT...GASKIN...CENTER RIDGE...IZAGORA...
GLENDALE AND CLUSTER SPRINGS.

LAT...LON 3099 8624 3099 8570 3070 8588 3083 8630
TIME...MOT...LOC 2129Z 287DEG 18KT 3092 8606

42-DVD

The radar

The Eglin Afb radar (KEVX), 44 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:43 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

4 flash flood, 1 thunderstorm wind, 1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Walton

When: July 21, 3:43 PM CST
Where: Walton County, 0.45 mi W of Darlington
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.940, -86.058

A tree was blown down onto Otter Pond Road.

Flash Flood, Jackson

When: July 21, 6:15 PM CST to 8:30 PM CST
Where: Jackson County, 2.47 mi ESE of Jacobs to 2.14 mi ESE of Jacobs
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.880, -85.350

Safari Road at Union Road was flooded with radar estimating 3-4 inches of rainfall in 1 hour.

Flash Flood, Jackson

When: July 21, 6:15 PM CST to 8:30 PM CST
Where: Jackson County, 3.62 mi W of Jacob City to 3.52 mi NNE of Richter Crossroads
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.880, -85.470

Highway 273 about 1 mile west of Peanut Road was reported flooded with radar estimating 3-4 inches of rainfall in 1 hour.

Flash Flood, Jackson

When: July 21, 6:15 PM CST to 8:30 PM CST
Where: Jackson County, 1.99 mi ENE of Jacobs to 0.47 mi SE of Campbellton
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.896, -85.357

Highway 231 south of Campbellton was reported flooded with radar estimating 3-4 inches of rainfall in 1 hour.

Flash Flood, Jackson

When: July 21, 6:43 PM CST to 8:30 PM CST
Where: Jackson County, 1.82 mi SE of Campbellton to 1.54 mi SE of Campbellton
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 30.930, -85.380

Wilmington Ct was closed at Highway 231 due to flooding with radar estimating 3-4 inches of rainfall in 1 hour.

Lightning, Taylor

When: July 22, 3:20 PM EST
Where: Taylor County, Perry
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.110, -83.580

A combination of numerous cloud to ground lightning strikes and some wind caused several power outages across the Perry area.

What these are

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.
Lightning: A lightning strike that killed, injured or caused damage.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Florida in 2016 Every state in 2016 This day in weather history Warnings in Florida, July 2016

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: 639378, 639381, 639383, 639384, 639385, 639379.