Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms affected the region to start the year. Two day rainfall totals in excess of 8 inches were common across portions of the Florida panhandle with several roads flooded.
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.
Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms affected the region to start the year. Two day rainfall totals in excess of 8 inches were common across portions of the Florida panhandle with several roads flooded. Severe weather, including tornadoes and significant straight line wind damage, also occurred across the tri-state area with most of it in southeast Alabama and southwest Georgia. Albany was particularly hard hit with significant wind damage. There were a total of 5 fatalities across the tri-state area from straight line winds. There was also 1 fatality in Florida due to river flooding.
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 Jan 1, 6:41 PM CST, 2 hours 4 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
741 PM EST Sun Jan 1 2017
.UPDATE...
There are no significant changes to the previous forecast. The
latest guidance continues to send some mixed signal with respect
to flash flood potential later tonight and Monday. It is still
possible a flash flood watch could be issued later tonight for the
western and northern portions of the area depending on how
convection evolves over the next several hours. One concerning
thing is that flash flood guidance values have lowered
considerably given the recent heavy rainfall today. The northwest
portions of the forecast area generally have flash flood guidance
values of a little less than 3 inches in 3 hours and a little less
than 4 inches in 6 hours. These values are attainable if
convection starts to train in the area, so will monitor trends
closely.
&&
.AVIATION...
[Through 00z Tuesday] Poor flying conditions are expected through
the period with periods of showers and even a few thunderstorms
along with low ceilings ahead of an approaching cold front. In
general, expect conditions to fluctuate between MVFR and LIFR.
&&
.PREV DISCUSSION [324 PM EST]...
.NEAR AND SHORT TERM [Tonight Through Tuesday Night]...
With the passage of the warm front, radar estimated up to 7" of
rain has fallen in northern Walton CO, FL and southern Geneva CO,
AL today. This occurred in a much larger swatch of 2" to 4"
amounts across portions of the Florida Panhandle northeastward
into SW Georgia. NWP models and CAM guidance suggests an
additional 1" to 3" amounts are possible in these areas through
the short term period. We will be monitoring closely but will not
be issuing a flash flood watch for now. The main focus is now
shifting to the potential for a severe weather threat Monday.
A short wave currently near the Arizona/Mexico border this afternoon
will gradually dampen out as it translates across the Lower
Mississippi Valley and then northeastward toward New England.
Cyclogenesis will take place over east Texas Monday with the surface
low deepening and lifting into the TN and OH Valleys Monday night
and Tuesday dragging a cold front eastward across the Gulf coast.
Ahead of this system, widespread rain with embedded thunderstorms
will develop and gradually overspread the Tri-state region ending
from west to east Tuesday/Tuesday night. Forecast wind profiles
with decent low level shear support the potential for supercells
along with isolated tornadoes. The Storm Prediction center has the
western portions of the forecast area (FL Panhandle and SE AL)
outlooked in a slight risk area for Monday and Monday night.
Temperatures through the period will remain well above seasonal
averages, with highs in the mid to upper 70s. Lows will be in the
lower to mid 60s Monday night and cooling into the lower to mid
50s Tuesday night with clearing skies and a drier airmass
filtering into the area.
.LONG TERM [Wednesday Through Sunday]...
In the wake of the cold front, high pressure will build into the
region with zonal flow aloft. The GFS and ECMWF keep flipping back
and forth as to which one develops a Gulf low, subsequently
increasing our rain chances over the weekend. There is some support
from the Canadian for the low pressure development and because at
some point both the GFS and ECMWF have developed something, we'll
carry a slight chance for rain starting Friday afternoon. The timing
on this event is highly uncertain due to the above considerations.
Lows should run near normal through the period, with highs slightly
below due to the cloud cover associated with the potential Gulf low.
.MARINE...
Moderate southerly winds will persist tonight with winds and seas
elevating to cautionary levels Monday through Monday night as a
strong cold front approaches the waters. Unsettled weather will
also persist through Tuesday before clearing, with a chance of
strong to severe thunderstorms Monday afternoon and Monday night.
Winds will shift from west to northerly Tuesday through the
remainder of the work week with diminishing winds and seas.
.FIRE WEATHER...
Red flag conditions are not expected for the next several days with
RH values remaining above critical levels.
.HYDROLOGY...
Two to six inches of rain has fallen in Southeast Alabama, Panhandle
Florida and parts of Southwest Georgia. Another two or three inches
may fall in this area through Monday night. The Choctawhatchee River
is rising and will likely reach flood stage near the Caryville,
Newton and Bruce points. The Shoal River near Mossyhead is expected
to reach flood stage late this afternoon. The threat for flash
flooding has decreased as the heaviest rain remains to the
northwest. Rain coverage will likely increase tonight. The situation
will continue to be monitored for increasing flood potential. For
now a Flash Flood Watch will not be issued but may be considered
later tonight.
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Tallahassee 64 75 66 79 54 / 60 60 60 40 0
Panama City 65 76 65 75 57 / 70 80 70 30 0
Dothan 63 74 61 75 53 / 90 90 80 20 0
Albany 64 75 61 75 53 / 80 80 70 30 0
Valdosta 63 78 65 79 54 / 40 60 60 40 0
Cross City 60 80 66 78 55 / 10 40 50 40 10
Apalachicola 65 75 65 75 57 / 60 60 60 40 0
&&
.TAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...High Rip Current Risk until 11 PM CST this evening for South
Walton.
GA...None.
AL...None.
GM...None.
&&
UPDATE...DVD
NEAR TERM...Barry
SHORT TERM...Barry
LONG TERM...Harrigan
AVIATION...DVD
MARINE...Barry
FIRE WEATHER...Lahr
HYDROLOGY...McDermottPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
415 PM EST SUN JAN 01 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0800 AM HEAVY RAIN 2 N DE FUNIAK SPRINGS 30.75N 86.12W
01/01/2017 M4.94 INCH WALTON FL COCORAHS
COCORAHS REPORT OF 4.94 INCHES AS OF 7 AM CST
1100 AM HEAVY RAIN CHIPLEY 30.78N 85.54W
01/01/2017 M3.40 INCH WASHINGTON FL PUBLIC
STORM TOTAL OF 3.4 INCHES IN CHIPLEY AS OF AROUND NOON
1130 AM HEAVY RAIN NEW HARMONY 30.85N 86.28W
01/01/2017 M5.95 INCH WALTON FL COCORAHS
COCORAHS REPORT OF 5.95 INCHES AS OF 1030 AM CST
0126 PM HEAVY RAIN FOX HILL 30.83N 86.29W
01/01/2017 M4.92 INCH WALTON FL MESONET
24 HOUR TOTAL OF 4.92 INCHES AT CWOP SITE CW3846
0143 PM HEAVY RAIN W. MAIN/BRANNON ST 31.24N 85.48W
01/01/2017 M4.80 INCH HOUSTON AL MESONET
24 HOUR TOTAL OF 4.8 INCHES
0143 PM HEAVY RAIN EUNOLA 31.04N 85.85W
01/01/2017 M4.00 INCH GENEVA AL MESONET
24 HOUR TOTAL OF 4 INCHES AT THE CHOCTAWHATCHEE RIVER
GAUGE NEAR GENEVA
0348 PM HEAVY RAIN 3 SW DOTHAN 31.19N 85.43W
01/01/2017 M5.74 INCH HOUSTON AL PUBLIC
STORM TOTAL OF 5.74 INCHES AS OF 248 PM CST 2.6 MILES
SOUTHWEST OF DOWNTOWN DOTHAN
&&
DVDPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
639 PM EST SUN JAN 01 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0637 PM FUNNEL CLOUD 3 NNE GRANGEBURG 31.05N 85.20W
01/01/2017 HOUSTON AL TRAINED SPOTTER
FUNNEL CLOUD REPORTED 3 MILES NNE OF GRANGEBURG
&&
EWESTONPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
825 PM EST SUN JAN 01 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0800 PM FLOOD 2 SW CANEY CREEK 30.88N 86.23W
01/01/2017 WALTON FL LAW ENFORCEMENT
WATER OVER THE NORTH BOUND LANE OF HIGHWAY 2 WEST NEAR
GUS ANDREWS ROAD. BARRICADES IN PLACE
&&
DVDPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
913 PM EST SUN JAN 01 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0905 PM FLOOD 1 WNW SMITH CROSSROADS 30.99N 85.79W
01/01/2017 HOLMES FL EMERGENCY MNGR
HELMS ROAD CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING
0905 PM FLOOD 1 ESE BETHLEHEM 30.92N 85.72W
01/01/2017 HOLMES FL EMERGENCY MNGR
CANE MILL ROAD CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING
0905 PM FLOOD 3 N PONCE DE LEON 30.76N 85.93W
01/01/2017 HOLMES FL EMERGENCY MNGR
VALEE ROAD CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING
0905 PM FLOOD 4 W BONIFAY 30.79N 85.75W
01/01/2017 HOLMES FL EMERGENCY MNGR
PAULK ROAD CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING AT THE BRIDGE OF
HIGHWAY 177
0905 PM FLOOD 1 W BARKER STORE 30.91N 85.94W
01/01/2017 HOLMES FL EMERGENCY MNGR
BRACKIN ROAD CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING
0905 PM FLOOD 2 S ROYALS CROSSROADS 30.95N 86.00W
01/01/2017 HOLMES FL EMERGENCY MNGR
MORRISON ROAD CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING
0905 PM FLOOD 1 N IZAGORA 30.92N 85.84W
01/01/2017 HOLMES FL EMERGENCY MNGR
CURRY FERRY ROAD CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING
0905 PM FLOOD 2 N CARYVILLE 30.80N 85.82W
01/01/2017 HOLMES FL EMERGENCY MNGR
BLUE SPRINGS ROAD CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING
0905 PM FLOOD 1 S PITTMAN 30.93N 85.82W
01/01/2017 HOLMES FL EMERGENCY MNGR
WILLOUGHBY LANE CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING
0905 PM FLOOD 1 NNE PITTMAN 30.96N 85.81W
01/01/2017 HOLMES FL EMERGENCY MNGR
POPE LANE CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING
0905 PM FLOOD 2 ENE PITTMAN 30.95N 85.79W
01/01/2017 HOLMES FL EMERGENCY MNGR
ROPING ROAD CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING
0905 PM FLOOD 2 SSW SMITH CROSSROADS 30.96N 85.79W
01/01/2017 HOLMES FL EMERGENCY MNGR
GROVER LEWIS ROAD CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING
0905 PM FLOOD 3 SSE BETHLEHEM 30.88N 85.72W
01/01/2017 HOLMES FL EMERGENCY MNGR
HOWELL WILLIAMS ROAD CLOSED AT THE BRIDGE DUE TO FLOODING
0905 PM FLOOD 2 W MILLER CROSSROADS 30.95N 85.78W
01/01/2017 HOLMES FL EMERGENCY MNGR
ESKER MARTIN ROAD CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING
0905 PM FLOOD 6 SE GENEVA 30.99N 85.80W
01/01/2017 HOLMES FL EMERGENCY MNGR
LOVE ROAD CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING
0905 PM FLOOD 6 N BONIFAY 30.87N 85.69W
01/01/2017 HOLMES FL EMERGENCY MNGR
ADOLPH WHITAKER ROAD CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING
&&
DVDThe Ft Rucker radar (KEOX), 54 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 02:44 UTC.
9 thunderstorm wind, 4 flood, 3 tornado, 1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
The intersection of South County Road 61 and County Road 6 was flooded and closed. A local creek intersects this area and likely overflowed due to a long duration of moderate to heavy rainfall.
Whiteoak road at the bridge was closed due to flooding. A local creek intersects this area and likely overflowed due to a long duration of moderate to heavy rainfall.
Settlement Road was closed due to flooding at the wooden bridge. A local creek intersects this area and likely overflowed due to a long duration of moderate to heavy rainfall.
Mitchell Road at County Road 16 was closed due to flooding from a long duration of moderate to heavy rainfall.
Power lines were blown down in the western part of Geneva county.
Trees were blown down in the Samson area.
Trees were blown down in the Geneva area.
Trees were blown down in the Coffee Springs area.
Trees were blown down in the Black area.
Trees were blown down in the Slocomb area.
A tornado touched down in Geneva County near the Houston County border along Rehobeth Road before lifting after crossing US 231 just east of the National Peanut Festival Grounds in Houston county. In Geneva County, the tornado debarked and denuded several large trees and removed the roof from a home under construction. In addition, numerous trees were snapped or uprooted. In Houston County, the most significant damage occurred at the National Peanut Festival grounds. Multiple buildings were damaged or destroyed and several utility poles were snapped. This tornado was rated EF1 in Geneva county and EF2 in Houston county. Max winds in Houston county were estimated at 115 mph. Damage cost was estimated.
An NWS Survey Team determined that some damage in the Rehobeth area was caused by strong straight line winds on the southern flank of a tornado just to the north. Damage consisted of numerous large trees snapped or uprooted. One mobile home was split by a large tree, resulting in four fatalities in Houston county. The damage pattern along this path was not convergent and was noticeably south of the path of the tornado vortex. This damage extended from far eastern Geneva county into Houston county.
The back porch awning of a house was damaged in Malvern.
A tornado touched down in Geneva County near the Houston County border along Rehobeth Road before lifting after crossing US 231 just east of the National Peanut Festival Grounds in Houston county. In Geneva County, the tornado debarked and denuded several large trees and removed the roof from a home under construction. In addition, numerous trees were snapped or uprooted. In Houston County, the most significant damage occurred at the National Peanut Festival grounds. Multiple buildings were damaged or destroyed and several utility poles were snapped. This tornado was rated EF1 in Geneva county and EF2 in Houston county. Max winds in Houston county were estimated at 115 mph. Damage cost was estimated.
An NWS Survey Team determined that some damage in the Rehobeth area was caused by strong straight line winds on the southern flank of a tornado just to the north. Damage consisted of numerous large trees snapped or uprooted. One mobile home was split by a large tree, resulting in four fatalities. The damage pattern along this path was not convergent and was noticeably south of the path of the tornado vortex. Damage cost was estimated.
An EF1 tornado with max winds near 100 mph touched down along E. Cottonwood Road SE of Dothan, AL. The tornado traveled east for approx. 2.5 miles along McCallister Road before lifting near Rosewood Dr. One home had its roof removed. Others had significant shingle damage which supported the EF1 rating. Damage cost was estimated.
Helms Road was flooded and impassible during a period of very heavy rainfall rates.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thunderstorm Wind, Houston | 2017-01-02 | 53 | Female | Mobile/Trailer Home | Direct |
| Thunderstorm Wind, Houston | 2017-01-02 | 27 | Female | Mobile/Trailer Home | Direct |
| Thunderstorm Wind, Houston | 2017-01-02 | 51 | Female | Mobile/Trailer Home | Direct |
| Thunderstorm Wind, Houston | 2017-01-02 | 53 | Female | Mobile/Trailer Home | Direct |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Alabama in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Alabama, 2017Warnings in Alabama, January 2017
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: 671743, 671744, 671745, 671746, 671732, 671736, 671737, 671739, 671740, 671741, 670346, 670349, 671734, 670347, 670350, 670345, 671747.