A pre-frontal squall line raced eastward across NE Florida and SE Georgia during the late evening hours producing wind damage across the Suwannee River Valley. A strong embedded storm produced a brief EF1 tornado in Lawtey, then the rear-flank downdraft descended and the resultant outflow cut-off the tornado circulation and produced a derecho wind event with winds of 60-80 mph that raced across…
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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 JAX wrote it up.
A pre-frontal squall line raced eastward across NE Florida and SE Georgia during the late evening hours producing wind damage across the Suwannee River Valley. A strong embedded storm produced a brief EF1 tornado in Lawtey, then the rear-flank downdraft descended and the resultant outflow cut-off the tornado circulation and produced a derecho wind event with winds of 60-80 mph that raced across northern Clay county, southern Duval county and northern St. Johns county between 10 pm and 11 pm on Feb. 7th. Another very weak and brief tornado was reported in central St. Johns county associated with another storm cells embedded within the squall line. Very cold upper level temperatures aided in strong downburst formation as well as dry air in the mid levels. The cold pool produced a 23 deg temperature drop between 10 pm and 1030 pm in Keystone Heights Florida.
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 Jacksonville, FL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Feb 7, 9:36 AM EST, 1 hour 9 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Jacksonville FL 936 AM EST Tue Feb 7 2017 ...Near record warmth this afternoon... ...Marginal risk of severe weather tonight... .UPDATE...The tightening gradient between high pressure across the western Atlantic and an approaching strong cold front will provide a warm southwest flow to the area today. A short wave...moving in from the northeast Gulf...will move across the far southern zones this afternoon and may produce a round of scattered showers/storms as it interacts with convergence from a weak east coast seabreeze. Morning Jax sounding shows strong cap at 700 mb which will help inhibit convection for most other areas until this eve. A squall line...out ahead of an approaching short wave trough... is forecast to traverse the area this eve. SPC has our area under a marginal risk of severe wx with strong winds and hail the main concerns. Record warmth a strong possibility this afternoon especially at Jax where the record will probably be tied or even broken. Current record highs for today... SSI 78 deg (1999) AMG 81 deg (1957) JAX 80 deg (1904) GNV 86 deg (1957) && .AVIATION...Scattered showers may develop during the mid to late afternoon and have VCSH at most terminals aft 18Z. A much better chance for showers and storms after 03z tonight as a squall line approaches the area. Previous PROB30 groups will probably become TEMPO groups on the next TAF issuance. && .MARINE...No headlines today. South winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 4 feet. A slight chance of afternoon showers and storms. A southerly flow will continue through tonight veering to the southwest Wednesday as a cold front approaches the area. Frontal passage looks to be Thursday morning with SCA conditions with a few gusts to gale force possible Thu through Thu night. Winds and seas will continue elevated Friday but will be on the decline as sfc high pressure moves into local area and then south of the region Saturday. Rip Currents: Mainly low risk with some lingering easterly swells through Wednesday with predominate flow south to southwest. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... AMG 78 59 76 60 / 30 70 30 30 SSI 74 60 73 62 / 30 70 20 30 JAX 80 61 79 63 / 20 70 20 20 SGJ 78 61 79 64 / 30 60 20 10 GNV 81 61 78 63 / 20 60 30 20 OCF 81 61 79 63 / 20 60 20 20 && .JAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... FL...None. GA...None. AM...None. && PP/JH/WC
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Jacksonville FL 1019 AM EST Tue Feb 7 2017 AMZ450-452-454-470-472-474-FLZ020>025-030>033-035>038-040-124-125- GAZ132>136-149>154-162>166-081530- Coastal waters from Altamaha Sound to Fernandina Beach FL out 20 NM- Coastal waters from Fernandina Beach to St. Augustine FL out 20 NM- Coastal waters from St. Augustine to Flagler Beach FL out 20 NM- Waters from Altamaha Sound GA to Fernandina Beach FL from 20 to 60 NM- Waters from Fernandina Beach to St. Augustine FL from 20 to 60 NM- Waters from St. Augustine to Flagler Beach FL from 20 to 60 NM- Hamilton-Suwannee-Columbia-Baker-Inland Nassau-Inland Duval-Union- Bradford-Clay-St. Johns-Gilchrist-Alachua-Putnam-Flagler-Marion- Coastal Nassau-Coastal Duval-Coffee-Jeff Davis-Bacon-Appling- Wayne-Atkinson-Ware-Pierce-Brantley-Inland Glynn-Coastal Glynn- Echols-Clinch-Charlton-Inland Camden-Coastal Camden- 1019 AM EST Tue Feb 7 2017 ...MARGINAL RISK FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS TONIGHT AND WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Northeast Florida, Southeast Georgia and the Adjacent Coastal Waters. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight... Isolated strong to severe storms are possible this afternoon mainly southeast of a line from St Augustine to Ocala as well as the adjacent coastal waters. Storm motion will be east northeast at 30 mph. A squall line is forecast to traverse the area this evening. The main concerns this afternoon and evening will be strong wind gusts and hail. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday... Isolated thunderstorms are possible Wednesday afternoon and night. Some storms may be strong to severe with strong wind gusts and hail the main concerns. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed this evening. For additional information, visit the National Weather Service in Jacksonville website on the internet at weather.gov/jax.
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Jacksonville FL 521 AM EST Tue Feb 7 2017 FLZ020>025-030>033-035>038-040-124-125-071400- Hamilton-Suwannee-Columbia-Baker-Inland Nassau-Inland Duval-Union- Bradford-Clay-St. Johns-Gilchrist-Alachua-Putnam-Flagler-Marion- Coastal Nassau-Coastal Duval- Including the cities of...Jasper...Jennings...West Lake... Belmont...White Springs...Houston...Live Oak...McAlpin... Newburn...Suwannee Springs...Columbia...Lake City... Oleno State Park...Lulu...Watertown...Macclenny...Olustee... Ratliff...Hilliard...Kings Ferry...Bryceville...Normandy... Ortega...Riverside...San Marco...Lake Butler...Starke... New River...Doctors Inlet...Lakeside...Bellair...Middleburg... Orange Park...Ponte Vedra Beach...Durbin...Palm Valley... Fruit Cove...Switzerland...Anastasia...Bakersville...Trenton... Gainesville...Gainesville Airport...Newnans Lake...Bostwick... Carraway...Palatka...Palm Coast...Anthony...Burbank...Ocala... Ocala Airport...Weirsdale...Amelia City...Fernandina Beach... Yulee...Arlington...Jacksonville...Oceanway...Tallyrand 521 AM EST Tue Feb 7 2017 ...Areas of dense fog over portions of northeast Florida through 9 am this morning... Areas of dense fog are forming over with visibilities around a quarter of a mile or less...mainly located around the Jacksonville Metro area as well as across Clay and Putnam counties. Portions of I-95...I-75 as well as U.S. Highways 17 and 301 may be impacted by rapid reductions in visibilities. These visibilities will create dangerous driving conditions at times. Drivers should slow down, use low beam headlights, and maintain a safe distance between vehicles. GAZ132>136-149>154-162>166-071400- Coffee-Jeff Davis-Bacon-Appling-Wayne-Atkinson-Ware-Pierce- Brantley-Inland Glynn-Coastal Glynn-Echols-Clinch-Charlton- Inland Camden-Coastal Camden- Including the cities of...Douglas...Hazlehurst...Alma... New Lacy...Baxley...Pine Grove...Plant Hatch...Doctortown... Gardi...Jesup...Axson...Pearson...Willacoochee...Needham... Waycross...Blackshear...Atkinson...Hickox...Hortense...Nahunta... Raybon...Waynesville...Hoboken...Thalmann...Jekyll Island... Glynn Haven...Sea Island...St. Simons...Country Club Estate... Dock Junction...Needmore...Statenville...Homerville...Folkston... St. George...Winokur...Homeland...Race Pond... Stephen Foster State Park...Colesburg...Tarboro...Waverly... Woodbine...Dover Bluff...Kingsland...Dungeness 521 AM EST Tue Feb 7 2017 ...Patchy dense fog through 9 AM this morning... Fog with visibilities near a quarter of a mile or less will impact locations from around Jesup...Waycross and Brunswick. Portions of Interstate 95 as well as U.S Highway 1 may be impacted by low visibilities. Motorists should be aware of the potential for rapid reductions in visibilities due to the dense fog.
The Jacksonville radar (KJAX), 58 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 15:45 UTC.
26 thunderstorm wind, 2 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
Two homes along Snail Kite Court were damaged from thunderstorm winds. One family was displaced due to the damage.
Widespread tree and power line damage due to winds. One tree was blown down on a home along State Road 47 in Lake City.
Trees and power lines were blown down in the Fort White area. One tree was blown down on a home along Montana Parkway.
Extensive tree damage occurred along NW 142nd Avenue. There was also some structural damage to farm buildings across the western side of the county including a stable that collapsed an injured 2 horses.
Strong winds damage the skirting of a mobile home, broke a window, ripped 9 shingles off of the roof, rolled a carport into a field, damaged a water shed, torn down fences, and damaged the rear glass of a vehicle. The EM that conducted the survey estimated winds of 90-98 mph. These winds were adjusted downward for StormData based on other wind speed measurement with this event.
Strong thunderstorm winds damaged about 25 oak trees, killed 2 donkeys, blew down fences, damaged 7 structures, blew off shingles, and blew irrigation pipes away from a structure.
The EM that conducted the survey estimated winds of 90-98 mph. These winds were adjusted downward for StormData based on other wind speed measurement with this event.
Strong thunderstorm wind caused significant roof damage, blew the front porch off, blew away the carport, peeled back the barn roof by at least 12 ft, blew down multiple large trees, and blew an antenna down onto the home.
The EM that conducted the survey estimated winds of 90-98 mph. These winds were adjusted downward for StormData based on other wind speed measurement with this event.
Strong winds blew an older single wide mobile home over onto its side and damaged the structure, an older barn was damaged by a fallen oak tree, a large oak tree was snapped at a thick root stem, parts of a metal roof were lofted into tree tops, damaged occurred to a carport roof and frame, and many trees were damaged.
The EM that conducted the survey estimated winds of 90-98 mph. These winds were adjusted downward for StormData based on other wind speed measurement with this event.
Numerous trees and power lines were blown down. The time of damage of based on radar imagery. The cost of damage was unknown but estimated.
A 12x24 ft awning was ripped away from the ground. The cost of damage was estimated for the event to be included in Storm Data.
Two homes had trees down on them. Several power lines were blown down. The time of damage was based on radar. The cost of damage was unknown but estimated for the event to be included in Storm Data.
A small barn was destroyed and several trees were blown down.
Strong thunderstorm wind gusts estimated at 60 mph caused small tree limbs to be blown down.
Multiple trees and power lines were blown down.
A spotter reported a pine tree was twisted off and fell on a home which caused damage. Multiple trees were blown down around nearby property.
Wind damage occurred to the front and roof of a home. The time of damage was based on radar.
The Lawtey Elementary School experienced wind damage to the roof. The school was closed the following day due to wind damage. There were also numerous trees and power lines blown down and damaged in the area.
Local broadcast media relayed a report that 2 people were injured in Lawtey when part of a building fell on them.
Several power lines were blown down across the county. Lines were blown down at State Road 16 at county road 216 just west of Starke and also at State Road 16 between county roads 233 and 229A.
An extensive wind damage event occurred across Clay county associated with several long tracked severe downbursts. One downburst was the rear-flank downdraft of a tornadic supercell that produced an EF1 tornado in Lawtey, just west of the western Clay county line. As the RFD descended, a severe downburst raced across the northern tier o Clay county from about 10:08 pm local time through 10:35 pm local time which caused widespread wind damage to structures in Middleburg, Doctor's Inlet, Doctor's Lake, Fleming Island, and Orange Park. Another storm within the squall line impacted Keystone Heights where a wind gust of 50 mph was measured at 10:15 pm by the AWOS at the Keystone Airport. Peak wind gusts were estimated between 70-80 mph per Storm Surveys. Below is a timeline of wind damage reports across Clay county as reported to the NWS for this wind event.
At 10:08 pm, Emergency Management reported multiple homes with trees down on them near Keystone Heights. At 10:15 pm, the general public reported numerous trees and power lines were blown down along State Road 100 and Twin Lakes Road, about 2 miles SE of Keystone Heights. There was also a report of a roof blown off of a home. Also around 10:15 pm, a NWS storm spotter about 6 miles NNE of Middleburg reported a large live oak tree was blown down and a small gazebo was destroyed. There was also small hail observed, but size was not reported. At 10:15, the public reported tree tops were snapped and damage near Asbury Lake with small hail (unknown size). At 10:20 pm, a HAM radio operator located 3 miles NE of Lakeside reported a tree was blown down and partially blocked Doctor's Lake Drive in Orange Park. A storm survey of this area later revealed extensive large tree damage and structural damage to homes, some uninhabitable due to the extent of damage. Many trees were over 1 ft in diameter, which included large live oaks and water oaks. Around this time, a spotter later relayed fence damage, a flag pole blown down and tree limb damage in Lakeside with wind gusts estimated at 70 mph. At 10:20 pm, a HAM radio operator about 5 miles SE of Lakeside reported another large tree was blown down which partially blocked the Woodlands Subdivision on Fleming Island. Around the same time, a large pine tree was reported blown down by the media along Cornell Road in Middleburg. Around this time, a spotter in Middleburg estimated 60 mph wind gusts. This tree damaged power lines. Another report from the media around this time indicated a tree was blown down on a home along Main Street about 3 miles ENE of Middleburg. At 10:25 pm, the media reported extensive tree down, fence damage, and patio furniture debris at the intersection of Kingsley Avenue and Doctor's Lake Drive in Orange Park Florida. At this same time, a NWS employee was driving into work along Highway 17 between Pace Island on Fleming Island and the Doctor's Lake Bridge. The employee experienced very strong westerly wind gusts of 60-70 mph. At 10:25 pm, the public reported tops of trees blown down and hail of unknown size about 6 miles SW of Lakeside. At 10:27 pm, tree damage was reported in Orange Park along U.S. Highway 17 between Stowe and Milwaukee Avenues.
There was one injury reported in Clay county with this event. A shelter was opened for residents. Extensive damage to homes occurred in Keystone Heights, Clay Hill and Orange Park. There was damage to homes in Fleming Island Plantation, including shingle damage, and wind damage to Fleming Island High School and Thunderbolt Elementary had street signs damage and large posts blown over.
Multiple trees were blown down on State Road 24. The cost of damage was unknown but estimated for the event to be included in Storm Data.
Damage occurred to the county courthouse in Yulee. At least 9 windows were cracked and 3-4 vehicles were damaged. A street sign was blown into one vehicle. The time of the damage was based on radar.
A large tree about 2 ft in diameter fell onto an SUV. The time of damage was based on radar.
At least one home was uninhabitable after a tree fell on it near Bayard Blvd and Targonski Road. Numerous trees were blown down across the area. The time was based on radar imagery. The cost of damage was unknown but estimated for the event to be included in Storm Data.
Two homes in the Heritage Landing neighborhood had significant wind damage to both their roofs and the interior of the home. Peak winds were around 100 mph.
Extensive damage occurred to the metal frame of a pool enclosure. The cost of damage was estimated so the event could be included in Storm Data.
Some structural damage occurred to a home along Hefferon Drive. The cost of damage was estimated for the event to be included in Storm Data.
Extensive wind damage occurred to 2 homes in the Heritage Park subdivision. The cost of damage was unknown, but it was estimated for the even to be included in Storm Data.
Power lines were blown down along Pine Grove Drive in Palm Coast. The time of damage was based on radar. The cost of damage was unknown, but it was estimated so that the event could be included in Storm Data.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Florida in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Florida, 2017Warnings in Florida, February 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: 680196, 680194, 680195, 680197, 680198, 680199, 680200, 680201, 670382, 680041, 680042, 680043, 680057, 680044, 680045, 680046, 670374, 680052, 680047, 680048, 680049, 680050, 680051, 670376, 680053, 680054, 680055, 680056.