Hurricane Sally made landfall early on the morning of September 16 across Gulf Shores Alabama. The greatest impacts to the tri-state area came in the form of very heavy rain and significant flooding on and away from area rivers.
Every event with a place to put it; 10 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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.
Hurricane Sally made landfall early on the morning of September 16 across Gulf Shores Alabama. The greatest impacts to the tri-state area came in the form of very heavy rain and significant flooding on and away from area rivers. Record river flooding occurred on the Shoal River at Mossy Head as well as Holmes Creek at Vernon.
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 Sep 15, 11:59 AM CST, 1 hour 1 minute earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
159 PM EDT Tue Sep 15 2020
.AVIATION...
[Through 18Z Wednesday]
Outer rainbands from Hurricane Sally continue to move thru the
area, with ECP and TLH getting impacted by +RA/gusty SE winds.
IFR cigs are ongoing at those terminals, where occasional MVFR
vsbys are possible within stronger bands. These conds should
continue thru the TAF (ECP may see WS020/13045KT tmrw). Elsewhere,
VFR is prevailing, but a 18-22Z TEMPO group was added for MVFR
conds and a 12-18Z PROB30 group at VLD and ABY for 4SM with RA.
&&
.PREV DISCUSSION [634 AM EDT]...
.NEAR AND SHORT TERM [Through Wednesday night]...
Hurricane Sally continues to move slowly west-northwest with a gradual
turn toward the north expected today before making landfall along the
northern gulf coast by Wednesday. There still remains above average
uncertainty in the track, although confidence has increased slightly
compared to yesterday. Regardless, impacts will extend well north and
east of the center and outside of the cone, and continue across the
area through mid-week. For portions of the area, these impacts
include heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding, tropical storm
force winds along the immediate coast, minor storm surge flooding
above normally dry ground, the potential for a few tornadoes, and
hazardous beach and marine conditions.
The Flash Flood Watch remains in effect for SE Alabama into portions
of the adjacent Florida Panhandle, and has been extended through
Thursday morning. Flash flood potential is expected to increase
today with heavier rainfall overspreading this area. Localized
amounts of 10 inches are possible in Southeast AL and isolated
amounts up to 20 inches are possible in Walton County through mid-
week. The Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for the immediate
Gulf coast west of Indian Pass, where tropical storm force wind
gusts continue. Tornado potential will be elevated through mid-week,
especially portions of the Florida Panhandle, where SPC has a slight
risk through Wednesday. Life threatening rip currents will persist
through at least Thursday and high surf through Wednesday.
.LONG TERM [Thursday Through Monday]...
Sally or its remnants will still be meandering northeastward
across east central Alabama, only moving into Georgia Thursday
night. Therefore, rain chances will remain high for those periods.
Sally will finally pull far enough away for PoPs to decrease
significantly by Friday night. Temperatures will also seem more
like fall from Friday through the weekend and into early next
week.
.MARINE...
Tropical Storm Sally will continue tracking west-northwest through
the north-central Gulf of Mexico today, and is forecast to reach
hurricane intensity, before turning more north and making landfall
along the northern Gulf coast on Tuesday. Tropical storm force winds
have spread across much of the gulf waters west of the Ochlocknee
River. Southeast winds of 35 to 45 knots with gusts up to 50 knots,
especially in squalls, will gradually subside across this area later
today. Some of these squalls could also produce waterspouts.
Significant wave heights will reach 12 to 15 feet within 20 nautical
miles of shore and around 20 feet beyond that, subsiding later
today, however remaining elevated through Tuesday Night. Meanwhile,
a Small Craft Advisory is in effect east of the Ochlocknee River
through this morning. More tranquil boating conditions will not
return until Thursday.
.FIRE WEATHER...
No concerns.
.HYDROLOGY...
The highest rainfall totals so far have been in Gulf and Franklin
Counties. There is a swath of 5 to 7 inches in Eastern/Central
Franklin County. Rain bands will continue to move onshore. Hurricane
Sally is slowing to a crawl and heavy rain will continue through at
least Thursday. The threat for flooding will continue to increase
today since soils are becoming more saturated. The highest rainfall
totals will be in the Florida Panhandle and Western Big Bend,
especially near the coast. As Hurricane Sally begins to move inland
west of the region on Wednesday, the highest rainfall totals will be
in the Florida Panhandle and SE Alabama. A Flash Flood Watch is in
effect west of the Chattahoochee/Apalachicola Rivers and the Western
FL Big Bend through Wednesday night. WPC has a moderate risk for
flash flooding today and tonight.
As Coastal Flood Advisory continues for the entire coast as 1 to 3
feet of storm surge will be possible through Wednesday. River levels
are rising slowly and we are monitoring them closely. River flooding
may become an issue late this week.
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
Spotter activation is not requested. However, spotters are always
encouraged to safely report significant weather conditions when they
occur (while following all local, state, and CDC guidelines) by
calling the office or tweeting us @NWSTallahassee.
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Tallahassee 73 83 74 85 73 / 80 90 80 80 50
Panama City 74 83 76 85 74 / 90 100 90 80 40
Dothan 71 78 71 81 70 / 80 90 90 80 40
Albany 71 78 73 82 72 / 70 90 80 90 50
Valdosta 73 81 73 84 73 / 60 80 60 90 40
Cross City 73 85 74 86 75 / 60 80 60 90 60
Apalachicola 76 84 77 85 75 / 90 90 90 80 50
&&
.TAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...Flash Flood Watch through Thursday morning for Calhoun-Central
Walton-Coastal Bay-Coastal Franklin-Coastal Gulf-Holmes-
Inland Bay-Inland Franklin-Inland Gulf-Jackson-Liberty-
North Walton-South Walton-Washington.
Tropical Storm Warning for Central Walton-Coastal Bay-Coastal
Gulf-Holmes-Inland Bay-North Walton-South Walton-
Washington.
High Rip Current Risk through Thursday evening for Coastal Bay-
Coastal Franklin-Coastal Gulf-South Walton.
Coastal Flood Advisory until 8 PM EDT /7 PM CDT/ Wednesday for
Coastal Bay-Coastal Dixie-Coastal Franklin-Coastal Gulf-
Coastal Jefferson-Coastal Taylor-Coastal Wakulla-South
Walton.
High Surf Advisory until 2 PM EDT /1 PM CDT/ Wednesday for
Coastal Bay-Coastal Gulf-South Walton.
GA...None.
AL...Flash Flood Watch through Thursday morning for Coffee-Dale-
Geneva-Henry-Houston.
Tropical Storm Warning for Coffee-Geneva.
GM...Flash Flood Watch through Thursday morning for Coastal Waters
From Ochlockonee River to Apalachicola Fl out to 20 Nm-
Coastal waters from Mexico Beach to Apalachicola FL out 20
NM-Coastal waters from Mexico Beach to Okaloosa Walton
County Line FL out 20 NM.
Tropical Storm Warning for Coastal Waters From Ochlockonee River
to Apalachicola Fl out to 20 Nm-Coastal waters from Mexico
Beach to Apalachicola FL out 20 NM-Coastal waters from
Mexico Beach to Okaloosa Walton County Line FL out 20 NM-
Waters from Suwannee River to Apalachicola FL from 20 to 60
NM-Waters from Apalachicola to Mexico Beach FL from 20 to
60 NM-Waters from Mexico Beach to Okaloosa Walton County
Line FL from 20 to 60 NM.
Small Craft Advisory until 8 AM EDT Wednesday for Apalachee Bay
or Coastal Waters From Keaton Beach to Ochlockonee River FL
out to 20 Nm-Coastal waters from Suwannee River to Keaton
Beach FL out 20 NM.
&&
NEAR TERM...LF
SHORT TERM...LF
LONG TERM...Wool
AVIATION...IG
MARINE...LF
FIRE WEATHER...McD
HYDROLOGY...McDSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
1212 PM EDT Tue Sep 15 2020
FLZ016-017-026-027-115-118-127-151700-
Liberty FL-Gadsden FL-Coastal Wakulla FL-Coastal Jefferson FL-
Coastal Franklin FL-Inland Wakulla FL-Leon FL-
1212 PM EDT Tue Sep 15 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WAKULLA...SOUTHWESTERN GADSDEN...
LIBERTY...SOUTHWESTERN JEFFERSON...SOUTHWESTERN LEON AND NORTHEASTERN
FRANKLIN COUNTIES UNTIL 100 PM EDT...
At 1212 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 11 miles southeast of Blountstown to 16 miles
south of St. Marks. Movement was north at 10 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
St. Marks, Woodville, Crawfordville, Tallahassee, Wakulla, Bristol,
Sopchoppy, Lake Bradford, Rock Bluff, Jewel Fire Tower, Shadeville,
Leon Sinks, Juniper, Wakulla Springs, Vilas, Central City, Eight Mile
Pond, Panacea, Poplar Camp and Medart.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 700 PM EDT for Big Bend of
and the Panhandle of Florida.
LAT...LON 3000 8456 3001 8455 3001 8459 3018 8501
3039 8501 3040 8503 3041 8501 3042 8503
3044 8498 3045 8500 3047 8499 3048 8500
3058 8496 3060 8494 3032 8408 3019 8407
3019 8403 3002 8407 2999 8426 2988 8428
TIME...MOT...LOC 1612Z 183DEG 9KT 3031 8493 2993 8424
42-DVDThe Eglin Afb radar (KEVX), 51 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:00 UTC.
59 flash flood, 11 tropical storm, 7 thunderstorm wind, 2 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
County Road 390 was flooded near Harvard Blvd.
Flooding was reported around E 4th St and Oak Ave.
Flooding was reported at Beach Drive and Cherry Street.
The east side of Thomas Dr and Luff St were flooded.
W Beach Dr near Florida Ave was flooded.
The southbound lane of Martin Luther Kind Blvd was flooded.
Roads were flooded near 4th St and Jenks Ave.
Bunker Road was closed due to flooding.
Flooding was reported on Boy Scout Road.
Flooding was reported on Joe Dugger Road.
Flooding was reported on Bay Grove Road.
Cessna Landing Park was closed due to flooding.
Deal Circle was flooded near Whisper Lane.
Driftwood Ct and Driftwood Point Road areas were flooded.
N Geronimo and Crest Dr areas were flooded.
Flooding was reported at N Lake Point Rd and Shore Dr.
The roads were flooded near the Buds Lane and Highway 30A areas.
The outside land of Highway 331 near Chat Holley Road was closed due to flooding.
Extensive flash flooding occurred throughout Bay county. Damage cost was estimated.
Deep water was reported on Bob Sikes Road and Timberlake Dr.
Trees were blown down and damage to a shed occurred in northern Calhoun county. In addition, the public reported a tornado crossing into southern Jackson county. Other than the shed, no structural damage occurred and this tornado was rated EF0.
Trees were blown down along Highway 69A.
This is a continuation of the weak tornado from Calhoun county. A tornado tracked just inside of Jackson county before lifting according to reports from the public. Only damage to trees was reported, and this tornado was rated EF0.
Flooding was reported in the Miramar Beach area.
Flooding was reported in the Indian Pass area.
Water was reported over the West Bay Bridge.
Water was reported over the west bound lanes of Highway 98 near Griffin Blvd.
Highway 79 near Sandy Road was reported underwater.
Highway 22 near County Road 2297 was reported underwater.
Highway 77 near Hills Dr was reported underwater.
A bridge was washed out on Bob Sikes Road past Corbin Gainey Road.
Highway 90 west of Hoyt St was reported underwater.
Highway 77 south of Main St was reported underwater.
Highway 90 near Marianna was reported underwater.
Highway 71 was flooded near Whitetail Dr.
Flooding was reported across numerous county roads throughout Calhoun county. Damage cost was estimated.
Highway 81 near Windmill Road was closed due to flooding.
Highway 77 south of County Road 390 was flooded.
A classroom was reported flooded at WR Tolar Elementary School.
A few buildings were flooded near Highway 20 and Highway 65.
Highway 79 was closed from Highway 90 to Bird Road due to flooding.
County Highway 183 South was underwater at White Creek.
Highway 231 was flooded at the Bear Creek Bridge.
A tree was blown down near Bayberry Dr.
The North Bear Creek Bridge was reported overtopped.
A tree was blown down on a home near Jaydell Circle.
A tree was blown down onto power lines near Louvinia Dr.
A tree was blown down onto the roadway near N Monroe St and Home Ct.
A tree was blown down onto power lines near Deer Park Circle.
A tree was blown down on Mahan Dr near I-10.
Extensive flash flooding occurred throughout Walton county with record flooding recorded along the Shoal River at Mossy Head. Damage cost was estimated.
Extensive flash flooding occurred throughout Washington county with record flooding recorded along Holmes Creek at Vernon. Damage cost was estimated.
Highway 69 between Lambert Road and Blountstown was closed due to flooding.
Homes were flooded near 19th and Chestnut and required a water rescue.
Hurricane Sally made landfall early on the morning of September 16 across Gulf Shores Alabama. The greatest impacts to the tri-state area came in the form of very heavy rain and significant flooding on and away from area rivers. However, some tropical storm force winds also occurred across the area and resulted in some trees and power lines blown down.
Hurricane Sally made landfall early on the morning of September 16 across Gulf Shores Alabama. The greatest impacts to the tri-state area came in the form of very heavy rain and significant flooding on and away from area rivers. However, some tropical storm force winds also occurred across the area and resulted in some trees and power lines blown down.
Hurricane Sally made landfall early on the morning of September 16 across Gulf Shores Alabama. The greatest impacts to the tri-state area came in the form of very heavy rain and significant flooding on and away from area rivers. However, some tropical storm force winds also occurred across the area and resulted in some trees and power lines blown down.
Hurricane Sally made landfall early on the morning of September 16 across Gulf Shores Alabama. The greatest impacts to the tri-state area came in the form of very heavy rain and significant flooding on and away from area rivers. However, some tropical storm force winds also occurred across the area and resulted in some trees and power lines blown down.
Hurricane Sally made landfall early on the morning of September 16 across Gulf Shores Alabama. The greatest impacts to the tri-state area came in the form of very heavy rain and significant flooding on and away from area rivers. However, some tropical storm force winds also occurred across the area and resulted in some trees and power lines blown down.
Hurricane Sally made landfall early on the morning of September 16 across Gulf Shores Alabama. The greatest impacts to the tri-state area came in the form of very heavy rain and significant flooding on and away from area rivers. However, some tropical storm force winds also occurred across the area and resulted in some trees and power lines blown down.
Hurricane Sally made landfall early on the morning of September 16 across Gulf Shores Alabama. The greatest impacts to the tri-state area came in the form of very heavy rain and significant flooding on and away from area rivers. However, some tropical storm force winds also occurred across the area and resulted in some trees and power lines blown down.
Hurricane Sally made landfall early on the morning of September 16 across Gulf Shores Alabama. The greatest impacts to the tri-state area came in the form of very heavy rain and significant flooding on and away from area rivers. However, some tropical storm force winds also occurred across the area and resulted in some trees and power lines blown down.
Hurricane Sally made landfall early on the morning of September 16 across Gulf Shores Alabama. The greatest impacts to the tri-state area came in the form of very heavy rain and significant flooding on and away from area rivers. However, some tropical storm force winds also occurred across the area and resulted in some trees and power lines blown down.
Hurricane Sally made landfall early on the morning of September 16 across Gulf Shores Alabama. The greatest impacts to the tri-state area came in the form of very heavy rain and significant flooding on and away from area rivers. However, some tropical storm force winds also occurred across the area and resulted in some trees and power lines blown down.
Hurricane Sally made landfall early on the morning of September 16 across Gulf Shores Alabama. The greatest impacts to the tri-state area came in the form of very heavy rain and significant flooding on and away from area rivers. However, some tropical storm force winds also occurred across the area and resulted in some trees and power lines blown down.
Water was reported over County Road 386 near Jarrott Daniels Road.
Water was reported over Highway 71 near Carlos Peavy Road.
Roads were flooded in Wewahitchka.
Flooding was reported on Tennessee Street at Blountstown Street under the railroad overpass.
Flooding was reported at Lawhorn Mill Road and Emmett Whaley Road with the road reported impassible.
Roads were flooded near County Road 173 and Highway 2.
Water was across the roadway on Highway 79 and Mt Olive Road.
Water was across the road at Highway 162 and Tri County Airport Road.
Highway 79 north of Northdale Ave was closed due to flooding.
Water was over the roadway at Old US Road and Willis Road.
A portion of Cane Creek Road was washed out due to flooding.
The Jackson County Sheriffs Office Facebook page reported many roads flooded in the county. Damage cost was estimated.
Extensive flash flooding occurred across Holmes county. Damage cost was estimated.
A section of Casa Bianca Road was impassible due to an overflowing creek.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Florida in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Florida, 2020Warnings in Florida, September 2020The 2020 hurricane season
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: 920428, 920429, 920430, 920431, 920432, 920433, 920585, 922517, 922518, 922519, 922520, 922521, 922522, 922523, 922525, 922526, 922527, 922529, 922540, 922530, 919995, 919990, 919996, 922531, 920601, 920586, 920587, 920588, 920589, 920594, 922532, 920595, 920596, 920611, 920612, 920597, 922533, 920590, 920604, 920605, and more.