Tropical Storm and Flash Flood in Alabama, August 16 to 17, 2021

Name: Tropical Storm and Flash Flood in Alabama, August 16 to 17, 2021
Start: 2021-08-16T19:00
End: 2021-08-17T01:00
Location: Alabama

August 16 to 17, 2021 · NWS TAE · 6 events in 5 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 5 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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: $23,000
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.

After moving across the Greater Antilles and weakening, the remnants of Tropical Storm Fred strengthened into a tropical storm once again in the Gulf of Mexico and made landfall near Cape San Blas with maximum sustained winds near 65 mph on August 16th. The storm brought flooding and strong winds to numerous areas of the tri-state region. Rainfall amounts were generally in the 3 to 9 inch range with the highest amounts in Bay and Washington counties. Inundation along the coast generally remained below 3 ft MHHW, except for Apalachicola which measured 3.37 ft MHHW. One man was injured when a tree fell onto his car in Millville in Bay county, and one indirect fatality of a 51 year old male occurred due to hydroplaning in Bay county.

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 Aug 16, 5:53 PM EST, 1 hour 7 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 16, 5:53 PM EST, 1 hour 7 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
653 PM EDT Mon Aug 16 2021

.AVIATION...
[Through 00Z Wednesday]

TS Fred is moving inland through the Florida panhandle while
slowly weakening but winds remain fairly strong with winds gusts
of 40-50 mph still being reported in spots. Rainfall will
gradually end from south to north late tonight into Tuesday.
However, feeder bands will keep going through the Florida Big Bend
even into Tuesday. MVFR/IFR will accompany the rain and even last
through the morning hours. All in all fairly degraded flight
conditions through Tuesday morning then gradually getting back to
VFR Tuesday afternoon.

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION [232 PM EDT]...

.NEAR TERM [Through Tuesday]...

Tropical Storm Fred is expected to make landfall this evening
near Panama City. The storm is moving north-northeast at about 10
mph and model guidance shows the possibility of Fred strengthening
a little before landfall.

The outer rain bands have begun to affect much of the CWA with
heavy rainfall and gusty winds, some of tropical storm force (40
mph or greater). As Fred nears landfall later this evening, the
potential for strong sustained tropical storm force winds (58 mph
or greater) will near the coastline. Near the center and east of
the storm, hurricane force gusts (74 mph or greater) could be
possible at the time of landfall. Sustained tropical storm force
winds are not forecast for the inland regions but, could be a
possibility as the storm continues to strengthen.

There is a Tornado Watch in effect until 8pm EDT for the Tri-
State region. As the storm moves over land, the low-level shear
will increase which will allow the potential for tornadoes this
afternoon and evening.

PoPs for today are high in the upper 90s for the Florida
Panhandle and upper 80s for our Alabama and Georgia counties
through this evening and Tropical Storm Fred moves inland. Rain
will remain in the forecast for tomorrow as Fred continues inland
as models indicate trailing rain bands behind the circulation.
But, coverage will decrease through the day. A Flash Flood Watch
is in effect until Tuesday afternoon.

Temperatures today will be below average in the low 80s due to
cloud cover and rain from Tropical Storm Fred. Tonight, the
temperatures will be in the mid 70s. Highs tomorrow will be able
to reach the mid to upper 80s as the a weakened Fred will be
moving north out of the CWA through the morning.

.SHORT TERM [Tuesday Night Through Wednesday Night]...

At this time, Fred is forecast to be a Post-Tropical Depression
in Northern Georgia. The heavy rain and wind threats will have
ceased but, rain remains in the forecast. Surface and upper level
ridging will build in from the northeast pulling in deep moist
south to southwest flow on the western edge of the High. Above
seasonal chances for afternoon convection with 60-70% PoPs.
Temperatures on Wednesday will start in mid 70s and are expected
to warm to the upper 80s to low 90s.

.LONG TERM [Thursday Through Monday]...

An upper level ridge will build over the southeast U.S. through
the weekend into early next week. There may be a couple shortwaves
that pass through the area late this week into early next week.
However, this does not alter our forecast much. Daily scattered
showers and storms (40-60% PoPs) will be possible each afternoon
and evening across the area, which is typical for this time of
year.

The other story will be the building heat this weekend. High
temperatures will climb into the middle 90s areawide both Saturday
and Sunday. Combined with dew points in the middle to upper 70s,
heat index values may approach advisory criteria (up to 110 in
spots). Low temperatures will remain in the 70s.

.MARINE...

Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect. Very strong winds and high
seas will cause hazardous boating conditions today and continue
through Tuesday. Boating conditions will begin to improve on
Wednesday.

.FIRE WEATHER...

Tropical Storm Fred will exit the region Tuesday morning with
winds decreasing in its wake. Scattered to numerous showers and
storms will remain possible through this week. Outside of high
dispersions in the Florida Big Bend and southwest Georgia, the wet
conditions will keep fire weather concerns low.

.HYDROLOGY...

Flood Warnings continue for the following rivers: Steinhatchee
(US- 19) and Suwannee - Rock Bluff/Manatee Springs. Branford bares
watching over the next couple days as forecasts show borderline
minor flood stage by Monday morning. Additional rises are possible
from tropical rains.

The main hydro concerns through early this week are from Tropical
Storm Fred. Rainfall amounts for the eastern panhandle are
expected to range from 4-8" (up to 12" possible) mainly over the
Florida Panhandle coast. Rainfall amounts of 3-5 inches are
expected across southeast Alabama and southwest Georgia. A Flash
Flood watch is in effect for those areas through Tuesday evening.
These values are track dependent and subject to change.

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for Coastal Franklin, Wakulla,
Jefferson, and Taylor counties where 3-5 feet of surge is
possible. Dixie County is also in a Storm Surge Warning but for
2-4 feet.

A Coastal Flood Advisory is in effect for Walton and Bay counties
through Tuesday afternoon.

A wet pattern appears to stay in place after Fred's departure,
with above-average rain chances at least through mid-week.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is requested. Spotters should safely report
significant weather conditions and/or damage (while following all
local, state, and CDC guidelines) by calling the office or tweeting
us @NWSTallahassee.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...

Tallahassee   76  87  76  90  75 /  90  60  30  60  10
Panama City   77  87  78  89  78 /  90  40  30  60  10
Dothan        72  85  74  88  74 /  90  50  20  70  10
Albany        74  86  74  89  75 /  80  60  30  70  10
Valdosta      74  86  74  90  75 /  70  70  20  60  10
Cross City    76  86  77  88  76 /  60  60  30  60  20
Apalachicola  79  85  79  86  78 /  90  50  30  50  10

&&

.TAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...Storm Surge Warning for Coastal Dixie-Coastal Franklin-Coastal
     Jefferson-Coastal Taylor-Coastal Wakulla.

     Flash Flood Watch through Tuesday afternoon for Calhoun-Central
     Walton-Coastal Bay-Coastal Franklin-Coastal Gulf-Coastal
     Wakulla-Gadsden-Holmes-Inland Bay-Inland Franklin-Inland
     Gulf-Inland Wakulla-Jackson-Leon-Liberty-North Walton-South
     Walton-Washington.

     Tropical Storm Warning for Calhoun-Central Walton-Coastal Bay-
     Coastal Franklin-Coastal Gulf-Coastal Jefferson-Coastal
     Taylor-Coastal Wakulla-Gadsden-Holmes-Inland Bay-Inland
     Franklin-Inland Gulf-Inland Jefferson-Inland Taylor-Inland
     Wakulla-Jackson-Leon-Liberty-North Walton-South Walton-
     Washington.

     High Rip Current Risk through Wednesday evening for Coastal Bay-
     Coastal Franklin-Coastal Gulf-South Walton.

     Coastal Flood Advisory until 2 PM EDT /1 PM CDT/ Tuesday for
     Coastal Bay-Coastal Gulf-South Walton.

     High Surf Warning until 8 PM EDT /7 PM CDT/ Tuesday for Coastal
     Bay-Coastal Franklin-Coastal Gulf-South Walton.

GA...Flash Flood Watch through Tuesday afternoon for Baker-Calhoun-
     Clay-Decatur-Dougherty-Early-Grady-Lee-Miller-Mitchell-
     Quitman-Randolph-Seminole-Terrell.

     Tropical Storm Warning for Baker-Calhoun-Clay-Decatur-Early-
     Grady-Miller-Mitchell-Quitman-Randolph-Seminole.

AL...Flash Flood Watch through Tuesday afternoon for Coffee-Dale-
     Geneva-Henry-Houston.

     Tropical Storm Warning for Coffee-Dale-Geneva-Henry-Houston.

GM...Tropical Storm Warning for Apalachee Bay or Coastal Waters From
     Keaton Beach to Ochlockonee River FL out to 20 Nm-Coastal
     Waters From Ochlockonee River to Apalachicola Fl out to 20
     Nm-Coastal waters from Suwannee River to Keaton Beach FL
     out 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.

&&

NEAR TERM...Montgomery
SHORT TERM...Montgomery
LONG TERM...Young
AVIATION...Scholl
MARINE...Montgomery
FIRE WEATHER...Young
HYDROLOGY...Montgomery

In the hours before

Local storm report, Aug 16, 5:02 PM EST, 1 hour 58 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
602 PM EDT MON AUG 16 2021

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

0553 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST MARIANNA MUNICIPAL A/P  30.83N 85.18W
08/16/2021  M46 MPH          JACKSON            FL   ASOS

            ASOS STATION KMAI MARIANNA REPORTED A WIND
            GUST OF 46 MPH.

&&

RH

Local storm report, Aug 16, 5:41 PM EST, 1 hour 19 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
641 PM EDT MON AUG 16 2021

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

0602 PM     TROPICAL STORM   2 WNW TALLAHASSEE COMM  30.45N 84.37W
08/16/2021                   LEON               FL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            REPORT OF A TREE DOWN ON A MOBILE HOME NEAR
            WHITE HILL LN.

&&

RN

Local storm report, Aug 16, 5:53 PM EST, 1 hour 7 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
653 PM EDT MON AUG 16 2021

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

0652 PM     FLASH FLOOD      1 E VICKSBURG           30.32N 85.64W
08/16/2021                   BAY                FL   PUBLIC

            REPORT OF FLOODING BLOCKING ROADS AND
            STALLED CARS NEAR SOUTHPORT.

&&

RN

Local storm report, Aug 16, 6:40 PM EST, 20 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
740 PM EDT MON AUG 16 2021

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

0703 PM     FLASH FLOOD      2 S BONIFAY             30.77N 85.68W
08/16/2021                   HOLMES             FL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            WATER BEGINNING TO COVER HIGHWAY 79 BOTH
            DIRECTIONS AND ADJACENT BUSINESSES PARKING
            LOTS.

&&

Local storm report, Aug 16, 6:48 PM EST, 12 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
748 PM EDT MON AUG 16 2021

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

0627 PM     TROPICAL STORM   MARIANNA MUNICIPAL A/P  30.84N 85.18W
08/16/2021                   JACKSON            FL   ASOS

            KMAI ASOS STATION REPORTED A GUST OF 51 MPH.

&&

EB

Local storm report, Aug 16, 6:54 PM EST, 6 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
754 PM EDT MON AUG 16 2021

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

0754 PM     FLASH FLOOD      CRYSTAL LAKE            30.44N 85.69W
08/16/2021                   WASHINGTON         FL   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL WEBSITE REPORTS WATER
            OVER THE SOUTHBOUND LANE OF HIGHWAY 77.

&&

DVD

The radar

The Ft Rucker radar (KEOX), 51 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 01:48 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

5 tropical storm, 1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Tropical Storm, Coffee

When: August 16, 7:00 PM EST to August 17, 1:00 AM EST
Where: Coffee forecast zone
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.403, -85.988 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Trees and power lines were blown down with power outages. Some homes sustained roof shingle damage. In addition, a 1040 ft tower lost one of the three top cables and started to lean. There were 13 trees blown down over 8 roads, mainly in the southeast portion of the county.

Tropical Storm, Dale

When: August 16, 7:00 PM EST to August 17, 1:00 AM EST
Where: Dale forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.432, -85.611 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A tree was blown down across SR-27 northwest of Hooper Stage Field.

Tropical Storm, Geneva

When: August 16, 7:00 PM EST to August 17, 1:00 AM EST
Where: Geneva forecast zone
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.095, -85.839 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Trees and power lines were blown down.

Tropical Storm, Henry

When: August 16, 7:00 PM EST to August 17, 1:00 AM EST
Where: Henry forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.515, -85.241 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Around a half dozen trees were blown down across the county.

Tropical Storm, Houston

When: August 16, 7:00 PM EST to August 17, 1:00 AM EST
Where: Houston forecast zone
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.153, -85.302 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

In Cottonwood, there was roof damage to the town hall with trees and power lines down across several other areas of the county.

Flash Flood, Dale

When: August 16, 7:48 PM CST to 9:45 PM CST
Where: Dale County, 0.69 mi N of Midland City to 0.6 mi N of Midland City
Cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 31.320, -85.490

Daniel Street was closed due to water over the roadway.

What these are

Tropical Storm: A tropical cyclone with sustained winds of 34 to 63 knots (39 to 73 mph).
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.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Alabama in 2021 Every state in 2021 This day in weather history Warnings in Alabama, August 2021 The 2021 hurricane season

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: 979778, 979779, 979780, 979781, 979782, 979783.