Flash Flooding and Damaging Winds in Florida, May 17 to 18, 2024

Name: Flash Flooding and Damaging Winds in Florida, May 17 to 18, 2024
Start: 2024-05-17T04:01
End: 2024-05-18T10:00
Location: Florida

May 17 to 18, 2024 · NWS TAE · 38 events in 8 counties and zones

During the early morning hours of May 17th, a long lived derecho that impacted the north central Gulf coast clipped portions of Gulf and Franklin counties with significant wind gusts in excess of hurricane force measured, along with impacts to trees and power lines and minor structural damage. Later in the day and on May 18th, additional rounds of severe storms impacted the tri-state area with…

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: 1
Property damage: $76,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 38

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 May 17, 1:04 AM CST, 2 hours 57 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 17, 1:04 AM CST, 2 hours 57 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
304 AM EDT Fri May 17 2024

...New NEAR TERM, SHORT TERM, LONG TERM, MARINE, FIRE WEATHER, HYDROLOGY...

.NEAR TERM...
(Today and tonight)
Issued at 213 AM EDT Fri May 17 2024

Right off the bat this morning, an impressive squall line is racing
eastward along the northern Gulf coast towards the forecast area.
Wind gusts in excess of 80 mph were measured earlier with this line
in the New Orleans area. While the line may weaken some given a
little lower instability in our neck of the woods, we can't rule out
some severe weather early this morning, mainly along the panhandle
and big bend coast where instability is greatest. Farther to the
north, a large area of stratiform rain exists, and we'll have to
watch for wake low development as well this morning which could
result in gusty winds to the north of the main squall line.

The convective evolution this morning will affect what happens this
afternoon and tonight in terms of additional shower and thunderstorm
development, and confidence is low on exactly what will play out.
The general consensus is for new development to occur across the
northwest portions of the forecast area later this afternoon.

Highs today may be held down a couple of degrees due to cloud cover,
and we're generally expecting 80s across the board. Overnight lows
tonight will be muggy, mainly in the 70s.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(Saturday through Sunday night)
Issued at 213 AM EDT Fri May 17 2024

Uncertainty remains high through the short period as a lot of
what happens in this period, especially through the day on
Saturday, will depend on how convection evolves through Friday and
overnight into Saturday morning to our west. Elevated
southwesterly flow will be firmly entrenched over the forecast
area into Saturday as the next, possibly last, shortwave in the
southwesterly flow will be approaching by daybreak. The timing of
this wave will help determine how far west favorable forcing and
instability develop through the morning and afternoon hours.
Further complicating matters will be the eastward progression of a
potential MCS (organized complex of storms) in the morning.
Should this MCS plow through quickly ahead of the upper level
shortwave, it is possible this could lower severe probs for our
afternoon severe threat. With a slower shortwave/MCS and
sufficient shear of 40 to 50 knots in place, we will likely
realize some severe potential amongst the relatively large mid-
level lapse rates and modest instability. More organized storms in
this environment will likely bring a greater wind potential. With
the steeper lapse rates, large hail is also possible, but confidence
is lower in that threat materializing. A brief tornado can't be
ruled out either but with low-level shear fairly low and very weak
turning in the low-level hodographs, the damaging wind and hail
threat will be the main hazards folks this weekend need to be
monitoring.

Widespread showers, in addition to scattered severe storms,
continue into the evening hours but a general downtrend in severe
weather should begin to develop as the forcing moves east and
instability wanes. However, with one last shortwave passage left, isolated
severe storms remain possible overnight Saturday into early
Sunday.

The trough pushes through Sunday with cooler temperatures aloft
moving in. While the severe threat will be noticeably lower and
east compared to Saturday's event, our GA counties along the I-75
corridor and down into the southeast Big Bend could see strong,
possibly severe, storms given the favorable temperatures aloft
and remnant instability.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Monday through Thursday)
Issued at 213 AM EDT Fri May 17 2024

Upper level ridge settles in as the trough from the weekend moves
out. A quieter and drier pattern is forecast through much of next
week. This pattern should lead to a warm up in temperatures with
highs back in the low 90s by Tuesday and Wednesday.

&&

.AVIATION...
(06Z TAFS)
Issued at 155 AM EDT Fri May 17 2024

A squall line of thunderstorms approaching from the west could
impact ECP early this morning. Otherwise, showers and gusty winds
with ceilings fluctuating between VFR and MVFR are expected around
TLH and DHN later this morning. For this afternoon, scattered to
numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected near DHN and ABY.

&&

.MARINE...
Issued at 213 AM EDT Fri May 17 2024

South and southwesterly flow will prevail through the weekend with
periods of advisory level conditions possible. The first being
this morning as a complex of thunderstorms moves over area waters
and a potential wake low (bringing with it strengthened southerly
flow) develops. These winds could last up to 6 to 9 hours
producing higher winds and seas. Large scale southerly flow
decreases some Saturday, which will lead to borderline
cautionary/advisory level conditions with trends continuing into
Sunday and the upcoming week. Showers and thunderstorm chances
will be elevated through the weekend, especially Saturday
afternoon/evening as the main upper level system pushes through.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 213 AM EDT Fri May 17 2024

For today and Saturday, multiple clusters of thunderstorms are
likely to cross the area, with the heaviest rain and greatest
potential for severe storms coming on Saturday. Behind the front on
Sunday afternoon, the air mass will start to dry out. High afternoon
dispersion is forecast over inland districts on Sunday afternoon due
to a deep mixed layer and moderate westerly transport winds.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
Issued at 213 AM EDT Fri May 17 2024

The Ochlockonee and upper portions of the Withlacoochee Rivers
have crested or will crest in the next 24 to 36 hours. After the
crests, gradual reductions should continue. However, more rain is
on the way this week with widespread rainfall amounts of 1 to 2
inches. These amounts on their own shouldn't cause additional
issues but localized higher amounts could cause further rises on
already elevated rivers.

&&

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not requested. However, spotters are always
encouraged to safely report significant weather conditions when they
occur by calling the office or tweeting us @NWSTallahassee.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Tallahassee   86  74  86  70 /  50  20  80  50
Panama City   83  73  82  70 /  80  30  80  40
Dothan        84  71  78  67 /  60  50  90  30
Albany        85  71  82  67 /  60  50  90  40
Valdosta      88  74  87  69 /  30  30  80  60
Cross City    87  73  87  70 /  40   0  60  70
Apalachicola  82  75  82  72 /  80  10  70  50

&&

.TAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...High Rip Current Risk through late Sunday night for FLZ108-112-
     114-115.

GA...None.
AL...None.
GM...Small Craft Advisory from 6 AM EDT /5 AM CDT/ this morning to 3
     PM EDT /2 PM CDT/ this afternoon for GMZ750-752-755-770-772-
     775.

&&

NEAR TERM...DVD
SHORT TERM...Dobbs
LONG TERM....Dobbs
AVIATION...DVD
MARINE...Dobbs
FIRE WEATHER...DVD
HYDROLOGY...Dobbs

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 17, 12:03 AM CST, 3 hours 58 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
203 AM EDT Fri May 17 2024

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

0731 AM     Tornado          2 SSW Lamont            30.35N 83.83W
05/10/2024                   Jefferson          FL   NWS Storm Survey

            A tornado touched down in far eastern
            Jefferson county and moved through most of
            southern Madison county. EF0 tree damage was
            confirmed in Jefferson county with EF1
            damage in Madison county.

0802 AM     Tornado          7 SE Lee                30.35N 83.21W
05/10/2024                   Madison            FL   NWS Storm Survey

            End point of EF1 tornado that moved through
            southern Madison county.

&&

The radar

The Eglin Afb radar (KEVX), 104 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 09:59 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

26 thunderstorm wind, 12 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Gulf

When: May 17, 4:01 AM CST
Where: Gulf County, 6 mi W of Simmons Bayou
Measured: 62 kt (71 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 29.750, -85.400

An Ambient weather station gusted to 71 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Gulf

When: May 17, 4:02 AM CST
Where: Gulf County, 6 mi W of Simmons Bayou
Measured: 76 kt (87 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 29.750, -85.400

An Ambient weather station gusted to 87 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Gulf

When: May 17, 4:06 AM CST
Where: Gulf County, 0.69 mi N of Oak Grove
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 29.800, -85.300

Downed cable lines were reported in Port St Joe.

Thunderstorm Wind, Gulf

When: May 17, 4:07 AM CST
Where: Gulf County, 0.6 mi E of Indian Pass
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 29.680, -85.250

An Ambient weather station gusted to 62 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Gulf

When: May 17, 4:13 AM CST
Where: Gulf County, 5.4 mi NNW of Cape San Blas
Measured: 64 kt (74 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 29.730, -85.390

An Ambient weather station gusted to 74 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Gulf

When: May 17, 4:15 AM CST
Where: Gulf County, 6 mi W of Simmons Bayou
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 29.750, -85.400

Porch screens were ripped apart, door mechanisms were torn, dead trees were broken, and light debris was scattered.

Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin

When: May 17, 5:25 AM EST
Where: Franklin County, (Aaf)apalachicola Arpt
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 29.720, -85.020

Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin

When: May 17, 5:32 AM EST
Where: Franklin County, 0.69 mi N of Apalachicola
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 29.730, -84.980

There were multiple power lines blown down across Highway 98.

Thunderstorm Wind, Holmes

When: May 17, 4:15 PM CST
Where: Holmes County, 1.82 mi SW of Smith Crossroads
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.960, -85.790

Power lines were blown down on Roping Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Holmes

When: May 17, 4:22 PM CST
Where: Holmes County, 2.25 mi SE of Pittman
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.920, -85.790

Trees were blown down on JW Miller Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Holmes

When: May 17, 4:30 PM CST
Where: Holmes County, 3.01 mi NNE of Gritney
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.870, -85.810

Trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Holmes

When: May 17, 4:35 PM CST
Where: Holmes County, 1.78 mi E of Bethlehem
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.920, -85.700

Trees were blown down on Caramel Church Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Holmes

When: May 17, 4:40 PM CST
Where: Holmes County, 0.59 mi W of Holland Crossroads
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.960, -85.650

Trees were blown down on Highway 79 South near Highway 2.

Thunderstorm Wind, Holmes

When: May 17, 4:49 PM CST
Where: Holmes County, Tendil Crossing
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.960, -85.580

Trees were blown down near Highway 173 and Highway 2.

Thunderstorm Wind, Holmes

When: May 17, 4:50 PM CST
Where: Holmes County, 4.87 mi N of Bonifay
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.850, -85.690

Trees were blown down on Highway 177.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jackson

When: May 17, 5:24 PM CST
Where: Jackson County, 0.91 mi NW of Cottondale
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.800, -85.380

Scattered trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jackson

When: May 17, 5:30 PM CST
Where: Jackson County, 3.29 mi NNE of Cottondale
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 30.830, -85.340

Multiple trees were blown down on SR-73 north of Cottondale.

Flash Flood, Washington

When: May 17, 5:30 PM CST to 9:45 PM CST
Where: Washington County, 1.42 mi NNW of Chipley to 1.39 mi NNW of Chipley
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 30.789, -85.540

Fifth Street and Old Bonifay Road was flooded.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When: May 17, 6:23 PM CST
Where: Washington County, 1.19 mi W of Bahoma
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 30.810, -85.520

A tree fell on a house with one injury reported.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jackson

When: May 17, 6:47 PM CST
Where: Jackson County, 0.91 mi NW of Marianna
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $4,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.780, -85.240

Scattered trees down and power outages were reported.

Thunderstorm Wind, Gadsden

When: May 17, 7:55 PM EST
Where: Gadsden County, 2.26 mi NE of Douglas City
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.610, -84.610

There were three trees blown down on the 1300 block of Solomon Dairy Road.

Flash Flood, Holmes

When: May 17, 7:00 PM CST to 9:45 PM CST
Where: Holmes County, 3.13 mi SE of Izagora to 3.26 mi NNE of Gritney
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Airplane Pilot
Coordinates: 30.874, -85.808

Flooding was reported along McGee Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Leon

When: May 17, 8:46 PM EST
Where: Leon County, 0.91 mi SW of Forest Meadows Park
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Utility Company
Coordinates: 30.520, -84.280

A large tree limb fell on a power line and resulted in a power outage near Maclay Road and N Meridian Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Leon

When: May 17, 8:53 PM EST
Where: Leon County, 1.38 mi ENE of Killearn Estates
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Utility Company
Coordinates: 30.520, -84.200

A large tree limb fell on a power line and resulted in a power outage near Centerville Road and Shamrock Street.

Thunderstorm Wind, Walton

When: May 18, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Walton County, 2.26 mi NE of Douglas Crossroads
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 30.700, -85.940

Several trees were blown down near the Walton-Holmes county line.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When: May 18, 7:55 AM CST
Where: Washington County, 2.16 mi NNW of Wausau
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.660, -85.590

Trees were blown down near Tiller Road and Owens Pond Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jackson

When: May 18, 7:57 AM CST
Where: Jackson County, 1.19 mi E of Jacobs
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.890, -85.370

Trees were blown down across Jacob Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jackson

When: May 18, 8:34 AM CST
Where: Jackson County, 3.51 mi N of Grand Ridge
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.760, -85.010

Trees were blown down across Waterberry Lane.

Flash Flood, Jackson

When: May 18, 9:00 AM CST to 10:00 AM CST
Where: Jackson County, 0.91 mi NW of Round Lake to 0.69 mi S of Alford
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 30.660, -85.390

Lambert Road south of Mill Road was washed out.

Flash Flood, Jackson

When: May 18, 9:00 AM CST to 10:00 AM CST
Where: Jackson County, 2.49 mi NNW of Steele City to 2.16 mi WNW of Cottondale Arpt
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 30.752, -85.399

Water was over Obert Road from Adamsville Road to Taylor Road.

Flash Flood, Jackson

When: May 18, 9:00 AM CST to 10:00 AM CST
Where: Jackson County, 3.7 mi W of Cottondale to 4.09 mi WNW of Cottondale
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 30.795, -85.432

Water was over Christmas Road south of Palmview Road.

Flash Flood, Jackson

When: May 18, 9:00 AM CST to 10:00 AM CST
Where: Jackson County, 3.41 mi E of Richter Crossroads to 3.99 mi ESE of Richter Crossroads
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 30.828, -85.442

Water was flowing over Aycock Road from Palmview Road to Lovewood Road.

Flash Flood, Jackson

When: May 18, 9:00 AM CST to 10:00 AM CST
Where: Jackson County, 0.69 mi N of Richter Crossroads to 1.26 mi ENE of Richter Crossroads
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 30.840, -85.500

Water was flowing over Richter Road.

Flash Flood, Jackson

When: May 18, 9:00 AM CST to 10:00 AM CST
Where: Jackson County, 3.01 mi NNE of Richter Crossroads to 4.22 mi ESE of Graceville
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 30.870, -85.480

Water was flowing over Smokey Road.

Flash Flood, Washington

When: May 18, 9:00 AM CST to 10:00 AM CST
Where: Washington County, 1.19 mi W of Brock Crossroad to 0.72 mi SSW of Poplar Head
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 30.690, -85.640

Flooding was reported around the Clayton Road bridge near Johnson Road.

Flash Flood, Jackson

When: May 18, 9:04 AM CST to 10:00 AM CST
Where: Jackson County, 1.76 mi SE of Richter Crossroads to 1.45 mi SSE of Richter Crossroads
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.811, -85.480

Water was crossing Odom Road.

Flash Flood, Washington

When: May 18, 9:05 AM CST to 10:00 AM CST
Where: Washington County, 3.28 mi WNW of Porter Lake to 2.19 mi ENE of Greenhead
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.510, -85.590

Water was crossing Deadening Road.

Flash Flood, Jackson

When: May 18, 9:30 AM CST to 10:00 AM CST
Where: Jackson County, 4.15 mi E of Richter Crossroads to 3.96 mi NW of Cottondale
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.830, -85.430

Flooding was reported across Eldridge Road.

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.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Florida in 2024 Every state in 2024 This day in weather history Warnings in Florida, May 2024

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: 1185782, 1185783, 1185784, 1185785, 1185786, 1185787, 1185788, 1185790, 1186449, 1186450, 1186451, 1186452, 1186453, 1186454, 1186455, 1186456, 1186457, 1186479, 1186458, 1186459, 1186461, 1186481, 1186462, 1186463, 1186464, 1186465, 1186466, 1186467, 1185769, 1185770, 1185771, 1185772, 1185773, 1185774, 1185775, 1185776, 1185777, 1185779.