70 inches) at about 11:10 PM EDT on Thursday, September 26th, in Taylor County Florida just east of the Aucilla River. Helene quickly moved inland across Taylor and Madison Counties before moving into Lowndes County in South Central Georgia.
Every event with a place to put it; 28 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 Helene made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph and a minimum central pressure of 938 mb (27.70 inches) at about 11:10 PM EDT on Thursday, September 26th, in Taylor County Florida just east of the Aucilla River. Helene quickly moved inland across Taylor and Madison Counties before moving into Lowndes County in South Central Georgia. The hurricane produced a devastating storm surge along the coast of Apalachee Bay, exceeding 15 feet above normally dry ground in some locations. A large area of damaging winds extended from the Big Bend coast well-inland into Georgia along the I-75 corridor, causing significant damage. Wind gusts of at least 90 to 100 mph spread inland through Taylor, Madison, Lafayette Counties in Florida, and into Lowndes County in Georgia. Widespread power outages, structural damage, and severe tree damage occurred throughout this area. Significant rainfall also fell with the hurricane, with a maximum of 12 to 14 inches falling west of Tallahassee in the Apalachicola River Basin. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation estimated that Hurricane Helene caused $13.4 billion in insured losses in the state as of October 17. Uninsured losses were likely higher. Early estimates from Florida's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services indicate between $500 million and $800 million in crop and farm infrastructure losses in Florida alone.
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 25, 4:49 AM CST, 4 hours 1 minute earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
649 AM EDT Wed Sep 25 2024
...New AVIATION...
.NEAR TERM...
(Today and tonight)
Issued at 501 AM EDT Wed Sep 25 2024
Somewhat unrelated to Helene, showers and thunderstorms will blossom
over the service area today, particularly west of a line from
Tallahassee to Albany.
1000-700 mb layer flow will become more southerly this morning,
mostly due to the upper trough axis that will move from the Ozarks
to the Lower Mississippi Valley today. Precipitable Water (PW)
values will steadily tick up above the very moist 2-inch mark.
The rich moisture and pockets of moderate instabililty will interact
with a surface boundary over the Panhandle and Lower Alabama, along
with a nearshore landbreeze boundary, to bring a significant
blossoming of showers and thunderstorms for the rest of this
morning. With the surface boundary being a slow-mover, we could see
training or backbuilding that could lead to localized flooding
issues. 25-35 knots of effective bulk shear could organize storms
into clusters containing gusty winds and the outside chance of a
brief tornado.
By tonight, we will more squarely come under the right entrance
region of a jet streak to our north. This favors upper level
divergence and large-scale lift. Stratiform rain with embedded
thunder will expand tonight, way out in advance of Helene.
&&
.SHORT TERM...
(Thursday through Thursday Night)
Issued at 501 AM EDT Wed Sep 25 2024
Helene is expected to make landfall as a major hurricane along the
Big Bend coast late Thursday. The center of Helene will quickly move
north through our Georgia counties on Thursday night. Helene is
forecast to be a Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind
Scale at landfall, qualifying as a major hurricane. Guidance has
been tightly clustered on the track through the Big Bend region, and
the official hurricane forecast track has changed very little over
the last 24 hours. See the latest NHC discussion for storm-centric
forecast rationale on Helene.
Helene will be a spatially large hurricane. The wind radii forecast
shows tropical-storm force winds (39+ mph sustained winds) extending
250 miles east of the center, and about 120 miles west of the center
at landfall. Its fast forward speed and large circulation will
support damaging winds spreading well inland through our Georgia
counties on Thursday night, especially counties near the I-75
corridor. The 5 am NHC advisory carries a swath of hurricane-force
winds all the way north through our Georgia counties, i.e. to north
of the U.S. Hwy 82 corridor.
Despite the fast forward motion of Helene, its size along with
additional lift from mid-latitude jet dynamics will support heavy,
flooding rain. As the northwest part of Helene's circulation
interacts with a stalled front to its northwest, a stripe of heavy 6-
10 inch rains could develop left of the center track. Considerable
flash flooding is possible, especially coming on the heels
of todays unrelated heavy rain.
Tropical-cyclone tornadoes will mainly be a concern in rain bands to
the east of the center, with the greatest concern over our Suwannee
Valley and I-75 corridor counties.
There has been no change to the storm surge forecast with the 5 am
advisory. Despite the fact that some storm surge guidance increased
overnight, the previous forecast was already intended to cover a
reasonable worst case scenario, so it therefore still covers the
situation well.
Given the onset timing of tropical-storm force winds, Hurricane
Watches in our far south Georgia counties are now being upgraded to
Hurricane Warnings, while expanding those warnings north past the
U.S. Highway 82 corridor to fit the latest NHC forecast.
Today is the day to complete your outdoor preparations for Helene.
Winds will increase quickly at some point during the day on
Thursday, but the large area of rain and embedded thunder on
Thursday morning could make it inconvenient to be outdoors by
then.
&&
.LONG TERM...
(Friday through Tuesday)
Issued at 501 AM EDT Wed Sep 25 2024
TC Helene is progged to be north of our CWA at the beginning of this
long term period. Morning showers and perhaps an isolated
thunderstorm will quickly move out of the area as southwesterly
winds advect drier air behind the departing Helene. As it reaches
the Ohio Valley, it will be absorbed by an upper low in the Midwest
overnight Friday night. Conditions will be generally dry later
Friday morning through Saturday with highs in the mid to upper 80s
for any immediate cleanup and recovery operations.
That upper low drifts eastward and off the east coast Tuesday. Rain
chances associated with this feature, as well as a weak frontal
boundary closeby, will be low (20-30%) Sunday through Tuesday ahead
of northwest flow behind the departing trough and another round of
dry air working in mid week. High temperatures Sunday through
Tuesday will continue to feature highs in the mid to upper 80s
and lows in the upper 60s to lower 70s.
&&
.AVIATION...
(12Z TAFS)
Issued at 648 AM EDT Wed Sep 25 2024
Southerly flow aloft will bring a more richly moist and
moderately unstable air mass north off the Gulf. This will
interact with a surface boundary over the Panhandle and southeast
Alabama, along with a landbreeze near the Panhandle coast, to
bring a blossoming of convection over ECP this morning, expanding
north to DHN. TLH and ABY will be near the eastern edge of
convection through the morning.
This afternoon, rain-cooled air near ECP and DHN may bring a
decrease in convection, but areas to the east that did not
previously see thunder will warm up and see convection bubbling up
in the afternoon.
A large area of stratiform rain and embedded thunder will spread
north this evening, well in advance of Helene. This will bring a
more widespread reduction in cigs and visibilities, lowering
through the night.
&&
.MARINE...
Issued at 501 AM EDT Wed Sep 25 2024
At 5 am EDT Wednesday, the center of Tropical Storm Helene was
located over the far northwest Caribbean Sea. Helene will move
northward across the eastern Gulf later today and Thursday, rapidly
intensifying to a major hurricane before making landfall along the
Big Bend Coast late Thursday. Helene will quickly move inland on
Friday, so conditions will improve over the waters. Gentle to
moderate southwest breezes will prevail this weekend, as a large
area of low pressure spins over the Lower Mississippi Valley.
&&
.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 501 AM EDT Wed Sep 25 2024
Helene is expected to make landfall as a major hurricane along the
Big Bend coast late Thursday. Heavy, flooding rain will begin as
soon as tonight, well in advance of the center of Helene. Tree
damage will be most widespread in the right eyewall of the
hurricane. The fast forward speed of the hurricane will spread
damaging winds further inland than your typical hurricane, posing
the risk of tree damage well north into our Georgia districts.
Preparations for Helene should be completed today. Weather
conditions will improve rapidly early Friday, and sunshine will
return.
&&
.HYDROLOGY...
Issued at 501 AM EDT Wed Sep 25 2024
Primary focus continues to be on the approach of Tropical Storm
Helene to the region. The system has the potential to bring
significant rain to the region, even accounting for its fast
forward motion as it nears the Florida Big Bend. Model guidance
has been in good agreement that a precursor event of heavy
rainfall will overspread the Florida Big Bend and Panhandle
today and tonight with the bulk of the rainfall arriving later on
Thursday. A slight risk for flash flooding (level 2 out of 4)
through tonight exists in the western Florida Big Bend with a
marginal risk (level 1 of 4) in all other areas of the CWA.
The entire forecast area is included in a Moderate risk for flash
flooding (level 3 out of 4) for Thursday. It is possible that
this risk level is increased in future outlooks. Rainfall amounts
across North Florida and South Georgia totaling 5 to 10 inches of
rain with isolated maximum totals approaching 10 to 15 inches
are forecast through early Friday. These amounts will lead to
considerable urban flash flooding along with the potential for
moderate flooding, especially on the Ochlockonee River Basin.
Depending on where the heaviest rains are distributed inland, it
is entirely possible that other river basins could experience
moderate riverine flooding in the days ahead.
For storm surge information, please refer to the latest
information from the National Hurricane Center. This is an
extremely dangerous storm surge threat in the Apalachee Bay. Storm
Surge around Apalachee Bay will not just merely be a coastal
event in this system, but will spread many miles inland. If
ordered to evacuate, heed the advice of local emergency managers -
it could save your life!
&&
.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 72 79 71 / 70 90 100 80
Panama City 86 72 79 72 / 90 90 100 60
Dothan 84 70 76 67 / 80 80 100 80
Albany 88 71 78 70 / 70 90 100 90
Valdosta 89 72 82 72 / 50 80 100 80
Cross City 91 73 86 76 / 70 90 100 70
Apalachicola 84 73 80 74 / 80 90 100 60
&&
.TAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...Flood Watch from this evening through Friday morning for
FLZ007>019-026>029-034-108-112-114-115-118-127-128-134.
Tropical Storm Warning for FLZ011>013-112.
Hurricane Warning for FLZ014>019-026>029-034-114-115-118-127-128-
134.
Storm Surge Warning for FLZ027-115-118-127-128-134.
High Rip Current Risk through late Friday night for FLZ114-115.
GA...Flood Watch from this evening through Friday morning for
GAZ120>131-142>148-155>161.
Tropical Storm Warning for GAZ120>126-142>144-155.
Hurricane Warning for GAZ127>131-145>148-156>161.
AL...Flood Watch from this evening through Friday morning for
ALZ065>069.
Tropical Storm Warning for ALZ067-069.
GM...Tropical Storm Warning for GMZ750-770.
Hurricane Warning for GMZ730-752-755-765-772-775.
&&
NEAR TERM...Haner
SHORT TERM...Haner
LONG TERM....Scholl
AVIATION...Haner
MARINE...Haner
FIRE WEATHER...Haner
HYDROLOGY...GodseyThe Tallahassee radar (KTLH), 89 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 14:49 UTC.
45 flash flood, 12 tropical storm, 11 hurricane (typhoon), 6 storm surge/tide, 1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
The public reported local creeks overflowing as well as yard and field flooding.
Smith Chapel Road was closed due to flooding.
The Florida Highway Patrol website reported that Pat Thomas Pkwy was underwater in southern Gadsden county.
Cape San Blas Road was flooded.
Submerged boat ramps were reported on Saint George Island due to flash flooding.
Submerged boat ramps were reported in Apalachicola due to flash flooding.
Areas around Alligator Point were flooded due to flash flooding.
Cook Road was reported underwater.
Portions of Silas Whitfield Road were reported underwater.
Flash flooding in the Sumatra area inundated one home.
Forest Road 120 was flooded.
Flooded roadways were reported in the area along Highway 67 north of Carrabelle.
Flooded roads were reported near the Wakulla County Bridge and Highway 319.
Marysville School Road was underwater on the north end due to flash flooding.
Juniper Creek at County Road 5 was underwater.
John F Bailey Road was underwater due to flash flooding.
The Gulf County Emergency Management reported that many roads were flooded.
A tree was blown down in the Blountstown area.
The public reported flash flooding via mping.
Poplar Springs Road north of Highway 90 was flooded.
Old US Road north of Willis Road was flooded.
County Road 1 from Highway 20 to Mack Shiver Road was underwater.
Water was reported over roadways along South Blvd from 2nd Street to Highway 77.
Water was reported over the roadway near Azalea Drive.
Water was reported over roadways near Brickyard Road and Orange Hill Road.
Water was reported over the roadway near Highway 90 and Sewell Farms Road.
According to gauges from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, total water levels of 3 to 5 ft MHHW (Mean Higher High Water) occurred. The highest value measured was 5.2 ft MHHW at station RIHF1 Richardson Hammock located at (29.6889,-85.632). |Beach erosion occurred and the Stumphole was overwashed. Storm surge flooding in Simmons Bayou entered St. Joe Shrimp. In the City of Port Saint Joe, storm surge inundation occurred in three houses on Sunset Circle.
According to gauges from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, total water levels of 3 to 6 ft MHHW (Mean Higher High Water) occurred. The highest value measured was 6.16 ft MHHW at station FSCF1 located at (29.9154, -84.5117).
According to gauges from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, total water levels of 3 to 7 ft MHHW (Mean Higher High Water) occurred. The highest value measured was 6.88 ft MHHW at station SGKF1 Spring Creek located at (30.0777,-84.3292).
The Taylor County Emergency Management estimates that 80% of Keaton Beach was destroyed with preliminary estimates indicating that a storm surge greater than 15 feet above ground occurred. Similar surge was estimated at Steinhatchee.
Preliminary estimates indicated that a storm surge greater than 15 feet above ground occurred at Horseshoe Beach, where 70% of the community was destroyed.
Residential initial damage assessment results include 3 destroyed, 27 major damage, 47 minor damage, and 56 affected. Infrastructure impact estimates include an additional $10,450,000 to restore electricity and remove 100,000 to 125,000 cubic yards of debris. At the peak, roughly 53,000 City of Tallahassee Utility customers and 35,000 Talquin Electric customers (63%) were without power.
Numerous trees and power lines were blown down. Initial damage estimate is over $2.5 million based off of the Jefferson County Property Appraiser’s Office plus the additional costs of power restoration and debris removal.
Numerous trees and power lines were blown down. Nearly 80% of the towns of Keaton Beach and Steinhatchee were destroyed due to a combination of wind and surge. A mandatory evacuation was ordered for the entire county, and no fatalities or injuries occurred during the storm.
Numerous trees and power lines were blown down with nearly 100% of the county losing power. A mandatory evacuation was ordered for the entire county, and no fatalities or injuries occurred during the storm. Major agriculture losses also occurred in the county.
Numerous trees and power lines were blown down with significant structural damage to the coastal town of Horseshoe Beach.
One person was killed when a tree fell through their house. Two others died from cardiac arrest. There were 120 people in the mini temporary hospital that was set up. Nearly all customers lost power due to widespread downed power lines and trees.
There were numerous trees and power lines blown down. Nearly 100% of the county lost power. Major agriculture losses occurred in the county.
Nearly 100% of Madison county lost power due to widespread trees and power lines down. Major agriculture losses occurred in the county.
One person was injured in a single-vehicle accident. Multiple downed trees and poles/wires resulted in power outages.
Roof damage occurred at the Port St Joe Police Department and the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
There were downed trees, power outages, and loss of landlines and internet service.
Roadways were flooded along Greenhead Road near Quarter Pond and Long Lake Ridge Dr.
Water was reported over the roadway near Wages Pond Road and Deadening Road.
Bonifay Chipley Road was flooded and closed.
Beall Packing Road was flooded and closed.
Main Street and E White Street in Noma were flooded and closed.
Reddick Mill Road was flooded and closed.
Wrights Creek Road was flooded and closed.
Gavin Road was flooded and closed.
Grover Lewis Road was flooded and closed.
Howell Williams Road was flooded and closed.
Adolph Whitaker Road was flooded and closed.
Jackson Branch Road was flooded and closed.
Aycock Road was flooded and closed.
Woodrest Road was flooded and closed.
Pilgrim Rest Church Road was flooded and closed.
Cutchins Road was flooded and closed.
Caverns Road was flooded and closed.
Tobacco Road was flooded and closed.
Road closures occurred in Gadsden county due to washouts from flash flooding.
The Florida Highway Patrol website reported that flooding near Gum Road and Capital Circle NW resulted in the outside lane being covered with water.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane (Typhoon), Inland Dixie | 2024-09-26 | Permanent Home | Direct | ||
| Hurricane (Typhoon), Inland Dixie | 2024-09-26 | Permanent Home | Indirect | ||
| Hurricane (Typhoon), Inland Dixie | 2024-09-26 | Permanent Home | Indirect |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Florida in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in Florida, September 2024The 2024 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: 1209523, 1209524, 1209525, 1209527, 1209530, 1209531, 1209532, 1209528, 1209529, 1209540, 1209541, 1209542, 1209543, 1209533, 1209534, 1209535, 1209539, 1209440, 1209544, 1209545, 1209546, 1209547, 1209548, 1209551, 1209549, 1209550, 1209664, 1209665, 1209666, 1209667, 1209668, 1209669, 1209818, 1209819, 1209821, 1209825, 1209826, 1209829, 1209832, 1209833, and more.