Hurricane Debby made landfall along the Taylor County coast as a Category 1 Hurricane on the morning of Monday August 5th. In addition to storm surge flooding along the FL Big Bend coast, around 12 inches of rainfall lead to widespread flooding in Madison and Taylor counties.
Every event with a place to put it; 9 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 Debby made landfall along the Taylor County coast as a Category 1 Hurricane on the morning of Monday August 5th. In addition to storm surge flooding along the FL Big Bend coast, around 12 inches of rainfall lead to widespread flooding in Madison and Taylor counties. In particular, rainfall in Southeast Madison County corresponded to a 0.2% annual chance occurrence or a 500 year flood event. Long duration areal flooding occurred in southeast Madison county for around 3 weeks. Flooding also occurred along portions of the Aucilla, Fenholloway, Steinhatchee and Withlacoochee rivers. Tropical storm force winds also led to power outages in the Florida Big Bend and South-Central Georgia. There were two direct fatalities from trees falling on homes in Dixie County, Florida and Moultrie, Georgia. Two indirect fatalities also occurred in Dixie County due to a traffic accident. The highest water marks measured by a survey team from FDEM were around 3 feet AGL in Horseshoe Beach.
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 5, 6:49 AM EST, 11 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Tallahassee FL Issued by National Weather Service Mobile AL 749 AM EDT Mon Aug 5 2024 ...New AVIATION... .NEAR TERM... (Today and tonight) Issued at 312 AM EDT Mon Aug 5 2024 At 11 pm EDT Sunday, Debby had strengthened to a hurricane over the eastern Gulf of Mexico, moving north at 12 mph. Debby will continue to slowly strengthen as it continues to move north and then northeast overnight, before making landfall on the Florida Big Bend Coast on Monday. Life-threatening storm surge will be possible along and to the right of where the center makes landfall. A Storm Surge Warning remains in effect from Indian Pass east to the Suwannee river. Storm surge inundation above normally dry ground from water moving inland from the coast of 6 to 10 feet is possible from the Ochlockonee River to the Suwannee River and 4 to 6 feet is possible from the Ochlockonee River to Indian Pass. Waves atop of the storm surge may exacerbate damage to structures. A Flood Watch remains in effect for portions of the Florida Big Bend and South Central Georgia, where the potential for severe flash flooding is increasing, including moderate and possibly major river flooding. Widespread heavy rainfall of 10 to 15 inches are forecast across the southeast Florida Big Bend and South-Central Georgia, with isolated amounts over 18 inches possible. For the western Florida Big Bend into parts of southwest Georgia, 4 to 10 inches are forecast with isolated amounts over 18 inches possible. A Flood Warning is already in effect for Monday afternoon for the Aucilla River at Lamont and St. Marks River near Newport. Hurricane Warnings are in effect for portions of the Southeast Florida Big Bend into Lowndes, Linear, and Brooks counties in Southwest Georgia. Extensive and prolonged power outages are possible in the hurricane warning. Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect further west in the Florida Big Bend into the Flint River Valley of Southwest Georgia. Isolated tornadoes will be possible today into Monday, mainly along and right of the track of the center, which may exacerbate the wind threat and lead to localized pockets of greater damage. && .SHORT TERM & LONG TERM... (Tuesday through Sunday) Issued at 312 AM EDT Mon Aug 5 2024 Through the majority of the short and long term, a drying trend will occur as Debby progresses off Southeast U.S. Atlantic coast. Ridging will build in following Debby's departure with predominately north- northwest surface flow through Thursday evening. Large- scale subsidence and drier air pushing in will keep PoPs less than 50% for areas west of the Apalachicola and Flint River basins with 50-60% further east. PoPs will increase once again into the weekend as surface flow becomes more southerly and better moisture returns to the area. && .AVIATION... (12Z TAFS) Issued at 744 AM EDT Mon Aug 5 2024 A large expanse of moderate rain from Hurricane Debby will continue to expand northward. Winds will be gusty through the entire forecast period, becoming strong to very strong near and along the track of Debby. Low-level Wind Shear will first affect the TLH site, and for most of the remaining TAF sites during the day Monday. LLWS of 50 to 60 knots at 2000 feet are possible, shifting northeasterly to northerly. Cigs will decrease to MVFR to IFR along the path of Debby along with reductions of visbilities to IFR. Conditions will gradually improve as winds relax during the afternoon and evening. BB/03 && .MARINE... Issued at 312 AM EDT Mon Aug 5 2024 At 11 pm EDT Sunday, Debby had strengthened to a hurricane over the eastern Gulf of Mexico, moving north at 12 mph. Debby will continue to slowly strengthen as it continues to move north and then northeast overnight, before making landfall on the Florida Big Bend Coast on Monday. Conditions will continue to deteriorate this morning as the rain bands of Debby move across the waters, with hurricane conditions expected over the waters east of Apalachicola though much of today. Debby will exit the waters this evening but slow down along the Southeast U.S. Atlantic coast, so moderate to fresh westerly breezes will continue from Tuesday through Thursday. && .FIRE WEATHER... Issued at 312 AM EDT Mon Aug 5 2024 Hurricane Debby continues to strengthen over the northeast Gulf and will continue on its trajectory into Apalachee Bay this morning. Landfall is expected later this morning or around midday. Heavy rain and windy conditions will continue to overspread the region throughout the day. The system will exit the region by Tuesday with improving conditions expected thereafter. && .HYDROLOGY... Issued at 330 PM EDT Sun Aug 4 2024 ..Considerable to Potentially Catastrophic Life-Threatening Flash Flooding Possible in the eastern Big Bend and I-75 Corridor of southern Georgia... As Hurricane Debby moves into and through the area over the next 24-36 hours, widespread heavy rainfall will spread across the area generally to the north and east of the center. This will generally be across the Florida Big Bend and south central Georgia. Rainfall totals from Apalachicola to Ashburn and eastward will be 6 to 12 inches with localized maximum amounts up to 18 inches possible. These rainfall totals, especially if they fall in a short period of time, will result in significant life- threatening flash flooding. Due to these rainfall totals, wet soils, and likely high rainfall rates, the Weather Prediction Center has outlined the I-75 corridor and eastern Florida Big Bend in an exceedingly rare High Risk of excessive rainfall (level 4 of 4). Much of the rest of south central Georgia and the western Florida Big Bend is outlined in a Moderate Risk of excessive rainfall (level 3 of 4). It's important to note that historically, over 80% of all flood-related damages and nearly 40% of all flood-related fatalities occur in a High Risk. The moderate and high risks indicate that considerable to potentially catastrophic life- threatening flash flooding in these areas. For river flooding, moderate flooding is likely along the Big Bend and south Georgia rivers with major flooding possible. Ensemble forecasts still show some potential for major flooding along several rivers. While some of our faster response rivers will rise quickly initially, it will take several days for some of our larger rivers (Ochlockonee, Withlacoochee, Suwannee) to reach flood stage in some points. This will be a longer duration, potentially significant river flood event for our area. Stay tuned to later forecasts. Additionally, water levels are already rising along parts of Apalachee Bay. Expect a more significant rise in water levels and storm surge as Debby approaches tonight. High tides on Monday are around 4am ET and 3pm ET. The highest storm surge will occur to the east of the center. Current forecast values are 6 to 10 feet from the Ochlockonee River to the Suwannee River, 4 to 6 feet from Indian Pass to the Ochlockonee River, and 1 to 2 feet from Mexico Beach to Indian Pass. Remember that these are highly track- dependent. A Storm Surge Warning remains in effect for all of Apalachee Bay. Onshore flow will continue over parts of Apalachee Bay through much of the day Monday before becoming more offshore Tuesday based on the current forecast track. && .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 MMM MMM MMM MMM / MMM MMM MMM MMM Panama City MMM MMM MMM MMM / MMM MMM MMM MMM Dothan MMM MMM MMM MMM / MMM MMM MMM MMM Albany MMM MMM MMM MMM / MMM MMM MMM MMM Valdosta MMM MMM MMM MMM / MMM MMM MMM MMM Cross City MMM MMM MMM MMM / MMM MMM MMM MMM Apalachicola MMM MMM MMM MMM / MMM MMM MMM MMM && .TAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... FL...None. GA...None. AL...None. GM...None. && NEAR TERM...Camp SHORT TERM...Merrifield LONG TERM....Merrifield AVIATION...WFO Mobile MARINE...Merrifield FIRE WEATHER...Merrifield HYDROLOGY...Young
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
634 AM EDT Mon Aug 5 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0601 AM Tropical Cyclone 1 S Cross City Airport 29.62N 83.11W
08/05/2024 Dixie FL Mesonet
The Dixie County High School weatherstem
gusted to 57 mph.
&&
IG3Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
636 AM EDT Mon Aug 5 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0611 AM Tropical Cyclone 3 WNW Madison 30.48N 83.45W
08/05/2024 Madison FL Mesonet
The Madison County High School weatherstem
gusted to 48 mph.
&&
IG3Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
640 AM EDT Mon Aug 5 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0627 AM Tropical Cyclone Mayo 30.05N 83.18W
08/05/2024 Lafayette FL Public
Public on social media reported large tree
down on CR-51 SW of Tenile, FL.
&&
IG3Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
719 AM EDT Mon Aug 5 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0711 AM Tropical Cyclone 3 WNW Madison 30.48N 83.45W
08/05/2024 Madison FL Mesonet
62 Mph measured wind gust at Madison County
High School Weatherstem from Hurricane
Debby.
&&
EBPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
757 AM EDT Mon Aug 5 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0735 AM Tropical Cyclone Perry-Foley Airport 30.07N 83.58W
08/05/2024 Taylor FL Mesonet
59 mph measured wind gust at Perry-Foley
Airport AWOS station from Hurricane Debby.
&&
EBPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
800 AM EDT Mon Aug 5 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0700 AM Tropical Cyclone 1 SSW Perry 30.11N 83.59W
08/05/2024 Taylor FL Storm Chaser
Reports of many trees and powerlines down in
the city limits of Perry Florida per storm
spotters/chasers.
&&
WDThe Tallahassee radar (KTLH), 54 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 15:03 UTC.
9 tropical storm, 5 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
There were around 40 trees blown down or on power lines. Around 1,600 customers lost power for a day.
There were downed trees and power lines resulting in power outages.
Several trees and power lines were blown down.
About 34,000 residents lost power due to numerous downed trees and power lines across the county. Valdosta State University had 6 buildings with water damage due to leaking roofs, and one from a tree falling on the building. The Parks and Recreation Authority had a tree cause extensive roof damage to their main office which also resulted in water damage from rain coming in. Four other residences reported flooding. Total estimated damage is $1 million.
A tree fell on a home, resulting in a fatality of a 19 year old male.
There were 14 trees down and 2 power lines down due to gusty winds.
The Brooks county schools Facebook page reported multiple areas of localized flooding and impassable roads in the county.
Flooding was reported at East Marion Ave and Pine Circle in Lake Park.
Flooding was reported at Willow Wood Gate as well as Amberley Trace.
Flooding was reported at 3000 Jaycee Shack Road.
Flooding was reported at Highway 122 East and Boys Ranch Road.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tropical Storm, Colquitt | 2024-08-05 | 19 | Male | Permanent Home | Direct |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Georgia in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in Georgia, August 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: 1197256, 1197258, 1197259, 1197260, 1197261, 1197262, 1197263, 1197264, 1209661, 1192194, 1192198, 1192200, 1192202, 1192204.