Severe Storms Bring Tornado Warnings, Hail to Florida Panhandle
Multiple tornado warnings swept Florida’s Panhandle Tuesday morning as severe storms brought 70 mph winds and golf ball-sized hail to rural communities.
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA — A dangerous line of severe thunderstorms swept across Florida’s Panhandle early Tuesday morning, prompting multiple tornado warnings and severe thunderstorm alerts as the weather system brought golf ball-sized hail and winds up to 70 mph.
The National Weather Service in Tallahassee issued the most serious warnings beginning at 10:43 a.m. CDT, when severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from near Chipley to near Vernon, moving east at 50 mph. The storms carried golf ball-sized hail and 70 mph wind gusts capable of causing considerable tree damage and harm to mobile homes and outbuildings.
Tornado Warnings Issued for Multiple Counties
At 10:49 a.m. CDT, meteorologists detected radar-indicated rotation in a severe squall line 11 miles south of Chipley, prompting a tornado warning until 11:15 a.m. CDT. The system was moving east at 55 mph and capable of producing both tornadoes and extensive straight-line wind damage.
A second tornado warning followed at 11:00 a.m. CDT for a severe squall line 11 miles southwest of Marianna, also moving east at 50 mph. This system brought the threat of tornadoes and half dollar-sized hail to rural areas including Alford, Betts, Moose Pond, Center Lake, Ridgetop, Round Lake, Fountain, Simsville, Compass Lake, Camps Head, and White Pond.
Widespread Impact Across Panhandle Communities
The severe weather affected numerous communities across southern Jackson County, northeastern Bay County, northern Calhoun County, southeastern Holmes County, and Washington County. Impacted locations included Vernon, Chipley, Blountstown, Marianna, Bonifay, Bradford, Cottondale, Grand Ridge, Altha, Alford, Wausau, Moose Pond, Clarksville, and Ocheesee.
At 11:17 a.m. CDT, a severe thunderstorm was tracked 11 miles north of Blountstown, producing 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-sized hail. The storm affected Blountstown, Marianna, Grand Ridge, Altha, Clarksville, Ocheesee, Selman, Abe Springs, Blue Spring, Camps Head, Union City, Chipola, Henderson Mill, Kennys Mill, Dellwood, Star, Alliance, Blountstown Airport, Marianna Municipal Airport, and Red Oak.
Warnings Expire as System Moves East
By 11:37 a.m. CDT, the National Weather Service reported that the storm which prompted the warning had moved out of the area, allowing the severe thunderstorm warning to expire at 11:45 a.m. CDT. However, meteorologists cautioned that gusty winds remained possible with the departing thunderstorm.
A tornado watch remained in effect until 1:00 p.m. CDT for the Big Bend and Panhandle regions of Florida, indicating conditions remained favorable for severe weather development.
The National Weather Service advised residents to report severe weather to their nearest law enforcement agency, which would relay information to the National Weather Service in Tallahassee. Weather officials warned that flying debris would be dangerous to those caught without shelter, and that mobile homes could be damaged or destroyed by the severe conditions.
