Severe Thunderstorms, Flooding Threaten South Georgia and North Florida
A fast-moving storm line is pushing through south Georgia and north Florida Saturday afternoon, triggering multiple severe thunderstorm warnings and a flood advisory covering over a dozen communities.
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA — The National Weather Service in Tallahassee issued multiple severe thunderstorm warnings and a flood advisory Saturday afternoon as a fast-moving line of storms swept northeast across south central Georgia and the Big Bend region of northern Florida, bringing the threat of 60 mph wind gusts and widespread flooding.
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Issued Across Region
The first severe thunderstorm warning was issued at 3:12 p.m. EDT, covering northwestern Jefferson County and northeastern Leon County in Florida, as well as southeastern Grady County and southwestern Thomas County in Georgia. Radar detected severe thunderstorms stretching from 15 miles southwest of Thomasville to near Monticello, moving northeast at 30 mph. That warning was set to expire at 3:45 p.m. EDT.
Communities in the path of that initial storm cell included Monticello, Alma, Fincher, Moncrief, Festus, Baum, Rocky Hill, Miccosukee, Jarrott, Montivilla, Beachton, Metcalf, Pisgah Church, and Lake Miccosukee, according to the National Weather Service.
A second warning, issued at 3:24 p.m. EDT and lasting until 4:15 p.m. EDT, expanded the threat zone to northeastern Jefferson County and Madison County in Florida, as well as southwestern Lowndes County, southeastern Thomas County, and southern Brooks County in Georgia. At the time of that alert, the storm line extended from 10 miles south of Thomasville to 6 miles east of Monticello to 14 miles west of Madison, moving east at 35 mph.
Affected communities under that warning included Madison, Quitman, Boston, Greenville, Lee, Dills, Grooverville, Ebb, Everett, Hamburg, Pinetta, Lovett, Nankin, Empress, Brooks Co A/P, Hanson, Sirmans, Dixie, Moseley Hall, and Hopewell.
A third warning, issued at 3:30 p.m. EDT and running until 3:45 p.m. EDT, placed Monticello, Alma, Fincher, Festus, Jarrott, Montivilla, and Metcalf under a severe thunderstorm warning as the line continued its northeast track at 30 mph.
60 MPH Gusts Could Damage Roofs and Trees
All three severe thunderstorm warnings cited the same primary hazard: wind gusts up to 60 mph, detected via radar. The National Weather Service warned residents to expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees throughout the affected counties.
The storms were radar-indicated rather than confirmed by ground reports at the time of issuance, the agency noted. Officials urged residents in impacted areas to take shelter indoors away from windows and to avoid travel if possible during the warnings.
Flood Advisory in Effect for Ben Hill and Irwin Counties
Alongside the thunderstorm warnings, the National Weather Service also issued a flood advisory at 3:30 p.m. EDT for a portion of south central Georgia, specifically Ben Hill and Irwin counties. The advisory remains in effect until 5:30 p.m. EDT.
Doppler radar showed heavy rainfall from thunderstorms at 3:29 p.m. EDT, with between 0.5 and 1.5 inches of rain already on the ground. An additional 1 to 2 inches of rainfall was expected, which forecasters said will result in minor flooding in low-lying and poorly drained areas.
Locations expected to experience flooding include Fitzgerald, Ashton, Osierfield, Lulaville, Queensland, Bowens Mill, Fitzgerald Municipal Airport, Red Bluff, and Wray, according to the advisory.
Residents are advised to avoid flooded roadways and low-lying areas. More information on flood safety is available at weather.gov/safety/flood.
