Tallahassee Faces Devastating Storms and Possible Tornadoes

Tallahassee on high alert as severe storms threaten to unleash devastation. Stay informed and prepared for potential tornadoes.

On Friday morning, a line of severe thunderstorms and possible tornadoes struck Tallahassee, Florida, causing widespread damage and claiming the life of one woman. The storms brought wind gusts between 80 and 100 mph, downing trees, power lines, and damaging buildings across the city.

Deadly Storm Hits Tallahassee

The storms hit during the morning rush hour, prompting school closures across the city. The Leon County School District, Florida State University, and Florida A&M University all closed their campuses for the remainder of the day due to the severe weather and the need for storm recovery efforts.

According to Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey, one person was killed when a tree crashed into their home. The Leon County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that a woman died after a tree fell on her family’s residence.

Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 12 counties as residents from Tallahassee to Jacksonville work to clean up the damage.

Neighborhoods Stranded Amid Debris

Residents of the heavily forested neighborhoods of Myers Park and Indianhead Acres found themselves stranded amid fallen trees and debris. Good Samaritans with chainsaws and tractors worked to clear narrow pathways through the streets to help their neighbors.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Tallahassee reported numerous instances of damage across the city around 7 a.m. ET. NWS forecasters at the Tallahassee office had to take shelter and transfer storm warning authority to neighboring offices due to the dangerous situation.

The City of Tallahassee stated that early assessments of the electric grid showed severe damage to transmission lines, impacting 11 substations and leaving over 66,000 customers without power. Restoration efforts are expected to continue through the weekend.

Damage Surveys and Recovery Efforts Underway

The NWS plans to conduct damage surveys in parts of Alabama and Florida to assess the impact of the storms and determine the strength of the suspected tornadoes. They will release more information throughout the day as they gather data from the affected areas.

As Tallahassee and the surrounding counties begin the process of cleaning up and recovering from the devastating storms, officials urge residents to exercise caution and report any damage or injuries to the appropriate authorities.