News Summary
A Tornado Watch has been issued for several counties in South Georgia and Florida’s Big Bend area, including Baker and Gadsden counties. Severe storms with potential tornadoes are expected, prompting public awareness and safety measures. Recent tornado activity has already caused structural damage, with residents advised to stay informed and prepared for worsening weather conditions.
Tallahassee – A Tornado Watch has been issued for several counties in South Georgia and the Big Bend area of Florida, including Baker, Mitchell, Miller, Seminole, and Decatur counties in Georgia, as well as Gadsden and Liberty counties in Florida. The watch remains in effect until 6 PM on Saturday, as severe weather threatens to produce intense storms capable of generating tornadoes.
Storms are anticipated to develop in the early afternoon and evening, necessitating public awareness and preparation for severe weather. Residents are strongly advised to utilize multiple methods to receive alerts about ongoing warnings, especially as storm activity progresses through the region. Given the potential for power outages, it is also recommended that residents ensure their electronic devices are charged and ready for emergencies.
This warning follows recent weather disruptions in the area, particularly on Monday afternoon, when Tallahassee experienced two radar-confirmed tornadoes. The first tornado was reported in the southwest of the county near Bloxham, while the second was tracked in the northeast around the Lake Iamonia area. These incidents led to reports of structural damage and downed trees across the region.
On Monday, the Leon County Emergency Management reported that the most severe weather had largely passed and moved east of the area. However, damage reports from the northeast portion of Leon County included incidents near Deerlake Middle School, though there were no injuries resulting from these weather events. Wind gusts were recorded at significant strengths, reaching 64 mph at Lanark Village and 46 mph at Apalachicola, signaling the severity of the weather conditions.
Previously issued severe thunderstorm warnings for Leon County have expired as the storms prompting them have relocated out of the area. A tornado warning also activated for Leon County, where a confirmed tornado was located about 15 miles northeast of Tallahassee, moving towards South Georgia at a speed of 40 mph. In addition, a tornado warning for Thomas County, Georgia, was active until 1 PM on the same day.
The tornado warnings led to precautionary measures at local high schools, including Leon High School, where students were kept indoors or were not permitted to leave campus due to safety concerns. Another tornado was reported in the Norfleet area, southeast of Midway, further emphasizing the urgent need for caution in related areas.
Residents of mobile homes received guidance to seek shelter in more substantial buildings in light of the storm risks. Severe thunderstorms are concentrated along a northeastern-moving line, bringing gusts reaching 60 mph, and warnings are being issued for multiple counties, including those in Thomas County, Georgia. The Tornado Watch for parts of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina remains in effect until 6 PM.
Recent weather forecasts have indicated a “Slight Risk” categorized as a level 2 out of 5 for severe storms—particularly around Tallahassee—which could deliver damaging winds and brief tornado activity. The current storm system prompting these alerts has been designated by the National Weather Service as the strongest storm system of 2025, with substantial risks for long-track tornadoes and damaging winds predicted throughout impacted areas.
As the storms progress into Saturday evening, local counties will remain under a slight risk of further severe storms, especially after 8 AM on Sunday, with expectations of heavy rainfall that may result in flash flooding conditions. Residents are ultimately encouraged to keep weather radios charged in preparation for potential tornado alerts during the overnight hours when many are likely to be sleeping. Ensuring safety and staying informed is paramount as severe weather conditions continue to evolve in the region.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Tallahassee Officials Discuss $670K Air Service Incentive Plan
Severe Weather Alert: Tornado Watches Across Minnesota
Catastrophic Flooding and Storms Lead to Devastation Across Multiple States
Central Florida Weather Alert: Prepare for Heat and Storms!
Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Tallahassee
Severe Weather Threats Across Arkansas Prompt Tornado Watches
Tallahassee Braces for Severe Weather This Weekend!
Severe Weather Alert: Winter Storms to Impact U.S.
The Storms That Shook the Southeast: Tragedy Amidst Turmoil
Severe Weather Set to Impact Big Bend and South Georgia
Additional Resources
- Tallahassee Weather Forecast
- WTXL: Tornado Watch Information
- Tallahassee Severe Storms Warning
- Florida Politics: Thunderstorm Warnings
- WTXL: Tornado Watch Issued
- Wikipedia: Tornado
- Google Search: Severe Weather Warning
- Google Scholar: Tornado Impact Studies
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Tornado
- Google News: Florida Severe Weather
