News Summary
Florida is currently experiencing severe weather and flood watches due to a stationary front bringing heavy rainfall. Flood watches remain in effect until Monday evening, and residents are advised to avoid flood waters. Some regions have reported rainfall rates of up to 2 inches per hour, leading to potential flash flooding. Areas like Tallahassee and the central Big Bend have already experienced significant rainfall, with forecasts predicting more severe weather in the coming days, including damaging winds and isolated tornadoes. Residents are urged to stay alert and seek higher ground during floods.
Florida is currently under severe weather alerts and flood watches due to a persistent stationary front causing heavy rainfall across the state this week. Flood Watches remain in effect until 8 PM Monday evening, and while storms may occur sporadically at the beginning of the week, not all areas will witness continuous rain.
Certain neighborhoods are expected to experience spotty showers, which may intensify at times, bringing rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour. In light of this, residents are urged to avoid walking or driving through flood waters if a Flood Warning or Advisory is issued for their location. Despite the expiration of earlier flash flood warnings for various central Big Bend counties, the risk for flash flooding looms as heavy rain begins to shift eastward into the Suwannee River valley, eastern Big Bend, and southern Georgia counties.
As conditions change, new flash flood warnings could be announced, particularly as floodwaters can develop rapidly, overwhelming roadways and creating dangerous situations due to inadequate drainage. Travel is generally discouraged in these areas because of treacherous driving conditions arising from flooding. Locations within the central Big Bend, including those near Tallahassee, have already recorded rainfall amounts ranging from two to five inches, with further spot flooding likely to persist in low-lying regions.
In case of flooding, individuals are advised to seek higher ground immediately to ensure their safety. As of May 13, meteorological forecasts indicate that storms are anticipated to move off the Southeast Coast; however, threats of severe weather and flooding will continue to affect regions extending from Florida to the Carolinas.
Impacts from the expected severe weather include damaging winds, hail, and the possibility of isolated tornadoes in cities such as Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Savannah, Charleston, and Raleigh. A low-pressure system currently passing over Florida is contributing to the forecast of intense rainfall and flash floods in the days ahead. Certain parts of Florida, especially along the Interstate 10 corridor, may see rainfall exceeding six inches in a short period.
The National Hurricane Center has assessed the system’s development possibilities and indicated only low chances of it materializing into a tropical depression. Meanwhile, a heat advisory is in effect for Florida’s western Panhandle, where heat index values are predicted to reach up to 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
In addition to the prevailing weather patterns causing heavy rainfall, the National Hurricane Center is closely monitoring three tropical waves, one of which is situated near northern Florida, producing additional showers and thunderstorms. Locally significant rainfall is forecasted for parts of Florida and the northern Gulf Coast in the near future.
With the Atlantic hurricane season set to commence on June 1 and typically persisting until November 30, it is important to note that approximately 97% of tropical activity occurs during this timeframe. Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and stay updated on further weather developments as the situation continues to evolve.
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Additional Resources
- Tallahassee.com: North Florida Under Flash Flood Watch
- Wikipedia: Flash Flood
- WTXL: Flash Flood Warning for Parts of Leon, Liberty, Wakulla Counties
- Google Search: Florida Severe Weather
- Jacksonville.com: Hurricane Center Florida Flooding
- Google Scholar: Florida Flooding
- Weather.com: Severe Weather Video
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Flash Floods
- Tallahassee.com: Continuous Rain and Possible Flooding
- Google News: Florida Weather Updates
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
