Tropical Storm — Western Alachua, Florida

2024-08-04 to 2024-08-05 · Western Alachua, Florida

Event narrative

Multiple road closures were reported due to downed trees and powerlines across roadways. Measured gusts ranged from 40-54 mph between 2 am on 8/5 through 7 am on 8/5. Wind damage started to impact the county during the evening of 8/4.

Around 2 am on 8/5, the EM reported a tree down on the 4900 block of SW SR-45 in the Newberry area which blocked all lanes. The tree caused a traffic crash which resulted in one injury. Fallen trees were also reported blocking all lanes along SR-24, and SR-26 at NW 242nd St. In High Springs and Newberry, a number of homes suffered minor to major damage due to flooding, and several trees fell onto homes.

Wider weather episode

Hurricane Debby made landfall as a Category 1 storm along the FL Big Bend coast during the early morning of August 5, 2024. Prior to landfall, outer convective bands produced tornadoes across portions of northeast Florida on August 4th. Widespread flooding moved inland with Debby across the Suwannee River Valley and inland Southeast Georgia where flash flooding and moderate to major river flooding occurred.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1199207. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.