Tropical Storm — Inland Jefferson, Florida
2012-06-24 to 2012-06-26 · Inland Jefferson, Florida
Wider weather episode
Slow moving Tropical Storm Debby created significant impacts to the area for several days, including freshwater flooding, storm surge flooding, and trees and power lines blown down due to gusty winds.
In Wakulla county, significant inland flooding occurred from very heavy rainfall. Rainfall caused numerous small creeks, streams, and rivers to rapidly exceed their banks and flood adjacent communities. The Sopchoppy River crested at 36.8 feet on Tuesday, June 26th. This is the flood of record for the Sopchoppy. Numerous homes were impacted by flood waters, some up to the second story. Two bridges were damaged by flood waters, and numerous roads around the county were washed out or closed during the peak of the storm. Wakulla county also experience moderate storm surge flooding on June 25th around the time of high tide. Saint Marks had numerous roads underwater with several area businesses affected by high water. Water levels were estimated between one to one and a half feet above ground level. The storm surge at Saint Marks was estimated at 4.00 feet with a total storm tide of 6.50 feet on June 25th at 6:00 pm EDT. Additional flooding occurred near Panacea. U.S. Highway 98 was over-washed just north of town. Mandatory evacuations were ordered south of US-98 and around the Sopchoppy River. In total, there were 17 water rescues rescuing a total of 67 people.
In Leon county, several roads in the southern part of the county were washed out or closed to due flood waters.
In Franklin county, several roads across the northern portion of the county were flooded due to heavy rainfall. Moderate storm surge flooding occurred around Alligator Point with Alligator Point Road being damaged or washed out in a few places. Evacuations were ordered for Saint George Island, Alligator Point, and areas along the Carrabelle River. Nine people had to be rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard on Dog Island when they were trapped in a home during the storm and surrounded by water. The storm surge measured by the gauge at Apalachicola was 3.51 feet with a total storm tide of 4.31 feet on June 25th at 2:24 pm CDT.
In Gulf county, water level rise around high tide forced the closure and eventual washout of Indian Pass Road.
In Jefferson county, a few roads flooded due to heavy rainfall on the 26th. The most notable was that Highway 27 west of Highway 19 was closed for a brief time due to flooding.
In Madison county, water from a retention pond surrounded a residence near the city of Madison.
In Dixie county, several roads north of Cross City experienced flooding. River flooding along the Steinhatchee River impacted at least 40 homes. Moderate storm surge flooding occurred in Horseshoe Beach to several homes near the coast. Water up to one and a half feet high surrounded several outbuildings. The storm surge was estimated at 4.00 feet at Horseshoe Beach with a storm tide of 7.00 feet on June 25th at 6:00 pm EDT.
In Lafayette county, Highway 51 South flooded on the 27th. The Steinhatchee River nearly over-topped the bridge over Highway 51 in the southern portion of the county.
In Bay county, moderate beach erosion occurred with a storm surge value at Panama City measured at 1.50 feet with a storm tide of 2.42 feet on June 25th at 10:06 am CDT.
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 387238. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.