Schools are closed and the National Weather Service has been issuing regular watches and warnings Tuesday morning as severe storms move through Florida.
Several tornadoes have been reported this morning: one near De Funiak Springs and another near Panama Cityaccording to the National Weather Service.
Numerous damage reports have been coming in from Lower Grand Lagoon near Panama City Beach and Marianna, including an RV park where search and rescue operations were underway.
Whether damage was caused by tornadoes or straight-line winds will be determined by the National Weather Service after an on-scene survey. Also to be determined will be exactly how many tornadoes struck the Panhandle. It’s possible the same tornado could have impacted multiple locations.
Damage video and photos have been posted throughout the morning on social media.
Damage photos, videos:Videos, photos posted across social media after reported tornadoes in Florida
The storms are associated with a powerful low and associated cold front which is bringing potentially damaging windscoastal flooding, the chance of tornadoes, and heavy rainfall. The impacts began Monday night and are expected to peak Tuesday morning in the Panhandle and continue through Tuesday evening in the peninsula, according to WeatherTiger chief meteorologist Ryan Truchelut.
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday activated the Florida State Guard “in response to potential severe weather anticipated across the state,” according to a news release from the governor’s office.
Tornado threat easing for Leon, Wakulla but don’t rest easy yet
11:34 a.m.: The tornado threat has cleared Leon and most of Wakulla counties, according to the National Weather Service Tallahassee.
However, there is a potential for embedded tornadoes along a line of storms moving east into south-central Georgia and the rest of the Big Bend.
“There are many reports of trees down so be extremely care on the roads.”
DeSantis urges residents to stay indoors until severe weather passes.
“@FLSERT continues to monitor impacts from the severe weather event that is impacting Northwest Florida and moving East. I urge all Floridians to continue to listen to orders from local officials and to remain indoors until the weather has passed,” Gov. Ron DeSantis tweeted.
Leon, Jefferson, Wakulla counties under tornado warning
11 a.m.: Tornado warning issued for Jefferson, Leon and Wakulla counties until 11:30 a.m. EST.
FDOT helping clear roadways across Northwest Florida
Crews with the Florida Department of Transportation are working across Northwest Florida, clearing debris from roadways and helping first responders with traffic control, detours and road closures. Motorists were encouraged to monitor weather reports and road conditions and be on the lookout for debris and flooded roads.
Leon, Gadsden counties under tornado warning
10:43 a.m.: A tornado warning has been issued for Leon and Gadsden counties until 11:15 a.m. EST. At 10:36 a.m., a confirmed tornado was located 10 miles southwest of Midway, moving northeast at 50 mph, according to the NWS Tallahassee. Hazards include damaging tornado and quarter-size hail.
NWS Tallahassee warns of potential tornado
10:25 a.m.: A potential tornado will skirt northwest portions of Leon County and likely cross Highway 20 in the next few minutes, the National Weather Service Tallahassee warned.
Tornado warning issued for Midway, Jamieson, Norfleet
10:22 a.m.: A tornado warning has been issued for Midway, Jamieson and Norfleet until 10:45 a.m. EST.
Trees down across Leon County
The National Weather Service reported a 75-mph wind gust at Mexico Beach at 9:31 a.m.Several trees are reported down across Leon County.
9:31 a.m.: A tornado warning is in effect for Sneads, Grand Ridge and Sink Creek until 9:15 a.m. CST.
106-mph wind gust reported in Blue Mountain Beach
Along the coast of the Florida Panhandle, the National Weather Service reported a 106-mph gust in Blue Mountain Beach and a gust to 87 mph in Navarre.
A tornado crossed U.S. 98 north northeast of Magnolia Beach, where a thunderstorm measured an 80-mph gust just before 6:39 a.m., and a trained spotter reported a tornado in Bay County, east of Biltmore Beach, the Weather Service said.
A Weather Service radar detected a tornado debris signature in a storm moving east of Marianna and into Jackson County around 7:30 a.m.
Tornado warning issue for Chipley
8:42 a.m.: A tornado warning has been issued until 8:15 a.m. CST for Chipley, Cottondale and Alford.
Tornado watch continues in Okaloosa County
8:01 a.m.: A tornado watch remains in effect for Okaloosa County until 8 a.m. CST.
Thunderstorm capable of producing tornado southeast of Destin
7:56 a.m.: A tornado warning has been issued for southwest Walton County until 7:15 a.m. CST. At 6:49 a.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located 7 miles southeast of Destin, moving northeast at 60.
Another tornado warning issued as storms move through
7:50 a.m.: A tornado warning has been issued for Miramar Beach, Santa Rosa Beach and Blue Mountain Beach until 7:15 a.m. CST.
‘Pure chaos’: Aftermath of reported tornado shown at Lower Grand Lagoon
7:47 a.m.: “Pure chaos in Lower Grand Lagoon as a destructive tornado just ripped through,” according to Jay Lesyk on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Lower Grand Lagoon is located southeast of Panama City Beach in Florida’s Panhandle.
Holmes, Walton counties under tornado warning
7:46 a.m.: Tornado warning issued for Holmes and Walton counties untikl 7:30 a.m. CST.
‘Tornado has just crossed I-10’ southeast side of Marianna
7:37 a.m.: The National Weather Service Tallahassee reported a tornado has just crossed Interstate 10 southeast side of Marianna.
“According to radar, appears to still be on the ground.”
‘Tornado-warned storm’ moving across Okaloosa County
7:32 a.m.: “A tornado-warned storm” is moving northeast at 55 mph across southeastern Okaloosa County. Seek shelter if you are in the path of this storm, the National Weather Service in Tallahassee warned.
Escambia County no longer under tornado watch
7:26 a.m.: The National Weather Service has cleared a tornado watch for Escambia County.
Tornado warning issued for Marianna, Malone, Grand Ridge
7:22 a.m.: A tornado warning has been issued for Marianna, Malone, Grand Ridge until 7 a.m. CST, according to the National Weather Service, Tallahassee.
Jim Cantore tweets about ‘dangerous tornado’
7:15 a.m.: Jim Cantore shared radar images on X, warning residents “Still dangerous tornado heading north towards Alford and Marianna, FL.”
Tornado watch extended until 2 p.m.
7:07 a.m.: A tornado watch has been issued for parts of Florida until 2 p.m. EST.
‘Extremely dangerous tornado’ confirmed near Panama City
6:48 a.m.: The National Weather Service reported a “confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado” was located near Panama City. It was moving northeast at 55 mph.
A tornado warning was extended until 7 a.m. EST for southwest Jackson, Bay, northwest Calhoun and southeast Washington counties in the Florida Panhandle.
Confirmed tornado southeast of De Funiak Springs
5:55 a.m.: The National Weather Service reported a tornado has been confirmed 11 miles southeast of De Funiak Springs. It’s moving northeast at 55 mph. Quarter-size hail also has been reported.
A tornado warning is in effect until 5:515 a.m. CST for east central Walton, southwest Holmes and west central Washington counties.
Schools closed today for severe weather
5:50 a.m.: The Florida Department of Education announced school districts in the following counties will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 9, in anticipation of the storms:
- Alachua County
- Bay County
- Bradford County
- Calhoun County
- Citrus County: Schools to have half day on Tuesday, Jan. 9
- Columbia County
- Dixie County
- Duval County
- Escambia County
- FAMU Lab School
- FSU Labo School (Florida High)
- Franklin County
- Gadsden County
- Gilchrist County
- Glades County
- Gulf County
- Hamilton County
- Hernando County: Early release Tuesday, Jan. 9.
- Holmes County
- Jackson County
- Jefferson County
- Lafayette County
- Lake County: Early release Tuesday, Jan. 9.
- Leon County
- Levy County
- Liberty County
- Madison County
- Marion County
- Nassau County
- Okaloosa County
- Pasco County
- Santa Rosa County
- St. Johns County: Schools to release one hour early on Tuesday, Jan. 9
- Taylor County
- Union County
- Wakulla County
- Walton County
- Washington County
Colleges/Universities
- Chipola College will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 9.
- College of Central Florida will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 9.
- Florida A & M University will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 9.
- Florida State University will reopen at 11 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9.
- Gulf Coast State College: All campuses will delay opening for employees and students until 11 a.m. CST, Tuesday, Jan. 9.
- North Florida College will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 9.
- Northwest Florida State College will reopen at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9.
- Pasco-Hernando State College will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 9.
- Pensacola State College will reopen at 12 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9.
- Tallahassee Community College will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 9.
- University of West Florida will reopen at 12 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9.
Weather alerts issued in Florida
Power outages across Florida
The Escambia Bay Bridge was closed Monday night to commercial vehicles such as semi-trucks and box trucks due to sustained high winds estimated at around 46-48 mph. The bridge will remain closed until further notice.
Tuesday will pose a more dangerous threat with “damaging to destructive winds,” when the squall line pushes through the Big Bend region, the National Weather Service said.
