'Freaking scary': Damage reported in Madison County as tornadoes hit Big Bend

Several possible tornadoes were reported in Franklin and Madison counties Tuesday afternoon as a strong storm system raced across the area.

At least two possible tornadoes moved through Madison County, where damage was reported but details were scant. The Florida Highway Patrol reported trees down near Interstate 10 around Greenville.

“We are asking all residents to stay off of the road,” Madison County Emergency Management said in a Facebook post. “We ask that you do not venture out in the event that there are downed lines and power lines. For your safety, please stay inside!!”

Another thunderstorm with radar-indicated rotation moved east along the Franklin County coast, roughly from Apalachicola to Carrabelle. Franklin County Sheriff A.J. “Tony” Smith said the storm appeared to have been a waterspout that came ashore.

“There was very minimal damage to any property and no injuries,” Smith said.

Mel Pope III of Tallahassee, who is staying on Dog Island with his wife, said they both ran inside the house after hearing the tell-tale train roar of a tornado.

“It was freaking scary — I can tell you that,” Pope said. “I’ve not been that close to an actual tornado. It got real intense. It kept building and building and building, and all of a sudden, we heard the train and went inside.”

He and his wife, Natascha Pope, looked outside but couldn’t see the columns on their own porch because of the blinding rain.

“I never saw a funnel cloud because the rain was coming down so hard,” said Pope, a senior volunteer coordinator for the American Red Cross and managing partner of a Tallahassee insurance and investment firm. “We were prepared for this, but it still was in excess of my expectations.”

The storms were the byproduct of a strong low-pressure system that extended from the Tennessee Valley to the Gulf Coast. A strong line of storms moved across the Big Bend ahead of a cold front.

4:57 p.m. update

Franklin County Sheriff A.J. Smith said an apparent waterspout came ashore between Eastpoint and Carrabelle.

"There was very minimal damage to any property and no injuries," he said.

4:52 p.m.

A tornado warning has been extended from southeastern Madison County into northwest Lafayette County and northeast Taylor County. It's in effect until 5:15 p.m.

The tornado warning for Franklin County has been canceled.

4:36 p.m. update

Latest on the possible tornadoes moving across Madison County:

4:34 p.m. update

Three tornado warnings have been issued for parts of the Big Bend as a strong storm system moves through the area.

Two of the warnings are in effect for Madison County, where rotating storms were moving near Greenville and near Lamont.

A third possible tornado was moving west across the Franklin County coast.

4:15 p.m. update

Tornado warnings have been issued for parts of Franklin and Taylor counties.

The National Weather Service said a radar indicated tornado was moving east near 40 mph east of Apalachicola and moving toward Carrabelle.

"Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely," the Weather Service in Tallahassee said.

Locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Carrabelle Beach, Franklin, Buck Siding, Royal Bluff, High Bluff, Yent Place, St George Island St Pk, Beverly, Green Point and Bay City.

The other tornado warning was issued for parts of Jefferson, Madison and Taylor counties. A severe storm cell with rotation was moving 55 mph about 16 south of Monticello.

3:50 p.m. update

The main line of storms is moving through the Tallahassee area. The National Weather Service's office on the campus of Florida State University saw a wind gust of 40 mph.

2:45 p.m update

The National Weather Service in Tallahassee has extended a tornado watch to include the entire Big Bend area.

The tornado watch is in effect until 9 p.m. for the following counties: Baker, Columbia, Dixie, Franklin, Gulf, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor and Wakulla.

Another tornado watch is in effect until 4 p.m. for Bay, Calhoun, Gadsden, Holmes, Jackson, Walton and Washington counties.

A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for portions of Bay, Calhoun, Gadsden, Liberty, Jackson, Walton and Washington counties until 3:15 p.m.

A line of severe storms was producing 60 mph wind gust, according to radar estimates. The storms were located along a line extending from 8 miles northwest of West Bainbridge, Georgia, to Panama City Beach. They were moving east at 45 mph.

Afternoon update

The National Weather Service in Tallahassee has issued a tornado watch for Leon and counties to the west as a strong storm system approaches.

The watch was issued after forecasters raised the risk of severe weather for the Tallahassee area from marginal to enhanced.

The storm system, which extends from the Tennessee Valley to the Gulf of Mexico, could bring strong wind gusts and possible tornadoes, according to the National Weather Service in Tallahassee.

Mark Wool, warning coordination meteorologist with the Weather Service, said the storms could arrive in Tallahassee around 4 or 5 p.m. He said there have been reports of damaging straight line winds and at least one possible tornado in Georgia.

"Any of these severe thunderstorms could produce wind gusts of 60 mph," he said. "An isolated tornado is possible."

The Weather Service said noted earlier this afternoon that a cluster of cells ahead of the main line of storms showed rotation over the western Florida Panhandle.

"As such, the tornado threat has increased," the Weather Service said in a tweet.

A tornado watch previously issued for the western Panhandle has been extended into Leon County until 4 p.m. A watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes to form.

Wool said it's likely the watch will be extended to the east as the storm progresses.

Stay tuned to this story for updates.

Contact Jeff Burlew at jburlew@tallahassee.com or follow @JeffBurlew on Twitter.

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