On the morning of Friday, May 10, 2024, a devastating weather system arrived in our community around 6:50am. Initial reports indicated the rotation and formation of up to three tornadoes in Gadsden County. The same system shortly after 7:00am brought severe weather to all of Leon County.
The tornado outbreak involved one confirmed EF-1 tornado and two confirmed EF-2 tornadoes, as determined by the NWS. These tornadoes, which touched down in eastern Gadsden County and western Leon County, traveled across central Leon County, bringing with them intense 100 mph straight-line winds.
This was the most severe and damaging wind event ever experienced in Leon County. These tornadoes also caused the most damage to Tallahassee since Hurricane Kate in 1985.
Teams are responding to downed trees, clearing roads, assessing buildings, and supporting all response and recovery operations.
To report damage, please fill out the Leon County Property Damage Form. For further questions, call Leon County Emergency Management at 850-606-3700.
ASSISTANCE:
Has your property been damaged or do you need assistance? Leon County encourages you to contact 2-1-1 Big Bend to be connected to disaster relief resources or other recovery help. Please call 2-1-1 Big Bend, our community’s local social services referral agency, at 2-1-1 or 850-617-6333. Call takers will assist you through referral and case tracking.
Residents can reach out to the following organizations for free yard clean up, including cutting and clearing trees from private property.
Samaritan’s Purse: 833-747-1234
Florida Baptist Disaster Relief and Recovery Ministries: 904-253-0502
Current Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients who lost food due to the severe weather that impacted North Florida can apply online for SNAP food assistance replacement through the Florida Department of Children and Families. To apply online, click here.
Florida Commerce and the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey in response to the May Severe Weather event. Survey responses will allow the state to expedite recovery efforts by gathering data and assessing the needs of affected businesses. Businesses can complete the survey online by visiting FloridaDisaster.biz and selecting “May North Florida Tornadoes” from the dropdown menu.
Florida Commerce activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, making $2 million available for businesses impacted by the recent severe weather that impacted North Florida. Florida small business owners in need of assistance are encouraged to visit www.FloridaJobs.org/EBL to apply for the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program. Businesses in Baker, Columbia, Escambia, Gadsden, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Suwannee, Taylor, and Wakulla counties, including sole proprietors, are eligible to apply.
The program provides short-term, zero-interest loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury or physical damage due to May North Florida Tornadoes. Interested applicants can apply now through July 10, 2024, or until all available funds are expended.
OUTAGES:
City of Tallahassee Electric
To report City of Tallahassee outages, visit Talgov.com/You/Outage. To view the City of Tallahassee outage map, visit OutageMap.Talgov.com.
Talquin Electric
To report Talquin Electric outages, visit TalquinElectric.com/Services/Report-An-Outage. To view the Talquin Electric outage map, visit My.TalquinElectric.com/Outages/Maps.
HOW POWER GETS RESTORED:
FOOD, WATER, & SUPPLIES:
Three points of distribution with bottled water and shelf-stable meals. The POD sites will run through Friday, May 17, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The points of distribution are at the following locations:
- J. Lewis Sr. Woodville Park and Recreation Complex, 1492 J. Lewis Hall Sr. Lane
- Jane G. Sauls Fort Braden Branch Library, 16327 Blountstown Highway
- Apalachee Regional Park, 7550 Apalachee Parkway
In addition to the shelf-stable meals and water, tarps are now available to residents who have encountered roof damage at all three distribution points, while supplies last.
Second Harvest of the Big Bend is holding an emergency response distribution event on Thursday, May 16, starting at 5 p.m. at Governor’s Square Mall in the old Sears parking lot. Fresh produce, proteins, eggs, and dry food items will be available to the community while supplies last.
The Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross, in coordination with Leon County and the Florida Division of Emergency Management, has opened a shelter at the Al Lawson Center, 1800 Wahnish Way.
The reception center will serve as a haven for those in need, offering essential amenities such as air conditioning, charging stations for phones, access to water and snacks, as well as assistance and local resources to aid in their recovery efforts.
DEBRIS PICKUP:
Leon County will soon begin collecting curbside vegetative disaster debris for the unincorporated area of the county. Storm-related debris collection will begin Friday, May 17, with a second pass in late May or early June.
Collection will occur on both public and private roads in the unincorporated area.
As citizens begin their cleanup efforts, it is essential to remember the following tips:
- All debris for collection should be placed curbside between the sidewalk or property line and the curb.
- Keep vegetative debris loose and unbagged at the curb.
- Only vegetative disaster storm debris will be collected.
- Be careful and safe when moving large, bulky storm-related debris to the curb.
- Debris removal trucks will not pick up household garbage; Waste Pro will continue to collect trash, recycling, and smaller yard debris as usual on their normally scheduled days.
- Do not stack or lean debris against sprinkler heads, meters, poles, trees, backflows, and other structures.
- For information on how best to organize debris and how to safely place materials at the curb, please review the included debris disposal guide.
Leon County will offer free-of-charge yard and debris drop-off for all Leon County citizens at both the Solid Waste Management Facility and all the Rural Waste Service Centers until further notice.
The Leon County Solid Waste Management Facility, located at 7550 Apalachee Parkway, will be open to all County residents from Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Leon County Rural Waste Service Centers will also remain open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the following locations:
- Woodville, 549 Henry Jones Road
- Fort Braden, 2485 East Joe Thomas Road
- Miccosukee, 13051 Miccosukee Road
For questions regarding debris collection in the unincorporated area of Leon County, citizens can call 850-606-1500 or submit a request online by clicking here.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGED PROPERTY:
