TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — Heavy rain led to flash flooding in parts of the Big Bend and South Georgia Wednesday night into Thursday morning. High water closed multiple roads and forced multiple schools to delay opening or close altogether. Below is a running list of updates as the situation develops:
4:35 P.M.
Leon County School Superintendent, Rocky Hanna, gave an update on Godby High School Thursday afternoon. A flash flood sent water into parts of the school campus. Godby will not hold classes Friday, April 12.
Hanna says plans are being made to distribute food to students Friday at five locations because of Godby's closure. They include:
- Godby High School
- Fort Braden Elementary School
- Dade Street Community Center
- Griffin Heights Apartments
- Springfield Apartments
From 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., students can come out to receive food. Hear more from Hanna below.
4:05 P.M.
The latest power outage map from the First to Know Weather Team shows more than a thousand without electricity in South Georgia and the Big Bend.
4 P.M.
EMA Lowndes issued the following update:
The following bridges in Lowndes County, GA are closed due to flooding:
- Shiloh Road at Franks Creek
- Simpson Road at Franks Creek
These bridges will not reopen until the water recedes and they have been inspected by the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT).
Please do not attempt to drive or walk across flooded roads, streets or bridges. Never drive through standing water. It only takes one foot to float a full-sized automobile and two feet can sweet it away. Also be aware, barricades are up in many areas to slow vehicles down!
3:25 P.M.
3:10 P.M.
The earlier report of 14.58" of rain recorded at Lake Iamonia has been retracted by the National Weather Service. It is believed to be too high. The highest official rainfall accumulation in our area occurred in Tallahassee at 10.49".
2:20 P.M.
Tallahassee Police Department released video of a water rescue that took place early Thursday morning. TPD said, "officers responded to the area behind Sonny’s BBQ, located on North Monroe Street, in reference to multiple people being entrapped by rapidly rising flood waters due to the stormy weather. Upon arrival, officers could hear the individuals screaming. TPD Officers, along with TFD members, were able to enter 7-foot-deep waters, swim 30 yards through the flooding waters, and rescue three individuals who were unable to evacuate the area because of a fear of drowning."
WATCH THE RESCUE VIDEO BELOW:
2:00 P.M.
Power outages have gone up across much of the area while Wakulla county's power has been almost fully restored. 3,000 customers are without power in Leon County with 400 customers without power in Jefferson county. Power outages in Lowndes county have gone up to 300 customers without power, while Liberty county has 200 customers without power. Fluctuations in power outages will continue as power is restored to the region.
1:40 P.M.
Valdosta neighborhood reporter, Malia Thomas, is tracking flooding where she lives. She's also talking with neighbors dealing with the damage. See her photos below.
1:20 P.M.
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office says, "Lloyd Creek Road is closed due to flooding from Old Lloyd Road to the railroad tracks. We will update when it is open."
1:00 P.M.
Thursday's heavy rain filled Lake Ella in Tallahassee's Midtown neighborhood. The water in the lake got so high, it spilled over into the surrounding walk way and some of the parking lots. Watch video of the flooding below:
12:45 P.M.
Major improvements in Leon County power outages. The county is now down to 200 customers without power, 700 less than a short time ago. Wakulla and Jefferson counties also have 200 customers without power.
12:35 P.M.
Leaders in Lowndes County are working to clear debris and respond to storm issues in their neighborhoods.
12:30 P.M.
Power is slowly being restored to the area. Leon county is down to 900 customers without power, while Wakulla county has 400 customers in the day and Jefferson county has 200. Mitchell county has seen the biggest improvement with power almost fully restored.
11:30 A.M.
1,000 customers in Leon County remain without power this morning with more than 100 power outages in Leon, Wakulla, Jefferson, and Mitchell counties. ABC 27 will continue with updates as power outage coverage changes.
11:15 A.M.
The National Weather Service has confirmed rainfall totals over the past 24 hours for parts of the area.
7.11" of rain has fallen at the Tallahassee International Airport but parts of the city saw up to 10.49". Lake Iamonia currently has the highest recorded total of 14.58".
11:00 A.M.
Southwest Tallahassee neighborhood reporter, Terry Gilliam says residents on Ridge Road are stranded by high flood water. He sent back the photos below of the situation.
10:50 A.M.
Northwest Tallahassee neighborhood reporter, Maya Sargent, is at Godby High School where she is told water got inside the building. Watch her Instagram reel with an update on the situation below.
10:30 A.M.
Southwest Tallahassee neighborhood reporter, Terry Gilliam, is in one area that was hit hard by flooding Thursday morning. Watch his Instagram reel below.
10:25 A.M.
Leon County Sheriff's Office rescued neighbors from flooding Thursday morning.
10:20 A.M.
Hundreds of power outages persist in the Big Bend following Thursday morning's storms.
9:20 A.M.
Northeast Tallahassee neighborhood reporter, Kendall Brandt, says the road is opening again at Capital Circle and Centerville Road.
9:15 A.M.
Heavy rain lead to a land slide in Northeast Tallahassee. The city posted an update below.
9:08 A.M.
Thousands of power outages are being reported across the ABC 27 viewing area.
8:32 A.M.
Northeast Tallahassee neighborhood reporter, Kendall Brandt, is at the intersection of Capital Circle and Centerville Road. Watch her Instagram reel below.
8:24 A.M.
The Leon County Sheriff's Office says parts of Ridge Road in Southwest Tallahassee are underwater. The posted the picture below to their Facebook page.
7:30 A.M.
Northwest Tallahassee neighborhood reporter, Maya Sargent, responded to an apartment complex that was flooded overnight. Watch her Instagram reel below.
7:20 A.M.
The city of Tallahassee says on Facebook, "Avoid the intersection of Capital Circle and Centerville and use an alternate route. Crews are responding to localized flooding, which is impacting other services in the area. The intersection may be shut down completely if needed as part of response efforts.
6:44 A.M.
Tallahassee Police issued the following advisory to drivers:
"Crews have deployed this morning to assist with localized street flooding, a small number of scattered outages & inoperable traffic signals. Use caution on your commute. If you can delay travel, please do. Less congestion helps crews move about quicker to assist where needed.
If you encounter barricades, turn around. Never drive around them. This puts you and responders at risk.
Some areas with reported blocks are:
-Tennessee St. and Blountstown Hwy.
-Capital Cir. and Orange Ave.
-Paul Russell from Meridian to Fairview St.
-Raymond Diehl and Olson
-Tennessee and Dewy
-Blair Stone and Orange Ave.
-Tharpe and Trimble
-Okaloosa and Main
-Blair Stone and Paul Russell (tree down)
-Blair Stone and Old Saint Augustine
-East Indian Head and Optimist Park
-Lake Bradford and Mills
-Dixie and White Drive
-Eppes and Airport
-Eppes and Jackson Bluff
-Appleyard at TCC
-Ocala and Bellevue
-Richview Road
-Capital Circle and Centerville
As the storm dissipates and crews continue to work, these closures will change. If you see a crew working, please slow down and give them space."
5:20 A.M.
Emergency management in Valdosta reported, "numerous trees down and impassable roads all over the city."
4:49 A.M.
Nine inches of rainfall reported at Holy Comforter Episcopal School in Tallahassee.
