Powerful storms hit the South on May 10, 2024, leaving at least one person dead and thousands without power in Florida and other affected states. The National Weather Service reported tornadoes in Leon and Gadsden counties based on damage assessments and radar data. Three tornadoes were identified: one south of Chattahoochee, another near the western tip of Lake Talquin, and a third about four miles south of the second one. Wind gusts with these tornadoes ranged from 70 to 95 mph.
In Tallahassee, Florida's capital city, wind gusts exceeding hurricane intensity were reported. Images on social media showed debris and damaged buildings in some areas. The storm caused a tree to fall onto a woman's home, resulting in her death.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 12 counties affected by the storm. Leon County officials stated that wind damage was catastrophic and power outages were widespread. The Tallahassee Democrat reported that transmission infrastructure was damaged, affecting the distribution of power.
Duke Energy, Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative, Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Talquin Electric, and the City of Tallahassee all reported power outages. As of Saturday morning, approximately 63k customers were affected across Big Bend and South Georgia. Restoration efforts were ongoing through the weekend.
The storms continued to pummel Mississippi as well, with Jackson's local water utility reporting that it would take 'many hours for the system to recover.' Emergency management directors in Toombs County, Autauga County, and Rankin County expressed relief that the storm wasn't stronger than it was.
The National Weather Service upgraded tornado warnings to 'confirmed tornado' status based on radar identification methods. The Tallahassee government urged residents to stay informed and follow safety guidelines during the storm.
