Tallahassee, Florida – Residents across Florida’s Big Bend and parts of south Georgia face a tornado threat through early Monday afternoon as severe storms move across the region, placing more than a dozen counties under a Tornado Watch until 2 p.m.
According to the National Weather Service in Tallahassee, Tornado Watch 65 includes eight Florida counties — Leon, Wakulla, Jefferson, Madison, Taylor, Lafayette, Dixie, and Franklin — along with 10 counties in south-central Georgia, including Lowndes, Thomas, Tift, Cook, Colquitt, Berrien, Ben Hill, Brooks, Irwin, and Lanier. The watch means atmospheric conditions support tornado development along with damaging wind gusts and intense thunderstorms.
The alert covers major population centers such as Tallahassee, Valdosta, Thomasville, Tifton, Monticello, Perry, and Cross City, along with coastal communities including Apalachicola, Carrabelle, and St. Marks. Coastal waters across Apalachee Bay and the northeast Gulf up to 60 nautical miles offshore are also included.
Emergency managers urge residents to stay alert for rapidly changing conditions during the midday hours. Tornado watches can quickly escalate to warnings if radar detects rotation or if a tornado is spotted.
Drivers along U.S. 319, I-10 near Tallahassee, and I-75 around Valdosta and Tifton should be prepared for sudden heavy rain, reduced visibility, and possible debris from strong wind gusts.
Officials recommend keeping phones charged, enabling weather alerts, and identifying a sturdy interior room in case warnings are issued. Additional advisories could follow if storms intensify before the watch expires Monday afternoon.
