Tallahassee, FL 11:31pm 4.5.11 - Update by Amy Long

When the squalls were finished with Georgia, they continued on to Florida during the wee hours of the morning ...

Which is when some Tallahassee homeowners got a rude awakening.

The viewing area was warned, but some folks in the Fox Croft subdivision in Tallahassee had no idea the wind would turn their trees into wrecking cranes.

Byron Todd who lives in the neighborhood says, "At about three o'clock in the morning, we heard a real big thump and looked out the window and saw that tree had fallen and later on looked and saw that this tree had fallen and almost hit my car."

The national weather service says no tornado's were reported in the area, but the gusty winds wreaked havoc on canopy roads from south Georgia into Florida early Tuesday morning 4-5 leaving clear skies and exposed roots as evidence.

But one home owner still couldn't get over the sounds she heard during the storm. "I was half way awake because of the storm, but when I heard the crackling and the wind picking up- that scared me."

The debris from the powerful storm barricaded driveways and kept some home for the day but did create a little job security for others.

Lawn care businessman, Adrian Johnson says,"It's good in a way but it's bad in a way. It's good for me because it keeps things going and grows my business- big storm like this, you just have a lot of stuff and it just takes a lot of time."

The damage estimates are well into the thousands for some, however even the ones hit the hardest feel lucky. "We're blessed that more didn't happen." says Todd.

Around 6,000 homes in Gadsden, Leon, Liberty and Wakulla County are still without power. Talquin Electric says crews will continue to work until all customers have power restored.

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[UPDATE] 4-5 Noon -

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Viewers from all over the area have been emailing in their pictures from the storm aftermath, and some folks had some pretty interesting storm encounters.

Between the lightening show and the howling winds last night's storms gave many people quite the scare. For the most part the storm only grounded loose branches and knocked out power temporarily, but that didn't stop one family from stepping into disaster readiness mode.

One family was vacationing in Mexico Beach, Florida when they heard of the threat of severe weather. They piled up in their bathroom to make sure they weren't near any windows or doors if a tornado hit. According to the family, they followed Rob's Facebook posts and everything was okay.

Trees suffered the worst through the storm and many sturdy oaks were ripped in half because of the wind.

We want to see more images too! Did a tree fall on a house in your neighborhood? Did you create a makeshift shelter to weather the storm? Let us know! ? Share your story with us, send an email to news@wctv.tv and you can check it out on our website later.

Email your pictures to WCTV.tv
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[UPDATE] 4-5 Noon --

City of Tallahassee crews continue responding to impacts from a series of overnight severe storms that affected the community.

POWER OUTAGES

Currently approximately 2,600 City customers are without power. Crews have been responding since the first outages occurred before 5 a.m. and continue repair efforts. All circuits have been restored but smaller, scattered outages continue to be reported throughout the city, and crews are responding as quickly as possible. City of Tallahassee Electric Utility customers may report outages by calling 891-4YOU (4968).

TRAFFIC SIGNALS IMPACTED

Only one traffic signal remains out, at the intersection of Call St. and Copeland St. Motorists should approach intersections where signals are out with extreme caution, and treat the intersection as a four-way stop.

ROADS CLOSED DUE TO DOWNED TREES

Crews have cleared trees from locations where they fell across roadways, and at this hour all City streets should be open to traffic.

City crews from the Electric Utility, Public Works, Police and Fire continue response efforts and will do so throughout the day.

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[UPDATE] 4-5 11:30am --

Talquin Electric Statement:

Outage count is 3495 Talquin accounts without power. We have relieved the bottleneck in the outage reporting system. We have all crews working to restore outages as soon as possible. Stay away from any downed power lines and report them. The outage map www.outageentry.com/dvosm/dvOSM2.php is being updated as power is restored.

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[UPDATE] 4-5 11:04am --

Thomas County Storm Update

In Thomas County, deputies say 49 county trees are down and 4 crashes have been reported with 2 injuries. Deputies say many power lines are down.

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Grady County Storm Update

Per Emergency Information Officer Tim Van Landingham:

- Main power line down in Cairo, affecting many businesses including the ever-popular Coyoacan mexican restaurant.

- All state roads are open in Grady County. Ridge Road and Richter Road are still closed, but crews are on the way to clean up.

- about 2,000 customers in the area are without power -- an improvement from last night when about 3,000 were out of power.

- There was one accident around 3 am on Highway 93 North when a driver ran their car into a tree. The person was taken to the hospital, treated, and released.

- No fatalities in the county from the storm

- Van Landingham says about 3 weeks' worth of clean up remains in tree limbs, debris from the storm.
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[UPDATE] 4-5 10:55am --

WCTV has confirmed that a man in Thomas County suffered injuries after his car hit a tree in the road in a separate incident.

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[UPDATE] 4-5 10:19am --

POWER OUTAGES

Currently approximately 5,200 City customers are without power. Crews have been responding since the first outages occurred before 5 a.m. and continue repair efforts. One major outage remains, in the Killearn Estates neighborhood. Additional smaller, scattered outages continue to be reported throughout the city. City of Tallahassee Electric Utility customers may report outages by calling 891-4YOU (4968).

TRAFFIC SIGNALS IMPACTED

Only one traffic signal remains out, at the intersection of Call St. and Copeland St. Motorists should approach intersections where signals are out with extreme caution, and treat the intersection as a four-way stop.

ROADS CLOSED DUE TO DOWNED TREES

Crews have responded to locations where trees fell across roadways, and at this hour, only two roads in the city remain closed:

2000 block of W. Indian Head Dr.
Preston St. at Joe Louis St.

City crews from the Electric Utility, Public Works, Police and Fire continue response efforts and will do so throughout the day.
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Lowndes County Severe Storm Details

Winds traveling approx 60 MPH downed between 60 - 70 trees. According to the Lowdes County 911 Center, there were no injuries and major damage reported.

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[UPDATE] 4-5 9:30am --

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Early Morning Storm Leaves No Major Damage Reported in Valdosta

Motorists are urged to drive with caution this morning and be on the lookout for scattered debris on city streets, due to the early morning fast-moving storm. Though the sights and sounds of the storm were fierce, the storm left minimal reported damage in the city limits.

Four traffic signals are out due to power loss, and signal technicians are working to get them restored as quickly as possible. Affected areas include:

River Street and Hightower Drive
St. Augustine Road at I-75
Hill Avenue and Fry Street
N. Forrest Street and Northside Drive

Monday afternoon winds resulted in a downed tree on Jerry Jones Drive at the Millpond that landed on power lines and blocked traffic for approximately five hours during afternoon peak traffic and into the evening. Georgia Power was able to shut off the power so city crews could safely remove the tree from the road. Due to the size of the tree and the amount of the debris, Public Works crews will be picking up the debris later today and possibly tomorrow.

Motorists are advised to drive cautiously or avoid these intersections and the Millpond area, if possible, and to allow extra time for travel this morning.

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[UPDATE] 4-5 9:12am --

Leon County Storm Response Update

Leon County Emergency Management, Leon County Sheriff's Office, and Leon County Public Works are actively responding to impacts from the overnight severe storms. All official County road closures and partially opened and passable roads have been and will continue to be posted to the Leon County Emergency Information Portal at www.LeonCountyFL.gov/ei/ .

The most recent road closure status was posted at 8:10 a.m. ET.

There are many roads within Leon County that have downed trees, downed power lines, and debris remaining on road shoulders. Drivers should use continue to use extreme caution and adhere to any official signage in these areas. Residents should monitor the latest forecasts and be prepared to take the necessary precautions to protect life and property. The National Weather Service also warns that residents should not drive cars through flooded areas and that if they see flood waters to turn around and find another route.

The most current road condition information is available on the Leon County website at www.LeonCountyFL.gov or can be accessed directly on the Leon County Emergency Information Portal at www.LeonCountyFL.gov/ei/ .

Residents requiring more information or assistance should call Leon County Emergency Management at (850) 488-5921.
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[UPDATE] 4-5 8:24am --

Hamilton County, Florida schools are closed.

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Current Road Closure Status; 8:10 a.m.
.......
Road Closures; 8:10 a.m.
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Interlaken Road at Crowder Road

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Roads Partially Open / Passable; 8:10 a.m.
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North Meridian Road at Bannerman Road

Old Woodville Road; South of Oakridge

Old Bainbridge Road; North of US27

Fairbanks Ferry Road; between the Ochlockonee River and North Meridian Road

*Debris remains on road shoulders. Drivers should use caution.

This update was submitted at 4/5/2011 8:09:47 AM

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[UPDATE] 4-5 7:50am --

City of Tallahassee Responds to Storm Impacts

City of Tallahassee crews are responding to impacts from the overnight severe storms. Primary impacts include power outages and downed trees. Some traffic signals are either not operating or on ‘flash’ mode and some local roads are closed due to downed trees.

POWER OUTAGES

Currently approximately 8,500 City customers are without power. Crews have been responding since the first outages occurred before 5 a.m. and continue repair efforts. Major outages are being reported in the following areas:

Northeast: Killearn Estates, Killearn Acres, Foxcroft, Summerbrooke, OxBottom, Lenox Mill, additional neighborhoods on either side of Thomasville Road north of Killarney Way

Southeast: Indian Head Acres, area in vicinity of Governors Square Mall

Southwest: neighborhoods along Lake Bradford Road south of Stuckey St. to Orange Ave.

Additional smaller, scattered outages are being reported throughout the city
City of Tallahassee Electric Utility customers may report outages by calling 891-4YOU (4968)

TRAFFIC SIGNALS IMPACTED

Due to power outages, several traffic signals have been impacted. Intersections with signals currently not operating include:

Call/Copeland

Lake Bradford/Gamble

Lake Bradford/Levy

E. Park Ave./Reece Park Lane

Blair Stone Rd./Governors Square Blvd.

Apalachee Parkway/Blair Stone Rd.

N. Meridian Rd./Ox Bottom Rd.

Additional signals may also be inoperable

Intersections with signals currently on ‘flash’ mode include:

Capital Circle NE/Killearn Center Blvd.

Gaines/Woodward

Centerville/Fleischmann

Duval/Pensacola

Railroad/St. Augustine

Drivers should approach intersections where signals are out with extreme caution, and treat the intersection as a four-way stop. If you approach an intersection where the signal is in flash mode, please adhere to the color flashing; i.e., approach yellow flashing signals with caution before proceeding through the intersection, and approach red flashing signals as a complete stop at the intersection.

ROADS CLOSED DUE TO DOWNED TREES

N. Meridian Rd. south of Bradford Rd. (near Lake Ella)

2000 block of W Indian Head Dr.

Preston St. at Joe Louis St.

Other roads may be partially blocked by downed trees or limbs but should be passable

City crews from the Electric Utility, Public Works, Police and Fire continue response efforts and will do so throughout the day.

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Here are a few road updates from LCSO:

CLEAR:

Meridian Rd. to the Georgia state line
County Rd. 12
Centerville Rd.
Old Bainbridge

BLOCKED:

Edenfield Rd off Miccosukee
Louvinia Dr. at St. Augustine Rd

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[UPDATE] 4-5 7:18am --

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Schools are open in Gadsden County, according to the Gadsden County Schools Public Information Office. GCS says buses are running at this time, and all of the schools have power. GCS is also excusing all tardy students.

All other schools in the area report being open, except for Cook County, Georgia.

Due to storm damage, Bainbridge College will be closed today.

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[UPDATE] 4-5 6:31am --

The Leon County Sheriff’s Office is responding to many storm and weather related calls for service.

LCSO is currently working to clear any roadway obstructions as quickly as possible and has called in additional crews to assist in clearing the roadways.

LCSO requests that all motorists use extreme caution when driving in adverse weather conditions.

Below is a list of the areas where problems are currently being addressed:

Tree’s Down

Old Bainbridge Rd closed from 27N to Dick Mitchell Rd.

Baum Rd and Mahan Dr

Old Woodville Rd and Edelle Dr

Rhoden Cove Rd and N Meridian Rd.

½ Mile S of Bannerman Rd on N Meridian Rd.

Eisenhower St and Roberts Ave

Interlaken Way and Crowder Rd

1601 Chadwick Way

Veteran’s Memorial Rd and Rococo Rd

Fairbanks Ferry Rd and Fairbanks Ferry Ct

Morning Dove Rd and Deerlake Dr

N Meridian Rd and Hales Place

Miccosukee Rd at Interstate 10 Overpass

Old Bainbridge Rd and Moore Pond Rd

9187 McDougal Ct

County Rd 12 and Gallien Rd

2032 Indian Head

China Doll Rd and N Meridian Rd

N Meridian Rd and SummerBrooke Dr

Louvinia Dr and Old St Augustine Rd

Power Lines Down

Dick Mitchell Rd and Old Bainbridge Rd.

100 ft N of Mahan on Arendell Way

Interlaken Way and Crowder Rd

Behind Ruediger Elementary School

526 W 10th Ave

N Monroe St at Old Airport

N Meridian Rd and Hawks Meadow

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April 4, 2011 1:50 AM

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