U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

Open File Report 2005 1277 −

Hydrologic Effects of the 2004 Hurricane Season

in Northwest Florida
Cover photo

Hurricane Ivan in the northern Gulf of Mexico as it approaches landfall on the Alabama coast, 

September, 15, 2004. Ivan was reported to have sustained winds of 135 mph. Photo by astronaut 

Edward Michael Fincke (NASA) aboard the International Space Station research outpost (in 

foreground of photo) from an altitude of about 230 miles.
Hydrologic Effects of the 2004 Hurricane 

Season in Northwest Florida

By Richard Jay Verdi

Open-File Report 2005-1277

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
U.S. Department of the Interior

Gale A. Norton, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

P. Patrick Leahy, Acting Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2005

For sale by U.S. Geological Survey, Information Services

Box 25286, Denver Federal Center

Denver, CO 80225

For more information about the USGS and its products:

Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS

World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov/

Any use of trade, product, or firm names in this publication is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply 

endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Although this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the individual copyright owners to 

reproduce any copyrighted materials contained within this report.

Suggested citation:

Verdi, R.J., 2005, Hydrologic Effects of the 2004 Hurricane Season in Northwest Florida: U.S. Geological Survey 

Open-File Report 2005-1277, 18 p.
iii

Contents 

Abstract...........................................................................................................................................................1

Introduction.....................................................................................................................................................1

Relevance and Benefits.......................................................................................................................2

Acknowledgments................................................................................................................................2

Methods...........................................................................................................................................................2

Data Collection and Presentation ......................................................................................................2

Storm Information..........................................................................................................................................4

Tropical Storm Bonnie..........................................................................................................................4

Hurricane Charley.................................................................................................................................4

Hurricane Frances................................................................................................................................4

Hurricane Ivan.......................................................................................................................................6

Hurricane Jeanne.................................................................................................................................8

Precipitation....................................................................................................................................................8

Storm Surge..................................................................................................................................................11

River Discharges and River Levels ...........................................................................................................11

Instantaneous Peak Discharges and River Levels........................................................................11

Combined September and October Monthly Mean Discharges.................................................15

Summary........................................................................................................................................................17

References Cited..........................................................................................................................................17

Figures

1-2. Maps showing:

 1. Tracks of tropical storm systems in Florida in 2004..................................................................1

 2. Geographic and hydrologic features and gage locations in northwest Florida................ 3

 3. Satellite image of Hurricane Frances taken on September 4, 2004 ............................................4

 4-5. Photographs showing:

 4. Ichetucknee River at U.S. Hwy 27..............................................................................................5

 5. House on State Road 47 near Rose Sink (Columbia County), September 11, 2004 ........... 5

 6. Satellite image of Hurricane Ivan taken on September 15, 2004 ................................................6

7-10. Photographs showing:

 7. Interstate 10 (I-10) bridge over Escambia Bay.........................................................................6

 8. Semi truck hanging off a broken section of the I-10 bridge, Escambia Bay.......................6

 9. High water flooded structures near Blackwater River in Milton..........................................7

 10. Gazebo near the Blackwater River in Milton ...........................................................................7

 11. Satellite image of Hurricane Jeanne image taken on September 25, 2004 ................................8

 12. Photos of house on South Country Club Road in the southeast portion of Lake City 

 situated in a hollow below the L.P. Hill Dam near Alligator Lake (September 11, 2004); 

 and post-Hurricane Jeanne photograph ........................................................................................12
iv

13-15. River level hydrographs of:

 13. Waccasassa River near Gulf Hammock, Fla.; Suwannee River above 

 Gopher River near Suwannee, Fla.; and Aucilla River near mouth near 

 Nutall Rise, Fla., showing storm surge and flood peak from Hurricane Frances ........12

 14. Yellow River near Milton, Fla.; Escambia River near Molino, Fla.; and 

 Escambia River near Gonzalez, Fla., showing storm surge and flood peak 

 from Hurricane Ivan...............................................................................................................12

 15. Waccasassa River near Gulf Hammock, Fla.; Suwannee River above Gopher 

 River near Suwannee, Fla.; and Aucilla River near mouth near Nutall Rise, 

 Fla., showing storm surge and flood peak from Hurricane Jeanne...............................13

 16. Discharge hydrograph of the Suwannee River at White Springs, Fla.; Suwannee

River at Ellaville, Fla.; and Suwannee River at Branford, Fla., showing increased

discharge due to rainfall from Tropical Storm Bonnie, and Hurricanes Frances 

and Jeanne......................................................................................................................................13

Tables

 1. Complete list of sites for this report ...............................................................................................2

 2. Top ten most costly hurricanes .......................................................................................................9

 3. Rainfall totals, Tropical Storm Bonnie (August 12-13, 2004) .......................................................9

 4. Rainfall totals, Hurricane Frances (September 4-8, 2004).........................................................10

 5. Rainfall totals, Hurricane Ivan (September 15-17, 2004) ...........................................................11

 6. Rainfall totals, Hurricane Jeanne (September 25-27, 2004)......................................................11

 7. Peak discharges and river levels at selected sites in northwest Florida produced by 

 Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne...................................................................................................14

 8. Peak discharges and river levels at selected sites in northwest Florida produced by 

 Hurricane Ivan..................................................................................................................................15

 9. Relation of period-of-record September and October combined monthly mean 

 discharge to combined mean discharge for September and October 2004, Big Bend........16

 10. Relation of period-of-record September and October combined monthly mean 

 discharge to combined mean discharge for September and October 2004, western 

 panhandle..........................................................................................................................................16
Conversion Factors

Multiply By To obtain

inch (in.) 2.54 centimeter 

foot (ft) 0.3048 meter 

mile (mi) 1.609 kilometer 

mile per hour (mi/h) 1.852 kilometer per hour

cubic foot per second (ft3/s) 0.02832 cubic meter per second

Abbreviations & Datum

mbar millibar

MODIS Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer

NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration

NWS National Weather Service

USGS U.S. Geological Survey

Vertical coordinate information is referenced to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 

(NGVD 1929); horizontal coordinate information is referenced to the North American Datum of 

1983 (NAD83).

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale

Hurricane Category

(miles per hour)

One 74-95

Two 96-110

Three 111-130

Four 131-155

Five >155
vi
Abstract

During the 2004 hurricane season, five tropical storm 

systems: Tropical Storm Bonnie, and Hurricanes Charley, 

Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne caused significant amounts of 

rainfall, storm surge, flooding, and hurricane or tropical 

storm-force winds in northwest Florida. The 2004 hurricane 

season was one of the most devastating in recorded history for 

the State of Florida, resulting in billions of dollars in damage 

and Federal aid. This report focuses on northwest Florida and 

provides an overview of each storm system and the associated 

hydrologic effects in the area.

Introduction

During August and September 2004, northwest Florida 

experienced impacts from five tropical storm systems: Tropical 

Storm Bonnie, and Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and 

Jeanne. Tropical Storm Bonnie produced 1.5-2.5 in. of rainfall 

across several watersheds in the eastern panhandle. Hurricane 

Charley’s landfall in south Florida and its northeastern storm 

track across central Florida had a negligible effect in northwest 

Florida. However, Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne produced 

heavy rainfall, storm surge, and flooding in the Suwannee and 

Waccasassa River watersheds. Accumulated rainfall from 

Hydrologic Effects of the 2004 Hurricane Season 

in Northwest Florida

By Richard Jay Verdi

September 27, 2004

September 16, 2004

September 22, 2004

90° 85° 80° 75° 70°

20°

25°

30°

35°

40°

0 200 MILES

Track of hurricane Ivan

September 12 - 23, 2004

September 6, 2004

August 14, 2004

August 12, 2004

Bonnie

Charley

Frances

Ivan

Jeanne

TROPICAL

DEPRESSION

EXPLANATION

TROPICAL

STORM HURRICANE

STORM

NAME

APPROXIMATE LOCATION At

12:01 AM of date shown.

− September 22, 2004

DIRECTION OF STORM TRAVEL

G U L F

O F

M E X I C O

A T L A

N T I C

O

C E A

N

A L A B A M A

G E O R G I A

87° 86° 85° 84° 83° 82° 81° 80°

31°

30°

29°

28°

27°

26°

25°

88°

MISSISSIPPI

0 25 50 75 100 MILES

0 25 50 75 100 KILOMETERS

Gulf

Shores

Tropical Storm Bonnie 

and Hurricanes Frances 

and Jeanne ranged from 

15 to 18 in. in the Suwannee and Waccasassa River 

watersheds. Hurricane 

Ivan primarily affected 

the basins in the westernmost panhandle with high 

winds and the associated 

storm surge (fig. 1).

Figure 1. Tracks of tropical 

storm systems in Florida in 

2004.
Relevance and Benefits

The prevention and mitigation of flooding and associated 

property losses are a concern of local, State, and Federal 

agencies. The purpose of this report is to: (1) present an 

overview of the hydrologic data collected during the 2004 

hurricane season, and (2) assist engineers, scientists, emergency management operators and regulators, and the general 

public in understanding the hydrologic effects of the 2004 

hurricane season in northwest Florida as well as compare these 

2004 events to historical storm events. 

Acknowledgments

The author would like to acknowledge the contributions of 

the following U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) personnel: Jim 

Tomberlin, Ron Spencer, Twila Wilson, Teresa Embry, Trey 

Grubbs, Richard Kane, and Stewart Tomlinson. Jim and Ron 

were instrumental in formatting and arranging the graphics to 

make them suitable for printing this report. Twila improved the 

quality of this report with her editorial review. Layout design 

was performed by Teresa Embry. Colleague reviews by Trey, 

Richard, and Stewart contributed to the scientific merit of this 

report. The author also wishes to acknowledge Don Goin and 

Mark Stephens at the USGS in Tallahassee for making extra 

discharge measurements over a period of several days at the 

Waccasassa River during the floods. 

Methods

Data Collection and Presentation

The USGS, in cooperation with Federal, State, county 

and local agencies, operates a network of 77 continuousrecord streamflow-gaging stations in northwest Florida. This 

region, also referred to as the panhandle, is defined as lying 

between the Waccasassa River watershed in Levy and 

Gilchrist Counties on the east to the Alabama-Florida State 

line on the west. Several parameters are collected at these 

gages, including some or all of the following: (1) river level, 

(2) velocity, (3) temperature, (4) salinity, (5) specific conductance, and (6) precipitation. Data are recorded at 60-, 

30-, 15-, or 10-minute intervals. Fifty-seven of these gages 

are equipped with real-time satellite telemetry and transmit 

at intervals of 1 to 4 hours. During critical events, such as 

floods, data are transmitted as often as the recording interval 

of the data. These data are essential for flood monitoring, 

emergency response, and dam and reservoir-system operation. In September and October 2004, USGS field crews made 

discharge measurements during the floods at several gages to 

verify ratings after a prolonged period of drought. These data 

contribute to the understanding of flood behavior and flood 

mitigation efforts. Data presented in this report were collected 

from 32 USGS continuous-record streamflow-gaging stations 

and 17 National Weather Service (NWS) weather gages 

(table 1 and fig. 2). The term water year refers to the time 

period between October 1 and September 30.

Table 1. Complete list of sites for this report.

Site number 

(fig. 2)

Station 

number Station

1 02313700 Waccasassa River near Gulf Hammock

2 02315500 Suwannee River at White Springs

3 02319000 Withlacoochee River near Pinetta

4 02319394 Withlacoochee River at Lee

5 02319500 Suwannee River at Ellaville

6 02319800 Suwannee River at Dowling Park

7 02320000 Suwannee River at Luraville

8 02320500 Suwannee River at Branford

9 02321000 New River near Lake Butler

10 02321500 Santa Fe River at Worthington Springs

11 02322049 Bad Dog Run near Alachua

12 02322500 Santa Fe River near Fort White

13 02322800 Santa Fe River at Hildreth

14 02323000 Suwannee River near Bell

15 02323500 Suwannee River near Wilcox

16 02324000 Steinhatchee River near Cross City

17 02324400 Fenholloway River near Foley

18 02326000 Econfina River near Perry

19 02329000 Ochlockonee River near Havana

20 02330000 Ochlockonee River near Bloxham

21 02358789 Chipola River at Marianna

22 02359000 Chipola River near Altha

23 02365200 Choctawhatchee River near Pittman

24 02366500 Choctawhatchee River near Bruce

25 02368000 Yellow River at Milligan

26 02369000 Shoal River near Crestview

27 02369600 Yellow River near Milton

28 02370000 Blackwater River near Baker

29 02370500 Big Coldwater Creek near Milton

30 02375500 Escambia River near Century

31 02376115 Elevenmile Creek near Pensacola

32 02376500 Perdido River at Barrineau Park

33 NWS Bell 4NW

34 NWS Cross City 2WNW

35 NWS Lake Butler

36 NWS Lake City 2E

37 NWS Live Oak

38 NWS Mayo

39 NWS Starke

40 NWS Usher Tower

41 NWS White Springs 7N

42 NWS Bristol 2S

43 NWS Clarksville 2N

44 NWS De Funiak Springs 2W

45 NWS Marianna 7NE

46 NWS New Hope

47 NWS Niceville

48 NWS Panama City 5N

49 NWS Pensacola Regional AP

   Hydrologic Effects of the 2004 Hurricane Season in Northwest Florida
Figure 2. Geographic and hydrologic features and gage locations in northwest Florida (western panhandle 

and Big Bend).

Methods 

Santa Fe River

Suwannee River

Suwannee River

Waccasassa

River

22

20

24

21

23

19

30

27

26

32

31

29

25

28

4

3

6

7

18

17

16

13

14

9

2

12

10

8

15

5

1

11

48

42

43

45

38

34

40

33

37

36

41

35

39

49

47

49

16

34

44

46

Gonzalez

Molino

Apalachicola

St. Vincent

Island

St. George

Island

Tallahassee

Gulf

Hammock

STREAM GAGING

STATION Location and

site number.

−

LOCATION

MAP

0 10 20 MILES

0 10 20 KILOMETERS

Gulf of Mexico

0 20 40 60 MILES

27

NATIONAL WEATHER

SERVICE STATION Location

and site number.

−

EXPLANATION

LOCATION

MAP

STREAM GAGING

STATION Location and

site number.

NATIONAL WEATHER

SERVICE STATION Location

and site number.

−

−

EXPLANATION

Western Panhandle

Big Bend

0 20 40 60 KILOMETERS

Gulf of Mexico

A L A B A M A

G E O R G I A

G E O R G I A
Rainfall data presented in this document are from USGS 

and the NWS rain gages. USGS rain gages are calibrated 

periodically and are cleaned of debris on scheduled field 

trips, usually about once every 6 weeks. USGS rainfall data 

at some sites could be subject to error because of hurricaneforce winds, which have the potential to shake the tipping 

mechanism in the rain gages. This could cause extra tips to be 

recorded erroneously.

Storm Information

Tropical Storm Bonnie

The center of Tropical Storm Bonnie made landfall just 

south of Apalachicola near St. Vincent and St. George 

Islands (fig. 1) as a weak tropical storm on the afternoon of 

August 12 with sustained wind speeds of about 46 mi/h and a 

barometric pressure of 1,001 mbar. Quickly weakening to a 

tropical depression, Bonnie moved northeast across the “Big 

Bend” and through the Suwannee River watershed before 

moving into southern Georgia (National Weather Service, 

2004a). Hydrologic and wind-force impacts from Bonnie 

were relatively minor; no deaths in Florida were reported.

Hurricane Charley

The center of Hurricane Charley made landfall on the 

southwest coast of Florida just north of Captiva Island west 

of Punta Gorda (fig. 1) on the evening of August 13, as a 

category four hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale with 

sustained wind speeds estimated at 150 mi/h and a barometric 

pressure of 941 mbar. Charley sped across the peninsula on a 

northeastward track, exiting into the Atlantic Ocean near 

Daytona Beach as a weak category one hurricane around 

11:30 PM local time on August 13. Hurricane Charley was 

responsible for 9 direct and 20 indirect deaths in Florida 

(National Weather Service, 2004b). Because of its southwest Florida landfall and northeastward track, the effects 

of Charley’s hydrologic and hurricane-force wind impacts 

in northwest Florida were negligible. Hurricane Charley is 

documented as the second costliest hurricane to strike the 

United States, following Hurricane Andrew in 1992 (Insurance 

Journal, 2004).

Hurricane Frances

The center of Hurricane Frances (fig. 3) made landfall 

on the east coast of Florida on the southern end of Hutchinson 

Island east of Fort Pierce (fig. 1) on the morning of September 5, 

as a category two hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale with 

sustained wind speeds estimated at 104 mi/h and a barometric 

pressure of 960 mbar. The storm weakened to tropical storm 

status as it slowly moved overland across central Florida, 

exiting into the Gulf of Mexico near New Port Richey (fig. 1). 

Frances made its second Florida landfall near the mouth of the 

Aucilla River in Jefferson County as a tropical storm with sustained wind speeds estimated at 58 mi/h and a barometric pressure of 982 mbar. After Frances’ second Florida landfall, the 

storm moved northwestward over Tallahassee and eventually 

into Georgia. Hurricane Frances was responsible for 5 direct 

and 32 indirect deaths in Florida (National Weather Service, 

2004c). The increased discharge and abundant rainfall from 

this slow moving storm caused flooding and overland flooding in the Suwannee River and Waccasassa River watersheds 

(figs. 4-5).

Figure 3. Hurricane Frances image taken on September 4, 

2004, by Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite. Image courtesy 

of NASA’s Earth observatory website:

http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/

   Hydrologic Effects of the 2004 Hurricane Season in Northwest Florida
Storm Information 

Figure 4. Ichetucknee River at U.S. Hwy 27 looking upstream (north to northwest), September 18, 2004 (river level: 21.89 ft 

above NGVD 1929; discharge: 241 ft3/s). Image courtesy of Joel Lanier of the National Weather Service.

Figure 5. House on State Road 47 near Rose Sink (Columbia County), September 11, 2004. Note the high water mark on the 

house. Image courtesy of Al Sandrik of the National Weather Service.
Hurricane Ivan

The center of Hurricane Ivan (fig. 6) made landfall during 

the early morning hours of September 16, near Gulf Shores, 

Alabama (fig. 1) as a strong category three hurricane on the 

Saffir-Simpson scale with sustained wind speeds estimated 

at 121 mi/h and a barometric pressure of 946 mbar. The 

strongest winds occurred near the Alabama-Florida Panhandle 

border. Hurricane Ivan was responsible for 14 direct deaths 

in Florida (National Weather Service, 2004d). Sections of 

the Interstate 10 bridge across Escambia Bay were torn apart 

and collapsed into the bay because of the high winds and 

associated storm surge (figs. 7 and 8). Hurricane Ivan caused 

significant damage along the coast near Pensacola, including 

overland flooding in some watersheds (figs. 9 and 10).

Figure 6. Hurricane Ivan image taken on September 15, 2004, 

by MODIS on NASA’s Aqua satellite. Image courtesy of NASA’s 

Earth observatory website:

http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/

Figure 7. Interstate 10 (I-10) bridge over Escambia Bay; bridge 

sections displaced laterally and vertically. Photo courtesy 

Pensacola News Journal, Copyright 2004.

Figure 8. Semi truck hanging off a broken section of the I-10 

bridge, Escambia Bay. Photo courtesy Pensacola News Journal, 

Copyright 2004.

   Hydrologic Effects of the 2004 Hurricane Season in Northwest Florida
Figure 9. High water flooded structures near Blackwater River in Milton. Photo courtesy Pensacola News Journal, Copyright 2004.

Figure 10. Gazebo near the Blackwater River in Milton. Photo courtesy Pensacola News Journal, Copyright 2004.

Storm Information   
Hurricane Jeanne

Hurricane Jeanne followed a similar path as Hurricane 

Frances (fig. 11), with the center making landfall on the east 

coast of Florida on the southern end of Hutchinson Island east 

of Fort Pierce (fig. 1) on the morning of September 26. At the 

time of landfall, Jeanne was a category three hurricane on the 

Saffir-Simpson scale with sustained wind speeds estimated 

at 121 mi/h and a barometric pressure of 950 mbar. Jeanne 

weakened to tropical storm status as it moved across the 

Florida Peninsula just north of Tampa before turning northwestward towards Georgia. As the storm moved through the 

eastern panhandle, it produced significant rainfall over the 

Suwannee River and Waccasassa River watersheds, adding 

to the high water produced just 3 weeks earlier by Hurricane 

Frances. Hurricane Jeanne was responsible for three direct 

deaths in Florida (National Weather Service, 2004e).

After the end of the 2004 hurricane season, Hurricanes 

Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne caused a combined estimate of $21-23 billion in damage to public and private properties (Insurance Journal, 2004; St. Petersburg Times, 2005) and 

each ranked as one of the Top 10 costliest hurricanes in history 

to strike the United States (table 2) (Insurance Journal, 2004). 

Figure 11. Hurricane Jeanne image taken on September 25, 2004, 

by MODIS on NASA’s Terra satellite. Image courtesy of NASA’s 

Earth observatory website:

http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/

Precipitation

Significant widespread rainfall generated from some 

of the storms resulted in high water levels on many rivers 

and streams in northwest Florida. Tropical Storm Bonnie produced an average of 1.5-2.5 in. of rainfall in several 

watersheds throughout the central to eastern panhandle from 

August 12-13, 2004. USGS and NWS gages recorded rainfall 

amounts ranging from 0.46 in. at Chipola River at Marianna to 

2.46 in. at Lake City 2E (table 3).

Hurricane Frances produced an average of 8-9 in. of rain 

over the Suwannee River and Waccasassa River watersheds 

from September 4-8, 2004. Rainfall recorded by USGS and 

NWS gages ranged from 5.40 in. at Withlacoochee River at 

Lee to 13.84 in. at Lake Butler (table 4). USGS field crews 

measuring discharge at Waccasassa River at U.S. Hwy. 19 

received a report from local residents of an unofficial total of 

31-33 in. of rain over a 3-day period during Hurricane 

Frances. It is important to note that on September 10, 2004, 

there was a stationary front situated across south Georgia 

which produced 7.10 in. of rainfall at Lake City (NWS, site 

No. 36, fig. 2) and 3.52 in. at Starke (NWS, site No. 39, fig. 2) 

(M. Mcallister, NWS, written commun., March 17, 2005). 

This additional rainfall added to the localized flooding in the 

area (fig. 12).

Hurricane Ivan generated an average of 8-9 in. of rain 

in the Chipola, Choctawhatchee, Shoal, Blackwater, Perdido, 

Escambia, and Yellow River Basins in the western panhandle. 

Rainfall recorded by USGS and NWS gages ranged from 

3.49 in. at Chipola River near Altha to 25.44 in. at 

Choctawhatchee River near Bruce (table 5). 

Hurricane Jeanne produced an average of 6-7 in. of rain, 

again primarily in the Suwannee River and Waccasassa River 

watersheds. The additional rainfall subsequently increased 

the river levels and discharge in these watersheds. Rainfall 

recorded by USGS and NWS gages ranged from 0.79 in. at 

Cross City 2WNW to 10.88 in. at Live Oak (table 6).

   Hydrologic Effects of the 2004 Hurricane Season in Northwest Florida
Table 2. Top ten most costly hurricanes. 

[Table compiled by data from the National Weather Service and Insurance Journal, 2004. Figures represented by $ billions, as of 

Sept. 30, 2004]

Rank Year Hurricane Category Areas Impacted Cost 

($ billions)

1 1992 Andrew 5 Florida, Louisiana 20.3

2 2004 Charley 4 Florida and Mid-Atlantic U.S. 6.8

3 1989 Hugo 4 Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern U.S. 6.2

4 2004 Jeanne 3 Florida, Southeastern, and Mid-Atlantic U.S. 5.0-7.0

5 2004 Frances 2 Florida and East Coast of the U.S. 4.4

6 2004 Ivan 3 Northwestern Florida, Alabama, Southeastern 

and Mid-Atlantic U.S.

4.0-5.0

7 1998 Georges 2 Florida Keys, Mississippi, Alabama 3.3

8 1995 Opal 3 Northwestern Florida, Alabama 2.5

9 1999 Floyd 2 Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern U.S. 2.2

10 1992 Iniki Unknown Kaua’i, Hawaii 2.1

Table 3. Rainfall totals, Tropical Storm Bonnie (Aug. 12-13, 2004).

Site 

number 

(fig. 2)

Station 

number Precipitation station

Rainfall 

total 

(inches)

4 02319394 Withlacoochee River at Lee 2.15

6 02319800 Suwannee River at Dowling Park 2.39

7 02320000 Suwannee River at Luraville 1.99

8 02320500 Suwannee River at Branford 2.21

11 02322049 Bad Dog Run near Alachua 1.79

13 02322800 Santa Fe River at Hildreth 2.07

19 02329000 Ochlockonee River near Havana 1.60

20 02330000 Ochlockonee River near Bloxham 1.08

21 02358789 Chipola River at Marianna 0.46

22 02359000 Chipola River near Altha 1.04

33 NWS Bell 4NW 1.60

34 NWS Cross City 2WNW 1.77

35 NWS Lake Butler 0.66

36 NWS Lake City 2E 2.46

37 NWS Live Oak 2.22

38 NWS Mayo 1.88

39 NWS Starke 1.28

40 NWS Usher Tower 2.32

41 NWS White Springs 7N 1.38

Precipitation   
Table 4. Rainfall totals, Hurricane Frances (Sept. 4-8, 2004).

Site 

number 

(fig. 2)

Station 

number Precipitation station Rainfall total (inches)

4 02319394 Withlacoochee River at Lee 5.40

6 02319800 Suwannee River at Dowling Park 5.65

8 02320500 Suwannee River at Branford 6.52

11 02322049 Bad Dog Run near Alachua 13.41

13 02322800 Santa Fe River at Hildreth 7.71

33 NWS Bell 4NW 7.96

34 NWS Cross City 2WNW 6.55

35 NWS Lake Butler 13.84

36 NWS Lake City 2E 10.52

37 NWS Live Oak 6.34

38 NWS Mayo 7.91

39 NWS Starke 9.97

40 NWS Usher Tower 12.30

41 NWS White Springs 7N 9.11

Figure 12. (upper photo) House on South Country Club 

Road in the southeast portion of Lake City situated in 

a hollow below the L.P. Hill Dam near Alligator Lake 

(September 11, 2004). The Dam overflowed as a result 

of the heavy rainfall associated with Hurricane Frances and the stationary front over Georgia. Additional 

rainfall associated with Hurricane Jeanne subsequently 

increased the water depth. The house remained flooded 

for more than 30 days. 

(lower photo) Post-Hurricane Jeanne photograph (date 

unknown). (A. Sandrik, NWS, written commun., July 21, 

2005.)

Photos courtesy of Al Sandrik.

10 Hydrologic Effects of the 2004 Hurricane Season in Northwest Florida
Table 6. Rainfall totals, Hurricane Jeanne (Sept. 25-27, 2004).

Site 

number 

(fig. 2)

Station 

number Precipitation station

Rainfall 

total 

(inches)

4 02319394 Withlacoochee River at Lee 5.11

6 02319800 Suwannee River at Dowling Park 4.33

8 02320500 Suwannee River at Branford 7.53

11 02322049 Bad Dog Run near Alachua 7.17

13 02322800 Santa Fe River at Hildreth 5.46

33 NWS Bell 4NW 6.30

34 NWS Cross City 2WNW 0.79

35 NWS Lake Butler 6.00

36 NWS Lake City 2E 6.43

37 NWS Live Oak 10.88

38 NWS Mayo 7.60

39 NWS Starke 5.43

40 NWS Usher Tower 6.00

41 NWS White Springs 7N 6.40

Table 5. Rainfall totals, Hurricane Ivan (Sept. 15-17, 2004).

Site 

number 

(fig. 2)

Station 

number Precipitation station

Rainfall 

total 

(inches)

22 02359000 Chipola River near Altha 3.49*

23 02365200 Choctawhatchee River near Pittman 5.45*

24 02366500 Choctawhatchee River near Bruce 25.44*

25 02368000 Yellow River at Milligan 11.37*

26 02369000 Shoal River near Crestview 7.68*

27 02369600 Yellow River near Milton 19.76*

28 02370000 Blackwater River near Baker 10.41*

29 02370500 Big Coldwater Creek near Milton 5.67*

30 02375500 Escambia River near Century 8.31*

42 NWS Bristol 2S 7.00

43 NWS Clarksville 2N 5.62

44 NWS De Funiak Springs 2W 5.50

45 NWS Marianna 7NE 5.59

46 NWS New Hope 5.85

47 NWS Niceville 8.00

48 NWS Panama City 5N 6.31

49 NWS Pensacola Regional AP 5.42

*Rainfall data could be subject to error because of tropical storm- or 

hurricane-force winds.

Storm Surge

Storm surges from three tropical storm systems were 

detected in river level data collected at several stream gages 

in northwest Florida. Storm surge is defined as an event that 

occurs when the winds and forward motion associated with 

a tropical storm system pile water up in front of the storm 

system as it moves toward the shore (NOAA, undated). For 

the purpose of this report, storm surge is reported as the difference between the maximum river level and the approximate 

maximum river level of the normal tidal cycle at the time of 

the storm landfall. 

During Hurricane Frances, the maximum storm surge 

recorded was about 8 ft at Waccasassa River near Gulf 

Hammock (fig. 13). Due to the high winds associated with 

Hurricane Frances, the water level went below the river level 

sensor, which shows as a flat line in the hydrograph at the 

USGS gage near Nutall Rise near the mouth of the Aucilla 

River (fig. 13). This is near where Hurricane Frances made 

its second Florida landfall. Hurricane Ivan produced the greatest observed storm surge on a river in northwest Florida, with 

about a 9-ft rise at the Escambia River near Gonzalez, and a 

6-ft surge upstream near Molino (fig. 14). The Waccasassa 

River near Gulf Hammock gage recorded an approximate 6-ft 

storm surge from Hurricane Jeanne (fig. 15).

River Discharges and River Levels

Instantaneous Peak Discharges and 

River Levels

The greatest increase in discharge was associated 

with Hurricane Frances, which produced the most rainfall. 

Significant overland flooding occurred in the Santa Fe and 

middle Suwannee River subbasins from Hurricane Jeanne. 

At the Suwannee River at Branford gage (fig. 16), the small 

rise before the larger rise may be due to this localized overland runoff. The small rise in August (fig. 16) is attributed to 

the impacts of Tropical Storm Bonnie.

Instantaneous peak is defined as a local maximum 

value in the continuous time series of streamflow or river 

level, preceded by a period of increasing values and followed 

by a period of decreasing values (U.S. Geological Survey, 

2004). Peaks from rainfall associated with Tropical Storm 

Bonnie, and Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne were observed in 

the discharge and river level hydrographs for several gages in 

the Waccasassa, Suwannee, and Steinhatchee River watersheds. None of the recorded peaks were the highest for the 

period of record of the gage (table 7). 

Flooding was most significant at the Waccasassa River 

near Gulf Hammock gage, where peak discharge estimated at 

8,330 ft3/s occurred, the second highest peak for the period of 

record (1963-present). Based on period-of-record peak time 

series data, the recurrence interval of this event was greater 

River Discharges and River Levels 11
Figure 14. River level hydrograph of Yellow River near 

Milton, Fla.; Escambia River near 

Molino, Fla.; and Escambia River 

near Gonzalez, Fla., showing 

storm surge and flood peak from 

Hurricane Ivan. 

MILTON

MOLINO

GONZALEZ

-2

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

RIVER LEVEL, IN FEET ABOVE NGVD 1929

SEPTEMBER, 2004

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Figure 13. River level hydrograph of Waccasassa River 

near Gulf Hammock, Fla.; 

Suwannee River above Gopher 

River near Suwannee, Fla.; 

and Aucilla River near mouth 

near Nutall Rise, Fla., showing 

storm surge and flood peak 

from Hurricane Frances. (River 

level reported in feet above 

gage datum. Waccasassa 

River: 10.51 ft below NGVD 

1929; Suwannee River: 2.10 ft 

below NGVD 1929; Aucilla River: 

datum undetermined.)

WACCASASSA RIVER

SUWANNEE RIVER

AUCILLA RIVER

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

SEPTEMBER, 2004

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

RIVER LEVEL, IN FEET

12 Hydrologic Effects of the 2004 Hurricane Season in Northwest Florida
Figure 15. River level hydrograph of Waccasassa River 

near Gulf Hammock, Fla.; 

Suwannee River above Gopher 

River near Suwannee, Fla.; and 

Aucilla River near mouth near 

Nutall Rise, Fla., showing storm 

surge and flood peak from 

Hurricane Jeanne. (River level 

reported in feet above gage 

datum. Waccasassa River:

10.51 ft below NGVD 1929;

Suwannee River: 2.10 ft below 

NGVD 1929; Aucilla River: 

datum undetermined.)

Figure 16. Discharge hydrograph of the Suwannee 

River at White Springs, Fla.; 

Suwannee River at Ellaville, 

Fla.; and Suwannee River 

at Branford, Fla., showing 

increased discharge due to 

rainfall from Tropical Storm 

Bonnie, and Hurricanes 

Frances and Jeanne. 

WACCASASSA RIVER

AUCILLA RIVER

SUWANNEE RIVER

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

SEPTEMBER, 2004

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

RIVER LEVEL, IN FEET

WHITE SPRINGS

ELLAVILLE

BRANFORD

BONNIE

FRANCES

JEANNE

-5,000

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

35,000

HOURLY DISCHARGE, IN CFS

AUGUST

1 10 20 30

SEPTEMBER

10 15 20 25 30

OCTOBER

5 10 15 20 25 30

2004

5 15 25 5

River Discharges and River Levels 13
14 Hydrologic Effects of the 2004 Hurricane Season in Northwest Florida Table 7. Peak discharges and river levels at selected sites in northwest Florida produced by Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne. [Data compiled from data on file at the U.S. Geological Survey in Tallahassee, Florida; river level, in feet, above NGVD 1929; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; >, greater than; <, less than; --, not determined] Site number (fig. 2) Station number Streamflow-gaging station Period of record through 2004 Peak discharge, September 1-October 15, 2004 Largest historical peak discharge Date Peak discharge (ft3/s) Peak river level (feet above NGVD 1929) Recurrence interval (years)* Date Magnitude (ft3/s) Recurrence interval (years)*

1 02313700 Waccasassa River near Gulf Hammock 1963-1978,

1980-1984,1984-1992,1998-2004

9/06/2004**9/08/2004

8,330 5.42** >25 9/12/1964 12,200 >100

2 02315500 Suwannee River at White Springs 1906-1908,

1927-2004

10/3/2004 17,600 84.03 >10 4/10/1973 38,100 >100

3 02319000 Withlacoochee River near Pinetta 1931-2004 10/4/2004 17,900 77.43 <5 4/5/1948 79,400 >100

5 02319500 Suwannee River at Ellaville 1927-2004 10/8/2004 33,100 56.88 >5 4/7/1948 95,300 >100

8 02320500 Suwannee River at Branford 1931-2004 10/12/2004 32,700 30.42 >5 4/11/1948 83,900 >100

9 02321000 New River near Lake Butler 1950-1971,

1990-2004

9/10/2004 5,330 95.47 <5 9/12/1964 11,400 >25

10 02321500 Santa Fe River at Worthington Springs 1931-2004 9/10/2004 7,900 64.80 <5 9/13/1964 20,000 >25

12 02322500 Santa Fe River near Fort White 1927-1930,

1932-2004

9/12/2004 9,430 30.45 >10 9/16/1964 17,000 >100

14 02323000 Suwannee River near Bell 1932-1956,

2000-2004

10/12/2004 32,600 21.87 >10 4/13/1948 82,300 >100

15 02323500 Suwannee River near Wilcox 1930-1931,

1941-2004

10/15/2004***10/14/2004

37,100 13.87*** >5 4/14/1948 84,700 >100

16 02324000 Steinhatchee River near Cross City 1950-2004 9/30/2004 3,500 23.03 <5 9/13/1964 17,600 >100

 *Computed based on period-of-record peaks to water year 2004. **Data computed using index-velocity method. Peak river level recorded 2 days earlier than peak discharge.***Data computed using index-velocity method. Peak river level recorded 1 day later than peak discharge.
than 25 years. The highest peak discharge and 

river level for the period of record was 12,200 

ft

3

/s and 6.45 feet above NGVD 1929, respec-

tively, reported on September 12, 1964 (greater 

than 100-year recurrence interval), a result 

of heavy rainfall associated with Hurricane 

Dora (Bridges and Franklin, 1991) (table 7). 

The 1964 flood also affected the Santa Fe and 

Steinhatchee Rivers (greater than 25-year to 

greater than 100-year recurrence intervals) and 

inundated the town of Live Oak with 4-5 ft of 

water (Bridges and Franklin, 1991) (table 7). 

The recurrence intervals of the peak 

discharges observed during Tropical Storm 

Bonnie, and Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne 

ranged from less than 5 to greater than 25 

years. These events may be considered 

relatively minor when compared to historical 

floods, such as the 1948 flood that impacted 

Florida from the middle of the Florida Panhandle to the Atlantic Coast. This flood 

resulted from 9-10 in. of rainfall caused by a 

stalled frontal system over northern Florida 

(Bridges and Franklin, 1991), and discharges 

on the Suwannee River were greater than 100-

year recurrence intervals (table 7). 

Peaks from rainfall associated with 

Hurricane Ivan were observed in the discharge 

and river level hydrographs for several gages in 

the western panhandle, including Yellow River, 

Blackwater River, Escambia River, Elevenmile 

Creek, and Perdido River watersheds. The 

peaks observed during Hurricane Ivan ranged 

from less than 5-year to less than10-year recur-

rence intervals. These peaks may be consid-

ered relatively minor when compared to the

September 1998 flood, which was caused by 

Hurricane Georges. Hurricane Georges pro-

duced 10-20 in. of rain in the western panhan-

dle, although some areas received up to 27 in. 

Precipitation produced by Hurricane Georges 

resulted in greater than 25-year to greater than 

100-year recurrence interval discharges on 

the Yellow, Shoal, Blackwater, and Escambia 

Rivers (table 8). 

Combined September and October 

Monthly Mean Discharges

Combined monthly mean discharges for 

September and October 2004 in several eastern 

panhandle watersheds ranged from 242 to 602 

percent of the long term averages due to the 

impacts of Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne. 

Table 8. Peak discharges and river levels at selected sites in northwest Florida produced by Hurricane Ivan.[Data compiled from data on file at the U.S. Geological Survey in Tallahassee, Florida; river level, in feet, above NGVD 1929; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; >, greater than; <, less than; --, not determined]

Site 

number 

(fig. 2)

Station 

number Streamflow-gaging station

Period of 

record 

through 

2004

Peak discharge, September 1-October 15, 2004 Largest historical peak discharge

Date

Peak 

discharge 

(ft3/s)

Peak river level 

(feet above 

NGVD 1929)

Recurrence 

interval 

(years)*

Date Magnitude (ft3/s) Recurrence interval (years)*

25 02368000 Yellow River at Milligan 1938-1993, 

1996-2004

9/19/2004 10,900 56.31 <5 09/30/98 82,800 >100

26 02369000 Shoal River near Crestview 1938-2004 9/18/2004 14,200 59.40 >5 09/30/98 59,100 >10028 02370000 Blackwater River near Baker 1950-1992, 

1996-2004

9/17/2004 5,460 75.76 <5 09/29/98 26,500 >25

29 02370500 Big Coldwater Creek near Milton 1938-1979, 

1980-1991,1997-1999, 2000-2004

9/17/2004 17,100 24.85 <10 03/17/90 36,900 >25

30 02375500 Escambia River near Century 1934-2004 9/18/2004 41,500 47.19 <5 09/30/98 117,000 >50

31 02376115 Elevenmile Creek near Pensacola 1987-2004 9/16/2004 6,180 24.49 -- 09/28/98 12,800 --32 02376500 Perdido River at Barrineau Park 1941-2004 9/18/2004 11,100 42.53 -- 09/29/98 44,000 --

*Computed based on period-of-record peaks to water year 2004.

River Discharges and River Levels 15
Table 9. Relation of period-of-record September and October combined monthly mean discharge to combined mean discharge for 

September and October 2004, Big Bend.

Site 

number 

(fig. 1)

Station 

number Streamflow-gaging station

Period of 

record 

through 

2004

 Period of 

record 

combined 

monthly mean 

discharge 

(ft3/s)

2004 

combined 

monthly mean 

discharge 

(ft3/s)

Percent of 

average

2 02315500 Suwannee River at White Springs 1906-1908,

1927-2004

3,740 22,300 596

3 02319000 Withlacoochee River near Pinetta 1931-2004 1620 9,760 602

5 02319500 Suwannee River at Ellaville 1927-2004 10,300 38,200 371

8 02320500 Suwannee River at Branford 1931-2004 11,600 42,300 365

9 02321000 New River near Lake Butler 1950-1971,

1990-2004

514 2,180 424

10 02321500 Santa Fe River at Worthington Springs 1931-2004 1250 4,800 384

12 02322500 Santa Fe River near Fort White 1927-1930,

1932-2004

3,720 9,000 242

16 02324000 Steinhatchee River near Cross City 1950-2004 792 2,510 317

17 02324400 Fenholloway River near Foley 1955-2004 101 453 449

18 02326000 Econfina River near Perry 1950-2004 261 827 317

Table 10. Relation of period-of-record September and October combined monthly mean discharge to combined mean discharge 

for September and October 2004, western panhandle.

Site 

number 

(fig. 1)

Station 

number Streamflow-gaging station

Period of 

record 

through 

2004

 Period of 

record 

combined 

monthly mean 

discharge 

(ft3/s)

2004 

combined 

monthly mean 

discharge 

(ft3/s)

Percent of 

average

25 02368000 Yellow River at Milligan 1938-1993, 

1996-2004

1,580 3,780 239

26 02369000 Shoal River near Crestview 1938-2004 1,940 3,950 204

28 02370000 Blackwater River near Baker 1950-1992, 

1996-2004

530 1,140 215

29 02370500 Big Coldwater Creek near Milton 1938-1979, 

1980-1991, 

1997-1999, 

2000-2004

996 2,440 245

30 02375500 Escambia River near Century 1934-2004 6,320 18,300 290

31 02376115 Elevenmile Creek near Pensacola 1987-2004 210 348 166

32 02376500 Perdido River at Barrineau Park 1941-2004 1,280 2,530 198

16 Hydrologic Effects of the 2004 Hurricane Season in Northwest Florida
In the Suwannee River watershed, discharges averaged highest 

at the Withlacoochee River near Pinetta gage, and lowest at the 

Santa Fe River near Fort White gage (table 9).

Due to the impacts of Hurricane Ivan, combined monthly 

mean discharges for September and October 2004 in the 

western panhandle ranged from 166 to 290 percent of average 

in several watersheds, including the Yellow River, Blackwater 

River, Escambia River, Elevenmile Creek and Perdido River 

watersheds. The highest discharge occurred in the Escambia 

River watershed and the lowest in the Elevenmile Creek watershed (table 10).

Summary

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the 

hydrologic effects of the 2004 hurricane season in northwest 

Florida, including rainfall totals for each storm, discharge 

comparisons, flood statistics, and river level data. Four out 

of the five tropical storm systems (Tropical Storm Bonnie 

and Hurricanes Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne) to make landfall in 

Florida resulted in abundant amounts of rainfall, storm surge, 

and flooding in the panhandle. The accumulated rainfall from 

Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne in 

the Suwannee and Waccasassa River watersheds ranged from 

15 to 18 inches. The western panhandle averaged 8 to 9 in. of 

rainfall associated with Hurricane Ivan. 

The second highest discharge measurement at 

Waccasassa River near Gulf Hammock was made by USGS 

personnel, which helped refine the rating at that level. After 

statistical analyses were completed, it was determined that 

the flood at that location was a greater than 25-year recurrence interval. Overall, flooding in the Suwannee River 

watershed during the 2004 hurricane season consisted of 

less than 25-year recurrence intervals, which is considered 

relatively minor when compared to the much larger flood of 

1948 (greater than 100-year recurrence intervals). Likewise, 

the flooding in the western panhandle is considered relatively 

minor (less than 10-year recurrence intervals) when compared 

to the flood of September 1998 (greater than 25-year to greater 

than 100-year recurrence intervals).

References Cited

Bridges, W.C., and Franklin, M.A., 1991 Florida floods and 

droughts, in National Water Summary 1988-89—Floods 

and droughts: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 

2375, p. 231-238.

Insurance Journal, 2004, At $22 Billion, Insured Losses from 

Four Florida Hurricanes Will Exceed Andrew’s Record: 

accessed May 19, 2005, at http://www.insurancejournal.

com/news/national/2004/10/01/46438.htm.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, [undated], 

Land Cover Analysis, Glossary of Land Cover Analysis 

Terms: accessed June 29, 2005, at http://www.csc.noaa.

gov/crs/lca/gloss.html.

National Weather Service, 2004a, Tropical Cyclone Report: 

accessed May 12, 2005, at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

2004bonnie.shtml.

National Weather Service, 2004b, Tropical Cyclone Report: 

accessed May 12, 2005, at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

2004charley.shtml.

National Weather Service, 2004c, Tropical Cyclone Report: 

accessed May 12, 2005, at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

2004frances.shtml.

National Weather Service, 2004d, Tropical Cyclone Report: 

accessed May 12, 2005, at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

2004ivan.shtml.

National Weather Service, 2004e, Tropical Cyclone Report: 

accessed May 12, 2005, at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

2004jeanne.shtml.

St. Petersburg Times, 2005, Get Ready: Hurricane season 

begins June 1, yet a new poll shows that an alarming 

number of Floridians are woefully unprepared: accessed 

May 13, 2005, at http://www.sptimes.com/2005/05/13/

Opinion/Get_ready.shtml.

U.S. Geological Survey, 2004, Water Resources Data, Florida, 

Water Year 2004, Volume 4. Northwest Florida Water: U.S. 

Geological Survey Water-Data Report FL-04-4.

References Cited 17
Photograph of County Road 232 in Gilchrist County, Florida near State Road 47 (September 18, 2004) after Hurricane Frances. 

Incidentally this area/road was still flooded (but passable) in February 2005! Image courtesy of Bob Kerns of the National Weather 

Service.

18 Hydrologic Effects of the 2004 Hurricane Season in Northwest Florida