Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms affected the region to start the year. Two day rainfall totals in excess of 8 inches were common across portions of the Florida panhandle with several roads flooded. Severe weather, including tornadoes and significant straight line wind damage, also occurred across the tri-state area with most of it in southeast Alabama and southwest Georgia. Albany was particularly hard hit with significant wind damage. There were a total of 5 fatalities across the tri-state area from straight line winds.  There was also 1 fatality in Florida due to river flooding.

Thunderstorm Wind in HOUSTON, ALABAMA
From 02-JAN-17 19:37:00 to 02-JAN-17 19:46:00 (CST-6)
Location: MERRITTS CROSSROADS
Magnitude: 74.00 EG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An NWS Survey Team determined that some damage in the Rehobeth area was caused by strong straight line winds on the southern flank of a tornado just to the north. Damage consisted of numerous large trees snapped or uprooted. One mobile home was split by a large tree, resulting in four fatalities. The damage pattern along this path was not convergent and was noticeably south of the path of the tornado vortex.  Damage cost was estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind in GENEVA, ALABAMA
From 02-JAN-17 19:35:00 to 02-JAN-17 19:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: MALVERN
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The back porch awning of a house was damaged in Malvern.

Thunderstorm Wind in GENEVA, ALABAMA
From 02-JAN-17 19:02:00 to 02-JAN-17 19:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: SAMSON
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Trees were blown down in the Samson area.

Tornado in HOUSTON, ALABAMA
From 02-JAN-17 19:46:00 to 02-JAN-17 19:51:00 (CST-6)
Location: ARDILLA
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An EF1 tornado with max winds near 100 mph touched down along E. Cottonwood Road SE of Dothan, AL. The tornado traveled east for approx. 2.5 miles along McCallister Road before lifting near Rosewood Dr. One home had its roof removed. Others had significant shingle damage which supported the EF1 rating.  Damage cost was estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind in GENEVA, ALABAMA
From 02-JAN-17 19:10:00 to 02-JAN-17 19:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: GENEVA
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Trees were blown down in the Geneva area.

Thunderstorm Wind in GENEVA, ALABAMA
From 02-JAN-17 19:35:00 to 02-JAN-17 19:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: MALVERN
Magnitude: 74.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An NWS Survey Team determined that some damage in the Rehobeth area was caused by strong straight line winds on the southern flank of a tornado just to the north. Damage consisted of numerous large trees snapped or uprooted. One mobile home was split by a large tree, resulting in four fatalities in Houston county. The damage pattern along this path was not convergent and was noticeably south of the path of the tornado vortex.  This damage extended from far eastern Geneva county into Houston county.

Thunderstorm Wind in GENEVA, ALABAMA
From 02-JAN-17 18:57:00 to 02-JAN-17 18:57:00 (CST-6)
Location: GANER
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Power lines were blown down in the western part of Geneva county.

Tornado in HOUSTON, ALABAMA
From 02-JAN-17 19:37:00 to 02-JAN-17 19:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: TAYLOR
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado touched down in Geneva County near the Houston County border along Rehobeth Road before lifting after crossing US 231 just east of the National Peanut Festival Grounds in Houston county. In Geneva County, the tornado debarked and denuded several large trees and removed the roof from a home under construction. In addition, numerous trees were snapped or uprooted. In Houston County, the most significant damage occurred at the National Peanut Festival grounds. Multiple buildings were damaged or destroyed and several utility poles were snapped. This tornado was rated EF1 in Geneva county and EF2 in Houston county. Max winds in Houston county were estimated at 115 mph. Damage cost was estimated.

Flood in GENEVA, ALABAMA
From 01-JAN-17 20:45:00 to 03-JAN-17 20:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: BLACK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Settlement Road was closed due to flooding at the wooden bridge.  A local creek intersects this area and likely overflowed due to a long duration of moderate to heavy rainfall.

Flood in GENEVA, ALABAMA
From 01-JAN-17 20:45:00 to 03-JAN-17 20:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: SLOCOMB
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Whiteoak road at the bridge was closed due to flooding.  A local creek intersects this area and likely overflowed due to a long duration of moderate to heavy rainfall.

Flood in GENEVA, ALABAMA
From 01-JAN-17 20:45:00 to 03-JAN-17 20:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: BLACK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

The intersection of South County Road 61 and County Road 6 was flooded and closed.  A local creek intersects this area and likely overflowed due to a long duration of moderate to heavy rainfall.

Flood in GENEVA, ALABAMA
From 01-JAN-17 20:45:00 to 03-JAN-17 20:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: SLOCOMB
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Mitchell Road at County Road 16 was closed due to flooding from a long duration of moderate to heavy rainfall.

Tornado in GENEVA, ALABAMA
From 02-JAN-17 19:35:00 to 02-JAN-17 19:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: MALVERN
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado touched down in Geneva County near the Houston County border along Rehobeth Road before lifting after crossing US 231 just east of the National Peanut Festival Grounds in Houston county. In Geneva County, the tornado debarked and denuded several large trees and removed the roof from a home under construction. In addition, numerous trees were snapped or uprooted. In Houston County, the most significant damage occurred at the National Peanut Festival grounds. Multiple buildings were damaged or destroyed and several utility poles were snapped.  This tornado was rated EF1 in Geneva county and EF2 in Houston county.  Max winds in Houston county were estimated at 115 mph.  Damage cost was estimated.

Flash Flood in HOUSTON, ALABAMA
From 02-JAN-17 20:30:00 to 02-JAN-17 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: REHOBETH
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Helms Road was flooded and impassible during a period of very heavy rainfall rates.

Thunderstorm Wind in GENEVA, ALABAMA
From 02-JAN-17 19:13:00 to 02-JAN-17 19:13:00 (CST-6)
Location: COFFEE SPRINGS
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Trees were blown down in the Coffee Springs area.

Thunderstorm Wind in GENEVA, ALABAMA
From 02-JAN-17 19:17:00 to 02-JAN-17 19:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: BLACK
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Trees were blown down in the Black area.

Thunderstorm Wind in GENEVA, ALABAMA
From 02-JAN-17 19:30:00 to 02-JAN-17 19:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: SLOCOMB
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Trees were blown down in the Slocomb area.