During early March 1998, heavy rains dumped up to 14 inches across southern Alabama, Georgia, and North Florida. Twenty-seven of the 29 forecast points in the Tallahassee Hydrological Service Area (HSA) reached flood stage during the month of March 1998. Many of the rivers reached crests that were 10 to 15 feet above flood stage. Extreme southeast Alabama was hit especially hard. An earthen levee on the Beaver Dam Creek breached causing a six-foot wall of water to rush into the town of Elba, Alabama. Two thousand residents were forced to evacuate. A man and child drowned in a vehicle caught in the onrushing waters. Five counties in extreme southeast Alabama were declared Federal disaster areas.
In Georgia, a state of emergency was declared in 72 counties. A baby was swept away and drowned in a swollen river when the mother lost control of her car. Flood waters claimed the life of an Irwinville, Georgia man whose vehicle overturned. Flooding was sustained all along the Flint River in southwestern Georgia. At Albany, Georgia, nearly 11,000 residents were evacuated. An estimated 500 homes were damaged. The Flint River crested at 36.92 feet at Albany (3rd highest on record) on March 11th.
In Florida, 6 counties were declared federal disaster areas. Flooding was reported from the Choctawhachee River in the Panhandle to the Suwannee River in the Big Bend. Reported river crests were ranked between the third and fourth highest on record. In the Florida portion of the Tallahassee HSA alone, more than 1,500 homes suffered flood damage.
Data from raingages, river gages, and WSR-88D Doppler radar are utilized to examine the full scope and extent of the event as heavy rains spread across the southeast United States during 7-9 March, prompting the subsequent increase in river levels. An investigation into the overall quality of forecast model simulations is also undertaken.
Finally, the response of the Tallahassee National Weather Service office to this dangerous situation is examined with respect to both intra-office coordination and inter-office (River Forecast Center and Emergency Manager Directors) coordination. The importance of hydrometeorological watch is discussed, including the routine monitoring and quality control of rain and river gage information. Procedures are discussed for the identification of problems, coordination with outside agencies, and most importantly, issuing warnings and statements in a timely manner. Were these lessons remembered, lessons learned, or was it a wake-up call for future
events?