Storm updates: Tallahassee outages drop below 10K; tornado threat could return this weekend

Utility repair crews worked in the rain and thunder Monday to restore power power following Friday's historic tornado outbreak, which left the electric grid and neighborhoods in ruins in Tallahassee and claimed the life of a 47-year-old woman who was killed when a tree fell on her home.

The city of Tallahassee, which reached 92% restoration Sunday night, saw power outages creep up during Monday's storms. Though no severe weather was reported in Tallahassee, the city got another 3-4 inches of rain, and there were reports of trees down in Calhoun and Madison counties.

Leon County said Monday that preliminary estimates show 55 homes were destroyed by the severe storms and nearly 640 damaged, roughly half with major damage. Another 88 homes were affected in some way.

Here's the latest:

More storms and another tornado threat possible this weekend in Tallahassee

Another storm system could roll through the area this weekend as recovery efforts in Tallahassee remain underway following Friday's tornado outbreak.

An upper-level trough is forecast to approach the area on Friday, the National Weather Service in Tallahassee said in forecast discussion Tuesday.

"The environmental conditions would suggest that some storms may be strong to severe with gusty winds being the main concern, a tornado or two and hail," forecasters said.

The Weather Service noted that heavy rain will be a concern through Saturday. The Weather Prediction Center assigned a slight risk (2 out of 4) for excessive rainfall for portions of the Florida Panhandle and a marginal risk (1 of 4) for areas to the east, including the southeast Big Bend for Friday. The entire area has a marginal risk on Saturday.

"Light showers and thunderstorms, lingering behind from Friday-Saturday will be possible on Sunday ahead of the next front clearing things out by Monday," the Weather Service said.

Tallahassee power outages continue to drop after storms clear area

The number of city electric customers in the dark dropped to 9,434 as of noon Tuesday, according to the Florida Public Service Commission. That's down about 500 customers from earlier in the morning, bringing restoration efforts to 93%.

"City crews, with support from 27 mutual aid utilities, continue rebuilding the electric grid," the city stated in a text message to customers. "Progress continues, and it's expected that rebuilding efforts in the most impacted areas will last through Friday, followed by work on individual and isolated outages to buildings that were damaged.

They signaled that weather could further complicate the restoration.

"Work is ongoing with additional storms expected this afternoon and clearing tomorrow morning."

Officials have said work will continue rain or shine, day and night, as long as it's safe.

City of Tallahassee power outages fluctuate before dropping below 10K

The number of city customers without power rose throughout the day Monday but dropped off again Monday night, according to state figures.

At 6 a.m. Monday, the city had 9,574 customers, or 8%, without electricity while Talquin Electric Cooperative had 1,136 outages. Talquin reached full restoration by 9 a.m. But city outages jumped to 12,311 or 10% by 3 p.m. and 15,150 or 12% by 6 p.m.

City outages dropped 10 10,071 or 8% by 9 p.m. but were up again by 6 a.m. Tuesday morning to 10,834 or 9%. As of 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, city outages were down to 9,994.

The city said Monday afternoon that the latest round of storms could impact repair efforts.

"The city's electric crews are continuing restoration work," the city said in a text message to customers. "If conditions become unsafe, crews will take shelter until it is safe to resume work."

Three tornadoes and 100-mph straight-line winds knocked out power Friday morning to more than 80,000 city and Talquin Electric customers, prompting an around-the-clock restoration effort that saw an influx of more than 400 outside utility personnel.

Contact Jeff Burlew at jburlew@tallahassee.com or 850-599-2180.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Live updates: Tallahassee power under 10K; weekend storm threat possible