Less than 24 hours after a powerful thunderstorm killed two people, knocked out power to thousands and left a trail of damage across northeast Tallahassee, forecasters are warning that another round of potentially severe weather could develop Saturday afternoon and evening.
The National Weather Service in Tallahassee has placed Leon County and much of the Florida Big Bend under a Level 1 of 5 “marginal risk” for severe storms on Saturday.
According to the forecast, the greatest threats are damaging wind gusts exceeding 60 mph, locally heavy rainfall and frequent lightning. The storm risk extends across the Florida Big Bend, inland Florida Panhandle, southwest Georgia and southeast Alabama.
The threat arrives as residents pick up limbs strewn about yards after Friday’s sudden pop-up severe weather, which created a scene more akin to a near miss with a hurricane than a summer storm. The powerful downburst brought down trees and power lines throughout northeast Tallahassee.
Severe storm leaves two dead after tree falls on moving vehicle
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The Tallahassee Police Department and a tree removal company work the scene where a large tree fell on a vehicle, killing the two occupants during a severe storm Friday, July 10, 2026. The incident occurred in the Foxcroft neighborhood.
(Alicia Devine/Tallahassee Democrat)
The most tragic consequence came in the Foxcroft neighborhood, where a large tree fell onto a moving vehicle on Barclay Lane during the storm. Tallahassee Police said both occupants were pronounced dead at the scene. Preliminary investigators determined the tree fell across the roadway because of the severe weather.
Friday’s storm also caused widespread power outages. At one point, Tallahassee Utilities reported about 5,500 customers without service, mostly on the city’s east and northeast sides, while crews worked to repair damaged equipment and broken utility poles.
National Weather Service meteorologist Kristian Oliver described Friday’s event as a downburst — a powerful rush of wind descending from a thunderstorm to the ground. The weather service issued a severe storm warning about ten minutes before the tragedy that winds could reach 60 mph.
While Saturday’s forecast does not indicate another widespread severe weather outbreak, forecasters say even isolated severe thunderstorms can produce dangerous conditions, particularly in areas where weakened trees or limbs remain from Friday’s storm.
Another round of showers and storms are forecast today. Damaging winds are the primary concern along with locally heavy rain and frequent lightning. Some hail is also possible in the strongest of storms. Main window for the storms is Noon to 8 PM.
Residents are urged to monitor forecasts throughout the day and have multiple ways to receive weather warnings. The greatest risk period is expected from the afternoon into the evening hours.
Officials also recommend avoiding travel during storms, staying away from downed power lines and seeking shelter immediately if a severe thunderstorm warning is issued.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: New storm risk looms after deadly Tallahassee weather