Hurricane Sally
September 15-16, 2020

Hurricane Sally made landfall in Gulf Shores, AL at 5am on Wednesday, September 16th as a strong Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph. Sally produced widespread wind, storm surge, and freshwater flooding across coastal AL and the western Florida Panhandle. Flood and wind damage also extended well inland into inland southwest Alabama and south central Alabama. Sally was an extremely slow moving hurricane, which prolonged and exacerbated the local impacts. The storm was moving at less than 5 mph at the time of landfall, resulting in a long duration of tropical storm and hurricane force winds, storm surge, and torrential rainfall.

There were 3 direct fatalities as a result of Sally. One fatality occurred in the Wolf Bay area (Baldwin County AL.) Two men were riding the storm out on their boat and at some point during the storm attempted to swim to shore. One of the men made it to a pier and was rescued and hospitalised; the other man drowned. The second fatality occurred on Innerarity Point, FL (Escambia County FL) where a 45 year old woman drowned when the vehicle she was driving was overtaken by the incoming storm surge. The third fatality occurred in Perdido Key, FL (Escambia County FL) when a 27 year old man drowned trying to retrieve a boat that was swept away by the surge and high surf.

There were also 3 indirect fatalities. One was due to storm cleanup in the Foley, AL area with two others (one in both Baldwin County and Escambia County FL) due to carbon monoxide poisoning from improper generator use.
 

Summary of all Local Storm Reports (LSRs) across the area during Hurricane Sally and LSRs across the region during Sally.

Hurricane Sally made landfall in Gulf Shores, AL and significant impacts were felt across the entire region (although the majority of the impacts remained across southern Alabama and northwest Florida). Below are some of the local impacts...

Jump to - Rainfall, Wind, Storm Surge, Tornado, Post-Tropical Cyclone Report, or Additional Information sections.

RAINFALL

The very slow movement of Sally resulted in rainfall totals of 15 to 30 inches across Baldwin County into the western Florida Panhandle. 7 to 15 inches of rain fell across parts of inland southwest Alabama, along and east of Interstate 65, and south central Alabama. This torrential rain resulted in major river and flash flooding, especially in Baldwin County eastward into the Florida Panhandle. Thousands of water rescues were conducted during the storm due to rapidly rising water and many homes were flooded. Road closures were extensive, especially in Baldwin County east into the western Florida Panhandle and some roads were damaged or washed out. Several rivers reached moderate to major flood stage and some crested within the top 5 of their historical crests.
 

A list of rainfall totals across the area can be found on our dedicated rainfall webpage for Sally.

Rainfall Map for much of the Southeastern US.

WIND

Wind damage was extensive across the region, especially in areas that experienced the eyewall of Sally over a several hour duration. Wind damage was most extensive from southeast Mobile County eastward across Baldwin County AL into Escambia County FL. These locations experienced prolonged hurricane conditions with wind gusts over 100 mph, especially close to the immediate coast. Many homes across the area suffered roof damage from the winds and an untold number of homes were damaged by fallen trees. The tree damage was most extensive in Baldwin County, but also significant in parts of Mobile and Escambia Counties which experienced hurricane conditions. The pecan farms of Baldwin County took a major hit with well over a thousand pecan trees downed throughout the county.

Timber loss was extensive. The Alabama Forestry Commission estimates that 2,440 forested acres were damaged with 79,175 tons of timber destroyed at a value of $1,564,160. Most of this occurred in Baldwin County.

The comprehensive list of land and marine wind gusts (converted to mph) can be found at this link.

STORM SURGE

Storm surge and resultant damage was widespread and significant from Baldwin County eastward to Okaloosa County. The highest surge occurred in the bays and sounds of Alabama and the western Florida Panhandle, with generally lower values and lesser impacts on the immediate Gulf facing shores. A peak inundation of 7 to 9 feet above ground level was officially surveyed across some locations in the back bays and sounds of southeast Baldwin County, as well as the northern end of Escambia and Blackwater Bays. A larger area was impacted by 3 to 6 feet of inundation, including along the immediate Gulf facing shores. It should be noted that the extremely heavy rainfall exacerbated the total water levels, although it is difficult to determine the exact extent. Regardless, thousands of structures along coastal areas were flooded by the combination surge and torrential rainfall.

*Note: Inundation at the Pensacola gauge was the 3rd highest storm surge on record for that location.
The only higher water levels were: 9.54 ft MHHW during 2004 Hurricane Ivan and 7.42 ft MHHW during the 1926 Miami Hurricane.

TORNADO/WATERSPOUT

There were no documented tornadoes associated with Sally. 

Post Tropical Cyclone Report

POST TROPICAL CYCLONE REPORT...HURRICANE SALLY...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
124 PM CDT SAT OCT 10 2020


NOTE: THE DATA SHOWN HERE ARE PRELIMINARY....AND SUBJECT TO UPDATES
AND CORRECTIONS AS APPROPRIATE.

THIS REPORT INCLUDES EVENTS OCCURRING WHEN WATCHES AND/OR WARNINGS
WERE IN EFFECT...OR WHEN SIGNIFICANT FLOODING ASSOCIATED WITH SALLY
OR ITS REMNANTS WAS AFFECTING THE AREA.

COUNTIES INCLUDED...BALDWIN...BUTLER...CHOCTAW...CLARKE...CONECUH...
COVINGTON...CRENSHAW...ESCAMBIA AL...ESCAMBIA FL...GEORGE...
GREENE...MOBILE...MONROE...OKALOOSA...PERRY...SANTA ROSA...STONE...
WASHINGTON...WAYNE...WILCOX

OCT 2...UPDATED FOR...WIND OBSERVATIONS...RAINFALL TOTALS...SURGE
INFORMATION...AND COUNTY IMPACTS.

OCT 10...UPDATED FOR...ADDED RAINFALL TOTALS FOR THE USA CHILI
MESONET SITES IN FOLEY AND ELBERTA.


A. LOWEST SEA LEVEL PRESSURE/MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS AND PEAK GUSTS
---------------------------------------------------------------------
METAR OBSERVATIONS...
NOTE: ANEMOMETER HEIGHT IS 10 METERS AND WIND AVERAGING IS 2 MINUTES
---------------------------------------------------------------------
LOCATION  ID    MIN    DATE/     MAX      DATE/     PEAK    DATE/
LAT  LON        PRES   TIME      SUST     TIME      GUST    TIME
DEG DECIMAL     (MB)   (UTC)     (KT)     (UTC)     (KT)    (UTC)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
KMOB-MOBILE/BATES FIELD AL
30.68 -88.25  994.8   16/1156   010/040  16/1026   010/071 16/1135

KBFM-MOBILE DOWNTOWN AL
30.64 -88.07  990.6   16/1053   360/041  16/0935   010/065 16/1108

KNPA-NAS PENSACOLA, PENSACOLA FL
30.35 -87.32  984.4   16/1056   160/064  16/1119   160/080 16/1119

KNSE-WHITING FLD-N NAS, MILTON FL
30.72 -87.02  990.4   16/1656   170/039  16/1656   140/057 16/1504

KCEW-CRESTVIEW FL
30.79 -86.52  1002.1  16/1453   090/021  16/0746   070/036 16/0741

KHRT-HURLBURT FIELD FL
30.43 -86.68  999.1   16/1556   190/039  16/1456   160/057 16/1335

KVPS-EGLIN AFB/VALPAR FL
30.48 -86.53  999.9   16/1952   210/028  16/1809   210/049 16/1809

KDTS-DESTIN/FT WALTON BEACH ARPT FL
30.40 -86.47  1000.4  16/1953   090/023  16/0353   110/040 16/0333

K79J-ANDALUSIA/OPP AP AL
31.32 -86.41  996.5   16/2156   080/030  16/1456   080/046 16/1456

K0J4-FLORALA MUNICIPAL AL
31.04 -86.31  997.6   16/2158   080/021  16/1211   170/040 16/2107

KGZH-EVERGREEN AL
31.42 -87.04  1003.2  16/1353   050/022  16/1412   070/039 16/1350

KPRN-MACCRENSHAW MEM AP, GREENVILLE AL
31.85 -86.61  994.5   16/2157   060/024  16/2013   060/049 16/1742

KEGI-DUKE FLD/EGLIN AFB FL
30.65 -86.52  1007.7  16/0010   080/019  16/0101   080/034 16/0136

REMARKS:


NON-METAR OBSERVATIONS...
NOTE: ANEMOMETER HEIGHT IN METERS AND WIND AVERAGING PERIOD IN
MINUTES INDICATED UNDER MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WIND IF KNOWN
---------------------------------------------------------------------
LOCATION  ID    MIN    DATE/     MAX      DATE/     PEAK    DATE/
LAT  LON        PRES   TIME      SUST     TIME      GUST    TIME
DEG DECIMAL     (MB)   (UTC)     (KT)     (UTC)     (KT)    (UTC)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
XGLF-GULF SHORES/FOLEY (WEATHERFLOW) AL
30.36 -87.65  966     16/0910   040/065  16/0844   040/081 16/0843
                                  10.4

FCMP-FCMP T5 - GULF SHORES (WEATHERFLOW) AL
30.29 -87.68                    000/066  16/0752   080/080 16/0753
                                    10

XGBZ-GULF BREEZE (WEATHERFLOW) FL
30.36 -87.16  988     16/1239   200/046  16/1354   180/066 16/1110
                                    15

XCBS-CRYSTAL BEACH (WEATHERFLOW) FL
30.39 -87.41  998     16/2131   200/032  16/1704   120/044 16/0843
                                  13.7

XBUC-BUCCANEER YACHT CLUB (WEATHERFLOW) AL
30.58 -88.07  987     16/0956   030/045  16/0234   350/054 16/0941
                                  10.4

ELBERTA (USA CHILI) AL
30.41 -87.60                  I 999/999          I 070/086 16/0914
                                     7

CITY OF ORANGE BEACH - DAVIS WX STATION AL
30.27 -87.59                  I 999/073          I 999/090         I

DOW8 - PERDIDO PASS AL
30.28 -87.55                    999/081  16/0750   999/103 16/0750
                                    11

REMARKS: DOW8 MOBILE DOPPLER RESEARCH RADAR WAS POSITIONED ON THE
EAST SIDE OF PERDIDO PASS AND WAS EQUIPPED WITH AN ANEMOMETER. THE
103 KT (118MPH) GUST REPORTED ABOVE WAS THE MAX 3 SECOND GUST. THE
ANEMOMETER ALSO MEASURED A 1 SECOND GUST OF 107 KT (123 MPH.) THE
ANEMOMETER HEIGHT RANGED FROM 9-13 METERS (30-43 FEET.) THE CITY OF
ORANGE BEACH DAVIS WEATHER STATION STOPPED REPORTING JUST AS THE
EYEWALL WAS MOVING ASHORE.


B. MARINE OBSERVATIONS...
NOTE: ANEMOMETER HEIGHT IN METERS AND WIND AVERAGING PERIOD IN
MINUTES INDICATED UNDER MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WIND IF KNOWN
---------------------------------------------------------------------
LOCATION  ID    MIN    DATE/     MAX      DATE/     PEAK    DATE/
LAT  LON        PRES   TIME      SUST     TIME      GUST    TIME
DEG DECIMAL     (MB)   (UTC)     (KT)     (UTC)     (KT)    (UTC)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
XFPL-FAIR POINT LIGHT (PENSACOLA BAY)
30.37 -87.21                  I 130/053  16/1131   130/071 16/1136
                                   4.6

XOFP-OKALOOSA ISLAND FISHING PIER
30.39 -86.59                  I 120/050  16/0815   120/061 16/0815
                                  13.7

XFWB-FT. WALTON BEACH (W CHOCTAWHATCHEE BAY)
30.40 -86.56                  I 160/046  16/0813   160/056 16/0813
                                   7.3

NOAA COOPS 8735180 - DAUPHIN ISLAND
30.25 -88.07  980.5   16/0942   080/076  16/0812   330/090 16/1006
                                     7

42012-ORANGE BEACH, AL BUOY
30.07 -87.56  970.5   16/0830   999/070  16/0449   999/095 16/0510
                                     4

DPIA1-DAUPHIN ISLAND, AL/V
30.25 -88.07  981.3   16/1000   360/070  16/0810   360/086 16/0819
                                    14

MBLA1-MIDDLE BAY LIGHT, AL
30.44 -88.01  979     16/1026   330/073  16/0930   330/081 16/1056
                                  14.2

REMARKS:


C. STORM TOTAL RAINFALL FROM 1200 UTC SEP 14 UNTIL 1200 UTC SEP 17
---------------------------------------------------------------------
CITY/TOWN                    COUNTY               ID         RAINFALL
LAT LON                                                       (IN)
DEG DECIMAL
---------------------------------------------------------------------
ORANGE BEACH                 BALDWIN             PUBLIC       29.99
30.27  -87.59

2 E FORT MORGAN              BALDWIN             PUBLIC       29.30
30.23  -87.99

4 W NAS PENSACOLA            BALDWIN             SPOTTER      24.88
30.33  -87.39

2 NE PENSACOLA               ESCAMBIA                         22.25
30.47  -87.17

FOLEY                        BALDWIN             USA CHILI    21.04
30.37  -87.65

ELBERTA                      BALDWIN             USA CHILI    20.99
30.41  -87.58

NAVARRE                      SANTA ROSA          PUBLIC       19.95
30.41  -86.91

19 WSW PENSACOLA             BALDWIN             FL-ES-24     19.86
30.31  -87.47

GULF BREEZE                  SANTA ROSA          PUBLIC       18.97
30.36  -87.16

2 N POLLARD                  ESCAMBIA            AL-ES-1      18.83
31.06  -87.17

3 ENE BREWTON                ESCAMBIA            COOP         17.44
31.11  -87.02

1 E MARY ESTHER              OKALOOSA            FL-OK-29     17.33
30.41  -86.65

3 WNW SUMMERDALE             BALDWIN             AL-BW-85     15.92
30.50  -87.74

4 SE NICEVILLE               OKALOOSA            FL-OK-1      15.47
30.49  -86.44

7 SW FOLEY                   BALDWIN             AL-BW-8      15.34
30.34  -87.78

PACE                         SANTA ROSA          PUBLIC       15.07
30.60  -87.16

6 NE EGLIN AFB               OKALOOSA            FL-OK-2      14.97
30.52  -86.49

2 ESE FT. WALTON BEACH       OKALOOSA            FL-OK-43     14.40
30.42  -86.59

1 NW DESTIN                  OKALOOSA            FL-K-33      14.23
30.40  -86.49

0 SW RED LEVEL               COVINGTON           AL-CV-13     13.55
31.40  -86.61

3 NW MILTON                  ESCAMBIA            FL-SR-26     13.05
30.66  -87.08

2 WSW FAIRHOPE               BALDWIN             AL-BW-40     12.44
30.51  -87.91

CRESTVIEW                    OKALOOSA            KCEW         11.52
30.78  -86.52

ANDALUSIA-OPP AIRPORT        COVINGTON           K79J         11.31
31.31  -86.39

FLORALA                      COVINGTON           K0J4         10.34
31.05  -86.31

DAUPHIN ISLAND               MOBILE              DAUA1         9.66
30.25  -88.07

6 WSW CASTLEBERRY            CONECUH             AL-CC-1       9.31
31.27  -87.12

6 S REPTON                   CONECUH             AL-CC-2       7.89
31.33  -87.24

10 NW GEORGIANA              BUTLER              AL-BT-2       7.37
31.72  -86.88

9 WNW TILLMANS CORNER        MOBILE              AL-MB-63      5.59
30.61  -88.33

1 NNE CAMDEN                 WILCOX              AL-WX-2       4.65
32.02  -87.29

8 W URIAH                    MONROE              AL-MN-3       4.54
31.29  -87.64

MOBILE REGIONAL AIRPORT      MOBILE              KMOB          3.56
30.69  -88.25

5 SSW THOMASVILLE            CLARKE              AL-CK-10      2.92
31.84  -87.77



D. INLAND FLOODING...
---------------------------------------------------------------------
BALDWIN...THE FISH RIVER AND STYX RIVER REACHED MAJOR FLOOD STAGE.
FLOODING WAS WIDESPREAD, ESPECIALLY ACROSS SOUTHERN BALDWIN COUNTY
WHERE 20-30" OF RAIN FELL. NUMEROUS WATER RESCUES WERE CONDUCTED
DURING THE EVENT. THE FLOODING WAS EXACERBATED BY THE STORM SURGE AS
ALL OF THE RAIN THAT FELL HAD NOWHERE TO DRAIN.

ESCAMBIA FL...FLOODING WAS WIDESPREAD, ESPECIALLY ACROSS THE
SOUTHERN HALF OF ESCAMBIA COUNTY WHERE THERE WAS 20-30" OF RAIN. THE
FLOODING WAS COMPOUNDED BY THE STORM SURGE. DOWNTOWN PENSACOLA HAD
SIGNIFICANT FRESHWATER FLOODING AND RESULTED IN 2 TO 4 FEET OF WATER
IN DOWNTOWN, EVEN WHERE THE STORM SURGE DID NOT REACH. THERE WERE
HUNDREDS OF WATER RESCUES DURING THE STORM.

SANTA ROSA...FLOODING WAS WIDESPREAD ESPECIALLY ACROSS CENTRAL AND
SOUTHERN SANTA ROSA COUNTY. 20" OF RAIN WAS REPORTED ALONG THE COAST
AND LOCALIZED TOTALS COULD HAVE BEEN HIGHER. THE FRESHWATER FLOODING
WAS COMPOUNDED BY THE STORM SURGE, ESPECIALLY ALONG THE BLACKWATER
RIVER AND YELLOW RIVER.

OKALOOSA...THE SHOAL RIVER AND BLACKWATER RIVER REACHED MAJOR FLOOD
STAGE DURING THE EVENT. THE I-10 BRIDGE OVER THE SHOAL RIVER WAS
CLOSED FOR A TIME. FLOODING WAS WIDESPREAD AS 10-20" OF RAIN WAS
REPORTED ACROSS THE COUNTY AND LOCALIZED TOTALS OVER 20" COULD HAVE
OCCURRED. THE FRESHWATER FLOODING PRODUCED BY THE HEAVY RAIN WAS
COMPOUNDED ALONG COASTAL AREAS BY THE STORM SURGE.

ESCAMBIA AL...PARTS OF BREWTON EXPERIENCED FLOODING DUE TO THE
MURDER CREEK WHICH REACH MODERATE FLOOD STAGE DURING THE EVENT.
10-20" OF RAIN OCCURRED ACROSS THE COUNTY WHICH RESULTED IN FLASH
FLOODING. 10 COUNTY ROADS BECAME IMPASSABLE DURING THE STORM. SOME
OF THE ROADS AND A COUPLE OF BRIDGES SUFFERED WASHOUTS.

CRENSHAW...SIGNIFICANT FLOODING OCCURRED, ESPECIALLY IN SOUTHERN
CRENSHAW COUNTY. OVER 10" OF RAIN FELL AS A RESULT OF THE STORM.
THERE WAS ONE SWIFT WATER RESCUE IN THE DRY CREEK AREA ON HIGHWAY
331 JUST NORTH OF BRANTLEY. SEVERAL ROADS WERE FLOODED WITH SOME
DAMAGED.

COVINGTON...10-15" OF RAIN FELL ACROSS COVINGTON COUNTY. NUMEROUS
ROADS WERE FLOODED AND SOME ROADS EXPERIENCED WASH OUTS FROM THE
FLASH FLOODING.

BUTLER...A FEW ROADS WERE FLOODED FROM HEAVY RAIN.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

E. MAXIMUM OBSERVED WATER LEVEL (WL)...
---------------------------------------------------------------------
ID     CITY/TOWN       COUNTY     STATE  WL  DATUM  DATE/   SOURCE
       OR LOCATION                      (FT)        TIME
---------------------------------------------------------------------
DILA1  DAUPHIN ISLAND  MOBILE       AL  3.10 MHHW   15/1536 NOS
30.2500  -88.0750

BLBA1  BAYOU LA BATRE  MOBILE       AL  2.38 MHHW   15/1630 NOS
30.4057  -88.2477

WFRA1  W FOWL RIVER BR MOBILE       AL  1.83 MHHW   15/1648 NOS
30.3766  -88.1586

EFRA1  E FOWL RIVER BR MOBILE       AL  2.34 MHHW   15/1918 NOS
30.4437  -88.1139

BYSA1  DOG RIVER BRIDG MOBILE       AL  1.99 MHHW   15/1748 NOS
30.5652  -88.0880

MCGA1  USCG SECTOR MOB MOBILE       AL  1.95 MHHW   15/1654 NOS
30.6483  -88.0583

OBLA1  MOBILE STATE DO MOBILE       AL  1.60 MHHW   15/1712 NOS
30.7083  -88.0433

CIKA1  CHICKASAW CREEK MOBILE       AL  1.35 MHHW   15/1748 NOS
30.7819  -88.0736

WBYA1  WEEKS BAY       BALDWIN      AL  2.19 MHHW   16/1536 NOS
30.4169  -87.8254

PCLF1  PENSACOLA BAY   ESCAMBIA     FL  5.60 MHHW   16/1154 NOS
30.4044  -87.2112

FLOKA  EAST PASS DESTI OKALOOSA     FL  4.81 NAVD88 16/1210 USGS
30.3948  -86.5156

REMARKS: THE 5.60 FT MHHW WATER LEVEL PRODUCED BY HURRICANE SALLY AT
PENSACOLA IS PRELIMINARILY THE 3RD HIGHEST WATER LEVEL ON RECORD FOR
THAT LOCATION. THE ONLY HIGHER WATERS LEVELS WERE: 9.54 FT MHHW IN
2004 (HURRICANE IVAN) AND 7.42 FT MHHW IN 1926 (MIAMI HURRICANE).
THE USGS RAPID DEPLOYMENT GAUGE AT EAST PASS DESTIN REPORTS IN
NAVD88. NAVD88 IS NOT DIRECTLY TIED TO LEVELS OF INUNDATION. MHHW IS
USED AS A PROXY FOR INUNDATION ABOVE NORMALLY DRY GROUND. STORM
SURGE SURVEYS CONDUCTED BY NWS MOBILE REVEAL THAT MANY AREAS FROM
GULF SHORES EASTWARD TO OKALOOSA COUNTY WERE IMPACTED BY 3-6 FEET OF
SURGE INUNDATION. INUNDATION REACHED AS HIGH AS 7-9 FEET ACROSS
PARTS OF ORANGE BEACH, PERDIDO KEY, AND THE NORTHERN PORTIONS OF
ESCAMBIA, BLACKWATER, AND EAST BAYS. THESE ARE PRELIMINARY FINDINGS
AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE FINE TUNED AND ADJUSTED AS DATA IS COLLECTED
AND REVIEWED.


F. TORNADOES...
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(DIST)CITY/TOWN              COUNTY           DATE/         EF SCALE
LAT LON (DEG DECIMAL)                         TIME(UTC)    (IF KNOWN)
DESCRIPTION
---------------------------------------------------------------------


G. STORM IMPACTS BY COUNTY...
---------------------------------------------------------------------
COUNTY            DEATHS           INJURIES             EVACUATIONS
DESCRIPTION
---------------------------------------------------------------------
MOBILE               0                 0                     1

THERE WAS A RECOMMENDED EVACUATION FOR LOW LYING AND SURGE PRONE
AREAS OF MOBILE COUNTY. THE GREATEST IMPACT OF SALLY IN MOBILE
COUNTY WAS TO DAUPHIN ISLAND, WHICH WAS IMPACTED BY THE WESTERN
EYEWALL OF SALLY FOR A LONG DURATION. HURRICANE FORCE WINDS WITH
GUSTS OVER 100 MPH WERE RECORDED ON THE ISLAND. WINDS WERE OUT OF
THE NORTH, WHICH RESULTED IN THE BAY AND SOUND SIDE OF THE ISLAND
BEING THE MOST IMPACTED. SEVERAL BUILDINGS EXPERIENCED ROOF AND
SIDING DAMAGE, INCLUDING TO TWO BUILDINGS ON THE CAMPUS OF THE
DAUPHIN ISLAND SEA LAB. ANOTHER HOME ON THE ISLAND LOST ITS ROOF
ENTIRELY. A 3 TO 4 FOOT STORM SURGE ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE ISLAND
RESULTED IN MAJOR DAMAGE TO DOCKS AND PIERS, INCLUDING AT THE
DAUPHIN ISLAND MARINA. ACROSS MAINLAND MOBILE COUNTY, THE SOUTHERN
AND CENTRAL PORTIONS OF THE COUNTY EXPERIENCED A LONG DURATION OF
SUSTAINED TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS WITH HURRICANE FORCE WIND GUSTS
RECORDED ALL THE WAY WEST AT THE MOBILE REGIONAL AIRPORT. IN FACT,
THE 82 MPH GUST RECORDED AT THE AIRPORT WAS ALMOST AS HIGH AS THE
PEAK GUST RECORDED IN HURRICANE KATRINA OF 83 MPH. NUMEROUS TREES
AND POWER LINES WERE DOWNED ACROSS THE COUNTY, ESPECIALLY IN CENTRAL
AND SOUTHERN PARTS OF THE COUNTY. THIS RESULTED IN WIDESPREAD POWER
OUTAGES. MOBILE`S BIENVILLE SQUARE SUFFERED MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE
NUMEROUS OAKS IN THE AREA AND THERE WAS MINOR DAMAGE REPORTED AT
SOME BUSINESSES IN DOWNTOWN MOBILE. SEVERAL HOMES IN THE COUNTY ALSO
EXPERIENCED ROOF, SIDING, AND FENCE DAMAGE. DOWNED TREES ALSO
DAMAGED SOME HOMES.

BALDWIN              3                 0                     1

A RECOMMENDED EVACUATION ORDER WAS ISSUED FOR LOW LYING FLOOD AND
SURGE PRONE AREAS OF BALDWIN COUNTY. THE COUNTY EXPERIENCED
WIDESPREAD DAMAGE AS THE EYE OF SALLY MOVED ACROSS A LARGE PORTION
OF THE COUNTY AFTER MAKING LANDFALL IN GULF SHORES, AL. A LARGE
STORM SURGE RESULTED IN WIDESPREAD INUNDATION AND MAJOR FLOOD DAMAGE
TO STRUCTURES ALONG THE BACK BAY WATERS WITH LITTLE TO NO STRUCTURAL
DAMAGE TO BUILDINGS ALONG THE GULF FACING BEACHES. THERE WAS A
WALKWAY AT THE COTTON BAYOU GULF ACCESS THAT WAS DAMAGED. THE
GREATEST SURGE OCCURRED EAST OF GULF SHORES ACROSS ORANGE BEACH TO
THE FLORIDA STATE LINE AND ALL THE WAY NORTH INTO THE NORTHERN
PORTION OF PERDIDO BAY. NUMEROUS LARGE BOATS WERE MOVED ONTO LAND BY
THE SURGE. THE 20 TO 30 INCHES OF RAIN THAT FELL ACROSS THE SOUTHERN
PART OF THE COUNTY CERTAINLY COMPOUNDED THE STORM SURGE FLOODING AND
ALSO RESULTED IN WIDESPREAD FLASH FLOODING AND RIVER FLOODING. THE
EYEWALL OF SALLY RESULTED IN WIDESPREAD AND EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO
TREES AND POWER LINES. SEVERAL LOCATIONS IN SOUTHERN BALDWIN COUNTY
MEASURED SUSTAINED HURRICANE FORCE WINDS OF 75 TO 85 MPH WITH GUSTS
OVER 100 MPH. THE CENTER OF SEVERE WEATHER RESEARCH RECORDED A 123
MPH GUST ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE PERDIDO PASS BRIDGE FROM AN
ANEMOMETER ON THEIR MOBILE DOPPLER RADAR UNIT WITH SUSTAINED WINDS
OF 93 MPH. NUMEROUS STRUCTURES WERE DAMAGED BY FALLEN TREES AND MANY
STRUCTURES IN THE COUNTY SUFFERED SIGNIFICANT ROOF AND SIDING
DAMAGE. IN FT. MORGAN, A FEW OLDER HOMES WERE DESTROYED AND A BOAT
STORAGE FACILITY AT A MARINA SUFFERED MAJOR DAMAGE. ALMOST ALL OF
THE COUNTY LOST POWER DURING THE STORM DUE TO SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO
THE POWER INFRASTRUCTURE. THERE WERE THREE FATALITIES FROM THE
STORM, ONE DIRECT AND TWO INDIRECT. A PERSON DROWNED IN ORANGE BEACH
DURING THE STORM. ANOTHER FATALITY OCCURRED IN FOLEY DURING THE POST
STORM CLEAN UP AND ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL DIED DUE TO CARBON MONOXIDE
POISONING FROM A GENERATOR.

ESCAMBIA FL          3                 0                     1

A VOLUNTARY EVACUATION WAS ISSUED FOR ZONE A. A COMBINATION OF
STRONG WIND AND STORM SURGE RESULTED IN WIDESPREAD DAMAGE TO
ESCAMBIA COUNTY. TO DATE, 1,756 STRUCTURES WERE DAMAGED. 44
STRUCTURES WERE DESTROYED AND 629 SUFFERED MAJOR DAMAGE. HURRICANE
FORCE WINDS RESULTED IN SIDING AND ROOF DAMAGE TO MANY STRUCTURES,
WITH DOWNED TREES ALSO PLAYING A LARGE ROLE IN DAMAGE TO SOME
STRUCTURES. POWER OUTAGES WERE WIDESPREAD. PENSACOLA NAS RECORDED
SUSTAINED HURRICANE FORCE WINDS WITH GUSTS OF 92 MPH. A LARGE STORM
SURGE IMPACTED THE COUNTY, WITH THE HIGHEST SURGE OCCURRING IN THE
PERDIDO KEY AREA AND ALONG PORTIONS OF PENSACOLA AND ESCAMBIA BAYS.
NUMEROUS STRUCTURES HAD SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE FROM STORM SURGE
INUNDATION. NUMEROUS LARGE BOATS AND BARGES WERE MOVED ONTO LAND BY
THE SURGE. A PORTION OF THE THREE MILE BRIDGE ACROSS PENSACOLA BAY
COLLAPSED. THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE STORM SURGE STRUCTURAL DAMAGE
OCCURRED ALONG THE BACK BAYS AND SOUNDS AND NOT ALONG THE IMMEDIATE
GULF FACING BEACHES. HOWEVER, SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE OCCURRED ALONG THE
GULF ISLANDS NATIONAL SEASHORE, PARTICULARLY IN THE JOHNSON BEACH
AND FT. PICKENS AREA. ON JOHNSON BEACH, THE SURGE AND WAVE ACTION
TOOK OUT A LARGE PORTION OF THE FIRST LINE OF DUNES WITH DAMAGE EVEN
NOTED TO SOME OF THE SECOND LINE DUNES. 4 TO 5 FT OF SAND COVERED
JOHNSON BEACH ROAD WITH DAMAGE TO THE ROAD ITSELF. NOAA AERIAL
IMAGERY INDICATES THAT 3 NEW CUTS WERE CREATED ON THE FAR EAST SIDE
OF JOHNSON BEACH. THE SURGE ALONG THE GULF SIDE OF PERDIDO KEY WAS
ALSO NOTABLE AS THE WATER LINE ENCROACHED UPON THE ENTRANCE OF SOME
OF THE CONDOS AND DAMAGED WALKWAYS AND POOLS. THE COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF
RAIN ALSO COMPOUNDED THE STORM SURGE ISSUE AS WATER THAT NORMALLY
WOULD DRAIN INTO AREA BAYS, RIVERS, CREEKS, AND STREAMS HAD NOWHERE
TO GO DUE TO THE INCOMING STORM SURGE. DOWNTOWN PENSACOLA WAS ONE
NOTABLE AREA HARD HIT BY THIS FRESH WATER FLOODING, BUT COUNTLESS
OTHER LOCATIONS, ESPECIALLY ACROSS CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN ESCAMBIA
COUNTY, WERE ALSO HARD HIT BY THIS FLOODING. THERE WERE 3 REPORTED
FATALITIES, TWO DIRECT AND ONE INDIRECT. ONE PERSON DIED WHILE
TRYING TO RETRIEVE A BOAT DURING THE STORM AND ANOTHER PERSON DIED
WHILE KAYAKING DURING THE STORM. ONE PERSON DIED AFTER THE STORM DUE
TO CARBON MONOXIDE FROM A GENERATOR BEING RAN INDOORS.

SANTA ROSA           0                 0                     1

A LARGE STORM SURGE HAD ITS GREATEST IMPACT ON THE SOUND AND BAY
SIDES OF SANTA ROSA COUNTY. THE LARGEST SURGE OCCURRED IN THE
NORTHERN HALF OF ESCAMBIA BAY AS WELL AS IN BLACKWATER AND EAST BAY.
NUMEROUS HOMES SUFFERED SIGNIFICANT INUNDATION FROM THE SURGE. THE
SURGE FLOODING WAS COMPOUNDED BY 20+ INCHES OF RAIN THAT FELL WHICH
ALSO RESULTED IN SIGNIFICANT TO MAJOR FLASH FLOODING AND RIVER
FLOODING. HURRICANE FORCE WIND GUSTS ALSO RESULTED IN ROOF AND
SIDING DAMAGE TO MANY HOMES, EXTENSIVE DOWNED TREES, AND POWER
LINES. TO DATE, AROUND 1,400 RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES HAVE BEEN
IDENTIFIED AS BEING IMPACTED WITH 6 BEING DESTROYED AND 139
SUFFERING MAJOR DAMAGE. 19 COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS HAVE BEEN DOCUMENTED
AS BEING IMPACTED WITH MAJOR DAMAGE TO 4 BUILDINGS. A VOLUNTARY
EVACUATION WAS ISSUED FOR ZONE A.

OKALOOSA             0                 0                     0

A LONG DURATION OF TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS IMPACTED OKALOOSA
COUNTY AS THE CENTER OF HURRICANE SALLY TRACKED VERY SLOWLY TO THE
EAST AND NORTH OF THE COUNTY. SIGNIFICANT STORM SURGE IMPACTED
COASTAL AREAS, ESPECIALLY IN WESTERN PARTS OF OKALOOSA COUNTY CLOSER
TO THE SANTA ROSA LINE. MANY HOMES ON THE SOUND SIDE OF THE MARY
ESTHER AREA WERE INUNDATED BY THE SURGE FLOODING. PORTIONS OF
HIGHWAY 98 ON OKALOOSA ISLAND WERE BREACHED BY THE SURGE FLOODING,
HOWEVER THE ROAD WAS NOT DAMAGED. A 2 FT SEAWALL WAS BREACHED IN FT.
WALTON BEACH WITH 2 TO 3 FT OF WATER COVERED ADJACENT PORTIONS OF
HIGHWAY 98. WALKOVERS AND BEACH SIDE DOCKS WERE DISPLACED ON THE
GULF SIDE. A FEW RESTAURANTS AND HOMES SUFFERED SOME FLOODING ALONG
CALHOUN AVENUE, LIKELY FROM A COMBINATION OF THE TORRENTIAL RAINFALL
AND STORM SURGE. THE COPIOUS RAINFALL ALSO RESULTED IN FLASH
FLOODING AND MAJOR RIVER FLOODING, WHICH ALSO FLOODED HOMES IN THE
COUNTY.

ESCAMBIA AL          0                 0                     0

WIDESPREAD TREES WERE DOWNED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. SOME OF THE
TREES FELL ONTO HOMES, BUT MOST OF THE DAMAGE WAS MINOR. HOWEVER, 4
HOMES SUFFERED MAJOR DAMAGE FROM THE FALLEN TREES. AT THE PEAK OF
THE EVENT, 85% OF THE COUNTY WAS WITHOUT POWER. TORRENTIAL RAINFALL
OF 10 TO 20 INCHES LED TO FLASH FLOODING AND RIVER FLOODING,
RESULTING IN THE 10 COUNTY ROADS BECOMING IMPASSABLE DURING THE
STORM. SOME OF THE ROADS SUFFERED WASH OUTS. A COUPLE OF BRIDGES
EXPERIENCED WASH OUTS AS WELL.

COVINGTON            0                 0                     0

FIVE HOMES SUFFERED WIND DAMAGE AS TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS
IMPACTED COVINGTON COUNTY. TREES AND POWER LINES WERE DOWNED WHICH
RESULTED IN SOME POWER OUTAGES. NUMEROUS ROADS WERE FLOODED AND
IMPASSABLE. SEVERAL ROADS ALSO SUFFERED WASH OUTS DUE TO THE
EXTENSIVE FLOODING.

CRENSHAW             0                 0                     0

TROPICAL STORM FORCE WIND GUSTS DOWNED SOME TREES AND POWER LINES IN
THE COUNTY. SIGNIFICANT FLOODING ALSO OCCURRED, ESPECIALLY IN THE
SOUTHERN HALF OF THE COUNTY. NUMEROUS ROADS WERE IMPASSABLE AND SOME
EXPERIENCED WASHOUTS.

MONROE               0                 0                     0

TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS DOWNED NUMEROUS TREES AND POWER LINES
ACROSS MONROE COUNTY.

CLARKE               0                 0                     0

TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS DOWNED TREES ACROSS THE COUNTY. ONE TREE
FELL ONTO A HOME IN GROVE HILL, RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE.

CONECUH              0                 0                     0

TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS DOWNED TREES AND POWER LINES IN THE
COUNTY.

BUTLER               0                 0                     0

TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS DOWNED TREES AND POWER LINES ACROSS
PORTIONS OF THE COUNTY. A FEW HOMES SUFFERED MINOR DAMAGE FROM
FALLEN TREES. SCATTERED POWER OUTAGES WERE REPORTED. A FEW ROADS
WERE FLOODED FROM HEAVY RAIN.

$$

LEGEND:
I-INCOMPLETE DATA
E-ESTIMATED

BEAMAN

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Additional Information

NHC Advisory Archive

National Geodetic Survey Emergency Response Imagery

National Geodetic Survey Before/After Imagery

USGS Flood Event Viewer for Hurricane Sally

NASA IMERG Rainfall Analysis

NOAA Hurricane Hunter Reconnaissance

CIMSS Satellite Imagery

Florida DEP Post-Storm Report

National Weather Association 2021 Annual Meeting - Sally's Forecast Challenges

NWS Local Write-Ups and Webpages:
     NWS Tallahassee
     NWS Lake Charles
    
 

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Acknowledgements: Page created by Morgan Barry (forecaster), Don Shepherd (lead forecaster), Jason Beaman (Warning Coordination Meteorologist), & Joe Maniscalco (Observation Program Leader).  Updated by Michael Mugrage (Forecaster).

LAST UPDATED: March 2024