Tornadoes Cause Significant Damage

A storm system moved through Florida on January 9, leading to several tornadoes. A parent supercell thunderstorm resulted in an EF-3 tornado that hit Lower Grand Lagoon in Panama City Beach and an EF-2 tornado that touched down in Lynn Haven and tracked northeast, leaving significant damage in the Deer Point Lake area.

EF-2 tornadoes have a windspeed of between 111 and 135 mph. EF-3 tornadoes have windspeeds of 136 to 165 mph.

The tornadoes resulted in many power outages across Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative’s (GCEC) service territory, with the most severe damage in the Bayhead area.

GCEC crews, assisted by Lee Electric contract crews, restored power to every member capable of receiving power by January 11. Some members had damage severe enough that repairs had to be made on their properties before power could be restored to their homes.

On January 11, GCEC provided 450 boxed lunches in the Bayhead area, along with cases of bottled water, snacks, hand sanitizer, and children’s items.

“These members are just getting back on their feet after Hurricane Michael, so to witness this severe damage so soon after a Category 5 hurricane is truly heartbreaking,” says Kristin Douglas, GCEC vice president of marketing and member services.

“Our employees, assisted by contract crews, worked extremely hard to restore power as quickly as possible, and we are helping members who need to make repairs in order to receive power figure out the next steps,” she says. “We provided food and water to let our members know that we are here for them and that we care. We will certainly keep all affected in our thoughts and prayers as they recover from this dangerous storm.”