The center of low pressure of a tropical disturbance which
moved northward in the Gulf of Mexico, reached land between
Panama City and Port St. Joe, Florida, on September 20, 1969. This
system was nearly stationary for 48 hours producing heavy rainfall
in the Quincy-Havana area, 70-80 miles northeast of the center.
Rainfall associated with the tropical disturbance exceeded 20
inches over a part of Gadsden County, Florida, during September 20
through 23, 1969, and the maximum rainfall of record occurred at
Quincy with 10.87 inches during a 6-hour period on September 21.
The 48-hour maximum of 17.71 inches exceeded the 1 in 100-year
probability of 16 inches for a 7-day period.
The previous maximum rainfall of record at Quincy (more than
12 inches) was on September 14-15, 1924. The characteristics of this
historical storm were similar in path and effect to the September
1969 tropical disturbance.
Peak runoff from a 1.4-square mile area near Midway, Florida,
was 1,540 cfs (cubic feet per second) per square mile. A peak discharge
of 45,600 cfs on September 22 at the gaging station on the
Little River near Quincy exceeded the previous peak of 25,400 cfs
which occurred on December 4, 1964. The peak discharge of 89,400
cfs at Ochlockonee River near Bloxham exceeded the April 1948
peak of 50,200 cfs, which was the previous maximum of record, by
1.8 times. Many flood-measurement sites had peak discharges in
excess of that of a 50-year flood.
Nearly 200,000wasspentonemergencyrepairstoroads.Anadditional520,000 in contractual work was required to replace four
bridges that were destroyed. Agricultural losses were estimated at
$1,000,000. (44 page document