Tropical Storm Fay (2002)

Infobox Hurricane
Name=Tropical Storm Fay
Type=Tropical storm
Year=2002
Basin=Atl
Image location=TS Fay 06 sept 2002 1915Z.jpg


Formed=September 5, 2002
Dissipated=September 11, 2002
1-min winds=50
Pressure=998
Da

Inflated=2
Fatalities=None
Areas=Texas, northern Mexico
Hurricane season=2002 Atlantic hurricane season

Tropical Storm Fay was the sixth named storm of the 2002 Atlantic hurricane season; it was a moderate tropical storm which caused flooding in parts of Texas and Mexico. In early September, a trough of low pressure moved south into the Gulf of Mexico, and became stationary. A low pressure center developed along this trough, and on September 5, a Hurricane Hunter airplane reported that the system had gained sufficient organization to be a tropical depression, convert|95|mi|km southeast of Galveston.cite web|author=Stacy R. Stewart|title=Tropical storm Fay Tropical Cyclone Report|year=2002|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-01-03|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2002fay.shtml] The depression drifted south-southwest while strengthening, reaching its peak strength of convert|60|mi/h|km/h on the morning of September 6.Cite web|author=Beven|title=Tropical Storm Fay Discussion Number 3|publisher=National Hurricane Center|year=2002|accessdate=2008-01-30|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/dis/al062002.discus.003.html] The system then made an abrupt turn to the west-northwest, and remained steady in strength and course until landfall the next day, near Matagorda.Cite web|author=Lawrence|title=Tropical Storm Fay Discussion Number 8|year=2002|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-01-30|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/dis/al062002.discus.008.html] The system weakened at a fast rate after landfall, but its circulation would not totally dissipate for three more days.cite web|author=Stacy R. Stewart|title=Tropical storm Fay Tropical Cyclone Report|year=2002|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-01-03|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2002fay.shtml]

The storm caused extremely heavy rainfall in inland areas; damage totalled $4.5 million (2002 USD; $5.2 million USD in 2007); no deaths occurred as a result of Fay.cite web|author=Stacy R. Stewart|title=Tropical storm Fay Tropical Cyclone Report|year=2002|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-01-03|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2002fay.shtml]

Meteorological history

In the first few days of September 2002, an upper-level trough emerged in the Gulf of Mexico and stalled.cite web|author=Stacy R. Stewart|title=Tropical storm Fay Tropical Cyclone Report|year=2002|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-01-03|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2002fay.shtml] Thunderstorms developed along the trough and concentrated around a weak low pressure system. Gradually, the trough and associated low pressure drifted south into the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. A low pressure area in the northwest Gulf of Mexico became the dominant circulation and slowly developed persistent convection near the center. On September 5, a reconnaissance aircraft investigated the system. During the flight, a low-level center became evident and some deep convection persisted; as a result, it was classified as a tropical depression.cite web|author=Stacy R. Stewart|title=Tropical storm Fay Tropical Cyclone Report|year=2002|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-01-03|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2002fay.shtml] Wind shear within the Gulf of Mexico was weak and remained favorable to tropical cyclone formation.Cite web|author=Franklin|title=Tropical Depression Six Discussion Number 1|year=2002|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-01-30|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/dis/al062002.discus.001.html] A reconnaissance flight later that day discovered an ill-defined circulation which led to low confidence of the location of the center of circulation. However, enough convection persisted for the depression to be upgraded into Tropical Storm Fay that evening.cite web|author=Avila/Knabb|title=Tropical Storm Fay Discussion Number 2|year=2002|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-01-30|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/dis/al062002.discus.002.html]

Stationary in movement, the associated convection became removed from the center of circulation; despite this, the system gradually intensified.Cite web|author=Beven|title=Tropical Storm Fay Discussion Number 3|year=2002|accessdate=2008-01-30|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/dis/al062002.discus.003.html] cite web|author=Franklin|title=Tropical Storm Fay Public Advisory Number 4|year=2002|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-01-20|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al062002.public.004.html] On September 6, the storm reached its peak intensity of 60 mph (100 km/h). Light wind shear prevented Fay from intensifying further, and the gradual movement was dictated by a weak mid-level ridge to the north.cite web|author=Franklin|title=Tropical Storm Fay Public Advisory Number 4|year=2002|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-20-01|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al062002.public.004.html] Cite web|author=Beven|title=Tropical Storm Fay Discussion Number 3|year=2002|accessdate=2008-01-30|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/dis/al062002.discus.003.html] A low pressure system to the south of Fay produced wind shear and resulted in decreased convection on the southern half of the circulation, with the majority of convective activity located on the northern half.Cite web|author=Franklin|title=Tropical Storm Fay Discussion Number 4|year=2002|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-01-30|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/dis/al062002.discus.004.html] Fay soon became disorganized which prompted National Hurricane Center forecaster Avila to state, " [Fay] rather resembles a subtropical storm".cite web|author=Avila|title=Tropical Storm Fay Discussion Number 6|year=2002|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-01-30|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/dis/al062002.discus.006.html] Fay moved little, and intensified slightly late on September 6.cite web|author=Avila|title=Tropical Storm Fay Discussion Number 6|year=2002|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-01-30|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/dis/al062002.discus.006.html] cite web|author=Franklin|title=Tropical Storm Fay Discussion Number 5|year=2002|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-01-31|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/dis/al062002.discus.005.html]

On September 7, Fay began to drift northwest towards the Texas coast as rainbands reached the northwest portion of the Texas coastline.Cite web|author=Pasch|title=Tropical Storm Fay Discussion Number 7|year=2002|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-01-30|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/dis/al062002.discus.007.html] Fay accelerated towards the Texas coast and made landfall early on September 7. The storm meandered throughout inland Texas, and as the system moved inland, forward speed decreased and Fay weakened to a tropical depression. The last advisory was issued on Fay on September 7, although the depression persisted for several days just inland of the Texas Coast.Cite web|author=Lawrence|title=Tropical Storm Fay Discussion Number 8|year=2002|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-01-30|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/dis/al062002.discus.008.html] cite web|author=Hydrological Prediction Center|title=Tropical Storm Fay Advisory Number 9|year=2002|publisher=|accessdate=2008-01-20|url=http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical2002/fay/fay_2002090721.html]

Preparations

Coinciding with the development of the tropical depression, forecasters issued a tropical storm warning for parts of the Texas coast. When the depression was upgraded into Tropical Storm Fay, the warnings were extended from Matagorda, Texas to coastal Louisiana. On September 8, forecasters extended the warnings to Port Aransas, Texas, and areas from Port O'Connor to High Island, Texas were put under a hurricane watch as the storm was forecast to reach hurricane strength before making landfall. However, the hurricane watch for those areas were discontinued when Fay failed to reach hurricane strength. In addition, coastal Texas as well as coastal Louisiana were under a coastal flood warning,cite web|author=Hydrological Prediction Center|title=Tropical Storm Fay Advisory Number 9|year=2002|publisher=|accessdate=2008-20-01|url=http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical2002/fay/fay_2002090721.html] while parts of inland Texas were under flash flood warnings and flood warnings.cite web|author=Hydrological Prediction Center|title=Tropical Storm Fay Advisory Number 9|year=2002|publisher=|accessdate=2008-20-01|url=http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical2002/fay/fay_2002090721.html]

Schools closed in Galveston and High Island on September 6 in anticipation of the storm, and voluntary evacuation orders were put in to effect along low-lying coastal areas. Cite web|author=USA Today|title=Fay Spins off Galveston, sends rain, wind ashore|year=2002|publisher=USA Today|accessdate=2008-03-21|url=http://www.usatoday.com/weather/news/2002/2002-09-06-fay.htm] Some grocery stores in Angleton reported supply shortages.Cite web|author=Bridie Isensee|title= Residents in no apparent hurry to stock up|year=2003|publisher=The Facts|accessdate=2008-03-21|url=http://thefacts.com/story.lasso?wcd=9034]

Impact

In Louisiana and Mississippi, effects were minor, and limited to moderate rain up to three inches (76 mm) . cite web|author=Hydrological Prediction Center|title=Tropical Storm Fay|year=2002|publisher=|accessdate=2008-01-30|url=http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/fay2002.html]

The effects in Texas were moderate to severe in some locations, with flooding being the main source of damage. In total, 400 houses sustained damage from flooding.cite web|author=Richard J. Pasch, Miles B. Lawrence, Lixion A. Avila, John L. Beven, James L. Franklin, and Stacy R. Stewart|title=2000 Atlantic hurricane season|year=2002|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-01-30|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/2002.pdf] cite web|Author=Red cross|title=Tropical Storm Fay strikes south Texas|year=2002|publisher=Red cross|accessdate=2008-01-07|url=http://www.redcross.org/news/ds/floods/020909texas.html] Along the coast, a waterspout spawned by Fay made landfall, and caused minor damage along the northern end of Galveston Island.cite web|author=NCDC|title=Event-tornado September 6|year=2002|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2008-01-03|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~479857] Storm surge along the Texas coast was 4.5 feet (1.1 m) above the normal high tide.cite web|author=CBS news|title=Tropical storm Fay fades as it moves inland|year=2002|publisher=CBS|accessdate=2008-01-05|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/09/06/national/main521047.shtml] Peak rainfall throughout the area was in the range of 10-15 inches (250-380 mm). Severe damage resulted from Fay in Sweeny, where about 1,000 homes and businesses were damaged by the storm, and there was 3.5 million dollars (2002 USD; $4.1 million 2007 USD) in damage. Rainfall totals up to 24 inches (600 mm) caused severe flash flooding there, and in areas near there. Another area that received severe damage from Fay was Matagorda County, where flooding from the storm left 1.3 million dollars (2002 USD; $1.5 million 2007 USD) in damage to roads and public facilities.

Twelve tornadoes were reported during Fay's landfall; the most notable one destroyed a mobile home, and damaged a barn. Heavy rain from Fay's remnants also dropped 2–3 inches (50-75 mm) of rain over Frio County. Rainfall of 8 inches (200 mm) was reported near the Astacola County line with an isolated report of 12 inches (300 mm) in other areas. The rainfall caused severe flashflooding which forced people to flee to roof tops. Damage to buildings, roads and crops totaled up to 800,000 dollars (2002 USD; $940,000 2007 USD).cite web|author=NCDC|title=Event-flooding September 8|year=2002|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2008-01-03|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~479896]

In Mexico, effects were mostly related to rainfall; up to 16 inches (400 mm) fell in some areas. When Fay flooded areas such as New Laredo, Tamaulipas, 100 families were evacuated from their homes, and 120 people were stranded in hotels. It is reported that in that town, 10 trees fell causing little or no damage. Also, the Brave River flooded its banks to 3.3 meters (10 ft) above flood stage. It is reported that 300 families were not able to return to their homes for several weeks as a result of the flooding. [Cite web|author=CDI|title=Los pueblos indígenas en la prensa nacional|publisher=CDI|year=2002|accessdate=2008-04-09|url=http://www.cdi.gob.mx/ini/noticias/11-sep-02.html]

Aftermath

Nine counties in Texas were declared disaster areas after Tropical Storm Fay: Brazoria, Frio, Galveston, La Salle, Live Oak, Matagorda, Nueces, San Patricio and Wharton. The declaration enabled business owners and residents to apply for federal and state government aid programs.cite web|author=FEMA|title= FEMA Declared Counties|year=2002|publisher=FEMA|accessdate=2008-01-03|url=http://www.fema.gov/news/eventcounties.fema?id=161] cite web|author=FEMA|title=Tropical storm Fay news release|year=2002|publisher=FEMA|accessdate=2008-01-03|url=http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=739] Disaster housing checks handed out after the storm totaled to over 2.7 million dollars (2002 USD; $3.1 million 2007 USD) and FEMA had carried out over 2,700 home and building inspections. Non-government relief programs such as The Individual and Family Grant Program had distributed over 400,000 dollars (2002 USD; $469,000 2007 USD) in checks, and over 1 million (2002 USD; $1.2 million 2007 USD) in relief funds. The SBA also funded over 250,000 dollars (2002 USD; $294,000 2007 USD) in relief aid.cite web|author=FEMA|title=Disaster Assistance Update for Ten Counties Affected by Tropical Storm Fay|year=2002|publisher=FEMA|accessdate=2008-01-03|url=http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=3904] After Tropical Storm Fay, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that they would apply special tax relief for the nine counties in Texas that were declared disaster areas. [cite web|author=IRS|title=Tax relief to Tropical Storm Fay victims|year=2002|publisher=|accessdate=2008-01-30|url=http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=106054,00.html]

The name Fay was not retired, and was used again for the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season.

ee also

* List of Texas hurricanes

References