Tropical Storm Keith (1988)

Infobox Hurricane
Name=Tropical Storm Keith
Type=tropical storm
Year=1988
Basin=Atl
Image location=Keith 22 nov 1988 1359Z.jpg


Formed=November 17, 1988
Dissipated=November 24, 1988
1-min winds=60
Pressure=985
Pressurepost=945 mbar (27.92 inHg) as extratropical
Da

Inflated=1
Fatalities=None reported
Areas=Honduras, Belize, Yucatán Peninsula, Jamaica, Cuba, Florida, Coastal areas of Southeast United States, Bermuda
Hurricane season=1988 Atlantic hurricane season

Tropical Storm Keith was the latest Atlantic tropical cyclone to strike the continental United States since a hurricane in 1925.cite web| author=NHC Hurricane Research Division| title=Atlantic hurricane best track ("HURDAT")| publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2007-03-20| url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/easyhurdat_5105.html] The eleventh tropical storm of the 1988 Atlantic hurricane season, Keith developed out of a tropical wave in the Caribbean Sea on November 17. It tracked northwestward, and under generally favorable conditions reached a peak intensity of 70 mph (110 km/h) shortly before striking the northeastern tip of the Yucatán Peninsula. It turned northeastward in the Gulf of Mexico, and made landfall near Sarasota, Florida on November 23. Keith accelerated its forward motion under the influence of a cold front, and became extratropical near Bermuda on November 24. The extratropical remnant persisted for two more days.

Early in its duration, Keith produced moderate to heavy rainfall in Honduras, Jamaica, and Cuba. Minimal damage was reported in Mexico, which was still recovering from the devastating effects of Hurricane Gilbert two months prior. Keith, the last of four named tropical cyclones to hit the United States during the season, produced moderate rainfall, rough storm surge, and gusty winds across central Florida. Overall damage was widespread but fairly minor, totaling about $7.3 million (1988 USD, $12.7 million 2007 USD). Near the coast, damage occurred mainly from storm surge and beach erosion, while further inland, flooding and downed trees and power lines were the extent of the damage. No fatalities were reported.

Meteorological history

A tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa on November 5. It tracked steadily westward across the tropical Atlantic Ocean, and slowed its forward motion after passing the Lesser Antilles on November 12. A large and well-defined anticyclone persisted across much of the Caribbean Sea, providing a favorable environment for the system. A low-level circulation gradually became evident on satellite imagery within the disturbance, and based on ship reports it is estimated the system organized into a tropical depression on November 17 while located about 280 miles (450 km) south of the western tip of Haiti.cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=1988|title=Tropical Storm Keith Preliminary Report|accessdate=2007-03-20|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1988-prelim/keith/prelim01.gif]

Initially, the depression was disorganized as it continued westward; on November 18 the center became exposed from the deep convection. However, the upper-level environment gradually became more favorable for further development, and deep convection developed closer to the center. On November 19, an eastward moving upper-level trough in the Gulf of Mexico turned the depression to the northwest. The next day, the depression intensified into a tropical storm while located a short distance north of Honduras, receiving the name "Keith". Keith quickly intensified, and on November 21 the storm attained its peak strength of 985 mbar and 70 mph (110 km/h) winds. The trough which turned Keith northwestward rapidly accelerated northeastward; this left the storm moving slowly to the northwest until making landfall on the northeastern tip of the Yucatán Peninsula at 0800 UTC on November 21 just shy of hurricane status.

After briefly moving over land, Keith turned northward under the influence of a trailing frontal trough. The storm became disorganized while recurving northeastward, both due to the effects of increased vertical wind shear and the circulation absorbing cool, dry air from its north. On November 23, Keith struck near Sarasota, Florida with winds of 65 mph (100 km/h), while most of its convection was located well to the north of the center. It quickly weakened while crossing the state; within hours the winds dropped to minimal tropical storm status. After reaching the Atlantic Ocean 8 hours after moving ashore, Keith began to gradually reintensify, and under the influence of a very large upper-level low over Newfoundland the storm accelerated northeastward. On November 24, the storm again reached its peak intensity shortly before becoming an extratropical cyclone a short distance of Bermuda. Keith restrengthened and deepened into a powerful extratropical cyclone, attaining hurricane force winds and a minimum pressure of 945 mbar. The extratropical storm turned westward and lost its identity to the northeast of Newfoundland on November 26.cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=1988|title=Tropical Storm Keith Preliminary Report (Page 2)|accessdate=2007-03-20|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1988-prelim/keith/prelim02.gif]

Preparations

On November 20, shortly before the tropical depression intensified into a tropical storm, the government of Honduras issued a tropical storm warning for the Swan Islands, along with a tropical storm watch for the northwestern coastline and three islands. The watches and warnings were dropped within 10 hours after Keith passed the area.cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=1988|title=Tropical Storm Keith Watches and Warnings|accessdate=2007-03-20|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1988-prelim/keith/prelim13.gif]

The government of Belize briefly issued a tropical storm watch for the entire coastline of the country, though when the motion of Keith became more apparent, the watch was cancelled. About 16 hours before the storm made landfall on the Yucatán Peninsula, the government of Mexico issued a tropical storm watch for much of the coastline of Quintana Roo. Six hours later, a tropical storm warning replaced the watch, and was extended along westward to Progreso, Yucatán, with a hurricane watch issued as well.

Cuban officials issued a bulletin on the night of November 20, warning that tropical storm conditions would spread over the western portion of the island. A subsequent bulletin indicated the possibility for hurricane conditions, though as the storm continued further to the northwest the threat diminished.

Two days before the storm struck Florida, emergency management workers first began working to prepare for the storm.cite news|author=Sue Landry|date=1988-11-21|title=Late storm may hit Florida|publisher=Saint Petersburg Times|accessdate=2007-03-22] The next day, state water officials ordered to decrease the water levels in five lakes in Hillsborough County as a precaution.cite news|author=Jennifer Orsi|date=1988-11-22|title=Lakes lowered as flood precaution|publisher=Saint Petersburg Times|accessdate=2007-03-22] Residents prepared sandbags to prevent flooding along coastal areas, while boat owners worked to secure their boats. Some tourists near the southwest Florida coast left for areas further inland, though many stayed despite the storm.Cite news|author=Joshua L. Weinstein; Daryle Glynn Brown; Betty Jean Miller; Sue Landry; Susan Eastman|date=1988-11-23|title=Residents batten down as Keith looms in the Gulf|publisher=Saint Petersburg Times|accessdate=2007-03-22] Red Cross officials opened six emergency shelters as a precaution.cite news|author=Mary Dolan; Jennifer Orsi; Wendy Weyen; Robert Samek|date=1988-11-23|title=Keith's approach causes caution, not panic|publisher=Saint Petersburg Times|accessdate=2007-03-22] Additionally, police departments in Clearwater, Indian Shores, and Largo expanded their workforce to handle storm-related problems.cite news|author=Jane Meinhardt; Christina K. Codson; Marie Tessier; Curtis Krueger|date=1988-11-23|title=Cities in Pinellas call in their troops to handle problems|publisher=Saint Petersburg Times|accessdate=2007-03-22] The passage of the storm resulted in the closure of some private schools as well as the Hillsborough Community College. About 21 hours before Keith made its final landfall, the National Hurricane Center issued a tropical storm warning along the Florida west coast from Cape Sable to Cedar Key. The next day, a tropical storm warning was also posted from Jupiter northward to Savannah, Georgia. A tropical storm warning was briefly issued for Bermuda, as well.cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=1988|title=Tropical Storm Keith Watches and Warnings|accessdate=2007-03-20|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1988-prelim/keith/prelim14.gif]

Impact

Early in its duration, Keith dropped rainfall of around 3 inches (75 mm) along the northern coast of Honduras, with totals of around 10 inches (250 mm) reported in the offshore islands.cite news|author=Patrick Reyna|date=1988-11-20|title=Late-Season Storm Forms; Cuba, Florida Likely Targets|publisher=Associated Press|accessdate=2007-03-22] While the storm was making landfall on Mexico, a ship just west of Cozumel reported wind gusts of 90 mph (149 km/h), while a second ship in Puerto Morelos recorded sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h). Reports from Cozumel indicated torrential rainfall and a large number of lightning strikes during the time of greatest winds. Rainfall peaked at 7.69 inches (195 mm) just south of Cancún.cite web|author=David Roth|year=2007|title=Rainfall Summary for Tropical Storm Keith|publisher=Hydrometeorological Prediction Center|accessdate=2007-03-21|url=http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/keith1988.html] Only minor damage was reported in the area, still recovering from the devastating effects of Hurricane Gilbert two months prior.cite news|author=The Globe and Mail (Canada)|date=1988-11-22|title=Tropical storm Keith hits Yucatán, western Cuba|accessdate=2007-03-22]

Flooding in western Cuba severely damaged the tobacco and vegetable crops. Officials forced 2,500 residents to evacuate their homes due to flooding.cite news|author=Christian Science Monitor|date=1988-11-23|title=Floridians prepare for weakened storm|accessdate=2007-03-22] The storm also dropped nearly 4 inches (100 mm) of precipitation in Kingston, Jamaica.cite news|author=Brian Murphy|date=1988-11-22|title=Storm Keith Hovers In Gulf, Could Strike Florida|publisher=Associated Press|accessdate=2007-03-22]

Off the coast of Florida, a freighter and its crew of 10 were stranded after rough conditions from the storm flooded its engine room. The cyclone produced a moderately strong storm surge in isolated locations along the southwest coast of Florida, peaking at 5.94 feet (1.81 m) at Bradenton and Fort Myers Beach.cite web|author=Miles B. Lawrence and James M. Gross|year=1989|title=Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1988|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-03-20|url=http://ams.allenpress.com/archive/1520-0493/117/10/pdf/i1520-0493-117-10-2248.pdf] The combination of storm surge and waves severely eroded beaches along Charlotte Harbor and Estero Bay.cite web|author=Florida Department of Environmental Protection|year=2000|title=Strategic Beach Management Plan|accessdate=2007-03-22|url=http://www.dep.state.fl.us/beaches/publications/pdf/sw-gulf.pdf] In Naples, strong waves destroyed the western end of the Naples Piercite web|author=Eric Staats|year=1999|title=14 area beaches in particular danger of hurricane damage|publisher=Naples News|accessdate=2007-03-22|url=http://web.naplesnews.com/hurricane/d184852a.htm] where several boats were washed ashore.cite news|author=Saint Petersburg Times|date=1988-11-24|title=Cleaning Up After Keith|accessdate=2007-03-22] Heavy amounts of precipitation fell to the north of the center, peaking at 10.27 inches (260 mm) in Saint Leo. Sustained winds peaked at 63 mph (101 km/h) at the MacDill Air Force Base, with stronger gusts. Inland away from the immediate coastline, damage was mostly in the form of isolated fresh-water flooding, downed trees, and power outages;cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=1988|title=Tropical Storm Keith Preliminary Report (Page 3)|accessdate=2007-03-20|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1988-prelim/keith/prelim03.gif] overall damage was widespread but fairly light,cite news|author=Stevan Allen, et. al|date=1988-11-24|title=North Pinellas weathers the storm|publisher=Saint Petersburg Times|accessdate=2007-03-22] and six structures were destroyed across the state.cite web|author=Florida Department of Environmental Protection|url=http://www.floridadisaster.org/BRM/Mit_Success/ms_cccl_buildings_survive_opal.htm|title=Numbers of Destroyed Structures from Hurricanes Permitted Under CCCL versus Non-Permitted|accessdate=2007-03-22] Prior to moving ashore, Keith spawned two tornadoes, one of which damaged about 30 mobile homes in Clermont.cite news|author=Washington Post|date=1988-11-23|title=Tropical Storm Keith Heads For Florida With 65 mph Winds|accessdate=2007-03-22] In Lakeland, a 34-car train derailment caused by a track washout, broke a natural gas line, forcing the evacuation of 450 residents near the derailment.cite news|author=Associated Press|date=1988-11-24|title=Storm Wracks Northwest; Keith Edges Toward Bermuda|accessdate=2007-03-22] In Lee County damage totaled $1.5 million (1988 USD, $2.6 million 2007 USD),cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=1988|title=Tropical Storm Keith Preliminary Report (Page 3)|accessdate=2007-03-20|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1988-prelim/keith/prelim03.gif] and in Pinellas County the storm caused about $5.8 million in damage (1988 USD, $10.2 million 2007 USD).cite news|author=Thomas C. Tobin|date=1988-12-07|title=Damage from Keith won't qualify for aid|publisher=Saint Petersburg Times|accessdate=2007-03-22] A light storm surge of 1 to 2 feet (0.3 to 0.6 m) was reported along the northeast Florida coast into southeastern Georgia. The outer rainbands of Keith dropped light rainfall of around 1 inch (25 mm) along coastal areas from Florida northward to North Carolina.

A station on Bermuda reported sustained winds of 47 mph (76 km/h), with gusts to 78 mph (126 km/h). Only light damage occurred on the island.cite news|author=Washington Post|date=1988-11-25|title=Keith Storms Past Bermuda|accessdate=2007-03-22]

Due to the minor damage, the name Keith was re-used next in the 2000 season; its name was then retired and replaced with Kirk.

See also

* List of Atlantic hurricanes
* List of Florida hurricanes (1975-1999)

References

External links

* [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1988-prelim/keith/ National Hurricane Center Preliminary Report for Tropical Storm Keith]
* [http://ams.allenpress.com/archive/1520-0493/117/10/pdf/i1520-0493-117-10-2248.pdf 1988 Atlantic Hurricane Season Summary]