Tropical Storm Hermine (1998)

Infobox Hurricane
Name=Tropical Storm Hermine
Type=Tropical storm
Year=1998
Basin=Atl
Image location=Tropical Storm Hermine 19 sept 1998 2041Z.jpg


Formed=September 17, 1998
Dissipated=September 20, 1998
1-min winds=40
Pressure=999
Da

Inflated=0
Fatalities=None reported
Areas=Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia
Hurricane season=1998 Atlantic hurricane season

Tropical Storm Hermine was the eighth named tropical storm of the 1998 Atlantic hurricane season. Hermine formed on September 17 and moved northeastward where it reached a peak intensity of 45 mph (70 km/h) before making landfall in southeastern Louisiana on September 20. Hermine then weakened and dissapated on the same day.

The interaction with Hermine and a low pressure system resulted in heavy rainfall across the United States Gulf Coast states, Florida and Georgia and three reported tornadoes that left minor to moderate damage to structures. Damage amounted to $452,000 dollars (1998 USD, $552,219 2006 USD). However, there were no fatalites and one injury was reported.

Meteorological history

A tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa on September 5 and moved westward without development. The tropical wave was devoid of any thunderstorm activity until it approached the Windward Islands on September 12 where the system showed increasing cloud layer and shower activity and the barometric pressure began to drop. Parallelling close to the South American coastline, the disturbance continued westward across the Caribbean Sea and crossed the Yucatan Peninsula where it interacted with an upper level low pressure system and another tropical wave in the Gulf of Mexico.cite web|author=Lixion A. Avila|year=1998|title=NHC Report on Hermine|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-03-25|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1998hermine.html]

During the interaction with the two systems, an area of low pressure developed within the tropical wave as well as the prescience of a monsoon flow that prevalled over Central America,Yucatan Peninsula and Gulf of Mexico.At 5 p.m. EDT (2100 GMT) on September 17, forecasters at the National Hurricane Center issued its first advisory and declared the system as Tropical Depression Eight.cite web|author=Avila|year=1998|title=NHC Discussion #1 on TD Eight|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-03-25|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/dis/NAL0898.001] After forming, Tropical Depression Eight made a cyclonic loop as a result an upper level low over Bay of Campeche. Despite increasing wind shear, the depression continued to strengthen and became a tropical storm and was named "Hermine" by the National Hurricane Center on September 19.While moving northeastward, increasing wind shear caused the storm to be disorganized as the winds of Hermine were confined to the eastern half of the main convection. [cite web|author=Pasch|year=1998|title=NHC Discussion #9 on Tropical Storm Hermine|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-03-25|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/dis/NAL0898.009] AS a result, Hermine winds only peaked at 45 mph (70 km/h) and its barometric pressure only fell to 999 millibars before the storm made landfall near Cocodrie, Louisiana on September 20.The remnants of Hermine then trekked eastward across Mississippi and Alabama before finally dissapating over the Carolinas on September 22.cite web|author=David Roth|year=2007|title=HPC Report on Hermine|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2007-03-25|url=http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/hermine1998.html]

Preparations

Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center began to issue a tropical storm watch extending from Sargent, Texas to Grand Isle, Louisiana as Tropical Depression Eight formed on September 17The following day, the tropical storm watch was extended further westward towards Matagorda, Texas and further eastward towards Pascagoula, Mississippi. On September 19, the tropical storm watches for eastern Texas were discontinued when Hermine continued northeastward. At the same time, the tropical storm watches were changed to warnings for areas between Morgan City, Louisiana and Pensacola, Florida at 1500 UTC.The threat of Hermine caused 2,000 residents in Grand Isle and Lafourche Parish to evacuate and storm shelters were opened in inland areas including New Orleans. The National Weather Service also issued flood watches and warnings for areas east of Louisianas Atchafalaya River [cite web|author=CNN|year=1998|title=Grand Isle evacuates as Hermine nears|accessdate=2007-03-27|url=http://www.cnn.com/WEATHER/9809/19/tropical.storm.hermine/index.html?eref=sitesearch] and southeastern Mississippi. [cite web|author=Sullivan|year=1998|title=TS Hermine Summary #13|publisher=Hydrometeorligical Prediction Center|accessdate=2007-03-27|url=http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/1998/hermine/09209818.html] On September 21, the watches and warnings were exteneded for Alabama and Georgia.cite web|author=Terry|year=1998|title=HPC Summary on Hermine|publisher=Hydrometeorlogical Prediction Center|accessdate=2007-03-27|url=http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/1998/hermine/09219802.html]

Impact

Florida

In Florida, the combination between Hermine and a nearby upper cyclone dropped heavy rain across the state, the highest being 10 inches (254 mm) recorded near Miami other areas reported rainfall of 3-7 inches (76.2-177.8 mm).In Hillsborough the storm dropped 8-10 inches (203.2-254 mm) of rain in a three hour period. The heavy resulted in moderate flooding that damaged cars, homes and apartments causing $100,000 dollars (1998 USD, $112,172 2006 USD) in damage. [cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=1998|title=Florida Event Report|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2007-03-27|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~320922] The heavy rainfall also caused the Alafia River and Little Manatee River to crest 15-16 feet which is four feet above flood stage causing $125,000 (1998 USD, $152,175 2006 USD) in flood damage to nearby houses. [cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=1998|title=Florida Event Report|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2007-03-27|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~320923] [cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=1998|title=Florida Event Report|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2007-03-27|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~320924] Near Bradenton, the Manatee River crested 4½ feet (1.4 meters) above flood stage with the crest peaking at 15 feet (4.5 meters). [cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=1998|title=Florida Event Report|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2007-03-27|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~320925] Pasco County also reported flooding as the Cypress Creek along State Road 54 crested to 9.5 feet (2.9 meters) which is 1½ ft (0.4 meters) above flood stage. The resulting flooding left $5,000 dollars (1998 USD, $6,108 2006 USD) in damage. [cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=1998|title=Florida Event Report|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2007-03-27|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~320926] In Land O Lakes, heavy rainfall caused a pond levee to fail causing $100,000 dollars (1998 USD, $112,712 USD) in flood damage to houses. [cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=1998|title=Florida Event Report|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2007-03-27|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~320928] In Sarasota, a gauge at the Myakka State Park recorded the Myakka River crested at 8.6 feet (2.6 meter) above normal which resulted in $1,000 dollars (1998 USD, 1,221 2006 USD) in flood damage to foot bridges. [cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=1998|title=Florida Event Report|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2007-03-27|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~320927] Total damage in Florida amounted to $331,000 dollars (1998 USD).

Gulf Coast and Southeastern United States

In Louisiana, Hermine produced light rainfall across the central and southeastern portions of the state.Two weather stations in New Orleans and near the mouth of the Mississippi River reported wind gusts of 32-46 mph (51-74 km/h) respectfully. Hermine's heavy rainfall and storm surge also caused extensive flood damage in parts of Louisiana which already experincing flooding from Tropical Storm Frances months earlier. In coastal sections, Hermine brought storm tides 1-3 feet (0.3-0.9 meter) above normal. In Washington Parish, rainfall up to 3 inches (76.2 mm) fell and flood waters covered section of Highway 438 near Thomas.cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=1998|title=Louisiana Event Report|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2007-03-27|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~329613] The parishes of Cameron, Iberia, St. Mary, Vermilion experienced wind gusts up to 25 mph (40 km/h) and tides 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 meters) above normal. Flooding in those parishes were confined to marshlands and damage there was minimal. [cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=1998|title=Louisiana Event Report|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2007-03-28|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~329611]

In Mississippi, Hermine produced light rainfall across southern and southwestern areas of the state.In Walthall county, Hermine dropped 4-5 inches (101.6-127 mm) of rain which resulted in flooding that covered several roads and Highway 27 under 4 feet (1.2 meters) of water. The storm also spawned two tornadoes. The first tornado touched down near Poplarville at 0730 UTC. The tornado destroyed two mobile homes, damaged seven cars and left one person injured.cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=1998|title=Mississippi Event Report|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2007-03-28|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~333153] The damage from the F1 tornado amounted to $75,000 dollars (1998 USD, $91,629 2006 USD) in damage. [cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=1998|title=Mississippi Event Report|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2007-03-29|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~333151] The second tornado (which was ranked as an F0 on the fujita scale) touched down near Bay St. Louis at 0850 UTC where it caused only $10,000 dollars (1998 USD, $12,217 2006 USD) in damage. [cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=1998|title=Mississippi Event Report|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2007-03-29|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~333152] Overall damage in Mississippi amounted to $85,000 dollars (1998 USD, $103,846 2006 USD). [cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=1998|title=Mississippi Event Report|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2007-03-29|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~333150]

Alabama also expeirenced heavy rainfall from Hermine as the storm dropped over six inches (152.4 mm) of rain across the state. The rainfall caused moderate flash flooding in southeastern Tuscaloosa County, northern Bibb County and southwestern Shelby County. The floods caused several road closings and numerous vehicles were stalled and/or damaged stranding motorists. Flood damage in Bibb County and Shelby County alone amounted to only $12,000 dollars (1998 USD, $14,660 2005 USD). [cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=1998|title=Alabama Event Report|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2007-03-29|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~316255] [cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=1998|title=Alabama Event Report|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2007-03-29|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~316256] Damage in Tuscaloosa County totaled only $4,000 dollars (1998 USD, $4,886 2006 USD). [cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=1998|title=Alabama Event Report|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2007-03-29|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~316254] In Choctaw County, rainfall from Hermine totaled to 3-5 inches (76.2-127 mm). The heavy rains caused flooding that closed roads. In Glibertown, high waters forced residents living in three trailers to evacuate. Damage in Choctaw County amounted to $5,000 dollars (1998 USD, $6,108 2006 USD). [cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=1998|title=Alabama Event Report|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2007-03-29|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~316257] In Baldwin County, a waterspout spawed by Hermine moved onshore near Gulf Shores as an F0 tornado on the fujita scale and dissapated without causing any damage. [cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=1998|title=Alabama Event Report|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2007-03-29|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~316253] Overall, Hermine left $21,000 dollars (1998 USD, $25,656 2006 USD) in damage across Alabama.

As the remnants of Hermine moved further inland, it dropped heavy rains across central and southeastern Georgia.In Camden County, the heavy rainfall caused flooding that closed numerous streets in the towns of St. Mary and Kingsland. The water caused damage to cars and three homes. One family was relocated by the American Red Cross due to the flood damage to their house. Damage in Georgia amounted to $15,000 dollars (1998 USD, $18,325 2006 USD). [cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=1998|title=Georgia Event Report|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2007-03-29|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~322414]

Because the damage from Hermine was minimal, the name was not retired by the World Meteorlogical Organization in the spring of 1999. As result it was reused again in 2004 and will be used again for the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season.

See also

* tropical cyclone

References

External links

* [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1998hermine.html NHC Report on Hermine]