Tropical Depression Ten (2007)

Infobox Hurricane
Name=Tropical Depression Ten
Type=Tropical depression
Year=2007
Basin=Atl
Image location=TD Ten 21 sept 2007 1650Z.jpg


Formed=September 21, 2007
Dissipated=September 22, 2007
1-min winds=30
Pressure=1005
Da

Inflated=1
Fatalities=None reported
Areas=Florida, Georgia, Alabama
Hurricane season=2007 Atlantic hurricane season

Tropical Depression Ten was a short-lived tropical cyclone that made landfall on the Florida Panhandle in September 2007. The system developed as a subtropical depression on September 21 in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico from the interaction of a tropical wave, the tail end of a cold front, and an upper-level low. Initially containing a poorly-defined circulation and intermittent thunderstorm activity, the system transitioned into a tropical depression after convection increased over the center. Tracking northwestward, the depression moved ashore near Fort Walton Beach early on September 22, and shortly thereafter it dissipated over southeastern Alabama.

Initially the depression was forecast to move ashore as a minimal tropical storm, and the threat of the depression prompted state of emergency declarations in Mississippi and Louisiana. It was the first tropical cyclone to threaten the New Orleans area after the destructive 2005 hurricane season and Hurricane Katrina. Overall impact from the cyclone was minor and largely limited to light rainfall. However, the precursor system spawned a damaging tornado in Eustis, Florida, where 20 houses were destroyed and 30 more were damaged.

Meteorological history

Tropical Depression Ten formed from the complex interaction between an upper-level low, a tropical wave that produced Tropical Storm Ingrid, and the tail end of a cold front. By September 17, the system produced widespread thunderstorm activity over the Bahamas and western Atlantic Ocean.cite web|author=Jamie Rhome|year=2007|title=Tropical Depression Ten Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-10-16|format=PDF|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL102007_Ten.pdf] The upper-level low over the Florida Panhandle increased convection across the area, and on September 18 the system began crossing Florida. [cite web|author=Avila|year=2007|title=September 18 Tropical Weather Outlook|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-09-21|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Outlook-A/2007091821.ABNT20] Initially very disorganized, surface pressures gradually decreased across the region, with a weak low pressure area developing on September 19. [cite web|author=Pasch|year=2007|title=September 19 Tropical Weather Outlook|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-09-21|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Outlook-A/2007091909.ABNT20]

A reconnaissance aircraft flight into the system on September 20 reported a well-defined low and strong wind gusts in squalls as the system tracked into the northeastern Gulf of Mexico, along with limited and disorganized thunderstorm activity. [cite web|author=Pasch|year=2007|title=September 20 Tropical Weather Outlook|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-09-21|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Outlook-A/2007092021.ABNT20] Convection gradually became better organized, with a well-defined band in its eastern semicircle and intermittent thunderstorm activity near the center. Despite an overall disorganized structure, with a poorly-defined circulation and an upper-level low aloft, the National Hurricane Center initiated advisories on Subtropical Depression Ten at 1500 UTC on September 21 while it was located about 40 miles (60 km) south of St. Vincent Island, Florida, citing "the potential for additional development right along the coastline."cite web|author=Franklin|year=2007|title=Subtropical Depression Ten Discussion One|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-09-21|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/al10/al102007.discus.001.shtml?] In post-analysis, it was classified a subtropical cyclone three hours earlier.

With a mid-level ridge to its northwest, the subtropical depression was anticipated to parallel the coastline of the Gulf Coast of the United States. As a result, it was forecast to attain winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and move ashore along southern Mississippi. The circulation became better defined as convection modestly increased over the center, and within six hours of its development the system transitioned into a tropical depression. The cyclone continued tracking northwestward,cite web|author=Franklin|year=2007|title=Tropical Depression Ten Discussion Two|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-09-21|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/al10/al102007.discus.002.shtml?] making landfall around 0000 UTC on September 22 near Fort Walton Beach, Florida with winds of 35 mph (55 km/h).cite web|author=Avila|year=2007|title=Tropical Depression Ten Public Advisory Two-A|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-09-21|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/al10/al102007.public_a.002.shtml?] The cloud pattern deteriorated as it tracked inland, and 3 hours after it moved ashore the National Hurricane Center issued its last advisory on the depression.cite web|author=Avila|year=2007|title=Tropical Depression Ten Discussion Three|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-09-21|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/al10/al102007.discus.003.shtml?] As the depression tracked into Alabama, it became increasingly disorganized, and the system dissipated as a tropical cyclone early on September 22. Its remnant surface low continued west-northwest before dissipating near the Louisiana/Texas border early on September 23.cite web|author=David M. Roth|year=2007|title=Tropical Depression #10 - September 18-23, 2007|publisher=Hydrometeorological Prediction Center|url=http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/td102007.html|accessdate=2007-10-18]

Preparations and impact

The combination of wind shear and low-level helicity produced moderate convection across central Florida in association with the precursor low pressure system. Late on September 20, a supercell developed near Lake Apopka, and tracking quickly northward it spawned an EF1 tornado near Eustis; the tornado tracked about 2 miles (3 km) and reached winds of about 100 mph (160 km/h). [cite web|author=Melbourne, Florida National Weather Service|year=2007|title=Eustis Tornado|accessdate=2007-09-23|url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mlb/surveys/092007/index.html] The tornado destroyed 20 homes, left 30 others severely damaged, injured one person, and caused power outages for about 300 people. [cite web|author=CBS.com|year=2007|title=Florida Tornado Strikes 50 Homes|accessdate=2007-09-21|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/09/21/storm/main3285673.shtml] Damage totaled $6.2 million (2007 USD). [cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|accessdate=2008-02-20|year=2007|title=Event Report for Florida|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~450914] Tornadoes were also reported near Marianna and Chipley. [cite web|author=Godsey & Jamski|year=2007|title=Tropical Depression Ten Post-Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=Tallahassee, Florida National Weather Service|accessdate=2007-09-24|url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/data/warn_archive/TAE/PSH/0924_205249.txt]

Outer rainbands began affecting coastal sections of the Florida Panhandle by about 12 hours prior to the formation of the depression. [cite web|author=Avila|year=2007|title=September 20 Tropical Weather Outlook (2)|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-09-21|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Outlook-A/2007092102.ABNT20] Coinciding with the first advisory on the depression, the National Hurricane Center issued a tropical storm warning from Apalachicola, Florida westward to the mouth of the Mississippi River.cite web|author=Franklin|year=2007|title=Subtropical Depression Ten Public Advisory One|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-09-21|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/al10/al102007.public.001.shtml?] Shortly thereafter, an inland tropical storm warning was issued for Pearl River, Walthall, and Pike counties in Mississippi and Washington Parish in Louisiana. Additionally, the New Orleans National Weather Service issued a coastal flood watch for four parishes in southeastern Louisiana. [cite web|author=New Orleans National Weather Service|year=2007|title=Tropical Depression Ten Local Statement|accessdate=2007-09-21|url=http://www.webcitation.org/5S21arNCh] In Mississippi, Governor Haley Barbour declared a state of emergency. Officials ordered a mandatory evacuation for residents in shallow areas and in mobile homes for Jackson, Harrison, and Hancock counties. [cite news|author= Emily Wagster Pettus|date=2007-09-21|title=After storm preparations, Miss. avoids tropical jolt|publisher=Associated Press|accessdate=2007-09-21|url=http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070921/APN/709210829&template=apart] Officials in New Orleans opened three emergency shelters, [cite web|author=Times-Piscayne|year=2007|title=Nagin annouces storm shelter locations|accessdate=2007-09-21|url=http://blog.nola.com/times-picayune/2007/09/nagin_annouces_storm_shelter_l.html] citing the potential need of shelter for citizens in about 17,000 FEMA trailers after Hurricane Katrina. Due to the threat of the cyclone, Louisiana governor Kathleen Blanco declared a state of emergency and placed the state's National Guard and other disaster services on reserve. [cite web|author=Michael Winter|year=2007|title=Gulf Coast braces for first tropical storm since Katrina|publisher=USAToday.com|accessdate=2007-09-21|url=http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2007/09/gulf-coast-brac.html]

Waves of about 5 feet (1.5 m) and rip currents were reported along the west coast of Florida. [cite web|author=Tampa Bay National Weather Service|year=2007|title=Coastal Hazard Message|accessdate=2007-09-22|url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/data/warn_archive/TBW/CFW/0921_114356.txt] Rainfall associated with the system peaked at 7.29 inches (185 mm) at Hastings. Elsewhere, rainfall totals reached 1.46 inches (37.1 mm) in Albany, Georgia and 0.51 inches (13 mm) in Dothan, Alabama.cite web|author=Hedge|year=2007|title=Tropical Depression Ten Public Advisory Four|publisher=Hydrometeorological Prediction Center|accessdate=2007-09-22|url=http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/10/10_4.html] Wind gusts from the storm peaked at 46 mph (74 km/h) in Milton, Florida, which blew town a few trees in Escambia County. [cite web|author=Beeler|year=2007|title=Tropical Depression Ten Post Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=Mobile, Alabama National Weather Service|accessdate=2007-09-24|url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/data/warn_archive/MOB/PSH/0924_172212.txt] Overall damage from the depression was minimal.

Prior to its development, several oil and gas companies removed unneeded workers from offshore oil platforms in the northern Gulf of Mexico; Shell Oil Company evacuated about 700 employees, while Noble Energy removed its workforce of about 300 people from two oil rigs. [cite news|author=Brett Canton|date=2007-09-19|title=As tropical low lurks, offshore companies exercise caution|publisher=Houston Chronicle|accessdate=2007-09-21|url=http://www.redorbit.com/news/business/1072198/as_tropical_low_lurks_offshore_companies_exercise_caution/index.html] Exxon Mobil cut its output by about 1,000 barrels of oil and 55,000 ft³ (1,500 m³). [cite news|author=Erwin Seba|date=2007-09-20|title=Oil firms pull U.S. Gulf workers|publisher=Reuters|accessdate=2007-09-21|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idUSN1924225720070920] With 27.7% of the daily crude oil production halted due to the depression, oil prices rose further after days of increasing levels, and on September 20 reached a record rate of over $84 per barrel. [cite web|author=Reuters|year=2007|title=Foul weather slashes U.S. Gulf oil production|accessdate=2007-09-21|url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/business/20070921-0707-storm-energy-outages.html]

Tornadoes

See also

* List of Florida hurricanes (2000-present)

References