Tropical Storm Beryl (1988)
Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | August 8, 1988 |
Dissipated | August 10, 1988 |
Tropical storm | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Highest winds | 50 mph (85 km/h) |
Lowest pressure | 1001 mbar (hPa); 29.56 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 1 direct |
Damage | $3 million (1988 USD) |
Areas affected | Gulf Coast of the United States |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1988 Atlantic hurricane season |
Tropical Storm Beryl was an unusual
Due to its slow motion, Beryl dropped heavy amounts of rainfall, peaking at 16.09 inches (409 mm) on
Meteorological history
A weak surface trough of low pressure emerged into the northeast Gulf of Mexico on August 1. Under weak steering currents, the trough drifted westward, and slowly became better defined with the formation of a circulation in the mid- through upper-levels of the atmosphere. An upper-level low developed over Texas, providing unfavorable amounts of vertical wind shear. A surface circulation was first evident on satellite imagery on August 4 just off the coast of Mississippi, and for several days it remained nearly stationary over the Mississippi Sound. As the upper-level low over Texas drifted southwestward, an anticyclone developed over the system, with the circulation becoming better defined and more vertically aligned. On August 7, the system drifted into southeastern Louisiana. It continued to become better organized, and on August 8 it developed into Tropical Depression Three while located near the northern coast of Lake Pontchartrain.[1] This is unusual in that tropical cyclones rarely form over land.[2]
Upon becoming a tropical cyclone, the depression drifted southeastward, and within hours of its formation it emerged into the Gulf of Mexico. Based on ship reports and
Preparations
Upon becoming a tropical storm, the National Hurricane Center issued a tropical storm warning from the mouth of the Mississippi River to Pensacola, Florida. Six hours later, the warning was extended westward to Morgan City, Louisiana.[5] The threat of Beryl prompted some voluntary evacuations in St. Bernard Parish in Louisiana,[6] and also forced the evacuations of thousands from offshore oil rigs.[7] Officials advised small craft to remain at port from Port O'Connor, Texas to Pensacola, Florida.[8]
Impact
Rainfall from the storm reached over 7 inches (180 mm) a short distance east of
In Mississippi, coastal areas reported heavy amounts of precipitation, reaching over 10 inches (250 mm) in Jackson County. Sustained winds reached 47 mph (76 km/h) at Gulfport, the strongest wind on a land station.[9] Similar to Alabama, strong waves caused considerable beach erosion along portions of the coastline.[6]
Beryl dropped rainfall across much of
The remnants of Beryl produced locally heavy precipitation peaking at about 12 inches (300 mm) in east-central Texas,[9] resulting in some reports of flash flooding.[6] The rainfall flooded some roads and also causes severe river flooding on the Angelina River.[11] Remnant moisture dropped about 5 inches (130 mm) of rain in southeast Oklahoma and 3 inches (76 mm) in southwestern Arkansas.[4] Further inland, the remnants of Beryl cooled temperatures and provided relief to the severe heat wave in the central United States.[12]
Throughout its path, Beryl caused about $3 million in damage (1988 USD, $5.46 million 2009 USD), primarily along the immediate coastline from erosion or flood damage.[6]
See also
- Other tropical cyclones named Beryl
- List of wettest tropical cyclones in Alabama
- Tropical Storm Julia (2016) - the most recent storm to form over land
References
- ^ a b National Hurricane Center (1988). "Tropical Storm Beryl Preliminary Report". Retrieved 2007-03-27.
- ^ NHC Hurricane Research Division (2006-02-17). "Atlantic hurricane best track". NOAA. Retrieved 2007-03-28.
- ^ National Hurricane Center (1988). "Tropical Storm Beryl Preliminary Report (Page 2)". Retrieved 2007-03-27.
- ^ a b c d e David Roth (2006). "Rainfall Summary for Tropical Storm Beryl". Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved 2007-03-27.
- ^ National Hurricane Center (1988). "Tropical Storm Beryl Preliminary Report (Page 12)". Retrieved 2007-03-27.
- ^ a b c d e f National Hurricane Center (1988). "Tropical Storm Beryl Preliminary Report (Page 3)". Retrieved 2007-03-27.
- ^ Saint Petersburg Times (1988-08-09). "Beryl hovering off Louisiana".
- ^ Jeff Woods (1988-08-08). "Domestic News". United Press International.
- ^ a b c d e Miles Lawrence and James Gross (1989). "Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1988" (PDF). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-03-27. [dead link]
- ^ United States Geological Survey (2005). "Summary of Significant Floods, 1988". Retrieved 2007-03-27.
- ^ United Press International (1988-08-11). "Beryl remnants soak East Texas".
- ^ "Temperatures Reach Record Levels". Associated Press. 1988-08-13.
External links
- National Hurricane Center Preliminary Report for Tropical Storm Beryl
- 1988 Atlantic Hurricane Season Summary