Tropical Storm Edouard (2008)

Infobox Hurricane
Name=Tropical Storm Edouard
Type=Tropical storm
Year=2008
Basin=Atl
Image location=Edouard 05 August 2008.jpg


Formed=August 3, 2008
Dissipated=August 8, 2008
1-min winds=55
Pressure=997
Da

Fatalities=None
Areas=Louisiana, Texas
Hurricane season=2008 Atlantic hurricane season

Tropical Storm Edouard was a tropical storm that organized in the Gulf of Mexico. A shear line stalled in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico in early August as troughing aloft dug into the northeast Gulf of Mexico. This energy aloft help to organize a surface low along the shear line early on August 2, [Tropical Prediction Center. [ftp://ftp.nhc.noaa.gov/pub/tafb_misc_maps/surface/pdf/2008_08/tsfc_2008080212.pdf Surface Analysis: August 2, 1200 UTC.] Retrieved on 2008-08-03.] which slowly organized over the following day. It strengthen into Tropical Depression Five before gaining intensity and being named Tropical Storm Edouard on August 3, the fifth named storm of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season. The tropical storm moved westward to the south of the central Gulf coast on August 4. It made landfall on August 5 on the upper Texas coast about 40 miles southwest of Port Arthur and moved west-northwest into the interior of Texas. Edouard weakened quickly over land and was downgraded to a tropical depression late on August 5. The depression turned to the northwest, dropping heavy rains on central Texas on August 6. Damage after Edouard is unknown.

Meteorological history

On August 2, 2008, a trough entered the northern Gulf of Mexico,cite web|author=Lixion Avila|date=2008-08-02|title=Tropical Weather Outlook|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-08-03|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Outlook-A/2008080217.ABNT20] with a low pressure area developing near Apalachicola, Florida. The system maintained scattered deep convection across offshore waters [cite web|author=Christopher Burr|date=2008-08-02|title=Tropical Weather Discussion|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-08-03|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Atl-Dis/2008080217.AXNT20] and environmental conditions favored development. The system tracked generally west-southwestward, due to its position south of a subtropical ridge extending from Texas through Florida. [cite web|author=Marshall Huffman|date=2008-08-02|title=Tropical Weather Discussion (2)|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-08-03|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Atl-Dis/2008080223.AXNT20] In the afternoon of August 3, a Hurricane Hunters flight into the system confirmed the development of a reasonable well-defined center of circulation, slightly exposed from a disorganized area of thunderstorms; based on its organization, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) initiated advisories on Tropical Depression Five about convert|85|mi|km south of the mouth of the Mississippi River.cite web|author=Jack Beven|date=2008-08-03|title=Tropical Depression Five Discussion One|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-08-03|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2008/al05/al052008.discus.001.shtml?]

Initially, the depression was located in an area of northerly wind shear and dry air, and as a result it was forecast to slowly intensify. However, Hurricane Hunter data indicated flight level winds of convert|65|mph|km/h, and the NHC upgraded it to Tropical Storm Edouard late on August 3.cite web|author=Franklin/Blake|date=2008-08-03|title=Tropical Storm Edouard Special Discussion Two|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-08-03|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2008/al05/al052008.discus.002.shtml?] By early on August 4, convection briefly decreased around the center, before a pre-dawn convective flare up enveloped its east side, nearly surrounding the center by afternoon as westerly vertical wind shear decreased. Later that night, organization continued, and Edouard strengthened to a strong tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of convert|65|mph|km/h. On the morning of August 5, Edouard made landfall in southern Gilchrist, Texas and weakened as it moved farther to the west-northwest. The storm was downgraded to a tropical depression late on August 5, turning more to the northwest into central Texas as it continued to weaken.

Preparations and impact

In preparations for the storm, emergency teams along the Louisiana and Texas coasts were activated. Texas Governor Rick Perry issued a disaster declaration for 17 Texas counties that could be in the path of Tropical Storm Edouard. Perry activated up to 1,200 National Guard troops, a 70 member rescue team, six helicopters and an incident management team that brings food and water to affected areas. Under the order, about 200 buses are available in San Antonio and Houston to help in evacuations. [cite web|author=Associated Press|title=Texas governor issues disaster declaration |date=2008-08-04|publisher="Houston Chronicle"|accessdate=2008-08-04|url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/5923434.htm] Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal declared a statewide emergency. [cite web|author=Juan A. Lozano|date=2008-08-05|title=Edouard hits Texas coast with strong wind, rain|publisher=Associated Press|accessdate=2008-08-05|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gVWjsPEiqe1tEu2mhBIRaxxGi8owD92C5AGO0] In Cameron Parish, Louisiana the Office of Emergency Preparedness ordered a mandatory evacuation, where Sheriff's deputies also erected roadblocks. In the Gulf of Mexico, Shell Oil evacuated about 40 workers from drilling operations. [cite web|author=Associated Press|title=Tropical Storm Edouard bears down on Louisiana-Texas coast |date=2008-08-04|publisher=KTBS Web Network|accessdate=2008-08-04|url=http://www.ktbs.com/news/Tropical-Storm-Edouard-bears-down-on-Louisiana-Texas-coast-14968/] BP and Chevron also evacuated workers from platforms in the western and central Gulf, though did not predict substantial effects on production.
Storm surge values reached convert|3.6|ft|m at Freshwater Locks in Louisiana, [National Weather Service Forecast Office, Lake Charles, Louisiana. [http://www.srh.weather.gov/productview.php?pil=PSHLCH&max=61 POST TROPICAL CYCLONE REPORT...TROPICAL STORM EDOUARD.] Retrieved on 2008-08-14.] and convert|3.92|ft|m at Rollover Pass in Texas. [National Weather Service Forecast Office, Houston/Galveston, Texas. [http://www.srh.noaa.gov/productview.php?pil=PSHHGX&max=61 POST TROPICAL CYCLONE REPORT...TROPICAL STORM EDOUARD.] ] Heavy rainfall fell along and inland of the upper Texas coast. The highest rainfall report from Jefferson county from Edouard was convert|4.69|in|mm from a site along the East Bay Bayou at Jones and Allen. [Jefferson County Texas Draining District 6 Flood Warning System. [http://208.191.93.83/reports.html Jefferson County Drainage District 6 Rainfall Data Report.] Retrieved on 2008-08-05.] In the Houston, Texas area, convert|6.48|in|mm had fallen at the Baytown Emergency Management Center. [National Weather Service Forecast Office, Galveston/Houston, Texas. [http://www.srh.noaa.gov/productview.php?pil=SATHLSHGX Hurricane Local Statement.] Retrieved on 2008-08-05.] In central Texas, a burst of thunderstorm activity near its center on August 6 led to convert|6.11|in|mm of rain near Hamilton, Texas. [David M. Roth. [http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/edouard2008filledrainblk.gifTropical Storm Edouard (2008) Storm Total Rainfall Image.] Retrieved on 2008-08-14.] Peak winds of around convert|65|mph|km/h|abbr=on at the time of landfall caused scattered power outages and occasional down trees. [cite web|author=Chris Baltimore|title=Tropical Storm Edouard hits Texas coast|year=2002|publisher="Herald Tribune"|accessdate=2008-08-11|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/reuters/2008/08/05/europe/OUKWD-UK-STORM-EDOUARD.php]

ee also

*Tropical cyclone
*List of Texas hurricanes

References

External links

* [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2008/EDOUARD_graphics.shtml National Hurricane Center - Edouard 2008 Graphics Archive]