Tropical Storm Frances (1998)

Infobox Hurricane
Name=Tropical Storm Frances
Type=Tropical storm
Year=1998
Basin=Atl
Image location=TS Frances 10 sept 1998 2040Z.jpg


Formed=September 8, 1998
Dissipated=September 13, 1998
1-min winds=55
Pressure=994
Da

Inflated=1
Fatalities=1 direct, 1 indirect
Areas=Texas, western Louisiana, Midwestern United States
Hurricane season=1998 Atlantic hurricane seasonOriginating over the southwest Caribbean sea on September 4, Tropical Storm Frances became the sixth tropical storm storm of the 1998 Atlantic hurricane season. A large tropical cyclone for the Atlantic Basin,Robert T. Merrill. [http://ams.allenpress.com/archive/1520-0493/112/7/pdf/i1520-0493-112-7-1408.pdf A Comparison of Large and Small Tropical Cyclones.] Retrieved on 2008-07-14.] yet an average sized system by western Pacific standards, [David M. Roth. [http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/research/roth/TC_QPF_talk032008.ppt HPC’s role in providing Tropical Cyclone Rainfall� Products.] Retrieved on 2008-10-01.] the storm produced heavy rains across Texas, western Louisiana and the Great Plains. Coastal flooding overran the coasts of Louisiana and Texas, which worsened river flooding across the region. Damage totaled US$500 million (1998 dollars), mainly from flooding.Miles B. Lawrence. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1998frances.html NHC Frances Report.] Retrieved on 2008-10-01.] There was one direct death and one indirect death associated with the tropical storm. Frances was the second tropical cyclone to hit Texas during the 1998 season, with Charley being the other. [National Hurricane Center. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1851to2007_atl_reanal.txt Atlantic Hurricane Database.] Retrieved on 2008-10-01.]

Meteorological history

A broad area of low pressure formed in the southwest Caribbean on September 4. It moved to the northwest and slowly organized, developing a low pressure center on September 8. This coincided with the existence of a large area of convection over the western Gulf of Mexico. The area continued to organize and developed into Tropical Depression Six later on the 8th while convert|160|mi|km east-southeast of Brownsville, Texas. Initially, the depression was large, without a well-defined center of circulation. It more resembled a monsoon depression commonly seen in the Western Pacific Ocean and the Northern Indian Ocean. The depression drifted southward and strengthened into Tropical Storm Frances on the 9th.

Frances turned to the northwest and strengthened due to warm water temperatures of 30 °C, weak vertical shear, and a large anticyclone aloft. Just before making landfall on Corpus Christi, Texas, the storm reached a peak of convert|55|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on, and quickly weakened as it continued inland. Shortly after landfall, the storm executed a small loop before turning to the north and dissipating as a tropical cyclone on September 13. The remnant low of Frances persisted another day, becoming a frontal wave over Iowa. This frontal wave moved across the Great Lakes and New England into the north Atlantic by the 16th.David M. Roth. [http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/frances1998.html Tropical Storm Frances - September 3-17, 1998.] Retrieved on 2008-10-01.]

Preparations

A tropical storm warning was issued for the Texas coast between High Island and Brownsville on the afternoon of the 8th. The next afternoon, the warning area was extended southward into northeast Mexico to Tampico. By the afternoon of the 10th, strong winds along the Louisiana coast led to an extension of the tropical storm warning eastward to the Pearl River. On the 11th, as Frances moved inland, tropical storm warnings were slowly lifted.

Impact

Although there was little wind damage, Frances caused $500 million dollars (1998 USD) in damage, mostly from flooding. In addition, it killed one person. Several counties in Texas and Louisiana were declared disaster areas.

Mexico

The main inflow band of this system remained stationary across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec for several days, leading to extremely heavy rainfall. The highest amount noted was convert|44.06|in|mm at Independencia/Escuintla. [David M. Roth. [http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/frances1998filledrainblk.gifTropical Storm Frances (1998) Rainfall Graphic.] Retrieved on 2008-10-01.]

Louisiana

Though on the outskirts of the storm, Tropical Storm Frances dropped convert|10|in|mm to convert|15|in|mm of rain across southwest Louisiana, and over convert|23|in|mm of rainfall near New Orleans, Louisiana.David M. Roth. [http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/frances1998.html Tropical Storm Frances - September 3-17, 1998.] Retrieved on 2008-10-01.] This rainfall helped relieve drought conditions.David M. Roth. [http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lch/research/lahur.php Louisiana Hurricanes.] Retrieved on 2008-10-01.] Along the coast, the system caused a storm surge of convert|5.1|ft|m in Cameron, the worst experienced along the coast of southwest Louisiana since Hurricane Carla. The storm surge swept away five houses, destroyed a fishing pier, and submerged Grand Isle.David M. Roth. [http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lch/research/lahur.php Louisiana Hurricanes.] Retrieved on 2008-10-01.] A tornado in the outer bands of the storm killed one person in Lafourche Parish, while six others were injured. At least eight tornadoes were witnessed statewide, with seven touching down across Acadiana.David M. Roth. [http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lch/research/lahur.php Louisiana Hurricanes.] Retrieved on 2008-10-01.] In addition, the storm caused an indirect death in the New Orleans area in an automobile accident.

Texas

Winds gusted as high as convert|66|mph|km/h at Sea Rim State Park as Frances lashed the coast. The lowest pressure reported from a land station was convert|29.33|in|hPa at Rockport, Texas. Three tornadoes touched down across the Lone Star State, at Caney Creek, La Porte, and Galveston. A major disaster declaration was issued for Brazoria, Galveston, and Harris counties.David M. Roth. [http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lch/research/txlate20hur3.php Texas Hurricane History: Late 20th Century (continued).] Retrieved on 2008-10-01.]

Tropical Storm Frances caused significant amounts of flooding across southeastern Texas, with a peak of convert|21.46|in|mm in Houston, Texas metropolitan area. [David M. Roth. [http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/tcgulfcoast.html Tropical Cyclone Rainfall for the Gulf Coast.] Retrieved on 2008-10-01.] Severe flooding was also reported in Harris County and Houston. National Weather Service Forecast Office, Galveston/Houston, Texas. [http://www.srh.weather.gov/hgx/projects/frances98/rivers.htm Tropical Storm Frances Impact on Rivers.] Retrieved on 2008-10-01.] More than 1,400 homes and businesses in and around Houston were either damaged or destroyed by the floods. In addition, three main highways in Houston were washed out, leaving many motorists stranded. [Associated Press. [http://www.usatoday.com/weather/huricane/1998/wfrances.htm Frances floods Texas, La.] Retrieved on 2008-10-01.] [http://www.srh.weather.gov/hgx/projects/frances98/rivers.htm NWS Galveston/Houston] ]

Sections of the Middle Texas coast, closer to the point of landfall, and Golden Triangle of southeast Texas reported over convert|10|in|mm of rainfall as well, resulting in significant flood damage. Roads and bridges were submerged near Corpus Christi.David M. Roth. [http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lch/research/lahur.php Louisiana Hurricanes.] Retrieved on 2008-10-01.] Flooding was also reported along the San Bernard River where several roads and a subdivision was flooded. The flooding also disrupted barge traffic at the Phillips Petroleum facility. [http://www.srh.weather.gov/hgx/projects/frances98/rivers.htm NWS Galveston/Houston] ]

Coastal flooding occurred well in advance of the cyclone's landfall. A storm surge of convert|5.4|ft|m was measured at Sabine Pass, Texas and convert|8|ft|m was measured at the Matagorda Locks. Meacom's pier and San Luis pass pier were severely damaged. Coastal flooding worsened backwater flooding in area rivers since their waters were blocked from flowing southeast into the Gulf of Mexico.David M. Roth. [http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lch/research/lahur.php Louisiana Hurricanes.] Retrieved on 2008-10-01.] Sabine Pass was cutoff to the mainland for a week, until Hermine's passage to the east eased coastal flooding conditions.David M. Roth. [http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lch/research/txlate20hur3.php Texas Hurricane History: Late 20th Century (continued).] Retrieved on 2008-10-01.]

Lack of retirement

Despite the damage done, the name was not retired. Frances was used again in the 2004 season. Initially, the WMO planned to retire the name after the 2004 season anyway, following a request from France during the WMO meeting in spring 2003, [World Meteorological Organization. [http://web.archive.org/web/20060927111817/http://www.wmo.int/web/www/TCP/Reports/HC-25FinalReport-eng.pdf RA IV Hurricane Committee: Final Report of the Twenty-Fifth Session.] Retrieved on 2007-04-08 via Wayback Machine.] but the destruction caused by Frances would have been enough for retirement on its own merit. The name was replaced with Fiona which will be used for the 2010 Season.

ee also

* List of Atlantic hurricanes
* List of wettest tropical cyclones in the United States

References

External links

* [http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/frances1998.html HPC rainfall page for Frances]