Tropical Storm Charley (1998)

Infobox Hurricane
Name=Tropical Storm Charley
Type=Tropical storm
Year=1998
Basin=Atl
Image location=TS Charley 22 aug 1998 0925Z.jpg


Formed=August 21, 1998
Dissipated=August 24, 1998
1-min winds=60
Pressure=1000
Da

Inflated=1
Fatalities=20 direct, 6 missing
Areas=Texas, northern Mexico
Hurricane season=1998 Atlantic hurricane season

Tropical Storm Charley was the third named storm of the 1998 Atlantic hurricane season. Charley was the second tropical storm to make landfall in Texas during that season (Frances being the other). [cite web |url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1995.html |title=NHC 1995 Seasonal Summary Page |accessdate=2008-03-19 |author=Brian Maher and Jack Beven |date=1998 |publisher=NHC] The storm originated with a tropical wave that moved off the West African coast on August 9.Cite web|author=Edward N. Rappaport|title=Tropical Storm Charley Tropical Cyclone Report|year=1998|publisher=NHC|accessdate=2008-03-19|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1998charley.html] The wave moved generally west-northwestward, producing occasional bursts of convection, finally arriving in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico by August 19, when animated satellite images began to indicate it had possibly developed a low pressure center.Cite web|author=Edward N. Rappaport|title=Tropical Storm Charley Tropical Cyclone Report|year=1998|publisher=NHC|accessdate=2008-03-19|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1998charley.html] Hurricane Hunter investigations in to the system the next day revealed that this was not the case. The system lingered for two days, lacking an organized low level center of circulation until early on the morning of August 21, when advisories were initiated on the tropical depression, 185 miles (298 km) east of Brownsville, Texas.Cite web|author=Lawrence|title=Tropical Storm Charley Advisory #1|year=1998|publisher=NHC|accessdate=2008-03-19|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/pub/PAL0398.001] The depression became a tropical storm later that day, as it moved steadily west-northwestward, strengthening, and then weakening again before making landfall the next morning around Port Aransas, Texas.Cite web|author=Lawrence|title=Tropical Storm Charley Advisory #4|year=1998|publisher=NHC|accessdate=2008-03-19|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/pub/PAAL0398.004] The storm moved slowly inland and finally dissipated on the morning of the August 24 near the town of Del Rio, Texas.

Charley's impacts in Texas and Mexico were locally severe. In Texas, over 2000 homes were destroyed by the locally severe flooding, and 13 people died. In Mexico, over 12 inches (300 mm) of rain fell in northern areas near the Texas-Mexico border, and seven people were killed.Cite web|author=Edward N. Rappaport|title=Tropical Storm Charley Tropical Cyclone Report|year=1998|publisher=NHC|accessdate=2008-03-19|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1998charley.html]

Meteorological history

storm path|Charley 1998 track.pngCharley originated with a large swirl of clouds which moved off of the west coast of Africa on August 9. Lacking deep convection or a well defined center, the wave continued west-northwestward without developing. Ten days later, on August 19, satellite images indicated the disturbance was beginning to rotate cyclonically over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico. A reconnaissance aircraft flew in to the system the next day. While strong winds were recorded, no circulation center was present. The following morning, a second flight reported that a center had formed, and the disturbance was designated a tropical depression.Cite web|author=Edward N. Rappaport|title=Tropical Storm Charley Tropical Cyclone Report|year=1998|publisher=NHC|accessdate=2008-03-19|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1998charley.html] Initially, the center was disorganized. However, convection over the depression blossomed, mostly concentrated over the northern semicircle. During the evening of August 21, the system was named Tropical Storm Charley.cite web|author=Lawrence|title=Tropical Storm Charley discussion number 2|year=1998|publisher=NHC|accessdate=2008-03-19|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/dis/NAL0398.002]

As the system continued west-northwestward, more organized banding features developed, and the storm began to intensify. On August 22, it reached its peak intensity of 70 miles per hour (110 km/h).Cite web|author=Guiney|title=Tropical Storm Charley discussion number 4|year=1998|publisher=NHC|accessdate=2008-03-19|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/dis/NAL0398.004] Subsequent reconnaissance reports indicated that winds had decreased, and the storm made landfall near Corpus Christi, Texas early on August 23, with maximum sustained winds of 45 miles per hour (72 km/h). Within hours, Charley was downgraded to tropical depression status as it continued to weaken.Cite web|author=Lawrence|title=Tropical Depression Charley discussion number 5|year=1998|publisher=NHC|accessdate=2008-03-19|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/dis/NAL0398.005] By August 24, Charley had dissipated over the Rio Grande near Del Rio, Texas. Although surface winds had diminished and a closed surface circulation no longer existed, a slow-moving remnant circulation aloft persisted in the Del Rio area and generated flooding rains that were most devastating in that area on August 23 and the 24.

Preparations

Tropical storm warnings were issued by the NHC coincidentally with the first advisory on the depression, from High Island, Texas to Brownsville.Cite web|author=Edward N. Rappaport|title=Tropical Storm Charley Tropical Cyclone Report|year=1998|publisher=NHC|accessdate=2008-03-19|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1998charley.html] Six hours later, these were extended eastward to Cameron, Louisiana. At landfall on August 22, the warnings north of Sabine Pass, Texas were expired, and the rest were dropped later that day.Cite web|author=Edward N. Rappaport|title=Tropical Storm Charley Tropical Cyclone Report|year=1998|publisher=NHC|accessdate=2008-03-19|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1998charley.html]

In advance of the storm, thousands of oil workers were evacuated from Gulf of Mexico oil rigs. Cite web|author=New York Times|title=1st Hurricane of the Season Edges Toward Atlantic Coast
year=1998|publisher=New York Times|accessdate=2008-03-28|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=980DE5DA1E3DF930A1575BC0A96E958260] In Del Rio, some highways and roads were closed after the initial flooding, in anticipation of more flooding as the system stalled over the area.Cite web|author=United Press International|title=UPI TEXAS THIRD NEWS BRIEFS|year=1998|publisher=United Press International|accessdate=2008-03-20|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-19658717.html] Of the 2000 Laredo, Texas residents ordered to leave their homes in anticipation of the Rio Grande overflowing its banks, only 600 actually did so.cite web|author=New York Times|title=Swollen Rio Grande Carries Flood South|year=1998|publisher=New York Times|accessdate=2008-03-20|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C02E7DA133CF934A1575BC0A96E958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=1]

Impact

Being relatively weak, the storm's main impact was its heavy rainfall. Prolific, sometimes record amounts fell over much of south central Texas and northern Mexico. Few areas received sustained tropical storm force winds, and the storm surge was insignificant.Cite web|author=Edward N. Rappaport|title=Tropical Storm Charley Tropical Cyclone Report|year=1998|publisher=NHC|accessdate=2008-03-19|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1998charley.html] There were no confirmed tornadoes.Cite web|author=USA Today|title=Weather Service storm Reports|year=1998|publisher=USA Today|accessdate=2008-03-20|url=http://www.usatoday.com/weather/huricane/1998/wcharle4.htm] Twenty people died, all from drowning, and the storm caused $50 million (1998 USD; $64 million USD in 2007) in damage.Cite web|author=AVILA/GUINEY/LAWRENCE/MAYFIELD/PASCH/RAPPAPORT
title=NHC 1995 Yearly Summary|year=1998|publisher=NHC|accessdate=2008-03-20|url=http://web.archive.org/web/19981205054250/www.nhc.noaa.gov/ftp/pub/forecasts/discussion/MIATWSAT]

Texas

The storm's major impact was its very heavy rain. A 90 mile (140 km) wide swath of over 3 inches (76 mm) of rainfall extended from the Middle Texas Coast west to the Texas-Mexico border. Charley produced 17 inches (430 mm) of rain in Del Rio in a 24-hour period, a new record daily rainfall for the city.Cite web|author=Edward N. Rappaport|title=Tropical Storm Charley Tropical Cyclone Report|year=1998|publisher=NHC|accessdate=2008-03-19|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1998charley.html] Refugio, Texas received 7.2 inches (180 mm) of rain, and Woodsboro, Texas recorded 5 inches (130 mm).Cite web|author=Edward N. Rappaport|title=Tropical Storm Charley Tropical Cyclone Report|year=1998|publisher=NHC|accessdate=2008-03-19|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1998charley.html] The storm surge on areas of the Texas coast was small. Port O'Connor recorded a storm surge of 2.3 feet (.7 m), while Pleasure Pier was subjected to a 4.5 feet (1.5 m) surge.Cite web|author=Edward N. Rappaport|title=Tropical Storm Charley Tropical Cyclone Report|year=1998|publisher=NHC|accessdate=2008-03-19|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1998charley.html] There were two reports of sustained tropical storm force winds, 41 miles per hour (66 km/h) and 39 miles per hour (63 km/h) from Rockport, Texas and Galveston, Texas respectively. The maximum wind gust was 63 miles per hour (101 km/h) at Port O'Connor, Texas.Cite web|author=Edward N. Rappaport|title=Tropical Storm Charley Tropical Cyclone Report|year=1998|publisher=NHC|accessdate=2008-03-19|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1998charley.html] No tornadoes were confirmed by any NWS offices, although one suspected tornado did prompt a tornado warning. [http://www.usatoday.com/weather/huricane/1998/wcharle4.htm NWS Reports] ]

Damage from the storm, while generally light, was severe locally. In Val Verde County, Texas, which took the vast majority of the damage, roughly 2000 houses, mobile homes, and apartments combined were destroyed by flooding.Cite web|author=Edward N. Rappaport|title=Tropical Storm Charley Tropical Cyclone Report|year=1998|publisher=NHC|accessdate=2008-03-19|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1998charley.html] At one point, two-thirds of Del Rio was underwater after a natural dam broke in the San Felipe Creek, flooding the city with a sudden surge of water. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D05E5D9173CF936A1575BC0A96E958260 NY Times Article] ] The coastal storm surge destroyed several of the dunes on San Jose and Mustang Islands.Cite web|author=Marine Science Institute|title=Tropical Storms & Hurricanes|year=2006|publisher="Marine Science Institute|accessdate=2008-03-20|url=http://nearshore.utmsi.utexas.edu/storms.htm#char] There was also slight damage on Matagorda Island, where two shelters were destroyed by the surge flooding. [http://www.usatoday.com/weather/huricane/1998/wcharle4.htm NWS Reports] ] Four people, including two toddlers, died when their truck was swept away by floodwaters and nine more drowned in flooding along the San Felipe Creek. Thirteen people died in Texas, all drownings.Cite web|author=Edward N. Rappaport|title=Tropical Storm Charley Tropical Cyclone Report|year=1998|publisher=NHC|accessdate=2008-03-19|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1998charley.html] Charley left $50 million dollars (1998 USD; $64 million USD in 2007) in flood damage across southern Texas.Cite web|author=Edward N. Rappaport|title=Tropical Storm Charley Tropical Cyclone Report|year=1998|publisher=NHC|accessdate=2008-03-19|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1998charley.html] Eight counties in Texas were declared disaster areas. [Cite web|author=FEMA|title=Declared Counties for Texas Tropical Storm Charley|year=2005|publisher=FEMA|accessdate=2008-03-20|url=http://www.fema.gov/news/eventcounties.fema?id=559]

Mexico

While Mexico was not severely impacted by winds from the storm, heavy rain caused serious flooding in places. Augosto received maximum sustained winds of convert|52|mi/h|km/h and recorded a minimum pressure of convert|1003|mbar|inHg.Cite web|author=Alberto Hernández Unzón|title=CNA:S.M.N. Tormenta Tropical Charley|publisher=Mexican Weather Service|accessdate=2008-03-20|url=http://smn.cna.gob.mx/ciclones/tempo1998/atlantico/charley/charley.html] Jimenez received convert|14.53|in|mm of rainfall. In Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila, convert|6|ft|m of flooding occurred as a result of the heavy rains. 450 houses were damaged in the city, and over 2000 people were injured.Cite web|author=Gaceta Parlamentaria|title=Gaceta Parlamentaria, año I, número 105, viernes 28 de agosto de 1998|publisher=Gaceta Parlamentaria|year=1998|accessdate=2008-03-29|url=http://gaceta.diputados.gob.mx/Gaceta/1998/ago/19980828.html] In Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, heavy rains swelled the Rio Grande and caused significant flooding. 350 families were evacuated, and the city lost power and phone service.

Seven people died in Ciudad Acuña while they were trying to cross a flooded gully. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1998charley.html TPC ATLANTIC CHARLEY 1998 PRELIMINARY REPORT ] ]

Louisiana

Several inches of rain fell in parts of Louisiana. Lake Charles, Louisiana received the most, with convert|1.2|in|mm. Isolated wind gusts reached tropical storm force, and Lake Charles recorded a convert|43|mi/h|km/h gust.

Charley did not cause any significant damage in Louisiana.

Retirement

Considering the relatively light damage, the name was not retired and it was used in 2004. The name Charley has since been retired and was replaced with Colin, which is scheduled to be used for the 2010 season.Cite web|author=NHC|title=Worldwide Tropical Cyclone Names|publisher=NHC|accessdate=2008-03-20|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutnames.shtml]

ee also

*Tropical cyclone
*List of tropical cyclones

References