Tropical Storm Edouard (2008)

Atlantic tropical storm in 2008

Tropical Storm Edouard was a tropical storm that formed in the Gulf of Mexico. A weather system became still in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico in early August. An area of low pressure formed along the shear line early on August 2,[1] which slowly became stronger during the next day. It strengthened into Tropical Depression Five, and was named Tropical Storm Edouard on August 3. The tropical storm moved towards the west on August 4. It moved onto land on August 5 on the upper Texas coast, about 40 miles southwest of Port Arthur and moved west-northwest into inland Texas. Edouard died out over land and became a tropical depression late on August 5. The depression turned to the northwest, causing heavy rain in central Texas on August 6.

Tropical Storm Edouard
Tropical storm (SSHWS/NWS)
Edouard in Gulf of Mexico
FormedAugust 3, 2008
DissipatedAugust 8, 2008
Highest winds1-minute sustained: 65 mph (100 km/h)
Lowest pressure997 mbar (hPa); 29.44 inHg
FatalitiesNone
Areas affectedLouisiana, Texas
Part of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season

Preparations and impact

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In preparations for the storm, emergency teams along the Louisiana and Texas coasts became active. The Governor of Texas, Rick Perry, started a disaster declaration for 17 counties in Texas that were in the possible path of the storm. He also activated around 1,200 National Guard troops, a 70 member rescue team, six helicopters, and a team that brings food and water to affected areas. About 200 buses became ready for use in San Antonio and Houston to help in evacuations.[2] Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal declared a statewide emergency.[3] In Cameron Parish, Louisiana, the Office of Emergency Preparedness started a mandatory evacuation, and Sheriff's deputies put up roadblocks. In the Gulf of Mexico, the Shell Oil company removed about 40 workers from drilling locations.[4]

Storm surge from the storm reached 3.6 feet (1.1 m) at Freshwater Locks in Louisiana,[5] and also reached 3.92 feet (1.19 m) at Rollover Pass in Texas.[6] Heavy rain fell along the upper Texas coast. The highest rainfall in Jefferson county from Edouard was 4.69 inches (119 mm) from a site along the East Bay Bayou at Jones and Allen.[7] In the Houston, Texas area, 6.48 inches (165 mm) of rain faell at the Baytown Emergency Management Center.[8] In central Texas, a cluster of thunderstorms near the center of the storm on August 6 caused 6.11 inches (155 mm) of rain near Hamilton, Texas.[9] The strongest winds of 65 mph (105 km/h) at the caused loss of electric power and a few fallen trees.[10]

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References

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  1. Tropical Prediction Center. Surface Analysis: August 2, 1200 UTC.[permanent dead link] Retrieved on 2008-08-03.
  2. "Texas governor issues disaster declaration". Houston Chronicle. Associated Press. 2008-08-04. Retrieved 2008-08-04.[permanent dead link]
  3. Juan A. Lozano (2008-08-05). "Edouard hits Texas coast with strong wind, rain". Associated Press. Retrieved 2008-08-05.[permanent dead link]
  4. "Tropical Storm Edouard bears down on Louisiana-Texas coast". KTBS Web Network. Associated Press. 2008-08-04. Retrieved 2008-08-04.[permanent dead link]
  5. National Weather Service Forecast Office, Lake Charles, Louisiana. POST TROPICAL CYCLONE REPORT...TROPICAL STORM EDOUARD.[permanent dead link] Retrieved on 2008-08-14.
  6. National Weather Service Forecast Office, Houston/Galveston, Texas. POST TROPICAL CYCLONE REPORT...TROPICAL STORM EDOUARD. Archived 2008-09-28 at the Wayback Machine
  7. Jefferson County Texas Draining District 6 Flood Warning System. Jefferson County Drainage District 6 Rainfall Data Report. Retrieved on 2008-08-05.
  8. National Weather Service Forecast Office, Galveston/Houston, Texas. Hurricane Local Statement. Archived 2008-08-13 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-08-05.
  9. David M. Roth. Tropical Storm Edouard (2008) Storm Total Rainfall Image. Archived 2008-09-11 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-08-14.
  10. Chris Baltimore (2002). "Tropical Storm Edouard hits Texas coast". Herald Tribune. Archived from the original on 2008-08-11. Retrieved 2008-08-11.

Tropical cyclones of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season

Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale
TD TS C1 C2 C3 C4 C5