Tropical Storm Fay (2002)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Tropical storm (SSHS) | ||
|---|---|---|
 Tropical Storm Fay making landfall |
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| Formed | September 4, 2002 | |
| Dissipated | September 11, 2002 | |
| Highest winds |
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| Lowest pressure | 998 mbar (hPa; 29.48 inHg) | |
| Fatalities | None | |
| Damage | $4.5 million (2002 USD) $5.05 million (2006 USD) |
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| Areas affected |
Texas, northern Mexico | |
| Part of the 2002 Atlantic hurricane season |
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Tropical Storm Fay was the sixth named storm and the fifth tropical storm of the 2002 Atlantic hurricane season. Fay formed on September 4 in the Gulf of Mexico. The storm moved westward and reached a peak intensity of 60 mph and a minimum barometric pressure of 998 millibars before making landfall in southern Texas, where it brought heavy rains and numerous tornadoes before dissipating over northern Mexico. The storm caused no deaths and left $4.5 million (2002 USD).
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[edit] Storm history
A low pressure system formed in the Gulf of Mexico on September 4 and became a tropical depression the next day about 85 miles southeast of Galveston, Texas. The tropical depression then moved south-southwest where it became a tropical storm and was named Fay by the National Hurricane Center.[1] Fay reached a peak of 60 mph (50 knots) and a minimum barometric pressure of 998 millibars before turning northwestward and making landfall on September 7 near Port O'Connor, Texas. Fay then made a sharp turn and accelerated before dissipating in northern Mexico.[1]
[edit] Preparations
Forecasters issued a tropical storm warning in anticipation of Tropical Depression Six forecasting to reach tropical storm strength.[2] The next day when the depression became Tropical Storm Fay, the warnings were extended from Matagorda, Texas to coastal Louisiana. Forecasters predicted that the storm will bring 4-6 inches of rain and a storm surge of 2-4 feet to coastal areas.[3] On September 8, forecasters extended the warnings to Port Aransas, Texas and areas from Port O'Connor to High Island, Texas were put under a hurricane watch as the storm was forecasted to reach hurricane strength before making landfall. However, the hurricane watch for those areas were discontinued when Fay failed to reach hurricane strength.[4][5]
[edit] Impact
On the Texas coast, a waterspout spawned by Fay, made landfall and did $60,000 dollars (2002 USD, $66,000 2006 USD) along the northern end of Galveston Island. The waterspout damaged a carport and a brick fence.[6] In Brazoria County, Texas,about 1,000 homes and businesses were damaged by the storm and there was $3.5 million dollars (2002 USD) in damage. Rain totals up to 24 inches caused severe flash flooding across the upper Texas coast. Moving inland the remnants of Fay, caused more flash floods that damaged thirty homes across the southern Texas, however the storm did brought needed rain to the west and southern parts of Texas. Twelve tornadoes were reported during Fays landfall, the most notable tornado destroyed one mobile homes and damaged others in Boling, Texas, about three people were injured from the tornado.[1] In Matagorda County, flooding from the storm left $1.3 million dollars (2002 USD, $1.4 million 2006 USD) in damage to roads and public facilities. On the coast, strong ocean currents resulted in extensive beach erosion which totaled up to $3.5 million dollars (2002 USD, $3.9 million 2006 USD).[7] Warlton County reported damage of $85,000 dollars (2002 USD, $94,000 2006 USD), the damage was limited to flooding and a tornado that destroyed a mobile home and barn. In Bandera County, the storm dropped 2 inches of rain with some areas receiving 6 inches. The rain caused isolated reports of flooding which resulted in $50,000 dollars (2002 USD, $55,000 2006 USD) in damage.[8][9][10] In Bextar County, flooding rains caused over $50,000 dollars (2002 USD, $55,000 2006 USD) in damage to roads and bridges.[11] In Wilson County, flooding there caused $80,000 dollars (2002 USD, $88,000 2006 USD).[12] In Medina County, rainfall of 2-3 inches fell in the southwestern part of the county. The rainfall caused extensive flooding that closed down schools and office buildings. The floods left over $300,000 dollars (2002 USD, $330,000 2006 USD) in damage. Much of it was limited to bridges and crops.[13] Heavy rains from Fay remnants also dropped 2-3 inches of rain over Frio County. Rainfall of 8 inches were reported near the Astacola County line with an isolated report of 12 inches in other areas. The rainfall caused severe flashflooding that forced people to flee to roof tops. Damage to buildings, roads and crops totaled up to $800,000 dollars (2002 USD, $880,000 2006 USD).[14]
[edit] Aftermath
Ten counties in Texas were declared disaster areas after Tropical Storm Fay. The declaration enabled business owners and residents to apply for federal and state government aid programs.[15][16] Disaster housing checks handed out after the storm totaled to over $2.7 million dollars (2002 USD and FEMA had carried out over 2,700 home and building inspections. Non government relief programs, like the The Individual and Family Grant Program had distributed over $400,000 dollars (2002 USD) in checks and over $1 million (2002 USD) in relief funds. The SBA also funded over $250,000 dollars (2002 USD) in relief aid.[17]
[edit] Lack of retirement
The name Fay was not retired and is scheduled to be used for the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Stacy R. StewartNHC Report on FayNational Hurricane Center; URL Accessed:July 13, 2006
- ^ NHC (2002) NHC Advisory on Fay National Hurricane Center; URL Accessed: July 17, 2006
- ^ NHC (2002) NHC Advisory on Fay National Hurricane Center; URL Accessed: July 17, 2006
- ^ NHC (2002) NHC Advisory on Fay National Hurricane Center; URL Accessed: July 17, 2006
- ^ NHC (2002) NHC Advisory on Fay National Hurricane Center; URL Accessed: July 17, 2006
- ^ NCDC (2002) Texas Event DetailsURL Accessed:July 13, 2006
- ^ NCDC (2002) Texas Event DetailsURL Accessed:July 13, 2006
- ^ NCDC (2002) Texas Event DetailsURL Accessed:July 13, 2006
- ^ NCDC (2002) Texas Event DetailsURL Accessed: July 17, 2006
- ^ NCDC (2002) Texas Event DetailsURL Accessed:July 17, 2002
- ^ NCDC (2002) Texas Event DetailsURL Accessed: July 13, 2006
- ^ MCDC (2002) Texas Event Details URL Accessed:July 17, 2006
- ^ NCDC (2002) Texas Event DetailsURL Accessed: July 17, 2006
- ^ NCDC (2002) Texas Event DetailsURL Accessed: July 17, 2006
- ^ FEMA (2002) FEMA Declared Counties URL Accessed:July 17, 2006
- ^ FEMA (2002) FEMA News Release URL Accessed:July 17, 2006
- ^ FEMA (2002) Disaster Assistance Update for Ten Counties Affected by Tropical Storm Fay URL Accessed: July 17, 2006
