Tropical Storm Frances (1998)
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| Tropical storm (SSHS) | ||
|---|---|---|
 Tropical Storm Frances at peak intensity |
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| Formed | September 8, 1998 | |
| Dissipated | September 13, 1998 | |
| Highest winds |
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| Lowest pressure | 994 mbar (hPa) | |
| Damage | $500 million (1998 USD) $586 million (2006 USD) |
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| Fatalities | 1 direct, 1 indirect | |
| Areas affected |
Texas, western Louisiana, Midwestern United States | |
| Part of the 1998 Atlantic hurricane season |
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Tropical Storm Frances was the sixth tropical storm storm of the 1998 Atlantic hurricane season. The storm produced more than fifteen inches of rain across Texas, western Louisiana and the Ohio Valley, and caused around $500 million in damage (1998 USD).[1] Frances was the second tropical storm to hit Texas during the 1998 season, with Charley being the other.[2]
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[edit] Storm 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 160 miles east-southeast of Brownsville, Texas. Initially, the depression was very large, and without a distinct center of circulation it more resembled a monsoon depression commonly seen in the Western Pacific Ocean and the Northern Indian Ocean. Regardless, the depression drifted southward and strengthened into Tropical Storm Frances on the 9th. [1]
Frances turned to the northwest and strengthened due to warm water temperatures of 30º C, weak vertical shear, and a large anticyclone aloft. Just before making landfall on Corpus Christi, Texas, the storm reached a peak of 55 mph, and quickly weakened as it continued inland. Shortly after landfall, the storm executed a small loop before turning to the north and dissipating on September 13. The remnants of Frances persisted another day before dissipating over Iowa.[1]
[edit] 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.[1]
[edit] 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 44.06 inches/1119 mm at Independencia/Escuintla.
[edit] Louisiana
Though on the outskirts of the storm, Tropical Storm Frances dropped up to 11 inches of rain in western Louisiana. Along the coast, the system caused a storm surge of 5.1 feet in Cameron.[1] The storm surge swept away five houses, destroyed a fishing pier, and submerged Grand Isle.[citation needed] A tornado in the outer bands of the storm killed one person in Lafourche Parish], while six others were injured. [1] The tornado also severely damaged a trailer park.[citation needed]. In addition, the storm caused an indirect death in the New Orleans area in an automobile accident. [1]
[edit] Texas
Tropical Storm Frances caused significant amounts of flooding across southeastern Texas, with a peak of 17 inches in Matagorda County. Many other areas reported 10 inches as well, resulting in significant flood damage. Severe flooding was also reported in Harris County and Houston. [3] 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.[4] 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. [3]
[edit] Lack of retirement
Despite the damage the name was not retired so it was used again in 2004. The name Frances has since been retired and was replaced with Fiona which will be used for the 2010 season
