Tropical Storm Imelda
 | This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. (September 2019) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS/NWS) | |
 Tropical Storm Imelda just off the coast of Texas on September 17 | |
| Formed | September 17, 2019 |
|---|---|
| Dissipated | September 19, 2019 |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 40 mph (65 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 1005 mbar (hPa); 29.68 inHg |
| Fatalities | 1 total |
| Damage | Unknown |
| Areas affected | Texas, Louisiana |
| Part of the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season | |
Tropical Storm Imelda was a weak but catastrophic tropical cyclone whose remnants are causing record-breaking flooding in the southeastern Texas area. The eleventh tropical cyclone and tenth named storm of the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season, Imelda formed out of an upper-level low that developed in the Gulf of Mexico and moved westward. Little development occurred until the system was near the Texas coastline, where it rapidly developed into a tropical storm before moving ashore shortly afterward.
Beginning on September 17, as it made landfall as a weak tropical storm, Imelda brought heavy rain and dangerous flooding to parts of southeastern Texas (especially the cities of Galveston and Houston) as its motion gradually slowed over land. Dozens of water rescues began to occur on September 19 as areas became overwhelmed by the rainfall, with some areas experiencing over 40 inches (100 cm) of rain.
Meteorological history
Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
Unknown
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depressionOn September 14, the NHC began monitoring an upper-level low of the west coast of Florida for possible tropical development.[1] During the next several days, the system moved westward across the Gulf of Mexico, though the NHC gave the disturbance only a low chance of development. By September 17, the system had reached the east coast of Texas.[2] Soon afterward, organization in the system rapidly increased, and at 17:00 UTC that day, the system organized into Tropical Depression 11, just off the coast of Texas.[3] At 17:45 UTC, an observation deck at Freeport, Texas recorded sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) with gusts of 47 mph (76 km/h), indicating that the depression has strengthened to Tropical Storm Imelda.[4] Shortly thereafter, at 18:30 UTC, Imelda made landfall near Freeport, Texas at peak intensity, with maximum 1-minute sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 1,005 millibars (29.7 inHg).[5] Imelda weakened after landfall, becoming a tropical depression at 03:00 UTC on the next day. At that time, the NHC passed on the responsibility for issuing advisories to the Weather Prediction Center (WPC).[6] Imelda retained status as a tropical depression over land for the next 2 days, gradually disorganizing and slowing its motion before becoming a remnant low as it began passing over Louisiana on the 19th.
Impacts
Throughout the morning of September 19, Imelda caused widespread flooding to SE Texas and the Houston Area, causing many of the local bayous to overtop their banks and flood residential areas. More than 1,000 people have been rescued from floodwaters. All bus and rail services have been temporarily shut down in Houston. A roof of a United States Postal Service building collapsed, leaving three people with minor injuries. The George Bush Intercontinental Airport closed for about 90 minutes due to flooding on the runways, cancelling 655 flights.[7] Over 38 inches (97 cm) of rain fell in Beaumont.[8] 41.81 inches (106.2 cm) inches of rain were reported on I-10 between Winnie and Beaumont, with nearly 30 inches (76 cm) falling in just 12 hours. Rain fell at over 5 inches (13 cm) per hour in several places.[9]
See also
- Tropical Storm Allison – Another system of a similar intensity that stalled over Texas and caused flooding.
- Hurricane Harvey – Another system that stalled over Texas and caused severe flooding.
- Tropical cyclones in 2019
References
- ^ Jack Beven (September 14, 2019). "Two-Day Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook". www.nhc.noaa.gov. Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
- ^ Stacy R. Stewart (September 17, 2019). "Two=Day Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook". www.nhc.noaa.gov. Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
- ^ Daniel Brown (September 17, 2019). "Tropical Depression Eleven Special Discussion Number 1". www.nhc.noaa.gov. Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
- ^ Michael Brennan; Daniel Brown (September 17, 2019). "Tropical Storm Imelda Tropical Cyclone Update". www.nhc.noaa.gov. Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
- ^ David Zelinsky; Daniel Brown (September 17, 2019). "Tropical Storm Imelda Tropical Cyclone Update". www.nhc.noaa.gov. Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
- ^ Richard Pasch (September 18, 2019). "Tropical Depression Imelda Discussion Number 3". www.nhc.noaa.gov. Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
- ^ Jayme Deerwester (September 19, 2019). "Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport reopens: Rains prompt 650+ canceled flights". USA Today. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
- ^ David K. Li; Annie Rose Ramos (September 19, 2019). "Imelda slams southeast Texas, bringing flash floods and mandatory evacuations". NBC News. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
- ^ Brian Kahn (September 19, 2019). "Tropical Depression Imelda Has Dumped More Than 40 Inches of Rain on the Texas Gulf Coast". Gizmodo. G/O Media Inc. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
External links
Tropical cyclones of the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season | ||
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