Tropical Storm — Inland Broward County, Florida

2008-08-18 to 2008-08-19 · Inland Broward County, Florida

Event narrative

The center of Tropical Storm Fay moved across Key West early in the evening of the 18th and into the mainland of South Florida at Cape Romano shortly before 5 AM on the 19th. Minimum central pressure was 989 MB at landfall, but continued to decrease after landfall to 986 MB at Moore Haven on the southwest shore of Lake Okeechobee. Maximum sustained winds were estimated to be around 52 knots (60 MPH) at landfall, however as the storm tracked across the western Everglades and Southwest Florida the radar presentation continued to organize and winds increased to around 56 knots (65 MPH) around Moore Haven. A maximum wind gust of 69 knots (79 MPH) was recorded on a South Florida Water Management gauge on Lake Okeechobee as the storm passed.

Wind gusts to tropical storm force were felt area-wide, with sustained tropical storm force winds experienced over portions of Mainland Monroe, Collier, Hendry and Glades counties as well as the immediate coastal sections of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Wind damage was most significant in the areas affected by tropical storm force sustained winds, primarily around Lake Okeechobee and interior sections of southwest Florida, with only minor wind damage elsewhere.

A maximum rainfall total of 16.17 inches was reported with this event at Moore Haven in Glades County. Flooding from these rains produced total damage estimates of $380,000, primarily in Glades and Hendry counties. Rainfall elsewhere ranged from 3-6 inches in southeast Florida, and 6-8 inches in southwest Florida, with isolated amounts up to 10 inches in coastal Palm Beach County.

The height of the storm tide was around 5 feet in the Everglades City and Chokoloskee areas with total damage from the surge estimated at $60,000. Minimal storm surge was noted elsewhere. All the associated effects of Tropical Storm Fay in South Florida resulted in 1 fatality, 4 injuries, and $3.949 million in property damage. Two tornadoes produced $1.25 million in damage, but no injuries or fatalities were reported. The one fatality and 3 of the injuries were indirectly caused by Fay with a traffic accident in Palm Beach County. The direct injury occurred when a kite surfer on Fort Lauderdale Beach lost control during a squall and was slammed into a building along A1A.

Wider weather episode

Tropical Storm Fay affected South Florida on the 18th and 19th of August. The storm made landfall early in the morning of the 19th near Cape Romano, and moved over inland sections of South Florida during the morning and afternoon hours of the 19th, exiting the area near Lake Okeechobee. Fay caused tropical storm force winds, significant rainfall flooding in some areas, as well as two confirmed tornadoes.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 132055. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.