Tropical Storm — Mainland Monroe, Florida

2008-08-18 to 2008-08-19 · Mainland Monroe, 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. The maximum storm surge was around 3 feet. 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. In South Florida, a maximum rainfall total of 16.17 inches was reported with this event at Moore Haven in Glades County. The height of the storm tide was around 5 feet in Everglades City and Chokoloskee areas with minimal storm surge noted elsewhere. All the associated effects of Tropical Storm Fay in South Florida resulted in 1 fatality, 4 injuries, and $3.949M in property damage. Two tornadoes produced $1.25M 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 132060. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.