Tropical Storm — Volusia, Florida

2008-08-21 to 2008-08-22 · Volusia, Florida

Wider weather episode

On the morning of August 19th, Tropical Storm Fay came onshore in southwest Florida, moving north-northeast toward Lake Okeechobee. Fay remained well formed and actually intensified over land, exhibiting a classical tropical cyclone eye as it reached peak intensity over the western shore of Lake Okeechobee. Wind gusts of 58 mph were reported in the town of Okeechobee. By the early morning of August 20th, Tropical Storm Fay had moved to southern Brevard County, producing widespread wind gusts over 50 mph. Patrick AFB reported a gust to 62 mph. Fay produced torrential rain along the Space and Treasure coasts on the 20th as the circulation center moved up the Brevard County coast and into the near shore Atlantic waters near Edgewater. Rainfall amounts on the 20th were near 8 to 9 inches in Martin, Saint Lucie and Indian River counties and from 5 to 16 inches in Brevard County. On August 21st Fay drifted onshore in northern Volusia County and produced an additional 6 to 13 inches of rain in Brevard County and about 5 inches of rain in southern Volusia County. Orlando Executive Airport had a wind gust to 56 mph and Sanford reported a gust to 53 mph. A 35 year old woman drowned in the rough surf while swimming at Daytona Beach. On August 22nd, as Tropical Storm Fay moved across the Florida peninsula north of Ocala, an additional 7 to 10 inches of rain fell over Volusia County. In Indian River County a 43 year old male motorist died after hydroplaning on a high water road and crashing his vehicle.

In Okeechobee County, about 70 homes were damaged by flood waters from heavy rain. A few homes received minor wind damage and 4300 homes were without power. Property damage was near $100 thousand. Wind gusts of 58 mph were reported in the town of Okeechobee.

In Brevard County, the heaviest rain from Tropical Storm Fay fell, with widespread reports of 20 plus inches and a maximum of 27.65 inches in Melbourne. The rain flooded or damaged over 1,600 homes and businesses, producing a loss of near $60 million. An additional $10 million in damage to public infrastructure was reported. Three days of rough surf produced moderate beach erosion. An EF1 tornado tore through a large manufactured home community in Barefoot Bay.

In Volusia County, Tropical Storm Fay produced widespread rainfall amounts of 10 inches with isolated reports of 20 inches. Over 200 homes were damaged by flood waters. Frequent wind gusts over 45 mph produced minor wind damage and power loss to 16,000 homes. Rough surf produced significant beach erosion at New Smyrna Beach where 50 feet of new sand was washed away. Estimated wind gusts were near 45 mph along the southeast coast.

In Seminole County, as much as 15 inches of rain fell, with widespread coverage of 10 inches. About 500 homes were damaged by local rainfall flooding. Damage amounts were near $15 million. Wind gusts to 47 mph produced minor wind damage and power loss to 4,000 homes.

In St. Lucie County, rainfall amounts of 10 to 15 inches fell over most of the coastal region, flooding over 900 homes. Damage estimates were over $70 million. Wind gusts estimates were near 50 mph. A short lived EF0 tornado slightly damaged a building near Ft. Pierce.

In Orange County, heavy rain of 10 to 13 inches fell, flooding only 5 homes. Wind gusts to 56 mph produced only minor wind damage. Total damage estimates were near $100 thousand.

In Martin County, rainfall amounts of 10 to 15 inches fell over most of the coastal region, flooding over 55 homes. Damage estimates were over $70 million. Wind gusts in the western part of the county near Lake Okeechobee were estimated to be near 50 mph. A short-lived EF0 tornado overturned a panel truck in Stuart.

In Lake County, rainfall ranged from about 15 inches in Eustis to only 4 inches in the southwest part of the county. Only minor urban flooding was reported with the heavy rain.

In Indian River County, rainfall amounts of 15 to 22 inches fell over most of the coastal sections of the county. No flood damage was reported. Wind gust in the western part of the county near Lake Okeechobee were estimated to be near 50 mph.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 134439. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.