Tropical Storm — Upper St. Bernard, Louisiana

2011-09-02 to 2011-09-05 · Upper St. Bernard, Louisiana

Wider weather episode

Tropical Storm Lee initially developed as Tropical Depression Thirteen in middle Gulf of Mexico on Thursday evening September 1st. The depression moved slowly north and gradually strengthened, eventually reaching tropical storm strength just south of Louisiana coast on Friday afternoon September 2nd. Tropical Storm Lee made only slow and haltingly northward progress over the next 24 hours eventually moving onshore the Louisiana coast Saturday night, September 3rd, with a maximum sustained wind estimated around 60 mph. Lee moved slowly inland to north of Baton Rouge late Sunday September 4th, and eventually weakened to a tropical depression Sunday evening.

Tropical Depression Lee then moved steadily northeast throughout Monday, September 5th, taking on extra-tropical characteristics over the next 24 hours as it interacted with an upper level disturbance moving through the region. The maximum sustained wind observed in Louisiana was a south wind of 40 kts ( 46 mph) at New Orleans Lakefront Airport on September 4th at 0528CST. The highest gust was recorded at the same location and time of 50 kts (58 mph) on September 4th at 0528CST. Lowest minimum central pressure was 993.2 mb at Baton Rouge Ryan Field at Sept 4 at 0959CST. As Tropical Depression Lee was moving northeast and taking on mid-latitude characteristics, strong northerly winds were experienced across the region, occasionally gusting to higher levels than experienced when Lee was characterized as a tropical storm.

No fatalities or injuries were associated with any Tropical Storm Lee hazards.

The main impacts associated with Tropical Storm Lee were associated with storm surge and rainfall. Both of these impacts were related to its slow forward speed as it crossed the region which allowed the circulation to linger over the area for several days. Storm surge associated with Lee caused tide values to be 3 to 5 feet above normal causing low land flooding. Additional detailed information is contained in the separate storm surge report. Four day storm total rainfall ranged between 7 and 15 inches across the area. A maximum of 15.48 inches was recorded near Holden in Livingston Parish. Due to dry antecedent conditions, river flooding was minimal for the amount of rainfall that occurred.

Wind impacts were generally minimal due to only tropical storm strength winds recorded, resulting in tree limbs being blown down, and weak trees toppling causing power outages.

Damage estimates are very rough and preliminary. All of the hazards associated with TS Lee resulted in an estimated $3.0 million in property damage. The majority of the damage, approximately $2 million, was associated with storm surge flooding impacts. Flash flooding resulted in an estimated $75,000 in damages. There was one confirmed tornado touchdown in Saint Bernard Parish resulting in $10,000 in property damage.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 348203. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.