Tropical Storm — Coastal Levy, Florida

2016-09-01 to 2016-09-02 · Coastal Levy, Florida

Event narrative

Hermine formed in the Florida Straits south of Key West on August 28th. It remained a very disorganized tropical depression for a few days before the environment around it gradually became more favorable and it became a tropical storm late in the day on the 30th. Hurricane Hermine made landfall just east of St. Marks, Florida around 0130EDT on September 2 as a Category 1 Hurricane with a minimum central pressure of 982 mb, and maximum sustained winds estimated at 70 knots (80 MPH). Heavy rainfall over West-Central and Southwest Florida began on August 31 and continued through September 2, with as much as 20 inches of rain falling in some locations. River flooding from this heavy rain impacted some areas through September 6th. Storm surge generally ranged from 2 to 7 feet above normal high tide, with the highest storm surge value recorded of 7.5 feet at Cedar Key. The collective effects of Hurricane Hermine during the period of September 1-6 resulted in just over $219M in property damage, and no fatalities or injuries across West-Central and Southwest Florida.

In coastal portions of Levy County, the highest sustained wind speed recorded was 40 knots at the C-MAN station at Cedar Key. The highest wind gust recorded was 52 knots at the NOS station at Cedar Key in the evening of the 1st. Storm total rainfall ranged from 5 to 10 inches, with the highest value recorded of 9.22 inches at the USGS station Suwannee 15SW. Storm surge generally ranged from 6 to 8 feet above normal high tide. At Cedar Key, the peak surge was 7.5 feet late in the evening of the 1st. When added to the normal astronomical tide cycle, the storm tide was 7.64 feet NAVD88. Damage in Levy County was primarily caused by the storm surge, with 51 structures sustaining minor damage, 68 with major damage, and 1 destroyed. The surge damaged totaled an estimated $2.1 million.

Wider weather episode

Hermine formed in the Florida Straits south of Key West on August 28th. It remained a very disorganized tropical depression for a few days before the environment around it gradually became more favorable and it became a tropical storm late in the day on the 30th. Hurricane Hermine made landfall just east of St. Marks, Florida around 0130EDT on September 2 as a Category 1 Hurricane with a minimum central pressure of 982 mb, and maximum sustained winds estimated at 70 knots (80 MPH). Heavy rainfall over West-Central and Southwest Florida began on August 31 and continued through September 2, with as much as 20 inches of rain falling in some locations. River flooding from this heavy rain impacted some areas through September 6th. Storm surge generally ranged from 2 to 7 feet above normal high tide, with the highest storm surge value recorded of 7.5 feet at Cedar Key.

The collective effects of Hurricane Hermine during the period of September 1-6 resulted in just over $219M in property damage, and no fatalities or injuries across West-Central and Southwest Florida. This damage included $124.15 million in surge and coastal flood damage, $91.9 million in inland flooding, and $3.22 million in wind damage. Totaling up all of the residences and other structures reported damaged by the individual counties, 3440 structures sustained minor damage, 1000, had major damage, and 22 were destroyed.

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge across the mouth of the Tampa Bay was closed for just over 24 hours beginning on the afternoon of the 1st due to the high wind speeds. Numerous power outages were also reported, with around 39,000 people without power in Pinellas and Hillsborough County on the evening of the 1st.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 650415. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.