Hurricane (Typhoon) — Jefferson, Texas

2020-08-26 to 2020-08-27 · Jefferson, Texas

Event narrative

Mandatory evacuation. Storm surge flooded Sabine Pass and backed up area waterways including the Neches River, Hillebrandt Bayou, and Taylor Bayou. Numerous trees and power lines blown down across Port Arthur, Port Neches, Beaumont, Nederland, and Groves. Homes and businesses were damaged by the fallen trees, lines, and poles. Over 60 percent of the county was without power during the peak of the storm. Five people died (indirect deaths) from carbon monoxide poisoning including three in Port Arthur from a generator running in an enclosed area. Another 18 persons were injured and treated for carbon monoxide poisoning (indirect injuries). Wind gusts ranged from 55 to 90 mph across the county. Storm surge reached 3.97 MHHW at Texas Point near Sabine Pass.

Wider weather episode

A tropical wave emerged off of Africa during August 16 and then developed into a depression by the 20th. The system gradually became better organized as it passed across the Greater Antilles. It entered the Gulf of Mexico and became a hurricane on the 25th. Outer bands spread inland during the afternoon of the 26th and it made landfall at Cameron, Louisiana at 1AM local time on the 27th. The west side of the category 4 hurricane impacted Southeast Texas as the centered moved north across west Louisiana and caused damages totaling roughly $1.95 Billion.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 918105. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.