Hurricane (Typhoon) — Orange, Texas

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

Event narrative

There was a mandatory evacuation for Orange County, Texas. Storm surge backed up the Sabine and Neches waterways, as well as Adams and Cow Bayous. Numerous trees, power lines, and poles were blown down across the entire county. Homes and businesses were damaged from trees falling on them or directly from the winds. Over 90 percent of the county was without power immediately after the storm. One person died from carbon monoxide poisoning (indirect death). Wind gusts across the county ranged from 60 to 110 mph. Storm surge reached 2.08 feet MHHW at the Rainbow Bridge in Bridge City.

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 918106. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.