Tropical Storm Edouard (2008)

{{storm path|Edouard 2008 track.png}}

On August 2, 2008, a trough entered the northern Gulf of Mexico,{{cite report|author=Lixion A. Avila|date=2008-08-02|title=Tropical Weather Outlook|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|work=National Hurricane Center|location=Miami, Florida|access-date=2013-07-30|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/text/TWOAT/2008/TWOAT.200808021738.txt}} with a low pressure area developing near Apalachicola, Florida. The system maintained scattered deep convection across offshore waters and environmental conditions favored tropical cyclogenesis.{{cite report|author=Patricia Wallace|date=2008-08-02|title=Tropical Weather Discussion|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|work=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2013-07-30|location=Miami, Florida|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/text/TWDAT/2008/TWDAT.200808020559.txt}} The system tracked generally west-southwestward, due to its position south of a subtropical ridge extending from Texas through Florida.{{cite report|author=Marshall K. Huffman|date=2008-08-02|title=Tropical Weather Discussion|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|work=National Hurricane Center|location=Miami, Florida|access-date=2013-07-30|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/text/TWDAT/2008/TWDAT.200808022359.txt}} On the afternoon of August 3, a Hurricane Hunters flight into the system confirmed the development of a well-defined center of circulation, slightly exposed from a disorganized area of thunderstorms.{{cite report|author=John L. Beven II|date=2008-08-03|title=Tropical Depression Five Discussion Number 1|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|work=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2008-08-03|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2008/al05/al052008.discus.001.shtml?|location=Miami, Florida}} As a result, the system developed into Tropical Depression Five at 1200 UTC on August 3, while located about 85 miles (140 km) south of the mouth of the Mississippi River. Because the depression was initially located in an area of northerly wind shear and dry air, the National Hurricane Center forecast it to slowly intensify.

After a burst in deep convection late on August 3, Hurricane Hunter data indicated flight level winds of {{convert|65|mph|km/h}}.{{cite report|author1=James L. Franklin |author2=Eric S. Blake |name-list-style=amp |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|work=National Hurricane Center|location=Miami, Florida|date=2008-08-03|title=Tropical Storm Edouard Special Discussion Number 2|access-date=2013-07-30|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2008/al05/al052008.discus.002.shtml?}} At 0000 UTC on August 4, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Edouard. Later that day, convection temporarily decreased around the center, though a brief convective flare up on its east side occurred early on August 5. Due to decreasing westerly wind shear, the center was nearly surrounded by convection that afternoon. Further organization continued and at 1200 UTC on August 5, Edouard attained its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of {{convert|996|mbar|inHg|abbr=on|lk=on}}. Simultaneously, the storm made landfall at the McFaddin and Texas Point National Wildlife Refuges near Gilchrist, Texas at the same intensity. It weakened rapidly after moving inland and was downgraded to a tropical depression late on August 5. Edouard then re-curved northwest over eastern Texas, before degenerating into a remnant low pressure area at 0600 UTC on August 6. The remnant low continued northwestward until dissipating over northern Texas early on August 7.

Several tropical cyclone warnings and watches were issued in association with Tropical Storm Edouard. At 2100 UTC on August 3, a tropical storm watch was posted from Intracoastal City, Louisiana to Port O'Connor, Texas. Simultaneously, a tropical storm warning was issued from Intracoastal City to the mouth of the Mississippi River in Louisiana. The tropical storm watch was upgraded to a hurricane watch early on August 4. Around that time, the tropical storm warning was extended from the mouth of the Mississippi River to Cameron, Louisiana. At 0900 UTC on August 4, the tropical storm warning was revised to reach San Luis Pass, Texas. The hurricane watch was modified from Grand Isle, Louisiana to Sargent, Texas. The tropical storm warning was extended to include the mouth of the Mississippi River to Port O'Connor at 1500 UTC on August 5. At that time, the tropical storm warning was modified again to stretch from San Luis Pass to Cameron. Late on August 5, all tropical cyclones were discontinued.

In the Gulf of Mexico, Shell Oil evacuated about 40 workers from drilling operations.{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|title=Tropical Storm Edouard bears down on Louisiana-Texas coast|date=2008-08-04|publisher=KTBS Web Network}} BP and Chevron also evacuated workers from platforms in the western and central Gulf, though neither predicted substantial effects on production. A few oil refineries on land were closed, such as one operated by Marathon Oil in Texas City, Texas.{{cite news|url=http://www.chron.com/business/energy/article/Energy-operations-buckle-down-ahead-of-storm-1757406.php|title=Energy operations buckle down ahead of storm|author1=Brett Clanton |author2=Tom Fowler |author3=Kristen Hays |name-list-style=amp |date=2008-08-04|newspaper=Houston Chronicle|access-date=2013-07-30}} Governor of Texas Rick Perry issued a disaster declaration for 17 Texas counties that were threatened by Tropical Storm Edouard. Perry activated up to 1,200 National Guard troops, a 70 member rescue team, six helicopters, and an incident management team that brings food and water to affected areas.{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/edouard-hits-texas-coast-strong-wind-rain-article-1.315680|title=Edouard hits Texas coast with strong wind, rain|date=2008-08-05|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=Daily News|access-date=2013-07-30|location=Galveston, Texas}} Under the order, about 200 buses became available in San Antonio and Houston to help in evacuations.{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|title=Texas governor issues disaster declaration|date=2008-08-04|newspaper=Houston Chronicle}} Dow Chemical shut down their plants in Clear Lake and La Porte. The United States Coast Guard also ceased cargo operations to the Galveston-Houston area by late on August 4. Governor of Louisiana Bobby Jindal declared a statewide emergency.{{cite news|author=Juan A. Lozano|date=2008-08-05|title=Edouard hits Texas coast with strong wind, rain|newspaper=Associated Press}} In Cameron Parish, Louisiana the Office of Emergency Preparedness ordered a mandatory evacuation, where Sheriff's deputies also erected roadblocks.

Image:Navigational buoy damage Tropical Storm Edouard 2008.jpg.]]

Rip currents in Florida and Alabama led to the deaths of five people, three of which occurred in Panama City, Florida. Along the coast, storm surge in Louisiana generally ran {{convert|4|to|5|ft|m}} above normal, although a slightly higher tide was reported near Intracoastal City. Due to the storm surge, part of Louisiana Highway 82 was closed between Holly Beach and Johnson Bayou. Additionally, Interstate 10 was also flooded by storm surge. Minor flooding from the surge traveled up the Calcasieu River to Lake Charles, where water flooded a local yacht club. Low-lying areas of Intracoastal City were flooded, disrupting marine industries.{{cite report|url=http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS-049D1BF2-F68F-4A78-A3C6-7C5DC2D1CFF8.pdf|title=Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena: August 2008|work=National Climatic Data Center|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|access-date=2013-07-30|author=William Angel|pages=19, 88, 178, 180, 413, 417, and 438|location=Asheville, North Carolina|format=PDF}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} A man fell overboard from a shrimp boat and died in rough seas from Edouard near the mouth of the Mississippi River.{{cite report|author=James L. Franklin|title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Edouard|date=2008-11-11|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|work=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2009-02-03|format=PDF|location=Miami, Florida|url={{NHC TCR url|id=AL052008_Edouard}}}} This was the only death directly associated with Tropical Storm Edouard.

Three locations reported tropical storm force winds, including {{convert|46|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} on Timbalier Island, {{convert|54|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} in Calcasieu Pass, and {{convert|48|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} on Marsh Island. In Cameron, Vermilion, and Calcasieu Parishes, wind gusts were mainly between {{convert|40|and|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, though a gust of {{convert|62|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} was observed at Calcasieu Pass. Winds severely damaged several mobile homes in Cameron, mostly from roofs being torn off. More than 3,000 people were left without electricity in Cameron Calcasieu Parishes combined as winds downed trees and power lines. A few mobile homes in that parish sustained minor wind damage. In Vermilion Parish, a few trees and power lines were downed. Rainfall in Louisiana reached {{convert|3.81|in|mm}} at Hackberry; at other locations, precipitation was mainly between {{convert|1|and|3|in|mm}}. Overall, Edouard caused about $350,000 in damage within the state of Louisiana.

Image:Edouard_2008_rainfall.png

Rainfall from Edouard peaked at {{convert|6.48|in|mm}} at Baytown, Texas, near Houston. In central Texas, a burst of thunderstorm activity near the storm's center produced {{convert|6.11|in|mm}} of rain near Hamilton, Texas; as a result, part of Texas State Highway 36 was closed due to flooding. Elsewhere, {{convert|3|to|5|in|mm}} of precipitation was reported. The heavy rainfall was expected to help relieve persistent drought conditions in some locations.{{cite news|author=Mike Tolson|title=Edouard may assist parched Central Texas|date=2008-08-06|newspaper=Houston Chronicle|access-date=2013-07-30|url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5927132.html}} Winds gusted to over {{convert|50|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, peaking at over {{convert|70|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. Furthermore, a wind gust of {{convert|71|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} was reported at Texas Point. Due to the high winds, falling trees and power lines left at least 300,000 customers in Southeastern Texas without electricity, most of them in Jefferson County. Hundreds of homes also suffered damage.

Storm surge ranged between 2 and 5 feet (0.60–1.5 m) along the coast. In addition, high surf battered the shore.{{cite news|title=Storm Edouard Downgraded to Tropical Depression|date=2008-08-05|publisher=Fox News Channel|access-date=2013-07-30|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/storm-edouard-downgraded-to-tropical-depression}} Minor storm surge flooding along portions of the Bolivar Peninsula caused $95,000 in damage. The coastal flooding forced the closure of and caused $5,000 in damage to Interstate 10 in Chambers County. Near Baytown, water flooded a few garages. Additionally, at least 27 homes in Gilchrist flooded. Two mobile homes and fifteen single-family homes had {{convert|6|in|mm}} of water; as much as {{convert|18|in|mm}} of water was reported in ten other single-family houses. At the McFaddin and Texas Point National Wildlife Refuges, losses in the park totaled to $100,000. Overall, effects from Tropical Storm Edouard in the state of Texas resulted in approximately $200,000 in damage.

{{Portal|Tropical cyclones}}

• List of Texas hurricanes
• Other storms of the same name
• Hurricane Barry (2019) - took a similar path

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• [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2008/EDOUARD_graphics.shtml National Hurricane Center - Edouard 2008 Graphics Archive]
• {{NHC TCR url|id=AL052008_Edouard|title=Tropical Cyclone Report}} for Tropical Storm Edouard

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Category:2008 Atlantic hurricane season

Category:Atlantic tropical storms

Tropical Storm Edouard

Edouard