AUGUST 1998 VOLUME 40 NUMBER 8 STORMSTORM DATADATA AND UNUSUAL WEATHER PHENOMENA WITH LATE REPORTS AND CORRECTIONS NATIONAL OCEANIC AND NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SATELLITE NATIONAL CLIMATIC DATA CENTER noaa ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION DATA, AND INFORMATION SERVICE ASHEVILLE, N.C. Cover: Only the foundation of this home remains after nearly 18 inches of rainfall resulted in a flash flood. The flooding caused 14 deaths, hundreds of injuries and millions in damage. (Photograph courtesy of Larry Eblen, WCM, NWS New Braunfels, Texas) TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Outstanding Storms of the Month ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 5 Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena ………………………………………………………………………….. 6 Additions/ Corrections …………………………………………………………………………………………………… 179 Reference Notes …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 264 STORM DATA (ISSN 0039-1972) National Climatic Data Center Editor: Stephen Del Greco Assistant Editor: Stuart Hinson The Storm Data Publication can be accessed in PDF format via the WWW at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/ol/climate/climateproductsstormdata.html STORM DATA is prepared, funded, and distributed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The Outstanding Storms of the Month section is prepared by the Data Operations Branch of the National Climatic Data Center. The Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena narratives and Hurricane/Tropical Storm summaries are prepared by the National Weather Service. Monthly and annual statistics and summaries of tornado and lightning events resulting in deaths, injuries, and damage are compiled by cooperative efforts between the National Climatic Data Center and the Storm Prediction Center. STORM DATA contains all confirmed information on storms available to our staff at the time of publication. However, due to difficulties inherent in the collection of this type of data, it is not all-inclusive. Late reports and corrections are printed in each edition. Maps of the National Weather Service County Warning Areas which are used in the Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena section will be printed in all editions. Except for limited editing to correct grammatical errors, materials submitted are generally published as received. Note: "None Reported" means that no severe weather occurred and "Not Received" means that no reports were received for this region at the time of printing. Subscription, pricing, and ordering information is available from: National Climatic Data Center 151 Patton Avenue Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 271-4800 or (828) CLIMATE The editors of STORM DATA solicits your help in acquiring photographs (prints or slides; black and white, or color), maps, clippings, etc. of significant or unusual weather events (past or present). These could be for use in the "Outstanding Storms of the Month'' section of STORM DATA. We request our subscribers or other interested persons to mail such items to: Stuart Hinson National Climatic Data Center 151 Patton Avenue Asheville, NC 28801 Any such items received by the editor will be for use in STORM DATA only. Any other use will be with the permission of the owner of said items. Materials submitted will be returned if requested in the original submission. "I certify that this is an official publication of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and is compiled from information received at the National Climatic Data Center Asheville, North Carolina 28801-2733." Thomas R. Karl Director, National Climatic Data Center 2 The Cyclone Track Map which usually appears on this page is not available for August 1998. Should the data become available in the future, a cyclone track map will be produced and printed in a subsequent issue. 3 August 1998 Confirmed Tornadoes 4 F Scale F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F Scale F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 Total Number 43 11 2 1 0 0 57 F5 OUTSTANDING STORMS OF THE MONTH 1. FLASH FLOOD IN SOUTH-CENTRAL TEXAS KILLS 14 AND INJURES HUNDREDS The remnants of once Tropical Storm Charley became nearly stationary early on August 23 as it moved over south-central Texas. Rainfall rates as high as 4 inches per hour resulted in flash flooding of low- lying areas. Flood waters forced hundreds of people using public campgrounds and recreational areas to seek higher ground. Later on the 23rd and into the 24th, another band of heavy rainfall caused additional flash flooding in Val Verde County. The San Felipe Creek overflowed its banks. Residents escaped the flood waters by climbing onto their rooftops to await rescue. Several law enforcement agencies conducted rescue efforts. One National Weather Service observing station in Del Rio, Texas (Del Rio 2NW) recorded almost 15 inches of rain in a 10-hour period on August 23. Most fatalities occurred when flood waters moved through a residential area and people could not reach safety in time. Local authorities who inspected the damage remarked that the aftermath was similar to an F5 tornado. Above Left: Several automobiles and trees washed downstream by rapidly moving water. Above Right: More debris can be seen along a washed-out road near a few remaining houses. Below Left: Although the bridge remains intact, the roadway near the bridge has been washed away. Below Right: Damage similar to this home was common to many homes along San Felipe Creek. (Photographs courtesy of Larry Eblen, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, National Weather Service, New Braunfels, TX) 5 Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena Time Path Path Number of Estimated August 1998 Local/ Length Width Persons Damage Location Date Standard (Miles) (Yards) Killed Injured Property Crops Character of Storm ALABAMA, North Central Dallas County 5 SE Selma 08 1600CST 0 0 5K 0 Thunderstorm Wind (G50) A few large trees were blown down at Craig Field and reportedly blown about 500 feet. Bibb County Centreville 10 1355CST 0 0 15K 0 Thunderstorm Wind (G55) A few large trees were down in the Centerville area and a grocery store in Brent had its roof damaged. Lamar County Sulligent 11 1702CST 0 0 5K 0 Thunderstorm Wind (G50) Trees and power lines were down in Sulligent. Lawrence County Mt Hope 29 1436CST 0 0 0 0 Hail (0.75) Lawrence County 9 NW Moulton 29 1438CST 0 0 0 0 Hail (0.75) Dime size hail was reported in Mt Hope and Hatton, in the western part of the county. Cherokee County Cedar Bluff 30 1422CST 0 0 0 0 Hail (0.75) Dime size hail was reported in Cedar Bluff. Chilton County Clanton 31 1340CST 0 0 8K 0 Hail (2.25) Chilton County Clanton 31 1340CST 0 0 15K 0 Thunderstorm Wind (G50) Part of a roof of a department store was damaged and several awnings were damaged. Hail the size of peaches was also reported. Jefferson County Hueytown 31 1345CST 0 0 0 0 Hail (0.75) Dime size hail was reported in Hueytown. ALABAMA, Southeast NONE REPORTED. ALABAMA, Southwest Mobile County Mobile 12 1600CST 0 0 10K Lightning Lightning struck a radio tower on the causeway just east of downtown Mobile and knocked the station off the air for more than an hour. Baldwin County Little River 30 1515CST 0 0 Hail (0.75) 1516CST Dime size hail was reported near Little River. ALASKA, Northern AKZ006 Southern Seward Peninsula-Eastern Norton Sound 14 1145AST 0 0 Flood 15 1030AST Heavy rain Friday morning and afternoon, preceded by 3 days of rain over the area, caused several rivers on the Seward Peninsula to rise and threaten villages. Minor flooding was reported at Council, on the Niukluk River, and also at Solomon on the north coast of Norton Sound. Rainfall at Nome from the 11th through 14th was 3.34 inches, a one in ten year event. AKZ007 Tanana Valley 17 1040AST 0 0 Flood 20 0930AST Recurring rain across the western Tanana Valley during the first half of August brought river levels on the Chena River high enough to where it flooded a 200-ft stretch of road at 37.5 mile Chena Hot Springs Road. Up to 6 inches of water was on this section of 61 Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena Time Path Path Number of Estimated August 1998 Local/ Length Width Persons Damage Location Date Standard (Miles) (Yards) Killed Injured Property Crops Character of Storm ALASKA, Northern road at one period during the event. Minor flooding also occurred at Campsites on the Chatanika, Tolovana, and Tatalina Rivers. No property damage was incurred. AKZ007 Tanana Valley 18 0000AST 0 0 Heavy Snow 0900AST In Denali Park, Polychrome Pass at mile 46 Denali Park Road received up to 8 inches of snow overnight. Traffic was stopped at the Teklanika Rest Stop until the road was cleared at 11:45 am. AKZ007 Tanana Valley 19 1200AST 0 0 High Wind (G49) 20 1000AST A storm in the Bering Sea caused strong winds across the Alaska Range, especially in Healy Canyon and Nearby Denali Park. Strongest winds reported were Healy: gusts to 51 mph, and at Polychrome Pass (Mile 46 Denali Park Road) in Denali Park, gusts to 56 mph were observed on a hand-held wind speed recorder by a NWS employee. S. Seward Pen / E. Norton Snd Unalakleet 20 0835AST 0 0 Storm Surge 1055AST A strong Storm moved north over the Bering Sea resulting in moderate winds across the west coast,and heavy surf on the coast of the Seward Peninsula. No damage occurred at Nome, however, minor flooding was reported at Unalakleet. AKZ005-007>008 Upper Yukon Valley - Tanana Valley - Lower Yukon Valley 31 0000AST 0 0 High Wind (G53) 2300AST A storm moved north in the Gulf of Alaska deepening to 964 mb before drifting west toward Bristol Bay and weakening. the pressure gradient ahead of the frontal system increased greatly resulting in strong winds at a number of locations over Interior Alaska. Peak gusts recorded were: Tanana Valley: Delta Junction: 43 mph, Wonder Lake RAWS (BLM) 54 mph, Minchumina 61 mph.