Tropical Storm Amelia (1978)
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| Tropical storm (SSHS) | ||
|---|---|---|
 Poorly organized Tropical Storm Amelia near landfall |
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| Formed | July 30, 1978 | |
| Dissipated | August 1, 1978 | |
| Highest winds |
|
|
| Lowest pressure | 1005 mbar (hPa; 29.69 inHg) | |
| Fatalities | 30 direct | |
| Damage | $20 million (1978 USD) $66 million (2008 USD) |
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| Areas affected |
Texas | |
| Part of the 1978 Atlantic hurricane season |
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Tropical Storm Amelia was a weak tropical storm that brought heavy rain and damage to Texas in July of the 1978 Atlantic hurricane season. Amelia formed on July 30 after wandering around the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea for a week and a half. Amelia affected the Texas coast for 2 days, making landfall in Corpus Christi and becoming unidentifiable on the morning of August 1.
Amelia caused around 30 fatalities according to reports from the National Hurricane Center, with record rainfall totals being recorded around the state.
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[edit] Storm history
Tropical Storm Amelia developed from a disturbance that wandered off the African coast as a tropical wave on July 19. The system headed eastward through the Atlantic Ocean for the next week, with no change in development. After entering the Caribbean Sea on July 26, convection began to come together two days later. The disturbance passed the Yucatan Peninsula on the 29th, entering the Gulf of Mexico. No circulation was found in the developing system however.[1]
As July 30 approached, the disturbance turned to the northwest. Also, meteorological formations seen on satellite had reported that a tropical cyclone was beginning to form in the Gulf. After a reconnaissance aircraft went by the system, it was upgraded into a tropical depression that afternoon. Several hours later, the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Amelia. Amelia peaked at 45 miles per hour (72 km/h) in wind speed, with the system beginning to skirt the Texas coast.[1]
Amelia, which had never defined a strong center, went up the coast during the afternoon and evening of July 30, making landfall in Corpus Christi the next day. The system was traceable until passing just west of San Antonio, where it became untraceable after the morning of August 1.[1]
[edit] Preparations and impact
As Amelia approached the Texas coast, gale warnings were issued for the area from Brownsville to Port O'Connor on July 30.[2]
Effects from Amelia ranged from 38 miles per hour (61 km/h) winds in Brownsville to gusts of up to 58 miles per hour (93 km/h) in Corpus Christi. In coastal areas of Texas, damage was limited to the sinking of several shrimp boats and the beaching of sail boats. In addition, some trees and fences were blown down, though damage was relatively minor. There were about 30 fatalities reported from flooding in Texas, with devastating damage to the areas affected by the storm.[3] South Padre Island reported power outages after receiving over 4 inches (100 mm) of rain.[4]
Inland Texas fared much worse, though. The continuous flow of tropical moisture during Amelia's dissipation and remnant stage brought heavy flooding for two and three days. The orographic effect of the Edwards Plateau enhanced the flooding, leading to rainfall totals as high as 30 inches (760 mm) in a two-day period.[5] The worst hit area was the Guadalupe River basin and its tributaries, though many other rivers overflowed, contributing to the overall impact of the storm. A 12-hour total of 26 inches (660 mm) of rain at Abilene was an extreme example of the precipitation.[6] The storm total of 48 inches (1,200 mm) measured at Medina is the wettest known storm total rainfall amount for both the state of Texas, as well as the continental United States.[7]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Preliminary Report - Tropical Storm Amelia - Page 1. National Hurricane Center (1978). Retrieved on 2008-05-13.
- ^ United Press Inc.. "Amelia Aims At Texas Coast", Galveston Daily News, July 31, 1978.
- ^ Associated Press (1978). Preliminary Report - Tropical Storm Amelia - Page 2. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-13.
- ^ "Tropical Storm Turns Northward", Indiana Gazette, July 31, 1978.
- ^ Preliminary Report - Tropical Storm Amelia - Page 3. National Hurricane Center (1978). Retrieved on 2008-05-13.
- ^ David M. Roth (2008). Tropical Storm Amelia - July 30-August 5, 1978. Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-13.
- ^ David M. Roth (2008). Tropical Cyclone Point Maxima. Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-13.
