Going, Going, Gone? The Effects of Hurricane Remnants on Inland Areas Duane Barrett, P.E., CFM

Today’s Co-Presenters Mayhem is coming.

A Fact of Life Tropical events are a “fact of life” along our coasts. They will come. They will NOT stop at the coast! Storm remnants will continue inland. Hurricane Ike Source: NOAA

How Far? How Bad? Distance traveled inland varies from event to event. A number of hurricane events have produced extraordinarily powerful and long- lived remnants.

Galveston Hurricane The Great 1900 Storm weakened to a tropical depression, but then strengthened to hurricane status before returning to the Atlantic!

Hurricane Carla Hurricane Carla hung on as a tropical depression from the Red River through the central U.S. and eastern Canada!

“Chicago, Chicago, …” According to a local meteorologist, the City of Chicago has been seriously affected by rainfall & flooding from hurricane remnants at least 17 times!!!

Ike Comes to Call … Hurricane Ike came ashore in Galveston, TX at 2:10 a.m. CDT on Sept. 13, 2008, with sustained winds of 110 mph (Category 2) and a 13-foot storm surge.

… and Brings Along the Rain NASA's TRMM Satellite Assesses Hurricane Ike's Rainfall Credit: SSAI/NASA, Hal Pierce Houston-area rainfall depths reached inches. Ike continued to drop rain across the central U.S. even after losing its status as a tropical storm at the Oklahoma /Arkansas state line.

Hurricane Ike Rainfall Houston, TXKirksville, MO West of Storm Track Maize, KS

Midwest Merger Ike merged with existing weather systems to create heavy rainfall through the Midwest. Oakland Hills, Iowa ……… ” Peotone, Illinois ……….… ” South Bend, Indiana … ” South Haven, Michigan ….… 6.68” Fairfield, Ohio ……….………. 7.08” Murrysville, Pennsylvania …. 5.41”

He Huffed, and He Puffed … Ike not only brought heavy rainfall. He brought the wind along as well. Hurricane Ike from the International Space Station (Source: NASA)

Hurricane Ike Inland Winds Beaver Falls, PA Walnut Ridge, AR

Surf’s Up! Location: 120 miles inland Lake Area: 21,000 acres Ike passes to the East. Wind Direction: North Fetch Length: 4 to 7 miles Wind Speed: mph Wave Height: 6 to 7 feet

Lake Conroe Dam Lake Conroe Dam After Hurricane Ike (Photo by San Jacinto River Authority) Damage to Rip-Rap on Face of Dam

Wave Action = Higher Flood Wave action effectively increases the lake flooding elevation and increases flooding risk. 1% Flood Level Wave Action

An Inland Shift We’re getting better at predicting tracks and warning & evacuating coastal residents. (Ike vs. Rita) Inland residents may not be as well prepared. A recent study shows that from , 59% of storm-related fatalities were due to flooding from heavy rainfall.

U.S. Tropical Cyclone Deaths Account for possible hurricane- related flooding and other effects, even if you are well inland!

What are the Odds? What are the odds of your community being affected by a hurricane remnant? Are you really likely to be hit? If you live in Texas (or Chicago), you are!!! Chicago!

In Closing Tropical events will come. They will impact coastal & inland areas. They will bring rain. They will bring wind. They will “make” weather. They will create unusual circumstances. Their scope & longevity require coordination between agencies on a nationwide basis in order to adequately address public safety!