Tropical Storm Beryl (1988)

Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale

Map key

Saffir–Simpson scale

  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown

Storm type

Tropical cyclone

Subtropical cyclone

Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

A weak surface trough of low pressure emerged into the northeast Gulf of Mexico on August 1. Under weak steering currents, the trough drifted westward, and slowly became better defined with the formation of a circulation in the mid- through upper-levels of the atmosphere. An upper-level low developed over Texas, providing unfavorable amounts of vertical wind shear. A surface circulation was first evident on satellite imagery on August 4 just off the coast of Mississippi, and for several days it remained nearly stationary over the Mississippi Sound. As the upper-level low over Texas drifted southwestward, an anticyclone developed over the system, with the circulation becoming better defined and more vertically aligned. On August 7, the system drifted into southeastern Louisiana. It continued to become better organized, and on August 8 it developed into Tropical Depression Three while located near the northern coast of Lake Pontchartrain.[1] This is unusual in that tropical cyclones rarely form over land.[2]

Upon becoming a tropical cyclone, the depression drifted southeastward, and within hours of its formation it emerged into the Gulf of Mexico. Based on ship reports and observations from oil rigs, it is estimated the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Beryl at 1000 UTC on August 8 while located just offshore coastal Louisiana.[1] Conditions remained favorable for further intensification, with the circulation located over warm waters and maintaining well-defined outflow; early on August 9 Beryl attained its peak intensity of 50 mph while located about 75 miles (121 km) southeast of New Orleans. Shortly thereafter, a trough from the northwest dissipated the anticyclone and resulted in a steady northwest motion very near where the cyclone originally moved offshore. Beryl maintained tropical storm status for about 18 hours before weakening to a tropical depression over central Louisiana. It turned to the northwest, and the surface circulation dissipated on August 10 while located a short distance south of Shreveport, Louisiana.[3] The surface low pressure area crossed into north Texas before dissipating early on August 12, while its upper-level circulation turned northward into Oklahoma before being merged by an approaching trough.[4]

Upon becoming a tropical storm, the National Hurricane Center issued a tropical storm warning from the mouth of the Mississippi River to Pensacola, Florida. Six hours later, the warning was extended westward to Morgan City, Louisiana.[5] The threat of Beryl prompted some voluntary evacuations in St. Bernard Parish in Louisiana,[6] and also forced the evacuations of thousands from offshore oil rigs.[7] Officials advised small craft to remain at port from Port O'Connor, Texas to Pensacola, Florida.[8]

Rainfall from the storm reached over 7 inches (180 mm) a short distance east of Pensacola, Florida, though impact in the state was minor.[4] Wind gusts peaked at 38 mph (61 km/h) in Pensacola.[9] In Alabama, Beryl produced sustained winds of 38 mph (61 km/h), with gusts to 54 mph (87 km/h), as well as above normal tides.[9] The storm dropped heavy rainfall in coastal portions of Alabama, peaking at 16.09 inches (409 mm) on Dauphin Island.[4] Rough waves overturned a shrimp boat in Mobile Bay. A 15-year-old boy on the boat drowned, the only direct fatality from the storm. The boy's father, also on the boat, spent 24 hours in the water before being rescued by the United States Coast Guard. The waves caused severe beach erosion along the coastline, with Dauphin Island losing 60 to 70 feet (18 to 21 m) of beach.[6]

In Mississippi, coastal areas reported heavy amounts of precipitation, reaching over 10 inches (250 mm) in Jackson County. Sustained winds reached 47 mph (76 km/h) at Gulfport, the strongest wind on a land station.[9] Similar to Alabama, strong waves caused considerable beach erosion along portions of the coastline.[6]

Beryl dropped rainfall across much of Louisiana, peaking at over 10 inches (250 mm) near Morgan City.[4] The rainfall caused significant river flooding along the Biloxi River.[10] Wind gusts were fairly light across the state, reaching 40 mph (64 km/h) in New Orleans.[9] The winds caused light tree damage, which resulted in some power outages. A storm surge of about 5 feet (1.5 m) caused some coastal flooding.[6]

The remnants of Beryl produced locally heavy precipitation peaking at about 12 inches (300 mm) in east-central Texas,[9] resulting in some reports of flash flooding.[6] The rainfall flooded some roads and also causes severe river flooding on the Angelina River.[11] Remnant moisture dropped about 5 inches (130 mm) of rain in southeast Oklahoma and 3 inches (76 mm) in southwestern Arkansas.[4] Further inland, the remnants of Beryl cooled temperatures and provided relief to the severe heat wave in the central United States.[12]

Throughout its path, Beryl caused about $3 million in damage (1988 USD, $5.46 million 2009 USD), primarily along the immediate coastline from erosion or flood damage.[6]

• Other tropical cyclones named Beryl
• List of wettest tropical cyclones in Alabama
• Tropical Storm Julia (2016) - the most recent storm to form over land

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tropical Storm Beryl (1988).

• National Hurricane Center Preliminary Report for Tropical Storm Beryl
• 1988 Atlantic Hurricane Season Summary