Tropical Storm Fred (2021)

Fred caused $10 million in damage in the Caribbean.[22]

Potential Tropical Cyclone Six approaching Puerto Rico on August 10.

In Guadeloupe, Météo-France raised yellow wind alerts as the precursor disturbance to Fred approached the island country.[23] Martinique also received the same alert and reported gusty winds and rainfall as the wave passed just to the north of the island.[24]

Tropical storm watches were also issued across Dominica and Barbados and the previously mentioned islands with the designation of Potential Tropical Cyclone Six.[25]

With the designation of Potential Tropical Cyclone Six moving towards Puerto Rico, tropical storm warnings were raised on August 9.[26] By the next day, following the formation of Fred, heavy rain from the storm's outer rainbands produced heavy rainfall and brief but intense squalls which knocked out power to over 13,000 people in parts of the island.[27][28] Governor Pedro Pierluisi noted that some gas stations shut down as large amounts of people came to fuel prior to the storm.[28] Eight shelters were also opened on the island, although only seven people sought refuge.[28] A 55 km/h (34 mph) wind gust was recorded in Lajas.[29]

In the Dominican Republic, tropical storm warnings were issued as Fred approached the island on August 10.[26] Upon landfall near Santo Domingo, 400,000 people lost power across the country.[30] Flooded rivers causing the shutdown the country's aqueduct system caused more than 500,000 people to lose access to water.[31][30] In Santo Domingo, 1,700 people were evacuated and at least 100 homes were damaged.[30] More than 47 communities were cut off and 4,025 people were displaced by flash flooding caused by the storm, while 805 homes in total were damaged across the country; at least 5 were entirely destroyed.[32] 47 flights were cancelled or delayed at Las Américas International Airport and La Isabela International Airport.[33] Social media reported street closures and the collapse of a bridge in Santo Domingo.[33]

In Haiti, the Civil Protection Unit issued a yellow level of vigilance (risk of impact at low to moderate intensity) as Fred crossed into the country.[34] The Directorate for Civil Protection reminded civilians to be cautious of floods and mudslides.[34]

Fred caused a total of $1.1 billion in economic losses in the U.S.[22]

Tropical Storm Fred making landfall in Cape San Blas, Florida.

On August 15, tropical storm watches were issued for the majority of the Florida Panhandle as the remnants of Fred drifted northward.[35] As Fred regenerated and approached the state, the prior watches were upgraded to tropical storm warnings.[36] Franklin County officials issued an voluntary evacuation order later that same day.[37] Bay County officials warned residents to prepare for flooding rainfall events.[38]

Following landfall, more than 36,000 people in Florida reportedly lost electricity.[39] Schools in Bay County, Okaloosa County, and Santa Rosa County were immediately closed.[39] 7 inches (180 mm) of rain fell in Panama City within 24 hours, while 9 (229 mm) inches of rain reportedly fell in Southport, where serious flooding was evident.[40][41] Several water rescues were carried out across Panama City, where many were rescued from their flooded homes, with no injuries reported.[42] Also in Panana City, a downed power line fell on top of a car with a man inside, trapping the man until he was rescued and hospitalized with a broken neck.[42] U.S. President Joe Biden approved the issuance of a state of emergency for 23 counties in the state soon after landfall.[43][44] Fred brought storm surge flooding across St. George Island, Cape San Blas, and Port St. Joe, while the road to Indian Pass was blocked after being covered with over 5 feet of water [45] The bridge to St. George Island was closed shortly after wind gusts at or near hurricane-force battered the island.[45] A man in Bay County died after hydroplaning on a flooded road and falling into a ditch.[46]

Tropical Depression Fred just east of Atlanta on August 17

As Fred continued to move inland, tornado watches were issued by the National Weather Service for much of Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina.[47] There were 16 reports of tornadoes across the three states, while at least six of them were observed across Georgia, including but not limited to an EF1 tornado which touched down in Americus and damaged at least 100 homes and an apartment complex.[48][49] An unconfirmed tornado hit Jeffersonville and ripped the roof off of a sports goods warehouse, while an EF1 tornado also destroyed a mobile home in Banks County northeast of Atlanta.[48][50] A horse stable in Homer was destroyed by the same tornado, with the horses being rescued.[42] Metro Atlanta received around 2 inches (51 mm) of rain in hours.[51] A large tree was uprooted and fell on top of a home and hit a gas line in Atlanta, causing Georgia Power crews, Atlanta Gas Light crews and firefighters to rush to the scene.[52] Atlanta recorded nearly 3 inches of rain overnight, a record amount of rainfall for mid-August.[53] Major flooding hit areas along Interstate 85 in Georgia.[53]

Around 39,200 users of Duke Energy in the Carolinas lost electricity as trees across the state were knocked down while Fred moved north.[54] Even before Fred, some areas had as much as six inches of rain in three days, so the ground was saturated.[55] Fred caused record-breaking flooding in some portions of western North Carolina, with Asheville receiving over 10 inches (250 mm) of rain in a 48-hour period, leading to the issuance of a flash flood emergency.[56][57] Residents in the nearby town of Swannanoa were asked to shelter-in-place due to the flash flooding.[57] Among the worst-hit areas, some homes were completely destroyed and several roads and bridges washed out.[58] River water levels were estimated to have swelled anywhere from 3 to 7 feet (0.9 to 2.1 m) higher than usual.[59] Mudslides blocked portions of Interstate 40 in Haywood County as well as other roads across western North Carolina.[60] Weather radar estimated that 10 to 12 inches of rain fell over the Pisgah National Forest area; nearby, in Cruso, 9.13 inches of rain was recorded within 24 hours.[42] Buncombe County recorded its worst two-day rainfall event in 50 years from August 16–17.[61] North Carolina Emergency Management deployed water rescue teams, while National Guard and Highway Patrol helicopters began searches around the same time.[62] Over 200 search and rescue personnel went house-to-house checking for survivors along the Pigeon River.[61] Several homes were ripped off their foundations and destroyed, a sheriff from the Haywood Counfy Sheriff Department noted.[61] The Pigeon River swelled 19.6 feet (6.0 meters) higher than usual and suffered its worst flooding recorded, higher than the floods caused by Hurricane Ivan in 2004.[63][64] Central Haywood High School was deemed inoperable after flooding, forcing students to revert to remote learning.[63] In Cruso, North Carolina, 6 people died due to severe flooding in the region, the final missing individual's body being recovered on August 27.[65][66] According to Haywood County Board of Commissioners chair Kevin Ensley, the community had $300 million in damage with 225 structures destroyed; Clyde had $18 million in damage. 687 homes in the county had some damage, and 20 NC DOT bridges were damaged and three destroyed.[67] Pisgah High School in Canton had significant damage to its athletic fields, especially the football stadium, and had to play home football games elsewhere.[68] Overall, US$11 million in damages was calculated in Transylvania County.[69]

A tornado was observed near the Hiddenite-Stony Point, North Carolina area.[54] Another tornado was reported in Iredell County, North Carolina near Statesville.[54] A funnel cloud was spotted near Drexel, North Carolina where power was reported to be out in the nearby town of Valdese.[54] A confirmed tornado also hit Lake Murray, South Carolina, downing power lines and trees.[70] Governor Roy Cooper issued a state of emergency for North Carolina on August 18.[71]

The Greenville, South Carolina area experienced a record number of tornado warnings on August 17. Thirty-six warnings were issued on that day.[72]

The remnants of Fred spawned six tornadoes in Pennsylvania. An EF1 tornado touched down in Tilden Township in Berks County around 9 p.m. on August 18. At about 12:30 am on August 19, an EF1 tornado touched down from Souderton in Montgomery County to the area of Silverdale and Perkasie in Bucks County.[73][74] Three more weak tornadoes touched down in New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.[75][76] Unrelated to tornadoes, parts of the Lehigh Valley saw over 4 inches (100 mm) of rain,[77] while Syracuse, New York records 4.90 inches (124 mm) of rain.[78] Flooding in northern Pennsylvania forced the Leonard Harrison State Park to temporarily close following the storm.[79] Heavy rain in Steuben County, New York triggered a flash flood emergency to be issued, requiring over 100 people to be rescued.[80] Over 2,000 customers lost power in Connecticut.[81]