Since 1966

r. g. millerengineers, inc.

Going, Going, Gone?Going, Going, Gone?

The Effects of Hurricane The Effects of Hurricane Remnants on Inland AreasRemnants on Inland Areas

Duane Barrett, P.E., CFMDuane Barrett, P.E., CFM

Since 1966

r. g. millerengineers, inc.

Today’s Co-Presenters

Mayhem is coming.

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r. g. millerengineers, inc.

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

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r. g. millerengineers, inc.

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.

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r. g. millerengineers, inc.

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

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Hurricane Carla - 1961

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

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“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!!!

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r. g. millerengineers, inc.

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.

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… and Brings Along the Rain

NASA's TRMM Satellite Assesses Hurricane Ike's Rainfall Credit: SSAI/NASA, Hal Pierce

Houston-area rainfall depths reached 12-16 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.

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Hurricane Ike Rainfall

Rainfall vs. Distance Inland

0.00

2.00

4.00

6.00

8.00

10.00

12.00

14.00

16.00

18.00

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800

Distance Inland (miles)

Rai

nfa

ll D

epth

(in

ches

)

Houston, TX Kirksville, MO

West of Storm Track

Maize, KS

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r. g. millerengineers, inc.

Midwest Merger

Ike merged with existing weather systems to create heavy rainfall through the Midwest. Oakland Hills, Iowa ……….. 7.60”

Peotone, Illinois ……….…... 10.40”

South Bend, Indiana …........ 10.94”

South Haven, Michigan ….… 6.68”

Fairfield, Ohio ……….………. 7.08”

Murrysville, Pennsylvania …. 5.41”

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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)

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Hurricane Ike Inland WindsBeaver Falls, PA

Maximum Wind Speed vs. Distance Inland

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400

Distance Inland (miles)

Max

. W

ind

Sp

eed

(m

ph

)

Maximum Wind Speed vs. Distance Inland

Walnut Ridge, AR

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r. g. millerengineers, inc.

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: 80-90 mph

• Wave Height: 6 to 7 feet

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Lake Conroe Dam

Lake Conroe Dam After Hurricane Ike (Photo by San Jacinto River Authority)

Damage to Rip-Rap on Face of Dam

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Wave Action = Higher Flood

Wave action effectively increases the lake flooding elevation and increases flooding risk.

1% Flood Level

Wave Action

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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 1970-1999, 59% of storm-related fatalities were due to flooding from heavy rainfall.

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U.S. Tropical Cyclone Deaths

Account for possible hurricane-related flooding and other effects, even if you are well inland!

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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!

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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!