Tropical Storm Ernesto

Final Posting | Summary
Posting Date: September 1, 2006, 8:00:00 AM

Tropical Storm Ernesto came ashore last night just south of Wilmington, NC. Wind speeds at landfall were estimated at 70 mph, just 4 mph below hurricane status. The storm brought with it a storm surge of three to five feet in some places and heavy rain. As of the 11:00 AM EDT NHC advisory, Ernesto has been downgraded to a tropical depression, with maximum sustained winds of near 35 mph. The system is currently moving in a northerly direction at 14 mph. Rainfall amounts of 4 to 7 inches are expected over the Mid-Atlantic States, with localized amounts of up to 12 inches. Ernesto’s tenure as the first hurricane of the 2006 season was short-lived. The NHC upgraded the system to Category 1 on Sunday morning, but by Sunday evening, interaction with the mountainous terrain of southeastern Haiti had seriously disrupted Ernesto’s circulation and the storm was downgraded. Ernesto never managed to regain hurricane status, despite its passage through the warm waters of the Florida Straits. While it became something of a race against time as Ernesto headed for the Carolinas yesterday, there was just enough wind shear in the area -- 10-20 knots -- to prevent Ernesto from organizing as quickly as it would have otherwise. While there are sporadic reports of minor wind damage in both South and North Carolina, no major damage has been reported and is unlikely to be. Inland flooding is probably the larger concern as the remnants of Ernesto travel up through Virginia -- particularly if it slows down significantly or stalls. This will be the final posting on Ernesto. Meanwhile, Hurricane John has regained Category 3 hurricane status off the west coast of Mexico and is currently headed for Baja California. Authorities have ordered the evacuation of more than 10,000 people ahead of the storm's arrival. Tourists who have not yet left are being housed in hotels in Los Cabos. John downed trees yesterday as it brushed past Guerrero state, which includes the resort of Acapulco, but there have been no reports as yet of significant proprty damage. However, the eye will come closest to land as John brushes the southwest coast of Baja before heading out to sea. With maximum sustained winds currently 115 mph, significant damage can be expected if the storm stays on its current forecasted course. The AIR tropical cyclone team is closely monitoring John's progress and its effect on property.

Final Posting | Downloads
Posting Date: September 1, 2006, 8:00:00 AM