Tropical Storm Edouard (2008)

Tropical Storm Edouard was a tropical storm that formed in the Gulf of Mexico. A weather system became still in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico in early August. An area of low pressure formed along the shear line early on August 2,Tropical Prediction Center. Surface Analysis: August 2, 1200 UTC. Retrieved on 2008-08-03. which slowly became stronger during the next day. It strengthened into Tropical Depression Five, and was named Tropical Storm Edouard on August 3. The tropical storm moved towards the west on August 4. It moved onto land on August 5 on the upper Texas coast, about 40 miles southwest of Port Arthur and moved west-northwest into inland Texas. Edouard died out over land and became a tropical depression late on August 5. The depression turned to the northwest, causing heavy rain in central Texas on August 6.

 Preparations and impact 
In preparations for the storm, emergency teams along the Louisiana and Texas coasts became active. The Governor of Texas, Rick Perry, started a disaster declaration for 17 counties in Texas that were in the possible path of the storm. He also activated around 1,200 National Guard troops, a 70 member rescue team, six helicopters, and a team that brings food and water to affected areas. About 200 buses became ready for use in San Antonio and Houston to help in evacuations. Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal declared a statewide emergency. In Cameron Parish, Louisiana, the Office of Emergency Preparedness started a mandatory evacuation, and Sheriff's deputies put up roadblocks. In the Gulf of Mexico, the Shell Oil company removed about 40 workers from drilling locations. 

Storm surge from the storm reached  at Freshwater Locks in Louisiana,National Weather Service Forecast Office, Lake Charles, Louisiana. POST TROPICAL CYCLONE REPORT...TROPICAL STORM EDOUARD. Retrieved on 2008-08-14. and also reached  at Rollover Pass in Texas.National Weather Service Forecast Office, Houston/Galveston, Texas. POST TROPICAL CYCLONE REPORT...TROPICAL STORM EDOUARD.   Heavy rain fell along the upper Texas coast. The highest rainfall in Jefferson county from Edouard was  from a site along the East Bay Bayou at Jones and Allen.Jefferson County Texas Draining District 6 Flood Warning System. Jefferson County Drainage District 6 Rainfall Data Report. Retrieved on 2008-08-05.  In the Houston, Texas area,  of rain faell at the Baytown Emergency Management Center.National Weather Service Forecast Office, Galveston/Houston, Texas. Hurricane Local Statement.  Retrieved on 2008-08-05.  In central Texas, a cluster of thunderstorms near the center of the storm on August 6 caused  of rain near Hamilton, Texas.David M. Roth. Tropical Storm Edouard (2008) Storm Total Rainfall Image.  Retrieved on 2008-08-14. The strongest winds of  at the caused loss of electric power and a few fallen trees.

Related pages
Tropical cyclone
National Hurricane Center

References

Category:Atlantic tropical storms
Category:Hurricanes in the United States
Category:August 2008 events
Category:2008 Atlantic hurricane season
Category:2000s in Louisiana
Category:2008 in Texas