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When Tropical Depression Twelve first formed, several governments across the Lesser Antilles issued a [[tropical cyclone warnings and watches|tropical storm watch]], including for the [[SSS islands]], [[Antigua and Barbuda]], [[Anguilla]], [[Montserrat]], and [[Saint Kitts and Nevis]]. The watch was discontinued after the depression degenerated into a tropical wave. As a tropical wave, Helene moved through the Lesser Antilles with strong winds, and gusts on [[Guadeloupe]] reached {{convert|55|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. The system also produced heavy rainfall, reaching {{convert|3.14|in|mm|abbr=on}} on [[Antigua]]. The wave passed to the south of [[Puerto Rico]] on September&nbsp;17 and into the following day.<ref name="tcr"/> Across the south and eastern portion of the island, the system produced {{convert|6|to|12|in|mm|abbr=on}} of rainfall, which resulted in flash flooding and mudslides. One house was destroyed in [[Ponce, Puerto Rico|Ponce]], and more than 100&nbsp;houses were affected, forcing several families to evacuate. The flooding destroyed a bridge in [[Guayama, Puerto Rico|Guayama]] and made many roads impassable. Damage on the island was estimated at $100,000 (2000&nbsp;USD).<ref name="ncdc">{{cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|title=Storm Data September 2000|volume=42|number=9|accessdate=2012-04-06|url=http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS-DAE83839-FEC4-4733-BE78-45DF54777062.pdf|format=PDF}}</ref> After the system redeveloped into a tropical depression, the government of Cuba issued a tropical storm warning for the provinces of [[Isla de la Juventud]], [[La Habana Province|Havana]], and [[Pinar del Río Province|Pinar del Río]], as well as for the city of [[Havana]].<ref name="tcr"/>
When Tropical Depression Twelve first formed, several governments across the Lesser Antilles issued a [[tropical cyclone warnings and watches|tropical storm watch]], including for the [[SSS islands]], [[Antigua and Barbuda]], [[Anguilla]], [[Montserrat]], and [[Saint Kitts and Nevis]]. The watch was discontinued after the depression degenerated into a tropical wave. As a tropical wave, Helene moved through the Lesser Antilles with strong winds, and gusts on [[Guadeloupe]] reached {{convert|55|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. The system also produced heavy rainfall, reaching {{convert|3.14|in|mm|abbr=on}} on [[Antigua]]. The wave passed to the south of [[Puerto Rico]] on September&nbsp;17 and into the following day.<ref name="tcr"/> Across the south and eastern portion of the island, the system produced {{convert|6|to|12|in|mm|abbr=on}} of rainfall, which resulted in flash flooding and mudslides. One house was destroyed in [[Ponce, Puerto Rico|Ponce]], and more than 100&nbsp;houses were affected, forcing several families to evacuate. The flooding destroyed a bridge in [[Guayama, Puerto Rico|Guayama]] and made many roads impassable. Damage on the island was estimated at $100,000 (2000&nbsp;USD).<ref name="ncdc">{{cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|title=Storm Data September 2000|volume=42|number=9|accessdate=2012-04-06|url=http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS-DAE83839-FEC4-4733-BE78-45DF54777062.pdf|format=PDF}}</ref> After the system redeveloped into a tropical depression, the government of Cuba issued a tropical storm warning for the provinces of [[Isla de la Juventud]], [[La Habana Province|Havana]], and [[Pinar del Río Province|Pinar del Río]], as well as for the city of [[Havana]].<ref name="tcr"/>


===Southeastern United States===
===United States===
[[Image:Helene2000rain.gif|thumb|right|Total rainfall from Helene]]
[[Image:Helene2000rain.gif|thumb|right|Total rainfall from Helene]]
About 21&nbsp;hours before Helene made landfall, the NHC issued a tropical storm warning from the border of [[Louisiana]] and [[Mississippi]] to the mouth of the [[Aucilla River]] along the [[Florida Panhandle]]. Six hours later, the agency also issued a hurricane watch from the border of Florida and Alabama to the mouth of the Aucilla River.<ref name="tcr"/> In the day before the storm moved ashore, local [[American Red Cross]] chapters had 18&nbsp;emergency shelters on standby to house storm evacuees.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross|date=2000-09-21|title=Tropical Storm Helena [sic] Situation Report # 1|accessdate=2012-04-07|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20050515231704/http://www.tallytown.com/redcross/situation/helene-sr-01.pdf|format=PDF}}</ref> One shelter opened in each [[Tallahassee, Florida|Tallahassee]] and [[Apalachicola, Florida|Apalachicola]].<ref name="tal5">{{cite web|publisher=Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross|date=2000-09-22|title=Tropical Storm Helene Situation Report # 5|accessdate=2012-04-07|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20050515233027/http://www.tallytown.com/redcross/situation/helene-sr-05.pdf|format=PDF}}</ref>
About 21&nbsp;hours before Helene made landfall, the NHC issued a tropical storm warning from the border of [[Louisiana]] and [[Mississippi]] to the mouth of the [[Aucilla River]] along the [[Florida Panhandle]]. Six hours later, the agency also issued a hurricane watch from the border of Florida and Alabama to the mouth of the Aucilla River.<ref name="tcr"/> In the day before the storm moved ashore, local [[American Red Cross]] chapters had 18&nbsp;emergency shelters on standby to house storm evacuees.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross|date=2000-09-21|title=Tropical Storm Helena [sic] Situation Report # 1|accessdate=2012-04-07|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20050515231704/http://www.tallytown.com/redcross/situation/helene-sr-01.pdf|format=PDF}}</ref> One shelter opened in each [[Tallahassee, Florida|Tallahassee]] and [[Apalachicola, Florida|Apalachicola]].<ref name="tal5">{{cite web|publisher=Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross|date=2000-09-22|title=Tropical Storm Helene Situation Report # 5|accessdate=2012-04-07|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20050515233027/http://www.tallytown.com/redcross/situation/helene-sr-05.pdf|format=PDF}}</ref>
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[[Image:Helenedisasterareas.jpg|thumb|right|Counties eligible for public assistance]]
[[Image:Helenedisasterareas.jpg|thumb|right|Counties eligible for public assistance]]
While Helene moved through Georgia, it had sustained winds of around {{convert|30|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, with higher gusts.<ref name="ncdc"/> It dropped heavy rainfall along its path, with a statewide peak of {{convert|5.13|in|mm|abbr=on}} in [[Dunwoody, Georgia|Dunwoody]].<ref name="serain">{{cite web|author=David M. Roth|date=2011-02-14|title=Tropical Cyclone Rainfall for the Southeast|publisher=Hydrometeorological Prediction Center|accessdate=2012-04-07|url=http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/tcsoutheast.html}}</ref> The rainfall alleviated persistent drought conditions across the state. The combination of winds and rainfall downed trees and power lines; one falling tree wrecked a car.<ref name="ncdc"/> To the northwest of Georgia, rainfall spread into Tennessee, reaching {{convert|3.12|in|mm|abbr=on}} in [[Copperhill, Tennessee|Copperhill]].<ref name="serain"/> As Helene moved through South Carolina, it spawned an [[Fujita scale|F2]] tornado that killed one person.<ref name="tcr"/> The highest rainfall in the United States associated with Helene was a total of {{convert|9.60|in|mm|abbr=on}} in [[Bamberg, South Carolina|Bamberg]],<ref>{{cite web|author=David M. Roth|date=2007-06-15|title=Tropical Storm Helene - September 19-24, 2000|publisher=Hydrometeorological Prediction Center|accessdate=2012-04-07|url=http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/helene2000.html}}</ref> although [[Doppler radar]] images estimated totals of up to {{convert|14|in|mm|abbr=on}}. The rains caused flooding, and in [[Berkeley County, South Carolina|Berkeley County]], a woman died after hydroplaning and driving her car into a tree.<ref name="ncdc"/> Heavy rainfall up to {{convert|8.31|in|mm|abbr=on}} was reported in [[Longwood, North Carolina|Longwood]], which was the state's highest total.<ref name="serain"/> The rains caused street flooding in [[Jacksonville, North Carolina|Jacksonville]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Thomas McElroy|date=2000-09-23|title=Storm Summary Number 22 for T.D. Helene|publisher=Hydrometeorological Prediction Center|accessdate=2012-04-07|url=http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/tropical_advisories.php?storm=HELENE&adnum=22&dt=2000092317&status=td}}</ref> Offshore North Carolina, a station at [[Diamond Shoal Light]] reported wind gusts of {{convert|70|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} while Helene was re-intensifying into a tropical storm. Along the coast, the highest gusts were {{convert|52|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, reported at both [[Cape Lookout, North Carolina|Cape Lookout]] and [[Duck, North Carolina|Duck]].<ref name="tcr"/> Rainfall from the storm extended through Virginia and into Delaware.<ref>{{cite web|author=David M. Roth|date=2011-02-14|title=Tropical Cyclone Rainfall in the Mid-Atlantic|publisher=Hydrometeorological Prediction Center|accessdate=2012-04-07|url=http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/tcmidatl.html}}</ref>
⚫
An F2 tornado ripped through [[Martin, South Carolina]] on September 23, directly killing a man in a trailer while he slept and injuring six others in adjacent homes.<ref name="tcrh">{{cite web|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2000helene.html|title=Tropical Storm Helen Tropical Cyclone Report|author=Eric S. Blake and Lixion A. Avila|date=October 17, 2000|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=December 25, 2011}}</ref><ref name="whelene">{{cite news| url=http://www.usatoday.com/weather/huricane/2000/atlantic/whelene.htm | work=USA Today | date=December 1, 2000 | accessdate=May 26, 2010}}</ref> The highest rainfall measurement in South Carolina came from [[Bamberg, South Carolina|Bamberg]], at 9.6&nbsp;inches (244&nbsp;mm).<ref name="hpc">[http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/helene2000.html Tropical Storm Helene - September 19-24, 2000<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Flash flooding also occurred in [[Aiken County, South Carolina|Aiken County]].<ref name="lscog">[http://www.lscog.org/pdf/aikencountyhmp.pdf Part One:<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Downed trees were blocking State Highway 125 in [[Allendale County, South Carolina|Allendale County]], and the county emergency management office reported major damage to five or six mobile homes. Reports from the local weather service say that State Highway 47 was flooded near [[Elgin, South Carolina|Elgin]] and too dangerous to drive on. The weather service also stated that Virginia Avenue was washed out in [[Barnwell, South Carolina|Barnwell]]. An indirect fatality occurred from flood related traffic in [[Berkeley County, South Carolina|Berkeley County]]. A middle-aged woman lost control of her car when she hit a patch of water on the road and the car hit a pine tree.<ref name="whelenesc">{{cite news| url=http://www.usatoday.com/weather/huricane/2000/atlantic/whelenesc.htm | work=USA Today | date=September 23, 2000 | accessdate=May 26, 2010}}</ref>

⚫
An F2 tornado ripped through [[Martin, South Carolina]] on September 23, directly killing a man in a trailer while he slept and injuring six others in adjacent homes.<ref name="tcrh">{{cite web|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2000helene.html|title=Tropical Storm Helen Tropical Cyclone Report|author=Eric S. Blake and Lixion A. Avila|date=October 17, 2000|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=December 25, 2011}}</ref><ref name="whelene">{{cite news| url=http://www.usatoday.com/weather/huricane/2000/atlantic/whelene.htm | work=USA Today | date=December 1, 2000 | accessdate=May 26, 2010}}</ref> Flash flooding also occurred in [[Aiken County, South Carolina|Aiken County]].<ref name="lscog">[http://www.lscog.org/pdf/aikencountyhmp.pdf Part One:<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Downed trees were blocking State Highway 125 in [[Allendale County, South Carolina|Allendale County]], and the county emergency management office reported major damage to five or six mobile homes. Reports from the local weather service say that State Highway 47 was flooded near [[Elgin, South Carolina|Elgin]] and too dangerous to drive on. The weather service also stated that Virginia Avenue was washed out in [[Barnwell, South Carolina|Barnwell]].<ref name="whelenesc">{{cite news| url=http://www.usatoday.com/weather/huricane/2000/atlantic/whelenesc.htm | work=USA Today | date=September 23, 2000 | accessdate=May 26, 2010}}</ref>


The southbound lane of [[U.S. Highway 17]] in [[North Carolina]] flooded from heavy rain and traffic was detoured south of [[Shallotte, North Carolina|Shallotte]]. There were also a few minor washouts on back roads and street flooding in towns.<ref name="whelenenc">{{cite news| url=http://www.usatoday.com/weather/huricane/2000/atlantic/whelenenc.htm | work=USA Today | date=September 24, 2000 | accessdate=May 26, 2010}}</ref>
The southbound lane of [[U.S. Highway 17]] in [[North Carolina]] flooded from heavy rain and traffic was detoured south of [[Shallotte, North Carolina|Shallotte]]. There were also a few minor washouts on back roads and street flooding in towns.<ref name="whelenenc">{{cite news| url=http://www.usatoday.com/weather/huricane/2000/atlantic/whelenenc.htm | work=USA Today | date=September 24, 2000 | accessdate=May 26, 2010}}</ref>

Revision as of 22:49, 7 April 2012

Tropical Storm Helene
Tropical storm (SSHWS/NWS)
Helene at its secondary peak intensity
FormedSeptember 15, 2000
DissipatedSeptember 25, 2000
Highest winds1-minute sustained: 70 mph (110 km/h)
Lowest pressure986 mbar (hPa); 29.12 inHg
Fatalities1 direct, 1 indirect
Damage$16 million (2000 USD)
Areas affectedSoutheast United States
Part of the 2000 Atlantic hurricane season

Tropical Storm Helene was a weak tropical cyclone that made landfall in the United States as a minimal tropical storm. The tropical system was the twelfth tropical cyclone and eighth tropical storm of the 2000 Atlantic hurricane season. After becoming a tropical depression east of the Windward Islands on September 15, the system weakened and traveled across the Caribbean Sea. Late on the September 19, it regained tropical depression status, and on the September 21, it reached tropical storm intensity, and received the name Helene. At this point, Helene was located in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico; from there, the storm turned north, and made landfall at Fort Walton Beach, Florida, on September 22. The system weakened to a tropical depression over land, but it did not dissipate, eventually reemerging onto the Atlantic Ocean over the North Carolina coast. Helene regained tropical storm strength and headed rapidly east-northeast over open seas; on September 25, Helene merged with a cold front, ending its life as a tropical cyclone.

One person was a direct casualty of Helene, after a tornado moved through South Carolina; another was indirectly killed during a car accident in North Carolina. Flooding of up to 9 inches (229 mm) was reported in Tallahassee, Florida; however, the maximum recorded precipitation from Helene was 10.32 inches (262 mm) in Apalachicola. Total damage was estimated at $16 million (2000 USD, $18.7 million 2006 USD). President Clinton declared the state of Florida a major disaster area, therefore making nine counties eligible for federal disaster relief.

Meteorological history

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

A tropical wave moved off the African coast on September 10. Shortly thereafter, it lost most of its atmospheric convection, and initially showed little signs of development as it moved westward. On September 14, convection reformed near the center of the system. It continued to organize, and the next day the National Hurricane Center (NHC) classified it as Tropical Depression Twelve.[1] At this point, the tropical depression was located 470 mi (765 km) east of the Leeward Islands.[2] Around the time of its classification, the depression had a weak circulation and ragged convection. An anticyclone to its north caused the depression to move generally to the west, and upper-level conditions were forecast to be favorable for intensification.[3] However, the circulation moved away from the main area of convection,[4] before a Hurricane Hunters flight indicated that the depression degenerated into a tropical wave on September 16. Although there was not a closed circulation, the flight observed flight-level winds of 65 mph (105 km/h) to the north and east of the system.[1]

The remnants of the depression continued to the west, moving through the Lesser Antilles on September 17. Despite favorable conditions for redevelopment, including low wind shear and warm ocean temperatures, the system remained a tropical wave as it moved across the Caribbean Sea. Late on September 19, another reconnaissance plane discovered a closed circulation to the northwest of Grand Cayman. Although there was minimal convection near the center, it organized enough to be re-classified as a tropical depression.[1] Upon redeveloping, the depression was moving west-northwestward around a large anticyclone to the east of Florida. Its circulation was broad, although the NHC anticipated further strengthening.[5] Conditions remained favorable for intensification, but instead the depression weakened as it approached Cuba.[6] Around 1200 UTC on September 20, it moved across the western tip of Cuba into the Gulf of Mexico with minimal thunderstorms near the center.[1] A few hours, the NHC noted that "the cyclone [was] on the verge of breaking open into an east-west oriented trough". The agency did not discontinue advisories due to an increase in convection near the center, although no intensification was expected.[7] However, the circulation became better organized and the convection became persistent.[8] Despite earlier forecasts, the NHC upgraded the depression to Tropical Storm Helene early on September 21.[1]

Radar image of Tropical Storm Helene shortly after making landfall

Upon becoming a tropical storm, Helene was gradually turning to the north while rounding an anticyclone to its east.[9] It rapidly intensified after its upgrade, and Helene reached its peak intensity of 70 mph (110 km/h) late on September 21.[1] The storm was small and had an asymmetric wind field, and wind shear displaced the circulation from the deep convection.[9] Increasing wind shear prevented Helene from attaining hurricane status, and the storm began weakening on September 22 as it approached the northern gulf coast.[1] By 0900 UTC that day, strong wind shear removed all deep convection from the center, prompting NHC forecaster Lixion Avila to remark, "If I did not have a reconnaissance plane in the area, I would not know there was a tropical cyclone by just observing IR satellite imagery." Most of the associated thunderstorms were to the north and northeast of the center.[10] In a 12 hour period, the winds decreased from 70 mph (110 km/h) to 40 mph (64 km/h), before the storm made landfall near Fort Walton Beach, Florida at 1200 UTC on September 22.[1]

Helene at peak intensity

After moving ashore, an area of convection redeveloped over Helene's center, and the circulation became well-defined on radar imagery. The storm accelerated to the northeast into the Westerlies,[11] and about six hours of making landfall, Helene weakened to tropical depression status after crossing into southeastern Alabama.[1] A few hours later, the NHC issued the last advisory on the system and transferred warnings to the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Hurricane models anticipated restrengthening, and due to the forecast track to the north of the Gulf Stream, the NHC predicted intensification as an extratropical cyclone. However, the agency reported the lack of a trough to cause baroclinic strengthening, and also noted that Tropical Storm Danny re-intensified in the same region.[12] Despite strong wind shear, convection increased over Helene's center as the storm moved through North Carolina. Stations along the Outer Banks reported sustained winds up to 59 mph (95 km/h). Satellite imagery and buoy data indicated Helene re-intensified into a tropical storm inland over North Carolina. It exited the coastline from Virginia into an area of decreasing wind shear. The storm became compact over the northern Atlantic Ocean, with a diameter of 140 mi (230 km). Strong convection developed over the center on September 24, and the following day Helene re-attained its peak intensity of 70 mph (110 km/h) to the southeast of Nova Scotia. The wind estimate was based on observations from Neptune Olivine, a nearby ship that recorded 64 mph (103 km/h) and a barometric pressure of 988 mbar (29.2 inHg); because the ship was located to the south of the center, the storm's minimum pressure was estimated at 986 mbar (29.1 inHg). Helene continued moving rapidly to the east-northeast, and late on September 25 dissipated as it was absorbed by a cold front.[1]

Preparations and impact

Caribbean

When Tropical Depression Twelve first formed, several governments across the Lesser Antilles issued a tropical storm watch, including for the SSS islands, Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Montserrat, and Saint Kitts and Nevis. The watch was discontinued after the depression degenerated into a tropical wave. As a tropical wave, Helene moved through the Lesser Antilles with strong winds, and gusts on Guadeloupe reached 55 mph (89 km/h). The system also produced heavy rainfall, reaching 3.14 in (80 mm) on Antigua. The wave passed to the south of Puerto Rico on September 17 and into the following day.[1] Across the south and eastern portion of the island, the system produced 6 to 12 in (150 to 300 mm) of rainfall, which resulted in flash flooding and mudslides. One house was destroyed in Ponce, and more than 100 houses were affected, forcing several families to evacuate. The flooding destroyed a bridge in Guayama and made many roads impassable. Damage on the island was estimated at $100,000 (2000 USD).[13] After the system redeveloped into a tropical depression, the government of Cuba issued a tropical storm warning for the provinces of Isla de la Juventud, Havana, and Pinar del Río, as well as for the city of Havana.[1]

United States

Total rainfall from Helene

About 21 hours before Helene made landfall, the NHC issued a tropical storm warning from the border of Louisiana and Mississippi to the mouth of the Aucilla River along the Florida Panhandle. Six hours later, the agency also issued a hurricane watch from the border of Florida and Alabama to the mouth of the Aucilla River.[1] In the day before the storm moved ashore, local American Red Cross chapters had 18 emergency shelters on standby to house storm evacuees.[14] One shelter opened in each Tallahassee and Apalachicola.[15]

Flights were canceled at Tallahassee's airport and state government offices in the capital city were closed. City buses stopped running during the storm but were back on schedule by early afternoon.[16]

Despite being a weak tropical cyclone at landfall, Tropical Storm Helene caused $16 million in damage (2000 USD).[17] In Alabama, wind gusts reached 36 mph (58 km/h) at Brookley Air Force Base in Mobile; the same station recorded the highest rainfall in the state, with a total of 1.08 in (27 mm). The storm caused minor beach erosion and coastal damage along Dauphin Island.[13]

In neighboring Florida, the storm dropped heavy rainfall along the panhandle, peaking at 9.56 in (243 mm) in Apalachicola. The rains caused flooding, notably in Franklin, Wakulla, and Leon counties, which closed schools and public buildings. High rainfall caused the Sopchoppy River to exceed its banks and reach a record crest of 34.9 ft (10.6 m), breaking the previous record set in 1970. Several homes and nearby roads were flooded near the river. About 100 homes were flooded in Leon County, and in Tallahassee, about 70 streets were flooded. Portions of U.S. Highway 98 was flooded in Port St. Joe and near Carrabelle. About 70 people had to evacuate their homes due to the flooding. Flooding was minimal in the western Florida panhandle due to drought conditions lasting through the summer. Sustained winds across the state peaked at 30 mph (48 km/h), although gusts reached 45 mph (72 km/h) at Cape San Blas. The winds, combined with the heavy rainfall, caused trees to fall onto power lines, leaving about 5,000 people without electricity. The storm spawned several tornadoes, one of which in Wakulla destroying several mobile homes. As it moved ashore, the storm produced a storm tide of generally less than 2 ft (0.61 m), which caused minor beach erosion.[13] In Leon County, the storm destroyed two homes and six mobile homes,[18] and in Wakulla County, more than 120 homes were damaged.[13] The Gulf County Division of Emergency Management estimated there was between $100,000 and $300,000 (2000 USD, $117,000 and $351,000 2006 USD) in road damage and beach erosion on the part of a peninsula called Cape San Blas.[16]

Counties eligible for public assistance

While Helene moved through Georgia, it had sustained winds of around 30 mph (48 km/h), with higher gusts.[13] It dropped heavy rainfall along its path, with a statewide peak of 5.13 in (130 mm) in Dunwoody.[19] The rainfall alleviated persistent drought conditions across the state. The combination of winds and rainfall downed trees and power lines; one falling tree wrecked a car.[13] To the northwest of Georgia, rainfall spread into Tennessee, reaching 3.12 in (79 mm) in Copperhill.[19] As Helene moved through South Carolina, it spawned an F2 tornado that killed one person.[1] The highest rainfall in the United States associated with Helene was a total of 9.60 in (244 mm) in Bamberg,[20] although Doppler radar images estimated totals of up to 14 in (360 mm). The rains caused flooding, and in Berkeley County, a woman died after hydroplaning and driving her car into a tree.[13] Heavy rainfall up to 8.31 in (211 mm) was reported in Longwood, which was the state's highest total.[19] The rains caused street flooding in Jacksonville.[21] Offshore North Carolina, a station at Diamond Shoal Light reported wind gusts of 70 mph (110 km/h) while Helene was re-intensifying into a tropical storm. Along the coast, the highest gusts were 52 mph (84 km/h), reported at both Cape Lookout and Duck.[1] Rainfall from the storm extended through Virginia and into Delaware.[22]

An F2 tornado ripped through Martin, South Carolina on September 23, directly killing a man in a trailer while he slept and injuring six others in adjacent homes.[23][24] Flash flooding also occurred in Aiken County.[25] Downed trees were blocking State Highway 125 in Allendale County, and the county emergency management office reported major damage to five or six mobile homes. Reports from the local weather service say that State Highway 47 was flooded near Elgin and too dangerous to drive on. The weather service also stated that Virginia Avenue was washed out in Barnwell.[26]

The southbound lane of U.S. Highway 17 in North Carolina flooded from heavy rain and traffic was detoured south of Shallotte. There were also a few minor washouts on back roads and street flooding in towns.[27]

Canada

After re-intensifying into a tropical storm for a second time, Helene passed to the southeast of Atlantic Canada. Although its strongest winds remained offshore, the outer rainbands dropped light precipitation, peaking at 0.89 in (22.5 mm) in eastern Nova Scotia, and 1.18 in (30 mm) in southeastern Newfoundland.[28]

Aftermath

On October 3, United States President Bill Clinton declared the state a major disaster area. Therefore, the counties of Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Gulf, Jefferson, Leon, Okaloosa, and Wakulla that were affected by Helene were eligible for federal disaster funds. The federal funds are able to pay 75% of the approved cost for debris removal, emergency services related to the storm, and restoring damaged public facilities.[29] In Franklin County, many residents had to boil water before consumption, due to contaminated water wells. As a result, the local Red Cross chapter provided water bottles to the affected residents. The Red Cross also deployed two Mobile Feeding Vehicles to Wakulla County,[30] and a total of 700 meals were ultimately distributed.[31]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tropical Storm Helene (2000).

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Eric S. Blake and Lixion A. Avila (2000-10-17). "Tropical Storm Helene Tropical Cyclone Report". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-04-02.
  2. ^ Max Mayfield (2000-09-15). "Tropical Depression Twelve Public Advisory 1". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-04-02.
  3. ^ Max Mayfield (2000-09-15). "Tropical Depression Twelve Discussion 1". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-04-02.
  4. ^ Richard Pasch (2000-09-16). "Tropical Depression Twelve Discussion 4". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-04-02.
  5. ^ Richard Pasch (2000-09-19). "Tropical Depression Twelve Special Discussion 6". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-04-02.
  6. ^ Lixion Avila (2000-09-20). "Tropical Depression Twelve Discussion 8". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-04-04.
  7. ^ Jack Beven (2000-09-20). "Tropical Depression Twelve Discussion 9". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-04-04.
  8. ^ Jack Beven (2000-09-20). "Tropical Depression Twelve Discussion 10". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-04-04.
  9. ^ a b Jack Beven (2000-09-21). "Tropical Storm Helene Discussion 14". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-04-05.
  10. ^ Lixion Avila (2000-09-21). "Tropical Storm Helene Discussion 16". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-04-05.
  11. ^ Jack Beven (2000-09-22). "Tropical Storm Helene Discussion 17". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-04-05.
  12. ^ Jack Beven (2000-09-22). "Tropical Depression Helene Discussion 18". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-04-05.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g National Climatic Data Center. "Storm Data September 2000" (PDF). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2012-04-06.
  14. ^ "Tropical Storm Helena [sic] Situation Report # 1" (PDF). Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. 2000-09-21. Retrieved 2012-04-07.
  15. ^ "Tropical Storm Helene Situation Report # 5" (PDF). Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. 2000-09-22. Retrieved 2012-04-07.
  16. ^ a b USA Today. September 23, 2000 http://www.usatoday.com/weather/huricane/2000/atlantic/whelenefla.htm. Retrieved May 26, 2010. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  17. ^ "Atlantic Hurricane Season of 2000" (PDF). Monthly Weather Review. 129. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: 3038. December 2001. Retrieved 2012-04-07.
  18. ^ P. Pierce (2000-09-26). "Chapter Damage Assessment Summary for Tropical Storm Helene" (PDF). Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. Retrieved 2012-04-07.
  19. ^ a b c David M. Roth (2011-02-14). "Tropical Cyclone Rainfall for the Southeast". Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved 2012-04-07.
  20. ^ David M. Roth (2007-06-15). "Tropical Storm Helene - September 19-24, 2000". Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved 2012-04-07.
  21. ^ Thomas McElroy (2000-09-23). "Storm Summary Number 22 for T.D. Helene". Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved 2012-04-07.
  22. ^ David M. Roth (2011-02-14). "Tropical Cyclone Rainfall in the Mid-Atlantic". Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved 2012-04-07.
  23. ^ Eric S. Blake and Lixion A. Avila (October 17, 2000). "Tropical Storm Helen Tropical Cyclone Report". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved December 25, 2011.
  24. ^ USA Today. December 1, 2000 http://www.usatoday.com/weather/huricane/2000/atlantic/whelene.htm. Retrieved May 26, 2010. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  25. ^ Part One:
  26. ^ USA Today. September 23, 2000 http://www.usatoday.com/weather/huricane/2000/atlantic/whelenesc.htm. Retrieved May 26, 2010. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  27. ^ USA Today. September 24, 2000 http://www.usatoday.com/weather/huricane/2000/atlantic/whelenenc.htm. Retrieved May 26, 2010. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  28. ^ "2000-Helene". Environment Canada. 2010-09-14. Retrieved 2012-04-06.
  29. ^ Federal Emergency Management Agency (October 3, 2000). "Federal Disaster Funds Authorized For Florida to Aid Local Government Recovery From Tropical Storm Helene". Federal Emergency Management Agency. Archived from the original on April 9, 2010. Retrieved June 3, 2011.
  30. ^ "Tropical Storm Helene Situation Report #6" (PDF). Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. 2000-09-23. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-07-20. Retrieved 2012-04-07.
  31. ^ "Tropical Storm Helene Situation Report #8" (PDF). Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. 2000-09-26. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-10-13. Retrieved 2012-04-07.
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