National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Heavy Rainfall Threat Continues in the Southwest on Monday; Record Warmth in the Plains and Midwest

Remnant moisture from Tropical Storm Rachel will persist over portions of the Great Basin and Southwest on Monday, bringing a potential heavy to excessive rainfall risk. Well above average and potentially record breaking temperatures will develop across the Plains and Midwest early this week, spreading into the Lower Mississippi Valley and Southeast midweek. Read More >

Hurricane Rita banner

Hurricane Rita: A Comparison of Winds and Storm Surge

 

S-C Louisiana Tide & Wind data graphic for Rita
Click image for larger version
S-C Louisiana reference map for Rita data
Click image for larger version

Zoomed in image of Lafayette
Click image for larger version

The South-Central Louisiana graphic shows the chronology of the storm surge and surface winds as depicted by surface observations and river readings. Northeast winds prevailed before landfall with widespread tropical storm force winds (39-73 mph) along the immediate coast before noon on Friday, September 23rd.  At this time, strong northeast winds helped to keep the river levels steady with no appreciable storm surge. By 5 PM, near hurricane force winds (74 mph or greater) could be found over Marsh Island. Tropical Storm force winds continued to pound the coast through the night. Storm surge waters reached several of the river gages just about the time when the wind direction shifted to the southeast.  Storm surge waters 10-15 feet MSL impacted south central Louisiana coastal parishes. Actual flood levels can be obtained by subtracting property elevations above sea level.