The Second Tropical Storm of 2010 is Heading Toward the Gulf Coast
July 23, 2010
It’s official: the second tropical storm and possible hurricane of the 2010 season has formed over the Bahamas and Haiti and is expected to head into the Gulf of Mexico this weekend. The center of the storm is expected to pass over the Florida Keys and part of the southern Florida peninsula on Friday and forecasters say it is very possible that the system will strengthen as it approaches the Gulf.
The heavy rains that accompany a tropical storm the size of Bonnie are responsible for more than significant flooding in the area where the storm initially strikes; it can also affect areas far from where the storm came ashore. It would not be impossible for Bonnie to dump up to ten inches of rain in the affected areas. If the system continues to strengthen and moves slowly, the rainfall amounts could be even higher. Storms of this magnitude are downgraded to tropical depressions as they move inland, but the continued storm circulation and moisture can cause many areas to flood, putting homes and businesses in peril.
One of the most concerning aspects of a storm like Bonnie are storm surges. A storm surge is a rapid rise in the level of water that comes onto land as the storm’s eye makes landfall. Quite typically, the stronger the storm system, the greater the storm surge. Once the storm draws nearer to the coastline, the winds associated with it drive water toward shore. In the beginning of a storm surge, the level of the water climbs rather slowly, but as the eye of the storm drives nearer, the water rises quickly. Wave after wave hits the coastal region as tons of moving water hammer away at any structures in its path.
Wind is the cause of much damage brought with a storm such as Bonnie. It can uproot trees and tear down weak structures as well as power lines. If the storm is fast moving, the winds can become even more powerful, causing roofs to be torn off buildings and unsecured items on the ground to become airborne and very dangerous.
Tropical storms can also trigger tornadoes to form which are highly unpredictable and which can form in a matter of just a few short minutes. Tornadoes are most likely to form when a storm such as Bonnie quickly intensives near or on land.
