National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Dangerous, Record-Breaking Heat to Continue in the Central and Eastern U.S.; Severe Thunderstorms in the Upper Midwest; Critical Fire Weather in the Four Corners

Dangerous, record-breaking heat will continue across most of the central and eastern U.S this week. Heat indices will exceed 100 degrees. Severe storms will be possible from the northern Plains into the Midwest and Great Lakes regions, as well as across the southern Appalachians Thursday, with the primary threat large to very large hail. Critical fire weather to continue in the Four Corners Region Read More >

Tropical Storm Brenda
July 31-August 3, 1955

A tropical depression formed across the northeastern Gulf about 200 miles south of Mobile, AL early on July 31st, and quickly strengthened into Tropical Storm Brenda by daybreak. During the next 24 hours, the storm moved to the north northwest and strengthened, reaching a peak intensity of 70 mph (60 knots) by daybreak on August 1st near the mouth of the Mississippi River. Brenda made landfall just east of New Orleans, Louisiana near Shell Beach at 11 AM CST August 1st with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (55 knots).

After landfall, Brenda began a more northwesterly track over Southeastern Louisiana and steadily weakened. Early on August 2nd, Brenda weakened to a depression across extreme Southwestern Mississippi, and continued to move northwest across Northern Louisiana for the remainder of the day. Brenda dissipated over Northeast Texas on August 3rdClick here for an interactive map of Tropical Storm Brenda.

WIND & PRESSURE:
No tropical storm force winds were reported west of the Atchafalaya river. Winds near 50 mph were reported over Southeast Louisiana at Shell Beach, Louisiana, on the south shore of Lake Borgne near the point of landfall. Observations obtained from the Hurricane Re-analysis Project (1955) and hourly surface observations from the National Centers for Environmental Information (NECI).

STORM SURGE:
No significant coastal flooding was reported west of the Atchafalaya River.  Over Southeast Louisiana, tides at Shell Beach reached 5.4 feet MSL, and Lake Pontchartrain at 3.6 feet MSL. Tides of 3-6 feet MSL were measured along the Mississippi coast.

RAINFALL:
Storm total rainfall varied greatly with 2 to 5 inches recorded over most of Central and South-Central Louisiana, and 5 to 7 inches recorded over West and Southwest Louisiana, as well as East Texas. The highest totals were recorded in Vernon Parish near Leesville, Fort Polk, with Evans, Louisiana recording 7.98 inches. For complete rainfall totals reported across our region, see the Rainfall section.

TORNADOES:
No tornadoes were reported.

Additional Data, Maps, Tables 
Wind and Pressure Storm Rainfall

 

Other Post Tropical Cyclone Reports
Monthly Weather Review - 1955 Atlantic Hurricane Season Summary


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