National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Heavy Rainfall Continues from the Southwest to the Plains; Severe Thunderstorms in the Southern Plains

Pacific tropical moisture wrapping into a storm will continue a multi-day heavy rainfall event this week that will impact the Southwest into the Plains. Scattered severe thunderstorms capable of mainly severe wind gusts appear possible across portions of the southern Plains this afternoon into tonight. There is also a risk of isolated severe winds gusts and tornadoes in Kansas into Nebraska. Read More >

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Hurricane Rita:
A Comparison of Winds and Storm Surge

 

SW Louisiana Tide & Wind data graphic for Rita
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SW Louisiana reference map for Rita data
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The Southwest Louisiana graphic shows the chronology of storm surge and surface winds as depicted by surface observations and river levels. Northeast winds prevailed before landfall with widespread tropical storm force winds (39 -73 mph) beginning mid afternoon Friday, September 23rd. At this time, strong northerly winds resulted in gradually falling river levels. About 6 PM, hurricane force winds (74 mph or greater)  began pounding the immediate coastline and continued through the night. Storm surge waters reached the tide gage at the mouth of the Calcasieu River around 7 PM with a steady increase until the gage failed around midnight. The rest of the inland river gages began rising after midnight and continued until early afternoon on Saturday. Storm surge waters 10-15 feet MSL impacted the Southwest Louisiana coastline. Actual flood levels can be obtained by subtracting property elevations above sea level.