Tropical Storm Matthew (2004)

Last updated
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
ArrowUp.svg Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

A tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa on September 19. The wave moved westward and passed through the Lesser Antilles, slowly organizing with convection increasing due an upper-level low. On October 5, it entered the Gulf of Mexico, and developed an area of low pressure two days later. The system continued to organize, and on October 8, after developing a circulation, it developed into Tropical Depression Fourteen while located 205 miles (330 km) to the southeast of Brownsville, Texas. [1] The depression moved to the east-northeast, and quickly strengthened into Tropical Storm Matthew. The storm turned to the northeast while moving around the periphery of a high pressure system over Texas, and attained a peak intensity of 45 mph (72 km/h) on October 9. Strong wind shear limited further strengthening, and on October 10, Matthew struck Cocodrie, Louisiana as a minimal tropical storm. [1] On October 11, Matthew weakened to a tropical depression and subsequently became an extratropical cyclone. [2] [1] While moving inland, Matthew spun off another low pressure system that formed over North Carolina on October 13. [2] The extratropical low of Matthew was absorbed by a frontal wave over the Great Lakes early on October 14. [2]

Preparations

In anticipation of Matthew, The National Hurricane Center issued a Tropical Storm Warning from the Florida/Alabama border to Intracoastal City, Louisiana. [1] Two emergency shelters were opened in Louisiana. [3] Oyster harvesting sites were closed to avoid bacterial contamination from potential storm surge. [4]

Impact

Rainfall totals from Matthew Rain-Matthew2004.gif
Rainfall totals from Matthew

Matthew produced heavy rainfall across its path, [1] reaching as far east as Florida, and as far inland as northeastern Ohio. [1] [2] While moving ashore, Matthew produced a storm surge that reached 5.85 feet (1.78 m) in Frenier, Louisiana, with above-normal tides as far east as Alabama. The tides and coastal flooding added to the beach erosion caused by earlier Hurricane Ivan. [1] [5] Damage reached $255,000 in Louisiana and $50,000 in Mississippi. [6] [7] In Louisiana, rainfall peaked at 18.00 inches (457 mm) in Haynesville near the state's border with Arkansas. [2] The rains led to freshwater flooding, with the Tickfaw River cresting at 5.7 ft (1.7 m) in Louisiana. [8] Dozens of homes were flooded, with 20 homes damaged in Terrebonne Parish. [7] In LaPlace, the floods cracked a water line, which left nearly 30,000 people without tap water, led to boil water advisories, and caused schools to close. [9] The storm also left about 2,500 people without power. [10] Several roads closed due to floods, and several roads were also impacted by fallen trees. [7] [11] Wind gusts reached 55 mph (89 km/h) at the mouth of the Mississippi River. [7] In Golden Meadow, Matthew spawned a tornado that damaged the roof of a trailer. [1] Outside of Louisiana, rains reached 8.29 in (211 mm) in Arkansas. [12]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Avila, Lixion (2004). "Tropical Storm Matthew Tropical Cyclone Report" (PDF). National Hurricane Center . Retrieved May 22, 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Roth, David (2004). "Tropical Storm Matthew - October 6-15, 2004". Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved 2010-08-21.
  3. ↑ "Matthew Brings Flooding to LA". wafb.com. 2004-10-10. Retrieved 2026-03-26.
  4. ↑ "Louisiana Reopens Remainder of Oyster Harvest Areas Closed by Tropical Storm Matthew | Louisiana Department of Health". ldh.la.gov. 2004-10-19. Retrieved 2026-03-26.
  5. ↑ "Lower Mobile County, Alabama Tropical Storm Event Report". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved March 27, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Hancock County, Mississippi Storm Surge/Tide Event Report". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved March 27, 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Lower Lafourche Parish, Louisiana Storm Surge/Tide Event Report". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved March 27, 2026.
  8. ↑ National Weather Service (2004). "Post-Tropical Cyclone Report- Tropical Storm Matthew" . Retrieved March 27, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Matthew, downgraded to tropical depression, causes flooding in southeast Louisiana". Tulsa, Oklahoma: KOTV-DT. Associated Press. October 11, 2004. Retrieved March 27, 2026.
  10. ↑ Susan Finch & Aesha Rasheed (2004). "Matthew Floods Roads, Homes". The Times Picayune. Archived from the original on January 17, 2006. Retrieved 2006-05-22.
  11. ↑ "Matthew Drenches Louisiana". www.cbsnews.com. CBS News. October 11, 2004. Retrieved March 27, 2026.
  12. ↑ Roth, David M (May 12, 2022). "Tropical Cyclone Rainfall for the Gulf Coast". Tropical Cyclone Rainfall. United States Weather Prediction Center. Retrieved January 6, 2023.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
Tropical Storm Matthew
Matthew 2004-10-09 1630Z.jpg
Tropical Storm Matthew near peak intensity and approaching Louisiana on October 9
Tropical cyclones of the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season
2004 Atlantic hurricane season summary.png

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.