hurricane florence named tropical cyclones landfall united_states atlantic hurricane season seventh tropical storm second hurricane season florence developed september area convection associated dissipating frontal trough southern gulf_of_mexico initially moving eastward storm turned northward strengthened florence reached hurricane status later peak winds mph september shortly striking southeastern louisiana storm rapidly weakened land dissipated september northeastern texas early duration storm dropped rainfall yucatán_peninsula striking louisiana florence produced moderate storm surge causing severe beach erosion locations gusty winds reported causing power outages people alabama man died trying secure boat rainfall hurricane caused severe river flooding portions florida panhandle area severely affected heavy rainfall flooding damaged destroyed dozens houses path damage totaled million usd million usd meteorological history september cold exited coast texas gulf_of_mexico convective band continued southeastward stalled veracruz mexico tampa florida band began split september northeastern portion developed frontal wave tracked northeastward southwestern portion remained nearly stationary began showing signs tropical organization located area generally low pressures system developed spiral band structure deep convection intermittent subsequent formation surface circulation system developed tropical depression located miles northwest depression drifted eastward influence dissipating frontal trough intensified tropical storm florence north yucatán_peninsula confirmed hurricane_hunters initially center located north deep convection weak north circulation subsequent drop vertical wind shear increase moisture increase upper level outflow deep convection greatly increased organized circulation early september trough dissipated ridge built northwestward steering currents weak leaving florence temporarily stationary later september influence mid- upper level trough north caused florence accelerate northward steadily intensifying florence attained hurricane status miles south mouth mississippi_river hurricane intensified slightly struck western mississippi_river delta winds mph utc september making landfall dry air circulation florence rapidly weakened southeastern louisiana time passed new_orleans lake convection dissipated hours making landfall florence degenerated tropical depression system subsequently crossed southwestern mississippi turned northwestward later entered northern louisiana dissipating northeastern texas september mid level circulation turned northeastward central united_states dissipating ohio september preparations september hours florence landfall national_hurricane_center issued hurricane watch port arthur texas pensacola florida hours later watch upgraded hurricane warning pensacola cameron louisiana tropical storm warning issued pensacola eastward florida time florence moving ashore national_hurricane_center limited hurricane warning pensacola florida louisiana hours hurricane landfall warning replaced tropical storm warning mobile alabama grand isle louisiana discontinued hours later prior arrival hurricane estimated people evacuated coastal parishes southeastern louisiana including nearly residents small scale evacuations issued residents living low lying coastal areas mississippi alabama offshore threat hurricane prompted oil companies evacuate employees oil mainland threat hurricane caused democratic presidential nominee cancel rally fund raising events new_orleans governor issued standby emergency duty officials closed bridges southeastern louisiana canceled ferry travel lake pensacola florida navy base moved uss lexington gulf_of_mexico hurricane sent aircraft base ohio impact primary extending southward circulation florence dropped moderate rainfall yucatán_peninsula southern mexico rainfall amounts peaked inches guerrero inches reported southeastern inches near damage unknown making landfall louisiana hurricane florence produced higher normal tides including peak observation feet mean sea level east new_orleans rainfall relatively light ranging inch maximum inches watson winds tropical storm force occurred southeastern louisiana wind gusts peaking mph automatic southwest pass unofficial tornado reported minor storm surge flooding occurred outside system southern louisiana strong wave action resulted significant beach erosion areas island losing feet beach storm surge flooded portion louisiana highway near passage hurricane broke quickly repaired flooding pumped gulf light moderate damage reported southeastern portion state primarily falling trees winds downed numerous power lines leaving people power period time storm power outages short lived left power day hurricane damage state fairly minor totaling million usd million usd rainfall florence reached inches location southeastern mississippi station miles south southeast alabama reported storm wide peak rainfall total inches despite rainfall damage reported alabama mississippi mobile bay alabama man died attempting secure boat direct fatality related hurricane heavy rainfall reported florida panhandle peaking inches extreme northwestern portion state rainfall caused worst flooding years resulted additional flooding swollen near river homes destroyed additional houses damaged totaling usd usd damage roads closed flooding strong convective band associated florence extended florida panhandle spawning tornadoes damage tornadoes amounted usd usd remnant circulation florence produced light moderate rainfall central united_states precipitation reached inches extreme southeastern missouri southern illinois central ohio extended far northward michigan
Hurricane Florence (1988)