Hurricane Barry was an asymmetrical tropical cyclone that was the wettest on record in Arkansas and the fourth-wettest in Louisiana. The second tropical or subtropical storm and first hurricane of the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season, Barry originated as a mesoscale convective vortex over southwestern Kansas on July 2. The system eventually emerged into the Gulf of Mexico from the Florida Panhandle on July 10, whereupon the National Hurricane Center (NHC) designated it as a potential tropical cyclone. Early on July 11, the system developed into a tropical depression, and strengthened into a tropical storm later that day. Dry air and wind shear caused most of the convection, or thunderstorms, to be displaced south of the center. Nevertheless, Barry gradually intensified. On July 13, Barry attained its peak intensity as Category 1 hurricane with 1-minute sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 993 millibars (29.3 inHg). At 15:00 UTC, Barry made its first landfall at Marsh Island, and another landfall in Intracoastal City, Louisiana, both times as a Category 1 hurricane. Barry quickly weakened after landfall, falling to tropical depression status on July 15. The storm finally degenerated into a remnant low over northern Arkansas on the same day, subsequently opening up into a trough on July 16. The storm's remnants persisted for another few days, while continuing its eastward motion, before being absorbed into another frontal storm to the south of Nova Scotia on July 19.[1]
Barry was one of four hurricanes to strike Louisiana as a Category 1 hurricane in the month of July, the others being Bob in 1979, Danny in 1997, and Cindy in 2005.[2] Numerous tropical storm watches and warnings were issued for Mississippi and Louisiana ahead of the storm. Several states declared state of emergencies ahead of the storm. Though Barry only produced hurricane-force winds in a small area of Louisiana, more than 153,000 customers lost power in the state. As Barry drifted westward over the Gulf of Mexico, storm surge caused widespread coastal flooding in Alabama, Mississippi, and Alabama. The storm's large circulation produced heavy rainfall over a large area, reaching 23.43 in (595 mm) near Ragley, Louisiana, and 16.59 in (421 mm) near Dierks, Arkansas. The latter value was the highest amount of rainfall recorded in Arkansas related to a tropical cyclone. Many roads, including Interstate highways, were flooded. Dozens of water rescues were carried out in Louisiana and Arkansas, where the most significant flooding occurred. In parts of the Northeastern United States and Ontario, Canada, severe thunderstorms from Barry's remnants caused an additional 160,000 power outages and spawned a few weak tornadoes. The storm caused two fatalities: one in Florida from rip currents, and one in Connecticut from fallen trees and wires.[3][4] Damage from Barry was estimated to be about $600 million (2019 USD).
Meteorological history
Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
The origins of Barry can be traced to a mesoscale convective vortex – a complex of thunderstorms – that formed over southwestern Kansas on July 2.[5] On July 5, the Climate Prediction Center noted the possibility for this disturbance to interact with a trough of low pressure over the Southeastern United States, eventually triggering the formation of a low pressure area over the Gulf of Mexico.[6] The following day, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) highlighted a low likelihood of tropical cyclogenesis while the disturbance was still centered well-inland over Tennessee, anticipating that the weather system would track into the northern Gulf of Mexico.[7] Over the next few days, the system drifted southeastward towards Georgia, steered by a low- to mid-level ridge to its west.[5] By July 8, the NHC assessed a high probability of a tropical cyclone developing due to favorable conditions in the Gulf.[8] On July 9, a broad area of low pressure exited the Florida Panhandle and tracked into the northeastern Gulf of Mexico, accompanied by scattered convection. It moved southwestward and curved to the west on the east side of the ridge.[5] On July 10, the NHC initiated advisories on the system as Potential Tropical Cyclone Two, due to its threat the system posed to the United States. At that time, the low pressure area was experiencing some northerly wind shear, which was expected to decrease. Sea surface temperatures of 86–88 °F (30–31 °C) allowed the system to gradually organize.[9]
Barry intensifying over the Gulf of Mexico on July 12
At 00:00 UTC on July 11, the system developed into a tropical depression about 200 mi (320 km) south of Mobile, Alabama. The depression intensified into Tropical Storm Barry six hours later as the convection had increased to the south of the system's circulation.[5] The storm's convection organized into a large rainband south of an elongated circulation,[10] though mid-level dry air and northerly wind shear prevented thunderstorms from forming near the center.[11][5] On July 12, data from two hurricane hunter reconnaissance aircraft found that Barry had quickly intensified, with its central pressure dropping.[12] Due to a slight decrease in shear on the morning of July 13, the storm's outflow expanded and the banding increased.[13] The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer instrument also found cloud tops colder than −80 °F (−62 °C) mostly south of the center.[14] Barry attained Category 1 hurricane status by 12:00 UTC that day, with a small area of hurricane-force winds occurring east of the center.[15] Simultaneously, the storm reached its peak intensity, with a minimum central pressure of 993 millibars (29.3 inHg).[5] At 15:00 UTC that day, Barry made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane on Marsh Island, Louisiana.[16] Barry was one of four hurricanes to hit Louisiana at Category 1 intensity in the month of July, the others being Bob in 1979, Danny in 1997, and Cindy in 2005.[2]
The storm quickly weakened after landfall, falling to tropical storm status late on July 13.[17] The storm moved slowly, leading to widespread flooding in Louisiana and Arkansas.[18] Barry further weakened to a tropical depression at 00:00 UTC on July 15 just south of the Louisiana-Arkansas border.[5] Satellite imagery showed that the cyclone had become elongated by that time.[19] At 12:00 UTC that same day, Barry degenerated into a remnant low over northern Arkansas. The remnant low continued to spin down and degenerated into a trough at 12:00 UTC a day later, over southern Missouri.[5] Over the next few days, Barry's remnants continued moving northeastward and then eastward, reaching Pennsylvania on July 18 and linking up with a cold front, and moving off the coast of Long Island late that day. On July 19, Barry's remnants were absorbed into another extratropical storm to the south of Nova Scotia.[1]
Preparations
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
On July 10, the NHC (which is part of the NOAA) began issuing various warnings and watches, including a hurricane watch for the Louisiana coast from Cameron to the Mississippi River Delta, a tropical storm watch from the Mississippi Delta to the mouth of the Pearl River, and a storm surge watch from the mouth of the Pearl River to Morgan City, Louisiana. After the disturbance became a tropical storm on July 11, the NHC issued a tropical storm warning from the mouth of the Pearl River to Morgan City, and a tropical storm watch eastward to the Mississippi/Alabama border, including the New Orleans metro area, Lake Pontchartrain, and Lake Maurepas. The agency also issued a storm surge warning from the mouth of the Atchafalaya River to Shell Beach, Louisiana.[5]: 20 On the afternoon of July 11, the National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane warning for coastal Louisiana between Intracoastal City to Grand Isle, Louisiana.[20] All tropical cyclone watches and warnings were discontinued at 21:00 UTC on July 14.[5]: 20 The NHC started giving emergency management direct support from July 9 to July 14. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hurricane Liaison Team coordinated storm briefings to Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, along with FEMA regions 4 and 6. The Tropical Analysis and Forecast Branch of the NHC also assisted the U.S. Coast Guard in their operations during Barry.[5]: 8 More than 80 live briefings and 50 phone interviews were broadcast in local and national television. A total of 11 live briefings were also provided by the NHC on Facebook; those briefings received more than 400,000 views.[5]: 9
The National Weather Service issued severe thunderstorm watches and flash flood watches for several counties in Connecticut.[21]
The United States Army Corps of Engineers feared that levees would be overtopped in Plaquemines Parish by storm surge and historically high river levels. Thus, a mandatory evacuation was ordered for the parish was implemented on the morning of July 11, affecting approximately 8,000–10,000 residents.[22] An evacuation order was issued for low-lying areas of Jefferson Parish;[23] the mayor of Grand Isle issued a mandatory evacuation as well. Due to the storm threat, the Carnival Valor changed its disembarking point from New Orleans to Mobile, Alabama.[24]Royal Dutch Shell evacuated non-essential personnel from its offshore oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico.[25] Curfews were enacted in several Louisiana communities across five parishes on July 12.[26] New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell urged residents to "shelter in place" but did not order evacuations, citing Category 3 status as the threshold.[27]
The Louisiana National Guard preparing for the coming of Hurricane Barry
In a 24-hour span between July 10 and 11, 28 parishes issued emergency declarations. After declaring a state of emergency and deploying search and rescue assets,[28] Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards requested a federal disaster declaration for the entire state on July 11, citing the potential for widespread flooding;[29] the request was granted by President Donald Trump later that day.[30] On July 12, Health and Human Services SecretaryAlex Azar declared a public health emergency in Louisiana to prepare for Barry's potential impacts. In addition to making this declaration, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) worked with FEMA and positioned approximately 100 medical and public health personnel from various agencies, and provided medical equipment for medical teams.[31] On July 12, Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant declared a state of emergency, allocating state resources for storm relief and activating the state's emergency operations center.[32] The Mississippi Urban Search and Rescue Task Force dispatched two 12-person water rescue crews to Pike County and Camp Shelby to assist local emergency units.[33]Airbnb activated its Open Homes program, which provides temporary housing to evacuees or storm victims, for parts of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Dozens of Airbnb hosts signed up to shelter displaced people and rescue workers.[34][35]
Impact
Total rainfall from Hurricane Barry and its remnants
High water levels occurred from the Florida Panhandle to the upper Texas Coast.[5] Total economic losses from Barry are estimated at $600 million (2019 USD), with public and private insurers paying out nearly $300 million. More than 50,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed. Most of these losses were due to flooding along the Gulf Coast and in Arkansas.[36]
While Barry was in its formative stages, it dropped 6 to 9 in (150 to 230 mm) of rainfall across the New Orleans area, causing flooding.[37] An expansive thunderstorm inundated streets and businesses over a six-hour period on the morning of July 10.[38] Portions of the French Quarter were flooded and public transportation was disrupted. The impacts were exacerbated by an elevated Mississippi River amid a prolonged period exceeding flood stage.[39] Officials declared a flash flood emergency in New Orleans, as flooded streets forced businesses and government buildings to close.[40][39] A EF1tornado was reported near New Orleans on July 10, snapping several trees and ripping the roof off a house; this tornado caused $300,000 in damage.[41]
Hurricane Barry intensifying, then making landfall in Louisiana
When Barry made landfall, it produced hurricane-force winds in a small area near the Louisiana coast.[42] The strongest recorded sustained winds on land was 66 mph (106 km/h) at Acadiana Regional Airport in New Iberia.[5] In Iberia Parish, numerous trees were downed. The Dauterive Hospital lost power and both generators, and had to evacuate 60 patients in the middle of the storm.[43] For several days, Barry's intense rainbands affected the same portion of south-central and southwestern Louisiana. The highest rainfall total recorded along Barry's path was 23.43 in (595 mm) near Ragley.[5] Waterspouts were reported on Lake Pontchartrain.[40] A possible tornado damaged two homes when it struck the Gentilly neighborhood in New Orleans.[27] The highest storm surge in Louisiana was 6.13 ft (1.87 m) above normal tide levels at Eugene Island in Atchafalaya Bay. A tide station in Amerada Pass recorded a 6.93 ft (2.11 m) high tide, but the station had been recording higher than normal tides due to high runoff from the Mississippi River. On the southern shore of Lake Pontchartrain, the storm surge reached 4.3 ft (1.3 m).[5] Flooding occurred on the banks of the Atchafalaya River in Morgan City.[44] The Lower Dularge East Levee in Terrebonne Parish was overtopped, prompting a mandatory evacuation for nearby areas.[45] On the afternoon of July 12, Louisiana Highway 1 south of Golden Meadow was closed after seawater began to inundate portions of the road, cutting off access to Grand Isle and Port Fourchon.[46]
A total of 153,000 customers lost power in Louisiana.[47]Power lines knocked down by fallen trees in the Metairie area cut power to 5,140 electricity customers in the New Orleans metropolitan area. The most widespread power outages occurred where wind speeds were highest in Lafourche Parish and Terrebonne Parish, as well as eastern Baton Rouge; over 39,000 lost power in these areas.[48] All electricity customers in Grand Isle lost power, and a total of 4,300 customers were affected by power outages as Barry's initial rainbands swept across coastal Louisiana.[49] Heavy rain from the storm caused The Rolling Stones to postpone their July 14 show at the Superdome to the next day.[50]
In Texas, wind gusts reached 56 mph (91 km/h) at Sabine Pass.[5] A peak rainfall amount of 4.61 in (117 mm) was recorded in Beaumont.[51] Five people were rescued 23 mi (37 km) southwest of Gulfport, Mississippi, after their ship ran aground.[52] On July 14, a brief EF0 tornado in Forrest County damaged a few tree limbs on its 0.48 mi (0.77 km) path.[53] A tornado warning was issued for Jackson County, though no tornadoes were reported in the county. Heavy rain occurred in southwestern Mississippi, and a rainfall amount of 13.30 in (338 mm) near Pass Christian.[51] The rains flooded roads near the coast, in conjunction with higher tides. Hurricane Barry produced a 3 ft (0.91 m) storm surge in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.[5] Floodwaters inundated parts of Beach Boulevard in Pascagoula,[54] and closed roads in the Biloxi area. In West Jackson, flash flooding inundated a car and several streets on July 14, causing $20,000 in damage.[55] Ten roads were closed due to flooding in Newton County.[56] In Petal, Mississippi, more than 2 ft (0.61 m) of water covered roads, prompting road closures.[57] High winds and saturated soils led to fallen trees.[58] In Leesdale, near U.S. Highway 84, wind gusts up to 60 mph (96 km/h) brought down trees, blocking roads and intersections.[59] Severe thunderstorms from Barry's rainbands caused widespread tree damage across Adams County, causing $10,000 in damage.[60]
The outer rainbands of Barry dropped heavy rainfall in southern Alabama, reaching 8.36 in (212 mm) near Fairhope.[5] In Mobile County, several roads were underwater due to coastal flooding.[61] Torrential rainfall overwhelmed sewer systems in that city, with over 80,000 US gallons (300,000 L) of water spilling into streets. The storm forced the closure of popular beaches, including those in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores.[62] In southern Alabama, wind gusts reached 72 mph (116 km/h) on Pinto Island.[5] Around 2.8 ft (0.85 m) of storm surge was reported in coastal Alabama.[63] Floodwaters from coastal flooding reached several feet deep in some locations, causing beach erosion and leaving behind 3 ft (0.91 m) of sand on Bienville Boulevard on Dauphin Island. Floodwaters closed lanes of the Cochrane–Africatown USA Bridge in Mobile.[5][63]
The precursor disturbance to Barry caused severe thunderstorms across much of Florida. Numerous trees were blown down due to strong winds from downbursts.[64][65][66] In Garden City, a tree was blown down on Interstate 295 in a microburst.[67] Along the Florida Panhandle, beaches issued warnings to the public to stay out of the water to avoid rip currents and dangerous swimming conditions; however, there were still many calls of swimmers in distress. In Panama City Beach, multiple people formed a human chain in an effort to save swimmers who had gotten caught in a rip current caused by the storm. Authorities performed 38 water rescues. A 67-year-old man drowned in the waters.[3] Barry's large circulation produced gale-force wind gusts along the Gulf Coast as far east Panama City Beach, which recorded gusts of 41 mph (67 km/h).[5]
Arkansas
72-hour rainfall from Hurricane Barry in Arkansas
Following up to 8 in (200 mm) of rainfall, the National Weather Service issued a rare flash flood emergency at 5 a.m. CDT on July 16, for southern Pike and southern Clark counties.[68] Later, water rescues and washed-out roads were reported in Hempstead, Howard, and Nevada counties,[51] prompting a flash flood emergency to be issued for those counties as well.[68] At least 13 high water rescues were performed throughout the state. Howard County sustained the most significant and widespread flooding, with at least 30–40 structures damaged by flash flooding. Numerous roads and bridges were washed out in Hempstead and Nevada counties, including state and U.S. highways. In Hempstead County, 20 roads were washed out or damaged.[69] A portion of Interstate 30 was closed in Clark County due to flooding.[51] The Clark County Humane Society in Arkadelphia was drenched by floodwaters, killing a puppy. Later, the remaining animals were rescued.[70] A woman was rescued from fast-moving floodwaters in the same area.[71] In Nashville, the police department building and the county jail were damaged by flash flooding, and inmates had to be evacuated.[68] Several roads were underwater and closed in the city.[69] A part of Arkansas Highway 29 was flooded in Pike County.[72] Numerous cars were flooded and swept away in Dierks, along with flood damage to many buildings and the loss of over 200 head of cattle.[69] A rainfall total of 16.59 in (421 mm) was recorded near the city, making Barry the wettest tropical cyclone in state history.[73]
Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States
In the Northeastern United States, Barry worsened a heat wave due to the tropical air mass it brought along with it.[18] Barry's remnant moisture brought severe thunderstorms to the region from July 16–17, causing downed trees and power outages. Trees were reported down and power outages occurred in Ewing, New Jersey.[74] A portion of the Garden State Parkway was closed briefly due to flooding. Rome, New York, received more than 3 in (76 mm) of rain. On July 17, two people were injured in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, due to strong winds.[75] Lightning struck a cottonwood tree, which brought down wires and fell on a car in Southington. A 21-year-old man was killed. Numerous towns experienced power outages, with nearly 1,400 customers losing power in Fairfield. The outages also closed a library in Monroe.[4] Overall, 160,000 customers lost power due to the storms in the Mid-Atlantic and New England.[75] An MLB game at Yankee Stadium between the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees was postponed due to the storm.[76]
Elsewhere
In Missouri, a peak rainfall amount of 5.35 in (136 mm) was recorded in Poplar Bluff, and in Tennessee, a peak amount of 6.09 in (155 mm) was recorded near Cookeville.[51] More than 2.4 in (60 mm) of rain fell in Toronto, Canada, on July 17, as the post-tropical cyclone moved just south of the area, resulting in street-level flash flooding and the blockage of a ramp to Ontario Highway 401, where several cars were submerged.[77] The city recorded its highest daily rainfall total in the month of July since 2013.[78] The storms also produced a funnel cloud in Oro-Medonte.[77] In Indianapolis, Indiana, over an inch of rainfall was recorded.[79]
Aftermath
Parishes in Louisiana (beige) that received federal assistance from FEMA
In the immediate aftermath of the storm, flooding and storm surge washed wild animals into people's homes. In St. Tammany Parish, a large den of snakes entered people's homes and property. A video shared on social media showed an alligator entering a home in Livingston Parish.[80] On July 14, the United States Department of Labor announced efforts to help victims of Barry, according to Secretary of LaborAlexander Acosta.[81] Governor of Louisiana John Bel Edwards traveled to coastal Louisiana on July 15 to inspect damage from the storm. He visited Myrtle Grove, near Port Sulphur, where roads were damaged by floods. The governor later said in a news conference that the storm was not as bad as originally anticipated, but urged residents to prepare for later storms.[3] Mayor of HoustonSylvester Turner called New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell and offered to provide donations to affected areas through the Houston Relief Hub.[82] However, Cantrell said that her city of New Orleans was "beyond lucky" and was ready to help other parishes that got hit harder.[83] Many oil platforms and drilling companies in the northern Gulf of Mexico were heavily affected by the storm. The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement asserted that Barry caused nearly 73% of crude oil production in the Gulf to shut on July 15, two days after the storm made landfall. About 62% of natural gas production had also ceased.[47]
From July 25 to August 8, FEMA, along with state and local governments conducted Preliminary Damage Assessments in Louisiana.[84][85] On August 14, Governor John Bel Edwards requested a post-storm major disaster declaration for seven parishes,[84] which President Donald Trump granted on August 27.[86] The same day, Governor John Bel Edwards announced that the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness and FEMA had recently completed damage assessments in the impacted areas.[85] Total cost for public assistance cost a little more than $16 million in Louisiana.[84]
^"Curfews Set for Acadiana". KATC News. Acadiana, Louisiana: The E.W. Scripps Co. July 12, 2019. Archived from the original on July 12, 2019. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
^McWhriter, Cameron; Calfas, Jennifer (July 11, 2019). "Tropical Storm Barry Brews, Forcing Evacuations". The Wall Street Journal. New York City: Dow Jones & Company, Inc. Archived from the original on July 12, 2019. Retrieved July 11, 2019.(subscription required)
^Edwards, John Bel (July 11, 2019). "Archived copy"(PDF). Office of the Governor. Letter to Trump, Donald J. Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Office of the Governor of Louisiana. Archived(PDF) from the original on July 12, 2019. Retrieved July 11, 2019.{{cite press release}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^ abBarry, Morgan; Maniscalco, Joe (2019). "Hurricane Barry – July 13, 2019". Mobile-Pensacola National Weather Service. Archived from the original on October 16, 2020. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
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