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Tropical Storm Bill Roars Ashore in Louisiana
Written by Bonnie Gillespie, Staff Writer, RedCross.org
June 30, 2003 —
Tropical Storm Bill drenched the Gulf Coast on Monday afternoon, forcing evacuations along the water, swamping the streets of New Orleans and dumping up to a foot of rain in some parts of the south.
Satellite imagery shows Tropical Storm Bill as it roars ashore along the Gulf Coast.
Image Courtesy of NOAA
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The second tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, Bill sustained wind gusts of 60 mph, well below the 74 mph threshold necessary for hurricane status. Forecasters are predicting an additional five to ten inches of rainfall in portions of southeastern Louisiana, southern Mississippi and Alabama and across the western Florida panhandle.
The American Red Cross is mobilizing personnel, food, water and other supplies and the relief organization opened two shelters in Louisiana last night at the request of Emergency Management officials.
"Certainly, it's not as dangerous as other storms we've had, but it is a dangerous storm," said Jim Ballow, assistant chief of operations for the Louisiana Office of Emergency Preparedness.
Tropical Storm Bill spiraled onto land near Morgan City, La., on Monday and is moving to the northeast at 10 mph. Tropical storm warnings were in effect from east of High Island, Texas, all the way across Louisiana to Pascagoula, Mississippi. Flood watches and a tornado watch remain posted for areas along and near the central Gulf Coast.
"While many people might not consider a tropical storm as serious as a hurricane, the reality is that tropical storms can be destructive and deadly because of heavy rains, flooding and tornadoes," said Terry Sicilia, executive vice president, American Red Cross Disaster Services. "In fact, on the list of the costliest Red disasters in Red Cross history, tropical storms make up three of the top 15 disaster relief responses."
Hurricane specialist Lixion Avila told CNN that coastal flooding 3 to 5 feet above normal tide levels could be expected "near and to the east of where the center crosses the coast." The area includes New Orleans and New Iberia, where nearly a foot of rainfall flooded several homes two weeks ago.
In New Orleans, Emergency Preparedness Director Larry Tuiller said several of the city's flood gates were closed. Offices and universities closed early and water rose above the curbs in the French Quarter, as streets, bars and restaurants were empty.
The path taken by Tropical Storm Bill has left much of the southeast U.S. drenched.
Image Courtesy of NOAA
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Coastal parishes closed summer camps and government offices, opened storm shelters for residents of low-lying areas and readied sandbags, boats and high-wheeled vehicles.
In Mississippi, people were evacuated from some flood-prone areas because of forecasts of a 3- to 5-foot storm surge combined with a 2-foot high tide. Road flooding was blamed for minor traffic accidents in Alabama, which also braced for up to a foot of rain.
Officials at the National Hurricane Center in Miami are closely monitoring the swirling storm through a special reconnaissance airplane deployed Monday morning.
The year's first tropical storm, Ana, formed in the open Atlantic in April and was a threat only to shipping. Systems become tropical storms when their sustained wind exceeds 39 mph.
Ana was rare in that it developed before the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season, June 1. The season runs through Nov. 30 and is anticipated to be busier than normal.
Bill formed just after the 46th anniversary of Hurricane Audrey, one of the most destructive June hurricanes to hit the United States. It struck the Louisiana-Texas coast on June 27, 1957, with a 13.9-foot storm tide and winds gusting to 180 mph. It killed at least 390 people.
The Red Cross is continuing preparedness efforts and devising emergency response plans as Tropical Storm Bill approaches. Residents along the storm's path can call the toll-free Red Cross hotline, 1-866-GET-INFO for:
- current shelter locations;
- safety tips and evacuation guidelines;
- where and how to receive Red Cross assistance;
- ways to reduce potential damage to the home;
- information on loved ones in the affected areas;
- referrals to emergency and mental health services;
- guidance for talking with children about disasters; and
- how you can help with a gift of time, blood or money
Additionally, the Red Cross urges the public to be prepared with the following safety tips:
- Prepare a personal evacuation plan:
Identify ahead of time where you could go if told to evacuate. Choose several places, such as a friend's home in another town, a motel or a shelter. Get a good map and be familiar with your community's evacuation routes. Listen to local media broadcasts or NOAA Weather Radio for the latest storm conditions. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately. In case you have to evacuate to a Red Cross shelter, be sure to bring medications, extra clothing, pillows and blankets and other hygiene and comfort supplies for all members of your family. Be sure to also make advance preparations for your pets, which aren't allowed in Red Cross shelters.
- If officials indicate evacuation is necessary:
If time permits, and you live in an identified surge zone, elevate furniture or move it to a higher floor to protect it from flooding. Secure your home by unplugging appliances and turning off electricity and the main water valve. Bring pre-assembled emergency supplies and warm protective clothing. Take blankets, sleeping bags and prescription medicines to shelter. Tell someone outside of your storm area where you are going. Lock your home and leave immediately. Avoid flooded roads and watch for washed-out bridges.
- Assemble a family disaster supplies kit:
Have emergency supplies set aside for all members of your household, including emergency medications, non-perishable food and a non-electric can opener, bottled water (at least three gallons per day per person), a battery-powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries, extra clothes, important documents, cash and credit cards, a first aid kit and other special items for infants, elderly or disabled family members and pets.
- Prepare for high winds:
Make trees more wind resistant by removing diseased and damaged limbs, then strategically removing branches so that wind can blow through. Install permanent shutters on your windows and add protection to the outside areas of sliding glass doors. Strengthen garage doors and unreinforced masonry. Move or secure lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trashcans, hanging plants and anything else that can be picked up by wind and become a projectile.
The Disaster Relief Fund is dangerously low -- Your Help is Needed More Than Ever
The Red Cross is using the Disaster Relief Fund to assist residents affected by tropical storms and flooding, as well as thousands of other disaster victims across the country each year. This fund is now dangerously low and we cannot meet this challenge without your help. Please help support disaster victims nationwide by contributing to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. You can make a secure online credit card donation or call 1-800-HELP NOW (1-800-435-7669) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Or you may send your donation to your local Red Cross or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013.
Related Links:
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All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. The Red Cross also supplies nearly half of the nation's lifesaving blood. This, too, is made possible by generous voluntary donations. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. You can make a secure online credit card donation or call 1-800-HELP NOW (1-800-435-7669) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Or you may send your donation to your local Red Cross or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013. To donate blood, please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543), or contact your local Red Cross to find out about upcoming blood drives.
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