Tropical Storm Chris (1988)
Encyclopedia
Tropical Storm Chris was a weak tropical storm that made landfall in Georgia
during the 1988 Atlantic hurricane season
. The third storm of the season, Chris was one of five Atlantic storms in the year to make landfall on the United States
coastline. Chris formed as a tropical depression in the central Atlantic Ocean on August 21 and did not reach tropical storm strength until August 28. Chris reached a peak intensity of 50 mph (80 km/h) and a low pressure of 1006 millibars before weakening and hitting Georgia
.
Chris dropped light rainfall along its path, and its winds were minimal. The rainfall killed three people in Puerto Rico
and a tornado killed one in South Carolina
. Overall, Chris left $1.5 million (1988 USD, $3 million 2009 USD) in damage.
on August 15 where it became a tropical depression on the 21st, halfway between Africa
and the eastern Caribbean
. However, despite 13 separate flights conducted by the National Hurricane Center
, the depression did not reach tropical storm strength as it crossed over the northern Leeward Islands
and Hispaniola
. On August 28, a hurricane hunter plane detected a closed area of circulation and sustained winds of 46 mph (74 km/h). That prompted forecasters to upgrade the depression to tropical storm status.
However, Chris maintained tropical storm status for 12 hours as the forward acceleration of the storm caused it to weaken as it made landfall near Savannah, Georgia
. Chris then crossed over the East Coast of the United States
before becoming extratropical on the 30th.
to the Outer Banks
at 1000 UTC. Hours later the watches were changed to warnings and were extended for Savannah, Georgia
.
, there were no reports of damage or injuries. In the United States Virgin Islands
, the depression dropped 1 inch (2.5 cm) of rain. Chris also dropped over 7-10 inches (17.9-25.4 cm) of rain over Puerto Rico, the highest was 14.5 inches (35.6 cm) in Hacienda Constanza. There were three fatalities in Puerto Rico, mainly from flooding.
, the outer bands of Chris produced 1-3 inches of rain. There were no reports of damage in Florida
.
In Georgia
, Chris produced 43 mph (69 km/h) sustained winds with a gust reaching up to 49 mph (80 km/h). Several other locations reported 17-35 mph (28–56 km/h) winds. In South Carolina
, the storm dropped over 2-3 inches of rain and spawned a tornado that caused one fatality , one injury and destroyed several mobile homes. Chris also produced tide levels of 0.5–1 feet (0.1-0.5 meters) above normal and 22-26 mph (35–43 km/h) winds were reported while winds of 44 mi/h were reported near Charleston, South Carolina
. The winds left 18,000 South Carolina
residents without power. In North Carolina
, the storm produced rainfall of 2-4 inches (50–100 mm) and sustained winds of 16-23 mph (30–43 km/h), with gusts reaching 32 mph (52 km/h). Damage in North Carolina
occurred from tornadoes that hit west of Statesville in Iredell County. In the Northeastern United States
, the remnants of Chris dropped 1-5 inches (2.5-12.7 cm) of rain across Pennsylvania
and New York
. In Maine
, high winds from the storm damaged power lines that left 10,000 people without electricity. The storm also damaged four houses and several automobiles near Crystal Lake. In all the storm left $1.5 million dollars (1988 USD, $3 million 2009 USD) in damage in the United States
.
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
during the 1988 Atlantic hurricane season
1988 Atlantic hurricane season
The 1988 Atlantic hurricane season was a moderately active season that proved costly and deadly, with 15 tropical cyclones directly affecting land. The season officially began on June 1, 1988, and lasted until November 30, 1988, although activity began on May 30 when a tropical...
. The third storm of the season, Chris was one of five Atlantic storms in the year to make landfall on the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
coastline. Chris formed as a tropical depression in the central Atlantic Ocean on August 21 and did not reach tropical storm strength until August 28. Chris reached a peak intensity of 50 mph (80 km/h) and a low pressure of 1006 millibars before weakening and hitting Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
.
Chris dropped light rainfall along its path, and its winds were minimal. The rainfall killed three people in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
and a tornado killed one in South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
. Overall, Chris left $1.5 million (1988 USD, $3 million 2009 USD) in damage.
Meteorological history
A tropical wave moved off the coast of AfricaAfrica
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
on August 15 where it became a tropical depression on the 21st, halfway between Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
and the eastern Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
. However, despite 13 separate flights conducted by the National Hurricane Center
National Hurricane Center
The National Hurricane Center , located at Florida International University in Miami, Florida, is the division of the National Weather Service responsible for tracking and predicting weather systems within the tropics between the Prime Meridian and the 140th meridian west poleward to the 30th...
, the depression did not reach tropical storm strength as it crossed over the northern Leeward Islands
Leeward Islands
The Leeward Islands are a group of islands in the West Indies. They are the northern islands of the Lesser Antilles chain. As a group they start east of Puerto Rico and reach southward to Dominica. They are situated where the northeastern Caribbean Sea meets the western Atlantic Ocean...
and Hispaniola
Hispaniola
Hispaniola is a major island in the Caribbean, containing the two sovereign states of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The island is located between the islands of Cuba to the west and Puerto Rico to the east, within the hurricane belt...
. On August 28, a hurricane hunter plane detected a closed area of circulation and sustained winds of 46 mph (74 km/h). That prompted forecasters to upgrade the depression to tropical storm status.
However, Chris maintained tropical storm status for 12 hours as the forward acceleration of the storm caused it to weaken as it made landfall near Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
. Chris then crossed over the East Coast of the United States
East Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
before becoming extratropical on the 30th.
Preparations
In preparation of the tropical depression, officials in Puerto Rico closed public schools and sent federal workers home early. Forecasters issued a tropical storm watch from South CarolinaSouth Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
to the Outer Banks
Outer Banks
The Outer Banks is a 200-mile long string of narrow barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina, beginning in the southeastern corner of Virginia Beach on the east coast of the United States....
at 1000 UTC. Hours later the watches were changed to warnings and were extended for Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
.
Leeward Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico
Winds up to 35 mph (56 km/h) were reported in the Leeward IslandsLeeward Islands
The Leeward Islands are a group of islands in the West Indies. They are the northern islands of the Lesser Antilles chain. As a group they start east of Puerto Rico and reach southward to Dominica. They are situated where the northeastern Caribbean Sea meets the western Atlantic Ocean...
, there were no reports of damage or injuries. In the United States Virgin Islands
United States Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands of the United States are a group of islands in the Caribbean that are an insular area of the United States. The islands are geographically part of the Virgin Islands archipelago and are located in the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles.The U.S...
, the depression dropped 1 inch (2.5 cm) of rain. Chris also dropped over 7-10 inches (17.9-25.4 cm) of rain over Puerto Rico, the highest was 14.5 inches (35.6 cm) in Hacienda Constanza. There were three fatalities in Puerto Rico, mainly from flooding.
Hispaniola and Bahamas
Hispaniola received heavy rain and 35 mph (56 km/h) winds but no deaths or damage was reported. In the Bahamas, the storm brought winds of 35 mph (56 km/h) but left no damage.United States
In FloridaFlorida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, the outer bands of Chris produced 1-3 inches of rain. There were no reports of damage in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
.
In Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, Chris produced 43 mph (69 km/h) sustained winds with a gust reaching up to 49 mph (80 km/h). Several other locations reported 17-35 mph (28–56 km/h) winds. In South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, the storm dropped over 2-3 inches of rain and spawned a tornado that caused one fatality , one injury and destroyed several mobile homes. Chris also produced tide levels of 0.5–1 feet (0.1-0.5 meters) above normal and 22-26 mph (35–43 km/h) winds were reported while winds of 44 mi/h were reported near Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
. The winds left 18,000 South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
residents without power. In North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, the storm produced rainfall of 2-4 inches (50–100 mm) and sustained winds of 16-23 mph (30–43 km/h), with gusts reaching 32 mph (52 km/h). Damage in North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
occurred from tornadoes that hit west of Statesville in Iredell County. In the Northeastern United States
Northeastern United States
The Northeastern United States is a region of the United States as defined by the United States Census Bureau.-Composition:The region comprises nine states: the New England states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont; and the Mid-Atlantic states of New...
, the remnants of Chris dropped 1-5 inches (2.5-12.7 cm) of rain across Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
and New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. In Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
, high winds from the storm damaged power lines that left 10,000 people without electricity. The storm also damaged four houses and several automobiles near Crystal Lake. In all the storm left $1.5 million dollars (1988 USD, $3 million 2009 USD) in damage in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Canada
The extratropical remnants of Chris dropped heavy rains and produced winds of 25-30 mph (40–48 km/h). There were no reports of damage.See also
- Other storms of the same name
- List of North Carolina hurricanes (1980–present)