BARRY DOWNGRADED TO TROPICAL DEPRESSION;
FLOOD AND TORNADO THREAT CONTINUES
August 6, 2001 — Tropical Depression Barry continues to pose a threat of flooding and isolated tornadoes throughout portions of Alabama, Georgia and the Florida panhandle. Maximum sustained winds have decreased to 30 mph as Barry's center tracks north-northwest through Alabama, according to NOAA's National Weather Service Southern Region. (Click on NOAA image for larger view of Tropical Depression Barry taken by NOAA's GOES-8 satellite. Click here for latest satellite image.)
Additional rainfall of 3 to 5 inches is expected near the center over the next 24 hours, while 5 to 7 inches are possible in the rainbands affecting the Florida panhandle. Barry has been moving at 15 mph, but forecasters worry that its forward speed could slow as it turns northwest .
"What I'm concerned about is how quickly the system is moving," said Brian Peters, warning coordination meteorologist for NOAA's National Weather Service Forecast Office in Birmingham, Ala. "If it zips through, we'll be in good shape but if it slows down, additional rain can only aggravate the situation."
A tornado watch remains in effect for southwest Georgia, the Florida panhandle and south-central Alabama. While Tropical Depression Barry remains a serious threat, its impact to date has been minimal.
With maximum sustained winds at 70 mph, Barry never quite reached hurricane status as it came ashore along the Florida panhandle early Monday morning. During landfall, coastal storm surge flooding averaged 2 to 4 feet accompanied by more than 7 inches of rain recorded near Panama City, Fla.
Emergency preparedness plans were implemented throughout the affected areas as a series of National Weather Service watches and warnings were issued. Coastal residents were busy boarding up homes and businesses preparing for the worst. Fortunately, the worst never came. Barry moved inland quickly and did little damage.
Tallahassee NWS Forecast Office Meteorologist-in-Charge Paul Duval says, "There were isolated power outages, some trees were downed and minor flooding closed some roads. We're still keeping an eye on the rainbands, but basically everybody is breathing a sigh of relief."
For storm information for specific areas of the USA, please monitor products issued by National Weather Service local forecast offices.
Click NOAA tracking map for larger view.
Relevant Web Sites
NOAA's National Weather Service Southern Region
NOAA's Tornadoes Page
NOAA Satellite Images — The latest satellite views
Colorized Satellite Images
NOAA 3-D Satellite Images
NOAA's Storm Watch — Get the latest severe weather information across the USA
NOAA's National Hurricane Center — Get the latest advisories here
Climate Watch, June 2001 — Rainfall and Flooding from Tropical Storm Allison
National Weather Warnings
NOAA's Hydrometeorological Prediction Center — Get the latest excessive rainfall forecasts
NOAA's Drought Assessment
NOAA's Summer Outlook
Latest Seasonal Outlook
2001 Atlantic Hurricane Outlook
USA Weather Threats
NOAA's River Forecast Centers
NOAA's Hydrologic Information Center
River Conditions from NOAA's Hydrologic Information Center — includes national graphic
NOAA's Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Services
NOAA's Flooding Page
NOAA Flood Satellite Images
Media Contact:
Ron Trumbla, National Weather Service Southern Region, (817) 978-1111 ext. 140
-end-
