Hurricane Sally (2020)

Basin

North Atlantic

Dates

September 11, 2020 to September 18, 2020

Peak strength

Category 2, 95 kt (109 mph)

Lowest pressure

965 mb (28.50 inHg)

Landfall

Yes

Accumulated cyclone energy

7.3

Tropical-storm-force wind reached

150 nmi (278 km, 173 mi) from the center at its widest

Hurricane-force wind reached

40 nmi (74 km, 46 mi) from the center at its widest

Eyewall radius at its peak

20 nmi (37 km, 23 mi)

Overall size

180 nmi (333 km, 207 mi) to the outermost closed isobar

Peak gust in the best track

110 kt (127 mph)

Fastest the center moved

14 kt (16 mph)

Identifier

AL192020

Radar at KAMX as it neared land, Sep 12, 06:00 UTC

The sources count different things and are not added together.

Landfall points the US agencies flagged in the best track. The nearest town is named from the site’s gazetteer, not from the report.

NOAA’s Storm Events database, the record National Weather Service offices compile months after a storm, as compiled March 2026.

Deaths

7 (5 direct, 2 indirect)

Injuries

2

Property damage

$493 million

Crop damage

$92 million

Events recorded

433 in 39 reports from 11 states and marine areas

State by state

What was recorded

149 flash flood, 72 heavy rain, 42 marine thunderstorm wind, 32 marine tropical storm, 30 tropical storm, 22 tornado, 21 storm surge/tide, 15 thunderstorm wind, 13 strong wind, 10 marine hurricane/typhoon, 9 tropical depression, 8 hurricane (typhoon), 7 flood, 2 marine tropical depression, 1 funnel cloud.

22 tornadoes recorded in the United States, strongest first.

The strongest winds National Weather Service offices recorded with this storm. An estimated figure is a forecaster’s judgment from the damage, not an instrument reading.

From the Storm Events narratives, unedited.

As TD Nineteen moved westward across South Florida, rain bands produced maximum sustained winds generally between 25-35 mph. An earlier rain band moved across coastal Miami-Dade County during the morning of September 12th, with peak wind gusts of 54 mph/47 knots at the WeatherStem mesonet site at UM Health Systems at 10:40 AM EDT on September 12th. Additional wind gusts recorded of 49 mph/43 knots at the WeatherFlow site at Morningside Park (XMSP) at 11:35 AM EDT, and 48 mph/42 knots at the WeatherFlow site at Biscayne Bay Light 20 off Key Biscayne (XKBS) at 11:20 AM EDT. A total of around 1,500 customers lost power in Miami-Dade County. Overall wind impacts were minor and confined to trees and power lines.

Coastal Miami-Dade County, Florida · Tropical Depression · Sep 12, 05:00 UTC

As TD Nineteen moved westward across South Florida, rain bands produced maximum sustained winds generally between 25-35 mph. An earlier rain band moved across coastal Broward County during the morning of September 12th, with peak wind gusts of 49 mph/43 knots recorded at WxFlow mesonet site at Port Everglades (XPEG) at 11:34 AM EDT as well as at the WxFlow mesonet site at Dania Pier (XDAN) at 11:22 AM EDT, 47 mph/41 knots at the ASOS station at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport at 11:18 AM EDT, and 41 mph/36 knots at the WxFlow mesonet site at Hillsboro Inlet at 8:00 PM EDT. A total of around 560 customers lost power in Broward County. Overall wind impacts were minor and confined to trees and power lines.

Coastal Broward County, Florida · Tropical Depression · Sep 12, 11:00 UTC

AWOS site KDLP - West Delta 27A measured sustained winds of 43 knots on the 16th at 14:35 CDT with a peak wind gust of 50 knots on the 15th at 06:15 CDT. NOAA C-MAN BURL1 SW Pass measured sustained winds of 40 knots on the 15th at 11:00 CDT with a peak wind gust of 45 knots on the 15th at 05:00 CDT. Mesonet WxFlow site at East Bay Tower recorded sustained winds of 34 knots on the 15th at 00:00 CDT with a peak wind gust of 43 knots on the 15th at 00:55 CDT.

Coastal Waters From Southwest Pass of The Mississippi River To Port Fourchon Louisiana Out 20 Nm, Gulf of Mexico · Marine Tropical Storm · Sep 15, 06:00 UTC

Numerous streets flooded across Jackson County that were the result of storm surge flooding. A total of 62 roads were covered with water to various depths, mainly near the immediate coast. A few roads were flooded from water moving up the Pascagoula River from the MS sound. Storm surge and wave action damaged the boardwalk/fishing pier in downtown Moss Point on the Escatawpa River. USGS and NOS observations reported between 3.46 MHHW from PNLM6 Pascagoula NOAA and 4.06 NAVD88 from OFBM6 Ocean Springs, MS from storm surge inundation. The county opened two shelters and hosued a total of 26 people during the storm.

Jackson, Mississippi · Storm Surge/Tide · Sep 15, 10:30 UTC

At the time of highest recorded water levels, around 100 low lying roads in the county were covered by varying depths of water with around 10 becoming impassable. Areas impacted by flooding include Waveland, with water over Beach Blvd, as well as flooding over roadways in Shoreline Park in Bay St. Louis, MS. Other reports include flooding around homes in the Riverview area near Bay St. Louis and flooding over roadways and under elevated houses in Kiln, MS. Observations from NOS and USGS sites ranged from 3.66 MHHW at WYCM6 Waveland on the 15th at 12:06 CDT to 5.49 NAVD88 at EPCM6 Claiborne on the 15th at 13:30 CDT.

Hancock, Mississippi · Storm Surge/Tide · Sep 15, 14:06 UTC

Impacts from storm surge was outside of the HSDRSS levees. The greatest impacts were across the southern end of the parish. Storm surge flooding affected much of Grand Isle, inundating some areas with 1 to 2 feet of water. The area was cut off when HWY 1 was closed in Lafourche Parish. The mayor of Grand Isle estimates around 90% of its 1100 residents evacuated ahead of the storm. Observations across the area ranged from 2.10ft MHHW inundation at Grand Isle on the 15th at 10:24 CDT to 4.55 NAVD88 at Barataria Pass on the 15th at 08:45 CDT.

Lower Jefferson, Louisiana · Storm Surge/Tide · Sep 15, 14:45 UTC

Main impacts across the lower portion of Plaquemines Parish were the result of storm surge and areas outside of the HSDRRS Levees. Several roads were covered with water. Specifically, Tidewater road and adjacent roadways in the Venice area were impassible due to 1 to 2 feet of inundation. Parish EM reported roughly 50 to 75% of those under mandatory evacuation orders did evacuate, with 61 people seeking shelter at the parish shelter. Storm surge inundation observations ranged from 3.85 MHHW at the NOS gauge at PILL1 Pilottown on the 15th at 1112 CDT to 6.66 NAVD88 at the USGS site PLHL1 on the 15th 0915 CDT.

Lower Plaquemines, Louisiana · Storm Surge/Tide · Sep 15, 14:48 UTC

At 1710, Glynn County EM reported road closures due to flood water near Brunswick Golden Isles Airport including Canal Road and Georgia Spur 25. Several rain gauges near this area measured near 7 inches of rainfall thus far since midnight. Around 1748, the public submitted social media images of up to 6 inches of flood water covering yards and neighborhood streets near the Intersection of Gene Court and Jill Trace. The cost of flood damage was unknown and is likely greatly under-estimated for inclusion of this event in Storm Data.

Glynn, Georgia · Flood · Sep 15, 21:10 UTC

Hurricane Sally produced 20 to 30 inches of rain over southern Baldwin County. This resulted in extensive and major flash flooding and flooding across the area. Water rescues were first reported in Gulf Shores on County Road 8 a little after 8pm CDT with hundreds of water rescues taking place through the night and through much of Wednesday, September 16th. Even after the rain stopped Wednesday morning, numerous small streams, creeks, and rivers continued to rapidly rise. Numerous homes and vehicles were flooded and road closures were widespread.

Baldwin, Alabama · Flash Flood · Sep 16, 01:07 UTC

Hurricane Sally produced 10 to 20 inches of rain over south central Baldwin County from Interstate 10 south to Highway 98 and 5 to 10 inches north of Interstate 10. This resulted in extensive and major flash flooding and flooding across the area, with the greatest impact along and south of Interstate 10. Even after the rain stopped Wednesday morning, numerous small streams, creeks, and rivers continued to rapidly rise. Numerous homes and vehicles were flooded and road closures were widespread. The Fish River in Silvherhill crested at 20.71 feet, which is the third highest crest on record. The Styx River near Elsanor crested near 22.8 feet, which is the second highest crest on record. The river gauge stopped reporting as the crest was happening.

Baldwin, Alabama · Flash Flood · Sep 16, 04:00 UTC

The South Carolina Forestry Commission completed an aerial survey over an area inaccessible by land. Radar indicated that the tornado likely touched down along the upper reaches of Lake Marion in far southwest Sumter County, where a debris signature was first noted on radar. The tornado moved to the NNW to near the confluence of the Wateree and Congaree Rivers. The tornado continued moving to the NW along the Congaree River and vicinity where it crossed back and forth between Calhoun Co and Richland Co before eventually ending in Richland Co within the boundary of Congaree National Park. This tornado has been assigned an unknown rating as the degree of damage could not be determined from the aerial survey. Radar data was used to help determine the timing and location of the damage.

Sumter, South Carolina · Tornado · Sep 17, 11:58 UTC

The South Carolina Forestry Commission completed an aerial survey over an area inaccessible by land. Radar indicated that the tornado likely touched down along the upper reaches of Lake Marion in far southwest Sumter County, where a debris signature was first noted on radar. The tornado moved to the NNW to near the confluence of the Wateree and Congaree Rivers. The tornado continued moving to the NW along the Congaree River and vicinity where it crossed back and forth between Calhoun Co and Richland Co before eventually ending in Richland Co within the boundary of Congaree National Park. This tornado has been assigned an unknown rating as the degree of damage could not be determined from the aerial survey. Radar data was used to help determine the timing and location of the damage.

Richland, South Carolina · Tornado · Sep 17, 12:11 UTC

Flash flooding reported, with numerous roads flooded and impassable roads throughout the city of Waynesboro and vicinity. Locations of flooded roadways included Barron St, Perry St, Shadrack St, N. Liberty St, Barron St, Herndon Rd, Burke Veterans Pkwy near Davis Rd, E 7th St, with a roadway washout on Hwy 56 S just south of Edmund Burke Academy. Vehicles were flooded with stranded motorists at Council St at Perry St, Shadrack St near First Baptist Church, and N Liberty St between 9th St and Williams St. Some water entered Brentwood Nursing Home on Brentwood Dr. Water came close to homes near Spring Valley Rd and Lake Bluff Rd.

Burke, Georgia · Flash Flood · Sep 17, 13:45 UTC

An EF0 tornado skipped northeastward across Racine Drive between College Acres Drive and New Center Drive. The tornado pulled pieces of sheathing off two apartment buildings at Clear Run Apartments (405 Racine Drive) and across the street at Campus Edge Apartments (450 Racine Drive). The tornado appeared to skip and only touched down twice briefly. Also, several roof shingles were upturned on the roof at 405 Racine Drive. Both roofs were old and had been patched from past hurricanes. Other apartment complexes in the area with new roofs had no damage.

New Hanover, North Carolina · Tornado · Sep 18, 01:28 UTC

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• Tropical Storm OmarNorth Atlantic · 2020Tropical Storm35 kt · 1003 mb
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A best track is the record a warning agency settles on after the storm, not what it said at the time: position, maximum sustained wind and central pressure every six hours, revised against every observation that came in later. Category is the Saffir-Simpson scale, which runs from Category 1 at 64 kt to Category 5 at 137 kt and reads wind only, so it says nothing about surge or rain. Accumulated cyclone energy adds up the square of the wind through the storm's life, so it counts strength and duration together.

Storm history from NOAA NCEI’s International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS), which merges the official best track of every warning agency. Live storms, cones, watches and warnings from the National Hurricane Center and the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Archived radar from NOAA’s Level II archive.

• Tropical cyclone report, National Hurricane Center
• Every advisory and discussion NHC issued while it was live
• Best track as KMZ, National Hurricane Center
• Best track as a shapefile, National Hurricane Center
• Wikipedia article: Hurricane Sally