Hurricane in Florida, September 2 to 3, 1998

Hurricane Earl moved northeast across the Gulf of Mexico and brought low end tropical storm force wind gusts from Cedar Key in Levy county south to Sarasota in Sarasota county. Damage from "Earl" was considered minor. However, cumulative damage estimates, primarily tornadic, from fifteen counties of West Central and Southwest Florida, yielded a value of 1.13 million dollars.Storm total rainfall amounts were generally under one half inch with a few isolated amounts around three inches. Beach erosion was generally minor. However, moderate to severe beach erosion was observed near Venice in Sarasota county. Street flooding one to two feet deep was reported along the immediate coastal roads of Sarasota, Manatee and Pinellas counties.Wind damage was minor. However, Hurricane Earl did spawn six tornadoes, one of which produced F2 damage and two minor injuries.Although the eye of Hurricane Earl moved onshore near Panama City in the panhandle of Northwest Florida, storm tide was experienced along the entire west coast of Florida.COUNTY STORM TIDE VALUE (MSL) TIME (EST) DATE======== ======================= ========= =====Levy 5 to 7 feet 0000-0600 09/03Citrus 4 to 5 feet 0200-0800 09/03Hernando 3 to 4.5 feet 0500-1000 09/03Pasco 3 to 4.5 feet 0600-1000 09/03Pinellas 3 to 4.5 feet 0700-1100 09/03Hillsborough 3 to 4.5 feet 0700-1000 09/03Manatee 3 to 4.5 feet 0700-1000 09/03Sarasota 2 to 3 feet 0800-1100 09/03Charlotte 2 to 3 feet 0800-1200 09/03Lee 2 to 3 feet 0800-1200 09/03Max Wind Gust: 48 mph - Skywarn Bridge, Pinellas Co. 1230EST 09/03Lowest Pressure: 1001.9 mb - Cedar Key, Levy Co. 0200EST 09/03Max Rainfall: 3.07 in - New Port Richey, Pasco Co. 0100-2100 09/02-03