Hurricane in Florida, September 13 to 14, 1999

Large and powerful hurricane Floyd, approached the southeast Florida coast on September 13 and moved north of the area by September 15. Southeast Florida remained on the "weak" side of Floyd with minimal effects, mostly to marine interests. Total damage from Floyd in south Florida is estimated at $100 thousand, most of which was in Palm Beach county. This figure does not include preparation costs which were estimated to have been near $3 million in Palm Beach County alone. The observed maximum sustained wind on land was 37 mph with a gust to 56 mph at Lake Worth Pier with most areas reporting maximum sustained winds of 25 to 30 mph. The winds caused very minor damage, mainly to trees and some utility lines. Rainfall amounts were unusually light with less than one half inch reported at all official stations in south Florida.The storm surge ranged from 3.3 feet above normal in Palm Beach County to 1.5 feet above normal in Miami-Dade County. This caused mostly minor beach erosion. Some locally moderate to heavy beach erosion was reported, especially in areas that had experienced high water from hurricane Dennis, two weeks earlier. Other marine damage occurred to sea walls and small boats. One brief tornado touched down in Boca Raton causing no damage.Evacuation of tens-of -thousands of coastal residents was ordered. Shelters were opened, schools and most businesses closed and airports were shut down as Floyd approached.