Tropical Storm in Florida, August 19 to 22, 2008

Tropical Storm Fay made its first of four Florida landfalls at Key West shortly before 5 PM on Monday, August 18th. Maximum sustained winds were 60 mph and the minimum pressure was 998 MB. Fay made its first peninsular landfall at Cape Romano shortly before 5 AM on Tuesday, August 19th with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph and lowest pressure of 989 MB. The center of the storm moved over the southeastern corner of Highlands County then northeast into the Atlantic where it stalled on the 20th offshore of Daytona Beach. Fay began to move slowly northwest on the 21st with the center reaching the Levy/Gilchrist county line late Friday morning on August 22nd. Fay moved into the Gulf of Mexico late in the evening then made a fourth Florida landfall early Saturday morning the 23rd in the Pan Handle.

Tropical Storm Fay caused $1.44 million in damage to west central and southwest Florida. Flooding caused $970,000 to roads and homes, while wind caused $470,000 in mostly minor damage to numerous homes, especially in Lee County. The flood and tornado monetary damage were listed in their respective Storm Data categories.

Lee County Heavy rains of 6-14 inches caused extensive sheet flow flooding from the Imperial River that runs through Bonita Springs. Flood damage was reported to numerous roads and homes with 500 residents evacuated to shelters. The preliminary damage estimates included $250,000 of flood damage to roads and $500,000 of flood and wind damage to homes with 170 manufactured homes condemned. Many of these homes had unpermitted modifications to increase their size. These modifications were destroyed leaving gaping holes in the home. Minor beach erosion was reported. The tide was 2 feet below normal as Fay made landfall then was 1 to 2 feet above normal for two days due to onshore winds.

Charlotte County The Punta Gorda Airport recorded a peak wind of 47 MPH at 10:13 AM EDT on the 19th. Minor beach erosion occurred but no other significant damage was reported.

Highlands County A 54-year-old male died on August 16th from carbon monoxide poisoning as he tested his backup generator in his garage in Lake Placid. This was considered an indirect fatality due to Fay. Widespread heavy rains of 5-12 inches caused $150,000 in flood damage to washed out roads and culverts. Prefabrication metal buildings sustained wind damage that allowed rain into the buildings of three fire stations and several buildings of an electric coop with water damage estimated at $175,000. Five homes along Arbuckle Creek received flood damage totaling $70,000.

DeSoto County Radar estimated precipitation showed widespread 6-10 inches in the eastern part of the county and 3-6 inches in the western part. A peak wind gust around 45 MPH was recorded at the Emergency Operations Center in Arcadia after Fay had passed to the east. No significant wind or flooding damage was reported in the county.

Hardee County A wind gust of 42 MPH was recorded at the Emergency Operations Center in Wauchula on the backside of Fay. A doublewide mobile home in Zolfo Springs lost half of its roof and received water damage.

Polk County Widespread six to eight inches of rain fell in the eastern third of the county. Radar estimated rainfall of 14 inches caused overland flooding just south of the intersection of Highway 60 and the Kissimmee River. Seven homes received up to 3 feet of water that caused $250,000 in damage.

Sumter County Widespread heavy rain of 6-8 inches was reported along the north county line. The peak wind gust at the airport at The Villages was 46 MPH at on the 22nd at 4:45 PM EDT. No significant flood or wind damage was reported. Sporadic tree damage brought down several power lines and poles with an estimated damage of $20,000.

Hernando County A peak wind gust of 47 MPH was recorded at the Homosassa COMPS station at 8:30 AM and a peak wind gust of 40 MPH was recorded at the Brooksville Airport at 9 AM; both on the 22nd. Rainfall reports and radar estimated rainfall ranged between 4-6 inches across the county. The rain caused sink holes in the Spring Hill area and shallow flooding on Pine Island. Downed trees took down power lines in the Brooksville and Ridge Manor areas. A tree fell on a home in Brooksville and an older mobile home lost part of its roof.

Citrus County Widespread heavy rain of 6-9 inches fell across the county. Sporadic tree damage was found throughout the county but no major damage was reported. Minor flooding due to above normal tides was reported in Old Homosassa and Crystal River.

Levy County Tides were 2 to 2.5 feet above normal Friday afternoon and evening of August 22nd. The total storm tide reached 5 feet. A peak wind gust of 49 MPH was recorded at the Cedar Key C-MAN station on the 22nd at 11:09 AM EDT. Numerous trees were downed in the west part of Morriston and caused damage to a home and a van. Widespread heavy rain fall of 6-12 inches soaked the ground. The combination of the wind and wet ground knocked down num

Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, and Sarasota Counties Minor beach erosion was reported with tides about a foot above normal. Several wind gusts around tropical storm strength were recorded along the beaches but were limited in duration. The surf along the Gulf beaches were 3-4 feet and numerous rip currents were reported.