Tropical Storm Frances
One of the tropical cyclone disasters on NOAA’s billion-dollar list: $1.4 billion in losses at 2024 prices ($700 million at the time) and 2 deaths.
What the offices filed during it
The 92 most significant tropical cyclone episodes filed in these dates, colored by kind.
- Tornadoes
- Tropical storms and surge
- Floods
- Wind
- Hail
- Winter weather
- Heat and drought
- Cold
- Fire, smoke and dust
- Marine and coastal
- Other
The toll
- Losses, 2024 dollars
- $1.4 billion
- Losses at the time
- $700 million
- Deaths
- 2
The losses and deaths are NCEI’s, counting everything the disaster did. The episodes below are only what the Weather Service filed in its Storm Events record, which counts damage differently and often not at all, so the two never add up and are shown apart.
By state, as filed
| State | Events | Deaths | Injuries | Damage filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont | 7 | 0 | 0 | $4.6 million |
| New York | 1 | 0 | 0 | $1.0 million |
| Puerto Rico | 7 | 0 | 0 | $500,000 |
| Arizona | 31 | 1 | 0 | $481,000 |
| Michigan | 3 | 0 | 0 | $385,000 |
| Minnesota | 3 | 0 | 0 | $355,000 |
| Ohio | 9 | 0 | 0 | $325,000 |
| Georgia | 11 | 0 | 1 | $255,000 |
| Louisiana | 3 | 0 | 0 | $190,000 |
| Texas | 15 | 0 | 3 | $150,000 |
| Missouri | 9 | 0 | 0 | $40,000 |
| Tennessee | 8 | 0 | 1 | $34,000 |
| Indiana | 2 | 0 | 0 | $25,000 |
| California | 12 | 0 | 0 | $20,000 |
| West Virginia | 3 | 0 | 0 | $20,000 |
| North Carolina | 2 | 0 | 0 | $20,000 |
| Oklahoma | 8 | 0 | 0 | $18,000 |
| Virginia | 5 | 0 | 0 | $10,000 |
| Florida | 3 | 0 | 1 | $5,000 |
| Wisconsin | 2 | 0 | 0 | $5,000 |
| Mississippi | 4 | 0 | 0 | $2,000 |
| Colorado | 18 | 0 | 6 | |
| Delaware | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
| Kentucky | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Kansas | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Illinois | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Iowa | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Wyoming | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Maryland | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Alaska | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Montana | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Episode by episode
- Flash Flood in Louisiana, August 6, 1998Heavy rain produced over two inches of rain in less than 30 minutes, resulting in flash flooding in Alexandria and Pineville. Many streets were entirely flooded, and several vehicles had water as high as car windows.
- Flash Flooding and Flood in Arizona, August 6 to 31, 1998Large hail reported at Top of The World, along US 60. Up to 1.10 inches of rain in just 20 minutes. Several tree limbs broken off.
- Flash Flood in Ohio, August 6, 1998Heavy rainfall caused flooding of streets.
- Flash Flood in Missouri, August 6, 1998Three houses had water in them due to flash flooding. Several drainage ditches were filled with water.
- Flood in Wisconsin, August 6 to 7, 1998Four inches of rain fell in the city of Manitowoc between 11 pm and 3 am (CDT), bringing the 24-hour rainfall to nearly 7 inches. Many streets and basements were flooded in the Manitowoc area.
- Flood in Kentucky, August 7, 1998Thunderstorms produced 1.15 inches of rain in 45 minutes at the Paducah National Weather Service office.
- Flood in Illinois, August 7, 1998Thunderstorms produced one inch of rain in 20 minutes.
- Heavy Rain in Puerto Rico, August 7, 1998A small stream went out of its banks covering a bridge.
- Tornado in Indiana, August 7, 1998A very brief, weak tornado was observed by several people. The only damage was to a 60 by 50 foot section of steel roof fastened to wooden trusses. The damaged building was a construction company.
- Flash Flood and Flood in Georgia, August 7 to 14, 1998Laurens county 911 reported quarter to golf ball size hail.
- Heavy Rain in Puerto Rico, August 7, 1998Landslides were reported at the Fraile sector.
- Flood in Mississippi, August 7, 1998Minor street flooding was reported in downtown Jackson.
- Tornado in Texas, August 7, 1998A landspout was observed and reported during the early evening hours. The track was estimated.
- Tornado and Hail in Texas, August 7, 1998The Yoakum County Sheriff's Office, as well as other witnesses, reported a weak tornado just northeast of the community of Bronco (which is west-northwest of Plains).
- Flood in Puerto Rico, August 7, 1998Several roads were reported impassable in parts of San German, Cabo Rojo, and Hormigueros.
- Flood in North Carolina, August 8, 1998Several slow moving thunderstorms dumped up to 3 inches of rain on southern and western portions of Raleigh during the early morning hours. Several streets and roads were closed due to high water including Avent Ferry Road near NC State University.
- Flood and Lightning Strike in Arizona, August 8, 1998Strong thunderstorms rolled through Mohave County in the vicinity of Kingman producing continuous lightning and brief heavy rain. A Skywarn spotter reported local street flooding around Kingman and water running in the washes.
- Flash Flooding in Virginia, August 8, 1998Thunderstorms on the 8th produced very heavy rain resulting in flash flooding. Thunderstorm rains flooded Route 29, five miles south of Lynchburg, Evington Road and Westburg Road in Evington, Memorial Drive in Danville, and caused a mudslide on Route 58 in Danville.
- Tornado in Iowa, August 8, 1998Isolated thunderstorms formed once again over the east half of Iowa as the state remained under the dominance of an upper level low pressure system. Though the areal coverage of thunderstorms was much less than in previous days, funnel clouds were once again reported.
- Flash Flood in Ohio, August 8, 1998Heavy rainfall caused flooding across county roads, including Rte 309.
- Flash Flood in Ohio, August 8, 1998Heavy thunderstorm rain caused flooding of several roads.
- Flash Flood in California, August 8, 1998A thunderstorm with rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour and one half inch diameter hail moved through the Warner Springs area and adjacent mountains. The rain flooded the glider port runway there and local roads.
- Tornado in Colorado, August 8, 1998A weak tornado was reported by at least three eyewitnesses. The tornado touched down onto a gravel pit. The gravel pit was unoccupied. This was the first documented tornado in the Grand Junction metropolitan area.
- Flash Flood in Tennessee, August 8, 1998Several roads in the northern part of Memphis were flooded.
- Tornadoes and Flash Flood in Colorado, August 9, 1998Six people received minor injuries when lightning struck a nearby scenic overlook atop Trail Ridge Road. The charge apparently travelled across the ground and shocked the group.
- Flash Flooding in Kansas, August 9, 1998Minor flooding occurred on Little Walnut creek in western Crawford County. Minor street flooding also occurred in Uniontown in western Bourbon County.
- Flash Flooding and Lightning Strike in Michigan, August 9, 1998A warm and humid airmass blanketed southeast Michigan. Thunderstorms repeatedly developed in the afternoon along a lake breeze boundary off of Lake St Clair. These thunderstorms generated extremely heavy rainfall over a small portion of eastern Macomb County.
- Tornado in Wyoming, August 9, 1998A brief tornado moved across open country 10 miles northeast of Cheyenne.
- Flash Flood in North Carolina, August 9, 1998Flood-prone areas of South Charlotte were flooded during heavy rainfall in an afternoon thunderstorm. Four lanes of Archdale Road were also blocked. This area usually does not flood easily.
- Tornado and Flash Flood in West Virginia, August 9, 1998An area of strong to thunderstorms, producing abundant rainfall, formed near the Allegheny highlands of Grant county during the evening. Initially, thunderstorms moving over the same areas of northern Grant Co produced very heavy rainfall.
- Flood and Damaging Wind in California, August 9, 1998The circulation around strong high pressure over the southwestern United States fed moist unstable air into the mountains of southern California.
- Flash Flooding in Minnesota, August 9, 19983 to 5 inches of rain fell in about an hour and a half, causing flash flooding in the bluff country of southeast Minnesota. In the city of Winona, 1.5 feet of water covered Mankato Avenue and Highway 61, while rock slides occurred near Stockton.
- Flood in Wisconsin, August 9, 1998Ham radio operators reported widespread urban flooding of streets and intersections, resulting from 3.5 inches of rain in less than an hour.
- Flash Flood and Damaging Wind in Arizona, August 9, 1998Thunderstorm winds gusting to 79 mph were measured at Davis Monthan AFB. These winds blew down a tree across the road on Kolb east of Tanque Verde.
- Flash Flood in Colorado, August 9, 1998Slow moving thunderstorms produced heavy rain and hail 1/2 inch diameter in the vicinity of the town of Eads. Doppler radar estimated rainfall rates of 2 inches per hour.
- Flash Flood in Ohio, August 10, 1998Heavy thunderstorm rain caused flooding of basements. Several roads were closed at underpasses due to flooding.
- Flash Flood in Ohio, August 10, 1998Heavy thunderstorm rain caused flooding of low lying areas and roads, some of which were closed due to the flooding.
- Flash Flood in Ohio, August 10, 1998Heavy thunderstorm rain caused widespread flooding of roads and low lying areas in Cleveland and surrounding suburbs. In Newburgh Heights, Interstate 77 was flooded with three to four feet of water and an elderly couple had to be rescued from their floating car.
- Flash Flood in Ohio, August 10, 1998Heavy thunderstorm rain caused flooding of roads.
- Flash Flood in Ohio, August 10, 1998Heavy thunderstorm rain caused flooding of several roads in Willowick.
- Flash Flood in Ohio, August 10, 1998Heavy thunderstorm rain caused flooding of roads in Chardon and Chester Townships.
- Flood and Lightning Strike in Virginia, August 10, 1998Thunderstorms on the 10th produced street flooding and damaging lightning.Thunderstorm rains caused flooding on Bridge Street in Martinsville resulting in the road being closed for about an hour.Lightning strikes to power equipment resulted in numerous power outages across Henry…
- Tornado and Hail in Oklahoma, August 10, 1998Scattered severe thunderstorms developed over portions of central and western Oklahoma during the afternoon and evening of the 10th. One small tornado and many occurrences of lightning damage were reported.
- Flash Flood in Delaware, August 10, 1998Slow moving thunderstorms brought torrential downpours and flash flooding of streams in the northern half of Kent County and affected the northwestern part of the county the hardest. Doppler Radar storm total estimates reached 11.4 inches between Kenton and Hartly.
- Flash Flood in Maryland, August 10, 1998Slow moving thunderstorms brought torrential downpours and flash flooding of streams in the eastern part of Queen Anne's County.
- Heavy Rain in Pennsylvania, August 10, 1998Heavy rain associated with a line of thunderstorms, caused some urban and poor drainage flooding and caused the canopy at the front entrance of an apartment building to collapse in Pottstown.
- Flash Flood and Hail in Colorado, August 10, 1998Heavy rain caused flooding and flash flooding problems over southwest portions of Metropolitan Denver. An observer in Lakewood recorded 3.26 inches of rainfall in one hour. Several streets were flooded in central Lakewood.
- Flash Flood in Missouri, August 10, 1998A nearly stationary cluster of thunderstorms dumped excessive rainfall amounts over a very small portion of Wayne County near Sam A. Baker State Park. Unofficial rainfall estimates were between 4 and 6 inches just north of Patterson, most of which fell within 3 hours.
- Flash Flood in Missouri, August 10, 1998County law enforcement reported flooding on several roads in and near West Plains.
- Flash Flood in Missouri, August 10, 1998A very slow-moving thunderstorm dumped excessive rainfall over a small part of Bollinger County near Marble Hill. The heaviest rain fell just north and west of Marble Hill. Rainfall amounts were estimated up to 2.5 inches in 45 minutes in an isolated spot.
- Flash Flood in Puerto Rico, August 11, 1998Heavy rains produced flooding and landslides in Caimito sector in San Juan. Twenty five homes were totally or partially damaged when a stream went out of its banks. Several roads between Caguas and San Juan were also impassable affecting several vehicles.
- Flash Flood in Puerto Rico, August 11, 1998Flooding was observed near coastal sites and in the vicinity of the rivers in Anasco and Mayaguez. Many streets and roads were flooded in downtown Mayaguez.
- Flash Flood in Indiana, August 11, 1998A band of slow-moving thunderstorms produced heavy rain as it sagged south across southwest Indiana. A particularly strong thunderstorm intensified to severe levels as it passed right over Evansville.
- Flash Flood in Missouri, August 11, 1998A local radio station reported street flooding in West Plains.
- Flood and Damaging Wind in California, August 11, 1998A moist, unstable, easterly flow, supported afternoon thunderstorms in the mountains and high deserts of San Bernardino County. The storms produced small hail, local street flooding, and locally strong winds. Flooded streets were reported in Forest Falls.
- Flash Flood in Missouri, August 11, 1998A slow-moving band of thunderstorms produced heavy rain over the part of Wayne County that experienced flash flooding on the 10th. Although the duration of heavy rain was shorter than the previous day, amounts were estimated as high as 2 inches in one hour.
- Flash Flood in California, August 11, 1998The California Highway Patrol reported flash flooding along Highway 247 in the Lucerne Valley.
- Flash Flood in Kentucky, August 11, 1998A nearly stationary thunderstorm dumped excessive rainfall over a small part of Todd County northwest of Elkton. Estimated rainfall amounts of 2.5 inches in one hour were reported. The storm occurred over a small part of the county that was sparsely populated.
- Flash Flood in California, August 11, 1998Water and debris was observed crossing Highway 247 with 0.90 inches of rain recorded in a 45 minute period.
- Flash Flood in California, August 11, 1998Heavy rain, from strong thunderstorms, produced flash flooding in the city of Palmdale. A spotter reported over 2 inches of rain in less than 1 hour. Severe street flooding was reported with water overflowing the street curbs.
- Flash Flood and Damaging Wind in Arizona, August 11, 1998Thunderstorm winds blew down a tree in the eastern portion of Tucson and blew off a portion of a roof. Heavy rains from these thunderstorms caused widespread road closures in the southeast part of Tucson and water was reported up to car doors at 6th street and Tucson boulevard.
- Flash Flood in New York, August 11 to 12, 1998A cold front moved across the region during the late afternoon and night of August 11th into the early morning of August 12th. With a warm humid airmass in place, thunderstorms resulted in torrential downpours during the night.
- Flash Flood in California, August 11, 1998Spotter reports indicated that up to 0.91 inches of rain fell in a 40-minute time period from 1740 PDT until 1830 PDT ... another spotter reported 1.74" in about the same time period.
- Flash Flood in Vermont, August 11 to 12, 1998A cold front moved across the region during the late afternoon and night of August 11th into the early morning of August 12th. With a warm humid airmass in place, thunderstorms resulted in torrential downpours during the night.
- Flash Flood in Vermont, August 11 to 12, 1998A cold front moved across the region during the late afternoon and night of August 11th into the early morning of August 12th. With a warm humid airmass in place, thunderstorms resulted in torrential downpours during the night.
- Flash Flood in Arizona, August 11, 1998The Ajo sheriff reported several washes crossing highway 85 between Ajo and 10 miles southeast of Why were flooded.
- Flash Flood in Vermont, August 11 to 12, 1998A cold front moved across the region during the late afternoon and night of August 11th into the early morning of August 12th. With a warm humid airmass in place, thunderstorms resulted in torrential downpours during the late night.
- Flash Flood in Vermont, August 11 to 12, 1998A cold front moved across the region during the late afternoon and night of August 11th into the early morning of August 12th. With a warm humid airmass in place, thunderstorms resulted in torrential downpours late at night.
- Flood in Missouri, August 11, 1998A nearly stationary cluster of thunderstorms produced excessive rainfall over a small part of New Madrid County. The heaviest rainfall occurred just east of New Madrid in the New Madrid Bend area along the Mississippi River.
- Flash Flood in Colorado, August 11 to 12, 1998Law Enforcement officials reported 10 inches of water running across Highway 40, just east of Cheyenne Wells.
- Flash Flooding and Flooding in Tennessee, August 12, 1998Several streets were flooded forcing about 30 residents to be evacuated.
- Flash Flood in Vermont, August 12, 1998Heavy rain and thunderstorms occurred during August 11th into the early morning hours of August 12th. The Burlington Airport NWS Office received 3.62 inches on August 11th which set a new August daily rainfall record.
- Flash Flooding in Vermont, August 12, 1998A cold front moved across the region during the late afternoon and night of August 11th into the early morning of August 12th. Thunderstorms during the early morning hours of August 12th resulted in torrential downpours with rises on the Lamoille River.
- Flood in Puerto Rico, August 12, 1998Heavy rains produced urban flooding in parts of San Juan, Bayamon, Guaynabo, Toa Baja. Various streets were reported impassable.
- Flood in Puerto Rico, August 12, 1998Several streets were reported impassable in Aguadilla due to heavy rains.
- Flash Flood in Louisiana, August 12, 1998Approximately 2.65 inches of rain fell on Minden between 1030 am and 1230 pm resulting in flash flooding of the Webster Parish Council on Aging Senior Center with 6 to 8 inches of water inside its building. Evacuation of the building was required.
- Flash Flood in Louisiana, August 12, 1998Highway flooding across Marion and Conagra.
- Flood and Lightning Strike in Florida, August 12, 1998Heavy thunderstorm rains flooded streets and U. S. Highway 1 in Port St. Lucie.
- Flood in Florida, August 12, 1998Heavy rainfall caused localized flooding of roadways and low lying areas south of State Road 82 from Sanibel east to near Lehigh Acres.
- Flash Flood in Arizona, August 12, 1998The Yavapai County Emergency Services Manager reported that Black Canyon Creek was out of its banks and flooding low lying portions of Black Canyon City, including Marin Avenue.
- Tornado and Waterspouts in Delaware, August 13, 1998A couple of waterspouts formed over the Atlantic Ocean just east of Rehoboth and Dewey Beaches. One briefly came ashore as a weak tornado in Dewey Beach. The first waterspout formed in the ocean near Hickman Street in Rehoboth Beach at about 1245 p.m. EDT.
- Flash Flooding in Missouri, August 13, 1998Thunderstorms produced flash flooding on several roads in Lawrence County. County law enforcement reported a couple of vehicles washed off the road along Highway 97 in Lawrence County.
- Tornado in Mississippi, August 13, 1998Mississippi Highway Patrol reported a brief touchdown of a weak tornado near the Interstate Highway 10 and Mississippi Highway 603 interchange. No damage was reported.
- Flood in California, August 13, 1998Thunderstorms over the high deserts produced heavy downpours and urban flooding in Apple Valley. Wind gusts and lightning combined to produce numerous brush fires near Phelan and Hesperia however no significant damage or injuries were reported.
- Flash Flooding in Tennessee, August 13 to 14, 1998Lawrence county 911 center reported several roads blocked off in Lawrenceburg and in the northern part of the county due to high water. There were 2 accidents on U.S. Highway 64 west of town that was attributed to the flash flooding. One accident did result in one injury.
- Flooding in Mississippi, August 14, 1998Two inches of rain in a two-hour period caused water to enter a hospital. Five patients had to be moved to other rooms and nearly 40 rooms had water in them.
- Flood in Alaska, August 14 to 15, 1998Heavy rain Friday morning and afternoon, preceded by 3 days of rain over the area, caused several rivers on the Seward Peninsula to rise and threaten villages. Minor flooding was reported at Council, on the Niukluk River, and also at Solomon on the north coast of Norton Sound.
- Flash Flooding in Texas, August 14, 1998Between three and five inches of rain fell in less than one hour across Jefferson and Orange Counties. Several roads were impassable, including many streets near Interstate 10. Two to three feet of water was reported across many streets.
- Flash Flood in Texas, August 14, 1998A general 4-6 inch countywide rainfall produced widespread flash flooding across the county. Three youths became trapped in a drainage pipe in the swiftly moving water and had to be rescued by local emergency personnel. All three were treated for cuts and bruises and released.
- Flooding and Damaging Winds in Texas, August 14 to 22, 1998Widespread flooding developed across the Coastal Bend region of South Texas on August 22, 1998 in association with the landfalling Tropical Storm "Charley". Charley moved inland near Port Aransas during the predawn hours, producing wind gusts ranging between 30 and 45 knots.
- Flash Flood in California, August 14, 1998A thunderstorm unleashed a torrent that caused Long Valley Creek to overflow its banks near the crossing of Forest Road 5N01. A family of four returning from a hiking trip and blinded by the heavy rain, drove their vehicle into the creek. The family was rescued by two passers-by.
- Tornado in Montana, August 14, 1998
More
Every billion-dollar disasterEvery storm of 1998The 1998 hurricane seasonTornadoes in 1998
Sources
NOAA NCEI, U.S. Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters (2025), https://doi.org/10.25921/stkw-7w73, and the Storm Events Database for the episodes.