2.2
Year in Review: Major U.S. Flooding in 2007
Gary Carter, NOAA/NWS, Silver Spring, MD; and G. Austin, T. Graziano, and F. Richards
Drought, water shortages and wildfires captured considerable national media attention in 2007. However, significant flooding also occurred in many parts of the U.S. In fact, there were over 40 Presidential Disaster Declarations for flooding. A prolonged wet period lasted from March through August, in much of Texas and Oklahoma and caused multiple episodes of flooding. For the six-month period, many areas saw more than twice their normal precipitation – in many cases an excess of more than 20 inches.
Other notable flood events included major flooding of urban areas in the Northeast in mid-April caused by a vigorous Nor'easter, and flooding that extended from the Dakotas into Missouri as a result of an early May deluge. The remnants of Tropical Storm Erin produced rainfall totals as high as 17 inches and caused major flooding in an area that extended from Wisconsin and Minnesota eastward into Ohio.
Tropical Storm Erin affected Oklahoma and Texas then moved northward merging with a persistent storm system over the Midwest causing widespread flooding across Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. All told, at least 20 flood fatalities were associated with Erin – most occurring inland. Towns, streets, homes, and businesses were underwater for days. Thousands of residents were evacuated from more than a dozen of communities. Numerous roads and bridges were washed out disrupting travel in and out of these communities for days.
This presentation will identify the weather systems that produced these floods, quantify the major impacts on lives and property, and describe the hydrologic products and services delivered by NOAA's National Weather Service.
Recorded presentationSession 2, High Impact 2007 US Weather
Tuesday, 22 January 2008, 3:30 PM-5:00 PM, R08-R09
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