Tropical Storm Cindy: Inland Rain and Tornado Maker (RECAP)

Cindy developed from a monsoonal low-pressure system near Central America. A heavily sheared tropical low-pressure system moved northward into the Gulf of Mexico and became a tropical storm. 

The tropical storm strengthened and expanded as it moved northward. On June 21, winds increased to 60 mph and tropical-storm-force winds expanded to more than 250 miles from the storm's center.  

Wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph were clocked along the Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi coasts June 20-22.

Cindy made landfall as a tropical storm on the northern Gulf Coast between Cameron, Louisiana, and Port Arthur, Texas, early Thursday, June 22 with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph.

In the days following Cindy's landfall, the storm's circulation combined with a cold front dropping south from the Midwest and Plains produced numerous tornadic circulations from Florida to Pennsylvania including one EF1 tornado near Birmingham.  

Cindy washed out as a tropical depression in central Kentucky after traveling through Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas and Tennessee mainly as a rainmaker. 

Cindy's heavy rainfall brought flooding from Louisiana to Pennsylvania and Ohio. Widespread flooding was reported along the Ohio River on the shores of Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana. The town of Indiana, Pennsylvania recorded more than six inches of rainfall in less than a day, and declared a flash flood emergency. 

The highest rainfall amount was 18.74 inches near Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Here are a few select rainfall totals:

• Alabama: 8.97 inches near Saraland; 8.29 inches in Mobile; 4.35 inches near Tuscaloosa
• Arkansas: 4.86 inches near DeWitt
• Delaware: 1.08 inches near Wilmington
• Florida: 10.70 inches in Navarre; 9.47 inches near Pensacola; 8.14 inches near Panama City Beach
• Georgia: 7.15 inches near Stephens; 6.85 inches in Starrsville
• Indiana: 6.40 inches in Albany
• Kentucky: 3.40 inches near Olive Hill
• Louisiana: 10.49 inches near New Orleans; 6.92 inches in Pearl River; 4.63 inches near Baton Rouge
• Maryland: 2.78 inches near Accident
• Mississippi: 18.74 inches near Ocean Springs; 14.40 inches in Gulfport
• New Jersey: 3.20 inches near Hopewell
• New York: 2.04 inches near Staten Island
• Ohio: 4.65 inches near Troy
• Pennsylvania: 3.66 inches near Bernville; 2.10 inches near Harrisburg; 1.37 inches near Philadelphia
• Tennessee: 1.20 inches near Pulaski
• Texas: 5.36 inches in Mahaw Bayou; 3.35 inches in Sabine Ranch; 2.90 inches near Galveston
• West Virginia: 2.67 inches near Wadestown

(MORE IMPACTS: Cindy Triggers Flooding, Tornadoes From Louisiana to Michigan)

June 21

Damage from an EF0 tornado occurred in the morning in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Two additional tornadoes were reported near Biloxi, Mississippi, where there was damage to trees, power lines and fences. Storm spotters reported a tornado just north of Onycha, Alabama, in the evening, but no damage or injuries were reported.

The maximum storm surge most areas saw in the morning was 2 to 4 feet (mainly east of the Mississippi River), with a localized maximum of 6 feet at Shell Beach, Louisiana, according to storm surge scientist Hal Needham.

Flooding from two swollen creeks was observed in Brewton, Alabama, in the afternoon. Some road flooding was also reported in far southern Alabama and the western Florida Panhandle.

Lake Charles, Louisiana, experienced flash flooding in the evening. Knee-deep water was reported on some roads, along with on/off ramps under water. There were also reports of stranded motorists across Lake Charles.

In Alabama, Cindy was blamed for the death of a 10-year-old boy, who was killed by debris June 21 in Fort Morgan. The child, identified June 22 as Nolan McCabe, died of injuries suffered when Cindy's storm surge washed a large log onto the shore and struck him, according to the Associated Press.

June 22

A wind gust of 62 mph was measured near Cameron, Louisiana, with sustained winds of 48 mph.

Flash flooding resulted in multiple roads closed across western George County in Mississippi.

Storm surge of 4.23 feet occurred early Thursday in Freshwater City, Louisiana, and Lake Charles reported storm surge of 3.24 feet. A storm surge of 4 feet resulted in flooding outside a home near Avery Island, Louisiana.

Early Thursday afternoon, a tornado was observed west of Birmingham, Alabama, with damage in Fairfield consistent with an EF1 tornado.

Structural damage was reported near the Western Hills Mall with at least four injuries. 

June 23

Moisture from Cindy combined with a cold front to produce flooding in Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania. A flash flood emergency was declared in Indiana, Pennsylvania following more than six inches of rainfall in the valley town in southwestern Pennsylvania. 

In Kentucky, an EF1 tornado was also confirmed near Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, where a barn was destroyed.

An EF1 tornado was confirmed near Long Pine, Pennsylvania Friday afternoon, with damage to trees and homes.

June 24

The remnants of Cindy brought strong winds to portions of New Jersey and flash flooding in parts of eastern Pennsylvania. Numerous trees and powerlines were downed in parts of central and southern New Jersey.

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