4 Tropical Storms That Overachieved

Allison, 2001

Most tropical storms are known for their prolific rainfall and resulting flooding which is one of the most deadly weapons any tropical storm or hurricane has.

Because of extremely heavy rainfall, Allison is one of two tropical storms retired dating back to the mid 1950s. 

Impacts: 

• Allison dropped more than 40 inches of rainfall in parts of southeast Texas and more than 2 feet of rainfall in the Houston metropolitan area and in southern Louisiana.
• According to a 2011 update 10 years after the storm, Allison caused $9 billion in damage. A large chunk of that was in Houston.
• Across six states, 41 deaths are directly attributable to Allison; 27 of these deaths were due to freshwater flooding, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). 

Erika, 2015

Erika is only the second tropical storm to have its name retired. Erika was retired in 2015, along side powerhouse hurricanes Joaquin and Patricia, due to extreme devastation that set the island back two decades. 

More than a foot of rain fell on the island in just 12 hours, which caused flooding and mudslides. Erika was the worst cyclone to hit Dominica since Hurricane David in 1979, a hurricane that had winds nearly three times as strong. 

Impacts: 

• Erika was responsible for 30 deaths on the island of Dominica. 
• Erika caused major floodwater damage to more than 270 homes, roads, and bridges on the island. 
• Damage estimates range as high as $500 million, a figure that makes up nearly 90 percent of the island's gross domestic product.

(MORE: Tropical Storm Erika Recap)

Debby, 2012

Tropical Storm Debby in 2012 was a flood and tornado producer in Florida. Most flooding events since 2012 in north and central Florida have been compared to Debby due to its devastating impacts.

Impacts: 

• Debby produced 28 inches of rainfall along the Ochlockonee River in the Florida Big Bend near Apalachicola. 
• 24 tornadoes were reported in the Florida peninsula on June 23 and 24, 2012. 
• Eight deaths occurred because of Debby, five of which were directly or indirectly due to water. 
• Portions of U.S. 90 and Interstate 10 in Florida were closed for two weeks and two days, respectively, due to water on those roadways. 
• The latest estimate of total losses is placed at $250 million. 

(MORE: Tropical Storm Debby Recap)

Bill, 2015

Tropical Storm Bill came ashore in June of 2015 spreading heavy rainfall a thousand miles inland.

Bill continued to be a tropical cyclone from the central Texas coast up through Oklahoma and into eastern Kentucky. It really was a long tracker.

Impacts: 

• 10+ inches of rain fell on the central Texas coast and in south central Oklahoma as the storm trekked inland.
• Numerous rivers crested at record levels in Texas, Oklahoma and Missouri. A nearly four year drought came to an end due to the combination of a very wet May and to Tropical Storm Bill.
• Damage was estimated at just under $18 million, but economic impacts were likely far higher.

(MORE: Tropical Storm Bill Recap)

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