This information is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute nor should it be used in place of official information. Please follow and obey orders from local emergency management officials.
Tropical Storm Frances - Monday - September 6, 2004 - 9:30 PM
***FRANCES NOW A HEAVY RAIN / INLAND FLOOD THREAT***
Frances came inland near Stuart Florida about 15 miles south of Fort Pierce about 1:00 a.m. Saturday. It moved very slowly across Florida taking about 20 hours to exit on the west coast.
The slow movement was the real problem with Frances as it kept the very strong winds going at most locations for greater than 18 hours…in addition the slow movement caused torrential rains.
Frances moved to near Lakeland, FL…then offshore for a time to a second landfall near St. Marks, FL as a Tropical Storm.
Frances is now over S.W. Georgia…moving N.N.W ….expect the remains of Frances to continue NNW to N…toward eastern TN/KY…then across western WV to a final resting place over west central PA.
Heavy rains (3-6") along and just right of the path is expected. Higher elevations with favored upslope flow could see some 10" totals. Inland flooding is expected.
As bad as Frances was, it would have been MANY, MANY times worse if it was near 130-145 mph at landfall. With that kind of intensity and slow movement the damage would have been catastrophic over a very large area.
THIS INFORMATION IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR OFFICIAL INFORMATION.
Please refer to official statements from TPC and local weather services offices for official information. Please obey all evacuation orders as issued by local emergency service offices.