Tropical Storm Amelia (1978) Facts for Kids

Tropical Storm Amelia was a tropical cyclone that brought heavy rains and serious flooding to Texas in 1978. Even though it was a weak storm, it caused a lot of damage and sadly, many people lost their lives.

What Was Tropical Storm Amelia?
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What Was Tropical Storm Amelia?

Tropical Storm Amelia was a type of storm called a tropical cyclone. It formed on July 30, 1978. Even though it wasn't a very strong storm, it caused a lot of trouble.

How Did Amelia Form?

Amelia started as a tropical depression, which is a weak storm system. It grew stronger and became a tropical storm. Tropical storms get their energy from warm ocean waters.

Where Did Amelia Hit?

The storm moved toward the coast of Texas. It made landfall, meaning it came ashore, near a city called Corpus Christi. When it hit land, it was still a weak tropical storm.

What Happened in Texas?

Even though Amelia was weak, it brought a huge amount of rain. This rain caused major flooding across many parts of Texas. Flooding happens when too much water covers land that is usually dry.

The Impact of the Flooding

The floods from Tropical Storm Amelia caused a lot of damage. Homes, roads, and businesses were affected. The total damage from the storm was about $110 million. This was a very large amount of money at the time.

Sadly, the flooding also led to many deaths. Almost three dozen people died because of the storm. This shows how dangerous even a weak tropical storm can be when it brings a lot of rain.