Tropical Storm Fay (2008) facts for kids
| Tropical storm (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Fay over Florida at peak strength
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| Formed | August 15, 2008 |
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| Dissipated | August 27, 2008 |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 70 mph (110 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 986 mbar (hPa); 29.12 inHg |
| Fatalities | 13 direct, 23 indirect |
| Damage | $560 million (2008 USD) |
| Areas affected | Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Cuba, Bahamas, South Eastern US |
| Part of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season | |
Tropical Storm Fay was a strong tropical storm that happened in 2008. It was the sixth tropical storm of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season. Fay caused a lot of flooding, especially in Haiti. Interestingly, the next three storms that year also caused flooding there.
Fay set a new record by hitting Florida four times. Before Fay, Hurricane Gordon in 1994 held the record with three landfalls. Tropical Storm Fay caused about $560 million in damage. Sadly, it also led to the deaths of 36 people.
Contents
How Tropical Storm Fay Formed and Traveled
Tropical Storm Fay began as a tropical wave. This wave started off the coast of Africa on August 7. It took a while to grow stronger. By August 15, it officially became a tropical depression. Soon after, it was named Tropical Storm Fay.
Fay then moved across the Dominican Republic and Haiti. It continued heading west. The storm made two landfalls in Cuba. The first was in Cabo Cruz on August 17. The second was in Cienfuegos on August 18. At both times, Fay had winds of 50 miles per hour.
Fay's Journey Through Florida
Fay made its first landfall in Florida at Key West on August 18. Its winds were 60 miles per hour. The very next day, Fay hit Cape Romano, Florida. At this point, its winds were 65 miles per hour.
What was unusual is that Fay actually got stronger while moving over Florida. It then moved off the coast near Melbourne. Fay traveled north, staying just off the Florida coast. It made another landfall in Flagler Beach, Florida on August 21. Winds were still 65 miles per hour.
Fay then moved into the Gulf of Mexico. On August 23, it made its fourth and final landfall in Florida. Fay eventually changed into a different type of storm. This happened on August 27, which was also the day it ended.
After the Storm: Fay's Impact
Even though Tropical Storm Fay caused a lot of damage, its name was not removed from the list of storm names. This means the name "Fay" was used again for another storm in 2014.
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Tropical cyclones of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season |
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Images for kids
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Tropical storm Fay causing heavy rainfall to Hispaniola
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Rainfall produced by Fay in the United States
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Flooding in east-central Florida
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Flooding on Merritt Island, Florida during Tropical Storm Fay
