| Tropical Storm (SSHS) | |
|---|---|
| |
| Tropical Storm Noel at peak intensity | |
| Formed | September 5, 2012 |
| Dissipated | September 8, 2012 |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 65 mph (100 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 997 mbar (hPa); 29.44 inHg |
| Fatalities | None |
| Damage | $240 million (2012 SCS) |
| Areas affected | Eastern Biolixi Island |
| Part of the 2012 Biolixi Ocean hurricane season | |
Noel was the fourteenth named storm of the 2012 Biolixi Ocean hurricane season. Noel's duration was between September 5 and September 8. Noel was a somewhat strong tropical storm with maximum winds of 65 mph and minimum pressure of 997 mbar. Noel was a small tropical storm that formed from a tropical disturbance that formed to the northeast of the Eastern Biolixi Island. Due to a nearby steering low pressure system, Noel was pushed to the south and then to the west towards the coast. Noel then made landfall on the island on September 8 with 65 mph winds. After landfall, Noel drastically weakened into a remnant low on September 9. Noel produced heavy rain and flooding throughout the island, Noel caused an estimated 240 million simoleons in damage, no deaths were reported.
Meteorological History[]
Noel's path
On September 3, a vigorous tropical wave appeared to the northeast of the Biolixi Islands and began to move south. The tropical wave quickly organized and became Tropical Depression Fourteen on September 5. Only five hours after becoming a tropical depression, Nineteen strengthened into Tropical Storm Noel. Noel then began to move to the southwest and continued to slowly strengthen as it headed towards the coast of the Eastern Biolixi Island. On September 7, Noel gained its peak intensity of 65 mph and minimum pressure of 997 mbar just off shore from the Eastern Biolixi Island. Noel then made landfall on September 8 with 65 mph winds causing flooding rains, gusty winds, and landslides along the coasts. After landfall, Noel drastically weakened as it moved over higher land, it weakened into a tropical depression, bringing the heavy rain further inland. Noel then dissipated on September 9.
Preparation and Impact[]
Eastern Biolixi Island[]
The only land that Noel affected was the Eastern Biolixi Island. Noel made landfall on the island on September 8 with 65 mph winds. Noel caused several landslides, widespread flooding, gusty winds, and heavy rain throughout the island. The city of Biolixi City which is the capitol of the Biolixi Islands saw an estimated 6 inches of rain in the downtown area. Noel was originally expected to to become a hurricane before landfall, but due to some slight drier air that moved in front of Noel, Noel remained a tropical storm at landfall. Hurricane preparedness instead of tropical storm preparedness came in handy after Noel had brought a slightly above average rain fall total than an average tropical storm. Noel caused an estimated 240 million simoleons in damage, no deaths were reported.