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Memphis, TN

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Katrina’s Impact on the Gulf Coast & Mid-South

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Hurricane Katrina has proven to be one of the most devastating hurricanes to strike the United States coastline in recorded history. The storm has been responsible for catastrophic damage and flooding along the Louisiana and Mississippi coastlines and has resulted in a tremendous loss of life. Impacts from Katrina were not only limited to the north-central Gulf Coast but spread inland to portions of the Mid- South as it weakened to a tropical storm.

Tropical storm force winds and flooding rainfall impacted portions of the Mid-South as it moved across Northeast Mississippi during the evening of Monday, August 29th , and the early morning hours of Tuesday, August 30st. Significant effects were felt primarily across areas to the east of the Mississippi river. Strong winds downed trees and powerlines and resulted in minor damage to structures across the area. Heavy rainfall also fell in a short duration of time across north Mississippi and west Tennessee. This resulted in flash flooding of small streams and creeks and led to several road closings and detours. Although the effects of Katrina were not deadly across our county warning area, the impacts were still significant. Listed below are maximum wind gusts and rainfall totals produced by Tropical Storm Katrina across the Memphis County Warning Area.

Peak Wind Gusts associated with Tropical Storm Katrina

Unofficial reports of peak wind gusts in excess of 60 mph were reported across Northeast Mississippi.

Maximum 24-Hour Rainfall Amounts (in inches)

TENNESSEE...

MEMPHIS... 3.20"
JACKSON... 2.50" (ESTIMATED)
DYERSBURG... 3.20"
COLLIERVILLE... 3.07"
GRAND JUNCTION... 3.36"
SELMER... 3.85"
SAVANNAH... 3.88"
LEXINGTON... 2.98"
HENDERSON... 2.55"
HUNTINGDON... 2.50"
PARIS... 2.76"
UNION CITY... 2.80"

MISSISSIPPI...

PLEASANT HILL... 2.88"
OLIVE BRANCH... 3.66"
IUKA... 7.12"
OXFORD... 4.03"
TUNICA... 2.00"
TUPELO MS... 4.47"

ARKANSAS...

JONESBORO AR... 1.99"
WEST MEMPHIS AR... 1.94"
BLYTHEVILLE AR... 2.57"
PARAGOULD... 3.90"
HELENA... 1.65"
KEISER... 2.20"

MISSOURI...

CARUTHERSVILLE... 2.70"

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Below is some emergency information and contact numbers in some of the impacted areas...

To find loved ones...
http://www.firstgov.gov/Citizen/Topics/PublicSafety/Hurricane_Katrina_Recovery.shtml
Search American Red Cross Online Registers for Relatives http://www.familylinks.icrc.org/katrina
In addition, the American Red Cross has set up a toll free number for those without access to a computer...1-877-LOVED-1s (1-877-568-3317).

American Red Cross Emergency Information Hotline 866-438-4636
Use this number to find out about family and friends that did not evacuate the greater New Orleans area.

Visit the American Red Cross Online http://www.redcross.org

Louisiana State Emergency Management http://www.ohsep.louisiana.gov

Louisiana Road Information 800-469-4828

To report people stranded or in need of rescue in Louisiana
225-925-7708
225-925-7709
225-925-3511
225-925-7428

Mississippi State Emergency Management http://www.msema.org/
24 Hour Emergency Line 800-222-6362

Alabama State Emergency Management http://ema.alabama.gov

Hotel Information 800-994-8626

FEMA Disaster Assistance Process 800-612-FEMA
or view website http://www.fema.gov/about/process

For more on Katrina, including aerial images of the impacted areas...

Summary of Katrina
http://lwf.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/2005/katrina.html
NOAA Aerial Survey of the Gulf Coast
http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2005/s2495.htm

More Aerial Imagery
http://ngs.woc.noaa.gov/katrina/

NOAA Hurricane Hunter Captures Katrina
http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2005/s2496.htm