Tropical Storm Dottie

Meteorological history

Dottie originated in an area of low pressure that formed on August 17, about 150 mi northwest of Key West, Florida. The center of the disturbance soon began to consolidate while barometric pressure fell 8 mbar in 24 hours; it was declared a tropical depression at 0000 UTC on August 18. The depression drifted east and northeastward over the next day, though it began to accelerate on August 19. The cyclone further intensified to tropical storm status by 1200 UTC. Operationally, however, it was not named until later that day.

Having made landfall in southwestern Florida, Dottie quickly proceeded northeastward before re-emerging into the Atlantic Ocean. High pressure building to the north of the storm indicated it would turn more towards the west, but it moved nearly due northward. The cyclone attained its peak intensity with winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) at 0600 UTC on August 20 and subsequently began to weaken; by the time Dottie made landfall in Charleston, South Carolina later that evening, it was barely of tropical storm intensity. It deteriorated into a tropical depression on August 21 and dissipated shortly thereafter. The remnant low pressure system turned southward and once again entered the Atlantic before turning westward and crossing the Florida peninsula.

Preparations and impact

In response to the storm, gale warnings were issued on August 19 from Jacksonville, Florida to Virginia Beach, Virginia. A hurricane watch was also posted between Savannah, Georgia and Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. The hurricane watch was later extended to Jacksonville when conditions appeared more favorable for the storm's intensification, but was soon discontinued. Flooding rains were anticipated in the Carolinas, though, in contrast, Dottie was compared to a mere thunderstorm by some local officials.

Prior to being upgraded to a tropical storm, the depression spawned heavy precipitation and high winds throughout southern Florida and portions of the Bahamas. In Fort Lauderdale, the storm dropped 10.68 in of rainfall, and in the Miami area, 24-hour rainfall totals reached 8 in. The heavy rainfall caused street flooding across the region, especially in the Broward County cities of Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Lauderhill, Miramar, and Tamarac. Further south, street flooding in Miami delayed thousands of motorists during morning rush-hour traffic. Police closed the Venetian Causeway – which links Miami to the Venetian Islands and Miami Beach – after the bridge was inundated with 2.5 ft of water. The highest recorded wind gusts were 62 mph in Islamorada, and in the city the winds damaged a roof. The winds downed trees, and left roughly 20 neighborhoods in southern Florida without power during the passage of Dottie. Wind gusts of 40 to were recorded across the northern Florida Keys and Grand Bahama. Near the latter location, a fishing boat capsized during the storm; four of its occupants drowned.

Along the coast of the Southeastern United States, tides generally ran 1 to above normal, peaking at 3.5 ft in North Carolina. Moderate to heavy rainfall was reported in the Carolinas, causing flooding of 5 ft deep in New Hanover County, North Carolina. Overall damage was light and primarily limited to coastal beach erosion. In some areas, Dottie helped relieve drought conditions.

References

References

1. "Tropical Storm Dottie Preliminary Report Page 1". National Hurricane Center.
2. "Tropical Storm Dottie Preliminary Report Page 2". National Hurricane Center.
3. "Tropical Storm Dottie Preliminary Report Page 3". National Hurricane Center.
4. Thomas Cothran. (August 21, 1976). "Dottie hits South Carolina". St. Petersburg Times.
5. Staff Writer. (August 21, 1976). "Tropical Storm Dottie Limps Ashore at S.C.". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
6. Staff Writer. (August 20, 1976). "Heavy Rains Rake Florida, Bahamas". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
7. John M. Purnell. (August 20, 1976). "Dottie Pays PB County a Damp Visit". [[The Palm Beach Post]].
8. "Storm Data August 1976". National Climatic Data Center.
9. (1976-08-20). "Dottie: Storm Has Her Eye On Carolinas". The Evening Independent.
10. David Roth. "Tropical Storm Dottie - August 17-25, 1976". Weather Prediction Center.
11. Staff Writer. (August 21, 1976). "Weakened Dottie brings needed rain". The Free-Lance Star.