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vehicles flooded, and a marine store flooded. Everglades National Park officials received NWS forecasts via NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR) and the Internet.
As the forecast track of Katrina increased the threat of strong tropical storm and possibly hurricane force winds in the Keys, WFO Key West began hourly issuances of Special Weather Statements and two-hourly HLSs. These products contained specific and detailed information on the overall position of Katrina and the individual rain bands producing torrential rain and wind gusts.
At 4:45 a.m. EDT August 26, a tornado touched down in Marathon damaging a hanger and eleven aircraft at the airport. Two homes in the area were also damaged. No warning was issued for this tornado; however, the HLS in effect mentioned tornadoes were possible in the outer rain bands of Katrina. As Katrina moved west just north of the Keys, tropical rain bands remained over the middle and lower Keys producing as much as 10 inches of rain by midnight on August 27. A Flood Watch had been issued on the 24th in anticipation of the flooding. WFO Key West issued flood warnings covering the heavy rain and flooding threat.
Gulf Coast Weather Forecast Offices
WFO New Orleans/Baton Rouge, LA
Located in Slidell, LA, the WFO New Orleans/Baton Rouge service area is one of the most hurricane-prone regions of the U.S. The mean return period for a major hurricane in the New Orleans area is 19 years, one of the most frequent along the U.S. Gulf and Atlantic coastline. The area is also vulnerable to significant/catastrophic storm surge, characterized by extensive low-lying terrain. Of the 2.9 million residents within the WFO New Orleans/Baton Rouge service area, about 46 percent live either behind the levee system or in a hurricane-prone flood zone. Moreover, long lead times, about 48 to 72 hours, are required to evacuate the at-risk portion of the population.
WFO New Orleans/Baton Rouge was well prepared for Katrina. They conducted a comprehensive annual tropical cyclone training program to prepare for potential hurricane operations. In addition, they performed an office evacuation, communications, and power failure drill on August 10.
WFO New Orleans/Baton Rouge initially mentioned the system that would evolve into Katrina in their local Area Forecast Discussion during the afternoon of August 22.
On August 26, WFO New Orleans/Baton Rouge contacted emergency managers in southeast Louisiana and coastal Mississippi to advise them to monitor Katrina. While they explained the uncertainty inherent in two and three day tropical cyclone forecasts, they noted the westward computer model trends and that Katrina could be a major hurricane at landfall - Category 3 or 4. They told them to prepare for potential hurricane watches and warnings the following day. Later that afternoon, the first Southeast Louisiana Hurricane Task Force (hereafter referred to as the Task Force) conference call was held. Task Force conference calls are organized and directed by the Louisiana Homeland Security Operations Center (LHSOC).
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