Charley (1998)

A small tropical cyclone formed in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico and became a tropical depression around 0600 UTC on 21 August 1998 about 275 nautical miles off the south Texas coast. It moved generally west‑northwest to northwest and lasted about three days as a tropical cyclone before the surface circulation weakened and dissipated early on 24 August near the Rio Grande/Del Rio area. Its remnant mid‑level circulation produced heavy inland rains through 24–25 August.

Charley made landfall on the Texas coast near Port Aransas about 1000 UTC on 22 August 1998. The system weakened quickly over land and its surface circulation no longer existed by early 24 August as it moved inland toward Del Rio, Texas, where the remnant circulation produced the most severe flooding.

The peak intensity estimate was near 60 knots (about 70 mph) at 0600 UTC on 22 August, with an estimated minimum central pressure of about 1000 millibars at landfall. At peak it was a strong tropical storm (below hurricane strength); surface observations near landfall suggested winds closer to 40 knots (about 45 mph) at the coast.

Storm tides along the Texas coast were reported generally 2.0 to 3.5 feet above normal. Coastal rainfall totals were mostly near 5 inches, with an unofficial 9 inches reported near the mouth of the San Bernard River in Brazoria County. Inland, very heavy rains struck Del Rio (Val Verde County): 16.83 inches fell on 23 August at Del Rio and a nearby site reported 17.59 inches in a 24‑hour period ending the morning of 24 August. Other inland totals included reports exceeding 100 mm (3–5 inches) at various sites in south and central Texas.

Thirteen deaths were reported in Texas, mainly from freshwater flooding inland; some additional fatalities were reported in Ciudad Acuña, Mexico (seven reported by Mexican emergency officials). Most Texas fatalities were drownings in Val Verde and Real Counties, including nine in Del Rio along San Felipe Creek and four elsewhere (including two toddlers swept away in Real County). Damage from the inland flood was preliminarily estimated near $50 million, with about $40 million in Val Verde County and widespread damage to homes, mobile homes, apartments, roads, bridges, and agriculture. Minor coastal beach erosion was reported.

Noteworthy items: Charley was a short‑lived tropical storm (less than a day at tropical‑storm strength) whose primary impact was extreme inland rainfall and flooding rather than coastal wind damage. Automated coastal stations at Rockport and Galveston recorded sustained tropical‑storm‑force winds; the best‑track minimum pressure at landfall is estimated near 1000 mb. NHC forecasts and warnings issued roughly 19 hours before landfall correctly captured the storm’s motion and intensity trend.