Edouard (2002)

A low-pressure disturbance that formed well east of Bermuda in late August organized near the northern Bahamas and became a tropical depression about 1800 UTC on 1 September 2002, roughly 120 nautical miles east of Daytona Beach, Florida. It strengthened to Tropical Storm Edouard by 0600 UTC on 2 September, executed a clockwise loop, and then moved generally west–southwest toward the northeast Florida coast. Edouard reached its peak on 3 September but weakened under strong upper-level wind shear and dry air before making landfall on 5 September. The system weakened to a tropical depression almost immediately after crossing the coast and moved across north-central Florida into the Gulf of Mexico, dissipating by 6 September as it was absorbed by Tropical Storm Fay.

Edouard made landfall near Ormond Beach, Florida, around 0045 UTC on 5 September 2002 as a minimal tropical storm with maximum sustained winds near 35 kt (about 40 mph). After landfall it quickly weakened to a tropical depression and crossed north-central Florida, emerging near Crystal River around 1400 UTC on 5 September, then moved westward in the northeastern Gulf before dissipating on 6 September.

The storm’s maximum intensity was estimated at 55 knots (about 63 mph) with a minimum central pressure near 1002 mb, reached around 1200 UTC on 3 September. That peak was based on a reconnaissance aircraft wind measurement (adjusted from flight level) and corresponds to a strong tropical storm but below hurricane strength.

Storm surge and rainfall impacts were modest. No significant storm tides or wave action were reported. Radar-based rainfall maxima reached about 4 to 5 inches near the Seminole/Orange County line, just northeast of Union Park in Orange County, Florida. Observed peak wind gusts over land were small: Patrick Air Force Base recorded a gust of 34 kt (39 mph) and the St. Augustine C-MAN station reported a 33 kt (38 mph) gust.

There were no reported deaths attributable to Edouard. Damage was minor and mainly consisted of roadway flooding in Brevard, Seminole, and Orange counties, Florida; no monetary damage estimates were provided. No tornadoes were reported.

Noteworthy points: Edouard formed from a non-tropical disturbance and its life as a tropical storm was brief (less than 72 hours). Forecast track errors for Edouard were smaller than the recent 10-year averages, and official forecasts successfully anticipated the loop and eventual U.S. landfall. Strong upper-level shear and dry air prevented any significant re-intensification after the storm’s peak.