Tropical Storm Beryl (1988)

Tropical Storm Beryl
Tropical Storm Beryl over Louisiana
Meteorological history
FormedAugust 8, 1988
DissipatedAugust 10, 1988
Tropical storm
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds50 mph (85 km/h)
Lowest pressure1001 mbar (hPa); 29.56 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities1 direct
Damage$3 million (1988 USD)
Areas affectedGulf Coast of the United States
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Part of the 1988 Atlantic hurricane season

Tropical Storm Beryl was an unusual Atlantic tropical cyclone that formed over southeastern Louisiana in August 1988. The second tropical storm of the 1988 Atlantic hurricane season, Beryl developed from a slow-moving trough of low pressure on August 8. It tracked southeastward into the coastal waters of eastern Louisiana, and Beryl reached peak winds of 50 mph (80 km/h) while located about 75 miles (121 km) southeast of New Orleans. The storm turned to the northwest over Louisiana and Texas, and slowly dissipated. The remnants of Beryl continued northward into the central United States, dropping some rainfall and providing relief to a severe heat wave.

Due to its slow motion, Beryl dropped heavy amounts of rainfall, peaking at 16.09 inches (409 mm) on Dauphin Island in Alabama. The rainfall caused some reports of flooding, while prolonged durations of rough waves resulted in severe beach erosion. The waves capsized a boat in Mobile Bay, killing one of its passengers. Overall damage was minor, totaling about $3 million (1988 USD, $5.46 million 2009 USD).