Tropical Storm Hanna (2002)

Tropical Storm Hanna

Tropical Storm Hanna near peak intensity on September 13
Meteorological history
Formed	September 12, 2002 (September 12, 2002)
Dissipated	September 15, 2002 (September 15, 2002)
Tropical storm
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds	60 mph (95 km/h)
Lowest pressure	1001 mbar (hPa); 29.56 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities	3 direct
Damage	$20 million (2002 USD)
Areas affected	Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Southeast U.S., Mid-Atlantic
IBTrACS
Part of the 2002 Atlantic hurricane season

Tropical Storm Hanna was a moderately strong tropical storm that affected the Gulf Coast and Southeastern regions of the United States. The ninth tropical cyclone and eighth named storm of the 2002 Atlantic hurricane season, Hanna formed over the Gulf of Mexico through the complex interaction of a surface trough, a tropical wave, and an upper-level low pressure system, a disturbance in the upper atmosphere. Designated a tropical depression at 0000 UTC on September 12, the storm remained disorganized throughout its duration, though it attained tropical storm status and a peak intensity of 1,001 mbar (29.6 inHg), with winds of 60 miles per hour (100 km/h). Hanna crossed extreme southeastern Louisiana, and made a second landfall along the Alabama–Mississippi border.

Because most of the associated convective activity was east of the center of circulation, Louisiana and Mississippi received minimal damage. However, on Dauphin Island, Alabama, the storm caused coastal flooding which closed roads and forced the evacuation of residents. Florida received high wind gusts, heavy rainfall, and strong surf that resulted in the deaths of three swimmers. 20,000 homes in the state lost electricity. The heavy rainfall progressed into Georgia, where significant flooding occurred. Crop damage was extensive, and about 335 structures were damaged by the flooding. The storm caused a total of about $20 million in damage (equivalent to $34 million in 2023).