 Tropical Storm Rolf at peak intensity on 8 November | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 7 November 2011 |
| Remnant low | 9 November 2011 |
| Dissipated | 10 November 2011 |
| Tropical storm | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS) | |
| Highest winds | 85 km/h (50 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 991 hPa (mbar); 29.26 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 12 total |
| Damage | >$1.25 billion (2011 USD) |
| Areas affected | Italy, France, Switzerland, Spain |
Tropical Storm Rolf, also known as Tropical Storm 01M, was an unusual Mediterranean tropical storm that brought flooding to Italy, France, Spain, and Switzerland in November 2011. Rolf originated from an extratropical system near western France on 4 November. Despite the generally unfavorable conditions in the Mediterranean Sea, Rolf transitioned into a subtropical depression on 7 November, before becoming a tropical storm later that day. On 8 November, Rolf reached its peak intensity, with 1-minute sustained winds peaking at 85 km/h (53 mph) [nb 1] and a minimum central pressure of 991 mb (29.3 inHg). During the next day, the storm made landfall on the island of Île du Levant, in France, and soon afterward, near Hyères in southeastern France. Following its second landfall, Rolf quickly weakened and dissipated on 10 November. Rolf was the first tropical cyclone ever to be officially monitored by the NOAA in the Mediterranean Sea.[1][2]
Rolf caused widespread flooding across southwestern Europe, especially in France and Italy, with the majority of the damage from the storm occurring in those two countries. The rainfall worsened a series of ongoing floods in Europe at the time. Torrential rainfall from Rolf caused multiple rivers to overflow their banks in France and Italy, flooding multiple cities and resulting in extensive property damage. The storm forced numerous schools and businesses to close temporarily, and also caused significant damage to 300 farms in France. Floodwaters from Rolf's rainfall also cut the power to over 8,000 customers and necessitated thousands of rescues, in addition to forcing thousands of evacuations. Rolf killed 12 people, and was at the time, the costliest Mediterranean tropical-like cyclone on record, causing at least $1.25 billion (2011 USD, €926 million) in damages. It was later surpassed by Storm Daniel in 2023.[3][4][nb 2][nb 3]
Cite error: There are <ref group=nb> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=nb}} template (see the help page).
- ^ Stephen Davenport (10 November 2011). ""Medicane" hits the western Med". WeatherCast. Archived from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
modelingwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "November 2011 Monthly Cat Recap" (PDF). Aon Benfield. December 6, 2011. pp. 2, 5. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 2, 2018. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
flood event in Cataloniawas invoked but never defined (see the help page).