Tropical Storm Arlene (1993)

Tropical Storm Arlene (1993)

Tropical Storm Arlene was the first tropical cyclone to make landfall in the U.S. state of Texas since Hurricane Jerry in 1989. The first named storm of the annual hurricane season, Arlene developed from a tropical wave in the Gulf of Mexico on June 18. The depression slowly strengthened as it tracked west-northwestward and eventually north-northwestward across the western Gulf of Mexico. Arlene was subsequently upgraded to a tropical storm on June 19, but failed to intensify further due to its proximity to land. The cyclone then made landfall on Padre Island, Texas, with winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and dissipated into a remnant area of low pressure on June 21.

The precursor tropical wave to Tropical Storm Arlene dropped heavy rainfall over Central America. As a result, 20 fatalities occurred, all of which were from a mudslide in El Salvador. There were also reports of significant flooding in Mexico, which affected seven states within the country. In Texas, Arlene also dropped torrential rainfall, with isolated areas receiving 10 in (250 mm) or higher. More than 600 houses and 12 businesses in state reported flood damage. In surrounding areas, the outer rainbands of Arlene also caused heavy rainfall. Despite severe flooding produced in the much of the area, no damage or fatalities were reported. Overall, Arlene caused 29 fatalities and $55 million (1993 USD) in damage.