An Overview of Isaac

Distance Traveled

From forming into the ninth tropical depression of the 2012 Atlantic Hurricane Season on Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2012, to churning over southern Louisiana Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012, Isaac has traveled about 2,695 miles.

Excessive Rainfall Amounts

Royal Palm Beach, Fla.: 15.86 inches

Boynton Beach, Fla.: 13.74 inches

Greenacres, Fla.: 13.10 inches

Wellington, Fla.: 12.55 inches

Severe Weather Spawned by Isaac

Tampa, Fla.: A waterspout moved onshore on Monday, Aug. 27, 2012, damaging six homes 2 miles east-southeast of Tampa, Fla. Fences, trees and roofs were damaged on the properties.

Vero Beach, Fla.: An EF-0 tornado touched down on Monday, Aug. 27, 2012, impacting Vero Palm Estates, Countryside Mobile Home Park and Paraside Park Lifting about 5 miles west of Vero Beach. The tornado produced a discontinuous damage path, including minor damage to 62 structures and major damage to 31 structures.

Growers Impacted by Isaac

The storm’s rain bands extended over a 500-mile area, soaking Florida’s East Coast and Georgia growing operations as well. Flooding caused J&J Produce Inc. to close its Loxahatchee, Fla., headquarters after lunch on Aug. 27, said Annie Loar, who works in J&J’s sales and marketing. “Florida is getting a lot of rain now, a significant amount,” she said Aug. 27. “We’re seeing pretty high winds.” Loar said plantings shouldn’t suffer as J&J transplanted its first southern vegetables the week of Aug. 20. Mike Stuart, president of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association, Maitland, said the association hasn’t received any reports of damage. “It was a big rainmaker in certain spots they’re still getting rain in southeast Florida,” he said Aug. 27. “The eastern part seemed to be getting more rain than the west, all the way around. If there is some damage, there shouldn’t be much because the crops aren’t in yet.” While growers were beginning plantings, most of central and south Florida’s vegetables begin production in October and November.

By Meghan Evans, Meteorologist – AccuWeather.com
& Doug Ohlemeier – The Grower