IT'S ALL RELATIVE...

Whenever a hurricane threatens our area, people sit up and take notice. Whenever a tropical storm threatens, people roll over and go back to sleep. It's a common misconception that tropical storms are far less dangerous than hurricanes.

The inherit danger of a tropical system is not always tied directly to storm strength. True risk depends on a wide variety of factors such as path, speed of movement, proximity to other weather features, etc. For example, 2001's Tropical Storm Allison killed over 20 people in the United States. Many died in flash floods caused by heavy rain. In fact, the name "Allison" was retired, an act usually reserved for hurricanes.

As tropical systems move inland and weaken, the tightly coiled circulation unravels and spreads outward away from the center. As a result, the coverage of heavy rain can actually be much greater as the storm weakens. Also, these unraveling rain bands can interact with other features (such as nearby fronts) to enhance totals. Consider 2006's "Ernesto". Winds were only tropical storm strength when the storm came ashore in Brunswick County, but the ensuing rains dumped nearly 15 inches of rain across parts of New Hanover and Pender County. By comparison, Category 4 Hurricane Hazel only dumped about 8 inches of rain in some parts of the coastal Carolinas.

Another hidden danger with tropical storms is tornado production, particularly on the right-hand side of a landfalling system. Most local residents recall the deadly Rocky Point tornado of 2004. The storm killed 3 people and leveled $1.2 million in property damage. What most folks don't remember is that the tornado was created by a dying tropical storm (Bonnie) that landfalled along the Gulf Coast.

So the next time you hear that a tropical storm is on the way, don't let your guard down. It doesn't have to be a hurricane to cause trouble...