Tropical Storm Bonnie (2016)

Tropical Storm Bonnie

Tropical Storm Bonnie at its initial peak intensity late on May 28
Meteorological history
Formed	May 27, 2016
Remnant low	June 4, 2016
Dissipated	June 9, 2016
Tropical storm
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds	45 mph (75 km/h)
Lowest pressure	1006 mbar (hPa); 29.71 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities	2 direct
Damage	$640,000 (2016 USD)
Areas affected	The Bahamas Southeastern United States
IBTrACS
Part of the 2016 Atlantic hurricane season

Tropical Storm Bonnie was a weak but persistent tropical cyclone that brought heavy rain to the Southeastern United States in May 2016. The second storm of the 2016 Atlantic hurricane season, Bonnie formed from an area of low pressure northeast of the Bahamas on May 27, a few days before the official hurricane season began on June 1. Moving steadily west-northwestwards, Bonnie intensified into a tropical storm on May 28 and attained peak winds six hours later. However, due to hostile environmental conditions, Bonnie weakened to a depression hours before making landfall just east of Charleston, South Carolina, on May 29. Steering currents collapsed afterwards, causing the storm to meander over South Carolina for two days. The storm weakened further into a post-tropical cyclone on May 31, before emerging off the coast while moving generally east-northeastwards. On June 2, Bonnie regenerated into a tropical depression just offshore North Carolina as conditions became slightly more favorable. The next day, despite increasing wind shear and cooling sea surface temperatures, Bonnie reintensified into a tropical storm and reached its peak intensity. The storm hung on to tropical storm strength for another day, before weakening into a depression late on June 4 and became a post-tropical cyclone early the next day.

Lingering over South Carolina for a few days, Bonnie brought heavy rains and widespread floods to the Southeastern United States. Rainfall totals hit 6 inches (150 mm) in much of South Carolina, and exceeded 10 in (250 mm) in some areas. Flooding resulted in the closure of the southbound lanes of Interstate 95 in Jasper County, and also inundated the Jasper County Sheriff's Office and Detention Center. In Ridgeland, several buildings were damaged and the local wastewater treatment plant overflowed, spilling discharge into the nearby Captain Bill Creek. Damage in this county alone exceeded $640,000 (2016 USD). Record-breaking rainfall was observed across much of the Outer Banks; on Hatteras Island, Cape Point Campground was closed for a week due to flooding. Two people drowned in rip currents along the coastline of the Southeast United States.