Tropical Storm Karen Path 2013 & Latest Updates: Karen Downgraded to Tropical Depression
The weakening storm, Tropical Storm Karen, which threatened floods, wind surges, heavy rainfall and much worse, has severely dissipated since it first appeared on meteorologists' radar.
Only two days ago, the storm made a path toward the Gulf Coast, and while fading, it still threatened flooding to sea-level areas, heavy rainfall, and a need for citizens to evacuate their homes and relocate to shelters. Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama all declared a state of emergency, fearing landfalls and tornadoes. In areas prone to severe storm weather, precautions all across the board were made, including halting nearly two-thirds of the oil output in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. Oil and gas companies closed their platforms, and workers evacuated in preparation for the storm.
As of yesterday, winds dropped from 65mph to 35, and Tropical Storm Karen was downgraded to a tropical depression. Tropical storm warnings have been discontinued, as have safety preparations. Sandbags that were placed along the Bayou Baratraia shoreline have since been removed in Louisiana.
An overall quiet hurricane season, Time indicated that the United States hasn't suffered a Category 3 or above storm in eight years; Sandy was downgraded to a super storm. According their reports, there have been 11 unnamed storms this year alone, and of those storms, only two were classified as hurricanes, Humberto and Ingrid. This year's hurricane season in no way compares to 2005's historically active hurricane season, which produced 28 storms, seven of which were major hurricanes, including Hurricane Katrina, which devastated New Orleans, killing more than 1,800 people.
Representatives from different areas in the Gulf Coast have stated that the situation is looking good, streets and lawns are free of flood rain, and all operations are returning to normal.