![]() Tropical Storm Irene over New England on August 28 | |
Tropical storm | |
---|---|
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Highest winds | 45 mph (75 km/h) |
Highest gusts | 65 mph (100 km/h) |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 10 |
Damage | $68 million (2011 USD) |
Areas affected | Connecticut |
[1] | |
Part of the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season |
The effects of Hurricane Irene in Connecticut were not as severe as farther south in New York and New Jersey,where the storm actually made landfall. Nonetheless,Connecticut still saw tropical storm force winds as a result of the hurricane which were attributed to 10 deaths.
Since the 1600s,Connecticut has been affected by 73 tropical cyclones,few of which have made landfall in the state. Of these storms,the 1938 New England hurricane is regarded as the single-most destructive natural disaster in Connecticut history,causing considerable loss of life and widespread damage. Prior to Irene,the most recent hurricane to strike the state was Hurricane Gloria in 1985 which moved through the region as a Category 1. [2] However,several tropical storms since then have impacted Connecticut,such as Tropical Storm Hanna in 2008. [3]
On August 21,2011,a tropical wave near the Lesser Antilles became sufficiently organized to be classified as Tropical Storm Irene,the ninth named storm of the 2011 season. [4] Tracking generally towards the west-northwest, [5] the system struck Puerto Rico early on August 22 and intensified into a hurricane shortly thereafter. [6] [7] As Irene moved through the Bahamas,a distinct eye,surrounded by deep convection,appeared on satellite imagery. Hurricane Hunters flying in the storm determined that the cyclone attained major hurricane status –Category 3 or higher on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale –by August 24. [8] The following day,a long-awaited northward turn took place as Irene approached Abaco Island. [9] As the storm tracked towards United States,structural changes accompanied by wind shear,an environmental factor that weakens hurricanes,caused the system to gradually weaken. [10]
On the morning of August 27,Irene made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane near Cape Lookout,North Carolina. [11] Structural degradation over the following day resulting in slow weakening of the storm as it approached New England. [12] After weakening to a tropical storm early on August 28,Irene made another landfall,this time in New Jersey,before moving back over water. Several hours later,the system moved onshore a final time near New York City. [4] Tracking northward over New York and later New England,Irene gradually lost its tropical characteristics and early on August 29,the final advisory on the storm was issued by the National Hurricane Center;by this time,the cyclone was situated over northern New England. [13]
As early as August 24,residents in parts of Connecticut began bracing themselves for a potential strike from a hurricane. Meteorologists reportedly received calls from residents in a panic wanting to know the trajectory of Irene. Local mayors initiated debris removal operations across many highways and local roads. The first selectman of Bethel stated that sandbags were already being readied to protect certain areas from flooding. [14] By August 25,Governor Dannel P. Malloy declared a state of emergency,allowing the state to order evacuations and protect the well-being of residents. In a press conference,Malloy urged residents "to take the storm 'as seriously as any event we've ever prepared for.'" In light of this,stores reported a significant increase in sales;items such as generators,batteries and flashlights sold in large numbers across the state. Due to the threat of widespread power outages,Connecticut Light &Power canceled vacations and placed all personnel on standby in advance of the storm. [15]
Towns across Connecticut began enacting emergency plans,such as designating and preparing shelters,on August 25. Local boards of selectmen held several meetings on which areas required public shelters and what buildings to use for this purpose. [16] In some areas,school districts decided to delay their first day until August 30 while others until September 1.Central Connecticut State University also canceled classes for August 29. [17] Early on August 26,a hurricane watch was issued for the entire Connecticut coastline and tropical storm warnings were put in place for all inland counties. [4] All campgrounds and state parks were planned to be shut down by August 28 due to dangerous conditions. [15]
In Norwich,emergency officials prepared 10,000 sandbags and stated 4,000 more could be filled if needed. [18] Voluntary evacuations orders were also issued of residents living in low-lying areas or mobile homes in Norwich. [19] About 200 Connecticut National Guard soldiers were notified to be deployed in state on August 28 while 500 others were placed on standby. Mass transit,including all Metro-North trains,across the state was shut down for the duration of the storm,beginning on the evening of August 27. At the Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton,all submarines were moved out to sea to ride out the storm before being allowed to return. [20] Mandatory evacuations of coastal areas in Fairfield were implemented on August 27 and roads across the city were to be mostly closed by the following afternoon. A local high school was also converted into a shelter for evacuees. [21]
Although the center of Irene passed through southwestern Connecticut,the storm's asymmetric structure and weakened state limited the effects of winds across the state. [4] However,the long duration of winds in excess of 30 mph (48 km/h) led to widespread tree damage that left more than 750,000 people without power. [22] [23] The strongest gusts were recorded well to the east of the center,peaking at 66 mph (106 km/h) in Thompson,Connecticut. [24] Across Connecticut,Hurricane Irene produced significant rainfall,peaking at 10.15 in (258 mm) in New Hartford in Litchfield County. Portions of Connecticut Route 15 closed due to the storm. [25] In total,10 people died in Connecticut due to the Hurricane. [26]
Following Irene's passage on August 28,Governor Dannel P. Malloy and Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman began viewing damage from the storm in West Haven and East Haven. The governor also made a public briefing that evening to residents from the emergency operations center. [27] Later on August 28,it was announced that all non-essential employees were to return to work the following day unless their workplace was without power. [28] In light of severe damage across state parks,beaches and campgrounds,most facilities were kept closed through September 1 and some until September 2. [29] [30] Following a fuel assessment by Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner William M. Rubenstein,residents were advised that although there was a sufficient amount of gasoline available,lack of distribution centers would limit the amount that could be purchased. As a result,Rubenstein suggested limited driving until services were restored. [31]
On August 31,a state-run donation center was set up for residents affected by the storm. [32] On September 1,officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) began touring the hardest hit areas of the state. [33] The Department of Motor Vehicles announced that residents with licenses expiring between August 27 and September 12 would be allowed to delay license renewal until September 12 without late fees. [34]
On September 2,Governor Malloy announced that $1 million in federal funds would be available for transportation infrastructure repairs. The Connecticut Department of Transportation also estimated that clean-up costs across the state would reach $5 million. [35] Later that day,President Barack Obama signed a disaster declaration for Connecticut,allowing federal aid to be distributed throughout the state for recovery efforts. [36] Following further FEMA assessments,it was deemed that all eight counties of Connecticut were eligible for disaster assistance on September 4. [37] On September 7,nine FEMA disaster recovery centers opened up across the state to assist residents and businesses with losses. [38]
Once the initial disaster response plan had been completed,the state Government created a panel on September 13,known as the State Team Organized for the Review of Management of Irene (S.T.O.R.M. Irene),to assess how the state prepared for,handled,and was recovering from the hurricane. [39]
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is the division of the United States' NOAA/National Weather Service responsible for tracking and predicting tropical weather systems between the Prime Meridian and the 140th meridian west poleward to the 30th parallel north in the northeast Pacific Ocean and the 31st parallel north in the northern Atlantic Ocean. The agency, which is co-located with the Miami branch of the National Weather Service, is situated on the campus of Florida International University in University Park, Miami, Florida.
The 1999 Atlantic hurricane season was a fairly active season, mostly due to a persistent La Niña that developed in the latter half of 1998. It had five Category 4 hurricanes – the highest number recorded in a single season in the Atlantic basin, previously tied in 1933 and 1961, and later tied in 2005 and 2020. The season officially began on June 1, and ended on November 30. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. The first storm, Arlene, formed on June 11 to the southeast of Bermuda. It meandered slowly for a week and caused no impact on land. Other tropical cyclones that did not affect land were Hurricane Cindy, Tropical Storm Emily, and Tropical Depression Twelve. Localized or otherwise minor damage occurred from Hurricanes Bret, Gert, and Jose, and tropical storms Harvey and Katrina.
The 1996 Atlantic hurricane season had the most major hurricanes since 1950, which are Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson scale. The season was above-average, featuring a total of thirteen named storms, nine hurricanes, and six major hurricanes. The season officially began on June 1, 1996 and ended on November 30, 1996, dates which conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. The season's first tropical cyclone, Tropical Storm Arthur, developed on June 17, while the final cyclone, Hurricane Marco dissipated on November 26. The most intense hurricane, Edouard, was a powerful Cape Verde-type hurricane that affected portions of the Mid-Atlantic states and New England. The season featured nine tropical cyclone landfalls, including six hurricanes, one of which was a major hurricane. In total, six major hurricanes formed during the 1996 Atlantic hurricane season—the highest number produced in a single season since 1950.
The 1960 Atlantic hurricane season was the least active season since 1952. The season officially began on June 15, and lasted until November 15. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. The first system, an unnamed storm, developed in the Bay of Campeche on June 22. It brought severe local flooding to southeastern Texas and was considered the worst disaster in some towns since a Hurricane in 1945. The unnamed storm moved across the United States for almost a week before dissipating on June 29. In July, Hurricane Abby resulted in minor damage in the Leeward Islands, before impacting a few Central American counties — the remnants of the storm would go on to form Hurricane Celeste in the East Pacific. Later that month, Tropical Storm Brenda caused flooding across much of the East Coast of the United States. The next storm, Hurricane Cleo, caused no known impact, despite its close proximity to land.
The 1985 Atlantic hurricane season had six United States landfalling hurricanes, tied with 1886 and 2020 for the highest number on record. The season officially began on June 1 and lasted until November 30. It was an average season, with 11 named storms developing. This was partially attributed to a La Niña – a meteorological phenomenon that produces favorable conditions across the Atlantic basin, such as lower wind shear and higher sea surface temperatures. The first storm, Ana, developed on July 15 near Bermuda and caused minor effects in Canada while transitioning into an extratropical cyclone. Three other tropical cyclones – Claudette, Henri, and Isabel – did not significantly affect land. Claudette developed offshore of the Southeastern United States and brushed Bermuda and the Azores. Henri and Isabel were dissipating as they approached land. However, the precursor of the latter caused a severe flood in Puerto Rico that killed 180 people. Additionally, Tropical Storm Fabian and three tropical depressions did not have any known impact on land.
Hurricane Ivan was a large, long-lived, Cape Verde hurricane that caused widespread damage in the Caribbean and United States. The cyclone was the ninth named storm, the sixth hurricane and the fourth major hurricane of the active 2004 Atlantic hurricane season.
Hurricane Belle was a strong tropical cyclone that caused moderate damage across the East Coast of the United States in August 1976. In late July, a tropical wave emerged off the west coast of Africa. Traversing the Atlantic Ocean for more than a week, the system eventually consolidated into a tropical depression near the Bahamas on August 6. Remaining nearly stationary for a day, the depression strengthened into a tropical storm on August 7 and a hurricane later that day as it acquired a northwest motion. Formation of an eye accompanied quick intensification and Belle reached its peak the following day with winds of 120 mph (190 km/h). The hurricane subsequently turned north and accelerated, skirting the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Early on August 10, Belle made landfall on Long Island, New York, as a minimal hurricane crossing Long Island Sound and hitting the central coast of Connecticut as a strong tropical storm. Thereafter, Belle transitioned into an extratropical cyclone over New England before moving over Atlantic Canada. The system turned east while over the North Atlantic and ultimately dissipated on August 15 to the south of Iceland.
The 2003 Pacific hurricane season was the first season to feature no major hurricanes since 1977. The season officially began on May 15, 2003 in the Eastern North Pacific, and on June 1 in the Central ; both ended on November 30. These dates, adopted by convention, historically describe the period in each year when most tropical cyclogenesis occurs in these regions of the Pacific. The season featured 16 tropical storms, 7 of which intensified into hurricanes, which was then considered an average season. Damage across the basin reached US$129 million, and 23 people were killed by the storms.
Hurricane Bob was one of the costliest hurricanes in New England history. The second named storm and first hurricane of the 1991 Atlantic hurricane season, Bob developed from an area of low pressure near The Bahamas on August 16. The depression steadily intensified, and became Tropical Storm Bob late on August 16. Bob curved north-northwestward as a tropical storm, but re-curved to the north-northeast after becoming a hurricane on August 17. As such, it brushed the Outer Banks of North Carolina on August 18 and August 19, and subsequently intensified into a major hurricane. After peaking in intensity with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h), Bob weakened slightly as it approached the coast of New England.
The 2011 Atlantic hurricane season was the second in a group of three very active Atlantic hurricane seasons, each with 19 named storms, only behind 1887, 1995, 2010, and 2012. The above-average activity was mostly due to a La Niña that persisted during the previous year. Of the season's 19 tropical storms, only seven strengthened into hurricanes, and four of those became major hurricanes: Irene, Katia, Ophelia, and Rina. The season officially began on June 1 and ended on November 30, dates which conventionally delimit the period during each year in which most tropical cyclones develop in the Atlantic Ocean. However, the first tropical storm of the season, Arlene, did not develop until nearly a month later. The final system, Tropical Storm Sean, dissipated over the open Atlantic on November 11.
The effects of Hurricane Jeanne in Puerto Rico included the most damage from a tropical cyclone since Hurricane Georges in 1998. The tenth tropical storm of the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season, struck the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico on September 15 with 70 mph (110 km/h) winds. While crossing the island, the storm dropped heavy rainfall, peaking at 19.2 in (490 mm) at Aibonito, with a total of 23.75 in (603 mm) on the offshore island of Vieques. The rainfall caused widespread flooding, resulting in landslides and heavy crop damage. Winds reached 72 mph (116 km/h) at Cayey, and its combination with the rainfall left most of the island without power or water.
Hurricane Irene was a large and destructive tropical cyclone which affected much of the Caribbean and East Coast of the United States during late August 2011. The ninth named storm, first hurricane, and first major hurricane of the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season, Irene originated from a well-defined Atlantic tropical wave that began showing signs of organization east of the Lesser Antilles. Due to development of atmospheric convection and a closed center of circulation, the system was designated as Tropical Storm Irene on August 20, 2011. After intensifying, Irene made landfall in St. Croix as a strong tropical storm later that day. Early on August 21, the storm made a second landfall in Puerto Rico. While crossing the island, Irene strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane. The storm paralleled offshore of Hispaniola, continuing to slowly intensify in the process. Shortly before making four landfalls in the Bahamas, Irene peaked as a 120 mph (190 km/h) Category 3 hurricane.
Hurricane Andrew was a compact, but very powerful and destructive Category 5 Atlantic hurricane that struck the Bahamas, Florida, and Louisiana in August 1992. It is the most destructive hurricane to ever hit Florida in terms of structures damaged or destroyed, and remained the costliest in financial terms until Hurricane Irma surpassed it 25 years later. Andrew was also the strongest landfalling hurricane in the United States in decades and the costliest hurricane to strike anywhere in the country, until it was surpassed by Katrina in 2005. In addition, Andrew is one of only four tropical cyclones to make landfall in the continental United States as a Category 5, alongside the 1935 Labor Day hurricane, 1969's Camille, and 2018's Michael. While the storm also caused major damage in the Bahamas and Louisiana, the greatest impact was felt in South Florida, where the storm made landfall as a Category 5 hurricane, with 1-minute sustained wind speeds as high as 165 mph (266 km/h) and a gust as high as 174 mph (280 km/h). Passing directly through the cities of Cutler Bay and Homestead in Dade County, the hurricane stripped many homes of all but their concrete foundations and caused catastrophic damage. In total, Andrew destroyed more than 63,500 houses, damaged more than 124,000 others, caused $27.3 billion in damage, and left 65 people dead.
The effects of Hurricane Sandy in New England spread as far north as Maine in late October 2012, with the most significant damage in Connecticut, and included hurricane-force gusts.
Hurricane Iselle was the strongest tropical cyclone to make landfall on the Big Island of Hawaii in recorded history. The tenth named storm, fifth hurricane, and fourth major hurricane of the 2014 hurricane season, Iselle developed from an area of disturbed weather southwest of Mexico on July 31, 2014. Assuming a west-northwest course that it would maintain throughout its existence, generally favorable atmospheric conditions allowed for gradual strengthening, with the cyclone attaining hurricane status a day after formation. Continued strengthening progressed for several days up until August 4, when Iselle reached peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (220 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 947 mbar, making it a Category 4 hurricane. Thereafter, Iselle encountered hostile environmental conditions and quickly weakened before making landfall on the Big Island on August 8 as a moderate tropical storm. Its passage over the island disrupted the cyclone, and Iselle later dissipated on August 9.
The effects of Hurricane Floyd in North Carolina was the costliest natural disaster in the state's history until it was surpassed by Hurricane Florence in 2018.