Effects of Hurricane Jeanne in the Treasure Coast

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Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir-Simpson scale .mw-parser-output .hidden-begin{box-sizing:border-box;width:100%;padding:5px;border:none;font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .hidden-title{font-weight:bold;line-height:1.6;text-align:left}.mw-parser-output .hidden-content{text-align:left}@media all and (max-width:500px){.mw-parser-output .hidden-begin{width:auto!important;clear:none!important;float:none!important}} Map key Saffir-Simpson scale .mw-parser-output .div-col{margin-top:0.3em;column-width:30em}.mw-parser-output .div-col-small{font-size:90%}.mw-parser-output .div-col-rules{column-rule:1px solid #aaa}.mw-parser-output .div-col dl,.mw-parser-output .div-col ol,.mw-parser-output .div-col ul{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output .div-col li,.mw-parser-output .div-col dd{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column} .mw-parser-output .legend{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .legend-color{display:inline-block;min-width:1.25em;height:1.25em;line-height:1.25;margin:1px 0;text-align:center;border:1px solid black;background-color:transparent;color:black}.mw-parser-output .legend-text{} Tropical depression (<=38 mph, <=62 km/h) Tropical storm (39-73 mph, 63-118 km/h) Category 1 (74-95 mph, 119-153 km/h) Category 2 (96-110 mph, 154-177 km/h) Category 3 (111-129 mph, 178-208 km/h) Category 4 (130-156 mph, 209-251 km/h) Category 5 (>=157 mph, >=252 km/h) Unknown Storm type Tropical cyclone Subtropical cyclone Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression Jeanne 2004 path.png
Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
ArrowUp.svg Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

On September 18, while Jeanne was being tracked near Great Inagua and Haiti, a new center formed well to the northeast and the previous circulation dissipated. [5]  The system restrengthened, becoming a hurricane on September 20. [6] Jeanne continued to meander for several days (making a complete loop in the process) before beginning a steady westward motion toward the Bahamas and Florida. [7]

Jeanne continued strengthening as it headed west, passing over Great Abaco in the Bahamas on the morning of September 25. [8] Shortly thereafter, the hurricane reached Category 3 strength. [9] Jeanne maintained this intensity as it passed Grand Bahama Island.

Jeanne over the Bahamas on September 25 Jeanne 2004-09-25 1615Z.jpg
Jeanne over the Bahamas on September 25

Jeanne slightly weakened before landfall, after entering an eyewall replacement cycle.

Hurricane Jeanne making landfall in Martin County Hurricane Jeanne Radar Animation.gif
Hurricane Jeanne making landfall in Martin County

At 11:50 p.m. EDT on September 25 (0350 UTC September 26), Jeanne made landfall on South Hutchinson Island, just east of Sewall's Point, as a Category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of 120 miles per hour (190 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 951 mb. [10] The location of landfall was only two miles from where Hurricane Frances made landfall three weeks earlier. [7] [11] [12]

Preparations

Many preparations across the Treasure Coast were rushed as Jeanne was originally projected to make a turn to the northeast and hit the Carolinas.

Forecast showing Jeanne impacting the Carolina Coast Jeanne 0922 5day.GIF
Forecast showing Jeanne impacting the Carolina Coast

Preparations were complicated by the damage from Hurricane Frances, which made landfall in the same area three weeks earlier. Schools in St. Lucie County remained closed for Jeanne; they had not been reopened since Hurricane Frances struck the county three weeks earlier. [13]

At 8PM EDT September 24, as Jeanne was near the Bahamas, a hurricane warning was issued for the Treasure Coast in preparation for Jeanne. [14]

Impact

Below is a summary of the impacts of Hurricane Jeanne across the Treasure Coast.

Effects of Hurricane Jeanne in the Treasure Coast
Jeanne 2004-09-26 0315Z.jpg
Hurricane Jeanne making landfall on Hutchinson Island near peak intensity on September 25
Impact by County
CountyTotal Damage
(2004 USD)		Fatalities
Martin County $50 million0
St. Lucie County $1.2 billion1
Indian River County $2 billion1

Martin County

In Sewall’s Point, 180 homes were destroyed, and 4,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed. [15]

Home in Sewall's Point damaged by Jeanne Damaged home in Sewall's Point from Hurricane Jeanne.jpg
Home in Sewall’s Point damaged by Jeanne

The highest wind gust was reported in Jensen Beach, at 105 miles per hour (169 km/h). [16]

Beach erosion on Hutchinson Island after Jeanne FEMA - 11476 - Photograph by Mark Wolfe taken on 09-29-2004 in Florida.jpg
Beach erosion on Hutchinson Island after Jeanne

Significant beach erosion was caused by Jeanne in Martin County, especially on Hutchinson Island. Due to the eyewall passing through Martin County, a special tornado warning was issued (precursor to the Extreme Wind Warning). [17] Total damage estimates from Martin County are at $50 Million (2004 USD). [15]

St. Lucie County

In St. Lucie County, the high winds and significant storm surge occurred. A wind gust of 128 miles per hour (206 km/h) was reported at a home near Fort Pierce Inlet. Numerous boats were destroyed at a marina near the inlet from strong winds. Significant damage to mobile homes in Fort Pierce occurred.

Damage to mobile homes in Fort Pierce FEMA - 11834 - Photograph by Mark Wolfe taken on 10-25-2004 in Florida.jpg
Damage to mobile homes in Fort Pierce

A pressure of 952 mb was measured in Fort Pierce. A storm surge of 8–10 feet was felt along the coast of the county. [18] A man was killed after being electrocuted from driving his truck into a downed power line. Damage in St. Lucie County is estimated at $1.2 billion (2004 USD). [16] [15]

Indian River County

The most devastating impacts were in Indian River County, as the right eyewall of the storm passed through.

Severe wind damage to a home in Vero Beach FEMA - 11393 - Photograph by Mark Wolfe taken on 09-27-2004 in Florida.jpg
Severe wind damage to a home in Vero Beach

During the height of the storm, residents of the Fairlane Harbor neighborhood in Vero Beach, located at the intersection of the Alma Lee Loy Bridge and Indian River Boulevard, were forced to evacuate due to extensive flooding. [4]

Severe beach erosion at Jaycee Park in Vero Beach FEMA - 11375 - Photograph by Mark Wolfe taken on 09-28-2004 in Florida.jpg
Severe beach erosion at Jaycee Park in Vero Beach

High storm surge of 6–8 feet occurred, causing significant beach erosion on Orchid Island. However, storm surge impacts were less than anticipated, as Jeanne made landfall during low tide. [19] Storm surge caused an estimated $8 million in damage in the Treasure Coast. [18]

Significant beach erosion to Jaycee Park in Vero Beach FEMA - 11335 - Photograph by Mark Wolfe taken on 09-27-2004 in Florida.jpg
Significant beach erosion to Jaycee Park in Vero Beach

A wind gust of 122 miles per hour (196 km/h) was reported in Vero Beach, causing a Beechcraft Bonanza plane to be flipped over a perimeter fence at the Vero Beach Regional Airport. [20] A wind gust of 116 miles per hour (187 km/h) was reported in Sebastian.

Citgo gas station in Vero Beach severely damaged by winds FEMA - 11374 - Photograph by Mark Wolfe taken on 09-28-2004 in Florida.jpg
Citgo gas station in Vero Beach severely damaged by winds

An F1 tornado spawned in West Vero Corridor near SR 60, causing more than $20,000 (2004 USD) in damage. Over 8,000 residences in the county were damaged or destroyed, and 41,000 residences were damaged by Jeanne in Indian River County.

Wind damage to a home in Vero Beach FEMA - 11368 - Photograph by Mark Wolfe taken on 09-28-2004 in Florida.jpg
Wind damage to a home in Vero Beach

An elderly woman was injured when attempting to evacuate her home in Indian River Shores, she died from her injuries later in the hospital. [21] Wind damage estimates from Jeanne are placed at $2 billion (2004 USD) in Indian River County. [15] [16] [19]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Max Chesnes (September 19, 2024). "Hurricane Jeanne: 20 years later, its impact still felt on Florida's Treasure Coast". TCPalm. Retrieved 2025-07-21.
  2. ↑ "Hurricane Jeanne" (PDF). National Weather Service Melbourne. 2004. Retrieved 2025-07-21. ST. LUCIE COUNTY PRELIMINARY DAMAGE ESTIMATE - $1.2 BILLION. [...] INDIAN RIVER COUNTY PRELIMINARY DAMAGE ESTIMATE - $2.0 BILLION. [...] MARTIN COUNTY PRELIMINARY DAMAGE ESTIMATE - $50 MILLION.
  3. ↑ "CPI Inflation Calculator". data.bls.gov. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  4. 1 2 "Treasure Coast Subscription Offers, Specials, and Discounts". subscribe.tcpalm.com. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  5. ↑ Lixion Avila (2004). Hurricane Jeanne Discussion Number 21. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2009-04-16.
  6. ↑ Stacey Stewart (2004). Hurricane Jeanne Public Advisory Number 29. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2009-04-16.
  7. 1 2 Miles B. Lawrence and Hugh D. Cobb (2005). NHC Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Jeanne - 13-28 September 2004. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on May 22, 2015.
  8. ↑ Lixion Avila (2004). Hurricane Jeanne Public Advisory Number 47A. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2009-04-16.
  9. ↑ Lixion Avila (2004). Hurricane Jeanne Public Advisory Number 28. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2009-04-16.
  10. ↑ Richard Pasch (2004). Hurricane Jeanne Discussion Number 50. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2009-04-16.
  11. ↑ Floods, floating coffins left in Jeanne's wake. Retrieved on 2009-04-16.
  12. ↑ FL, NWS Tampa Bay Area (2024-08-11). "The 2004 Hurricane Season". ArcGIS StoryMaps. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  13. ↑ "Jeanne Hits Florida Hard - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. 2004-09-27. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  14. ↑ "Hurricane JEANNE". www.nhc.noaa.gov. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  15. 1 2 3 4 "Hurricane Jeanne" (PDF). NOAA.
  16. 1 2 3 "NCDC: Event Details". www4.ncdc.noaa.gov. Archived from the original on 2011-05-19. Retrieved 2025-07-21.
  17. ↑ NOAA https://www.weather.gov/media/mlb/research/2006_extreme_hurr_winds.pdf . Retrieved 2025-07-21.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  18. 1 2 "NCDC: Event Details". www4.ncdc.noaa.gov. Archived from the original on 2011-05-20. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  19. 1 2 News, Chris Bonanno For Hometown (2023-09-27). "A look back at a wild 2004 hurricane season". Hometown News Treasure Coast. Retrieved 2025-07-23.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  20. ↑ Ledger, DIANE LACEY ALLEN The. "HURRICANE JEANNE DEVASTATES VERO BEACH RESIDENTS; COASTAL COMMUNITY SUFFERS FLOODING, POWER OUTAGES, STRUCTURAL DAMAGE". The Ledger. Retrieved 2025-07-23.
  21. ↑ Franklin, James L. (March 17, 2005). Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Jeanne (PDF) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2025-07-23.
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