Hurricane Fabian

Last updated
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
Disc Plain black.svg Tropical cyclone
Solid black.svg Subtropical cyclone
ArrowUp.svg Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

On August 25, a tropical wave emerged off the coast of Africa. [1] Tracking westward, the wave developed convection over its center, and conducive conditions allowed it to develop further. [4] The system passed through the Cape Verde islands later that day as convection steadily weakened. [1] [5] Early on August 27, convection again increased and consolidated near the center, and later that day the wave developed into Tropical Depression Ten while located 420 miles (680 km) west of the Cape Verde islands. Moving westward into an area of warm waters and low vertical shear, the depression steadily intensified, and was named Tropical Storm Fabian on August 28 as convection increased and banding features became more prominent. [1] [6]

Banding features and outflow continued to develop as a ring of convection formed around the center of Fabian, [7] and on August 30, the storm intensified into a hurricane while gradually slowing its motion to the west-northwest. [1] As banding features and outflow became better defined, an eye developed in the center of the deepest convection. [8] Fabian quickly strengthened and attained major hurricane status late that day. [1] Deep convection became very concentric around the 11.5 miles (18.5 km) wide eye, and the hurricane reached winds of 125 mph (201 km/h) early on August 31. [9] At this time, the deepest convection near the eye degraded in appearance, and Fabian temporarily stopped its strengthening trend. [10] Later that day, the eye became distinct again within a perfectly round area of deep convection. Outflow continued to expand in all directions, and Fabian intensified into a Category 4 hurricane late on August 31. [11] Thunderstorm activity near the eyewall became more intense, and the cloud tops in the eyewall became much cooler; simultaneously, outflow away from the eye became much more symmetrical, both signs of an intensifying tropical cyclone. Fabian reached its peak intensity of 145 mph (233 km/h) on September 1 while located 345 miles (555 km) east of the northern Lesser Antilles. [12]

Hurricane Fabian south of Bermuda on September 5 2003 Hurricane Fabian.jpg
Hurricane Fabian south of Bermuda on September 5

After maintaining its peak intensity for 12 hours Fabian degraded due to internal fluctuations, and began to weaken. [13] The hurricane turned to the northwest on September 2 in response to a weakness in the subtropical ridge, a break caused by a mid-level circulation over the southwest Atlantic Ocean. After fading back to a Category 3 hurricane, Fabian re-intensified on September 4, and regained Category 4 status for a short time. The hurricane weakened again as it accelerated northward towards Bermuda, a motion due to an approaching mid-level trough. [1] As small pockets of dry air became entrained in the eyewall, Fabian weakened slightly, [14] passing just 14 miles (23 km) west of Bermuda on September 5 as a 120 mph (190 km/h) Category 3 hurricane. [1] The eastern portion of the eyewall moved over the island, resulting in a direct hit; the center did not move over the island, so Fabian did not make landfall. After passing the island, the hurricane accelerated northeastward, and weakened to a 105 mph (169 km/h) Category 2 hurricane on September 7. [1] Steady weakening occurred as the hurricane moved into an area of increasing wind shear, drier air, and progressively cooler waters. [15] On September 8, while located 680 miles (1,090 km) east-northeast of Cape Race, Newfoundland, Fabian transitioned into an extratropical storm, with no deep convection remaining near the center. [16] Fabian's extratropical remnant turned to the north on September 9, and on September 10, Fabian's remnant merged with another extratropical storm while located between southern Greenland and Iceland. [1]

Preparations

Several days prior to Fabian striking Bermuda, computer models forecast a ridge of high pressure forcing the hurricane to the west of the island by 200 miles (320 km). [17] Not expected to be a direct threat, a meteorologist at the Bermuda Weather Service expected gusty winds and potentially heavy rainfall. [18] Each successive advisory was issued as the hurricane steadily moved closer to Bermuda, [17] and 35 hours before Fabian made its closest approach, the Bermuda Weather Service issued a hurricane watch for the island. When a track near Bermuda became more certain, a hurricane warning was issued for the island, approximately 29 hours before Fabian made a direct hit on the island. [1]

The Bermuda Electric Light Company Limited recommended Bermuda residents to buy hurricane supplies such as candles, batteries, and non-perishable foods, to fill bathtubs and extra containers with water, and fill gasoline tanks for automobiles. [19] In preparation, residents formed long lines at gas stations, banks, [20] and supermarkets. [21] All government offices and many businesses closed on the day prior to the hurricane hitting. [20] All schools were closed, while all flights in and out of the island were canceled. Officials opened emergency shelters, and recommended 2,000 low-lying residents to evacuate; [21] a hotel on the south shore of the island was evacuated as well. [22] Several cruise ships expected to remain on the island departed early to avoid the hurricane. [21] Local insurance companies on Bermuda experienced a great increase in business, as residents renewed lapsed policies or signed up for new policies for homes or businesses, though marine policies were stopped several days before the hurricane struck. [23] The arrival of Fabian forced the cancellation or delay of several sports events, including a cricket match, a football game, and a dinghy race. [24]

Impact

Hurricane Fabian
Fabian 2003-09-01 1815Z.png
Fabian at peak intensity on September 1
Storm deaths by region
RegionDirect deaths
Bermuda 4
Grand Banks 3
North Carolina 1
Total8 [1]

Fabian killed eight people and caused US$300 million in damages, primarily in Bermuda.

Caribbean

The hurricane produced storm surge damage in Antigua and Barbuda, where some boats were lightly damaged. [25] Strong swells and high tides produced large waves on the north coast of Puerto Rico, washing out beaches in various locations. Waves knocked out a 10 ft (3.0 m) portion of a construction site in Ocean Park, resulting in US

Bermuda

Hurricane Fabian over Bermuda late on September 5 Hurricane Fabian.jpg
Hurricane Fabian over Bermuda late on September 5

Hurricane Fabian struck Bermuda on Friday, 5 September 2003, with sustained winds having reached 39 mph (63 km/h) by 0800, 74 mph (119 km/h) by 1400, and 150 mph (240 km/h) by 1755. The eye did not pass directly over the archipelago, instead passing to the west (placing Bermuda in the northeast quarter where the winds were particularly powerful) with the eyewall dragging over Bermuda for three hours. This prolonged the damaging winds the island was subjected to. [27] The storm produced a 10-minute average wind speed of 120 mph (190 km/h), while a peak wind gust of 164 mph (264 km/h) occurred at Bermuda Harbour Radio. [1] The strongest of the winds lasted approximately three to four hours, [17] and while the eastern portion of the eyewall moved over the island, winds decreased to 60 mph (97 km/h). [1] Large waves battered the southern portion of the island for several days, reaching heights of 25 to 35 feet (7.6 to 10.7 m) at the worst of the hurricane, and upon passing the island, the hurricane produced a storm surge exceeding 11 feet (3.4 m) in height. Due to its fast motion, rainfall totals rose to only 1.82 inches (46 mm). There were also several unofficial reports of tornadoes. [17] Strong rip currents from the hurricane persisted for several days prior to Fabian passing the island; two swimmers were caught in the currents and relied on lifeguard assistance to return to shore. As a result, rip tide warnings were posted for the island. [28]

A house at John Smith's Bay during the approach of the storm Fabian 2003-09-06 at John Smith-s Bay 01.jpg
A house at John Smith's Bay during the approach of the storm

Strong waves caused extensive damage to the coastline, especially on the southern portion of Bermuda. [17] The strong waves broke a boat from its moorings at Spanish Point. Not wanting to lose the ship, the owner, accompanied with two people, tried to save the vessel. One fell overboard before climbing aboard the boat. The three ventured the vessel through tornadoes and 20-foot (6.1 m) waves, which dropped several feet of water in the ship; ultimately they safely arrived at Hamilton Harbour. Five charter boats capsized from the waves, while several others crashed against reefs. [29] Strong waves collapsed a sea wall in Hamilton, causing traffic jams for one day until it was fixed. [30]

The winds downed numerous power lines, causing 78% of the island's 32,031 power customers to experience power outages. [17] The strong winds damaged or destroyed the roofs of numerous buildings on Bermuda. One of the areas lightest hit was around a hotel outside of Hamilton, which experienced no power outages or blown out windows, [31] while one of the harder hit areas was Warwick. There, one resident noted, "Too many homes have lost roofs to count". One house was entirely destroyed on Rec View Hill, while an unconfirmed tornado destroyed much of the roof of a house in Devonshire. [32] The hurricane destroyed a restaurant in Southampton and also damaged stands and roofs at sports facilities. [31] Strong winds from the hurricane damaged several landmark buildings, including the House of Assembly and the City Hall, [22] both in Hamilton, and the former military headquarters in St. George's.

Damaged terminal at Bermuda International Airport Fabian4.jpg
Damaged terminal at Bermuda International Airport
Structural damage was extensive at Bermuda International Airport. BDA Fabian damage2.jpg
Structural damage was extensive at Bermuda International Airport.

Bermuda International Airport sustained US$15 million in damages, [33] primarily to buildings and roadways which were washed away by the storm surge. The runway escaped major damage, however, and the airport re-opened the following day for emergency relief flights. [34] Confronting the damages in the storm's aftermath, Airport General Manager James G. Howes was quoted by the news media as saying, "My heart sank when I first saw the Airport that morning. There was tons of debris everywhere and all the fire alarms and security alarms were going off. There was this din of bells and horns – it was like a war zone". [35] Commercial airline service was suspended for three days due to heavy damage to the Terminal Building, which was flooded with 3 ft (0.91 m) of seawater. [36] The airport's ILS and radar were also damaged.

The hurricane also affected the Bermuda Weather Service, as 8 ft (2.4 m) waves destroyed recording equipment. [30] The winds severely damaged the island's major hotels, closing five for extended periods to repair damage. One hotel that remained open experienced damage to 25% of its rooms. [37] The strong winds uprooted hundreds of trees along the island's golf courses, though little damage was reported at most courses. One course experienced significant damage at its club house, temporarily closing it. [38]

Government Conservation Officer Dr. David B. Wingate reported the damage to the South Shore of Bermuda was the worst in a thousand years. [39] The strong winds blew down hundreds of trees, caused severe damage to vegetation, [17] and destroyed many of the island's indigenous plants. [40] The hurricane washed away large sections of the nesting island for the endangered Bermuda petrel and destroyed 10 of the 70 active nests. The endangered birds were not on the island, though local residents quickly gathered to restore their habitat. [41] Strong waves resulted in severe coastal erosion, and at one beach, the lack of sand destroyed a natural cove. The Natural Arches, a set of eroded stones resembling an arch that was popular in photographs, was destroyed by the waves. [42] The powerful winds knocked coconuts off several trees and scattered them across the ground. [32]

The storm surge from the hurricane stranded one vehicle with three police officers and another with a resident on the causeway between St. George's Parish and St. David's Island. After a fire truck failed in its attempt to rescue them, powerful waves washed the vehicles into Castle Harbour. The United States Coast Guard and Bermuda police divers mounted a full-scale search for the missing people during the worst of the storm. The strong winds and emotional issues of searching for colleagues made the search difficult. [43] Ultimately, the vehicles [22] and one dead body were recovered, [17] with the others remaining missing, presumably dead. [22] Another vehicle was on the causeway as the two cars became stranded, though the driver was able to safely cross. [43] High winds and surf tore off the causeway's side walls and greatly damaged the structure, [22] temporarily closing it to automobile traffic. [30]

As most people were well-prepared, these were the only four deaths on the island. [17] In addition, nine people sought medical attention for minor injuries. [44] Damage on Bermuda totaled to US$300 million, reportedly the worst to affect the area since 1926. [1]

Atlantic coast

Swells from the hurricane produced rip currents and heavy surf along the eastern North Carolina coastline. One man drowned near Cape Hatteras from the rip currents. [45] Fabian produced moderate surfing conditions along the East Coast of the United States, primarily from Georgia to North Carolina. [46] Three deaths were reported in the north Atlantic when a ship, The Pacific Attitude, sank south of Newfoundland in the Grand Banks due to strong waves of over 60 feet (18 m) in height. [1] [47]

Aftermath

Road washout at Bermuda International Airport BDA Fabian damage3.jpg
Road washout at Bermuda International Airport

Blocked roads initially caused delays to crews from the Bermuda Electric Light Company Limited (BELCO), which were attempting to restore power to the island. Of high priority among the places to be restored were the hospital, as well as hotels to accommodate tourists who remained on the island through the storm. [22] By the second day after the storm passed the island, power was restored to 11,000 residents. [48] Power on Bermuda was restored to all customers within three weeks of the hurricane, but the electricity supply distribution system was greatly weakened. This resulted in a rehabilitation plan implemented in October 2003. Days after the hurricane passed, moisture from Tropical Storm Henri resulted in thunderstorms and heavy rainfall; this hindered recovery efforts, but did not cause any reported damage. [17] Lack of power caused interruptions to communications. While an emergency broadcast station was installed and tested prior the hurricane, the hurricane caused a problem to the system's back-up generator. [49] The causeway in Bermuda remained closed for several days after the hurricane as road crews made temporary repairs. [30] Upon being opened three days after the storm, [48] traffic was limited to one lane of the original two. However, the causeway had to be closed in the event of rain, winds exceeding 30 mph (48 km/h), and at night. [42] The bridge was fully repaired by early November 2003. [30]

In the days after the storm, people provided assistance for each other, especially for the elderly. [31] Three days after the storm, for example, a radio station DJ announced a name for an elderly person in need, and within minutes someone would call to provide for their needs. [42] Residents cleared smaller roads from debris with chainsaws, [31] which in turn helped the power companies to make repairs quickly. [22] As a result of damage on their homes, dozens of people stayed in five shelters or undamaged hotels. [44] Residents purchased large quantities of gasoline in the days after Fabian, some of whom bought over US$500 worth. Officials assured there was no shortage, but requested drivers to conserve gas. [50] XL Capital Ltd. shipped 250 tarpaulins, 10 electric generators, and rope supply to the island. [48] The UK government offered help to the island with two Royal Navy ships with supplies such as tents, dried foods, and blankets. Premier Alex Scott declined the offer, believing the island could withstand on its own. World Vision also offered assistance with blankets, tents, and other supplies, while two United States companies offered to send generators. Bermuda Electric Light Company received aid from the Caribbean Electric Organization, which sent over 20 electricians to repair power lines. [51]

Hurricane damage in Bermuda Fabiandamage.jpg
Hurricane damage in Bermuda

Initially, the time for the destroyed vegetation on Bermuda to regrow was estimated to take decades. To help, the South Carolina Maritime Heritage Foundation, with support from a Boy Scout troop and nearby nurseries, delivered 1,000 boxwood plants to the island. [40] Following the damage to the Bermuda petrel's habitat, Bermuda's Department of Conservation carried out a translocation program, which involved moving the habitat to Nonsuch Island. That island, a long-standing nature preserve, was much higher and safer for the birds, and by two years after the hurricane the population numbers were higher than before the storm. [52]

Shortly after the hurricane, the American home improvement franchise This Old House , unaware of the limited extent of damage, decided to do a hurricane repair story. Upon realising that there would be little to nothing available for the Ask This Old House to repair, it was decided instead to do a renovation of an 1805 home in St. George's. It was only the second time that the franchise had worked outside of the United States. [53]

A memorial to the four Bermudians whose lives were claimed by Hurricane Fabian was erected near the Causeway's east end by the airport, where the 10th anniversary of their deaths was remembered by government officials in September 2013. [54] The onslaught of Hurricane Gonzalo in October 2014 prompted a catastrophe modeller to revisit Fabian's destruction, concluding that had it struck in 2014, it would have caused around US$650 million in damage. [55]

Retirement

Due to the storm damage and deaths in Bermuda, the World Meteorological Organization retired the name Fabian in the spring of 2004, and it will never again be used for a North Atlantic tropical cyclone. It was replaced with Fred for the 2009 season. [56] [57]

The Bermuda Weather Service allowed residents to suggest a replacement name, with the only rule being the name had to be a male name beginning with the letter "F", able to be easily pronounced, and not currently in use by the National Hurricane Center. The service received a list of over 30 names, including Forrest and Frodo, after the character in The Lord of the Rings . [58] The Bermuda Weather Service sent three names to the World Meteorological Organization: Fred, Ford, and Flynn. [59]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2004 Atlantic hurricane season</span>

The 2004 Atlantic hurricane season was a very deadly, destructive, and active Atlantic hurricane season, with over 3,200 deaths and more than $61 billion in damage. More than half of the 16 tropical cyclones brushed or struck the United States. Due to the development of a Modoki El Niño – a rare type of El Niño in which unfavorable conditions are produced over the eastern Pacific instead of the Atlantic basin due to warmer sea surface temperatures farther west along the equatorial Pacific – activity was above average. The season officially began on June 1 and ended on November 30, though the season's last storm, Otto, dissipated on December 3, extending the season beyond its traditional boundaries. The first storm, Alex, developed offshore of the Southeastern United States on July 31, one of the latest dates on record to see the formation of the first system in an Atlantic hurricane season. It brushed the Carolinas and the Mid-Atlantic, causing one death and $7.5 million (2004 USD) in damage. Several storms caused only minor damage, including tropical storms Bonnie, Earl, Hermine, and Matthew. In addition, hurricanes Danielle, Karl, and Lisa, Tropical Depression Ten, Subtropical Storm Nicole and Tropical Storm Otto had no effect on land while tropical cyclones. The season was the first to exceed 200 units in accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) since 1995, mostly from Hurricane Ivan, which produced the highest ACE out of any storm this season. Ivan generated the second-highest ACE in the Atlantic, only behind the 1899 San Ciriaco Hurricane.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2003 Atlantic hurricane season</span>

The 2003 Atlantic hurricane season was a very active season with tropical cyclogenesis occurring before and after the official bounds of the season—the first such occurrence since the 1970 season. The season produced 21 tropical cyclones, of which 16 developed into named storms; seven of those attained hurricane status, of which three reached major hurricane status. The strongest hurricane of the season was Hurricane Isabel, which reached Category 5 status on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane scale northeast of the Lesser Antilles; Isabel later struck North Carolina as a Category 2 hurricane, causing $3.6 billion in damage and a total of 51 deaths across the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1991 Atlantic hurricane season</span>

The 1991 Atlantic hurricane season was the first season since 1984 in which no hurricanes developed from tropical waves, which are the source for most North Atlantic tropical cyclones. The hurricane season officially began on June 1, and ended on November 30. It was the least active in four years due to higher than usual wind shear across the Atlantic Ocean. The first storm, Ana, developed on July 2 off the southeast United States and dissipated without causing significant effects. Two other tropical storms in the season – Danny and Erika – did not significantly affect land. Danny dissipated east of the Lesser Antilles, and Erika passed through the Azores before becoming extratropical. In addition, there were four non-developing tropical depressions. The second depression of the season struck Mexico with significant accompanying rains.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical Storm Odette (2003)</span> Atlantic tropical storm in 2003

Tropical Storm Odette was a rare off-season tropical cyclone that hit the island of Hispaniola in early December 2003. As the fifteenth named storm of the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season, Odette formed near the coast of Panama a few days after the official end of the Atlantic hurricane season ended on November 30, and ultimately made landfall on the Dominican Republic as a moderate tropical storm, before becoming extratropical on December 7, dissipating two days later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2002 Pacific hurricane season</span>

The 2002 Pacific hurricane season was an average season which produced fifteen named storms. Eight hurricanes formed, including a record-equaling three Category 5 hurricanes, a record it shares with the 1994 and 2018 seasons. It was also a near-average season in terms of accumulated cyclone energy (ACE), having an ACE of 125. The season officially began on May 15, 2002 in the East Pacific Ocean, and on June 1, 2002 in the Central Pacific; both ended on November 30. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclone formation occurs in these regions of the Pacific. The first system of the 2002 season, Hurricane Alma, formed on May 24, and the last, Tropical Depression Sixteen-E, dissipated on November 16.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Felix (1995)</span> Category 4 Atlantic hurricane

Hurricane Felix caused severe beach erosion along the East Coast of the United States in August 1995. Felix was also the strongest hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean since Hurricane Andrew in 1992. The seventh tropical cyclone, sixth named storm, and third hurricane of the 1995 Atlantic hurricane season, Felix developed from a tropical wave in the eastern Atlantic Ocean on August 8, and slowly intensified, reaching hurricane status on August 11. Under favorable conditions, Felix began to rapidly deepen while curving northwestward. Late on August 12, Felix peaked as a low-end Category 4 hurricane. However, it soon weakened rapidly to a Category 1 hurricane. Less than three days later, Felix passed only 75 mi (120 km) southeast of Bermuda. Although it also posed a threat to the East Coast of the United States, Felix curved northward and then east-northeastward while remaining offshore, thereby avoiding landfall. Felix briefly threatened Bermuda again, but weakened to a tropical storm and turned back to the northeast on August 20. It accelerated east-northeastward, and passed a short distance offshore of Newfoundland, where Felix transitioned into an extratropical storm on August 22.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Gert (1999)</span> Category 4 Atlantic hurricane in 1999

Hurricane Gert was the fourth of five major hurricanes in the moderately active 1999 Atlantic hurricane season. A Cape Verde hurricane, Gert formed on September 11 off the coast of Africa before heading west-northwest. It reached a peak wind speed of 150 mph (240 km/h) by September 15 over the open central Atlantic east-northeast of the Leeward Islands. It gradually curved to the northwest and later to the north, due to a weakness in the subtropical ridge created by Hurricane Floyd. Hurricane Gert passed east of Bermuda on September 21 and began a steady weakening trend at that time. It turned to the northeast, and on September 23, Gert transitioned into an extratropical cyclone to the southeast of Atlantic Canada before being absorbed by a larger storm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Subtropical Storm Nicole</span> Atlantic subtropical storm in 2004

Subtropical Storm Nicole was the first subtropical storm to receive a name using the standard hurricane name list that did not become a tropical cyclone. The fifteenth tropical or subtropical cyclone and fourteenth named storm of the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season, Nicole developed on October 10 near Bermuda from a broad surface low that developed as a result of the interaction between an upper level trough and a decaying cold front. The storm turned to the northeast, passing close to Bermuda as it intensified to reach peak winds of 50 mph (80 km/h) on October 11. Deep convection developed near the center of the system as it attempted to become a fully tropical cyclone. However, it failed to do so and was absorbed by an extratropical cyclone late on October 11.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Florence (2006)</span> Category 1 Atlantic hurricane in 2006

Hurricane Florence was the first North Atlantic hurricane to produce hurricane-force winds on the island of Bermuda since Hurricane Fabian in September 2003. The seventh tropical storm and second hurricane of the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season, Florence developed from a tropical wave in the eastern Atlantic Ocean on September 3. Due to unfavorable conditions, the system failed to organize initially, and as a result, the storm grew to an unusually large size. After several days, Florence encountered an area of lesser wind shear and intensified into a hurricane on September 10. It passed just west of Bermuda while recurving northeastward, and on September 13 it transitioned into an extratropical cyclone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical Storm Dean (2001)</span> Atlantic tropical storm in 2001

Tropical Storm Dean was a strong tropical storm that affected at least twelve islands along its path from the tropical Atlantic Ocean to east of Atlantic Canada in August 2001. Dean developed from a tropical wave on August 22 over the Lesser Antilles, and was initially predicted to intensify further to reach hurricane status. However, strong wind shear quickly weakened Dean to cause it to dissipate on August 23. The remnants turned northward, and redeveloped on August 26 to the north of Bermuda. Located over warm waters and in an area of favorable conditions, Dean steadily strengthened while moving to the northeast, and peaked just below hurricane status on August 27 about 465 miles (748 km) southwest of Newfoundland. The storm subsequently weakened over cooler waters, and became extratropical on August 28.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Erin (2001)</span> Category 3 Atlantic hurricane

Hurricane Erin was the longest-lived hurricane in the 2001 Atlantic hurricane season. The sixth tropical depression, fifth tropical storm, and first hurricane of the season, Erin developed from a tropical wave on September 1. After strengthening to a 60 mph (97 km/h) tropical storm as it moved to the west-northwest, wind shear weakened Erin and caused it to degenerate into a remnant low on September 5. The remnants re-organized into a tropical depression the next day, and Erin strengthened into a hurricane on September 9 while moving northwestward. This was the latest date for the first hurricane of the season since Hurricane Diana on September 10, 1984. Erin quickly intensified and reached peak winds of 120 mph (190 km/h) later on September 9. At its closest approach, Erin passed 105 miles (169 km) east-northeast of Bermuda near peak intensity, and subsequently weakened as it turned to the east. A trough turned Erin to the northeast, and after passing just east of Cape Race, Newfoundland it became extratropical on September 15. The extratropical remnant continued northeastward and was absorbed into another extratropical storm near Greenland on September 17.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Olga</span> Category 1 Atlantic hurricane in 2001

Hurricane Olga was the fifteenth named storm and ninth hurricane of the 2001 Atlantic hurricane season. It was notable as it was the largest tropical cyclone by diameter of gale-force winds on record in the Atlantic at the time. Hurricane Olga formed as a subtropical cyclone on November 24. After acquiring tropical characteristics later that day, Olga meandered westward, and eventually reached hurricane status on November 26. Olga peaked as a 90 mph (140 km/h) Category 1 hurricane before the storm turned southwestward and weakening back into a tropical storm. On November 30 it deteriorated further to a tropical depression, although it re-intensified two days later to tropical storm intensity. Olga then dissipated as a tropical cyclone on December 4 east of the Bahamas. Its damaging effects were limited to ships at sea. The cyclone's remnants produced heavy rainfall across the Bahamas and Florida. It was a relatively rare storm to exist in December, which is outside of the normal Atlantic hurricane season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Bertha (2008)</span> Category 3 Atlantic hurricane in 2008

Hurricane Bertha was the longest-lived Atlantic tropical cyclone on record during July, as well as the furthest east system to attain tropical storm intensity during the month. The second named storm, first hurricane, and first major hurricane of the active 2008 season, Bertha developed into a tropical depression on July 3 from a tropical wave that departed western Africa two days prior. On a west-northwest to northwest track, the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Bertha six hours formation and ultimately attained hurricane intensity on July 7. A period of rapid deepening brought the cyclone to its peak as a Category 3 hurricane with winds of 125 mph (205 km/h) late that afternoon. Changes in wind shear and the storm's internal structure allowed Bertha to fluctuate in intensity over the next week as it passed very near Bermuda, but a track over cooler waters eventually caused the system to become an extratropical cyclone by July 20. It continued northeast and was absorbed by another low near Iceland the following day. Rough surf propelled by Bertha killed three people along the East Coast of the United States; hundreds of other swimmers were injured and/or required rescuing. In Bermuda, some streets were flooded and strong gusts cut power to approximately 7,500 homes; only minor damage was observed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Gonzalo</span> Category 4 Atlantic hurricane in 2014

Hurricane Gonzalo was the second tropical cyclone, after Hurricane Fay, to directly strike the island of Bermuda in a one-week time frame in October 2014, and was the first Category 4 Atlantic hurricane since Hurricane Ophelia in 2011. At the time, it was the strongest hurricane in the Atlantic since Igor in 2010. Gonzalo struck Bermuda less than a week after the surprisingly fierce Hurricane Fay; 2014 was the first season in recorded history to feature two hurricane landfalls in Bermuda. A powerful Atlantic tropical cyclone that wrought destruction in the Leeward Islands and Bermuda, Gonzalo was the seventh named storm, sixth and final hurricane and only the second major hurricane of the below-average 2014 Atlantic hurricane season. The storm formed from a tropical wave on October 12, while located east of the Lesser Antilles. It made landfall on Antigua, Saint Martin, and Anguilla as a Category 1 hurricane, causing damage on those and nearby islands. Antigua and Barbuda sustained US$40 million in losses, and boats were abundantly damaged or destroyed throughout the northern Leeward Islands. The storm killed three people on Saint Martin and Saint Barthélemy. Gonzalo tracked northwestward as it intensified into a major hurricane. Eyewall replacement cycles led to fluctuations in the hurricane's structure and intensity, but on October 16, Gonzalo peaked with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (235 km/h).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Fay</span> Category 1 Atlantic hurricane in 2014

Hurricane Fay was the first hurricane to make landfall on Bermuda since Emily in 1987. The sixth named storm and fifth hurricane of the 2014 Atlantic hurricane season, Fay evolved from a broad disturbance several hundred miles northeast of the Lesser Antilles on October 10. Initially a subtropical cyclone with an expansive wind field and asymmetrical cloud field, the storm gradually attained tropical characteristics as it turned north, transitioning into a tropical storm early on October 11.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Nicole (2016)</span> Category 4 Atlantic hurricane

Hurricane Nicole was the first major hurricane to directly impact Bermuda since Hurricane Fabian in 2003 and equally one of the strongest hurricanes to do so. The fourteenth named storm, sixth hurricane, and third major hurricane of the 2016 Atlantic hurricane season, Nicole formed in the central Atlantic on October 4. The small, slow-moving storm defied forecasts by steadily organizing despite strong wind shear, and it rapidly intensified to a Category 2 hurricane on October 7. The wind shear finally took its toll by October 8, reducing Nicole to a minimal tropical storm, as a building high pressure system forced the storm southward. Intensification began once again as the storm retreated toward Bermuda, and Nicole reached its peak intensity early on October 13 as a Category 4 hurricane with 140 mph (230 km/h) winds. Shortly thereafter, increased vertical wind shear weakened the storm to Category 3, and the eye passed over Bermuda later that day. Afterward, Nicole accelerated northeastwards while gradually weakening, but significantly expanding in size as it traversed the Northern Atlantic. By October 18, decreasing sea surface temperatures caused the large hurricane to become extratropical as it accelerated northwards toward Greenland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Humberto (2019)</span> Category 3 Atlantic hurricane

Hurricane Humberto was a large and powerful tropical cyclone that caused extensive wind damage in Bermuda during September 2019. It was the eighth named storm, third hurricane, and second major hurricane – Category 3 or higher on the Saffir–Simpson scale – of the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season. Humberto formed on September 13 from the prolonged interaction of a tropical wave and an upper-level trough, then paralleled the eastern coastline of Florida through September 16 before turning sharply northeastward. A generally favorable environment allowed Humberto to become a hurricane that day, and the storm further strengthened to reach peak intensity as a Category 3 hurricane on September 18. After its center passed within 65 miles (105 km) of Bermuda around 00:00 UTC on September 19, the system encountered stronger wind shear and drier air. Stripped of its deep thunderstorm activity, the system transitioned to a potent extratropical cyclone early on September 20.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Paulette</span> Category 2 Atlantic hurricane in 2020

Hurricane Paulette was a strong and long-lived tropical cyclone which became the first to make landfall in Bermuda since Hurricane Gonzalo in 2014, and was the longest-lasting tropical cyclone of 2020 globally. The sixteenth named storm and sixth hurricane of the record-breaking 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, Paulette developed from a tropical wave that left the coast of Africa on September 2. The wave eventually consolidated into a tropical depression on September 7. Paulette fluctuated in intensity over the next few days, due to strong wind shear, initially peaking as a strong tropical storm on September 8. It eventually strengthened into a hurricane early on September 13 as shear decreased. On September 14, Paulette made landfall in northeastern Bermuda as a Category 2 hurricane, while making a gradual turn to the northeast. The cyclone further strengthened as it moved away from the island, reaching its peak intensity with 1-minute sustained winds of 105 mph (169 km/h) and a minimum central atmospheric pressure of 965 mbar (28.5 inHg) on September 14. On the evening of September 15, Paulette began to weaken and undergo extratropical transition, which it completed on September 16. The hurricane's extratropical remnants persisted and moved southward then eastward, and eventually, Paulette regenerated into a tropical storm early on September 20 south of the Azores– which resulted in the U.S National Weather Service coining the phrase "zombie storm" to describe its unusual regeneration. Paulette's second phase proved short-lived, however, as the storm quickly weakened and became post-tropical again two days later. The remnant persisted for several days before dissipating south of the Azores on September 28. In total, Paulette was a tropical cyclone for 11.25 days, and the system had an overall lifespan of 21 days.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Epsilon (2020)</span> Category 3 Atlantic hurricane

Hurricane Epsilon was a strong tropical cyclone that affected Bermuda, and parts of North America and Western Europe. The twenty-seventh tropical or subtropical cyclone, twenty-sixth named storm, eleventh hurricane, and fourth major hurricane of the extremely-active 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, Epsilon had a non-tropical origin, developing from an upper-level low off the East Coast of the United States on October 13. The low gradually organized, becoming Tropical Depression Twenty-Seven on October 19, and six hours later, Tropical Storm Epsilon. The storm executed a counterclockwise loop before turning westward, while strengthening. On October 20, Epsilon began undergoing rapid intensification, becoming a Category 1 hurricane on the next day, before peaking as a Category 3 major hurricane on October 22, with maximum 1-minute sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 952 millibars (28.1 inHg). This made Epsilon the easternmost major hurricane this late in the calendar year, as well as the strongest late-season major hurricane in the northeastern Atlantic, and the fastest recorded case of a tropical cyclone undergoing rapid intensification that far northeast that late in the hurricane season. Afterward, Epsilon began to weaken as the system turned northward, with the storm dropping to Category 1 intensity late that day. Epsilon maintained its intensity as it moved northward, passing to the east of Bermuda. On October 24, Epsilon turned northeastward and gradually accelerated, before weakening into a tropical storm on the next day. On October 26, Epsilon transitioned into an extratropical cyclone, before being absorbed by another larger extratropical storm later that same day.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Richard J. Pasch; Eric S. Blake; Daniel P. Brown (2003-11-19). "Hurricane Fabian Tropical Cyclone Report" (PDF). National Hurricane Center . Retrieved May 22, 2015.
  2. ↑ Jessica Blunden (2006-10-17). "Global Hazards and Significant Events September 2003". National Climatic Data Center. Archived from the original on 2010-04-17. Retrieved 2010-04-13.
  3. ↑ Patrick Thiele (2003-09-15). "PartnerRe Weathers Hurricane Fabian". PartnerRE Ltd. Archived from the original on January 18, 2012. Retrieved 2010-04-13.
  4. ↑ Stewart (2003). "August 26 Tropical Weather Outlook". NHC. Retrieved 2006-10-14.[ permanent dead link ]
  5. ↑ Franklin (2003). "August 26 Tropical Weather Outlook". NHC. Retrieved 2006-10-14.[ permanent dead link ]
  6. ↑ Richard J. Pasch (2003-08-28). "Tropical Storm Fabian Discussion Five". National Hurricane Center . Retrieved 2010-04-13.
  7. ↑ Lixion A. Avila (2003-08-29). "Tropical Storm Fabian Discussion Eight". National Hurricane Center . Retrieved 2006-10-14.
  8. ↑ Lixion A. Avila (2003-08-30). "Hurricane Fabian Discussion Twelve". National Hurricane Center . Retrieved 2010-04-13.
  9. ↑ Eric Holweg; Brian Jarvinen (2003-08-30). "Hurricane Fabian Discussion Fourteen". National Hurricane Center . Retrieved 2010-04-13.
  10. ↑ Brian Jarvinen (2003-08-31). "Hurricane Fabian Discussion Fifteen". National Hurricane Center . Retrieved 2010-04-13.
  11. ↑ Lixion A. Avila; Michelle Mainelli (2003-08-31). "Hurricane Fabian Discussion Seventeen". National Hurricane Center . Retrieved 2010-04-13.
  12. ↑ James L. Franklin; Michelle Mainelli (2003-09-01). "Hurricane Fabian Discussion Twenty-One". National Hurricane Center . Retrieved 2010-04-13.
  13. ↑ Richard J. Pasch; Jamie R. Rhome (2003-09-02). "Hurricane Fabian Discussion Twenty-Three". National Hurricane Center . Retrieved 2010-04-13.
  14. ↑ Stacy R. Stewart (2003-09-04). "Hurricane Fabian Discussion Thirty-Four". National Hurricane Center . Retrieved 2010-04-13.
  15. ↑ Brian Jarvinen (2003-09-07). "Hurricane Fabian Discussion Forty-Three". National Hurricane Center . Retrieved 2010-04-13.
  16. ↑ Eric S. Blake; Richard J. Pasch (2003-09-08). "Hurricane Fabian Discussion Forty-Eight". National Hurricane Center . Retrieved 2010-04-13.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Mike Guishard; Roger Williams (2004). "2003 Hurricane Season in Bermuda" (PDF). Final Report of the Twenty-Sixth Session. World Meteorological Organization. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-12-04. Retrieved 2006-10-15.
  18. ↑ Karen Smith (2003). "Weather experts keep wary eye on Fabian". The Royal Gazette.
  19. ↑ Bermuda Electric Light Company (2003). "What to do before and after Fabian hits". The Royal Gazette.
  20. 1 2 Matthew Taylor (2003-05-09). "Bermuda prepares for Fabian's worst". The Boston Globe. Associated Press. Retrieved 2006-10-15.
  21. 1 2 3 Stephen Breen (2003-04-09). "Bermuda braces for powerful Hurricane Fabian". Reuters. Retrieved 2006-10-15.
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stephen Breen (2003). "Four feared dead". The Royal Gazette.
  23. ↑ Lilla Zuill; Mairi Mallon (2003). "Fabian unleashes insurance surge". The Royal Gazette.
  24. ↑ Gayle Alleyne (2003). "Sport faces weekend blow-out". The Royal Gazette.
  25. 1 2 Oficina Nacional de Meteorología; Centro de Información Huracanes (2004). "Reports of hurricanes, tropical storms, tropical disturbances and related flooding during 2003" (PDF). Final Report of the Twenty-Sixth Session. World Meteorological Organization. Retrieved 2006-10-16.
  26. ↑ National Climatic Data Center (2003). "Puerto Rico Event Report". Archived from the original on March 26, 2007. Retrieved 2006-10-16.
  27. ↑ [ dead link ] Fabian: A blow-by-blow account. By Stephen Breen. The Royal Gazette. Published 9 September, 2003
  28. ↑ Matthew Taylor (2003). "Rip tide warning issued after bathers have to be rescued". The Royal Gazette.
  29. ↑ Dan Rutstein (2003). "My life flashed before my eyes". The Royal Gazette.
  30. 1 2 3 4 5 Robyn Bardgett (2003). "Bermuda Year End: The year that Fabian struck". The Royal Gazette.
  31. 1 2 3 4 The Royal Gazette (2003). "Bermuda Shorts—Fabian".
  32. 1 2 Tania Theriault (2003). "Clean-up begins as Islanders assess damage". The Royal Gazette.
  33. ↑ Bermuda Government Budget Statement, May 24, 2004
  34. ↑ "Bermuda Mops Up After Fabian, Thousands Without Power", Reuters News Service, Sept. 9, 2003.
  35. ↑ Rutstein, Dan (October 2, 2003). "It was like a war zone". The Royal Gazette . Retrieved 2013-09-02.
  36. ↑ "Airport Soldiers On" and "Flying to the Rescue", Bermuda Sun, September 10, 2003.
  37. ↑ Stephen Breen (2003). "Bermuda hotels closed indefinitely by Fabian damage". CYBER DIVER News Network. Archived from the original on November 18, 2006. Retrieved 2006-10-17.
  38. ↑ Sam Stevens (2003). "Mid Ocean counts cost of storm". The Royal Gazette.
  39. ↑ [ dead link ] Fabian's brutal South Shore legacy. By Matthew Taylor. The Royal Gazette. Published 9 September, 2003
  40. 1 2 South Carolina Maritime Heritage Foundation (2004). "South Carolina Maritime Heritage Foundation Restores Lost Plants in Bermuda". Archived from the original on October 8, 2006. Retrieved 2006-10-17.
  41. ↑ Environment News Service (2003). "Bermuda's National Bird Blown Away" . Retrieved 2006-10-17.
  42. 1 2 3 Stormcarib.net (2003). "Unofficial Reports from Bermuda" . Retrieved 2006-10-17.
  43. 1 2 Karen Smith; Dan Rutstein (2003). "Search for the missing a difficult job". The Royal Gazette.
  44. 1 2 "Fabian moves on; 4 missing". Associated Press. 2003-09-07.
  45. ↑ National Climatic Data Center (2003). "Event Report for North Carolina". Archived from the original on March 28, 2007. Retrieved 2006-10-17.
  46. ↑ Sean Collins; the Surfline Forecast Team (2003). "Wavetraks September 2003 Newsletter" . Retrieved 2006-10-17.
  47. ↑ Canadian Hurricane Centre (2004). "2003 Tropical Cyclone Season Summary" . Retrieved 2006-10-17.
  48. 1 2 3 Stephen Breen (2003). "First body recovered". The Royal Gazette.
  49. ↑ The Royal Gazette (2003). "Communication Breakdown".
  50. ↑ Ayo Johnson (2003). "Shoppers urged not to panic buy for essentials".
  51. ↑ Dan Rutstein (2003). "Premier turns down UK offer to help". The Royal Gazette.
  52. ↑ BirdLife International (2005). "Cahows bounce back as Bermudans build burrows". Archived from the original on 2012-10-03. Retrieved 2006-10-17.
  53. ↑ Terceira, Amy: What's old is new in Harbour View, The Royal Gazette, March 13, 2004
  54. ↑ "Minister lays wreath to Fabian victims". The Royal Gazette . September 1, 2013. Retrieved 2013-09-02.
  55. ↑ "Modellers estimate $200m-$400m in insured losses from Gonzalo". The Royal Gazette. October 22, 2014. Retrieved May 15, 2015.
  56. ↑ "Worldwide Tropical Cyclone Names". Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. May 19, 2008. Archived from the original on August 4, 2008. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  57. ↑ National Hurricane Operations Plan (PDF) (Report). Washington, D.C.: NOAA Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research. May 2004. p. 3-9. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  58. ↑ Sarah Titterson (2004). "Fabian's out ... Frodo's in?". The Royal Gazette.
  59. ↑ World Meteorological Organization (2004). "Replacement Names for 2003 Atlantic Hurricanes (Fabian, Isabel, and Juan) and 2002 Hurricane Lili" (DOC). Retrieved 2007-02-11.[ dead link ]

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.