Hurricane Jeanne was a Category 3 major hurricane that affected the Lesser Antilles,Puerto Rico,The US Virgin Islands,Hispaniola,The Bahamas,and the US East Coast. It was the deadliest tropical cyclone in the Atlantic basin since Mitch in 1998,and the deadliest tropical cyclone worldwide in 2004. Jeanne was the tenth named storm,the seventh hurricane,and the fifth major hurricane of the season,as well as the third hurricane and fourth named storm of the season to make landfall in Florida. After wreaking havoc on Hispaniola,Jeanne struggled to reorganize,eventually strengthening and performing a complete loop over the open Atlantic. It headed westwards,strengthening into a Category 3 hurricane and passing over the islands of Great Abaco and Grand Bahama in the Bahamas on September 25. Jeanne made landfall later in the day in Florida just two miles (three kilometers) from where Hurricane Frances had struck a mere three weeks earlier.
Building on the rainfall of Frances and Hurricane Ivan,Jeanne brought near-record flood levels as far north as West Virginia and New Jersey before its remnants turned east into the open Atlantic. Jeanne is blamed for at least 3,006 deaths in Haiti with about 2,800 in Gonaïves alone,which was nearly washed away by floods and mudslides. The storm also caused 18 in the Dominican Republic,8 deaths in Puerto Rico,and 5 in the rest of the United States,bringing the total number of deaths to at least 3,037,making Hurricane Jeanne one of the deadliest Atlantic hurricanes on record. Final property damage in the continental United States was $7.5billion,plus an additional $270 million in the Dominican Republic and $169.5 million in Puerto Rico.
Meteorological history
Map plotting the storm's track and intensity,according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
A tropical wave exited the west coast of Africa on September7, accompanied by scattered convection, or thunderstorms. It continued westward across the Atlantic Ocean, steered by a ridge to the north.[1][2] Further organization was hampered by wind shear produced by Hurricane Ivan in the Caribbean.[3] On September 11, convection became slightly better organized as the wave approached the Lesser Antilles, with some broad cyclonic turning.[4][5] Late on September13, the system developed into Tropical Depression Eleven about 70mi (110km) east-southeast of Guadeloupe.[6] At 04:00UTC on September14, the depression crossed the island. Later that day it strengthened into a tropical storm, namedJeanne by the National Hurricane Center (NHC).[1]
The developing tropical storm formed rainbands, well-defined outflow, and a tight inner-core, fueled by the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea.[7][8] Continuing to the west-northwest, Jeanne made landfall near Guayama, Puerto Rico at 16:00UTC on September15 with winds of 70mph (110km/h).[1] As it moved ashore, Jeanne was in the process of developing an eye.[9] While crossing the island, Jeanne maintained its eye feature, and it intensified further over the Mona Passage. At 11:00UTC, Jeanne attained hurricane status as it struck the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic on September16. It quickly weakened over land, and late on September17, Jeanne emerged back into the Atlantic Ocean as a tropical depression. Around that time, the NHC noted the potential that Jeanne could strike the southeastern United States in about five days; however, there was uncertainty in the forecast related to the remnants of Hurricane Ivan and a building ridge.[10]
Jeanne's original circulation dissipated as a new vorticity developed closer to the convection, and it soon regained tropical storm status. The storm moved northward through the Turks and Caicos Islands and slowly reorganized. Late on September20, Jeanne re-attained hurricane status while passing northeast of the Bahamas. Around this time, it turned to the east and began executing a clockwise loop.[1] A large eye developed,[11] and the hurricane crossed over its former track on September23. By this time, cooler waters from upwelling caused Jeanne to weaken briefly, followed by re-intensification on September24.[1] As it moved toward warmer waters, Jeanne's central convection intensified as its outflow improved.[12][13] At 12:00UTC on September 25, Jeanne became a Category3 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, which is major hurricane status. Two hours later, it made landfall on Abaco Island in the Bahamas, and later it moved over Grand Bahama Island.[1]
Originally, the NHC anticipated that Jeanne would turn northwestward and move ashore northeastern Florida.[12] However, the ridge to its north caused Jeanne to continue westward.[13] Late on September25, Jeanne attained peak winds of 120mph (195km/h).[1] An eyewall replacement cycle halted further strengthening, and at 0400UTC on September 26, Jeanne made landfall at peak intensity on the southern end of Hutchinson Island near Stuart, Florida. Its eye was 58mi (93km) in diameter, and the minimum barometric pressure at landfall was 950mbar (28inHg).[1][14] The hurricane moved ashore in almost the same location that Hurricane Frances hit 21days prior.[1][15] As it moved inland, Jeanne weakened, quickly losing its eye.[1] By 14hours after landfall, Jeanne weakened to tropical storm status near the Tampa Bay area.[1] After turning northward, Jeanne entered southern Georgia and weakened into a tropical depression.[1] The ridge to its north moved off the coast as a weak cold front moved toward Jeanne. The interaction between nearby dry air and Jeanne's circulation produced conditions favorable for a tornado outbreak.[16] After crossing into Virginia, Jeanne transitioned into an extratropical cyclone by September 29 near Washington, D.C. Later that day, the remnants of Jeanne exited into the Atlantic Ocean and merged with a cold front.[1]
Preparations
Caribbean
Hurricane Jeanne making landfall on the east coast of Hispaniola, September 16.
Upon Jeanne's formation, tropical storm watches and warnings were issued for islands across the northeastern Caribbean, including the Anguilla, Saba, Sint Eustatius, the Dutch portion of St. Martin, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The NHC issued hurricane warnings for the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) and Puerto Rico,[1] anticipating that Jeanne would become a hurricane before crossing the latter island.[17] USVI Governor Charles Wesley Turnbull issued a state of emergency and ordered the territory's schools to close.[18] Airports in the territory closed during the storm passage. In Puerto Rico, all ports were closed, and most flights were canceled, while the island's power grid was turned off to prevent damage. Government offices and courts were also closed. GovernorSila María Calderón forbade the sale of alcohol during the storm. Ferry service was temporarily suspended between the mainland and both Vieques and Culebra.[19][20] More than 1,000people fled to evacuation shelters in Puerto Rico.[21] In Vega Baja, an elderly man fell from a roof to his death while installing storm shutters.[19]
The first tropical storm watches for the Dominican Republic were issued on September14. By the time Jeanne made landfall, hurricane warnings were in place between Saona Island and Puerto Plata, covering much of the country's northeast coast.[1] Across the Dominican Republic, 22,740evacuated, more than half of whom stayed in one of 145official shelters. Officials in the country advised residents to stay away from the coast and waterways.[22] There were also tropical storm warnings along the northern coast of Haiti covering as far west as Môle-Saint-Nicolas.[1]
Bahamas
While Jeanne was still in the Caribbean, the Bahamas issued hurricane watches and warnings for the southeastern and central portion of the archipelago, beginning late on September15. These were downgraded to tropical storm warnings by the time Jeanne moved through the region, and canceled altogether by September19. Four days later, Jeanne again threatened the country, prompting additional hurricane watches and warnings for the central to northwestern Bahamas.[1] During Jeanne's second approach to the Bahamas, officials urged residents in low-lying homes to evacuate, while also setting up shelters on Abaco, Eleuthera, and Grand Bahama islands. About 2,500people stayed at shelters during the hurricane. The international airport on Grand Bahama temporarily closed during the storm. Because Hurricane Frances struck only about three weeks prior, numerous houses were still patched with plastic sheeting on their roofs, while displaced residents were still living with neighbors or relatives. Several cruise ships were diverted away from the country.[23][24]
United States
NHC forecast map on September22, several days prior to landfall
On September24, the NHC first issued hurricane warnings for the eastern Florida coast from Florida City to St. Augustine, including Lake Okeechobee. Additional hurricane warnings were later added for Florida's west coast from Englewood to the mouth of the Suwannee River on the Florida Panhandle. Tropical storm warnings were also issued as far west as Destin, for southern Florida, and as far northeast to central Georgia at the mouth of the Altamaha River.[1]
Due to Jeanne's threat, Florida governor Jeb Bush issued a state of emergency. On September25, officials first issued voluntary evacuations for Palm Beach, Martin, and St. Lucie County counties. On the same day, the St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant started to shut down. On September26, officials in six east Florida counties issued evacuation orders for residents in barrier islands, low-lying areas, and mobile homes.[25][26] Ultimately, about 2million people were under mandatory evacuation orders across 28counties. Roughly 61,000people utilized one of 298shelters. The roadways most used during the evuacuation were the Florida Turnpike and Interstate 75.[27][28][29] Preparations were complicated by the damage from Hurricane Frances, which made landfall in the state three weeks earlier. At least 21 county school districts closed classes, with schools in St. Lucie County having been closed since Hurricane Frances.[30]Florida Power and Light brought more than 2,500electric workers from around the country to help with anticipated power outages.[31] A National Football League game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins was delayed by 7 hours and 30 minutes because of the storm.[32]
While Jeanne moved through the southeastern United States on September27, the Storm Prediction Center issued a moderate risk of severe weather and tornadoes from Georgia to North Carolina.[16] Various National Weather Service (NWS) offices issued flood watches and warnings for the same states, extending into the Mid-Atlantic through Massachusetts.[33][34][35]
In its formative stages, Tropical Storm Jeanne dropped heavy rainfall across the northeastern Caribbean, reaching around 300mm (12in) on Guadeloupe.[1][36] The communes of Bouillante, Deshaies, and Pointe-Noire were the hardest hit. In Bouillante, 60homes were damaged. The storm ruptured water pipes in the city of Bois Malher, isolating about 1,000people. Damage to businesses resulted in 30employees being laid-off. Crops also suffered impact, especially bananas. At the Malendure resort, which is located along the coast, the pier, restaurants, and dive base were rendered unusable. In Deshaies, 110homes were severely damaged, including 60in the city of Ferry. About a dozen boats were beached or capsized. Many roads and bridges were inflicted with damage.[42] In Point-Noire, nearly 300single-family homes were damaged or demolished. Three bridges were destroyed, while numerous roads were also affected. Further south in Vieux-Habitants, roads also suffered damage, particularly in the Beaugendre area, leaving a dozen households isolated. A primary school was impacted beyond repairs. In Saint-François, a trench was dug along a major highway to prevent a residential subdivision from flooding.[42]
The heavy rains also caused low-lying flooding on Antigua and Barbuda, where the rainfall reached 2.03in (52mm).[36] In the British Virgin Islands, the storm's rains led to landslides that covered roads.[20] In the United States Virgin Islands, Jeanne dropped 12.67in (322mm) of rainfall at Charlotte Amalie, the territory's capital on St. Thomas. Around 20people on the island required rescue from floods. On the nearby island of Saint Croix, there were unofficial reports of 94mph (151km/h) wind gusts, while rainfall accumulated to 8.73in (222mm). The storm caused landslides, flooding, and crop damage on the island.[43] During the storm, two prisoners escaped from a St. Croix jail.[44] On St. John, the storm downed trees and caused landslides. Damage throughout the territory totaled US$6.4million, and about 50,000people lost power.[43][20]
Puerto Rico
Rainfall map of Jeanne in Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands
While moving across Puerto Rico, Jeanne dropped heavy rainfall which caused severe flooding along many rivers across the island.[1] Up to 23.75in (603mm) was recorded on the island of Vieques which corresponded to a 1 in a 100year event.[38] A station at Cayey recorded a wind gust of 72mph (116km/h), the highest recorded in Puerto Rico. Across Puerto Rico, Jeanne caused four direct fatalities. A woman died in Yabucoa when her home collapsed.[1] A person drowned along a stream in Moca. Two people died, and another was injured, when a tree struck a car near Yauco after the storm had passed. There were also fatalities indirectly related to the storm's passage, including two deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning from using generators.[38] About 70% of the island was still without electricity by three days after the storm, and half did not have running water; officials issued boil-water advisories as a result.[44]
Storm damage on Puerto Rico reached $169.5million. This included about $101.5million in crop damage, half of which involved bananas or plantains, affecting more than 15,500 acres (63km2) of farmlands. The storm also damaged coffee and wheat fields.[38] The island's power grid incurred about $60million in damage, with an additional $8million in damage to water systems. Throughout the island, the storm closed 302roads and bridges due to landslides and fallen trees. Flooding forced 3,629people to evacuate their houses to emergency shelters. The storm damaged schools, homes, and businesses.[38] 400 people had to evacuate near the Río Grande de Añasco.[45]
Dominican Republic
Striking the Dominican Republic as a hurricane, Jeanne produced strong winds and heavy rainfall, leading to 23fatalities.[1][36] A station at Cape Engaño, the easternmost point in the country, recorded 129km/h (80mph) winds. Rainfall reached 505.2mm (19.89in) at Saona Island over a three day period, including 366mm (14.4in) recorded on September16. Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, recorded 194.3mm (7.65in) over three ays, while Cabrera along the northern coast reported 330.2mm (13.00in) over the same period.[36] The rains led to river flooding and landslides, especially in the eastern half of the country.[36][22] The Yuna River overflowed and forced more than 37,000people to evacuate their homes.[46] The swollen Soco River temporarily isolated about 4,000people in Ramón Santana, and forced thousands of people to the roofs of their houses in San Pedro de Macorís.[36][22][47] Damage totaled $270million, which represented about 1.7% of the country's GDP. Hurricane Jeanne destroyed bridges and cut off roads, while also causing outages for electricity and telephone.[36] About 40% of El Seibo and Samaná provinces had damage to their electrical grid.[47] Hundreds of people were left homeless.[36] Floods knocked down trees and caused crop damage, with several farms losing all of their livestock.[22][48]
Haiti
Flooding in Haiti
Although Jeanne's center passed north of Haiti, its large circulation dropped heavy rainfall across the country from September17–19. Rainfall totals reached 330mm (13in) over a 36hour period. The intense rainfall produced floods and landslides across the country, leading to 3,006fatalities. In the coastal city of Gonaïves, floodwaters reached 16ft (5m) deep, resulting in 2,826fatalities.[1][36][49][37] There were 65deaths in Nord-Ouest department, mostly in Port-de-Paix, while around 300,000people in the province were left homeless.[50][51] There were also 47deaths elsewhere in Haiti.[50] Nationwide, Jeanne destroyed around 1,900houses, while damaging another 3,500homes.[52] Damage was heaviest in Artibonite, Centre, Nord-Ouest, and Suddepartments.[50] Due to the large number of deaths, many of the corpses were either incinerated or buried in mass graves.[53] In one instance, families of the deceased protested the mass burials and their lack of proper burial by throwing stones at a truck delivering corpses.[54] The floods and landslides were made worse by ongoing deforestation in the country, as well as floods in May 2004 that killed thousands in the country.[55][56] The country was also lacking proper disaster management when Jeanne struck, ruled by an interim government following a coup d'état, with security assistance from the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).[57][58]
The floods from Jeanne inundated about 80% of Gonaïves, a city of around 100,000people. Residents were forced onto their roofs or to flee to safer areas, including 600people that stayed in the city's cathedral. The infrastructure of Gonaïves was largely destroyed, with no functioning water system and limited electricity after Jeanne's passage. The floods blocked roads connecting Gonaïves with both Saint-Marc and Port-de-Paix. Floodwaters also destroyed the city's two hospitals and 90% of private clinics.[59][47][46][60][61][49][62] About 450members of MINUSTAH were displaced when floods damaged their camp.[63] About 30% of the city of Port-de-Paix was inundated by Les Trois Rivières, while parts of the city was covered in landslides.[46] In Gros-Morne, 100houses were destroyed.[49] The floods also washed away crops and livestock across the region.[47]
Bahamas
While moving through the Bahamas, Jeanne produced winds of major hurricane-force on Grand Bahama and Abaco islands.[1] The hurricane further damaged homes that were previously damaged by Hurricane Frances only three weeks earlier.[64] Nationwide, about 800homes were damaged or destroyed.[65] Across Grand Bahama and Abaco, Jeanne damaged power and water systems, as well as several roads.[66] Prime Minister Perry Christie declared both island groups as disaster areas on September27.[67] At Settlement Point on Grand Bahama, a Coastal-Marine Automated Network weather station recorded 142km/h (89mph).[1] Floodwaters inundated the island's international airport, temporarily closing it. Storm surge flooding also entered several homes near the coast in the eastern portion of the island. Storm shelters in Eight Mile Rock were damaged due to the hurricane's passage.[64] Floodwaters reached 3ft (0.91m) deep on Eleuthera, and 5ft (1.5m) deep at Marsh Harbour on Abaco. About one-third of the homes at Sandy Point had flood damage, with several homes also experienced roofing damage. In the Berry Islands, Jeanne eroded a causeway while also damaging homes and schools.[24][68]
United States
Throughout the mainland United States, Hurricane Jeanne left $7.66billion in damage.[69] There were also five direct deaths in the country – three in Florida, one in South Carolina, and one in Virginia.[1]
Florida
Storm surge and wave action from Hurricane Jeanne severely eroded Vero Beach
While moving through Florida, Jeanne produced hurricane-force winds along a 105mi (165km) portion of the coast, from near Stuart to near Cape Canaveral, and extending about halfway across the state. Tropical storm-force winds affected much of central Florida. The strongest sustained winds in the state was 91mph (146km/h), recorded at the Melbourne NWS office. Wind gusts reached 128mph (205km/h) at Fort Pierce Inlet, and 122mph (196km/h) in Vero Beach.[1] South of the landfall location, the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport recorded wind gusts of 56mph (90km/h), while Naples Municipal Airport recorded gusts to 45mph (72km/h).[70] Farther inland, Orlando International Airport recorded gusts of 77mph (124km/h).[1] Jeanne also spawned nine tornadoes in the state, most of which were in the eyewall or innermost rainbands. An F1 tornado touched down west of Vero Beach, knocking down trees near its path. An F0 twister knocked off an antenna on a condomium in Flagler Beach. Over a 20minute period, two F1tornadoes hit Barefoot Bay in Brevard County; the former knocked down a few trees, while the latter damaged about a dozen houses. An F0 tornado touched down in Codys Corner in Flagler County, damaging trees and power lines. The remaining tornadoes were all rated F0, and all touched down in St. Johns County.[39][71]
While moving ashore, Jeanne produced above-normal tides while moving ashore, with a 3.8ft (1.2m)storm surge recorded in Cape Canaveral.[1] High tides and waves eroded beaches from Jupiter Inlet to New Smyrna Beach, in combination with the previous Hurricane Frances, while also eroding parts of the Intracoastal Waterway. From Martin to Brevard counties, the storm surge occurred around the time of low tide, which limited damaging tidal floods. In New Smyrna Beach, the surge coincided with the high tides, resulting in significant erosion. Sand and ocean water covered parts of Florida State Road A1A, and parts of the route was washed away on Hutchinson Island. Erosion also damaged parts of the Sebastian Inlet Bridge, closing it for a week.[39][72] Water levels along Lake Okeechobee reached 7ft (2.1m) above normal, which flooded a few marinas.[70] Above normal tides occurred as far south as Key West, with portions of its airport inundated.[73] While Jeanne's circulation produced offshore winds along Florida's west coast, Cedar Key recorded a negative storm surge of 4.5ft (1.4m) below-normal tides. The hurricane also dropped heavy rainfall across the state, with the heaviest totals recorded along the eyewall's path through Osceola, Brevard, and Indian River counties.[1] Precipitation in the state peaked at 11.97in (304mm), recorded in Kenansville in Osceola County.[74] In Holder in Citrus County, the Withlacoochee River swelled to a record crest of 10.86ft (3.31m).[75]
Across Florida, the passage of the hurricane directly led to three fatalities. A man drowned in Palm Bay in Brevard County, driving his car into a flooded ditch. In Indian River County, an elderly woman died a few days after being injured during evacuations. In Clay County, a falling tree limb struck killed a child.[1] There were several additional fatalities indirectly related to the hurricane. A man in St. Lucie County was electrocuted by a downed power line. In Orange County, a man died after falling off a ladder while using a chainsaw. In Lake County, a woman died due to a fire, caused by a candle lit during a power outage.[39] Statewide, the hurricane left around 2million people without power.[76] The hurricane added to the agriculture damage caused by previous hurricanes Charley and Frances.[77] Jeanne destroyed the roofs of several homes that were previously damaged by Frances.[78]
In Martin County where Jeanne moved ashore, the hurricane damaged 4,234homes, including 181 that were destroyed.[39] The hurricane destroyed half of the roof for the Martin Memorial Hospital North in Stuart, which had just been repaired following Hurricane Jeanne.[76] In St. Lucie County to the north, damage totaled $1.2billion.[39] Thousands of homes in the county were damaged or destroyed, with dozens of mobile home trailer parks heavily damaged. In Fort Pierce Inlet, Jeanne's high tides destroyed dozens of boats. Damage reached $2billion in Indian River County, with more than 41,000homes damaged to some degree. Officials advised most Indian River County residents to boil water, due to power outages. Damage in neighboring Brevard County reached $320million. The Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center sustanied damage to panels. Farther north, thousands of homes were damaged in Volusia County due to the combination of high winds and floods along the St. Johns River.[79][80] South of the landfall location, the rains caused generally minor flooding, with locally severe floods in Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, and on farms in western Palm Beach County. Damage in the Miami area was greatest in Palm Beach County, reaching at least $260million; this included $30million in county agriculture damage.[70]
Farther inland, Jeanne damaged roofs and mobile homes from Okeechobee to Orange counties. In Lake County, more than 2,800homes were damaged, 111of which were destroyed. The storm also damaged citrus and other crops across the area.[81] About 2,000houses sustained severe damage in Highlands County, including 140 that were destroyed. Damage in the county reached $452million.[82] In Lakeland in Polk County, a retention pond overflowed and caused parts of a strip mall to collapse.[83] Floods closed streets in St. Cloud in Osceola County, including parts of U.S. Route 192.[84] Most rivers across northern Florida reached flood stage, which closed portions of Interstate 10. In Live Oak, several roads were washed out.[85] Parts of Punta Gorda were flooded by Jeanne's storm surge, while gusty winds removed the tarps from roofs damaged previously by Hurricane Charley.[86] In Dixie County along the Florida panhandle, Jeanne damaged 215homes, with 15 of them destroyed. The storm also washed out 30county roads.[87][88]
Southeastern United States
Storm total Rainfall from Jeanne
As Jeanne moved through the southeastern United States, it still produced gale-force wind gusts. Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport recorded wind gusts to 44mph (71km/h). The storm led to above-normal tides and beach erosion along the coast.[89] The storm also spawned five weak tornadoes across Georgia, all of them rated F0. The first touched down briefly in a forest in northern Clinch County, with at least 20trees snapped or knocked down. Two tornadoes struck Bulloch County, one near Statesboro and the other near Portal. They both damaged a few trees. Weak tornadoes also touched down near Millhaven in Screven County and near Perkins in Jenkins County.[89][90] The storm also dropped heavy rainfall. The highest precipitation total in Georgia was 8.98in (228mm), recorded near Tifton.[91] In southern Georgia, the rains produced flooding that washed out roads in Lowndes County, after the Withlacoochee River exceeded its banks. In Valdosta, around 700people evacuated due to floods, while schools and businesses were closed. The rains, in addition to gale-force wind gusts, knocked down trees and power lines, some of which fell onto homes. Around 36,000people in the Valdosta area were without power.[92] In Bibb County, dozens of trees fall, leaving 600people without power, and leading to one car accident.[93] Near Macon, the interchange between I-75 and I-16 was flooded. Farther north in the Atlanta area, heavy rainfall produced floods along the Chattahoochee River, along with nearby creeks and streams. Both the Peachtree and Nancy creeks in Fulton County exceeded flood stage, which inundated nearby homes and businesses that were flooded ten days earlier by Hurricane Ivan. The river flooding covered parts of a golf course. In Gwinnett County, the heavy rains damaged the roof of an apartment complex, forcing at least 75people to evacuate. A small lake in Union Point failed during the floods. Several minor roads across the area were washed out or closed. Damage in the Atlanta area reached $5million.[94]
While Jeanne was moving through the Bahamas, it produced rip currents that killed a swimmer in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina; five other people required rescue.[41] During its passage through the southeastern United States, Jeanne produced a severe weather outbreak across the region, spawning 17 tornadoes in South Carolina.[16][89] The most significant was an F2 that touched down near Ridgeway in Fairfield County, South Carolina. The twister destroyed five mobile homes while damaging two other homes, killing one person and injuring 13others.[95][1] There were six tornadoes that were rated F1. The first hit near Alcolu in Clarendon County, which destroyed two mobile homes and damaged a school, injuring four people. Near Lake City, a twister destroyed a barn and damaged a house. In Georgetown County, a tornado destroyed several sheds and outhouses, while also moving a mobile home off its foundation. In Marion County, a tornado damaged two homes, along with sheds and power lines. A twister in Newberry County damaged five houses. The final F1 tornado touched down near Gaffney, which destroyed a mobile home.[96] The remaining ten tornadoes were all rated F0, which touched down in Hampton, Berkeley, Aiken, Lee, Chesterfield, Dillon, Marlboro, Saluda, Lexington, and one in Newberry. The tornado in Dillon County touched down along I-95.[97] Jeanne's winds reached 41mph (67km/h) in Charleston. The wind gusts were strong enough to knock down trees and power lines, resulting in car crash and injuries in both Jasper and Colleton counties. The combination of high tides and heavy rainfall produced coastal flooding in Charleston.[89] The highest precipitation in the state was 5.89in (150mm).[91] The rains caused flooding along rivers and streams, especially near Greenwood and Abbeville. The floods damaged several roads and bridges, while also covering parts of interstates 26 and 385.[98][99] Waters from a water drain forced an apartment building in Honea Path to evacuate.[100] Several homes in Fountain Inn were also evacuated.[99] Stranded drivers required rescue from the floodwaters in Spartanburg County.[101]
Along the North Carolina coast, rip currents and high surf in North Carolina killed a swimmers in Corolla in Currituck County and Oak Island in Brunswick County.[40] During Jeanne's passage through the southeastern United States, there were seven tornadoes in North Carolina, none of them rated stronger than an F1. The first touched down twice along an 8mi (13km) path through Moore County, where it damaged 121buildings, including eight that were destroyed. The twister also crossed four golf courses, knocked down hundreds of trees, and destroyed 12cars. A brief F0 tornado, also in Moore County, knocked a tree onto a home. An F0 tornado touched down twice in Apex in Wake County, damaging a few power lines and mobile homes. A brief F0 tornado touched down in Richmond County, which downed a few trees and power lines. An F1 tornado hit near Oak City in Martin County, which blew the porch off a house and destroyed four large storage bins. In the town of Star in Montgomery County, an F0 tornado destroyed a chicken coop and moved a barn off its foundation, while also knocking a tree onto a home. An F1 tornado hit Patterson Springs in Cleveland County, knocking down several trees and power lines, some of which fell onto homes.[102] Jeanne also dropped heavy rainfall in the state, reaching 5.64in (143mm) at Clear Creek.[91] The rains led to flash flooding in parts of the state, which flooded roads across the state such as I-40 and I-85. Several motorists in Rowan County required rescue after driving through floodwaters. An elementary school was flooded in Danbury in Stokes County. In Cabarrus County, a school was evacuated due to rising floodwaters, while several homes and businesses were flooded.[103] Rainfall also extended into neighboring Tennessee, reaching 1.89in (48mm) in Del Rio.[91]
Mid-Atlantic
Damage from a tornado spawned by Hurricane Jeanne in Delaware
In Maryland, Jeanne produced up to 4in (100mm) of rain,[104] triggering flash flooding throughout the state.[105] Numerous roads were flooded,[106] including parts of Maryland Route 17.[107] Several rivers rose above their flood-stage, with the Big Elk Creek cresting at 9.3ft (2.8m), 0.3ft (0.091m) above food-stage.[108] A total of 50 roads were closed due to high water throughout the state. Numerous reports of stranded vehicles were sent to the Emergency Operations Center. In Carroll County, a group of inmates required rescue after the jail they were in flooded.[109] One brief F0 tornado touched down in the state near Solomons, causing minor damage.[110]
Throughout Delaware, the remnants of Jeanne produced between 4 and 8in (100 and 200mm) of rain,[111] peaking at 7.1in (180mm) at the University of Delaware.[104] This led to widespread street flooding and several rivers overflowed their banks. Forty people had to be rescued from a bus along the White Clay Creek after the creek crested at .59ft (0.18m) above flood-stage.[111] A strong F2 tornado touched down in the state, injuring five people and leaving $1million in damages. The tornado touched down in northern New Castle County and tracked for 5mi (8.0km) and generated winds up to 130mph (210km/h). The county airport sustained significant damage, five C-130 cargo planes were damaged, thousands of pounds of jet fuel spilled, and damaged hangars. At a nearby industrial park, metal siding was torn off buildings, windows were shattered and power lines were downed. A self-storage facility sustained substantial damage.[112]
As a result of the hurricane's impact, the name Jeanne was retired from the rotating lists of tropical cyclone names in the spring of 2005 by the World Meteorological Organization, and will never again be used for an Atlantic basin tropical cyclone.[113] It was replaced with the name Julia for the 2010 season.[114]
Haiti
After the deadly floods in Haiti, Prime Minister Gérard Latortue declared three days of national mourning.[47] On September22, members of the Haitian interim government, the United Nations, and the International Red Cross launched an appeal to the international community for donations.[115][50][58] The flood-stricken city Gonaïves was without electricity or communications. Road access was cut off until September20, when the UN peacekeeping mission, MINUSTAH, reopened the road. Haiti's Ministry of Agriculture shipped water from St. Marc to Gonaïves, with assistance from the local Red Cross. On September20 and again on the following day, the World Food Programme (WFF) sent a fleet of 12trucks to Gonaïves, carrying 40tons of food and 5,000loaves of bread each day.[47][49][59] Workers used trucks, boats, mules, and donkeys to distribute food to nearby villages.[116] However, the streets of Gonaïves remained covered in mud and stagnant floodwaters for weeks after the storm.[117] Due to damaged or blocked roads, Air Serv International helped transport relief workers to the hardest hit areas.[118] Over a 12day period after the disaster, CARE International provided meals to more than 278,000people, equal to 961metric tons of food.[119] United Nations troops used gunfire to suppress looting at food distribution locations.[120] Due to the insecurity, several nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) stopped their work in Gonaïves.[121] Violence in Port-au-Prince, associated with protests supporting previous Haitian President Aristide, disrupted food transport for a week, until conditions became safer on October7.[122][123] However, there were at least four instances of aid trucks being attacked or looted by mid-November, and three WFP trucks that were hijacked in December. On December31, a mob looted four metric tons of food from a food truck.[124][125] On January13, 2005, UN peacekeepers had to use tear gas after riots developed at a food distribution site.[126] The damage from Jeanne, in addition to subsequent drought conditions, diminished crop harvests in central Haiti by February 2005.[127] In the six months after the storm, the WFP distributed 6,386metric tons of food to people affected by the floods. Food distribution ended on March14, 2005.[128]
The World Health Organization (WHO) and Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) worked together to coordinate medical needs, providing personnel to assist local health departments and other humanitarian agencies. Teams from Médecins Sans Frontières, Cuba, and Argentina operated four field hospitals in Gonaïves, while Médecins du Monde opened a medical center.[51][49][62] The Canadian and Norwegian Red Cross set up an emergency field hospital while also repairing one of the city's damaged hospitals.[129] A team of Mexican health workers flew to Haiti to help with animal and bug control, as well as other illnesses. By October18, health access in Gonaïves improved to the levels before the floods. A day later, emergency relief activities ended, although thousands of people remained homeless.[52] The French Red Cross set up a water station capable of producing 30,000L (7,900USgal) of clean water each day.[130] There were 20water distribution sites by mid-October.[52]UNICEF, or the UN's Children's Fund, helped restore 50schools by the start of the 2005 school year.[131] The World Bank International Development Agency provided more than $19million toward the Emergency Recovery and Disaster Risk Management Project, which helped improved Haiti's capacity to manage natural disasters.[132] In July 2005, the Inter-American Development Bank provided a $27.1million loan to help farmers along the Rivière la Quinte by providing seeds and soil management.[133]
Various countries and organizations helped Haiti in the storm's aftermath.[121] The Organization of American States donated $25,000 to Haiti.[134] The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) provided $38million in assistance, in addition to ongoing assistance after the country's floods in May 2004. The aid was distributed through a variety of agencies, while also setting up cash-for-work projects.[121][135] The Canadian International Development Agency sent a flight with 14tons of supplies to Haiti, while also donating $1million to the WFP.[136][137] The European Community Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) provided €4million toward ongoing relief efforts in the country.[138] Separately, Germany authorized €200,000 in emergency aid, while the Netherlands sent €250,000.[139][140] The British Red Cross provided hygiene kits, blankets, and kitchen sets.[56] South Africa sent US$1million to the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency toward disaster relief in the Caribbean.[141] The government of Japan sent generators, jerrycans, and other supplies.[142] The Australian Agency for International Development provided A$100,000 to CARE Haiti.[143] CARE helped restore water systems in Gonaïves, while also providing corn, bean and sorghum seeds to rural farmers.[144] Workers from Hydro-Québec helped restore electricity to water irrigation pumps.[126] The government of New Zealand sent NZ$100,000 each to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and UNICEF.[145] The Gates Foundation donated $300,000 toward CARE's flood relief work in the country.[146] The Adventist Development and Relief Agency International distributed shoes, medicine, and food, while also providing counseling services.[147]Rise Against Hunger sent a boat with nearly $3million in supplies, including food and medicine.[148]Télécoms Sans Frontières set up temporary telephone access for about 2,000families over a 19day period.[121] On December14, 2004, Haitian musician Wyclef Jean released a music video for his song Gonaïves, to raise awareness and funds for the WFP and Jean's charitable organization, Yéle Haiti.[149]
Bahamas
Across the Bahamas, workers began clearing roads and restoring power after the storm passed.[68] Due to the severe damage from Jeanne in Abaco and Grand Bahama islands, as well as previous damage from Hurricane Frances, Bahamian Prime Minister Perry Christie requested international assistance for rebuilding.[67] The government of Japan provided ¥5.5million worth of emergency supplies, including tents and generators.[65]
United States
The collective response to hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne represented the largest operations in the history of both the American Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The previous largest FEMA operation was the response to the 1994 Northridge earthquake. Florida governor Jeb Bush deployed more than 3,000national guard members to help with relief work.[150][151][80]
Immediately after Jeanne's passage through Puerto Rico, electric companies began power restoration, with the western portion of the island repaired first.[152]United States PresidentGeorge W. Bush declared Puerto Rico a disaster area on September17, two days after Jeanne struck the island. Ultimately, the federal government provided $457million toward the disaster relief in Puerto Rico, which included emergency costs such debris removal. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved 159,978 individual assistance applications, which included temporary housing programs.[153][154] FEMA opened six disaster recovery centers, while also operating mobile centers across the island.[155] FEMA also provided counseling services for storm victims.[156] The federal government provided money to repair and upgrade roads, bridges, and electrical grids.[157]
President Bush designated the United States Virgin Islands as a disaster area on October7. The federal government provided about $1.7million in disaster assistance.[158]
On September26, the same day Jeanne moved ashore Florida, President Bush designated much of the state as a disaster area, covering all of the peninsula but Monroe County, and extending as far west as Wakulla County. Ultimately, FEMA spent $919million toward the Hurricane Jeanne recovery in the state. The agency approved individual assitance for 180,827people in the state.[159][160] Occurring weeks before the 2004 U.S. presidential election, the hurricane had significant political implications for the state of Florida. The storm cutting off electricity in the state lead to a lack of polling data, resulting in reduced campaign strategy by both candidates. In addition, especially in the aftermath of the previous election, Democrats made efforts to ensure everyone could vote in the aftermath of the hurricane.[161]
On October18, President Bush declared eight Virginia counties, as well as two cities, as a disaster area. FEMA provided $2.2million in individual assistance to the state.[162][163]New Castle County, Delaware was also designated a federal disaster area on November15. FEMA provided about $800,000 in public and emergency work.[164][165]
↑Albrigo, L. Gene; Buker, Richard S.; Burns, Jacqueline K.; Castle, William S.; Futch, Stephen; McCoy, Clayton W.; Muraro, Ronald P.; Rogers, Michael E.; Syvertsen, James P.; Timmer, L. W.; etal. (2005). "The Impact of Four Hurricanes in 2004 on the Florida Citrus Industry: Experiences and Lessons Learned"(PDF). Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 118. Florida State Horticultural Society: 66–74. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
↑National Hurricane Operations Plan(PDF) (Report). Washington, D.C.: NOAA Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research. May 2010. p.3-7. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
↑"Haiti Flash Appeal 2004". United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. October 1, 2004. ReliefWeb. Retrieved November 10, 2025.
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