Hurricane Fabian

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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 brought the hurricane steadily 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 1647Z.jpg
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 06 Sept 03 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]

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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 that affected Bermuda

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 Category 2 Atlantic hurricane 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 in 2020

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

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