1933 Chesapeake–Potomac hurricane
Mid-Atlantic States, Northeastern United States, Atlantic Canada | |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1933 Atlantic hurricane season |
The 1933 Chesapeake–Potomac hurricane
Across the eastern United States, the hurricane left widespread damage amounting to over $40 million (equivalent to about $800 million in 2020[4]) and causing at least 47 deaths. Although the storm struck North Carolina, damage in the state totaled only about $250,000,[nb 2] largely to crops and transport. Along the Chesapeake Bay, the storm produced 100-year flooding from its storm surge, setting records that remained for 70 years. In Virginia, flooding covered downtown portions of Norfolk in the southeast and Alexandria in the north. Damage in the state was estimated at $17.5 million. Similarly heavy damage occurred in Maryland, including over $7 million to crops. High waves along the coast eroded beaches and created a new inlet at Ocean City. The highest rainfall associated with the hurricane was 13.28 in (337 mm) at York, Pennsylvania. In the state, the rains flooded several rivers which forced thousands to evacuate. In neighboring New Jersey, high waves wrecked boats and destroyed a fishing pier, while in New York, flooding caused traffic jams. In Atlantic Canada, heavy rainfall assisted firefighters in combating wildfires, and the associated winds caused isolated power outages.
Meteorological history
On August 13, a tropical depression developed near the west coast of Africa, southeast of
After remaining near peak intensity for three days, the hurricane began steadily weakening while curving more to the west-northwest,
Preparations and impact
The hurricane first affected Bermuda when it passed to the south. Winds at St. George's reached 64 mph (103 km/h).[6] High waves along the coast prevented boats from docking.[8]
Early on August 21, the Weather Bureau issued
North Carolina and Virginia
When the hurricane made landfall in the Outer Banks, it produced winds of 76 mph (122 km/h) at Cape Hatteras.[5] The winds caused crop damage as far inland as Granville County.[13] The four-masted schooner G.A. Kohler hailing from Baltimore and bound for Haiti was driven ashore at Hatteras by the high winds. Across the region, the storm downed power lines, washed out highways, wrecked boats, and destroyed houses, and overall damage in the state was around $250,000.[14]
As the hurricane moved into Virginia, winds were as strong as 82 mph (132 km/h) at Cape Henry, while Norfolk reported winds of 70 mph (110 km/h).[5] The latter city reported a record high tide of 9.8 ft (3.0 m) above normal at Sewell's Point, which flooded the downtown section with 5 ft (1.5 m) of water. Water levels were 5 to 8 ft (1.5 to 2.4 m) higher than any previous high water mark in Newport News and most of Fort Eustis was flooded. In Hampton the storm surge flooded Langley Air Force Base, swamped homes and businesses, wrecked boats, and destroyed fishing piers. Rainfall in Chesapeake reached about 10 in (250 mm),[1] and reached about 7 in (180 mm) in Norfolk.[6] Flooding near Norfolk damaged crops,[1] and after its downtown section was flooded, residents were forced to travel by boat. When the flood levels dropped, many fish were left behind in the streets.[7] High water levels of around 4 ft (1.2 m) along the York River destroyed buildings at Gloucester Point.[1] In Virginia Beach, the storm knocked down about 600 trees, many of them about 100 years old, and over 79,000 people lost telephone service.[15]
Due to advance warning, there was minimal damage to shipping in the region.
Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic
Farther north, it is estimated the storm produced hurricane-force winds in portions of Maryland.
In neighboring Delaware, road damage was about $150,000,
Hurricane-force winds potentially affected portions of Delaware and southern New Jersey. In Atlantic City, New Jersey, winds reached 76 mph (122 km/h) at a height of 171 ft (52 m), which is 67 mph (108 km/h) at sea level.[5] At the time, this was the highest wind report for the station in the month of August.[14] Rainfall in Atlantic City totaled 8.12 in (206 mm), including 2.25 in (57 mm) that fell in an hour on August 20,[7] which was the monthly average. Two people drowned along the Jersey Shore due to high waves,[18] and the storm capsized nine boats.[19] The waves destroyed a 300 ft (91 m) long fishing pier in Cape May.[10] High winds damaged the boardwalk while streets were flooded in Atlantic City, and there was about $3 million in damage.[14] The storm spawned a tornado in Wildwood. At Picatinny Arsenal, residents and members of the military helped prevent a dam from breaking.[7] Sustained winds of around 35 mph (56 km/h) were observed across northern New York,[5] while the top of the Empire State Building reported a gust of 90 mph (140 km/h).[16] Heavy rainfall in the state increased water levels along streams, causing one person to drown at Mount Tremper.[14] After a dam broke, 190 people at Godeffroy were stranded until they were rescued by a fire crew.[20] A power outage during the storm caused the Statue of Liberty torch to extinguish for the first time since 1929.[7] Streets and basements of New York City were flooded after the heavy rainfall.[19] The combination of flooding and fallen trees caused heavy traffic jams.[16]
The former hurricane passed near southern Quebec as a tropical depression, and later crossed southern Nova Scotia as an extratropical cyclone. Along Lake Ontario, winds reached 51 mph (82 km/h), and in Montreal, winds reached 21 mph (34 km/h). After a dry summer, the storm's accompanying rainfall was beneficial, reaching 4.4 inches (110 mm) in Fredericton, New Brunswick and 2 inches (51 mm) in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The rains helped farmers in Ontario and assisted firefighters in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. In Montreal, 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rainfall flooded a tunnel. Gusty winds knocked down power lines in portions of Quebec, Nova Scotia, and Nova Scotia. Overall effects were minor, limited to some utility damage and delays for shipping.[21]
See also
- Hurricane Fran
- Hurricane Isabel
- Hurricane Florence
- List of North Carolina hurricanes (1900–49)
- List of Delaware hurricanes
Notes
- Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale was developed in 1971,[2] and has been retroactively applied to the entirety of the Atlantic hurricane database.[3]
- ^ All damage totals are in 1933 United States dollars unless otherwise stated.
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i David Roth (2007-03-01). Early Twentieth Century Virginia Hurricane History (Report). Weather Prediction Center. Retrieved 2013-09-19.
- ^ Jack Williams (2005-05-17). "Hurricane scale invented to communicate storm danger". USA Today. Retrieved 2013-08-04.
- ^ Chronological List of All Continental United States Hurricanes: 1851-2012 (Report). Hurricane Research Division. June 2013. Archived from the original on 2014-02-10. Retrieved 2013-08-03.
- Gross Domestic Product deflatorfigures follow the MeasuringWorth series.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Chris Landsea; et al. (May 2012). Documentation of Atlantic Tropical Cyclones Changes in HURDAT (1933) (Report). Hurricane Research Division. Retrieved 2013-09-23.
- ^ . Retrieved 2013-09-23.
- ^ ISBN 9780978628000. Retrieved 2013-09-26.
- ^ "Hurricane Prevents Ships from Making Bermuda". The Lewiston Daily Sun. United Press. 1933-08-21. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
- ^ The Hurricanes of the 1930s in Virginia and North Carolina (Report). Wakefield, Virginia National Weather Service. Retrieved 2013-09-25.
- ^ a b c d "Hurricane Heads for Washington; Ship in Distress". The Lewiston Evening Journal. Associated Press. 1933-08-23. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
- ^ Chesapeake Bay Breakwater Database Project (May 2005). Hurricane Isabel Impacts to Four Breakwater Systems (PDF) (Report). Virginia Institute of Marine Science College of William & Mary. p. 1. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
- ISBN 9780160830860. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
- ^ James E. Hudgins (2000). Tropical Cyclones Affecting North Carolina since 1566 – An Historical Perspective (Report). Blacksburg, Virginia National Weather Service. p. 27. Archived from the original on 2007-03-11. Retrieved 2007-12-18.
- ^ . Retrieved 2013-09-25.
- ^ a b Hurricane History (Report). Virginia Department of Emergency Management. 2012. Archived from the original on 2016-10-02. Retrieved 2013-09-26.
- ^ a b c d e "Storm Holding Grip on Atlantic Coast; Claims Dozen Lives". The Evening Independent. Associated Press. 1933-08-22. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
- ^ David M. Roth (2012-11-16). Tropical Cyclone Rainfall Point Maxima (Report). Weather Prediction Center. Retrieved 2013-09-25.
- ^ "9 Die as Gale Hits U.S. Coast". The Leader-Post. Associated Press. 1933-08-22. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
- ^ a b "More Perish in Hurricane Along Coast". The Meriden Daily Journal. Associated Press. 1933-08-22. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
- ^ "Seaboard Storm Abates; Toll of Death Mounting". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. 1933-08-25. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
- ^ Detailed Storm Impacts - 1933-8 (Report). Environment Canada. 2009-09-18. Retrieved 2013-09-23.