1991 Perfect Storm

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"Halloween Storm" redirects here. For the 2011 nor'easter, see 2011 Halloween nor'easter.

1991 "Perfect Storm"
extratropical)
Overall effects
Fatalities13 direct
Damage>$200 million (1991 USD)
Areas affectedMid-Atlantic states, Northeastern United States, Eastern Canada
IBTrACSEdit this at Wikidata
Part of the 1991 Atlantic hurricane season

The 1991 Perfect Storm, also known as The No-Name Storm (especially in the years immediately after it took place)[1] and the Halloween Gale/Storm, was a damaging and deadly nor'easter in October 1991. Initially an extratropical cyclone, the storm absorbed Hurricane Grace to its south and evolved into a small unnamed hurricane later in its life. Damage from the storm totaled over $200 million (1991 USD)[2] and thirteen people were killed in total, six of which were an outcome of the sinking of Andrea Gail, which inspired the book and later movie, The Perfect Storm. The nor'easter received the name, playing off the common expression, after a conversation between Boston National Weather Service forecaster Robert Case and author Sebastian Junger.

The initial

Mid-Atlantic states and turned toward the northeast. On November 1, the system evolved into a full-fledged hurricane, with peak sustained winds of 75 miles per hour (120 km/h), although the National Hurricane Center left it unnamed to avoid confusion amid media interest in the precursor extratropical storm. The system was the twelfth and final tropical cyclone, the eighth tropical storm, and fourth hurricane in the 1991 Atlantic hurricane season
. The tropical system weakened, striking Nova Scotia as a tropical storm before dissipating.

Most of the damage occurred while the storm was extratropical, after waves up to 30 feet (10 m) struck the coastline from Nova Scotia to Florida and southeastward to Puerto Rico. In portions of New England, the damage was worse than that caused by

vacation home of then-President George H. W. Bush. More than 38,000 people were left without power, and along the coast high waves inundated roads and buildings. Off the shore of New York's Long Island, an Air National Guard helicopter ran out of fuel and crashed; four members of its crew were rescued and one died. Two people died after their boat sank off Staten Island
. High waves swept two people to their deaths, one in Rhode Island and one in Puerto Rico, and another person was blown off a bridge to his death. The tropical cyclone that formed late in the storm's duration caused little impact, limited to power outages and slick roads; one person was killed in Newfoundland from a traffic accident related to the storm.

Meteorological history

See also: Hurricane Grace (1991)
Storm track beginning southeast of Canada as an extratropical storm, moving westward toward New England, becoming tropical as it looped to the northeast, and later dissipating over Prince Edward Island
Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

The Perfect Storm originated from a cold front that exited the east coast of the United States. On October 28, the front spawned an extratropical low to the east of Nova Scotia. Around that time, a ridge extended from the Appalachian Mountains northeastward to Greenland, with a strong high pressure center over eastern Canada. The blocking ridge forced the extratropical low to track toward the southeast and later to the west. Hurricane Grace was swept aloft by its cold front into the warm conveyor belt circulation of the deep cyclone on October 29, with the storm completely absorbing Grace by the next day.[3] The cyclone significantly strengthened as a result of the temperature contrast between the cold air to the northwest, and the warmth and moisture from the remnants of Grace. The low-pressure system continued deepening as it drifted toward the United States.[3] It had an unusual retrograde motion for a nor'easter, beginning a set of meteorological circumstances that occur only once every 50 to 100 years.[4] Most nor'easters affect New England from the southwest.[5]

The tropical storm making landfall west of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, on November 2

While situated about 390 miles (630 km) south of

Halifax reported a wave height of 100.7 feet (30.7 m) on October 30. This became the highest recorded wave height on the Scotian Shelf, which is the oceanic shelf off the coast of Nova Scotia.[7] East of Cape Cod, a NOAA buoy located at 41°06′N 66°36′W / 41.1°N 66.6°W / 41.1; -66.6 reported maximum sustained winds of 56 mph (90 km/h) with gusts to 75 mph (121 km/h), and a significant wave height (average height of the highest one-third of all waves) of 39 feet (12 m) around 15:00 UTC on October 30. Another buoy, located at 40°30′N 69°30′W / 40.5°N 69.5°W / 40.5; -69.5, reported maximum sustained winds of 61 mph (98 km/h) with gusts to 72 mph (116 km/h) and a significant wave height of 31 feet (9.4 m) near 00:00 UTC on October 31.[3]

Upon peaking in intensity, the nor'easter turned southward and gradually weakened; by November 1, its pressure had risen to 998 millibars (29.5 inHg). The low moved over warm waters of the

Hurricane Karl during 1980 formed within a larger non-tropical weather system.)[10]

By around 14:00 UTC on November 1, an

Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale. The hurricane accelerated toward the northeast and quickly weakened back into a tropical storm. It made landfall near Halifax, Nova Scotia, at 14:00 UTC on November 2, with sustained winds of 45 mph (72 km/h). While the storm was approaching the coast, weather radars depicted curved rainbands on the western side of the system.[9] After crossing over Prince Edward Island,[7] the storm fully dissipated late on November 2.[9]

Preparations and naming

The Perfect Storm to the south of Nova Scotia on October 30.

For several days, weather models forecast the development of a significant storm off New England.[6] However, the models were inadequate in forecasting coastal conditions, which in one instance failed to provide adequate warning. In addition, a post-storm assessment found an insufficient number of observation sites along the coast.[13] On October 27, the Ocean Prediction Center noted that a "dangerous storm" would form within 36 hours, with its wording emphasizing the unusual nature of the storm.[14] The National Weather Service likewise issued warnings for the potential storm, providing information to emergency service offices as well as the media.[13] The public however was skeptical and did not recognize the threat.[4][13] The timely warnings ultimately lowered the death toll;[13] whereas the Perfect Storm caused 13 deaths, the blizzard of 1978 killed 99 people, and the 1938 New England hurricane killed 564 people.[6]

From Massachusetts to Maine, thousands of people evacuated their homes and sought shelter.[15] A state of emergency was declared for nine counties in Massachusetts, including Suffolk County, as well as two in Maine.[5][16] In North Carolina, the National Weather Service offices in Hatteras and Raleigh first issued a heavy surf advisory on October 27, more than eight hours before the first reports of high waves. That same day, a coastal flood watch and later a warning was issued, along with a gale warning. The Hatteras NWS office ultimately released 19 coastal flood statements, as well as media reports explaining the threat from the wind and waves, and a state of emergency was declared for Dare County, North Carolina.[15] The warnings and lead times in the region were described as "very good".[17]

In Canada, the threat from the storm prompted the cancellation of ferry service from Bar Harbor, Maine, to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, as well as from Nova Scotia to Prince Edward Island and between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.[7]

In its

tropical cyclone report on the hurricane, the National Hurricane Center only referred to the system as "Unnamed Hurricane".[8] The Natural Disaster Survey Report called the storm "The Halloween Nor'easter of 1991".[6] The "perfect storm" moniker was coined by author and journalist Sebastian Junger after a conversation with NWS Boston Deputy Meteorologist Robert Case in which Case described the convergence of weather conditions as being "perfect" for the formation of such a storm.[4] Other National Weather Service offices were tasked with issuing warnings for this storm in lieu of the typical NHC advisories. The OPC posted warnings on the unnamed hurricane in its High Seas Forecasts.[14] The National Weather Service State Forecast Office in Boston issued Offshore Marine Forecasts for the storm. Local NWS offices along the East coast covered the storm in their Coastal Waters Forecasts.[18]

Beginning in 1950, the National Hurricane Center named officially recognized tropical storms and hurricanes. The unnamed hurricane was reported to have met all the criteria for a tropical cyclone, but it was purposefully left unnamed. This was done to avoid confusion among the media and the public, who were focusing on the damage from the initial nor'easter, as the hurricane itself was not expected to pose a major threat to land. It was the eighth nameable storm of the 1991 Atlantic hurricane season.[9][19] Had the system been named instead, it would have received the name Henri, which was the next name on the 1991 list after Grace.[20]

Impact

Oceanfront flooding in Ocean City, New Jersey on October 31.

The Halloween Storm of 1991 left significant damage along the east coast of the United States, primarily in Massachusetts and southern New Jersey. Across seven states, damage totaled over $200 million (1991 USD).[2] Over a three-day period, the storm lashed the northeastern United States with high waves,[6] causing damage to beachfront properties from North Carolina to Maine.[13] The coastal flooding damaged or destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses and closed roads and airports.[3] In addition, high winds left about 38,000 people without power. The total without power was much less than for Hurricane Bob two months prior, and was fairly low due to little rainfall and the general lack of leaves on trees.[16] Overall there were thirteen confirmed deaths,[6][7] including six on board Andrea Gail, a swordfishing boat. The vessel departed Gloucester, Massachusetts, for the waters off Nova Scotia. After encountering high seas in the middle of the storm, the vessel made its last radio contact late on October 28, about 180 miles (290 km) northeast of Sable Island. Andrea Gail sank while returning to Gloucester, her debris washing ashore over the subsequent weeks. The crew of six was presumed killed after a Coast Guard search was unable to find them. The storm and the boat's sinking became the center-piece for Sebastian Junger's best-selling non-fiction book The Perfect Storm (1997), which was adapted to a major Hollywood film in 2000 as The Perfect Storm starring George Clooney.[3][21]

Tamaroa, a Coast Guard cutter that rescued the crew of a downed Air National Guard helicopter

Despite the storm's severity, it was neither the costliest nor the strongest to affect the northeastern United States. It was weakening as it made its closest approach to land, and the highest tides occurred during the

neap tide, which is the time when tide ranges are minimal.[6] The worst of the storm effects stayed offshore. A buoy 650 miles (1,050 km) northeast of Nantucket, which was 60 miles (97 km) west of Andrea Gail's last known position, recorded a 73 ft (22 m) rise in wave height in 10 hours while the extratropical storm was still rapidly intensifying. Two buoys near the Massachusetts coast observed record wave heights, and one observed a record wind report.[6] The United States Coast Guard rescued 25 people at sea at the height of the storm,[22] including 13 people from Long Island Sound.[5] A New York Air National Guard Sikorsky HH-60G helicopter of the 106th Air Rescue Wing ditched during the storm, 90 miles (140 km) south of Montauk, New York, after it was unable to refuel in flight and ran out of fuel. After the helicopter had attempted a rescue in the midst of the storm, an 84-person crew on the Coast Guard Cutter Tamaroa arrived and rescued four members of the crew of five after six hours in hypothermic waters. The survivors were pilots, Major Christopher David Ruvola and Captain Graham Buschor, flight engineer Staff Sergeant James R. Mioli, and pararescue jumper Technical Sergeant John Spillane. The fifth member, pararescue jumper Technical Sergeant Arden Richard Smith, was never found.[23] They were all featured on the show I Shouldn't Be Alive.[5][16][24]

Following the storm's damage, President George H. W. Bush declared five

Jim Florio requested a declaration for portions of the coastline, but the request was denied because of the funding needs of other disasters, such as Hurricane Hugo, Hurricane Bob, and the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.[26] The American Red Cross opened service centers in four locations in Massachusetts to assist the storm victims by providing food, clothing, medicine, and shelter. The agency deployed five vehicles carrying cleanup units and food, and allocated $1.4 million to provide assistance to 3,000 families.[25]

New England and Atlantic Canada

Along the Massachusetts coastline, the storm produced 25 ft (7.6 m) wave heights on top of a 4 ft (1.2 m) high tide.[2] In Boston, the highest tide was 14.3 ft (4.4 m),[6] which was only 1 ft (30 cm) lower than the record from the blizzard of 1978.[2] High waves on top of the storm tide reached about 30 ft (9.1 m). The storm produced heavy rainfall in southeastern Massachusetts, peaking at 5.5 inches (140 mm).[6] Coastal floods closed several roads, forcing hundreds of people to evacuate. In addition to the high tides, the storm produced strong winds; Chatham recorded a gust of 78 mph (126 km/h). Damage was worst from Cape Ann in northeastern Massachusetts to Nantucket, with over 100 homes destroyed or severely damaged at Marshfield, Minot Beach in Scituate, and Brant Point. There were two injuries in the state, although there were no fatalities. Across Massachusetts, damage totaled in the hundreds of millions of dollars.[2]

Street flooding in Ocean City, New Jersey, from the storm

Elsewhere in New England, waves up to 30 ft (9.1 m) reached as far north as Maine,[2] along with tides that were 3 ft (0.91 m) above normal.[22] Significant flooding was reported in that state, along with high winds that left areas without power. A total of 49 houses were severely damaged, 2 were destroyed,[2] and overall more than 100 were affected.[27] In Kennebunkport, the storm blew out windows and flooded the vacation home of then-President George H. W. Bush.[3] The home sustained significant damage to its first floor.[28] In Portland, tides were 3 ft (0.91 m) above normal, among the ten highest tides since record-keeping began in 1914. Along the coast, damage was worse than that caused by Hurricane Bob two months prior.[27] Across Maine, the storm left $7.9 million (1991 USD) in damage,[2] mostly in York County.[27] More than half of the damage total was from property damage, with the remainder to transportation, seawalls, and public facilities.[27] Although there were no deaths, there were two injuries in the state. In neighboring New Hampshire, coastal flooding affected several towns, destroying two homes. The storm destroyed three boats and damaged a lighthouse.[2] High waves destroyed or swept away over 50,000 lobster traps, representing $2 million in losses (1991 USD).[29] Damage was estimated at $5.6 million (1991 USD).[2] Further west, high winds and coastal flooding lashed the Rhode Island and Connecticut coasts, killing a man in Narragansett, Rhode Island. Winds reached 63 miles per hour (101 km/h) in Newport, Rhode Island, causing power outages.[2]

Off the coast of Atlantic Canada, the storm produced very high waves, flooding a ship near

Pictou County were left without power. The storm also caused widespread power outages in Newfoundland from its high winds, which reached 68 mph (110 km/h) near St. Lawrence. There were at least 35 traffic accidents, one fatal, in Grand Falls-Windsor due to slick roads. On October 28, prior to the nor'easter's development into a subtropical storm, a record 4.4 in (116 mm) of snowfall was recorded across Newfoundland.[7] The storm caused no significant damage in Canada, other than these traffic accidents.[30]

Mid-Atlantic states

The cyclone near its closest approach to the United States

In New York and northern New Jersey, the storm system left the most coastal damage since the

Sandbridge Beach area of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Tides in Ocean City, Maryland, reached a record height of 7.8 ft (2.4 m), while elsewhere the tides were similar to the Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962.[2]

Farther south

In North Carolina along the

Lake Worth.[2] In some locations, beaches gained additional sand from the wave action.[31] Two people went missing off Daytona Beach after their boat lost power.[5] High waves destroyed a portion of State Road A1A.[32] Damage in the state was estimated at $3 million (1991 USD).[2] High waves also affected Bermuda, the Bahamas, and the Dominican Republic.[3] In Puerto Rico, waves of 15 ft (4.6 m) affected the island's north coast, which prompted 32 people to seek shelter. The waves swept a person off a large rock to his death.[2]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Unnamed Hurricane (1991).

References

  1. ^ Beegel, Susan F. "Journal of the No-Name Storm". Nantucket Historical Association. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s McCown, Sam (August 20, 2008). ""Perfect Storm" Damage Summary" (PDF). National Climatic Data Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 6, 2021. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j National Climatic Data Center (August 20, 2008). "The Perfect Storm". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on January 9, 2017. Retrieved September 14, 2009.
  4. ^ a b c "NOAA Meteorologist Bob Case, the Man Who Named the Perfect Storm". National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration News. June 16, 2000. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Staff writer (October 31, 1991). "East battered by storm born off Canada; 4 lost". The Pittsburgh Press. Associated Press. Archived from the original on April 29, 2016. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Drag, Walter (July 14, 2000). "A comparative retrospective on the Perfect Storm". Boston National weather Service Office. Archived from the original on February 14, 2013. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
  7. ^ a b c d e Canadian Hurricane Centre (September 14, 2010). "1991-Unnamed "Perfect Storm"". Environment Canada. Archived from the original on October 5, 2013. Retrieved June 17, 2011.
  8. ^ a b Pasch, Richard. "Unnamed Hurricane Preliminary Report Page 1". National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved September 14, 2009.
  9. ^ a b c d National Climatic Data Center. "Unnamed Hurricane". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on December 7, 2013. Retrieved September 14, 2009.
  10. ^ Pasch, Richard; Avila, Lixion (March 26, 1992). "Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1980" (PDF). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. p. 2686. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 7, 2010. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
  11. ^ Pasch, Richard. "Unnamed Hurricane Preliminary Report Page 2". National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved September 14, 2009.
  12. ^ "Atlantic hurricane best track (HURDAT version 2)" (Database). United States National Hurricane Center. April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2024. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  13. ^ a b c d e "Executive Summary" (PDF). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
  14. ^ a b Hoke, Jim (February 16, 2005). "The Ocean Prediction Center and "The Perfect Storm"". Oceanic Prediction Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on February 23, 2013. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
  15. ^ a b Rogers, John (October 31, 1991). "Atlantic Storm Wallops East Coast". The Item. Associated Press. Archived from the original on May 20, 2016. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  16. ^ a b c Staff writer (October 31, 1991). "Wind and water take toll along Connecticut Shore". Record-Journal. Associated Press. Archived from the original on May 2, 2016. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  17. ^ a b c Pelissier, Joseph (1991). "North Carolina Coastal Flood" (GIF). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on December 30, 2013. Retrieved June 16, 2011.
  18. ^ Pasch, Richard (1991). "Unnamed Hurricane Preliminary Report Page 4". National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved June 16, 2011.
  19. ^ "Canadian Tropical Cyclone Season Summary for 1991". Canadian Hurricane Centre. July 10, 2009. Archived from the original on October 2, 2013. Retrieved September 14, 2009.
  20. ^ Staff Writer (June 2, 1991). "Ana, Bob, Claudette first hurricane names". Portsmouth Daily Times. Archived from the original on April 29, 2016. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
  21. ^ Park, Paula (November 11, 1991). "Search Ended for Lost Fishermen". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Archived from the original on April 27, 2016. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  22. ^ a b c Staff writer (September 11, 2011). "Storms turn elements loose: waves, flood, snow, wind". Star-News. Archived from the original on May 27, 2016. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  23. ^ "Surviving The Perfect Storm - Air National Guard" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on December 3, 2013. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  24. ^ Thiesen, William H. (November 4, 2010). "History – CGC Tamaroa and "The Perfect Storm"". Coastguard Compass. Archived from the original on March 18, 2012. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  25. ^
    The Sunday Telegraph. Associated Press. Archived
    from the original on May 1, 2016. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  26. ^
    ISBN 0-945582-51-X
    .
  27. ^ a b c d Hidlay, William C. (November 1, 1991). "Maine hit hard by storm". Bangor Daily News. Associated Press. Archived from the original on September 9, 2015. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  28. ^ Staff writer (October 31, 1991). "Bush to assess damage to Kennebunkport home battered by sea". The Pittsburgh Press. Associated Press. Archived from the original on May 12, 2016. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  29. ^ Staff writer (November 2, 1991). "N.H. lobster industry says it was hit hard". The Telegraph. Associated Press. Archived from the original on May 20, 2016. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  30. ^ Pasch, Richard. "Unnamed Hurricane Preliminary Report Page 3". National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved September 14, 2009.
  31. ^ Herzog, Carl (November 2, 1991). "Erosion is a sampling of hurricane's potential". Boca Raton News. Archived from the original on April 25, 2016. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  32. ^ Staff writer (November 1, 1991). "Wintry blast sends snow into Texas". The News-Journal. Archived from the original on May 19, 2016. Retrieved July 3, 2011.

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