Effects of Hurricane Irene in Connecticut
Tropical storm | |
---|---|
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Highest winds | 45 mph (75 km/h) |
Highest gusts | 65 mph (100 km/h) |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 10 |
Damage | $68 million (2011 USD) |
Areas affected | Connecticut |
[1] | |
Part of the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season |
The effects of Hurricane Irene in Connecticut were not as severe as farther south in New York and New Jersey, where the storm actually made landfall. Nonetheless, Connecticut still saw tropical storm force winds as a result of the hurricane which were attributed to 10 deaths.
Background
Since the 1600s, Connecticut has been affected by 73
On August 21, 2011, a
On the morning of August 27, Irene made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane near
Preparations
As early as August 24, residents in parts of Connecticut began bracing themselves for a potential strike from a hurricane.
Towns across Connecticut began enacting emergency plans, such as designating and preparing shelters, on August 25. Local
In
Impact
Although the center of Irene passed through southwestern Connecticut, the storm's asymmetric structure and weakened state limited the effects of winds across the state.[4] However, the long duration of winds in excess of 30 mph (48 km/h) led to widespread tree damage that left more than 750,000 people without power.[22][23] The strongest gusts were recorded well to the east of the center, peaking at 66 mph (106 km/h) in Thompson, Connecticut.[24] Across Connecticut, Hurricane Irene produced significant rainfall, peaking at 10.15 in (258 mm) in New Hartford in Litchfield County. Portions of Connecticut Route 15 closed due to the storm.[25] In total, 10 people died in Connecticut due to the Hurricane.[26]
Aftermath
Following Irene's passage on August 28, Governor Dannel P. Malloy and Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman began viewing damage from the storm in West Haven and East Haven. The governor also made a public briefing that evening to residents from the emergency operations center.[27] Later on August 28, it was announced that all non-essential employees were to return to work the following day unless their workplace was without power.[28] In light of severe damage across state parks, beaches and campgrounds, most facilities were kept closed through September 1 and some until September 2.[29][30] Following a fuel assessment by Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner William M. Rubenstein, residents were advised that although there was a sufficient amount of gasoline available, lack of distribution centers would limit the amount that could be purchased. As a result, Rubenstein suggested limited driving until services were restored.[31]
On August 31, a state-run donation center was set up for residents affected by the storm.
On September 2, Governor Malloy announced that $1 million in federal funds would be available for transportation infrastructure repairs. The
Once the initial disaster response plan had been completed, the state Government created a panel on September 13, known as the State Team Organized for the Review of Management of Irene (S.T.O.R.M. Irene), to assess how the state prepared for, handled, and was recovering from the hurricane.[39]
See also
- Hurricane Irene (2011)
- 2011 Atlantic hurricane season
References
- ^ Connecticut Event Reports: August 28, 2011, NOAA
- ^ Philip R. Devlin (August 29, 2011). "Connecticut's No Stranger to Hurricanes". Suffield Patch. Retrieved August 29, 2011.[permanent dead link]
- ^ David M. Roth (2009). "Tropical Storm Hanna - August 31-September 7, 2008". Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
- ^ a b c d Lixion A. Avila and John Cangialosi (December 14, 2011). "Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Irene" (PDF). National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved March 12, 2012.
- ^ Richard Pasch (August 21, 2011). "Tropical Storm Irene Public Advisory Four". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
- ^ Stacy Stewart (August 22, 2011). "Tropical Storm Irene Tropical Cyclone Update". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
- ^ Stacy Stewart (August 22, 2011). "Hurricane Irene Public Advisory Seven". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
- ^ Daniel P. Brown (August 24, 2011). "Hurricane Irene Discussion Seventeen". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
- ^ Daniel P. Brown (August 25, 2011). "Hurricane Irene Public Advisory Twenty-One". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
- ^ Jack Beven (August 26, 2011). "Hurricane Irene Discussion Twenty-Four". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
- ^ Daniel P. Brown (August 27, 2011). "Hurricane Irene Public Advisory Twenty-Seven A". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
- ^ Jack Beven (August 27, 2011). "Hurricane Irene Discussion Twenty-Eight". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
- ^ Robbie Berg and Stacy Stewart (August 29, 2011). "Post-Tropical Cyclone Irene Discussion Thirty-Five". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
- ^ Robert Miller (August 24, 2011). "Hurricane Irene poised to strike Connecticut". News Times. Retrieved August 29, 2011.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b John Christofferson (August 25, 2011). "Conn resident stock up provisions ahead of Irene". Houston Chronicle. Associated Press. Retrieved August 29, 2011.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Michael Hayes (August 25, 2011). "Towns Plan for Irene's Arrival". Killingworth-Durham-Middlefield Patch. Retrieved August 29, 2011.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Bob Connors (August 25, 2011). "Irene Changing Back to School Plans". NBC Connecticut. Retrieved August 29, 2011.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Alison Shea (August 25, 2011). "Eastern Connecticut prepares for Hurricane Irene". Norwich Bulletin. Retrieved August 29, 2011.[permanent dead link]
- ^ James Craven (August 27, 2011). "Norwich officials call for voluntary evacuations". Norwich Bulletin. Retrieved August 29, 2011.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Hillary Federico (August 26, 2011). "Connecticut braces for Irene's impact". The Hartford Courant. The Republic. Retrieved August 29, 2011.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Greg Canuel (August 26, 2011). "Fairfield Plans Evacuations For Hurricane Irene". The Daily Fairfield. Retrieved August 29, 2011.[permanent dead link]
- ^ McGeehan, Patrick (September 2011). "Days After the Storm, Many Are Still in The Dark, NY Times, August 31, 2011". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 30, 2018. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
- ^ Grynbaum, Michael M.; Flegenheimer, Matt (August 30, 2011). "Water Still Rises in New Jersey and Connecticut, NY Times, August 31, 2011". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 30, 2018. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
- ^ "Connecticut Event Report: Tropical Storm". National Climatic Data Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 2012. Retrieved March 12, 2012.
- ^ Irene hammers Connecticut, leaving flooding and power outages behind, News8, August 28, 2011
- ^ Hurricane Irene: Connecticut governor confirms 10th death, Los Angeles Times, August 28, 2011
- ^ "Gov. Malloy, LG Wyman View Storm Damage, Visit Shelters in East Haven, West Haven". Hartford, Connecticut: Government of Connecticut. August 28, 2011. Archived from the original on 2012-03-16. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
- ^ "Gov. Malloy: Non-Essential State Employees to Report to Work on Monday at 10 a.m.; Essential Employees Report on Regular Schedule". Hartford, Connecticut: Government of Connecticut. August 28, 2011. Archived from the original on 2012-03-16. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
- ^ "Connecticut State Parks, Beaches and Campgrounds to Remain Closed through at Least Monday". Government of Connecticut. August 28, 2011. Archived from the original on 2012-03-16. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
- ^ "State Parks and Beaches Open for Free Friday Through Monday At Direction of Governor Malloy". Government of Connecticut. September 1, 2011. Archived from the original on 2012-03-16. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
- ^ "Department of Consumer Protection Reports on Fuel Supply and Offers Advice on Gasoline Use Following Tropical Storm Irene". Hartford, Connecticut: Government of Connecticut. August 30, 2011. Archived from the original on 2012-03-16. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
- ^ "Gov. Malloy: People Wishing to Donate to Hurricane Relief May do so Through Safe, Secure Website". Hartford, Connecticut: Government of Connecticut. August 31, 2011. Archived from the original on 2012-03-16. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
- ^ "Today: Lt. Governor Wyman, FEMA Officials to Assess Damage in East Lyme, Waterford and Groton". Hartford, Connecticut: Government of Connecticut. September 1, 2011. Archived from the original on 2012-03-16. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
- ^ "DMV Extends Expirations of Licenses, Registrations and Other Credentials". Wethersfield, Connecticut: Government of Connecticut. September 1, 2011. Archived from the original on 2012-03-16. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
- ^ "Gov. Malloy Announces $1 Million in Federal Emergency Relief Funds for Transportation Infrastructure Repairs and Clean Up Due to Hurricane Irene". Hartford, Connecticut: Government of Connecticut. September 2, 2011. Archived from the original on 2012-03-16. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
- ^ "President Obama Signs Connecticut Disaster Declaration". Government of Connecticut. September 2, 2011. Archived from the original on 2012-03-16. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
- ^ "Gov. Malloy: Three Remaining Connecticut Counties Qualify for Disaster Assistance Funding from FEMA". Government of Connecticut. September 4, 2011. Archived from the original on 2012-03-16. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
- ^ "Gov. Malloy Announces FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers Open Across State". Hartford, Connecticut: Government of Connecticut. September 7, 2011. Archived from the original on 2012-03-16. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
- ^ "Gov. Malloy Appoints Members of S.T.O.R.M. Irene Panel". Hartford, Connecticut: Government of Connecticut. September 13, 2011. Archived from the original on 2012-03-16. Retrieved March 16, 2012.