Hurricane Belle

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Hurricane Belle
Mid-Atlantic states, New England, and Atlantic Canada
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Part of the 1976 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Belle was a strong

Bahamas on August 6. Remaining nearly stationary for a day, the depression strengthened into a tropical storm on August 7 and a hurricane later that day as it acquired a northwest motion. Formation of an eye accompanied quick intensification and Belle reached its peak the following day with winds of 120 mph (190 km/h). The hurricane subsequently turned north and accelerated, skirting the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Early on August 10, Belle made landfall on Long Island, New York, as a minimal hurricane crossing Long Island Sound and hitting the central coast of Connecticut as a strong tropical storm. Thereafter, Belle transitioned into an extratropical cyclone over New England before moving over Atlantic Canada. The system turned east while over the North Atlantic and ultimately dissipated on August 15 to the south of Iceland
.

Threatening much of the East Coast of the United States, hurricane warnings were issued from Georgia to Maine. An estimated 500,000 people evacuated coastal areas accordingly. Overall, impacts from Belle were less than expected and mainly attributed to flooding across New England. Hundreds of thousands of residents lost power due to high winds. A total of 12 people lost their lives, mostly incidents indirectly related to the hurricane, and damage reached an estimated $100 million.[nb 1] Portions of New Jersey, New York, and Vermont were later declared major disaster areas by then-President Gerald Ford. Some damage also took place in New Brunswick, Canada, from heavy rain.

Meteorological history

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

On July 28, 1976, a

mbar (hPa; 29.09 inHg). Additionally, a well-defined eye was present by this time.[1][2]

Hurricane Belle off the coast of Delaware and Maryland, approaching landfall in New York, on August 9

The cyclone turned northward and accelerated on August 8 while reaching

major hurricane status that evening.[2] Early on August 9, Belle achieved its peak intensity with maximum estimated surface winds of 120 mph (190 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 957 mbar (957 hPa; 28.3 inHg). At higher altitudes within the storm, recon reported winds up to 150 mph (240 km/h).[1] Turning to just east of due north, Belle began weakening shortly thereafter with its eye becoming obscured.[3] Late on August 9, the hurricane passed within 60 mi (97 km) of Hatteras Island, North Carolina. Contrary to most storms which threaten the northeastern states, Belle did not accelerate tremendously as it neared land. Accordingly, it weakened quickly in response to cooler waters in the region. Around 05:00 UTC on August 10, Belle made landfall as a minimal hurricane with 75 mph (121 km/h) winds along Jones Beach, Long Island, New York.[1] Briefly crossing Long Island Sound, Belle made a second landfall as a strong tropical storm near Bridgeport, Connecticut.[1][2] Once inland over New England, the system transitioned into an extratropical cyclone while traversing New Hampshire.[1] The remnants accelerated northeast and later due east across Atlantic Canada before emerging over the Labrador Sea on August 12. While situated between the Azores and Greenland, ex-Belle turned north-northeast and ultimately dissipated south of Iceland on August 15.[4]

Preparations

Radar image of Hurricane Belle off the coast of North Carolina on August 9

Owing to Hurricane Belle's proximity to many states along the Eastern Seaboard, hurricane watches and warnings were issued for the entire coast from Georgia to Maine. Accordingly, evacuations took place in numerous states with an estimated 500,000 people evacuating overall.[1]

Officials advised residents near the coastline to evacuate to safer areas further inland.

Red Cross shelters in the state.[7]

The majority of evacuations in the country were in New Jersey, with 250,000 residents and tourists relocating.

National Guard were placed on standby for possible relief missions following the storm.[7]

Farther north in Rhode Island, 10,000 people fled from the coast. Despite evacuation orders, nearly half of the residents in Narragansett, Rhode Island, refused to leave their homes and as a result martial law was implemented to get people to leave.[7][11] The Red Cross reported that about 2,300 people evacuated Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and thousands of tourists left the area.[9] About 70 flights to and from Boston's Logan International Airport were canceled. Flood warnings were raised across western portions of the state.[11]

Impact

Rainfall accumulations from Hurricane Belle across the Eastern United States

Across the Eastern United States, the effects of Belle were less than anticipated. A total of 12 people lost their lives, mostly due to traffic accidents, and damage amounted to $100 million.[1][7]

Hurricane Belle produced a swath of light to moderate, and locally heavy, rain extending from North Carolina into New England.

Battery Park in lower Manhattan saw a peak value of 7.2 ft (2.2 m) above mean low tide.[1]

North Carolina escaped relatively unscathed from the hurricane,[1] with only a few reports of wind damage in the Outer Banks. Windows at a hotel in Nags Head were blown out.[15] Along the North Carolina–Virginia border, five people lost their lives in a car accident on a rain-slicked highway.[7] Minor damage took place in Maryland.[11] Although on the weaker side of the storm, gusty winds knocked down numerous power lines in New Jersey, leaving 10,000 people in the dark and setting off 75 fire alarms, one of which was a relatively large fire forcing the evacuation of a nursing home.[7][16] Roughly 500 ft (150 m) of the Atlantic City boardwalk was damaged or destroyed, with repairs estimated to reach $5 million. Damage to properties in Monmouth and Ocean counties amounted to $3.6 million and $1 million, respectively.[17] On August 21, then-President Gerald Ford issued a major disaster declaration for Atlantic, Cape May, Monmouth, and Ocean counties, allowing them to receive federal funding.[18][19]

The high winds knocked down trees and power lines across Long Island, New York, leaving roughly 170,000 residents without electricity.

erosion at Rockaway Beach.[17] One person was killed in New York when a branch snapped off a tree due to high winds and fell on her.[9] An estimated 36,000 residents in the lower Hudson Valley lost power.[21] President Ford later declared Nassau, Suffolk, and Rensselaer counties major disaster areas.[22] Effects were similar in Connecticut where approximately 247,000 people lost electricity.[23] Commuter train service along Conrail's New York–New Haven line was canceled due to power outages, and Amtrak service between Boston and New York was disrupted for two days. A portion of the Merritt Parkway was closed due to downed trees.[16] High winds in Bridgeport toppled many trees and power lines, shattered windows, and sparked two house fires. Five boats in the city's harbor sustained damage.[24] Flooding in and around Danbury prompted evacuations of an apartment complex and motel.[25] One fatality took place in Barkhamsted due to slippery roads.[1] Overall damage in Connecticut was far less than expected, according to state police,[8] with losses reaching $7.1 million and mostly stemming from Fairfield and New Haven counties.[26][27] Power companies brought in additional personnel to expedite the restoration process, though many remained in the dark days after the storm.[28] A couple and their two dogs in Vernon died from carbon monoxide poisoning from a generator on August 14.[29]

Owing to heavy rains that preceded the hurricane, widespread small stream flooding took place in New England,[1] particularly in Vermont where then-governor Thomas P. Salmon declared a state of emergency. Flooding in the state was reported as the worst in 30 years,[30] with southern areas of the state seeing the greatest damage.[26] Hardest hit was the town of Chester where 35 of its 85 roads flooded and 5 bridges were washed out.[23] Otter Creek crested at 5 ft (1.5 m) above flood stage.[26] Significant damage also took place in Jamaica, Ludlow, and Londonderry. Two people died in Huntington after the footbridge they were crossing collapsed into the Huntington River.[23] Portions of Route 100 were washed out.[31] Property damage in the state reached $5–10 million.[32] The overall scale of flooding was regarded as a 1-in-10 to 1-in-25 year event.[33] Immediately following the hurricane, a statewide ban on drinking water was imposed with an order to boil it first. This was later lifted on August 23.[34] Salt accumulation along power lines in Rhode Island cut electricity to 8,000 residents on Aquidneck Island.[31] Along the Saint John River in Aroostook County, Maine, flooding caused $2.5 million worth of damage to crops and buildings.[26]

Heavy rains across New Brunswick, Canada, amounting to 7 in (180 mm) in Edundston, triggered flooding that damaged crops, homes, and roads. Losses from the event were estimated to be at least $1 million.[35]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ All monetary values are in 1976 United States dollars unless otherwise noted.

References

  1. ^
    doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1977)105<0497:AHSO>2.0.CO;2
    .
  2. ^ a b c d Hurricane Research Division (May 5, 2015). "Atlantic hurricane best track (HURDAT version 2)" (.txt). National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  3. doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1977)105<1458:SOOTMD>2.0.CO;2
    .
  4. ^ Elwyn E. Wilson, ed. (January 1977). "Marine Weather Review: Principal Tracks of Centers of Cyclones at Sea Level, North Atlantic August 1976". Mariners Weather Log. 21 (1): 37. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
  5. ^ United Press International (August 9, 1976). "Belle Aims for Outer Banks". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
  6. ^ Dan Lohwasser (August 9, 1976). "Hurricane Belle Sweeps North Past Carolina, Headed For New England". Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. United Press International. pp. 1, 2.  – via Newspapers.com (subscription required)
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Hurricane Belle at Long Island Beach". Pittsburgh Post Gazette. New York. Associated Press. August 10, 1976. pp. 1, 3. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  8. ^ a b "Hurricane Rips Suburbs On Long Island; Damage Estimated In Millions". Toledo Blade. New York. Associated Press. August 10, 1976. pp. 1, 4. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
  9. ^ a b c John Moody (August 10, 1976). "Hurricane Belle Rakes Long Island, then Loses Force". The Bryan Times. New York. United Press International. p. 1. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
  10. ^ "Flood Watchers Worried About Continuing Storms". The Kingston Daily Freeman. Poughkeepsie, New York. August 8, 1973. p. i.  – via Newspapers.com (subscription required)
  11. ^ a b c "Winded Belle dumps rain on New England". Chicago Tribune. August 11, 1976. p. 2. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
  12. ^ David M. Roth. "Hurricane Belle - August 7-11, 1976". Weather Prediction Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
  13. ^ David M. Roth. "Tropical Cyclone Rainfall in the Mid-Atlantic". Weather Prediction Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
  14. ^ David M. Roth. "Tropical Cyclone Rainfall in New England". Weather Prediction Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
  15. ^ Larry McDermott (August 10, 1976). "Local Family Barely Escapes Belle's Fury". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Nags Head, North Carolina. Associated Press. p. 3. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
  16. ^ a b c "New Yorkers Mopping Up". Spokane Daily Chronicle. New York. Associated Press. August 10, 1976. p. 1. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
  17. ^ a b "Cleanup Begins in Belle's Wake". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Associated Press. August 11, 1976. p. 28. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
  18. ^ "Designated Areas: New Jersey Severe Storms, High Winds, Flooding". Federal Emergency Management Agency. Government of the United States. August 21, 1976. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
  19. ^ "Ford Declares Disaster In Sections of N.J.". Sunday Gazette-Mail. Vail, Colorado. Associated Press. August 22, 1976. p. 2B.  – via Newspapers.com (subscription required)
  20. ^ "PP&L crews end storm duty". The Pocono Record. Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. August 17, 1976. p. 10.  – via Newspapers.com (subscription required)
  21. ^ "Some area blackouts remain in wake of Belle". The Times Herald Record. August 12, 1976. p. 5.  – via Newspapers.com (subscription required)
  22. ^ "Designated Areas: New York Hurricane Belle". Federal Emergency Management Agency. Government of the United States. September 3, 1976. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
  23. ^ a b c "Hurricane Belle loses punch". Lodi News-Sentinel. United Press International. August 11, 1976. p. 1. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
  24. ^ Avril Westmoreland (August 10, 1976). "Storm Fells Trees and Limbs, Thousands Left Without Power". The Bridgeport Post. p. 1.  – via Newspapers.com (subscription required)
  25. ^ "Danburians Evacuated, Storm Washes Out Roads". The Bridgeport Post. Danbury, Connecticut. August 10, 1976. p. 2.  – via Newspapers.com (subscription required)
  26. ^ a b c d Herbert J. Thompson (August 1976). "General Summary Of National Flood Events". Climatological Data. 82 (8): 26.
  27. ^ "Belle damage estimates at $6.6 million". The Berkshire Eagle. Hartford, Connecticut. United Press International. August 18, 1976. p. 37.  – via Newspapers.com (subscription required)
  28. ^ Avril Westmoreland (August 12, 1976). "Power Still Off for 650 in Area". The Bridgeport Post. p. 1.  – via Newspapers.com (subscription required)
  29. ^ "Belle leaves victims". The Portsmouth Herald. Vernon, Connecticut. Associated Press. August 16, 1976. p. 1.  – via Newspapers.com (subscription required)
  30. ^ "Hurricane Belle leaves four dead". The Bryan Times. August 11, 1976. p. 11. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
  31. ^ a b "Belle's legacy: area power outages". Newport Mercury. August 20, 1976. p. 6.  – via Newspapers.com (subscription required)
  32. ^ "Ford Approves Relief Bill For Vermont Flood Area". The Lincoln Star. Montpelier, Vermont. August 13, 1976. p. 22.  – via Newspapers.com (subscription required)
  33. ^ Jon C. Denner (1991). "National Water Summary 1988-89: Vermont Flood and Droughts" (PDF). Water Supply Paper: 535–542. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
  34. ^ "Water ban off". Bennington Banner. August 23, 1976. p. 1.  – via Newspapers.com (subscription required)
  35. ^ "Rain damage". The Portsmouth Herald. Fredericton, Canada. Associated Press. August 17, 1976. p. 6.  – via Newspapers.com (subscription required)

External links

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