Hurricane Bob (1985)
Mid-Atlantic, southern New England | |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1985 Atlantic hurricane season |
Hurricane Bob was the first of six hurricanes to strike the United States during the 1985 Atlantic hurricane season. The second tropical storm and first hurricane of the year, Bob developed from a tropical wave on July 21 in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Bob began moving east, making landfall southwestern Florida as a weak tropical storm. The storm then turned to the north and quickly intensified to hurricane status on July 24. The next day, it made landfall near Beaufort, South Carolina, becoming one of a record-tying six hurricanes to hit the United States during a single season.[1] Bob quickly weakened over land, and was absorbed by a frontal trough over eastern West Virginia on July 26.
Bob caused $20 million in damage as well as five indirect deaths. In Florida, the storm produced heavy rainfall, peaking at over 20 inches (508 mm) in Everglades City. In most areas, the rainfall was beneficial due to dry conditions that had persisted throughout the year. Damage was minimal in South Carolina, where the hurricane made its final landfall. In Virginia, the storm spawned three tornadoes, one of which destroyed two houses.
Meteorological history
The remnants of a
While moving across Florida, Bob turned to the northeast, then to the north. It subsequently left the peninsula, entering the Atlantic Ocean near
Preparations
When Bob was designated a tropical storm, the
Thousands of residents evacuated coastal areas of South Carolina, many of whom stayed at inland hotels; 850 people sought protection in shelters, including 500 at an elementary school in Horry County and 240 in a shelter in the Grand Strand. In Beaufort County, city and county offices were closed early and businesses were advised to send their workers home prematurely. Officials in Chatham County, Georgia, evacuated nursing homes on Tybee Island, and encouraged others to leave due to the potential for high tides to isolate the island by cutting off U.S. Route 80.[8]
Impact
Hurricane Bob inflicted $20 million in damages[9] and caused five indirect deaths. Damage from the storm was not severe enough to justify retirement of the name "Bob", and as such it was re-used during the 1991 season.[10]
Florida
In southern Florida, the heaviest rainfall remained to the south and east of the storm's center; 21.5 inches (546 mm) of precipitation was recorded in
Tropical Storm Bob flooded roads and downed trees in Florida.
Overall damage was minimal and primarily confined to minor property near the coast. The storm's rainfall was beneficial in areas that had suffered dry conditions.[7] In northeastern Florida and Georgia, beach erosion occurred along the coast.[3] Bob was one of four July tropical cyclones to affect Palm Beach County since 1878.[18]
Carolinas
The strongest winds from Hurricane Bob were confined to areas east of its center when it came ashore around 1 am Eastern Standard Time (EST).[19] Along the barrier islands off the coast of Charleston, windows were broken and power lines knocked down. Further inland, the lack of damage in spite of high winds was described as "almost unbelievable".[20] Georgetown, South Carolina, 105 miles (170 km) northeast of where the storm made landfall, recorded sustained winds of 58 mph (93 km/h), and a spiral rainband produced a peak wind gust of 83 mph (134 km/h) in Holden Beach. Upon moving ashore, the hurricane produced an estimated storm tide of 2.6 feet (0.79 m) in Edisto Beach.[3] Rainfall in the Carolinas was moderate; portions of coastal South Carolina received over 5 inches (127 mm) of precipitation.[5] Myrtle Beach reported a statewide peak of 7.79 inches (198 mm).[3] Hurricane-force wind gusts downed trees and power lines, leaving over 32,000 people without power, including more than 25,000 in the Charleston area. Near the coast, high winds shattered windows.[21]
Strong waves broke over sea walls in Charleston, spilling floodwaters onto coastal streets and homes.
Much of North Carolina received over 1 inch (25.4 mm) of rain; as much as 7 inches (178 mm) fell in Beaufort County.[5] The storm caused one traffic-related fatality in the state.[27]
Mid-Atlantic and New England
In
Heavy precipitation and high winds disrupted the 1985
Rainfall in the
See also
- List of Atlantic hurricanes
- List of United States hurricanes
References
- ^ "Atlantic hurricane best track (HURDAT version 2)" (Database). United States National Hurricane Center. April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2024. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ a b c d e Miles B. Lawrence (August 8, 1995). "Hurricane Bob Preliminary Report Page 1". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2009-07-20.
- ^ a b c d e f Robert A. Case (1986). "Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1985" (PDF). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2009-07-20.
- ^ Miles B. Lawrence (August 8, 1995). "Hurricane Bob Preliminary Report Page 3". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2009-07-20.
- ^ a b c d e David Roth (2005). "Rainfall Data for Hurricane Bob". Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved 2009-07-20.
- ^ Miles B. Lawrence (August 8, 1985). "Hurricane Bob Preliminary Report Page 4". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2009-07-20.
- ^ a b c d "Tropical storm Bob hitting Florida hard". The Frederick News-Post. Associated Press. July 24, 1985.
- ^ "Hurricane Bob Batters Georgia-South Carolina Coast". The Post-Standard. Associated Press. July 25, 1985.
- ISSN 0092-7880. Archived from the original on 2012-10-11. Retrieved 2009-07-20.)
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ignored (help - ^ "Hurricane Bob (1991) Preliminary Report". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2009-07-25.
- ^ Florida Department of Environmental Protection (October 2, 2000). "Status of Beaches in Southwest Florida" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 11, 2011. Retrieved 2009-07-20.
- ^ Mike Kelly (July 23, 1985). "Ideal for baking in sun's rays". The Syracuse Herald Journal.
- ^ Tom Grazulis & Bill McCaul (2008). "Every Hurricane that has Spawned a Tornado". The Tornado Project. Retrieved 2009-07-20.
- ^ "Event Report for Florida". National Climatic Data Center. Archived from the original on 2011-05-19. Retrieved 2009-07-20.
- ^ Mike Kelly (July 24, 1985). "South wind to bring steamy heat". The Syracuse Herald Journal.
- ^ "PAT 98-40 BoCC Sponsored Amendment to the Lee County Comprehensive Plan" (PDF). Lee County Planning Division. November 22, 1999. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 28, 2007. Retrieved 2009-07-20.
- ^ "Historical Chronology of Palm Beach County Flood Events". Palm Beach County Government. Archived from the original on 2012-07-21. Retrieved 2009-07-20.
- ^ Rochelle Brenner Gilken & Associated Press (July 7, 2005). "Dennis poses threat to Florida". The Palm Beach Post. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved 2009-07-20.
- ^ "Around the Nation; Hurricane Hits Coast Of South Carolina". The New York Times. Associated Press. July 25, 1985. Retrieved 2009-08-13.
- ^ "Bob whips ashore, forcing thousands to evacuate". Houston Chronicle. July 25, 1985.
- ^ a b "Bob leaves thousands homeless". The News. Associated Press. July 25, 1985.
- ^ United Press International (July 25, 1985). "Hurricane Bob blasts S.C. coast".
- ^ Dan Baum (July 26, 1985). "'Hurricane' Bob only pretender to title". The Atlanta Constitution.
- ^ Jim Nesbitt (July 26, 1985). "Bob's Act Bombs but Nobody Complains". Sentinel Atlanta Bureau.
- ^ Fred Grimm (July 26, 1985). "Hurricane Bob is a Fizzle". The Herald.
- ^ Bill Montgomery (1985). "S.C. beachfront residents flee Hurricane Bob". The Atlanta Journal.
- ^ Miles B. Lawrence (August 8, 1995). "Hurricane Bob Preliminary Report Page 2". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2009-07-20.
- ^ a b "Virginia Hurricane History". Wakefield and Blacksburg, Virginia National Weather Service. Archived from the original on 2005-09-04. Retrieved 2009-07-20.
- ^ "Event Report for Virginia". National Climatic Data Center. Archived from the original on 2011-05-19. Retrieved 2009-07-20.
- ^ a b c d e David Roth & Hugh Cobb (2001). "Late 20th Century Virginia Hurricane History". National Weather Service. Retrieved 2009-07-20.
- ^ a b Weil, Martin (July 26, 1985). "Storm, Fierce Winds Lash Area". The Washington Post. p. C1.
- ^ a b c "Remnants of Hurricane Bob drops heavy rains on Northeast". The Syracuse Herald Journal. Associated Press. July 26, 1985.
- ^ Mike Kelly (July 26, 1985). "Hurricane Bob just splash in the pan". The Syracuse Herald Journal.
- ^ "Gardy's Millpond". Virginia Department of Game and Inland Facilities. Archived from the original on 2008-02-14. Retrieved 2009-07-20.
- ^ David Lesher (August 19, 1985). "Hurricanes' remnants often give Maryland problems". The Frederic Post.
External links