Hurricane Danny (1997)

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Hurricane Danny
The Carolinas, Virginia, Massachusetts
IBTrACSEdit this at Wikidata
Part of the 1997 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Danny was the only

Gulf Coast, Danny tracked across the southeastern United States and ultimately affected parts of New England with rain and wind
.

Danny is notable for its

Gulf Coast, and rescues had to be executed from flooded roadways. Tornadoes generated by Danny on the East Coast caused a great amount of damage. Of the nine fatalities caused by Danny, one happened off the coast of Alabama, four occurred in Georgia, two occurred in South Carolina, and two occurred in North Carolina
.

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 13, a broad

low pressure area in the Gulf of Mexico near the coast of Louisiana during the next day.[2] Over the next couple of days, the systems circulation gradually expanded, however, surface winds remained weak and convection over the system did not persist or become well organized.[1]

On July 16, deep convection increased and organized near the center, and oil rigs and surface buoys reported surface winds of 30 mph (45 km/h). Based on the observations, it is estimated the system developed into Tropical Depression Four on July 16 while located about 150 mi (240 km) south of the southwestern Louisiana coastline.

Hurricane Danny seen after passing over Southeastern Louisiana

The depression slowly organized for the next day, as it drifted to the northeast. On July 17, the rate of organization and development of deep convection increased considerably, and the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Danny later that day. From the night of July 17 through July 18, Danny quickly developed deep

eyewall. After stalling near the mouth of Mobile Bay on July 19, Hurricane Danny turned to the east, and made its final landfall near Mullet Point, Alabama later that day.[2]

The storm rapidly weakened as it continued northward, and degenerated into a tropical depression by July 20. The weak depression moved through Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, maintaining a well-defined cloud signature.[2] Due to a front behind the system, Danny unusually strengthened to a tropical storm over North Carolina on July 24. This rare phenomenon occurred due to interaction with a developing trough and its associated baroclinic zone.[2][3] Danny entered the

extratropical later that day. On July 27, the former hurricane merged with a frontal zone.[2]

Preparations

Hurricane Danny just offshore of the Gulf Coast

The

St. Bernard Parish to seal off easily flooded roads, with officials recommending that residents leave the area.[4]

Prior to the arrival of the hurricane, the governors of

Mobile County, Alabama, though few utilized them. Officials also considered opening shelters near local casinos and beaches in Biloxi, Mississippi.[5] Alabama Governor Fob James also activated the state's National Guard ahead of the storm and directed 30,000 sandbags to the Alabama coast for protection.[6]

Southeastern Massachusetts also had a tropical storm warning issued, a few hours before sustained tropical storm force winds affected the area and less than 12 hours before its closest approach to the coastline.[2]

Impact

Rainfall totals from Hurricane Danny

As a small storm, Hurricane Danny only caused a damage toll of $100 million (1997 USD, $190 million 2024 USD). A total of 4 direct and 5 indirect deaths resulted from the effects of Danny.[2]

Gulf Coast

Heavy rain and winds buffeted many

tides were 2 to 3 feet (0.61 to 0.91 meters) above normal on average.[7]

At least 10,000 people lost electricity in Louisiana. Furthermore, 130 boats were damaged or sunk at a large

levees. Negligible damage occurred elsewhere in the extreme southeastern portion of Louisiana, due to Danny being a small tropical cyclone and a minimal hurricane.[7]

Eastern Jackson County had the greatest impact throughout Mississippi. Pascagoula reported a wind gust of 35 mph (56 km/h) on July 19. Pascagoula airport reported 7.87 inches (200 mm) of rain from July 17 through July 19. Some streets and a few homes were flooded in far southeastern Jackson County, in areas of poor drainage systems. The coast of Mississippi had no significant damage according to emergency management officials.[11] An oil rig off the coast of Pascagoula was ripped from its moorings and collided with a tank that spilled 500 gallons (1,892 L) of fuel into the Bayou Casotte stream.[12]

By late on July 19, the American Red Cross was providing shelter to over 2,000 people in Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida.[13]

Extreme amounts of rainfall were produced over Alabama.

condominium project that was under construction in Gulf Shores crashed due to high winds.[15] In addition, three tornadoes occurred in Alabama, destroying a marina just south of Orange Beach and damaging several of the boats; Opelika, where damage was minimal; and Alabama Port respectively.[2][16]

Despite its effects in the northern

pine tree damage costing $2.5 million (1997 USD$, 4.75 million 2024 USD).[17]

East Coast

Tropical Storm Danny south of Massachusetts

In the state of Florida, some damage to the cotton crop occurred in

intensive care and six others received treatment at a hospital and were then released.[19] Four indirect deaths occurred from traffic accidents during the storm's onslaught in Georgia.[2] Seven tornadoes and one waterspout resulted in South Carolina due to Danny strengthening over the southern Appalachians.[20] Among those tornadoes, a severe thunderstorm cell in South Carolina produced five tornadoes which touched down, one of which killed a woman in her destroyed duplex while passing through Lexington County.[2] Additionally, a F2 tornado with a width of 200 yards (200 m) and a length of 4 miles (6 km), was on the ground for 3 miles (5 km) to the northeast of Gaston, South Carolina, causing $942,000 (1997 USD$, 1.79 million 2024 USD) in damage, killing one, injuring six, and destroying 13 residences, with damage to many others.[21] Several tornadoes and waterspouts were spawned over Virginia; most of them occurred in Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Hampton.[22] An F1 tornado with a width of 50 yards (50 m) and a length of 1-mile (1.6 km), touched down 1-mile (1.6 km) in Portsmouth, causing $400,000 (1997 USD$, 759,204 2024 USD) in damage. It destroyed a car wash and damaged 7 other structures, all but 1 of which were businesses, and also flipped over a semi-trailer truck.[23] Rainfall in Fayetteville measured 2.85 inches (72 mm), while the remainder of the Mid-Atlantic states received approximately 3 inches (76 mm) of rain.[24]

The heavy rains caused two people to drown in

Southern New England in the 20th century during the month of July.[8]

Aftermath and records

A house in Baldwin County, Alabama being rebuilt on pilings after flooding caused by Danny

On July 24, the

U.S. House of Representatives considered House Amendment 271 to H.R. 2160 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998, to eliminate federal support for crop insurance for tobacco farmers and disaster assistance provided to non-insured crops of tobacco. During debate of the amendment, Congressman Etheridge (D-NC) stated that one of the reasons he opposed it was due to the harm it would cause to farmers like those in his home state of North Carolina whose tobacco crops were being flooded by Danny. Other congressmen from his state including Richard Burr and Walter B. Jones Jr. also opposed it.[28] Ultimately, the vote on the amendment failed by a vote of 209 to 216 and it failed to be included in the bill that later became law.[29]

On July 25, President Clinton declared a major disaster in Alabama in the aftermath of Hurricane Danny. He ordered that federal aid be provided in assistance to state and local efforts to respond in the areas of Alabama impacted by wind and flooding damage.[30]

Debris remained in the inland waters of

Marine Resources Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources said that the "inordinate amount of debris is causing extraordinary difficulty with the performance of (TEDs) in these areas." Therefore, the United States Environmental Protection Agency allowed an alternative to the TEDs, of shorter tow times with seasonal restrictions of a maximum of 55 minutes from April 1 through October 31, and a maximum of 75 minutes from November 1 through March 31. By making the shorter tow times the required alternative, the EPA intended to minimize any sea turtle casualties as a result of trawlers being allowed to remove the TEDs.[31]

One of three

wolves that escaped from a zoo in Gulf Shores, Alabama during Hurricane Danny was found in November later that year, after seasonal conditions meant less tourists and therefore less food in Gulf State Park where the wolf had resided. One of the other wolves had already been recaptured, while the other had already been shot and killed.[32]

Some

Mid-Atlantic region during the month of July.[8] The high amount of rainfall caused by Danny helped to ease dry conditions in portions of the Mid-Atlantic, but not sufficiently to stop the drought from developing further in most areas from northern Virginia to southern New England.[35]

A study published in

cable news stations, and followed by other sources.[36]

The extremely short distance of the

sea surface temperatures and other environmental conditions remained favorable.[37]

The storm dropped 36.71 in (932 mm) of rain on Dauphin Island, setting the new record for the most tropical or subtropical cyclone related rainfall in the state of Alabama, and is among the largest in the United States.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^
    ISSN 1520-0493
    .
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Pasch, Richard J (August 21, 1997). Preliminary Report: Hurricane Danny (PDF) (Report). United States National Hurricane Center. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  3. doi:10.1175/1520-0442(2001)014<0546:ACOTET>2.0.CO;2
    . Retrieved December 14, 2007.
  4. ^ Valerie Voss; Charles Zewe (1997). "Hurricane Danny skims Louisiana tip, moves northeast". CNN. Reuters. Archived from the original on June 17, 2006. Retrieved December 28, 2006. Accessed via the Wayback Machine.
  5. ^ a b c "Hurricane Danny heading for Alabama and Mississippi". CNN. Associated Press, Reuters. 1997. Archived from the original on June 20, 2006. Retrieved December 29, 2006. Accessed via the Wayback Machine.
  6. Washington Post
    . July 19, 1997. Retrieved September 30, 2018.
  7. ^ a b c d e NCDC (1997). "Event Record Details: Hurricane (Louisiana)". National Climatic Data Center. Archived from the original on October 1, 2008. Retrieved January 1, 2007.
  8. ^ a b c d e f National Weather Service (September 10, 1997). "Hurricane Danny damage reports". USA Today. Archived from the original on March 9, 2000. Retrieved February 4, 2007.
  9. ^ a b Charles Zewe (1997). "Danny drifts north, leaving mayhem in its wake". CNN. Associated Press. Archived from the original on February 12, 2005. Retrieved December 31, 2006. Accessed via the Wayback Machine.
  10. ISBN 9780807136676
    . Retrieved May 3, 2013.
  11. ^ NCDC (1997). "Event Record Details: Hurricane (Mississippi)". National Climatic Data Center. Archived from the original on October 1, 2008. Retrieved January 1, 2007.
  12. ^ Saunders, Jessica (1997). "Some Remain on Alabama Coast as Danny Bears Down". Associated Press News. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
  13. ^ Jessica Saunders (1997). "Hurricane Danny Downgraded to Tropical Storm". Associated Press. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
  14. ^ Roth, David M (1997). "Hurricane Danny - July 14-28, 1997". United States Weather Prediction Center. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  15. ^ Jessica Saunders (1997). "Now a Tropical Storm, Danny Lingers Over Alabama". Associated Press. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
  16. ^ NWS-Birmingham Internet Services Team (2006). "NWS-Birmingham Internet Services Team". National Weather Service. Archived from the original on October 10, 2006. Retrieved December 31, 2006.
  17. ^ a b c NCDC (1997). "Event Record Details: Hurricane (Alabama)". National Climatic Data Center. Archived from the original on October 1, 2008. Retrieved January 1, 2007.
  18. ^ David Poole (September 10, 1997). "Martin Muscles His Way to Finish". Charlotte Observer.
  19. ^ "Hurricane Remnants Cause Outages in North Carolina; Heat in the Planes". Associated Press. 1997. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
  20. ^ Edwards, Roger (1999). "Tornado Production by Exiting Tropical Cyclones". Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  21. ^ NCDC (1997). "Event Record Details: Tornado 307724 (Virginia)". National Climatic Data Center. Archived from the original on October 1, 2008. Retrieved January 1, 2007.
  22. ^ National Weather Service (1997). "Local Sightings of Tornadoes and Funnel Clouds". Virginian Pilot. Archived from the original on May 16, 2005. Retrieved December 28, 2006.
  23. ^ NCDC (1997). "Event Record Details: Tornado 313574 (Virginia)". National Climatic Data Center. Archived from the original on October 1, 2008. Retrieved January 1, 2007.
  24. ^ Neal Lott; Doug Ross; Axel Graumann; Tom Ross (1997). "Hurricane Danny". NCDC. Archived from the original on April 3, 2012. Retrieved December 28, 2006.
  25. ^ Paul Nowell (1997). "Danny Just Won't Give Up: Flooding Prompts Evacuations in N.C., Georgia". Associated Press. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
  26. ^ "Remnants of Hurricane Danny Bring Havoc to North Carolina". New York Times. Associated Press. July 25, 1997. Retrieved September 30, 2018.
  27. ^ "Tropical Storm Danny Visits Portsmouth!". 1997. Archived from the original on October 22, 2002. Retrieved December 28, 2006.
  28. ^ "Congressional Record - House, Vol. 143 No. 106" (PDF). Library of Congress. July 24, 1997. pp. 25–33. Retrieved September 30, 2018.
  29. ^ "H.Amdt.271 to H.R.2160". Library of Congress. July 24, 1997. Retrieved September 30, 2018.
  30. ISBN 9780160499852
    . Retrieved September 30, 2018.
  31. ^ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (1997). "Sea Turtle Conservation; Shrimp Trawling Requirements". United States Environmental Protection Agency. Archived from the original on September 1, 2009. Retrieved December 29, 2006.
  32. ^ "Zoo Wolf that Escaped During Hurricane Led Safely Home". Associated Press. 1997. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
  33. ^ Curt Anderson (1997). "Corn Crops Looking Good, Wheat Up, Corn Down". Altus (OK) Times. Associated Press. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
  34. ^ "Despite Cut In Gas Tax, Price at Pump Rises Sharply". New York Times. 1997. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
  35. ^ USDA (1997). "Crop Production". Cornell University. Archived from the original on August 19, 2014. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
  36. doi:10.2224/sbp.1998.26.4.341
    .
  37. ISSN 1520-0493
    . Retrieved May 3, 2013.

External links

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