Hurricane Diana (1984)

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Hurricane Diana
The Carolinas, Virginia, Northeastern United States, Eastern Canada
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Part of the 1984 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Diana was the first major hurricane to hit the

Category 2 hurricane. Forming on September 8, Diana moved northward and wandered across North Carolina for a couple of days during mid-September, dropping heavy rainfall. Once it left the state and accelerated east-northeast, Diana quickly evolved into an extratropical cyclone. Watches and warnings were issued for the storm along the East coast between eastern Florida and Virginia. Damages to the United States totaled $65.5 million (1984 USD). Three indirect fatalities were caused by the cyclone
.

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

The origins of Hurricane Diana can be traced back to a stalled out

Saint Augustine, Florida, it turned towards the northeast and intensified into a hurricane.[1]

Under weak steering currents while detached to the front, Diana drifted westward, and came within 50 miles (85 km) of the Florida coast. Rather than continuing westward, where it would have hit near Cape Canaveral, Diana turned to the northwest where it paralleled the coastline. The storm, continually strengthening over the Gulf Stream, turned to the northeast and became a hurricane on September 10. On September 11 and September 12, Diana rapidly intensified to a peak of 130 mph (215 km/h) winds while remaining offshore.[2]

An approaching frontal system caused Diana to execute a cyclonic loop, where cool, dry air caused it to weaken. The hurricane hit Wilmington, North Carolina as a weakening hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph (150 km/h) on September 13, and quickly weakened to a tropical storm over land. The high pressure system that built in after Diana looped weakened, allowing the storm to move to the north and east. After crossing the Outer Banks, Diana accelerated to the northeast, and after restrengthening to a 70 miles per hour (110 km/h) storm, became extratropical near Nova Scotia on September 16.[3]

Preparations

Hurricane Diana just before landfall on September 13

Soon after advisories were initiated,

Oregon Inlet, North Carolina. By the morning of September 10, gale warnings were upgraded to hurricane warnings between Brunswick, Georgia and Oregon Inlet. All warnings and watches south of Brunswick were dropped at that time. By the morning of September 11, hurricane warnings were lowered south of Savannah, Georgia. That afternoon, all warnings were lowered south of Cape Romain, South Carolina.[4]

On the morning of September 12, all warnings were lowered south of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Early in the morning of September 13, gale warnings were raised between Cape Romain and Myrtle Beach. Later that morning, hurricane warnings were lowered between Wilmington, North Carolina and Oregon Inlet, and all warnings were dropped between Cape Lookout and Virginia Beach. Gale warnings were then in effect between Wilmington and Cape Lookout. Once inland, all warnings were lowered on the afternoon of September 13. As the tropical storm moved offshore, gale warnings went into effect between the mornings of September 14 and September 15 between Cape Lookout and Chincoteague, Virginia.[4]

Along the North Carolina coastline, state troopers were deployed to assist residents in evacuating and preparing for the hurricane.

Coast Guard moved all available boats in the area to a position where they could be deployed immediately if needed.[5]

Along the

The Golden Isles of Georgia were evacuated due to large swells produced by Diana.[5] Two nursing homes in Tybee Island were evacuated and a voluntary evacuation was issued for all residents in the town. Several shelters were also opened at schools in a few counties; however, relatively few families sought refuge in them. Local schools and beaches were also closed for the duration of the storm's passage.[7]

Impact and aftermath

Rainfall totals

With Category 4 winds of 130 mph (210 km/h), Diana threatened to become the most intense hurricane to strike

Category 2 hurricane.[1] Because of this, Diana only caused $65.5 million in damage (1984 USD) due to heavy flooding from up to 19 inches (480 mm) of rain,[8] tree damage, and downed power lines. Most of the damage was experienced between Wilmington, North Carolina and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The Carolina Power and Light Brunswick Nuclear Power Plant recorded winds of over 75 mph, making Hurricane Diana the first hurricane to bring hurricane-force winds to a nuclear power plant. Some yard damage was seen, but the plant was mostly unaffected.[9]

Three indirect deaths were reported from Diana. One person died from a heart attack while making hurricane preparations, and the other two were from automobile accidents.[9] Following the storm, President Ronald Reagan declared five North Carolina counties as a federal disaster area, allowing the affected regions to receive government funds and assistance. Funds were also allocated for the repairing of roads and sewers.[10]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Harold P. Gerrish (October 18, 1984). "Preliminary Report: Hurricane Diana (Page One)". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-12-09.
  2. ^ "Atlantic hurricane best track (HURDAT version 2)" (Database). United States National Hurricane Center. April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2024. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. ^ Harold P. Gerrish (October 18, 1984). "Preliminary Report: Hurricane Diana (Page Two)". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2009-09-13.
  4. ^ a b Harrold P. Gerrish (1984-10-18). "Table 4: Watches and Warnings for Hurricane Diana 1984". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2009-09-13.
  5. ^ a b c "Florida Coastline Raked By Hurricane Diana's Fury". Ocala Star-Banner. Associated Press. September 10, 1984. Retrieved October 3, 2009.
  6. ^ Staff Writer (September 11, 1984). "Hurricane Diana gaining strength". The Milwaukee Sentinel. Retrieved October 3, 2009.
  7. ^ "Hurricane Diana gains power and stalks coast". Eugene Register-Guard. Associated Press. September 11, 1984. Retrieved October 3, 2009.
  8. Hydrometeorological Prediction Center
    . Retrieved 2008-12-31.
  9. ^ a b Harold P. Gerrish (1984-10-18). "Preliminary Report: Hurricane Diana (Page Three)". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2009-09-13.
  10. ^ Staff Writer (September 22, 1984). "Counties eligible for disaster aid". The Times News. Associated Press. Retrieved August 30, 2011.

External links

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