Hurricane Earl (1998)
Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | August 31, 1998 |
Extratropical | September 3, 1998 |
Dissipated | September 8, 1998 |
Category 2 hurricane | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Highest winds | 100 mph (155 km/h) |
Lowest pressure | 985 mbar (hPa); 29.09 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 3 direct |
Damage | $79 million (1998 USD) |
Areas affected | Florida, Georgia, Carolinas, Atlantic Canada |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1998 Atlantic hurricane season |
Hurricane Earl was an atypical, disorganized, and short-lived
Moderate beach erosion occurred along the coasts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida as waves reached 20 ft (6.1 m). Throughout Florida, nearly 2,000 homes were damaged and a few were destroyed. Severe flooding caused by storm surge and heavy rains was the main cause of damage in the state. Offshore, two men drowned after their boat capsized during the storm. A minor tornado outbreak took place in relation to Earl in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. A tornado in South Carolina killed one person after completely destroying the occupant's home. In all, three people were killed by Earl and damages were $79 million (1998 USD; $104.4 million 2009 USD).
Meteorological history
Hurricane Earl originated out of a strong
Operationally, the NHC immediately classified the system as Tropical Storm Earl based on a
By September 1, the storm began to consolidate, with reconnaissance flights finding an elongated center and surface winds of 60 mph (97 km/h). Moderate wind shear inhibited convective development in the western portion; however, outflow in other areas of the storm improved, leading to further development. A northwest track, fully identified by this time as a mid-tropospheric ridge located over Florida, strengthened.[3] Remaining disorganized, Earl continued to intensify as the center of circulation was located close to deep convection. The NHC stated in their fifth advisory on the storm that Earl did not appear to be fully tropical due to the lack of organization.[4] Around 1200 UTC on September 2, Earl intensified into a hurricane despite having an atypical structure; the wind field of the storm was asymmetric and the strongest winds were located well to the southeast of the center.[1]
Several hours after becoming a hurricane, Earl further intensified into a
Around 0600 UTC (1:00 am EDT) on September 3, Hurricane Earl made landfall near
Preparations
As Earl tracked towards the northeastern Gulf of Mexico on September 1, a hurricane warning was issued for coastal areas between Pascagoula, Mississippi and Cameron, Louisiana. Additionally, hurricane watches extended out to Destin, Florida and High Island, Texas from the edges of the warning respectively. Early the next day, a tropical storm warning was issued for areas between Pascagoula, Mississippi and Destin, Florida. In response to the eastward movement of the hurricane, the hurricane watch and warning was discontinued for areas west of Morgan City, Louisiana. Additionally, the hurricane warning was extended eastward to Destin, Florida, a tropical storm warning was issued east of Destin to Apalachicola, Florida, and a tropical storm watch was declared for areas between Morgan City and Cameron, Louisiana. Several hours later, the hurricane warning was again extended eastward to the mouth of the Suwannee River. All watches and warnings were discontinued for areas west of Pascagoula, Mississippi and due to the asymmetrical structure of Hurricane Earl, a tropical storm warning was issued as far south as the Florida Keys. Continuing uncertainty in the track of Earl prompted the issuance of a hurricane watch and tropical storm warning for areas between Pascagoula, Mississippi and Grand Isle, Louisiana, including the city of New Orleans. After Earl made landfall in Florida, all watches and warnings were discontinued in relation to the storm.[1]
Offshore, several oil and natural gas rigs were evacuated due to the proximity of Earl.[9] An estimated 10,000 workers were evacuated from both onshore and offshore rigs.[10] The storm forced many Florida residences to evacuate, especially people living in the barrier islands along the Florida Gulf Coast. About 30 Air Force jets from Eglin Air Force Base were sent to Oklahoma to protect them from the storm.[11] A mandatory evacuation was issued for 20,000 residents in Leon County as well as all barrier islands along the Florida coast due to the risk of substantial flooding. Franklin County was briefly under a mandatory evacuation order on September 2, the reasons for the lifting of the order are unknown.[12] State parks along the Florida Panhandle were also closed and highways became congested with thousands of residents and tourists evacuating the barrier islands.[13]
Along the Louisiana coastline, voluntary evacuation orders were given out.[11] A state of emergency was declared for portions of southeast Louisiana as tides in relation to the storm were forecast to reach 7 to 10 ft (2.1 to 3.0 m). Emergency shelters were opened throughout Plaquemines Parish, schools were closed in many areas, and the floodgates around New Orleans were shut.[14] An estimated 5,000 people evacuated to inland areas throughout Louisiana.[10] In Nueces County, Texas, work crews worked quickly to clear garbage along the streets and picked up trash cans to avoid possible problems with clogged drains.[14] Throughout the Alabama and Mississippi coasts, schools were closed due to the storm.[13]
Impact
Throughout the
Florida
Ahead of Hurricane Earl's landfall in Florida, several tornadoes were spawned along the
Upon making landfall in Florida early on September 3, Earl produced a
At least 50 people were stranded in
Southeastern U.S.
In Louisiana, moderate
Ahead of Earl, an onshore flow related to the storm produced 6 to 8 ft (1.8 to 2.4 m) swells along the Georgia coast, causing significant damage to marinas. The Mar Lin Marina sustained the most damage from this event; all the docks were destroyed, 30 boats were damaged and six were destroyed. Damages to the marina and boats amounted to $1.3 million.[30] Heavy rains fell throughout central areas of the state, with the highest amounts nearing 10 in (250 mm). Because Earl rapidly weakened upon landfall, the highest winds in Georgia only reached 54 mph (87 km/h). Numerous trees and power lines were downed, resulting in scattered power outages.[31] Throughout Georgia, an estimated 10,400 people lost power due to Earl.[32] Several streets were flooded due to the rains, resulting in traffic accidents.[31] One tornado was spawned by Earl in Georgia; rated F2 on the Fujita scale, the tornado tracked for 8 mi (13 km) in Screven County. Estimated at 350 yd (320 m) in width, the tornado destroyed five mobile homes and a business, severely damaged 15 additional mobile homes and caused some damage to five others. Seven people were injured by the tornado and damages amounted to $435,000.[33] Several major highways were temporarily closed due to high water or debris covering the road. Numerous homes sustained damage from fallen trees in several counties. In all, damages from Earl amounted to $2.3 million in Georgia.[30][32][33]
The extratropical remnants continued through the Southern United States, tracking through the Carolinas late on September 3. Sustained winds in South Carolina reached 50 mph (80 km/h) and gusted up to 70 mph (110 km/h). Widespread rainfall, generally amounting between 2 and 4 in (51 and 102 mm), fell in areas previously saturated by Hurricane Bonnie, this triggered minor flooding along roads.[34] Inland, isolated amounts of 10 in (250 mm) of rain fell.[23] The first tornado related to Earl touched down in Choppee, located in Georgetown County. The tornado was rated F0 and was only briefly on the ground before it dissipated.[34] The second tornado to touch down in the state was also the strongest in relation to Earl. Rated F2, the tornado tracked for 18 mi (29 km) through Beaufort and Colleton Counties, destroying 13 homes and damaging 13 others. One mobile home was flipped in the air and was completely destroyed once it hit the ground, instantly killing the occupant of the home. Numerous trees were uprooted and snapped along its path. In all, the tornado killed one person, injured four others and caused $360,000 in damages.[35][36] A brief F1 tornado touched down several hours later, damaging the roof of a barn and uprooting several trees before dissipating.[37] The most damaging tornado spawned by Earl was a 430 yd (390 m) wide, F2 tornado that struck the Fairlawn subdivision near Moncks Corner. Along the tornado's 7 mi (11 km) track, 21 homes were destroyed and 73 others were damaged. Nine people sustained injuries due to the tornado and damages amounted to $2.8 million.[38]
Still recovering from Hurricane Bonnie, the remnants of Earl produced widespread rain over North Carolina, triggering flooding.[23] Upwards of 6 in (150 mm) fell in localized areas, causing small streams to overflow their banks.[39] In Union County, up to 15 roads were shut down due to flooding, a few cars were also washed off roads at the height of the floods. In Charlotte, several roads were flooded.[40] The Carteret Community College, which was severely damaged by Bonnie, was again damaged by Earl. High winds from the storm damaged temporary protective measures, allowing rain to flood the interior of the building, causing water damage to the structure and materials inside. In front of the Crystal Coast Civic Center, fabriform, installed to stabilize the beach, was damaged by the storm, resulting in significant beach erosion.[41] Two short lived tornadoes touched down in North Carolina from Earl. The first, an F0, damaged at least 15 mobile homes, overturned sheds, destroyed a porch and two campers. No injuries resulted from the tornado and damage amounted to $50,000.[42] The second and stronger of the two tornadoes, rated F1, only touched down for a few seconds; however, it destroyed one home and severely damaged a neighboring home. According to eye-witness reports, the tornado lifted the home 20 to 25 ft (6.1 to 7.6 m) off the ground before the home broke apart and fell to the ground.[43]
Elsewhere
The initial tropical disturbance passed through the Yucatán Peninsula on August 29 and inflow bands to the south of Earl continued rainfall across southeast Mexico until early September 2. The highest rainfall total was reported from Belizario Dominguez/Moto, where 12.94 in (329 mm) of precipitation fell.[23]
The extratropical remnants of Earl produced strong winds and heavy rains throughout
Aftermath
On September 4, President Bill Clinton approved disaster declarations for six counties in Florida. Bay, Dixie, Franklin, Gulf, Taylor, and Wakulla counties were approved for Individual Assistance.[45] Residents in the designated counties were eligible to receive federal funding for three months following the storm.[46] By September 8, State Farm had received 200 auto and 720 homeowners claims from the affected region, most of which were partial damage claims. Allstate had received 80 auto and 587 homeowners claims from Florida and 540 claims from Georgia. Additionally, Nationwide reported that up to 1,000 claims had been filed from Florida.[47]
Following the impacts of Hurricane Opal in 1995, Earl and later Hurricane Georges, the state of Florida undertook a recovery project to restore the eroded beaches along the Panhandle coast.[24] In October United States Department of Transportation provided $2 million in funds to repair damaged and destroyed roads in Florida. On December 3, an additional $1.7 million was provided to repair funds.[48] The United States Military allocated $2.2 million to repair damage from Hurricane Earl to training academies and naval ports.[49] The Florida Senate provided $25,740 in emergency funds to Hurricane Earl victims.[50] By the end of the disaster declaration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency provided $1 million in public assistance and $600,000 in disaster mitigation.[51]
See also
- Hurricane Gordon (2000)
- Other storms of the same name
References
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- ^ Pasch (August 31, 1998). "Tropical Storm Earl Discussion One". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
- ^ Avila (September 1, 1998). "Tropical Storm Earl Discussion Four". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
- ^ Pasch (September 1, 1998). "Tropical Storm Earl Discussion Five". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
- ^ Avila (September 2, 1998). "Hurricane Earl Discussion Ten". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
- ^ Pasch (September 3, 1998). "Hurricane Earl Discussion Eleven". National Hurricane Center.
- ^ Rappaport (September 3, 1998). "Tropical Storm Earl Discussion Thirteen (Final)". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
- ^ S2CID 56421331. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
- ^ Cliff Edwards (September 2, 1998). "Natural gas tumbles as Hurricane Earl sidesteps major producing areas". Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
- ^ a b c d e Stuart Hinson (1998). "Louisiana Event Report: Hurricane". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 7, 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b Bill Kaczor (September 2, 1998). "Earl veers eastward and grows into hurricane". Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
- ^ Bill Kaczor (September 3, 1998). "Hurricane Earl hits Florida's Panhandle". Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
- ^ a b Bill Koczar (September 2, 1998). "Hurricane Earl veers toward Florida coast". Associated Press. Retrieved June 7, 2009.[dead link]
- ^ a b Catherine Wilson (September 2, 1998). "Tropical Storm Earl expected to become hurricane and hit Gulf coast". Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
- ^ Stuart Hinson (1998). "Florida Event Report: F0 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 7, 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Stuart Hinson (1998). "Florida Event Report: F1 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 7, 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Stuart Hinson (1998). "Florida Event Report: F0 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 7, 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Stuart Hinson (1998). "Florida Event Report: F0 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 7, 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Stuart Hinson (1998). "Florida Event Report: F0 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. Archived from the original on April 30, 2001. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
- ^ Stuart Hinson (1998). "Florida Event Report: F1 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 7, 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Stuart Hinson (1998). "Florida Event Report: F1 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 7, 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c d Stuart Hinson (1998). "Florida Event Report: Hurricane". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 7, 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c d e David M. Roth (2009). "Hurricane Earl - September 1–5, 1998". Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
- ^ a b Department of Environmental Protection (1999). "Beach and Dune Erosion and Structural Damage and Post-Storm Recovery Plan for the Panhandle Coast of Florida" (PDF). State of Florida. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
- ^ Stuart Hinson (1998). "Florida Event Report: Lightning". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 7, 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Stuart Hinson (1998). "Florida Event Report: F2 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 7, 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Stuart Hinson (1998). "Louisiana Event Report: Tropical Storm". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 7, 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Stuart Hinson (1998). "Mississippi Event Report: Tropical Storm". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 7, 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Stuart Hinson (1998). "Alabama Event Report: Tropical Storm". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 7, 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b Stuart Hinson (1998). "Georgia Event Report: Thunderstorm Winds". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 7, 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b Stuart Hinson (1998). "Georgia Event Report: High Winds". National Climatic Data Center. Archived from the original on June 13, 2007. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
- ^ a b Stuart Hinson (1998). "Georgia Event Report: Tropical Storm". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 7, 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b Stuart Hinson (1998). "Georgia Event Report: F2 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 7, 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b Stuart Hinson (1998). "South Carolina Event Report: F0 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 7, 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Stuart Hinson (June 7, 1998). "South Carolina Event Report: F2 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Stuart Hinson (June 7, 1998). "South Carolina Event Report: F1 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Stuart Hinson (1998). "South Carolina Event Report: F1 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 7, 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Stuart Hinson (1998). "South Carolina Event Report: F2 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 7, 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Stuart Hinson (1998). "North Carolina Event Report: Flash Flood". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 7, 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Stuart Hinson (1998). "North Carolina Event Report: Flood". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 7, 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Stuart Hinson (1998). "North Carolina Event Report: Heavy Rain". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 7, 2009.[permanent dead link]
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- ^ Stuart Hinson (1998). "North Carolina Event Report: F1 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 7, 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Richard J. Pasch; Lixion A. Avila; John L. Guiney (1999). "Monthly Weather Review for 1998" (PDF). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 7, 2009. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
- ^ Federal Emergency Management Agency (September 4, 1998). "Designated Counties for Florida Hurricane Earl". Government of the United States. Archived from the original on May 8, 2009. Retrieved June 8, 2009.
- ^ Federal Emergency Management Agency (September 8, 1998). "Summary: Hurricane Earl in Florida". Government of the United States. Archived from the original on May 31, 2009. Retrieved June 8, 2009.
- ^ Adams, Michael H. (September 8, 1998). "Insurers 'Dodge Bullet' On Hurricane Earl Losses". National Underwriter Property & Casualty-Risk & Benefits Management. Retrieved June 8, 2009.[dead link]
- ^ Jim Pinkelman (December 3, 1998). "Transportation Secretary Slater Announces $1.7 Million in Emergency Relief Funds For Hurricane-Damaged Roads in Florida". United States Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on May 20, 2008. Retrieved June 8, 2009.
- ^ Staff Writer (1999). "Facilities Repair". The Library of Congress. Retrieved June 8, 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Staff Writer (September 1999). "Funding for the Hurricane Loss Mitigation Program" (PDF). The State of Florida. Retrieved June 8, 2009.
- ^ Staff Writer (1999). "Mitigation Success". State of Florida. Archived from the original on November 25, 2002. Retrieved June 8, 2009.
External links