Hurricane Edouard (1996)
Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | August 19, 1996 |
Extratropical | September 3, 1996 |
Dissipated | September 7, 1996 |
Category 4 major hurricane | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Highest winds | 145 mph (230 km/h) |
Lowest pressure | 933 mbar (hPa); 27.55 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 2 direct |
Damage | $20 million (1996 USD) |
Areas affected | East Coast of the United States, Atlantic Canada |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1996 Atlantic hurricane season |
Hurricane Edouard was the strongest
Meteorological history
A
After becoming a tropical storm, Edouard quickly strengthened due to the establishment of an upper-level anticyclone over the storm. The storm moved to the west in response to a strong subtropical ridge to its north, and Edouard strengthened into a hurricane on August 23. Due to very favorable conditions, the hurricane rapidly strengthened on August 24 and August 25 to peak as a 145 mph (233 km/h) Category 4 hurricane on the
Late on August 29, Hurricane Edouard developed three concentric eyewalls, an unusual occurrence coinciding with an increase in strength to 140 mph (230 km/h). A mid-tropospheric trough turned the hurricane to the north to an area of unfavorable conditions, and Edouard weakened to a Category 3 hurricanes on August 31. On September 1, the hurricane passed about midway between
Preparations
A high pressure system over
In North Carolina, Cape Lookout was closed and evacuated prior to the storm's passage.[4] Because a Hurricane Watch existed for the
Impact
Despite initial predictions, Edouard's effects were much less than expected. Strong waves struck much of the East Coast of the United States, killing 2 and injuring numerous others. In 2011 the National Hurricane Center reported that Edouard had caused a total of US$20 million with the greatest damage occurring on Cape Cod, where moderate wind gusts resulted in $4.6 million (2007 USD).[11]
Carolinas and Mid-Atlantic
In South Carolina, minor beach erosion was reported in Charleston and Colleton Counties.[12] Swells of up to 15 ft (4.6 m), in combination with strong waves, caused overwash on Route 12 on Hatteras Island. Minor beach erosion occurred.[13] Moderate winds of up to 50 mph (80 km/h) blew down a few trees and caused shingle damage to buildings.[4] In Delaware, rough surf closed numerous coastal beaches, while storm tides and waves flooded a campground near the Indian River in Sussex County.[14] Strong waves in New Jersey killed two people and seriously injured another. Lifeguards made numerous rescues along the coast, while other beaches were closed or had restrictions on bathing. Winds were minor along the Jersey coastline, peaking at less than 30 mph (48 km/h).[15]
In
New England and Canada
Hurricane Edouard passed about 95 miles (153 km)/h) southeast of Nantucket while moving at only 12 mph (19 km/h), much slower than previous New England hurricanes. This resulted in several hours of strong waves, winds, and rain. The hurricane produced wave heights of up to 31 feet (9.4 m), which washed twelve boats ashore and damaged numerous others.[17] The strong waves and a storm surge of up to 2.1 feet (0.64 m) in Nantucket[1] flooded a few coastal roads.[17] Edouard also produced tropical storm force winds across much of Massachusetts, as well as one hurricane-force gust on Nantucket. In addition, there were unofficial reports of stronger gusts, including 77 mph (124 km/h) on Cape Cod, 80 mph (130 km/h) on Martha's Vineyard, and 90 mph (140 km/h) on Nantucket.[1] The strong winds caused power outages to 2/3 of Nantucket, all of Martha's Vineyard for six hours, and most of Cape Cod for several hours.[17] Power outages, effecting 35,000 to 40,000[10] were reported throughout Massachusetts, though far from the power outages caused by Hurricane Bob five years prior.[8] The winds also downed numerous trees, and blew off the roof of the fire station in Hyannis. Rainfall was moderate from the slow-moving hurricane, peaking at 6.37 inches (162 mm) in West Dennis with many other locations reporting over 3 inches (76 mm). The rainfall produced minor street flooding.[17] Damage on Cape Cod totaled to $3.5 million (1996 USD, $4.6 million 2007 USD).[9]
In New Hampshire, the hurricane produced winds gusts of up to 38 mph (61 km/h) and around 1 inch (25 mm) of rain along the coast.[18] In Maine, heavy surf closed several beaches[9] and injured two people. Waves also damaged several boats. Winds were moderate near the coast, peaking at 47 mph (76 km/h) with gusts to 54 mph (87 km/h) at Mount Desert Island. The winds knocked over several trees[19] and caused sporadic power outages throughout the state, including loss of power for 1,900 Portland residents.[9] In Kittery, water fell through an office building, damaging computer equipment.[19] Rainfall was minor, peaking at 1.23 inches (31 mm) in Eastport.[1]
In southern Nova Scotia, Edouard produced heavy rainfall from 3.7 to 5.5 inches (94 to 140 mm). Winds were moderate, peaking at 75 mph (121 km/h) in Cape Breton Highlands. The hurricane also caused beach erosion on southeastern Nova Scotia.[20]
See also
- Other storms of the same name
- List of Category 4 Atlantic hurricanes
- Hurricane Bill (2009)
- Hurricane Earl (2010)
- Hurricane Katia (2011)
- Hurricane Jose (2017)
- Hurricane Lee (2023)
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Richard J. Pasch (1996). "Hurricane Edouard Tropical Cyclone Report". National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on 2013-07-14. Retrieved 2006-05-29.
- ^ Steve Stone; Paul South; Staff Writers (1996). "Edouard will be "a very close call" The storm: Hurricane could brush coast as soon as Sunday". The Virginian Pilot. Archived from the original on 2012-12-15. Retrieved 2006-05-29.
- ^ Kirk Moore; Todd B. Bates (2005). "Hurricanes put Shore in danger". The Daily Journal. Retrieved 2006-05-29. [dead link]
- ^ a b John Lynch; Chuck Harris; Bob Woody (1996). "National Park Service Report". National Park Service. Archived from the original on November 8, 2004. Retrieved 2006-05-30.
- ^ Press Office of the Mayor of New York City (1996). "Mayor urges New Yorkers to take Precautions as Hurricane Edouard Tracks North". Retrieved 2006-05-29.
- ^ Carol Lee Costa-Crowell; William Corey; John Estrella; Jack Stewardson (1996). "Edouard chugs up coast". South Coast Today. Retrieved 2006-05-29.
- ^ Keith Regan, and David Levesque Standard-Times staff writers (1996). "Ready for Edouard's worst". South Coast Today. Archived from the original on 2004-11-06. Retrieved 2006-05-30.
- ^ a b c Susan Pawlak-Seaman; Robert Haddocks (1996). "Edouard breezes through". South Coast Today. Retrieved 2006-05-30.
- ^ a b c d e Wayne Cotterly (1996). "Hurricanes & Tropical Storms and their Impact on Maine" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-04-01. Retrieved 2006-05-29.
- ^ a b Anne Wallace Allen (1996). "Edouard veers, no serious damage but Labor Day holiday ruined". Augusta Chronicle. Archived from the original on 2007-09-29. Retrieved 2006-05-29.
- ^ "The deadliest, costliest and most intense United States tropical cyclones from 1851 to 2010 (and other frequently requested hurricane facts)" (PDF). National Climatic Data Center, National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 2011-08-10. p. 47. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
- ^ National Climatic Data Center (1996). "Event Record Details for South Carolina". Archived from the original on 2009-02-27. Retrieved 2006-05-29.
- ^ National Weather Service (1999-06-11). "Preliminary Storm Report". USA Today. Retrieved 2006-05-29.
- ^ National Climatic Data Center (1996). "Event Record Details for Delaware". Archived from the original on 2009-02-27. Retrieved 2006-05-29.
- ^ National Climatic Data Center (1996). "Event Record Details for New Jersey". Archived from the original on 2009-02-27. Retrieved 2006-05-30.
- ^ a b National Climatic Data Center (1996). "Event Record Details for New York". Archived from the original on 2009-02-27. Retrieved 2006-05-30.
- ^ a b c d National Climatic Data Center (1996). "Event Record Details for Massachusetts". Archived from the original on 2009-02-27. Retrieved 2006-05-30.
- ^ National Climatic Data Center (1996). "Event Record Details for New Hampshire". Archived from the original on 2009-02-27. Retrieved 2006-05-30.
- ^ a b National Climatic Data Center (1996). "Event Record Details for Maine". Archived from the original on 2009-02-27. Retrieved 2006-05-30.
- ^ Canadian Hurricane Centre (1996). "Storms of 1996 in Canada". Archived from the original on 2006-05-16. Retrieved 2006-05-30.