Hurricane Hanna (2008)
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season |
Hurricane Hanna was a moderately powerful but deadly
At least 537 deaths were reported (the final death toll will likely never be known), mostly due to flooding in the northern part of Haiti. Hanna also caused $160 million in damages to the U.S., but the exact damage in Haiti is unknown. Despite the high number of deaths caused by the hurricane, the name Hanna was not retired.
Meteorological history
On August 19, a tropical wave emerged off the coast of Africa and tracked westward across the Atlantic Ocean. After several days, an associated area of low pressure gained deep convection and organization. On August 28, while to the east-northeast of the northern Leeward Islands, the low formed into Tropical Depression Eight. Later that day, it attained tropical storm status, and as such was named Hanna by the National Hurricane Center.[1] At the time, the low-level center of circulation was partially exposed on the western edge of the mass of convection, indicating westerly wind shear.[2]
Tracking westward primarily under the steering current of a large
Preparations
Greater Antilles
The National Hurricane Center and various governments issued multiple tropical cyclone warnings and watches due to the threat of Hanna. In southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, a tropical storm watch was posted at 15:00 UTC on August 30. Around 09:00 UTC the next day, the tropical storm watch was upgraded to a tropical storm warning in the Turks and Caicos Islands; six hours later, the watch was also increased in the southeastern Bahamas. Another tropical storm watch was issued for the central Bahamas at 15:00 UTC on August 31 and was upgraded to a tropical storm warning about six hours later. A hurricane watch was put into effect for the central Bahamas on September 1 at 15:00 UTC. Three hours later, all tropical storm warnings were upgraded to hurricane warnings, while the hurricane watch in the central Bahamas was discontinued.[1]
Early on September 3, a hurricane watch was issued for the northwestern Bahamas and switched to a hurricane warning several hours later. That same day, the hurricane warning in effect for the central and southeastern Bahamas, as well as the Turks and Caicos Islands, was downgraded to a tropical storm warning. At 03:00 UTC on September 4, the hurricane warning for the northwestern Bahamas was also decreased to a tropical storm warning. About nine hours later, the tropical storm warning was cancelled for the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands. The remaining portion of the tropical storm warning, for the central and northwestern Bahamas, was discontinued late on September 5.[1]
The Bahamas
In Turks and Caicos Islands, streets were cleared, while schools and airports were closed as Hanna approached.[11] On Providenciales, 800 people stayed in shelters. The storm was predicted to bring up to 12 inches (300 mm) of precipitation to the Turks and Caicos and southeastern Bahamas. In the Bahamas, National Emergency Operations Centre was used to provide advice to the public. All national medical facilities were inspected and equipped with necessary supplies and equipment. About 139 people and 20 others stayed in shelters on Acklins and Long Cay, respectively.[12]
Hispaniola
Along the northern coast of Haiti, a tropical storm warning was issued from
United States and Canada
At 09:00 UTC on September 4, a tropical storm watch was issued from the mouth of the Altamaha River in Georgia to Edisto Beach, South Carolina. Simultaneously, a hurricane watch was posted from Edisto Beach to Surf City in North Carolina. The hurricane watch was extended further north to Ocracoke Inlet, North Carolina, at 15:00 UTC on September 4. Three hours later, a tropical storm warning became in effect from the mouth of the Savannah River in Georgia to the North Carolina–Virginia state line, which included Albemarle and Pamlico sounds; the hurricane watch was extended to the Currituck Beach Light in North Carolina. Also at 21:00 UTC on September 4, a tropical storm watch was issued from the North Carolina–Virginia state line to the Great Egg Harbor Bay in New Jersey and included the tidal portions of the Potomac River as well as Chesapeake Bay, Washington, D.C., and Delaware Bay.[1] On September 5 at 09:00 UTC, the tropical storm warning in effect from the mouth of the Altamaha River to the Currituck Beach Light was extended northward to Chincoteague, Virginia and included a portion of Chesapeake Bay.[1]
The tropical storm watch from the North Carolina–Virginia state line to Great Egg Harbor was northward extended to
From Florida to New York,
On September 5,
On Friday, September 5,
Power companies on Long Island were preparing for a minimal hurricane and the first real test of New York's readiness for a strong storm impacting the region. In Nassau County, phone calls were attempted to volunteer fire departments, but simultaneously calls were being made to 193,000 residences about the West Nile virus, slowing down phone connections. Over 800 workers were on standby in case anything were to happen due to the storm.[21]
In Canada, the Emergency Measures Organization of the
Impact
Haiti | 529 |
Dominican Republic | 1 |
United States | 7 |
Total | 537 |
The storm brought heavy rainfall and flooding throughout its path. Particularly hard hit was Haiti, as the ground was already saturated by Tropical Storm Fay and Hurricane Gustav.[1] A deadly flooding event ensued, with 529 fatalities confirmed, most of which were in the Gonaïves area.[23] One person drowned in the neighboring country of Dominican Republic.[24] Mostly minor damage occurred in the Bahamas.[1] Along the coast of the Southeastern United States, three people drowned offshore Florida due to rip currents.[15][25] Several states along the East Coast of the United States from South Carolina to Maine reported flooding.[26] Throughout the country, there were seven deaths and approximately $160 million in damage.
U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico
In the United States Virgin Islands, the outer bands of Hanna dropped locally heavy rainfall on some islands, particularly at the Cyril E. King Airport on Saint Thomas. Additionally, a National Weather Service observed reported 1.7 inches (43 mm) of precipitation over a 24-hour period.[27]
Some areas of northeastern Puerto Rico observed 10–12 inches (250–300 mm) of rain in only 24 hours. As a result, many rivers exceeded their banks and several mudslides were reported. A number of streets were inundated and later closed. The Westin Rio Mar Golf Club course in Río Grande was also flooded. On the western side of the island in Añasco, residents fled their homes for shelters.[26]
The Bahamas
Widespread rain and strong winds were reported in the
Hispaniola
Haiti, already rain-saturated by Fay and Gustav, was hit hard by flooding and mudslides from several days of heavy rainfall, particularly in the city of Gonaïves which also suffered catastrophic damage in 2004 from Hurricane Jeanne. Nearly the entire city was flooded with water as high as 2 meters (6.6 feet) deep, and some people had to be rescued on their roofs.[28] In Les Cayes, a hospital had to be evacuated as it was swamped by flood water. At least 5,000 people there were moved to public shelters due to the flooding.[29] The United Nations have ordered relief convoys to the hard-hit region, including rafts to help rescue victims.[30] As of late on September 4, Haiti's government said the death toll from Tropical Storm Hanna had increased to at least 529, with most of the deaths coming in the flooded port city of Gonaïves, where the destruction was described as "catastrophic" and 495 bodies were discovered as of late on September 5.[23][31] Haitian authorities said the tally could grow once officials are able to make their way through Gonaïves. "The assessment is only partial, because it is impossible to enter the city for the moment", Gonaïves Mayor Stephen Moise said.[32] In the aftermath of Hanna at least 48,000 from the Gonaïves areas went to shelters. Some people slept on the roofs of their house to protect them from looters. The catastrophe left many homeless and begging for food and clothes. Others left for the mountains hoping to wait out the next storms on the horizon.[33] Haitians became aggravated at the lack of assistance in the wake of Hanna, with very little aid coming from international organizations. Bridges north and south of Gonaïves collapsed, with roads in the vicinity of the area transformed into swamps.[33]
Over a week after Hanna brushed the Dominican Republic, the body of a fisherman who drowned in the storm was found in the Atlantic just off the northern coast.[24]
United States
While in the Atlantic near the
See also
- List of Delaware hurricanes
- List of Florida hurricanes (2000–present)
- List of New England hurricanes
- List of New Jersey hurricanes
- Other storms of the same name
- Timeline of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Daniel P. Brown and Todd B. Kimberlain (December 17, 2008). Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Hanna (PDF). National Hurricane Center (Report). Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
- ^ Rhome (2008). "Tropical Storm Hanna Discussion Number 2". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 28, 2008.
- ^ Stewart & Beven (2008). "Tropical Storm Hanna Discussion Number 4". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 30, 2008.
- ^ Avila (2008). "Tropical Storm Hanna Discussion Number 5". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 30, 2008.
- ^ Stewart (2008). "Tropical Storm Hanna Discussion Number 17". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 3, 2008.
- ^ Rhome/Avila (2008). "Tropical Storm Hanna Discussion Number 18". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 3, 2008.
- ^ Rhome/Avila (2008). "Hurricane Hanna Discussion Number 19". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 3, 2008.
- ^ Rhome/Knabb (2008). "Tropical Storm Hanna Discussion Number 23". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 3, 2008.
- ^ Knabb. "Tropical Storm Hanna Public Advisory Number 37". National Hurricane Center.
- ^ Ocean Prediction Center. Fourteen Day Unified Surface Analysis Loop. Archived September 20, 2008, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-09-15.
- ^ Vivian Tyson (September 1, 2008). "Hurricane Hanna Forms; Warnings Issued for Bahamas". ABC News. Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. Associated Press. Archived from the original on December 18, 2011. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
- ^ Hurricane Hanna Situation Report #2. Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (Report). ReliefWeb. September 3, 2008. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
- ^ "Region Prepares For Hanna's Rain". WRC-TV. September 5, 2008. Archived from the original on September 7, 2008. Retrieved September 6, 2008.
- ^ Nick McMaster (September 2, 2008). "As Hanna Nears, Fla. Declares Emergency". Newser. Archived from the original on September 10, 2013. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
- ^ WCPO. Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. Associated Press. Archived from the originalon September 8, 2008. Retrieved September 2, 2008.
- ^ "More relief moves into Louisiana as other states brace for more storms". Duncan, Oklahoma: National Rural Water Association. September 5, 2008. Archived from the original on February 26, 2012. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
- ^ "News at Old Dominion University". Odu.edu. Archived from the original on September 7, 2008. Retrieved September 8, 2008.
- ^ "Norfolk State University - NSUalert.com". Nsualert.com. Archived from the original on December 30, 2005. Retrieved September 8, 2008.
- ^ "Regent University closed for Tropical Storm Hanna" (Press release). Regent University. September 4, 2008. Retrieved September 6, 2008.
- ^ "Sep 5, 2008: Saturday Classes Cancelled" (Press release). Virginia Wesleyan College. September 5, 2008. Archived from the original on September 8, 2008. Retrieved September 6, 2008.
- ^ a b "Newsday | Long Island's & NYC's News Source".
- ^ "Weather advisory issued (08/09/05)". Fredericton, New Brunswick: Government of New Brunswick. September 5, 2008. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
- ^ Alertnet. Salvo, North Carolina. Reuters. September 6, 2008. Archived from the originalon September 12, 2008. Retrieved June 9, 2008.
- ^ a b "Ike kills 10 in Haiti". Otago Daily News. Associated Press. September 8, 2008. Archived from the original on May 14, 2014. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
- ^ a b "Body Of 14-Year-Old Caught In Rip Current Is Found". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. September 3, 2008. Archived from the original on November 8, 2012. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
- ^ a b William Angel. Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena: September 2008 (PDF). National Climatic Data Center (Report). Asheville, North Carolina: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. p. 175. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 14, 2014. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
- ^ William Angel. Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena: August 2008 (PDF). National Climatic Data Center (Report). Asheville, North Carolina: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. p. 489. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 14, 2014. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
- ^ Australian Broadcasting Corporation (September 2, 2008). "Tropical storm Hanna kills 10 in Haiti". ReliefWeb. Retrieved September 3, 2008.
- ^ Katz, Jonathan M. (2008). "Hanna slams Haiti, leaves 25 dead". USA Today. Retrieved September 3, 2008.
- ^ a b "Hanna kills 14 in islands, threatens US East Coast". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. 2008. Retrieved September 2, 2008. [dead link]
- ^ "Haiti Impact". Hurricane Hanna Info. 2008. Archived from the original on August 1, 2013. Retrieved September 4, 2008.
- ^ Trenton Daniel and Francis Robels (2008). "Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Turks and Caicos deal with destruction and death from Tropical Storm Hanna and Hurricane Gustav". Miami Herald.
- ^ a b Charles, Jacqueline (2008). "Horrible scene in Haiti after Hanna". Miami Herald. Retrieved September 5, 2008. [dead link]
- ^ "Easley declares state of emergency". WRAL. Retrieved September 5, 2008.
- ^ "Anne Arundel Prepares for Hanna". Capital Gazette. Retrieved September 5, 2008.
- ^ "District of Columbia is Ready for Hanna". D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency. September 5, 2008. Retrieved September 6, 2008.
- ^ "Situation Report No. 6" (PDF). SC Emergency Management Division. September 6, 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 9, 2008. Retrieved September 6, 2008.
- ^ "Horry County EOC at OPCON 1 for Hanna". SCNOW. September 4, 2008. Archived from the original on September 9, 2012. Retrieved September 6, 2008.
- ^ AL Notes: Postponed O's-A's game canceled, Chron, September 23, 2008
- ^ Joanna Poncavage (September 8, 2008). "Possible Tornado damages Dieruff". The Morning Call. Archived from the original on September 8, 2008. Retrieved September 8, 2008.
- ^ "Swimmer drowns off New Jersey coast | 7online.com". Archived from the original on May 21, 2011. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
- ^ Hurricane Season 2008: Tropical Storm Hanna (Atlantic Ocean), NASA, September 7, 2008
- ^ Storm-Related Closures in Acadia National Park, NPS.com, September 7, 2008