Hurricane Helene (1958)
United States East Coast, Atlantic Canada, British Isles | |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1958 Atlantic hurricane season |
Hurricane Helene was the most intense
Despite not making
Meteorological history
The origins of Hurricane Helene can be traced back to an
Moving on a west-northwest track at roughly 20 mph (32 km/h) early on September 22, the storm initially changed little in intensity. However, a large
The hurricane steadily strengthened as it moved towards the northwest around the western periphery of the
As Helene recurved and accelerated towards more northerly
Preparations
Upon the storm's formation, the Weather Bureau cautioned ships in Helene's path of the impending conditions, and did so throughout the storm's duration. As the storm moved west on September 23, advisories specified for small craft in northern islands of
As the storm began to quickly intensify on September 26, areas of the watch from
Due to the potential impacts from Helene, the Weather Bureau began to advise prompt
Impact and aftermath
United States East Coast
Despite not making landfall, Helene's close proximity to the United States resulted in impacts along the East Coast. Impacts were most severe in North Carolina, where the hurricane made its closest approach.[1] Wind impacts were felt primarily from South Carolina to Virginia,[7] though a frontal zone aided in bringing precipitation as far north as Maine.[9] In the United States, Helene caused $11.2 million in damages and one indirect fatality.[1]
North Carolina
Roughly paralleling the North Carolina coast beginning on September 26, Helene's slow movement and strong intensity resulted in moderate to heavy impacts in coastal areas of the state. Despite the hurricane's Category 4 hurricane intensity, due to its closest approach to land remaining offshore, its
Further inland, several weather stations reported hurricane-force winds. The Weather Bureau office in Wilmington, North Carolina, reported maximum sustained winds of 88 mph (142 km/h) and a peak gust of 135 mph (217 km/h), exceeding the previous record for fastest measured wind speed of 98 mph (158 km/h) set during
Rainfall associated with Helene was primarily concentrated in coastal regions North Carolina, peaking at 8.29 in (211 mm) in Wilmington International Airport.[9] In Hatteras, 4.85 in (123 mm) of rain was measured.[2] Rainfall totals of at least 3 in (76 mm) were commonplace elsewhere along the North Carolina coast.[9] An indirect death occurred when a car skidded off a flooded highway, killing the driver.[18] In the state, damages from Helene amounted to $11 million.[1]
South Carolina
Effects from Helene in South Carolina were less severe than in North Carolina. Helene made its closest approach to the state on September 27, 85 mi (137 km).
Elsewhere in the United States
As a result of Helene recurving away from the United States East Coast, damage in the United States outside of the Carolinas was less severe.
Atlantic Canada
As Helene approached
Quickly accelerating northwards, Helene made landfall on Newfoundland late on September 29.[26] Rainfall peaked at 3.05 in (77 mm) in northern parts of the island, while rainfall amounts were generally minimal across the Avalon Peninsula.[25] A weather station in Naval Station Argentia reported maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (97 km/h) and a gust of 82 mph (132 km/h).[26] The winds severed communications in southwestern Newfoundland and cut communications in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador from the mainland.[29] Bell Island was cut off from the rest of Newfoundland due to rough seas generated by Helene, which resulted in the destruction of piers and lack of boat service. Damage caused by the hurricane on the island were estimated to be in excess of C$100,000.[26]
Aftermath
Following the storm,
See also
- Other storms of the same name
- List of North Carolina hurricanes
- Hurricane Able (1950)
- Hurricane Diana (1984)
- Hurricane Florence
Sources
- ^ . Retrieved March 8, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o United States Weather Bureau (September 30, 1958). Hurricane Helene September 23–29, 1958 (PDF) (Report). United States Department of Commerce. Retrieved March 8, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Atlantic hurricane best track (HURDAT version 2)" (Database). United States National Hurricane Center. April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2024. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "Evacuation of Hurricane Area Urged". Eugene Register-Guard. Charleston, South Carolina. United Press International. September 26, 1958. p. 1. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
- ^ "'Emergency' Evacuation Warning Sounds As High Winds Cover Wide Area". The Times-News. Charleston, South Carolina. United Press International. September 26, 1958. p. 1. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
- ^ "Carolina Target As Helene Zips Toward Coastline". The Gadsen Times. Wilmington, North Carolina. Associated Press. September 27, 1957. p. 1. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f Weeks, Sinclair; Riechelderfer, F.W.; Sumner, Howard C.; Harvey, A.V.; Carney, Charles B.; United States Weather Bureau (September 1958). "North Atlantic Tropical Storms, September 1958" (PDF). Climatological Data. 45 (9). Asheville, North Carolina: 386,388–340. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
- ^ Hatch, Richard W. (September 27, 1958). "Far-Advanced Warning Brings Wholesale Evacuation Of Wide Area Awaiting Tropical Howler". The Times-News. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. United Press International. p. 1,5. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
- ^ a b c d Roth, David M.; Weather Prediction Center. "Hurricane Helene – September 25–29, 1958". Tropical Cyclone Point Maxima. United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service. Retrieved March 8, 2013.
- ^ "North Carolina Cleaning Up After Storm". The Washington Reporter. Halifax, Nova Scotia. United Press International. September 29, 1958. p. 1. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
- ^ "Wilmington, North carolina's history with tropical systems". HurricaneCity. Retrieved August 13, 2008.
- ^ a b c d e "Helene Rips Areas On Carolina Coast". The Palm Beach Post. Wilmington, North Carolina. Associated Press. September 28, 1958. pp. 1–2. Retrieved March 10, 2013.
- ^ a b c d "Hurricane Gouges Into Coast Area". The Victoria Advocate. Wilmington, North Carolina. Associated Press. September 28, 1958. pp. 1, 8A. Retrieved March 10, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e "Helene Left Path of Heavy Damage". The News and Courier. Wilmington, North Carolina. Associated Press. September 29, 1958. p. 2. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
- ^ a b "Hurricane Helene Damage in Millions". The Palm Beach Post. Wilmington, North Carolina. United Press International. September 29, 1958. p. 1,6. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
- ^ "Helene Thrashes Over Open Seas". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Wilmington, North Carolina. United Press International. September 29, 1958. p. 1,2A. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
- ^ "Winds Mount to 135 mph In Carolinas". Reading Eagle. Wilmington, North Carolina. Associated Press. September 27, 1958. pp. 1, 16. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
- ^ "Forecaster Praises Storm Evacuation". St. Petersburg Times. Miami, Florida. United Press International. September 30, 1958. p. 7A. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
- ^ a b Cummings (September 27, 1958). "MKCC And CAE M3 A CHS 292012E WBC" (GIF). Hurricane Helene Storm Wallet. Charleston, South Carolina: United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Hurricane Center. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
- ^ Chapman, William (September 28, 1958). "Veering Storm Roars Ashore At Wilmington". The News and Courier. Charleston, South Carolina. The News and Courier. p. 1. Retrieved March 10, 2013.
- ^ Purvis, John C. (September 29, 1958). "Report on Hurricane Helene" (GIF). Hurricane Helene Storm Wallet. Columbia, South Carolina: United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Hurricane Center. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
- ^ Cummin (October 2, 1958). "MKCC M8 A CHS 022205Z EWSC" (GIF). Hurricane Helene Storm Wallet. Charleston, South Carolina: United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Hurricane Center. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
- ^ Roth, David M (May 12, 2022). "Tropical Cyclone Rainfall in the Mid-Atlantic United States". Tropical Cyclone Rainfall. United States Weather Prediction Center. Retrieved January 6, 2023. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ a b Roth, David M (May 12, 2022). "Tropical Cyclone Rainfall for the New England United States". Tropical Cyclone Rainfall. United States Weather Prediction Center. Retrieved January 6, 2023. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ a b "Hurricane Helene Rainfall 28–30 September 1958". Storm Impact Summaries Rainfall Images for 1958. Environment Canada. September 14, 2010. Retrieved March 8, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g "1958-Helene". Storm Impact Summaries. Environment Canada. September 14, 2010. Retrieved March 8, 2013.
- ^ a b "Nova Scotia Hit Hard By Fringe of Hurricane". Oxnard Press-Courier. Halifax, Nova Scotia. United Press International. September 29, 1958. p. 2. Retrieved March 8, 2013.
- ^ "Hurricane Rips Furiously Into Nova Scotia". The Modesto Bee. Halifax, Nova Scotia. United Press International. September 29, 1958. p. 1. Retrieved March 8, 2013.
- ^ a b c "Helene Batters Nfld". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. Sydney, Nova Scotia. The Canadian Press. September 30, 1958. p. 2. Retrieved March 8, 2013.
- ^ "Hurricane Sideswipes Nova Scotia Coast". The Calgary Herald. Sydney, Nova Scotia. The Canadian Press. September 29, 1958. p. 1. Retrieved March 8, 2013.
- ^ "80-mile per hour winds cut off power". The Leader-Post. Sydney, Nova Scotia. The Canadian Press. September 29, 1958. p. 1. Retrieved March 8, 2013.
- ^ "Two Hurricanes May Merge in North Atlantic". St. Joseph News-Press. Sydney, Nova Scotia. Associated Press. September 29, 1958. p. 4. Retrieved March 8, 2013.
- ^ Suri, Dan. "Dan, Dan the Weatherman's Canadian Weather Trivia Page". Archived from the original on 2013-09-09. Retrieved March 8, 2013.
- ^ "Major Disaster Area Proclaimed". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
- ^ Carney, Charles B. "Awards for Outstanding Service to the Public". Hurricane Helene Storm Wallet. Raleigh, North Carolina: United States National Oceanic and Atmosperhic Administration's National Hurricane Center. Retrieved March 15, 2013.