Hurricane Kyle (2008)
Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | September 25, 2008 |
Extratropical | September 29 |
Dissipated | September 30, 2008 |
Category 1 hurricane | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Highest winds | 85 mph (140 km/h) |
Lowest pressure | 984 mbar (hPa); 29.06 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 8 total |
Damage | $57.1 million (2008 USD) |
Areas affected | Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Bermuda, New England, Atlantic Canada, southeastern Quebec |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season |
Hurricane Kyle was a
By September 24, it began to track northward away from the islands, and developed enough strong thunderstorm activity near its center and a well-defined enough circulation to be deemed a tropical storm on September 25. It strengthened to a hurricane on September 27 west of Bermuda. It made landfall in Nova Scotia as a Category 1 hurricane late on September 28, then became extratropical shortly afterward.
The precursor to Kyle produced torrential rainfall over Puerto Rico, resulting in six fatalities and $48 million in damages. Little impact was recorded in Hispaniola and Bermuda as the system tracked northward. Along the eastern United States, rough seas resulted in two fatalities and as the storm made landfall in Canada, heavy rains fell in eastern Maine. In Canada, Kyle had relatively little impact, leaving $9 million in damages and no fatalities.
Meteorological history
Hurricane Kyle began as a weak
Around 0000 UTC on September 25, the disturbance was sufficiently organized to be declared a tropical depression.
Late on September 26, shear began to relax and deep convection redeveloped around the center of circulation and the forward motion of the storm began to increase.[7] Several hours later, the storm made a sudden northwest jump due to a passing shortwave trough.[8] By this time, Kyle was just below hurricane-status, with sustained winds up to 70 mph (110 km/h). Continued organization led to the storm attaining hurricane intensity at 1200 UTC on September 27 while located about 345 mi (555 km) west of Bermuda.[1] Upon attaining this intensity, the storm became embedded within an area strong, divergent, upper-level winds.[9] Increasing in forward motion, the center of Kyle was located along the southwestern edge of the deep convection.[10]
By September 28, the storm began to struggle maintaining its intensity due to increasing shear and cooling
Preparations
Puerto Rico and Hispaniola
On September 22, about 3 days before the system had formed into a tropical storm, its significant rainfall in the eastern Caribbean prompted flash flood warnings in Puerto Rico and the British Virgin Islands.[15] In the Dominican Republic a green alert was issued for provinces in the eastern part of the nation.[16] The next day yellow alerts were issued for eight provinces and red alerts in eight more. Evacuations began in vulnerable San Pedro de Macoris, La Romana, and Barahona and San Jose de Ocoa.[17] The system moved westward on September 23, threatening Haiti with its rains which prompted the issuance of heavy rain warnings and[18] a red alert warning by the nation's government.[19]
Bermuda
Early on September 26, Tropical Storm Kyle was deemed to be a threat to Bermuda and a tropical storm watch was issued for the islands. Later that day the watch was upgraded to a tropical storm warning as the storm neared the island. The following day, the warning was discontinued as Hurricane Kyle bypassed the island.[1]
New England and Atlantic Canada
On September 27, the state of Maine issued its first hurricane watch since 1991. Eastern Maine's power company, Bangor Hydro-Electric, prepared for potential outages and planned to have additional crews on duty.[20] The system turned and missed the state, though.[1]
The Canadian Hurricane Centre issued watches and warnings for parts of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick on September 27, concurrent with the Maine warnings.[21] New Brunswick Power indicated that repair crews were on standby and neighbouring utilities have been called to assist if needed. The Red Cross in New Brunswick also were checking equipment and supplies to meet any need that might arise.[22] Hours before landfall, a hurricane warning was issued for portions of Nova Scotia. This was the first hurricane warning ever in Canada (tropical storm and hurricane advisories were not issued in Canada prior to 2004, a policy changed due to Hurricane Juan in 2003).[23]
Impact
Puerto Rico
The precursor to Kyle produced record breaking rains over Puerto Rico from September 21 to 23.[24] With isolated maxima in excess of 30 inches (760 mm), rivers breached their flood walls and flooded low-lying areas.[15] In Patillas, a 500-year 24‑hour rainfall event took place, with 22.03 in (559.5 mm) falling from 8 a.m. on September 21 to 8 a.m. on September 22.[25] Some rivers rose more than 25 ft (7.6 m) in 12 hours, leading to severe flooding.[26] Three deaths were directly blamed on the system as a result of the floods and mudslides.[1] Another three deaths were indirectly related due to stress induced heart attacks.[26] Mudslides, triggered by the torrential rain, closed highways and schools.[18] Damage to agriculture on the island was estimated to be $23 million and structural damage was estimated at $25 million, for a total of $48 million.[26][27] In addition to the system's rainfall, its winds whipped up 10 ft (3 m) waves along the island's southern coast.[28]
Hispaniola
Heavy rains on September 23, produced by the tropical wave which would eventually become Kyle, caused renewed flooding in the already flood-stricken areas of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The Orangers River overflowed its banks, flooding parts of Jacmel, severely damaging homes.[19] By September 26, flash flooding impacted areas recovering from previous floods in the Dominican Republic.[29] Rainfall totals in eastern parts of the Dominican Republic exceeded 16 in (410 mm).[15]
Bermuda
Between September 25 and 26, the outer bands of Kyle brought sustained winds up to 45 mph (75 km/h) and heavy rains that amounted to 1.53 in (39 mm) during the two-day span in Bermuda. The heaviest rainfall fell mostly on the western coast of the island as a narrow band of moderate rainfall tracked through.[30] No structural damage or injuries resulted from the passage of Kyle in Bermuda.[31]
Northeast United States
Kyle produced high waves along the coast of Rhode Island as it moved northward. A newly married couple were killed when high waves knocked the wife into the rocky shores. Her husband jumped in to save her but was overcome by the waves himself. The bodies of the couple were found days later.[32] Large swells produced by Kyle, enhanced by a strong onshore flow, caused significant beach erosion along the New Jersey coastline. Cuts up to 6 ft (1.8 m) in beach dunes were recorded.[33] Heavy rains from Kyle caused flash flooding in Hartford County, Connecticut, flooding six cars and numerous basements. Total damages in Hartford were estimated at $40,000.[34]
Rainfall up to 5 in (127 mm) in Massachusetts caused a river in Somerset to overflow its banks, flooding nearby areas with 2 feet (0.6 m) of water. A large sinkhole formed on County Street and several cars were stranded in the floodwaters. Two people had to be rescued by boat when their car was overcome by the floodwaters. In addition, numerous basements were flooded. Damages in Bristol County were estimated at $25,000.[35] A mobile home park in Plymouth County was inundated with 2.5 ft (0.7 m) of water, causing one home to shift off its foundation. Damages to the homes were estimated at $50,000.[36]
As the storm made landfall in Nova Scotia, the outer bands produced heavy rains and strong winds over eastern Maine. Wind gusts were recorded up to 45 mph (75 km/h) in coastal Hancock County. The strong winds toppled trees, leaving 500 customers without power. Rainfall generally amounted from 3 to 4.5 in (76.2 to 114.3 mm),[37] with a maximum of 7.15 in (181.61 mm) in Sedgwick Ridge. The heavy rains flooded several roads, causing traffic delays and road closures throughout southeastern Maine.[38] Throughout the Northeast United States, two people were killed and damages were estimated at $115,000.[32][34][35][36]
Canada
Upon making landfall, Kyle produced a 2.6 ft (0.79 m)
Aftermath
On October 1, President George W. Bush declared Puerto Rico major disaster area. The declaration allowed federal assistance to reach affected communities in the United States Commonwealth.[42] Residents who met the requirements to receive federal aid were eligible for funding for temporary housing. People who lost their jobs due to the flooding were eligible for unemployment grants for 26 weeks starting the day of the disaster declaration. Residents were able to receive up to $200,000 for home damages; up to $40,000 in personal possession losses; and up to $2 million for business losses.[43] By October 17, more than $5.6 million in disaster aid was approved for 20,284 residences. Community Relations teams visited about 7,000 people. Out of the 4,140 small-business loans applications, only 288 were submitted by this time.[44] By October 25, the amount of funds nearly doubled, reaching $11 million. At this time, more than, 24,500 residents applied for disaster loans. Survey teams checked over 18,000 homes for flood-related damages at this time also.[45] Funding reached $16.5 million by November 7, with 29,000 people requesting federal assistance.[46] By December 5, funding for 37,000 residents reached $23.1 million. At this time, the deadline for federal assistance requests was set for January 15, 2009.[47] On January 2, 2009, funding for small businesses was being provided, with $6 million being contributed. Grants for residents also reached $25 million.[48] After the flooded rivers crested and receded, bulldozers began clearing mud covered streets.[24]
See also
- List of Canada hurricanes
- 2008 Atlantic hurricane season
- Timeline of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Lixion A. Avila (December 5, 2008). "Tropical Cyclone Report - Hurricane Kyle" (PDF). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 20, 2009.
- ^ Richard Knabb (September 18, 2008). "Tropical Weather Outlook: 8 am EDT September 18, 2008". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 20, 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Jack Beven (September 19, 2008). "Tropical Weather Outlook: 8 pm EDT September 19, 2008". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 20, 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert 2114Z on September 21". Naval Atlantic Meteorology and Oceanography Center. September 21, 2008. Archived from the original on September 1, 2008. Retrieved May 20, 2009.
- ^ Pasch and Roberts (September 25, 2008). "Tropical Storm Kyle Discussion One". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved July 17, 2009.
- ^ Stewart (September 25, 2008). "Tropical Storm Kyle Discussion Three". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved July 17, 2009.
- ^ Avila (September 26, 2008). "Tropical Storm Kyle Discussion Six". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved July 17, 2009.
- ^ Stewart (September 27, 2008). "Tropical Storm Kyle Discussion Seven". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved July 17, 2009.
- ^ Beven (September 27, 2008). "Tropical Storm Kyle Discussion Eight". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved July 17, 2009.
- ^ Beven (September 27, 2008). "Hurricane Kyle Discussion Nine". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved July 17, 2009.
- ^ Stewart (September 28, 2008). "Hurricane Kyle Discussion Eleven". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved July 17, 2009.
- ^ Pasch and Blake (September 28, 2008). "Hurricane Kyle Discussion Twelve". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved July 17, 2009.
- ^ Pasch (September 28, 2008). "Hurricane Kyle Discussion Thirteen". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved July 17, 2009.
- ^ "Canadian Tropical Cyclone Season Summary for 2008". Canadian Hurricane Center. 2009. Retrieved March 18, 2011.
- ^ a b c d Steve Lang (September 30, 2008). "Hurricane Season 2008: Tropical Storm Kyle (Atlantic Ocean)". NASA. Retrieved May 20, 2009.
- ^ Green alert in Dominican Republic due to tropical wave - DominicanToday.com Archived 2008-09-24 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Staff Writer (2008-09-23). "Dominican Republic in for Storm". Prensa Latina. Retrieved 2008-09-25.
- ^ a b AccuWeather.com - Weather Blogs - Weather News
- ^ Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. September 26, 2008. Archived from the originalon March 15, 2005. Retrieved January 26, 2009.
- ^ Staff Writer (2008-09-27). "Part of Maine coast under tropical storm warning". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 2008-09-30. Retrieved 2008-09-27.
- ^ Environment Canada: Canadian Hurricane Centre Archived 2008-09-20 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Lewandowski, John (2008-09-28). "Kyle to hit southwestern N.S." The Canadian Press. Retrieved 2008-09-28.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c d Canadian Hurricane Centre (February 16, 2009). "Canadian Hurricane Centre Annual Tropical Cyclone Report". World Meteorological Organization. Retrieved February 19, 2009.
- ^ a b Rebecca Banuchi (September 23, 2008). "Heavy rains drench Puerto Rico". USA Today. Archived from the original on July 2, 2013. Retrieved May 20, 2009.
- ^ "NCDC Event Report". National Climatic Data Center. 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
- ^ a b c "NCDC Event Report". National Climatic Data Center. 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
- ^ "NCDC Event Report". National Climatic Data Center. 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
- ^ "Storm threatens waterlogged Haiti". Cayman Compass. Associated Press. September 22, 2008. Archived from the original on October 2, 2008. Retrieved May 20, 2009.
- ^ "OCHA Situation Report No. 18". Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. September 26, 2008. Retrieved May 20, 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Staff Writer (October 1, 2008). "BWS Daily Climatology Written Summary for September 2008". Bermuda Weather Service. Archived from the original on August 8, 2007. Retrieved May 20, 2009.
- ^ Bermuda Weather Service (April 24, 2009). "The 2008 Hurricane Season in Bermuda". World Meteorological Organization. Retrieved May 20, 2009.
- ^ a b "NCDC Event Report". National Climatic Data Center. 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
- ^ "NCDC Event Report". National Climatic Data Center. 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
- ^ a b "NCDC Event Report". National Climatic Data Center. 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
- ^ a b "NCDC Event Report". National Climatic Data Center. 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
- ^ a b "NCDC Event Report". National Climatic Data Center. 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
- ^ "NCDC Event Report". National Climatic Data Center. 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
- ^ "NCDC Event Report". National Climatic Data Center. 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
- ^ "Intermediate Statement". Canadian Hurricance Centre. September 29, 2008. Archived from the original on July 28, 2012. Retrieved September 29, 2008.
- ^ Stewart, Jennifer (2008-09-29). "Kyle blows in, blows out". The Canadian Press & The Chronicle Herald. Retrieved 2008-09-29. [dead link]
- ^ Perry, Charles (2008-09-30). "New Brunswick spared brunt of Kyle's wrath". Times & Transcript. Archived from the original on 2008-10-02. Retrieved 2008-09-30.
- ^ Federal Emergency Management Agency (October 1, 2008). "President Declares Major Disaster for Puerto Rico". Government of the United States. Archived from the original on May 6, 2009. Retrieved May 20, 2009.
- ^ Federal Emergency Management Agency (October 1, 2008). "Federal Aid Programs for Puerto Rico Disaster Recovery". Government of the United States. Archived from the original on May 6, 2009. Retrieved May 20, 2009.
- ^ Federal Emergency Management Agency (October 17, 2008). "More than $5.6 Million Approved in Disaster Aid for Puerto Rico". Government of the United States. Archived from the original on May 6, 2009. Retrieved May 20, 2009.
- ^ Federal Emergency Management Agency (October 25, 2008). "More than $11 Million Approved in Disaster Aid for Puerto Rico". Government of the United States. Archived from the original on May 6, 2009. Retrieved May 20, 2009.
- ^ Federal Emergency Management (November 7, 2008). "Over $16 Million in Disaster Aid Approved for Puerto Rico". Government of the United States. Archived from the original on May 7, 2009. Retrieved May 20, 2009.
- ^ Federal Emergency Management Agency (December 5, 2008). "Over $23 Million in Disaster Aid Approved for Puerto Rico". Government of the United States. Archived from the original on May 6, 2009. Retrieved May 20, 2009.
- ^ Federal Emergency Management Agency (January 2, 2009). "More Than $25 Million Disbursed on Disaster Recovery Aid for Puerto Rico". Government of the United States. Archived from the original on May 6, 2009. Retrieved May 20, 2009.