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Effects of Hurricane Noel in the United States

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Hurricane Noel near peak intensity

The effects of Hurricane Noel in The United States were widespread, though they resulted in no deaths or significant property damage. Hurricane Noel formed on October 27, 2007 from the interaction between a tropical wave and an upper-level low in the north-central Caribbean Sea. It strengthened to winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) before making landfall on western Haiti and the north coast of eastern Cuba. It turned northward, and on November 1 it attained hurricane status. The hurricane accelerated northeastward after crossing the Bahamas, and on November 2 it became an extratropical cyclone. It paralleled the U.S. East Coast, and brushed Cape Cod before November 4, when it was determined that it had lost all tropical characteristics.[1]

While near the Bahamas, Noel caused high waves and wind along the eastern shore of Florida. In Florida, beach erosion was significant, eroding a 20 ft (6.1 m) vertical drop along the shore in some locations. As the storm tracked northward, virtually the entire East Coast was affected by high seas and strong wind. North Carolina was no exception, where parts of North Carolina Highway 12 were covered with flooding and sand. The western side of the then-extratropical storm hit eastern New England with hurricane-force winds on November 3, particularly coastal Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Maine. At least 80,000 customers lost power in Massachusetts due to the storm. Some damage was reported, mostly related to fallen trees and power lines, and coastal damage. The highest wind gust reported on land in the United States was 89 mph (143 km/h) at Barnstable, Massachusetts.

Effects by region

Florida

Beach erosion in Florida

Late on October 31, the National Hurricane Center issued a tropical storm watch for southeastern Florida, as tropical storm force winds were expected to approach the coastline.[1] The Miami National Weather Service office issued a tropical storm warning for Atlantic coastal waters from north of Ocean Reef to Jupiter. A coastal flood warning was posted for Palm Beach County, while a high surf advisory was issued for Broward and Miami-Dade counties.[2]

Hurricane Noel made its closest approach to Florida on November 2.[3] The interaction between Noel and a ridge to its north produced strong, gusty winds and high waves along the east coast of the state.[4] The tight pressure gradient led to a prolonged period of gale-force winds;[1] gusts unofficially peaked at 55 mph (89 km/h). However, the highest official gust was 44 mph (71 km/h), while sustained winds reached 31 mph (50 km/h). Throughout Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties, 5,000 customers lost power. Overall wind damage was minor, and mostly limited to downed power lines.[5] Rainfall was light, with local rainfall amounts up to 2.14 inches (54.4 mm) as Noel's rain bands moved in from the Atlantic.[6]

The offshore generated 12 ft (3.7 m) waves in some locations, forcing the historic fishing pier in Flagler Beach to close.[7] Beach erosion was significant, amounting to about $4 million (2007 USD) in damage.[8] Near West Palm Beach, Florida, a 20 ft (6.1 m) sand dune was eroded to its foundation.[9] In other areas, large portions of beach were washed away, prompting concerns about properties and structures along the shore.[10] Some oceanfront buildings sat at the edge of a15 ft (4.6 m) vertical drop to the water due to the erosion. At South Palm Beach, the pounding surf collapsed a seawall, forcing the evacuation of part of a condominium building. Additionally, coastal flooding and minor wind damage were reported.[8]

Carolinas and Mid-Atlantic

Coastal flood warnings, high surf advisories, and high wind warnings were posted for the coastline of North Carolina and South Carolina as Noel passed well offshore in the Atlantic. Similar advisories were placed into effect from Virginia Beach, Virginia to Ocean City, Maryland. A coastal flood watch was issued for parts of New York, including Long Island.[11]

As an extratropical cyclone, Noel, combined with high pressure building in from the northwest, produced moderate winds along the Outer Banks of North Carolina, primarily on November 2. At Cedar Island, sustained winds of 43 mph (69 km/h) were reported. Along the coast from Cape Lookout northward, gusts peaked at around 60 mph (100 km/h).[12] South of Bonner Bridge, a power line was knocked down, causing power outages for 6,000 customers. Light precipitation fell in the storm's outer rain bands, peaking at 0.5 inches (13 mm) in Morehead City.[13] The storm produced strong waves, flooding North Carolina Highway 12 with up to 5 ft (1.5 m) of water and sand on November 3.[14] Some coastal flooding was reported, and eight oceanfront properties sustained damage.[13] Overall, damage in North Carolina totaled $72,000 (2007 USD).[14]

Elsewhere, the main effects were high winds and minor beach erosion. As Noel was tracking northward parallel to the U.S. East Coast, high winds affected several states. Combined with the high pressure building in from the northwest, wind gusts peaked at 53 mph (85 km/h) in Virginia.[15] Similar winds were felt along the coast of Maryland, causing only minimal damage.[16] Beach erosion was reported in New Jersey, in some cases eroding a 10 ft (3.0 m) vertical drop. Sand fencing was damaged, while rocks and cement walls were left exposed. Wind gusts reached 47 mph (76 km/h) at Barnegat Inlet; minor coastal flooding was reported, as well.[17] Noel passed 200 mi (320 km) southeast of Montauk Point, New York. On Long Island, strong winds knocked down trees and power lines.[18]

New England

Hurricane Noel accelerating along the East Coast

As the extratropical storm progressed north, wind advisories were posted along the coast of New England.[11] Additionally, a winter storm watch was posted for northern Maine as rain was expected to change to snow.[19] In New England, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency activated its Emergency Operations Center.[20] The Cape Cod and Islands division of the Red Cross opened a number of shelters on Nantucket and along coastal Massachusetts. At various ports, boats were died down with additional ropes. Some stores on Cape Cod were closed by November 3, some of them with boarded up windows.[21] The U.S. Coast Guard completed preparations, including warning boaters of the storm.[22]

The western side of the then-extratropical storm hit eastern New England, particularly coastal Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Maine, on November 3 with hurricane-force wind gusts. Massachusetts saw the highest wind gust at 89 mph (143 km/h), with sustained winds topping out at 59 mph (95 km/h). Throughout Cape Cod, trees and tree limbs were downed, particularly along Old Main Street in South Yarmouth.[23] The winds were also strong across central and Downeast Maine, where sustained winds of 50 mph (80 km/h) and gusts to 70 mph (110 km/h) were not uncommon.[24] Rainfall peaked at 5.03 in (128 mm) at Cutler Rainwise, Maine, while other reports ranged from 2 in (50 mm) to 4 in (100 mm) across Maine. Throughout other portions of New England, rainfall was generally less than 1 in (25 mm).[25] In northern Maine, temperatures were cold enough to support 6 in (150 mm) of snowfall.[26] Strong surf caused coastal flooding along the coast, with Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard suffering the most significant;[27] several beachfront houses were severely damaged, and beach erosion was a concern. Seas of up to around 30 ft (9.1 m) occurred.[28]

Power outages were widespread; about 80,000 customers in Massachusetts and 9,000 in Maine lost electric power, mostly on Cape Cod. As a result, a candle burned because of the blackout is blamed on sparking a house fire in Barnstable, though no people were killed or injured.[26] A few roads were closed, mainly due to flooding and downed trees and tree limbs. Old North Wharf in Nantucket was damaged beyond repair, while numerous small boats were washed ashore. Similarly, a large number of scallops were washed up in a nearby harbor. Overall wind damage was common, including broken windows, structural damage, and substantial movement of objects such as garbage cans, and downed trees.[28] In Rhode Island, sporadic damage occurred, and a sailboat was damaged after being blown into a sea wall.[29] Despite the effects, no fatalities or significant property damage were reported.[30]

See also

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References

  1. ^ a b c Daniel P. Brown (2008). "Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Noel" (PDF). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-08-27.
  2. ^ Pfost (2007). "Hurricane Local Statement for Tropical Storm Noel". Miami, Florida National Weather Service. Retrieved 2007-11-01.
  3. ^ Shannan Bowen (2007). "Erosion threatens west Ocean Isle Beach". Wilmington Star-News Online. Retrieved 2008-08-27.
  4. ^ Pasch & Blake (2007). "Tropical Storm Noel Discussion Fourteen". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-08-27.
  5. ^ National Climatic Data Center (2007). "Tropical Storm Event Report for Florida". Retrieved 2008-08-27.
  6. ^ David Roth. "Tropical Cyclone Rainfall in Florida". Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved 2008-08-27.
  7. ^ Staff Writer (2007). "Noel Wreaks Havoc On Florida's Beaches". Wesh.com. Retrieved 2008-08-27.
  8. ^ a b National Climatic Data Center (2007). "Hurricane Noel Event Report for Florida". Retrieved 2008-08-27.
  9. ^ Staff Writer (2007). "Noel Churns Near Florida Coast". CBS News. Retrieved 2008-08-27.
  10. ^ Staff Writer (2007). "S. Fla. Beaches Face Erosion From Tropical Storm". WTVJ. Retrieved 2008-08-27.
  11. ^ a b "Hurricane Season 2007: Noel (Atlantic)". NASA. 2007. Retrieved 2008-08-29. {{cite web}}: Text "author" ignored (help)
  12. ^ National Climatic Data Center (2007). "High Wind Report for North Carolina". Retrieved 2008-08-27.
  13. ^ a b Anne Johnson (2007). "Outer Banks Get Wind, Little Rain From Storm". WRAL.com.
  14. ^ a b National Climatic Data Center (2007). "Coastal Flood Event Report for North Carolina". Retrieved 2008-08-27.
  15. ^ National Climatic Data Center (2007). "Strong Wind Event Report for Virginia". Retrieved 2008-08-30.
  16. ^ National Climatic Data Center (2007). "Strong Wind Event Report for Maryland". Retrieved 2008-08-30.
  17. ^ National Climatic Data Center (2007). "Coastal Flood Event Report for New Jersey". Retrieved 2008-08-30.
  18. ^ National Climatic Data Center (2007). "High Wind Event Report for New York". Retrieved 2008-08-30.
  19. ^ Staff writer (2007). "Noel rips through region with chilling winds, rain". Providence Journal. Retrieved 2008-08-29.
  20. ^ Associated Press (2007). "Hurricane Noel Remnants Head to New England". WKMG. Retrieved 2008-08-30.
  21. ^ Associated Press (2007). "New England hit by remnants of Hurricane Noel". Boston.com. Retrieved 2008-08-30.
  22. ^ Scott Malone (2007). "New England braces for remnants of Hurricane Noel". Reuters. Retrieved 2008-08-30.
  23. ^ John Basile (2007). "Storm batters Cape, electric service hard hit: recovery under way". Wicked Local Barnstable. Retrieved 2008-08-28.
  24. ^ National Climatic Data Center (2007). "High Wind Event Report for Maine". Retrieved 2008-08-30.
  25. ^ David Roth. "Tropical Cyclone Rainfall in New England". Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved 2008-08-29. {{cite web}}: Text "year" ignored (help)
  26. ^ a b Associated Press (2007). "New Englanders clean up after remnants of Hurricane Noel". USA Today. Retrieved 2008-08-28.
  27. ^ National Climatic Data Center (2007). "High Wind Event Report for Massachusetts". Retrieved 2008-08-30.
  28. ^ a b Emergency Operations Center. "Extratropical Storm Noel" (PDF). Retrieved 2008-08-29.
  29. ^ National Climatic Data Center (2007). "High Wind Event for Rhode Island". Retrieved 2008-08-29. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |publishhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title= ignored (help)
  30. ^ Scott Malone (2008). "Remains of Hurricane Noel batter New England coast". Reuters. Retrieved 2008-08-29.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hurricane Noel.
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