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Hurricane Fay

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Hurricane Fay
Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS/NWS)
Fay as a strong tropical storm on October 12
FormedOctober 10, 2014
DissipatedOctober 13, 2014
Highest winds1-minute sustained: 80 mph (130 km/h)
Lowest pressure983 mbar (hPa); 29.03 inHg
FatalitiesNone
Damage$3.8 million (2014 USD)
Areas affectedBermuda
Part of the 2014 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Fay was the first hurricane to make landfall on Bermuda since Hurricane Emily in 1987. The sixth named storm and fifth hurricane of the 2014 Atlantic hurricane season, Fay originated from a broad weather disturbance several hundred miles northeast of the Lesser Antilles on October 10. Initially a subtropical cyclone with an expansive wind field and asymmetrical appearance, the storm gradually attained tropical characteristics as it turned north, transitioning into a tropical storm early on October 11. Despite being plagued by strong disruptive wind shear for most of its duration, Tropical Storm Fay significantly intensified. Veering toward the east, Fay briefly intensified into a Category 1 hurricane while making landfall on Bermuda early on October 12. Wind shear eventually took its toll on Fay, causing the hurricane to weaken to a tropical storm later that day and degenerate into an open trough early on October 13.

A few tropical cyclone warnings and watches were issued in anticipation of Fay's impact on Bermuda. Public schools were closed in advance of the storm. Despite its modest strength, Fay produced relatively extensive damage on Bermuda. Winds gusting over 80 mph (130 km/h) clogged roadways with downed trees and power poles, and left a majority of the island's electricity customers without power. The terminal building at L.F. Wade International Airport was severely flooded after the storm compromised its roof and sprinkler system. Immediately after the storm, 200 Bermuda Regiment soldiers were called to clear debris and assist in initial damage repairs. Cleanup efforts overlapped with preparations for the approach of the stronger Hurricane Gonzalo. There were concerns that debris from Fay could become airborne during Gonzalo and exacerbate future destruction.

Meteorological history

Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

On October 8, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) began monitoring a broad weather disturbance to the northeast of the Leeward Islands, characterized by a diffuse area of low pressure producing scattered thunderstorm activity.[1] Showers and thunderstorms became somewhat better organized around the system over the next day.[2] By the evening of October 9, a low-pressure center had formed, though it was still associated with a surface trough extending to the southwest. Located beneath a more established upper-level low, the disturbance was given a "high" chance of tropical or subtropical cyclogenesis within 48 hours.[3][4] Early on October 10, satellite imagery indicated that the center of circulation had become better-defined, and a band of deep convection extended to north and west of the low. Due to the system's involvement with the upper-level low, and its wide radius of maximum winds, it was declared a subtropical depression.[5] At the time, it was situated about 590 mi (950 km) south of Bermuda,[6] moving northwestward around the periphery of a ridge of high pressure in the central Atlantic. The first forecast expected the storm to dissipate within 72 hours as a weak tropical storm.[5] Based on satellite intensity estimates and data from weather reconnaissance aircraft, the depression was upgraded to a subtropical storm later on October 10; it received the name Fay.[7]

Almost immediately after being named, Fay began organizing more quickly than anticipated. Relatively strong winds sampled by a Hurricane Hunters aircraft necessitated a special off-hour advisory to raise the cyclone's intensity estimate.[8] Although the storm began to acquire the characteristics of a fully tropical system, strong southerly wind shear prevented thunderstorms from developing near the center.[9] Nonetheless, as convection became more symmetrical and the wind field contracted, Fay transitioned to a tropical storm early on October 11.[10][11] At the same time, the system turned toward the north around the central Atlantic ridge,[11] soon gaining an easterly component to its movement. Despite its tropical transition, Fay remained heavily sheared, with convection still distanced from the center.[12] Fay approached Bermuda late on October 11 as a strong tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h),[13] and its center struck the island at about 08:00 UTC on October 12.[14] As the storm passed overhead, a weather station at L.F. Wade International Airport recorded a pressure of 986 mbar (29.12 inHg).[14]

Cloud tops in the storm cooled around the time it passed over Bermuda,[14] and the structure of the inner core began to improve. Fay's satellite presentation became more symmetrical as a mid-level eye feature formed.[15] Meanwhile, Fay accelerated toward the northeast under the steering currents of the westerlies.[14][15] In the afternoon of October 12, the storm was briefly upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane based on Dvorak technique estimates.[16] However, the hurricane rapidly succumbed to the persistent wind shear, and the center of circulation once again became exposed. By the early morning hours of October 13, Fay started transitioning into an extratropical cyclone as it entered a baroclinic environment and ingested colder, drier air.[17] Fay's circulation rapidly deteriorated, and the dwindling tropical storm opened up into a trough of low pressure; consequently, the NHC issued its last advisory on the system at 21:00 UTC on October 12.[18]

Impact

Fay as a subtropical depression on October 10

In advance of Tropical Storm Fay, a hurricane watch and tropical storm warning were issues for Bermuda.[13] All public schools on the island were closed for the storm.[19]

Fay produced strong winds on the island, sustained at 61 mph (98 km/h) and gusting to 82 mph (132 km/h) at L.F. Wade International Airport,[20] although there were unconfirmed readings of much higher localized wind gusts.[19] The most intense winds occurred on the backside of the storm.[21] Trees and tree limbs, including some that survived the more severe Hurricane Fabian in 2003, were downed,[20] making several roads impassable.[22] Additionally, the winds toppled at at least a dozen utility poles,[19] and inflicted roof damage on some buildings.[20] Over 27,000 of the Bermuda Electric Light Company's 36,000 customers lost power at the height of the storm;[23] restoration work was still underway on October 15.[24] Several roads, including Front Street in Hamilton, were flooded. Many boats—some up to 60 ft (18 m) in length—broke their moorings and were damaged or destroyed.[19][25] Hamilton city parks incurred extensive damage, and were closed due to safety hazards.[26] Overall, the cyclone's effects were more severe than anticipated; by about a week after the storm, a local insurance company had received nearly 400 claims resulting from Fay, accounting for about $3.8 million in damage.[27] Ten people suffered minor storm-related injuries, but no fatalities have been attributed to the storm.[19]

Fay damaged the roof of the airport's terminal building, causing the sprinkler system to malfunction and flood parts of the structure with water. The resulting inundation crippled computer systems crucial to processing passenger information. The airport's radar was also damaged in the storm. In response to the damage, the airport was closed to all flights, though it quickly reopened to emergency diversions and non-commercial flights.[28] Bus and ferry services were canceled due to the dangerous conditions,[21] and two cruise liners delayed their arrival into port to avoid the storm.[29]

Cleanup efforts after the storm were hastened as Hurricane Gonzalo approached from the south less than a week later, amid concerns that strewn debris from Fay could become airborne and exacerbate future destruction. The unanticipated damage from Fay prompted residents to prepare thoroughly for Gonzalo, with stores reporting an influx of customers purchasing emergency supplies.[30] Two-hundred Bermuda Regiment soldiers were ordered to help clear debris and repair structural damage.[31] Early on October 16, the Bermuda Electric Light Company switched its focus from service restoration after Fay to preparing for the onslaught of Gonzalo, leaving about 1,500 households without power. The remaining affected customers were asked to refrain from calling in to report outages, as repairs would not be attempted before Gonzalo's passage unless "an easy fix can be made [and] resources are available".[32]

See also

References

  1. ^ Robbie J. Berg (October 8, 2014). "Tropical Weather Outlook for 2:00 pm EDT Wednesday, October 8, 2014". National Hurricane Center.
  2. ^ Hugh D. Cobb (October 9, 2014). "Tropical Weather Discussion for 2:05 pm EDT Thursday, October 9, 2014". Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  3. ^ Forecaster Paw (October 9, 2014). "Tropical Weather Discussion for 8:05 pm EDT Thursday, October 9, 2014". Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  4. ^ John P. Cangialosi (October 8, 2014). "Tropical Weather Outlook for 8:00 pm EDT Wednesday, October 9, 2014". National Hurricane Center.
  5. ^ a b Todd B. Kimberlain (October 10, 2014). "Subtropical Depression Seven Discussion Number 1". Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  6. ^ Todd Kimberlain (October 10, 2014). "Subtropical Depression Seven Discussion Public Advisory Number 1". Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  7. ^ Stacy R. Stewart (October 10, 2014). "Subtropical Depression Seven Discussion Number 2". Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  8. ^ Michael J. Brennan (October 10, 2014). "Subtropical Depression Seven Discussion Number 3". Retrieved October 10, 2014.
  9. ^ Michael J. Brennan (October 10, 2014). "Subtropical Depression Seven Discussion Number 4". Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  10. ^ Lixion A. Avila (October 11, 2014). "Subtropical Depression Seven Discussion Number 5". Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  11. ^ a b Stacy R. Stewart (October 11, 2014). "Subtropical Depression Seven Discussion Number 6". Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  12. ^ Michael J. Brennan (October 11, 2014). "Subtropical Depression Seven Discussion Number 8". Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  13. ^ a b Michael J. Brennan (October 11, 2014). "Subtropical Depression Seven Public Advisory Number 8". Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  14. ^ a b c d Daniel P. Brown (October 12, 2014). "Subtropical Depression Seven Discussion Number 9". Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  15. ^ a b Lixion A. Avila (October 12, 2014). "Subtropical Depression Seven Discussion Number 10". Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  16. ^ Lixion A. Avila (October 12, 2014). "Subtropical Depression Seven Discussion Number 11". Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  17. ^ David P. Roberts (October 13, 2014). "Subtropical Depression Seven Discussion Number 13". Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  18. ^ John P. Cangialosi (October 13, 2014). "Subtropical Depression Seven Discussion Number 15". Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  19. ^ a b c d e Raymond Hainey, Jonathan Bell and Simon Jones (October 13, 2014). "Island counts cost of Fay's fury". The Royal Gazette. Retrieved October 16, 2014.
  20. ^ a b c "Hurricane Fay Recap". The Weather Channel. October 14, 2014. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  21. ^ a b "Clean-up begins after Tropical Storm Fay batters Bermuda". The Jamaica Observer. October 12, 2014. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  22. ^ David McFadden (October 12, 2014). "Tropical Storm Gonzalo Takes Aim at Caribbean". ABC News. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  23. ^ Jonathan Bell and Leanne McGrath (October 15, 2014). "Belco may get outside support". The Royal Gazette. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  24. ^ "CARILEC Prepared To Send Crews To Help". Bernews. October 15, 2014. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  25. ^ Sam Strangeways (October 14, 2014). "Day of misery for boat owners". The Royal Gazette. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  26. ^ "Post Storm Update From City Of Hamilton". Bernews. October 13, 2014. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
  27. ^ Jonathan Bell (October 20, 2014). "Gonzalo fell short of Fabian, but TS Fay 'punched above her weight'". The Royal Gazette. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  28. ^ Jonathan Bell and Simon Jones (October 12, 2014). "Airport flooding causes 'rolling delays'". The Royal Gazette. Retrieved October 16, 2014.
  29. ^ Simon Jones (October 12, 2014). "Storm forces cruise delays". The Royal Gazette. Retrieved October 16, 2014.
  30. ^ "Major Hurricane Gonzalo Targets Bermuda After Killing 1 in St. Maarten, Injuring 12 Others in Antigua". The Weather Channel. October 15, 2014. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  31. ^ Olivia Demarinis (October 15, 2014). "Hurricane Takes Aim at Bermuda". Latin Post. Retrieved October 16, 2014.
  32. ^ Owain Johnston-Barnes (October 16, 2014). "Belco: 1,500 still without power". The Royal Gazette. Retrieved October 16, 2014.
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