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October 2015 North American storm complex

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October 2015 nor'easter
Satellite image of the storm over the Eastern United States on October 3 with Hurricane Joaquin to the southeast.
TypeExtratropical cyclone; nor'easter
FormedSeptember 29, 2015
DissipatedCurrently active
Lowest pressure998 mbar (hPa; 29.47 inHg)[1]
Maximum rainfall24.23 in (615 mm) near Boone Hall & Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
DamageUnknown
Areas affectedEast Coast of the United States, Atlantic Canada

The October 2015 nor'easter is an ongoing weather event with historic flash flooding occurring across South Carolina. The incipient cold front traversed the Eastern United States on September 29–30, producing heavy rain in multiple states. The system subsequently stalled just offshore. Tapping into moisture from the nearby Hurricane Joaquin, a developing surface low brought heavy, continuous rain to Southeastern States, with the worst effects concentrated in South Carolina. The event culminated in South Carolina on October 4 when numerous rivers burst their banks, washing away roads, bridges, vehicles, and homes. Hundreds of people have required rescue and the state's emergency management department urged everyone in the state to not travel.[2] Some areas of the state have seen rainfall equivalent to a 1-in-1000-year event.

At least eight deaths have been attributed to the weather complex: five in South Carolina, two in New York, one in North Carolina, and one in New Brunswick, Canada.

Meteorological synopsis

On September 29, 2015, a cold front moved southeast across the Eastern United States and produced widespread heavy rain.[3] By October 2, the frontal system stalled offshore and a 1000 mbar (hPa; 29.53 inHg) surface low developed just east of the Florida–Georgia border. The cyclone interacted with Hurricane Joaquin—situated over the Bahamas at the time—with moisture streaming north from the hurricane into the Southeastern United States.[4] This moisture interacted with the surface low, frontal boundary, and a strong upper-level low to produce prolonged, heavy rains over the region with training bands situated over South Carolina.[1] A strengthening ridge to the northeast created a tighter pressure gradient, resulting in a large area of onshore gales.[4]

Preparations

The South Carolina National Guard loading up sandbags for distribution across the state on October 3

On September 30, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe declared a state of emergency for the entire state owing to heavy rains and the threat of Hurricane Joaquin.[5] The City of Norfolk also declared an emergency.[6] On October 1, Governors Larry Hogan, Chris Christie, Pat McCrory, and Nikki Haley declared a state of emergency for Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, and South Carolina respectively.[7]

By October 3, approximately 22 million people were under flood warnings or watches. The storm prompted the cancellation of 145 flights nationwide.[8]

Impact

Southeastern states

One person was killed in North Carolina on October 1 when a tree fell on her car. Flooding in Brunswick County, North Carolina prompted the evacuation of 400–500 people. More than 10,000 people are without power in the state.[8]

South Carolina

Rainfall accumulations across the Carolinas and surrounding states from October 1–4, ending at 6:24 p.m. EDT (22:24 UTC). Areas in white indicate accumulations in excess of 20 in (510 mm).

Rainfall across parts of South Carolina reached 500-year event levels,[9] with areas near Columbia experiencing a 1-in-1000 year event.[10] Accumulations reached 24.23 in (615 mm) near Boone Hall by 11:00 a.m. EDT (15:00 UTC) on October 4.[11] Charleston International Airport saw a record 24-hour rainfall of 11.5 in (290 mm) on October 3. Nearly 30,000 people are without power in the state.[9] One woman drowned in Spartanburg on October 1 after her car was overwhelmed by flooding in an underpass.[12] On October 2, a plane crashed along the South Carolina side of Lake Hartwell, killing all four occupants. The cause is currently unknown though there was light rain at the time of the incident.[13] On October 3, the Charleston Historic District was brought to a virtual standstill with most roads closed because of flooding.[14] Three deaths were confirmed in the state on October 2 and 3. Through the evening of October 3, highway patrol reported 500 traffic accidents and 104 flooded roads.[15]

Early on October 4, the National Weather Service issued flash flood emergencies for Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties.[16] From 4:00–7:30 a.m. EDT (08:00–11:30 UTC), Gills Creek in Columbia rapidly rose to 17.08 ft (5.21 m) before the river gauge stopped report; this shattered the previous record crest of 9.43 ft (2.87 m) in July 1997.[17] The state's Emergency Management Division issued a statement later that morning via Twitter at 6:59 a.m. EDT, stating: "... remain where you are if you are safely able to do so."[18] They reiterated this at 8:20 a.m., stressing that residents should not travel: "Remain. Where. You. Are. Dangerous flooding conditions through the state for most of the day."[19] A dam along Semmes Lake at Fort Jackson collapsed.[9] More than 140 rescues were made during the overnight hours; the United States Coast Guard was deployed to assist in rescue missions.[20]

As of 10:54 a.m. EDT (14:54 UTC), 211 state roads and 43 bridges were closed.[17] On October 4, Georgetown County Emergency Management closed all roadways in the county because of severe flooding; the South Carolina Emergency Management Division announced the closure of Interstate 95 between Interstate 20 and Interstate 26, a 70 mi (110 km) stretch.[21] A mandatory curfew was put in place for Columbia beginning at 6:00 p.m. EDT (22:00 UTC).[22] All residents in the city were also advised to boil water as water lines suffered damage.[23] One person died in the city after her car was swept away.[24] Multiple school districts and colleges across the state were closed on October 5th, including Horry County Schools, Georgetown County Schools, Charleston County Schools and College of Charleston.

Northeastern States

Minor street flooding in Ocean City, New Jersey

Several days of continuous onshore flow caused significant coastal flooding and beach erosion in New Jersey.[25] Wind gusts up to 62 mph (100 km/h)—the highest observed winds in relation to the nor'easter—were measured at Cape May.[11] Coastal flooding in New Jersey destroyed at least one home.[8] Stone Harbor sustained millions of dollars in damage to the beach.[25] At least 3,600 residences lost power in the state.[26]

Tidal flooding in Ocean City, Maryland prompted road closures.[9] Rainfall in the state peaked at 4.67 in (119 mm) near Bishopville.[11]

On October 2, a fishing boat with five crew capsized amid 10 to 15 ft (3.0 to 4.6 m) swells in Jamaica Bay, near Floyd Bennett Field along the south coast of Long Island, New York. Two people were able to swim to shore and signal rescue for the other three; two later died in the hospital.[27]

Atlantic Canada

Heavy rains associated with the incipient frontal boundary extended into Atlantic Canada, with 6.3 in (160 mm) of rain observed in parts of New Brunswick. Widespread flooding washed out roads and bridges, impairing travel; Hoyt was rendered inaccessible. One person died in Berwick after a retaining wall collapsed on him.[28]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to October 2015 nor'easter.

References

  1. ^ a b Allison Santorelli (October 3, 2015). Storm Summary Number 04 for Southeast U.S. Heavy Rain and Coastal Storm (Report). College Park, Maryland: Weather Prediction Center. Archived from the original on October 3, 2015. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
  2. ^ Ben Brumfield, Nick Valencia and Greg Botelho (October 4, 2015). "Flash flood emergencies spread in South Carolina; motorists stranded in water". CNN. Turner Broadcasting System. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  3. ^ Jason Krekeler (September 30, 2015). Storm Summary Number 4 for Eastern U.S. Heavy Rainfall Event (Report). College Park, Maryland: Weather Prediction Center. Archived from the original on October 3, 2015. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
  4. ^ a b Michael Ryan (October 2, 2015). Storm Summary Number 01 for Eastern U.S. Mountain and Coastal Storm (Report). College Park, Maryland: Weather Prediction Center. Archived from the original on October 3, 2015. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
  5. ^ Darcy Spencer (September 30, 2015). "Hurricane Joaquin: Virginia Declares State of Emergency". WRC-TV. NBCUniversal. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
  6. ^ "Joaquin has been upgraded to a major category 3 hurricane". WVEC. Norfolk, Virginia: Tegna, Inc. September 30, 2015. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
  7. ^ "Christie Declares State of Emergency in New Jersey Ahead of Hurricane Joaquin". WPVI-TV. Trenton, New Jersey: American Broadcasting Company. October 1, 2015. Retrieved October 1, 2015.
  8. ^ a b c Jason Cumming and Elizabeth Chuck (October 3, 2015). "Flash Floods, 'Once in 200 Years Rainfall Event' Loom in South Carolina". NBC News. NBCUniversal. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
  9. ^ a b c d F. Brinley Bruton, Gabe Gutierrez, and Elisha Fieldstadt (October 4, 2015). "East Coast Flooding: 'Once in 500 Years' Downpour Threatens South Carolina". NBC News. NBCUniversal. Retrieved October 4, 2015.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ Chris Scott [@ChrisScottWx] (October 4, 2015). "Once in 1000 years rainfall event unfolding now in South Carolina. Columbia thru Sumter has seen 12–20" #SCFlood" (Tweet). Retrieved October 4, 2015 – via Twitter.
  11. ^ a b c Allison Santorelli (October 4, 2015). Storm Summary Number 08 for Southeast U.S. Heavy Rain and Coastal Storm (Report). College Park, Maryland: Weather Prediction Center. Archived from the original on October 4, 2015. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  12. ^ Dal Kalsi (October 1, 2015). "Coroner: Woman killed when flood waters submerge her vehicle in Spartanburg". WHNS. Spartanburg, South Carolina: Meredith Corporation. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
  13. ^ Kayla Crandall and Eric Dutkiewicz (October 2, 2015). "4 dead in S.C. plane crash; aircraft registered to Warsaw councilman". WPTA. Oconee County, South Carolina: Granite Broadcasting. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
  14. ^ "Flooding Shuts Down Charleston's Historic District". WTVD. Charleston, South Carolina: The Walt Disney Company. Associated Press. October 3, 2015. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
  15. ^ "SC emergency operations increased to OPCON 1". The State. October 3, 2015. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  16. ^ "Flash flood emergency declared for Tri-County area". WCSC-TV. Charleston, South Carolina: Raycom Media. October 4, 2015. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  17. ^ a b Heather Janssen (October 4, 2015). "Record-Breaking Rain Delivers Devastating Flooding to Parts of South Carolina". Accuweather. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  18. ^ South Carolina Emergency Management Division [@SCEMD] (October 4, 2015). "EMERGENCY ALERT: SCEMD asks you to remain where you are if you are safely able to do so. Call 911 for life-threatening emergencies #alert" (Tweet). Retrieved October 4, 2015 – via Twitter.
  19. ^ South Carolina Emergency Management Division [@SCEMD] (October 4, 2015). "Remain. Where. You. Are. Dangerous flooding conditions through the state for most of the day. #SCFlood #SCtweets" (Tweet). Retrieved October 4, 2015 – via Twitter.
  20. ^ "Coast Guard Joins Flood Rescue Efforts in South Carolina". Charleston, South Carolina: KTSA. October 4, 2015. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  21. ^ Jo brown (October 4, 2015). "Extreme flooding causes road closures, evacuations". WBTW. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  22. ^ Jeremy Turnage (October 4, 2015). "Mandatory curfew imposed for City of Columbia". WIS. Raycom Media. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  23. ^ Jeremy Turnage (October 4, 2015). "System-wide boil water advisory issued for all City of Columbia water customers". WIS. Raycom Media. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  24. ^ Clif Leblanc (October 4, 2015). "Flood death: Woman dies when SUV washes off Columbia street". The State. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  25. ^ a b Annie McCormick (October 4, 2015). "Storm Brings Beach Erosion, Flooding at Jersey Shore". WPVI-TV. The Walt Disney Company. Retrieved October 5, 2015.
  26. ^ "Storm Continues to Soak New Jersey, Sends House Into Water". WABC-TV. Sea Bright, New Jersey: The Walt Disney Company. October 3, 2015. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
  27. ^ Brynn Gingras (October 2, 2015). "2 Men Dead After Fishing Boat Capsizes in Jamaica Bay: NYPD". WNBC. NBCUniversal. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
  28. ^ "Intense storm in Maritimes blamed for death of N.B. man". CTV News. Bell Media. October 1, 2015. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
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