Hurricane Earl (2010)
Encyclopedia
Hurricane Earl was a long-lived, powerful tropical cyclone
which became the first major hurricane to threaten New England
since Hurricane Bob
in 1991
. The fifth named storm
of the 2010 season
, Earl developed
out of a tropical wave
roughly 430 mi (692 km) west of the Cape Verde Islands on August 25. Tracking nearly due west, the system attained tropical storm intensity within hours of being classified a depression. After maintaining winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) for nearly two days, Earl began to strengthen as is neared the Lesser Antilles
. The storm intensified into a hurricane on August 29 and later a major hurricane on August 30 as it brushed the Leeward Islands
. A temporary weakening trend took place as Earl moved northwestward. Once reorganized, Earl reached its peak intensity on September 2 with maximum sustained wind
s of 145 mph (230 km/h) and a barometric pressure of 927 mbar
(hPa
; 27.37 inHg). Executing a gradual curve to the northeast, the hurricane slowly weakened over decreasing sea surface temperature
s; the storm's center passed roughly 85 mi (140 km) east of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina on September 3. Accelerating northeastward, Earl briefly weakened to a tropical storm before reattaining hurricane strength as it made landfall
near Western Head, Nova Scotia
. After traversing the peninsula, the hurricane transitioned into an extratropical cyclone
before being absorbed by a larger low pressure area
on September 6, north of Newfoundland.
In the Leeward Islands
, Hurricane Earl wrought moderate damage, estimated at up to $40.8 million (2010 USD
) and resulted one fatality. Along the coast of the Eastern United States, tropical storm-force winds affected portions of North Carolina and Massachusetts; however, little damage resulted, totaling about $3.8 million in the Outer Banks. Six fatalities took place in the country due as a result of rip currents and rough seas, three in Florida, two in New Jersey and one in Massachusetts. In Nova Scotia, Canada, where Earl made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane, one person drowned and hundreds of thousands of people lost power.
s. The surface low was able to organize the area of thunderstorm
s, allowing deep convection
to occur near it. Because of the area's increasing thunderstorm organization, the National Hurricane Center
(NHC) indicated on August 24 that the system had a 90% chance of becoming a tropical depression
within the next 48 hours. 18 hours later, the NHC classified the system as Tropical Depression Seven at around 11 am AST (1500 UTC
) on August 25, while it was located about 430 mi (690 km) west
of the southernmost Cape Verde Islands. Six hours later, at about AST (2100 UTC), the system's maximum sustained wind
s were estimated to be 40 mph (65 km/h). Accordingly, the depression was declared to have become the fifth tropical storm of the season, and received the name Earl.
Earl was forecast to head westward while gradually strengthening under the influence of low wind shear
and warm ocean temperatures
. However, dry air caught in Earl's circulation precluded additional intensification, causing the storm to maintain 45 mph (75 km/h) maximum sustained winds for 36 hours. On August 29, the storm resumed gradual intensification, even though wind shear increased due to the outflow from nearby Hurricane Danielle
. The wind shear caused Earl's low level center of circulation to become exposed, limiting Earl's intensification to 60 mph (95 km/h) maximum sustained winds during the following 12 hours. As the storm neared the Leeward Islands, convection increased around Earl and defined banding features formed. Around 8:30 am AST (1230 UTC), Earl strengthened into a hurricane roughly 365 mi (585 km) east of the northern Leeward Islands. Rapid intensification
ensued throughout the day as a 35 mi (55 km) wide eye
became apparent in radar imagery
from Guadeloupe
.
Hurricane Earl's outflow steadily improved through August 30 and sustained winds rose above 100 mph (155 km/h), making Earl a Category 2 storm. Around 8:00 am (1200 UTC), the center of Earl passed roughly 25 mi (35 km) east-northeast of St. Martin with sustained winds of 110 mph (175 km/h). Several hours later, the storm further intensified into a major hurricane. That afternoon, Earl became a Category 4 hurricane, attaining winds of 135 mph (215 km/h) before leveling out in intensity. A northwestard track began to become apparent by this time as the system neared the southwestern periphery of a subtropical
ridge
over the Atlantic Ocean. Early on August 31, an eyewall replacement cycle, a process in which a storm's eye dissipates and is replaced by a larger one, began to take place. Despite increasing wind shear, the system maintained its intensity through September 1, when it briefly weakened to a Category 3 system. Gradual strengthening took place throughout the day as the eye became better defined and convection deepened around the center. Additionally, the storm began to turn northward in response to the ridge over the Atlantic and a strong trough
over the Great Lakes
. Hurricane Earl later attained its peak intensity during the morning of September 2 with winds of 145 mph (230 km/h) and a barometric pressure of 927 mbar (hPa; 27.40 inHg).
During the afternoon of September 2, Earl finally succumbed to the effects of increased shear and cooler water temperatures. Embedded within the mid-latitude westerlies
, a gradual northeasterly turn was expected over the following day, preventing Earl from making landfall along the East Coast of the United States. Around 5:00 am (0600 UTC) the next morning, the storm made its closest approach to the United States, passing roughly 85 mi (140 km) east of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina with winds of 105 mph (165 km/h). Further weakening took place throughout the day as convection weakened and the eye dissipated. Earl was downgraded to a tropical storm that evening; however, the central pressure remained at an unusually low 958 mbar (hPa; 28.29 inHg). At the same time, the storm made its closet approach to Massachusetts
, passing roughly 90 mi (150 km) southeast of Nantucket. Continuing northeastward, Earl neared the Canadian Maritimes. The storm made landfall in Queens County near Western Head, Nova Scotia
around 10:00 am (1400 UTC) on September 4, as a Category 1 hurricane with sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h). After crossing Prince Edward Island
, the storm entered the Gulf of Saint Lawrence
. There, the system finally transitioned into a post-tropical storm
as its windfield became asymmetric and the eastern portion of the circulation became associated with a frontal system
. During the afternoon of September 5, the remnants of Earl were merged by a mid-latitude low roughly 205 mi (340 km) north-northeast of St. Anthony, Newfoundland
.
in 1999
, warnings covered roughly 1500 mi (2,414 km) less coastline, saving residents and businesses roughly $1 billion in evacuation losses.
In Anegada
, a geological study, focusing on beach deposits from two significant wash-out events between 1650 and 1800, was given additional research material by the storm. Deposits left behind by the major hurricane were substantially less than the time period being studied. This led researchers to determine that a tsunami
was likely the cause, rather than a hurricane. This also allowed for a connection to the 1755 Lisbon earthquake
to be confirmed.
. The next day, Antigua and Barbuda
and the Netherlands Antilles
issued tropical storm watches for Antigua
, Barbuda
, Montserrat
, St Kitts and Nevis and Anguilla
and for Sint Maarten, Saba and Sint Eustatius. Hours later, most of the watches were upgraded to tropical storm warnings; a tropical storm watch was also issued for the United States Virgin Islands
. By August 28, hurricane warnings were in place for the areas between Anguilla and Montserrat
; hurricane watches were declared for the U.S. and British Virgin Islands as well as Puerto Rico
. As Earl moved closer to the northeastern Caribbean, warnings were extended westward through the Virgin Islands.
During the late morning of August 30, some of the hurricane warnings were replaced by tropical storm warnings; the Turks and Caicos islands were also placed under a tropical storm watch. Several hours later, all warnings for Antigua and Barbuda were discontinued. That afternoon, all hurricane advisories were discontinued as Earl moved away from the Caribbean islands. By August 31, the remaining advisories for the Caribbean were discontinued; the Turks and Caicos were also placed under a tropical storm warning. Early on September 1, the Government of the Bahamas discontinued all advisories in relation to Hurricane Earl.
Beginning on August 28, local governments placed emergency agencies on standby for possible damage from Hurricane Earl. Press releases were made to the public in order to give sufficient time for preparations. The following day, emergency shelters were opened on Anguilla, Antigua, Barbuda, Montserrat, St. Kitts, Nevis and the Virgin Islands. On St. Kitts and Nevis, the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport
and Vance W. Amory International Airport
were shut down and scheduled to re-open the following day. All emergency services were placed on standby on Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda. Prior to Earl's arrival in the Leeward Islands, the Leeward Islands Air Transport canceled 42 flights to and from the region. The V. C. Bird International Airport on Antigua was shut down on August 29 and set to reopen after the storm passes. Although not in the direct path of Hurricane Earl, officials in the Dominican Republic
prompted evacuations of coastal towns and canceled flights across the country.
and the Virginia border. A tropical storm watch was also issued south of this area to Cape Fear. The next day, a hurricane warning was issued for parts of the North Carolina coastline between Bogue Banks
to the Virginia border and the hurricane watch was extended northward to Cape Henlopen, Delaware
. Further watches and warnings were issued throughout the day, covering an increasingly large region of the coastline. By September 2, these advisories encompassed much of the East Coast from Bogue Banks, North Carolina to the United States-Canada border in northern Maine
. A spokesman for the NHC, Dennis Feltgen, stated that not since Hurricane Bob
in 1991
, had such a large region of the U.S. East Coast been under threat from a hurricane. Cape Cod
, Massachusetts was placed under a hurricane warning by this time and this remained in place until Earl was downgraded to a tropical storm the following day. The advisories gradually lessened in coverage as the storm moved away from the United States. The last warning in northern Maine remained in effect until the morning of September 4 when Earl approached landfall in Nova Scotia.
On August 30, emergency officials in Massachusetts
began early-stage emergency plans, ensuring that all communities have shelters, generators, sand bags and other disaster prevention materials. Officials in New York
and New Jersey
also responded to the threat of Earl. Evacuation plans were readied for Long Island
and New York City
; emergency officers in New Jersey also discussed the possibility of evacuating residents from low-lying areas along the coastline. Having experienced a fatality from a distant Hurricane Danielle earlier in August, officials in Maryland
took the threat of Earl seriously. An estimated 250,000 people were expected to travel to the region for the Labor Day
weekend, increasing the risk of loss of life from rip currents. Daily conference calls between state officials also began on August 30. In Suffolk County and Nassau County on Long Island, emergency officials prepared for winds in excess of 40 mph (17.9 m/s) and warned that evacuations were possible.
An administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency
, Craig Fugate, cautioned that Earl's approach warranted a reminder for evacuation plans to be updated for the U.S. east coast, noting "It wouldn't take much to have the storm come ashore somewhere on the coast. The message is for everyone to pay attention."
On August 31, mandatory evacuations began on North Carolina
's Ocracoke Island. "I don't remember the last time there was a mandatory evacuation order for the island," stated Commissioner Kenneth Collier of Hyde County
. Mandatory evacuations were also issued for Hatteras Island
on September 1, with a total of 30,000 residents and visitors affected. On September 1, state of emergency
declarations were issued by the governors of Maryland
, North Carolina
, and Virginia
. Naval Station Norfolk
was put under orders to be ready to depart port within 24 hours if necessary. The following day, Governor Deval Patrick
declared a state of emergency for Massachusetts
. NSTAR
deployed crews from Michigan to Cape Cod. The ferry to Nantucket was stopping service Friday morning. Chatham, Massachusetts
was under a voluntary evacuation order. Several school districts in Rhode Island released students from school early on September 3, as well as Bristol-Warren and Cumberland school Districts, which closed schools in anticipation of Hurricane Earl.
President Barack Obama
signed a disaster declaration for North Carolina on the evening of September 1. The action authorized the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency
to coordinate relief efforts and makes federal funds available. Officials in Dare County, North Carolina
, issued mandatory evacuation orders September 2 for visitors to the coastal county, including the Outer Banks
. The mandatory evacuation extended to residents in some areas, including the town of South Nags Head
and Hatteras Island
. Dare County schools and courts were closed September 2 and were to be closed September 3.
as well as a tropical storm watch from the edges of the hurricane watch to Ecum Secum
and Fort Lawrence
. Later that day, the tropical storm watch was expanded northward to Point Tupper
and a new one was issued for Prince Edward Island and parts of eastern New Brunswick
. Early on September 3, a tropical storm warning was issued for areas between Lismore
and Ecum Secum as well as Prince Edward Island. The following day, the hurricane watch in Nova Scotia was shifted to include areas between Ecum Secum and Point Tupper and the tropical storm watch in New Brunswick was discontinued. Later on September 4, much of Nova Scotia was under a tropical storm warning. These warnings were later discontinued as Earl moved northward through Atlantic Canada; however, a new tropical storm warning was issued for parts of Newfoundland between Burgeo
and Boat Harbour
. Following the storm's transition into an extratropical cyclone, all warnings were discontinued in Canada.
Earl was predicted to have an 80% chance of striking Nova Scotia (60% chance as a hurricane) since the end of August. This enabled emergency preparations to begin nearly a week before Earl made landfall. On September 2, the Red Cross placed over 900 volunteers on standby.
Because anticipated landfall would take place at low neap tide and storm surge would be minimal, no mandatory evacuation orders were issued, although some marinas required boats to be moved to safer mooring. Tourists in the area were warned of the likely impact of the coming storm by the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage. Virtually all permanent residents stayed and prepared to be without electricity for a couple of days. While ferries in the area were cancelled, the Confederation Bridge linking New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island was not closed. However, high-sided vehicles and motorcycles were barred from crossing for six hours at the height of the storm.
Throughout Antigua and Barbuda, losses from the hurricane amounted to EC$34 million ($12.6 million USD). In the wake of Earl, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
allocated roughly $50,000 (USD) in relief funds for the country. A three month recovery operation was implemented within days of the storm's passage and focused on providing shelter and sustinance for the 1,000 families displaced by Earl. Additionally, economic assistance due to substantial crop losses was required, especially for families who depend on agriculture.
at 90 mph (144.8 km/h) in Saint Jean and 105 mph (169 km/h) in Gustavia, the minimal pressure fell to 989 mb.
In Saint Martin
the highest gust reach 88 mph (141.6 km/h) , the minimal pressure record at 983.3 mb in Grand Case and the total rainfall was 98,0 mm. Across those islands of Saint Martin, Saint Barthelemy and Guadeloupe
, 7,500 people were left without power.
In Sint Maarten, trees and power lines were felled across the island, leaving most residents power. Some roof damage was sustained by homes on the island as well.
s, one measuring 2.7 on the Richter scale, struck the island during Earl's passage. In Montserrat, moderate damage took place as a result of Earl. Torrential rains, amounting to 12 in (304.8 mm) triggered several landslides and flooding. No structural damage took place; however, roads, trees and power lines were impacted. Initial assessments from officials indicated that losses reached EC$
10 million ($3.7 million USD).
In the British territories of Anguilla
and the British Virgin Islands
, power and water supply was lost to the entire Territory; several vessels on Tortola
were grounded. On Anguilla, three homes were destroyed and 25 others were damaged by the storm. Throughout the British Virgin Islands, losses amounted to $7 million. Hotels throughout the area suffered extensive losses, with three losing $300,000 in damage. In the wake of Earl, the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility provided Anguilla with $4.3 million for cleanup and repair operations.
, high winds, gusting up to 69 mph (111 km/h), and heavy rains, peaking at 3.02 in (76.7 mm) on St. Thomas
, caused significant damage to roadways and power lines. Many residents across the islands were left without power for up to a week as a result of the storm. Following an assessment of the damage, total losses were placed at $2.5 million, allowing the governor of the U.S. V.I. to request for a major disaster declaration from the United States government. This request was later approved by President Barack Obama
in late September. In addition to damage to infrastructure, severe losses were sustained in the business sector. As a result of Earl's passage through the region, nearly 22,000 vacationers canceled their plans, resulting in a $10.7 million loss in revenue. In March 2011, the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) granted $555,219 in public assistance funding to cover the costs from Earl in the Virgin Islands.
Heavy rains also began to affect Puerto Rico
during the early afternoon on August 30 as Hurricane Earl moved closer to the island. Throughout the island, a maximum of 5.19 in (131.8 mm) of rain fell near Naguabo
. In San Juan
, 3.57 inches (90.7 mm) of rain fell during the passage of Earl. Dozens of roads were shut down across the island due to flooding and downed power lines. At the height of the storm, roughly 187,000 residences were left without power and 60,000 more with without water. A landslide
triggered by heavy rains covered a portion of Puerto Rico Highway 191, temporarily closing the road.
, roughly $300,000 was given by FEMA in relief funds throughout the United States.
after being caught in a rip current; more than 200 rescues were made by lifeguards in the county during the day. Persistent swells between 7 and 10 ft (2.1 and 3 m) in Tybee Island, Georgia
resulted in severe beach erosion. Some places lost up to 20 ft (6.1 m) of beach, leaving $8,000 in losses. On September 4, rip currents produced by Earl resulted in the rescue of 20 to 30 people on the island. In parts of Charleston County, South Carolina
, local beaches lost up to 40 ft (12.2 m) of sand due to Earl. Offshore, a sailors lost control of their boat amidst the rough seas and crashed into a pier, destroying the vessel. Losses in the state reached $14,000.
of 4.7 ft (1.4 m) came ashore on Hatteras Island, inundating nearby areas. Minor flooding took place along several roads, including North Carolina Highway 12 which was shut down on Hatteras Island. A pier at Atlantic Beach was also damaged by rough seas. Numerous homes along the coast were flooded by rising waters, reaching 3 ft (0.9144 m) in places. An estimated 6,600 residences were left without power due to Hurricane Earl. Waves just offshore were measured between 25 and 36 ft (7.6 and 11 m), likely resulting in beach erosion. In Manteo
, a gas station lost its canopy and some homes lost roofing shingles due to high winds. Damage in Dare County totaled over $500,000 (2010 USD), with 79 houses in the county sustaining minor damage and another six receiving major damage, mainly due to storm surge. In neighboring Hyde County
, strong winds caused about $2 million in crop damage. Several homes were also damaged by fallen trees in the Fairfield and Swan Quarter areas. Throughout the state, damage from Earl amounted to $3.88 million, mainly from losses sustained by national parks and agriculture. Nearly two weeks after Earl's passage, the North Carolina Department of Transportation began to pick up debris left alongside roads in the wake of the storm.
. Although the center of the storm remained more than 100 mi (160.9 km) offshore, wind gusts reached 45 mph (72.4 km/h) in the state. Along the coast, large swells produced by the storm resulted in some beach erosion; however, no damage was reported. Throughout Delaware
, the threat of Hurricane Earl lessened Labor Day weekend tourism. Many hotels across the state reached occupancies of 40-60%, significantly lower than initially expected. Along the coast, swells up to 6.02 ft (1.8 m) resulted in minor tidal flooding, though no damage took place. Off the coast of New Jersey two people were killed after being swept out to sea by rip currents. The bodies of both victims were found after they washed onshore days after Earl's passage. The outer bands of Earl brought gusty winds and minimal rainfall, peaking at 0.22 in (5.6 mm) in Coyle Field. Some beach erosion was reported along the coastline, with the worst being in Atlantic City. At the city's Garden Pier, the Historical Museum and the Atlantic City Arts Center was shut down indefinitely after electrical lines and pipes were damaged by waves. After nearly two weeks of beaches being shut down, swimmers were finally allowed to enter the water on September 5 throughout New Jersey.
In Long Island, New York, heavy surf produced by Earl inundated much of Jones Beach State Park
, leading to officials closing the area for several days. By September 6, flood waters brought onshore by the storm still remained in the area despite continuous efforts to drain the water. Moderate beach erosion also took place in Robert Moses State Park
. Similar impacts were felt in The Hamptons as many roads were temporarily shut down due to flooding. Rainfall from the storm peaked at 2.11 in (53.6 mm) just outside Jamesport
. Following the lack of damage caused by the storm, the Long Island Power Authority was criticized for excessive spending on emergency crews. An estimated $30 million was spent to bring in an additional 1,600 crewmen to deal with possible power outages despite forecasts showing Earl missing the state. Due to the excess funding, residents in New York were faced with increased rates for power. Additionally, New York senator Charles Fuschillo
called for an audit of the power authority. It was later determined that LIPA had "jumped the gun" on the situation and brought in the assistance without necessity. In their defense, the agency claimed that "it [was] better to be safe than sorry", referring to the power outage following Hurricane Gloria
in 1985
which affected parts of Long Island for over a week.
, with its center passing roughly 90 mi (144.8 km) south-southeast of Nantucket, Massachusetts
. During the height of the storm, heavy rains and winds up to 58 mph (93.3 km/h) buffeted the coastline. In Yarmouth
, a total of 5.17 in (131.3 mm) of rain fell during the storm, the highest in the state. Throughout the state, roughly 1,800 residences, roughly 600 of which were on Cape Cod, lost power due to downed trees and power lines. In the local harbors, most boats were unaffected by the storm; however, one did capsize. The most significant losses were to businesses who lost their Labor Day weekend revenue. Several hotels estimated that 10% of the revenue was lost, this equates to hundreds of thousands of dollars. One hotel in Yarmouth reported an 80% decrease in attendance despite a price cut from $130 to $85. On the other hand, supply stores saw improved sales, experiencing a 20% increase in revenues. Due to the lack of major damage from the storm, most businesses reopened on September 4 and tourists resumed their weekend plans. Throughout the state, Earl left $20,000 in damage.
In parts of Rhode Island
, coastal flooding inundated low-lying roads, leaving ocean debris behind. Further north in Maine
, the effects of Earl were limited to increased swells along the coast and moderate rainfall. Several areas across the state measured over 2 in (50.8 mm) of rain, with the highest total being measured at 4.28 in (108.7 mm) in Machias. Winds in the state peaked between 35 and 40 mph (55 and 65 km/h), though no wind damage took place. Prior to Earl's arrival, a dry spell left several brooks and streams nearly empty; however, the rainfall from the storm alleviated the drought conditions. Only one road experienced flooding as a result of the rains. According to state transportation officials, northbound and southbound traffic along the Maine Turnpike
was down 19% and 2.7% respectively, indicating that many tourists who were expected to travel to the region changed their plans.
on September 4 around 10:00 am (1400 UTC), as a category 1 storm with sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h). Just offshore, buoys recorded winds near hurricane-force and enormous waves up to 82 ft (25.1 m) tall. Onshore, strong winds and heavy rain affected much of Atlantic Canada
; rainfall peaked at 3 in (76.5 mm) in Edmundston, New Brunswick
. In Quebec, heavy rains from the storm amounted to at least 1.9 in (48.2 mm); however, reports from a storm chaser indicate that up to 3.2 in (82 mm) may have fallen in Passes-Dangereuses
. The strongest winds onshore reached 84 mph (135 km/h) on Beaver Island
. Sustained winds of at least 39 mph (62.8 km/h) likely affected all of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island
, much of Newfoundland, and parts of eastern New Brunswick, as well as extreme eastern Quebec
and Labrador.
Throughout the affected region, about 252,000 residences, nearly one million people, were left without power as a result of Earl. Roughly 104,000 residences that lost power were in the Halifax metro area. The city received some of the worst impacts from the storm, experiencing near-hurricane force winds around 12:00 pm (local time) on September 4. Several structures in the city were struck by fallen trees. At the height of the storm, Nova Scotia Routes 207
, 331
and 333
were shut down due to flooding and downed power lines. Numerous trees and power lines were downed throughout Nova Scotia, blocking roads and damaging homes. Earl's only fatality in Canada occurred when one man drowned while trying to retrieve a boat which had been dislodged from its moorings.
Throughout Prince Edward Island, high winds left roughly 9,000 homes and businesses without power. Minor streets flooding and downed trees impeded travel throughout the area. In New Brunswick, little damage took place during Earl's passage; some trees were downed, resulting in scattered power outages. Along the St. George's Bay area in Newfoundland, numerous residents were left without power due to fallen trees and power lines. No injures or major damage took place on the island and power was expected to be fully restored by the afternoon of September 5. Intense winds produced by the storm felled numerous trees, some more than 100 years old, and damaged homes.
Within hours of the storm's passage in Nova Scotia, hundreds of power crews were deployed to restore electricity as quickly as possible. Once winds dropped below 65 mph (100 km/h), roughly 400 crewmen began fixing damaged lines. One lineman was injured after briefly coming into contact with live wires. Additional crews from New Brunswick, consisting of 18 trucks and 36 linemen, were deployed to the hardest hit regions. Roughly 90,000 Nova Scotia residences had their electricity restored by 10:00 pm the same night. By the morning of September 5, about 92,000 residences remained without power across Nova Scotia. It was not until September 7 that all residents affected by the storm had their power restored.
Tropical cyclone
A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a large low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. Tropical cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor...
which became the first major hurricane to threaten New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
since Hurricane Bob
Hurricane Bob
Hurricane Bob was one of the costliest hurricanes in New England history. The second named storm and first hurricane of the 1991 Atlantic hurricane season, Bob developed from an area of low pressure near The Bahamas on August 16. The depression steadily intensified, and became Tropical Storm Bob...
in 1991
1991 Atlantic hurricane season
The 1991 Atlantic hurricane season was the first season in over 24 years in which no hurricanes developed from tropical waves, which are the source for most North Atlantic tropical cyclones. The hurricane season officially began on June 1, and ended on November 30. It was the least...
. The fifth named storm
Tropical cyclone naming
Tropical cyclones have officially been named since 1945 and are named for a variety of reasons, which include to facilitate communications between forecasters and the public when forecasts, watches, and warnings are issued. Names also reduce confusion about what storm is being described, as more...
of the 2010 season
2010 Atlantic hurricane season
The 2010 Atlantic hurricane season was the third most active Atlantic hurricane season on record, tying with the 1887 Atlantic hurricane season, 1995 Atlantic hurricane season and the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season. It had the most number of named storms since the 2005 season and also ties with the...
, Earl developed
Tropical cyclogenesis
Tropical cyclogenesis is the term that describes the development and strengthening of a tropical cyclone in the atmosphere. The mechanisms through which tropical cyclogenesis occurs are distinctly different from those through which mid-latitude cyclogenesis occurs...
out of a tropical wave
Tropical wave
Tropical waves, easterly waves, or tropical easterly waves, also known as African easterly waves in the Atlantic region, are a type of atmospheric trough, an elongated area of relatively low air pressure, oriented north to south, which move from east to west across the tropics causing areas of...
roughly 430 mi (692 km) west of the Cape Verde Islands on August 25. Tracking nearly due west, the system attained tropical storm intensity within hours of being classified a depression. After maintaining winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) for nearly two days, Earl began to strengthen as is neared the Lesser Antilles
Lesser Antilles
The Lesser Antilles are a long, partly volcanic island arc in the Western Hemisphere. Most of its islands form the eastern boundary of the Caribbean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean, with the remainder located in the southern Caribbean just north of South America...
. The storm intensified into a hurricane on August 29 and later a major hurricane on August 30 as it brushed the Leeward Islands
Leeward Islands
The Leeward Islands are a group of islands in the West Indies. They are the northern islands of the Lesser Antilles chain. As a group they start east of Puerto Rico and reach southward to Dominica. They are situated where the northeastern Caribbean Sea meets the western Atlantic Ocean...
. A temporary weakening trend took place as Earl moved northwestward. Once reorganized, Earl reached its peak intensity on September 2 with maximum sustained wind
Maximum sustained wind
The maximum sustained winds associated with a tropical cyclone are a common indicator of the intensity of the storm. Within a mature tropical cyclone, they are found within the eyewall at a distance defined as the radius of maximum wind, or RMW. Unlike gusts, the value of these winds are...
s of 145 mph (230 km/h) and a barometric pressure of 927 mbar
Bar (unit)
The bar is a unit of pressure equal to 100 kilopascals, and roughly equal to the atmospheric pressure on Earth at sea level. Other units derived from the bar are the megabar , kilobar , decibar , centibar , and millibar...
(hPa
Pascal (unit)
The pascal is the SI derived unit of pressure, internal pressure, stress, Young's modulus and tensile strength, named after the French mathematician, physicist, inventor, writer, and philosopher Blaise Pascal. It is a measure of force per unit area, defined as one newton per square metre...
; 27.37 inHg). Executing a gradual curve to the northeast, the hurricane slowly weakened over decreasing sea surface temperature
Sea surface temperature
Sea surface temperature is the water temperature close to the oceans surface. The exact meaning of surface varies according to the measurement method used, but it is between and below the sea surface. Air masses in the Earth's atmosphere are highly modified by sea surface temperatures within a...
s; the storm's center passed roughly 85 mi (140 km) east of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina on September 3. Accelerating northeastward, Earl briefly weakened to a tropical storm before reattaining hurricane strength as it made landfall
Landfall (meteorology)
Landfall is the event of a tropical cyclone or a waterspout coming onto land after being over water. When a waterspout makes landfall it is reclassified as a tornado, which can then cause damage inland...
near Western Head, Nova Scotia
Western Head, Nova Scotia
Western Head is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in the Region of Queens Municipality . The Meteorological Service of Canada maintains a weather station in Western Head ID: CWWE....
. After traversing the peninsula, the hurricane transitioned into an extratropical cyclone
Extratropical cyclone
Extratropical cyclones, sometimes called mid-latitude cyclones or wave cyclones, are a group of cyclones defined as synoptic scale low pressure weather systems that occur in the middle latitudes of the Earth having neither tropical nor polar characteristics, and are connected with fronts and...
before being absorbed by a larger low pressure area
Low pressure area
A low-pressure area, or "low", is a region where the atmospheric pressure at sea level is below that of surrounding locations. Low-pressure systems form under areas of wind divergence which occur in upper levels of the troposphere. The formation process of a low-pressure area is known as...
on September 6, north of Newfoundland.
In the Leeward Islands
Leeward Islands
The Leeward Islands are a group of islands in the West Indies. They are the northern islands of the Lesser Antilles chain. As a group they start east of Puerto Rico and reach southward to Dominica. They are situated where the northeastern Caribbean Sea meets the western Atlantic Ocean...
, Hurricane Earl wrought moderate damage, estimated at up to $40.8 million (2010 USD
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
) and resulted one fatality. Along the coast of the Eastern United States, tropical storm-force winds affected portions of North Carolina and Massachusetts; however, little damage resulted, totaling about $3.8 million in the Outer Banks. Six fatalities took place in the country due as a result of rip currents and rough seas, three in Florida, two in New Jersey and one in Massachusetts. In Nova Scotia, Canada, where Earl made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane, one person drowned and hundreds of thousands of people lost power.
Meteorological history
Earl formed in a well-organized area of low pressure and moved into the Atlantic Ocean as a vigorous tropical wave on early August 22. After moving off the west coast of Africa, a surface low started to develop near the area of thunderstormThunderstorm
A thunderstorm, also known as an electrical storm, a lightning storm, thundershower or simply a storm is a form of weather characterized by the presence of lightning and its acoustic effect on the Earth's atmosphere known as thunder. The meteorologically assigned cloud type associated with the...
s. The surface low was able to organize the area of thunderstorm
Thunderstorm
A thunderstorm, also known as an electrical storm, a lightning storm, thundershower or simply a storm is a form of weather characterized by the presence of lightning and its acoustic effect on the Earth's atmosphere known as thunder. The meteorologically assigned cloud type associated with the...
s, allowing deep convection
Convection
Convection is the movement of molecules within fluids and rheids. It cannot take place in solids, since neither bulk current flows nor significant diffusion can take place in solids....
to occur near it. Because of the area's increasing thunderstorm organization, the National Hurricane Center
National Hurricane Center
The National Hurricane Center , located at Florida International University in Miami, Florida, is the division of the National Weather Service responsible for tracking and predicting weather systems within the tropics between the Prime Meridian and the 140th meridian west poleward to the 30th...
(NHC) indicated on August 24 that the system had a 90% chance of becoming a tropical depression
Tropical cyclone
A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a large low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. Tropical cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor...
within the next 48 hours. 18 hours later, the NHC classified the system as Tropical Depression Seven at around 11 am AST (1500 UTC
Coordinated Universal Time
Coordinated Universal Time is the primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time. It is one of several closely related successors to Greenwich Mean Time. Computer servers, online services and other entities that rely on having a universally accepted time use UTC for that purpose...
) on August 25, while it was located about 430 mi (690 km) west
West
West is a noun, adjective, or adverb indicating direction or geography.West is one of the four cardinal directions or compass points. It is the opposite of east and is perpendicular to north and south.By convention, the left side of a map is west....
of the southernmost Cape Verde Islands. Six hours later, at about AST (2100 UTC), the system's maximum sustained wind
Maximum sustained wind
The maximum sustained winds associated with a tropical cyclone are a common indicator of the intensity of the storm. Within a mature tropical cyclone, they are found within the eyewall at a distance defined as the radius of maximum wind, or RMW. Unlike gusts, the value of these winds are...
s were estimated to be 40 mph (65 km/h). Accordingly, the depression was declared to have become the fifth tropical storm of the season, and received the name Earl.
Earl was forecast to head westward while gradually strengthening under the influence of low wind shear
Wind shear
Wind shear, sometimes referred to as windshear or wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed and direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere...
and warm ocean temperatures
Sea surface temperature
Sea surface temperature is the water temperature close to the oceans surface. The exact meaning of surface varies according to the measurement method used, but it is between and below the sea surface. Air masses in the Earth's atmosphere are highly modified by sea surface temperatures within a...
. However, dry air caught in Earl's circulation precluded additional intensification, causing the storm to maintain 45 mph (75 km/h) maximum sustained winds for 36 hours. On August 29, the storm resumed gradual intensification, even though wind shear increased due to the outflow from nearby Hurricane Danielle
Hurricane Danielle (2010)
Hurricane Danielle was the first of four Category 4 hurricanes during the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season. The sixth tropical depression, fourth named storm, second hurricane, and first major hurricane of the season, Danielle developed as a typical Cape Verde-type hurricane from a tropical wave on...
. The wind shear caused Earl's low level center of circulation to become exposed, limiting Earl's intensification to 60 mph (95 km/h) maximum sustained winds during the following 12 hours. As the storm neared the Leeward Islands, convection increased around Earl and defined banding features formed. Around 8:30 am AST (1230 UTC), Earl strengthened into a hurricane roughly 365 mi (585 km) east of the northern Leeward Islands. Rapid intensification
Rapid deepening
Rapid deepening, also known as rapid intensification, is a meteorological condition that occurs when the minimum sea-level atmospheric pressure of a tropical cyclone decreases drastically in a short period of time. The National Weather Service describes rapid deepening as a decrease of...
ensued throughout the day as a 35 mi (55 km) wide eye
Eye (cyclone)
The eye is a region of mostly calm weather found at the center of strong tropical cyclones. The eye of a storm is a roughly circular area and typically 30–65 km in diameter. It is surrounded by the eyewall, a ring of towering thunderstorms where the second most severe weather of a cyclone...
became apparent in radar imagery
Weather radar
Weather radar, also called weather surveillance radar and Doppler weather radar, is a type of radar used to locate precipitation, calculate its motion, estimate its type . Modern weather radars are mostly pulse-Doppler radars, capable of detecting the motion of rain droplets in addition to the...
from Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe is an archipelago located in the Leeward Islands, in the Lesser Antilles, with a land area of 1,628 square kilometres and a population of 400,000. It is the first overseas region of France, consisting of a single overseas department. As with the other overseas departments, Guadeloupe...
.
Hurricane Earl's outflow steadily improved through August 30 and sustained winds rose above 100 mph (155 km/h), making Earl a Category 2 storm. Around 8:00 am (1200 UTC), the center of Earl passed roughly 25 mi (35 km) east-northeast of St. Martin with sustained winds of 110 mph (175 km/h). Several hours later, the storm further intensified into a major hurricane. That afternoon, Earl became a Category 4 hurricane, attaining winds of 135 mph (215 km/h) before leveling out in intensity. A northwestard track began to become apparent by this time as the system neared the southwestern periphery of a subtropical
Subtropical cyclone
A subtropical cyclone is a weather system that has some characteristics of a tropical and an extratropical cyclone. As early as the 1950s, meteorologists were unclear whether they should be characterized as tropical or extratropical cyclones. They were officially recognized by the National...
ridge
Ridge (meteorology)
A ridge is an elongated region of relatively high atmospheric pressure, the opposite of a trough....
over the Atlantic Ocean. Early on August 31, an eyewall replacement cycle, a process in which a storm's eye dissipates and is replaced by a larger one, began to take place. Despite increasing wind shear, the system maintained its intensity through September 1, when it briefly weakened to a Category 3 system. Gradual strengthening took place throughout the day as the eye became better defined and convection deepened around the center. Additionally, the storm began to turn northward in response to the ridge over the Atlantic and a strong trough
Trough (meteorology)
A trough is an elongated region of relatively low atmospheric pressure, often associated with fronts.Unlike fronts, there is not a universal symbol for a trough on a weather chart. The weather charts in some countries or regions mark troughs by a line. In the United States, a trough may be marked...
over the Great Lakes
Great Lakes
The Great Lakes are a collection of freshwater lakes located in northeastern North America, on the Canada – United States border. Consisting of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, they form the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth by total surface, coming in second by volume...
. Hurricane Earl later attained its peak intensity during the morning of September 2 with winds of 145 mph (230 km/h) and a barometric pressure of 927 mbar (hPa; 27.40 inHg).
During the afternoon of September 2, Earl finally succumbed to the effects of increased shear and cooler water temperatures. Embedded within the mid-latitude westerlies
Westerlies
The Westerlies, anti-trades, or Prevailing Westerlies, are the prevailing winds in the middle latitudes between 30 and 60 degrees latitude, blowing from the high pressure area in the horse latitudes towards the poles. These prevailing winds blow from the west to the east, and steer extratropical...
, a gradual northeasterly turn was expected over the following day, preventing Earl from making landfall along the East Coast of the United States. Around 5:00 am (0600 UTC) the next morning, the storm made its closest approach to the United States, passing roughly 85 mi (140 km) east of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina with winds of 105 mph (165 km/h). Further weakening took place throughout the day as convection weakened and the eye dissipated. Earl was downgraded to a tropical storm that evening; however, the central pressure remained at an unusually low 958 mbar (hPa; 28.29 inHg). At the same time, the storm made its closet approach to Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, passing roughly 90 mi (150 km) southeast of Nantucket. Continuing northeastward, Earl neared the Canadian Maritimes. The storm made landfall in Queens County near Western Head, Nova Scotia
Western Head, Nova Scotia
Western Head is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in the Region of Queens Municipality . The Meteorological Service of Canada maintains a weather station in Western Head ID: CWWE....
around 10:00 am (1400 UTC) on September 4, as a Category 1 hurricane with sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h). After crossing Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is a Canadian province consisting of an island of the same name, as well as other islands. The maritime province is the smallest in the nation in both land area and population...
, the storm entered the Gulf of Saint Lawrence
Gulf of Saint Lawrence
The Gulf of Saint Lawrence , the world's largest estuary, is the outlet of North America's Great Lakes via the Saint Lawrence River into the Atlantic Ocean...
. There, the system finally transitioned into a post-tropical storm
Extratropical cyclone
Extratropical cyclones, sometimes called mid-latitude cyclones or wave cyclones, are a group of cyclones defined as synoptic scale low pressure weather systems that occur in the middle latitudes of the Earth having neither tropical nor polar characteristics, and are connected with fronts and...
as its windfield became asymmetric and the eastern portion of the circulation became associated with a frontal system
Weather front
A weather front is a boundary separating two masses of air of different densities, and is the principal cause of meteorological phenomena. In surface weather analyses, fronts are depicted using various colored lines and symbols, depending on the type of front...
. During the afternoon of September 5, the remnants of Earl were merged by a mid-latitude low roughly 205 mi (340 km) north-northeast of St. Anthony, Newfoundland
St. Anthony, Newfoundland and Labrador
-Attractions:* Is a popular tourist destination known for its whale watching.Dr. Wilfred Grenfell's work in St. Anthony is commemorated by several historic sites and museums, including:...
.
Research
As Hurricane Earl tracked along the East Coast of the United States, a new program, the Genesis and Rapid Intensification Processes (GRIP), was launched. A former military aircraft, a WB-57 able to reach an altitude of 60000 ft (18,288 m), carrying 15 new instruments was flown into the storm. Additionally, routine Hurricane Hunter missions were flown into Earl, a DC-8 and the first use of an unmanned research drone. Combined, these missions made Hurricane Earl the most studied tropical cyclone in history, according to Tim Miller, the lead scientist in GRIP. The outcome of the extensive research allowed for substantially improved forecasts during the latter part of Earl's existence. As compared to a similar storm, Hurricane FloydHurricane Floyd
Hurricane Floyd was the sixth named storm, fourth hurricane, and third major hurricane in the 1999 Atlantic hurricane season. Floyd triggered the third largest evacuation in US history when 2.6 million coastal residents of five states were ordered from their homes as it approached...
in 1999
1999 Atlantic hurricane season
The 1999 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, 1999, and lasted until November 30, 1999. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin....
, warnings covered roughly 1500 mi (2,414 km) less coastline, saving residents and businesses roughly $1 billion in evacuation losses.
In Anegada
Anegada
Anegada is the northernmost of the British Virgin Islands, a group of islands which form part of the archipelago of the Virgin Islands. It lies approximately north of Virgin Gorda. Anegada is the only inhabited British Virgin Island formed from coral and limestone, rather than being of volcanic...
, a geological study, focusing on beach deposits from two significant wash-out events between 1650 and 1800, was given additional research material by the storm. Deposits left behind by the major hurricane were substantially less than the time period being studied. This led researchers to determine that a tsunami
Tsunami
A tsunami is a series of water waves caused by the displacement of a large volume of a body of water, typically an ocean or a large lake...
was likely the cause, rather than a hurricane. This also allowed for a connection to the 1755 Lisbon earthquake
1755 Lisbon earthquake
The 1755 Lisbon earthquake, also known as the Great Lisbon Earthquake, was a megathrust earthquake that took place on Saturday 1 November 1755, at around 9:40 in the morning. The earthquake was followed by fires and a tsunami, which almost totally destroyed Lisbon in the Kingdom of Portugal, and...
to be confirmed.
Caribbean
On August 27, France issued a tropical storm watch for the French side of Saint Martin and Saint BarthélemySaint Barthélemy
Saint Barthélemy , officially the Territorial collectivity of Saint Barthélemy , is an overseas collectivity of France. Often abbreviated to Saint-Barth in French, or St. Barts in English, the indigenous people called the island Ouanalao...
. The next day, Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda is a twin-island nation lying between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It consists of two major inhabited islands, Antigua and Barbuda, and a number of smaller islands...
and the Netherlands Antilles
Netherlands Antilles
The Netherlands Antilles , also referred to informally as the Dutch Antilles, was an autonomous Caribbean country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, consisting of two groups of islands in the Lesser Antilles: Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao , in Leeward Antilles just off the Venezuelan coast; and Sint...
issued tropical storm watches for Antigua
Antigua
Antigua , also known as Waladli, is an island in the West Indies, in the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean region, the main island of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. Antigua means "ancient" in Spanish and was named by Christopher Columbus after an icon in Seville Cathedral, Santa Maria de la...
, Barbuda
Barbuda
Barbuda is an island in the Eastern Caribbean, and forms part of the state of Antigua and Barbuda. It has a population of about 1,500, most of whom live in the town of Codrington.-Location:...
, Montserrat
Montserrat
Montserrat is a British overseas territory located in the Leeward Islands, part of the chain of islands called the Lesser Antilles in the West Indies. This island measures approximately long and wide, giving of coastline...
, St Kitts and Nevis and Anguilla
Anguilla
Anguilla is a British overseas territory and overseas territory of the European Union in the Caribbean. It is one of the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles, lying east of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands and directly north of Saint Martin...
and for Sint Maarten, Saba and Sint Eustatius. Hours later, most of the watches were upgraded to tropical storm warnings; a tropical storm watch was also issued for the United States Virgin Islands
United States Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands of the United States are a group of islands in the Caribbean that are an insular area of the United States. The islands are geographically part of the Virgin Islands archipelago and are located in the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles.The U.S...
. By August 28, hurricane warnings were in place for the areas between Anguilla and Montserrat
Montserrat
Montserrat is a British overseas territory located in the Leeward Islands, part of the chain of islands called the Lesser Antilles in the West Indies. This island measures approximately long and wide, giving of coastline...
; hurricane watches were declared for the U.S. and British Virgin Islands as well as Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
. As Earl moved closer to the northeastern Caribbean, warnings were extended westward through the Virgin Islands.
During the late morning of August 30, some of the hurricane warnings were replaced by tropical storm warnings; the Turks and Caicos islands were also placed under a tropical storm watch. Several hours later, all warnings for Antigua and Barbuda were discontinued. That afternoon, all hurricane advisories were discontinued as Earl moved away from the Caribbean islands. By August 31, the remaining advisories for the Caribbean were discontinued; the Turks and Caicos were also placed under a tropical storm warning. Early on September 1, the Government of the Bahamas discontinued all advisories in relation to Hurricane Earl.
Beginning on August 28, local governments placed emergency agencies on standby for possible damage from Hurricane Earl. Press releases were made to the public in order to give sufficient time for preparations. The following day, emergency shelters were opened on Anguilla, Antigua, Barbuda, Montserrat, St. Kitts, Nevis and the Virgin Islands. On St. Kitts and Nevis, the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport
Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport
Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport is an international airport located just northeast of Basseterre, on the island of Saint Kitts, serving the nation of Saint Kitts and Nevis. It was named after the first Premier of St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla , Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw.A major renovation was...
and Vance W. Amory International Airport
Vance W. Amory International Airport
Vance W. Amory International Airport serves the island of Nevis in the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis. The airport has a single runway of about 1,220 metres.The airport was previously known as Bambooshay Airport, then Newcastle Airport...
were shut down and scheduled to re-open the following day. All emergency services were placed on standby on Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda. Prior to Earl's arrival in the Leeward Islands, the Leeward Islands Air Transport canceled 42 flights to and from the region. The V. C. Bird International Airport on Antigua was shut down on August 29 and set to reopen after the storm passes. Although not in the direct path of Hurricane Earl, officials in the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
prompted evacuations of coastal towns and canceled flights across the country.
United States
As Hurricane Earl moved away from the eastern Caribbean on August 31, the NHC began issuing storm watches for the United States East Coast. That day, a hurricane watches was raised for areas of North Carolina between Surf CitySurf City, North Carolina
Surf City is a town in Pender and Onslow counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The population was 2,057 at the 2008 census. It is located on Topsail Island....
and the Virginia border. A tropical storm watch was also issued south of this area to Cape Fear. The next day, a hurricane warning was issued for parts of the North Carolina coastline between Bogue Banks
Bogue Banks
Bogue Banks form a barrier island off the mainland of North Carolina in Carteret County. The island, separated from the mainland by Bogue Sound, runs east to west, with the ocean beaches facing due south...
to the Virginia border and the hurricane watch was extended northward to Cape Henlopen, Delaware
Cape Henlopen
Cape Henlopen is the southern cape of the Delaware Bay along the Atlantic coast of the United States. It lies in the state of Delaware, near the town of Lewes, Delaware...
. Further watches and warnings were issued throughout the day, covering an increasingly large region of the coastline. By September 2, these advisories encompassed much of the East Coast from Bogue Banks, North Carolina to the United States-Canada border in northern Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
. A spokesman for the NHC, Dennis Feltgen, stated that not since Hurricane Bob
Hurricane Bob
Hurricane Bob was one of the costliest hurricanes in New England history. The second named storm and first hurricane of the 1991 Atlantic hurricane season, Bob developed from an area of low pressure near The Bahamas on August 16. The depression steadily intensified, and became Tropical Storm Bob...
in 1991
1991 Atlantic hurricane season
The 1991 Atlantic hurricane season was the first season in over 24 years in which no hurricanes developed from tropical waves, which are the source for most North Atlantic tropical cyclones. The hurricane season officially began on June 1, and ended on November 30. It was the least...
, had such a large region of the U.S. East Coast been under threat from a hurricane. Cape Cod
Cape Cod
Cape Cod, often referred to locally as simply the Cape, is a cape in the easternmost portion of the state of Massachusetts, in the Northeastern United States...
, Massachusetts was placed under a hurricane warning by this time and this remained in place until Earl was downgraded to a tropical storm the following day. The advisories gradually lessened in coverage as the storm moved away from the United States. The last warning in northern Maine remained in effect until the morning of September 4 when Earl approached landfall in Nova Scotia.
On August 30, emergency officials in Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
began early-stage emergency plans, ensuring that all communities have shelters, generators, sand bags and other disaster prevention materials. Officials in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
also responded to the threat of Earl. Evacuation plans were readied for Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
and New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
; emergency officers in New Jersey also discussed the possibility of evacuating residents from low-lying areas along the coastline. Having experienced a fatality from a distant Hurricane Danielle earlier in August, officials in Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
took the threat of Earl seriously. An estimated 250,000 people were expected to travel to the region for the Labor Day
Labor Day
Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.-History:...
weekend, increasing the risk of loss of life from rip currents. Daily conference calls between state officials also began on August 30. In Suffolk County and Nassau County on Long Island, emergency officials prepared for winds in excess of 40 mph (17.9 m/s) and warned that evacuations were possible.
An administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency
Federal Emergency Management Agency
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security, initially created by Presidential Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1978 and implemented by two Executive Orders...
, Craig Fugate, cautioned that Earl's approach warranted a reminder for evacuation plans to be updated for the U.S. east coast, noting "It wouldn't take much to have the storm come ashore somewhere on the coast. The message is for everyone to pay attention."
| Impact from Hurricane Earl | ||||
| Country | State/Region | Fatalities | Damage (in USD) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antigua and Barbuda Antigua and Barbuda Antigua and Barbuda is a twin-island nation lying between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It consists of two major inhabited islands, Antigua and Barbuda, and a number of smaller islands... |
1 | $12.6 million | ||
| Canada Canada Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean... |
1 | Unknown | ||
| United Kingdom United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages... |
Anguilla Anguilla Anguilla is a British overseas territory and overseas territory of the European Union in the Caribbean. It is one of the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles, lying east of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands and directly north of Saint Martin... |
0 | $4.3 million | |
| Virgin Islands British Virgin Islands The Virgin Islands, often called the British Virgin Islands , is a British overseas territory and overseas territory of the European Union, located in the Caribbean to the east of Puerto Rico. The islands make up part of the Virgin Islands archipelago, the remaining islands constituting the U.S... |
0 | $7.3 million | ||
| Montserrat Montserrat Montserrat is a British overseas territory located in the Leeward Islands, part of the chain of islands called the Lesser Antilles in the West Indies. This island measures approximately long and wide, giving of coastline... |
0 | $3.7 million | ||
| Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Kitts and Nevis The Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis , located in the Leeward Islands, is a federal two-island nation in the West Indies. It is the smallest sovereign state in the Americas, in both area and population.... |
0 | Unknown | ||
| United States United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... |
Florida Florida Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it... |
3 | Minimal | |
| Georgia Georgia (U.S. state) Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788... |
0 | $8,000 | ||
| Massachusetts Massachusetts The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010... |
1 | $20,000 | ||
| North Carolina North Carolina North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte... |
0 | $3.88 million | ||
| New Jersey New Jersey New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware... |
2 | Minimal | ||
| New York New York New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east... |
0 | Unknown | ||
| South Carolina South Carolina South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence... |
0 | $14,000 | ||
| Virgin Islands United States Virgin Islands The Virgin Islands of the United States are a group of islands in the Caribbean that are an insular area of the United States. The islands are geographically part of the Virgin Islands archipelago and are located in the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles.The U.S... |
0 | $13.2 million | ||
| Total | 8 | $44.98 million | ||
On August 31, mandatory evacuations began on North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
's Ocracoke Island. "I don't remember the last time there was a mandatory evacuation order for the island," stated Commissioner Kenneth Collier of Hyde County
Hyde County, North Carolina
-National protected areas:* Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge * Cape Hatteras National Seashore * Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge* Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge * Swanquarter National Wildlife Refuge-Demographics:...
. Mandatory evacuations were also issued for Hatteras Island
Hatteras Island
Hatteras Island is a barrier island located off the North Carolina coast. Dividing the Atlantic Ocean and the Pamlico Sound, it runs parallel to the coast, forming a bend at Cape Hatteras. It is part of North Carolina's Outer Banks and includes the towns of Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton,...
on September 1, with a total of 30,000 residents and visitors affected. On September 1, state of emergency
State of emergency
A state of emergency is a governmental declaration that may suspend some normal functions of the executive, legislative and judicial powers, alert citizens to change their normal behaviours, or order government agencies to implement emergency preparedness plans. It can also be used as a rationale...
declarations were issued by the governors of Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, and Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. Naval Station Norfolk
Naval Station Norfolk
Naval Station Norfolk, in Norfolk, Virginia, is a base of the United States Navy, supporting naval forces in the United States Fleet Forces Command, those operating in the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and Indian Ocean...
was put under orders to be ready to depart port within 24 hours if necessary. The following day, Governor Deval Patrick
Deval Patrick
Deval Laurdine Patrick is the 71st and current Governor of Massachusetts. A member of the Democratic Party, Patrick served as an Assistant United States Attorney General under President Bill Clinton...
declared a state of emergency for Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. NSTAR
NSTAR
NSTAR is a utility company that provides retail electricity and natural gas to 1.4 million customers in eastern and central Massachusetts, including the Boston urban area....
deployed crews from Michigan to Cape Cod. The ferry to Nantucket was stopping service Friday morning. Chatham, Massachusetts
Chatham, Massachusetts
Chatham is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States, Barnstable County being coextensive with Cape Cod. The population was 6,625 at the 2000 census...
was under a voluntary evacuation order. Several school districts in Rhode Island released students from school early on September 3, as well as Bristol-Warren and Cumberland school Districts, which closed schools in anticipation of Hurricane Earl.
President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
signed a disaster declaration for North Carolina on the evening of September 1. The action authorized the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency
Federal Emergency Management Agency
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security, initially created by Presidential Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1978 and implemented by two Executive Orders...
to coordinate relief efforts and makes federal funds available. Officials in Dare County, North Carolina
Dare County, North Carolina
-National protected areas:* Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge * Cape Hatteras National Seashore * Fort Raleigh National Historic Site* Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge* Wright Brothers National Memorial-Demographics:...
, issued mandatory evacuation orders September 2 for visitors to the coastal county, including the Outer Banks
Outer Banks
The Outer Banks is a 200-mile long string of narrow barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina, beginning in the southeastern corner of Virginia Beach on the east coast of the United States....
. The mandatory evacuation extended to residents in some areas, including the town of South Nags Head
Nags Head, North Carolina
Nags Head is a town in Dare County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 2,700 at the 2000 census.-History:Early maps of the area show Nags Head as a promontory of land characterized by high sand dunes visible from miles at sea...
and Hatteras Island
Hatteras Island
Hatteras Island is a barrier island located off the North Carolina coast. Dividing the Atlantic Ocean and the Pamlico Sound, it runs parallel to the coast, forming a bend at Cape Hatteras. It is part of North Carolina's Outer Banks and includes the towns of Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton,...
. Dare County schools and courts were closed September 2 and were to be closed September 3.
Canada
On September 2, the Canadian Hurricane Center issued a hurricane watch for areas in Nova Scotia between Medway Harbour and DigbyDigby, Nova Scotia
Digby is a Canadian town in western Nova Scotia. It is the shiretown and largest population centre in Digby County.The town is situated on the western shore of the Annapolis Basin near the entrance to the Digby Gut which connects the basin to the Bay of Fundy.Named after Admiral Robert Digby, RN,...
as well as a tropical storm watch from the edges of the hurricane watch to Ecum Secum
Ecum Secum, Nova Scotia
Ecum Secum is a rural community on the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia, Canada. It straddles the boundary between Guysborough County and Halifax Regional Municipality....
and Fort Lawrence
Fort Lawrence, Nova Scotia
Fort Lawrence is a Canadian rural community located on the Isthmus of Chignecto in Cumberland County, Nova Scotia.Situated 1 km east of the Missaguash River which forms the inter-provincial boundary with New Brunswick, Fort Lawrence is situated on a low ridge facing Aulac to the west and...
. Later that day, the tropical storm watch was expanded northward to Point Tupper
Point Tupper, Nova Scotia
Point Tupper is a small rural community located in Richmond County, Nova Scotia on the Strait of Canso in western Cape Breton Island.-History:...
and a new one was issued for Prince Edward Island and parts of eastern New Brunswick
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
. Early on September 3, a tropical storm warning was issued for areas between Lismore
Lismore, Nova Scotia
Lismore is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in Pictou County.The name Lismore comes from Irish Lios Mór or Scottish Gaelic Lios Mòr, both meaning "great ringfort".-References:*...
and Ecum Secum as well as Prince Edward Island. The following day, the hurricane watch in Nova Scotia was shifted to include areas between Ecum Secum and Point Tupper and the tropical storm watch in New Brunswick was discontinued. Later on September 4, much of Nova Scotia was under a tropical storm warning. These warnings were later discontinued as Earl moved northward through Atlantic Canada; however, a new tropical storm warning was issued for parts of Newfoundland between Burgeo
Burgeo
Burgeo is a Canadian town located on the south coast of the island of Newfoundland in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.The town is approximately 75 miles east of Channel-Port aux Basques....
and Boat Harbour
Boat Harbour, Newfoundland and Labrador
Boat Harbour is a settlement in Newfoundland and Labrador....
. Following the storm's transition into an extratropical cyclone, all warnings were discontinued in Canada.
Earl was predicted to have an 80% chance of striking Nova Scotia (60% chance as a hurricane) since the end of August. This enabled emergency preparations to begin nearly a week before Earl made landfall. On September 2, the Red Cross placed over 900 volunteers on standby.
Because anticipated landfall would take place at low neap tide and storm surge would be minimal, no mandatory evacuation orders were issued, although some marinas required boats to be moved to safer mooring. Tourists in the area were warned of the likely impact of the coming storm by the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage. Virtually all permanent residents stayed and prepared to be without electricity for a couple of days. While ferries in the area were cancelled, the Confederation Bridge linking New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island was not closed. However, high-sided vehicles and motorcycles were barred from crossing for six hours at the height of the storm.
Caribbean
Throughout the Leeward Islands, heavy rains produced by the storm flooded low-lying areas .Antigua and Barbuda
According to officials in Antigua and Barbuda, the entire island of Antigua was left without power due to Hurricane Earl. High winds felled numerous trees and signs as well as damaged homes. At least one home was destroyed on the island, forcing the evacuation of eight people. An estimated 7 inches (177.8 mm) of rain fell in the country, resulting in widespread flooding. In Bolans Village, seven people had to be rescued after wading into waist-deep water. Following the passage of Earl, Philmore Mullin, Director of the National Office of Disaster Services, expressed his concern for the lack of action taken by residents prior to the hurricane's arrival. A country-wide holiday was declared for August 30 by Governor General Dame Louise Lake-Tack to help cleanup efforts run more efficiently. Health officials advised residents to also boil their water to avoid water-borne diseases until further notice. One person was killed in relation to the storm after being electrocuted while trying to restore power.Throughout Antigua and Barbuda, losses from the hurricane amounted to EC$34 million ($12.6 million USD). In the wake of Earl, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is a humanitarian institution that is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement along with the ICRC and 186 distinct National Societies...
allocated roughly $50,000 (USD) in relief funds for the country. A three month recovery operation was implemented within days of the storm's passage and focused on providing shelter and sustinance for the 1,000 families displaced by Earl. Additionally, economic assistance due to substantial crop losses was required, especially for families who depend on agriculture.
Guadeloupe and the French islands
The highest winds recorded during Earl's passage were on Saint BarthelemySaint Barthélemy
Saint Barthélemy , officially the Territorial collectivity of Saint Barthélemy , is an overseas collectivity of France. Often abbreviated to Saint-Barth in French, or St. Barts in English, the indigenous people called the island Ouanalao...
at 90 mph (144.8 km/h) in Saint Jean and 105 mph (169 km/h) in Gustavia, the minimal pressure fell to 989 mb.
In Saint Martin
Saint Martin
Saint Martin is an island in the northeast Caribbean, approximately east of Puerto Rico. The 87 km2 island is divided roughly 60/40 between France and the Kingdom of the Netherlands ; however, the Dutch side has the larger population. It is one of the smallest sea islands divided between...
the highest gust reach 88 mph (141.6 km/h) , the minimal pressure record at 983.3 mb in Grand Case and the total rainfall was 98,0 mm. Across those islands of Saint Martin, Saint Barthelemy and Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe is an archipelago located in the Leeward Islands, in the Lesser Antilles, with a land area of 1,628 square kilometres and a population of 400,000. It is the first overseas region of France, consisting of a single overseas department. As with the other overseas departments, Guadeloupe...
, 7,500 people were left without power.
In Sint Maarten, trees and power lines were felled across the island, leaving most residents power. Some roof damage was sustained by homes on the island as well.
Saint Kitts and Nevis
High winds and heavy rains, amounting to 3.82 in (97 mm), battered St. Kitts and Nevis; two coast guard vessels were grounded on the islands. Several streets were also flooded throughout the area. Widespread power outages affected many residents on the island, some of whom remained without electricity for 24 hours.British Leeward Islands
On Dominica, three minor earthquakeEarthquake
An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. The seismicity, seismism or seismic activity of an area refers to the frequency, type and size of earthquakes experienced over a period of time...
s, one measuring 2.7 on the Richter scale, struck the island during Earl's passage. In Montserrat, moderate damage took place as a result of Earl. Torrential rains, amounting to 12 in (304.8 mm) triggered several landslides and flooding. No structural damage took place; however, roads, trees and power lines were impacted. Initial assessments from officials indicated that losses reached EC$
East Caribbean dollar
The East Caribbean dollar is the currency of eight of the nine members of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States...
10 million ($3.7 million USD).
In the British territories of Anguilla
Anguilla
Anguilla is a British overseas territory and overseas territory of the European Union in the Caribbean. It is one of the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles, lying east of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands and directly north of Saint Martin...
and the British Virgin Islands
British Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands, often called the British Virgin Islands , is a British overseas territory and overseas territory of the European Union, located in the Caribbean to the east of Puerto Rico. The islands make up part of the Virgin Islands archipelago, the remaining islands constituting the U.S...
, power and water supply was lost to the entire Territory; several vessels on Tortola
Tortola
Tortola is the largest and most populated of the British Virgin Islands, a group of islands that form part of the archipelago of the Virgin Islands. Local tradition recounts that Christopher Columbus named it Tortola, meaning "land of the Turtle Dove". Columbus named the island Santa Ana...
were grounded. On Anguilla, three homes were destroyed and 25 others were damaged by the storm. Throughout the British Virgin Islands, losses amounted to $7 million. Hotels throughout the area suffered extensive losses, with three losing $300,000 in damage. In the wake of Earl, the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility provided Anguilla with $4.3 million for cleanup and repair operations.
Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
Throughout the United States Virgin IslandsUnited States Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands of the United States are a group of islands in the Caribbean that are an insular area of the United States. The islands are geographically part of the Virgin Islands archipelago and are located in the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles.The U.S...
, high winds, gusting up to 69 mph (111 km/h), and heavy rains, peaking at 3.02 in (76.7 mm) on St. Thomas
Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Saint Thomas is an island in the Caribbean Sea and with the islands of Saint John, Saint Croix, and Water Island a county and constituent district of the United States Virgin Islands , an unincorporated territory of the United States. Located on the island is the territorial capital and port of...
, caused significant damage to roadways and power lines. Many residents across the islands were left without power for up to a week as a result of the storm. Following an assessment of the damage, total losses were placed at $2.5 million, allowing the governor of the U.S. V.I. to request for a major disaster declaration from the United States government. This request was later approved by President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
in late September. In addition to damage to infrastructure, severe losses were sustained in the business sector. As a result of Earl's passage through the region, nearly 22,000 vacationers canceled their plans, resulting in a $10.7 million loss in revenue. In March 2011, the Federal Emergency Management Agency
Federal Emergency Management Agency
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security, initially created by Presidential Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1978 and implemented by two Executive Orders...
(FEMA) granted $555,219 in public assistance funding to cover the costs from Earl in the Virgin Islands.
Heavy rains also began to affect Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
during the early afternoon on August 30 as Hurricane Earl moved closer to the island. Throughout the island, a maximum of 5.19 in (131.8 mm) of rain fell near Naguabo
Nagüabo, Puerto Rico
Naguabo is a municipality in Puerto Rico located in the east coast of the island, north of Humacao; south of Río Grande and Ceiba; and east of Las Piedras. Naguabo is spread over 8 wards and Naguabo Pueblo...
. In San Juan
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
, 3.57 inches (90.7 mm) of rain fell during the passage of Earl. Dozens of roads were shut down across the island due to flooding and downed power lines. At the height of the storm, roughly 187,000 residences were left without power and 60,000 more with without water. A landslide
Landslide
A landslide or landslip is a geological phenomenon which includes a wide range of ground movement, such as rockfalls, deep failure of slopes and shallow debris flows, which can occur in offshore, coastal and onshore environments...
triggered by heavy rains covered a portion of Puerto Rico Highway 191, temporarily closing the road.
United States
Throughout the United States, damage from Hurricane Earl was generally minor. Insurance modelers for catastrophes estimated that losses from the storm would not exceed $100 million in the country. According to the federal procurement data systemFederal procurement data system
The Federal Data Procurement System is a single source for US government-wide procurement data.The Federal Procurement Data Center , part of the U.S. General Services Administration, manages the Federal Procurement Data System , which is operated and maintained by Global Computer Enterprises...
, roughly $300,000 was given by FEMA in relief funds throughout the United States.
Southeast
Off the coast of Florida, near the Bahamas, one person went missing and is believed to have drowned after encountering 30 m (98.4 ft) waves produced by Earl. Near Jupiter Inlet, fell off his ship during rough seas. Lifeguards found him unconscious and transported him to a nearby hospital where he died on September 7. On September 4, a third person died in Volusia CountyVolusia County, Florida
Volusia County is a county located in the state of Florida. The U.S. Census Bureau 2010 official county's population was 494,593 . Its county seat is DeLand, and its most populous city is currently Deltona....
after being caught in a rip current; more than 200 rescues were made by lifeguards in the county during the day. Persistent swells between 7 and 10 ft (2.1 and 3 m) in Tybee Island, Georgia
Tybee Island, Georgia
Tybee Island is an island and city in Chatham County, Georgia near the city of Savannah in the southeastern United States. It is the easternmost point in the state of Georgia. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 2,990. Tybee Island is an island and city in Chatham County, Georgia near...
resulted in severe beach erosion. Some places lost up to 20 ft (6.1 m) of beach, leaving $8,000 in losses. On September 4, rip currents produced by Earl resulted in the rescue of 20 to 30 people on the island. In parts of Charleston County, South Carolina
Charleston County, South Carolina
Charleston County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. According to a 2005 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, its population was 330,368. Its county seat is Charleston. It is the third-most populous county in the state . Charleston County was created in 1901 by an act of the South...
, local beaches lost up to 40 ft (12.2 m) of sand due to Earl. Offshore, a sailors lost control of their boat amidst the rough seas and crashed into a pier, destroying the vessel. Losses in the state reached $14,000.
North Carolina
Although the center of Hurricane Earl passed roughly 100 mi (160.9 km) off the coast of North Carolina, its large size brought hurricane-force winds and a significant storm surge. Heavy rains accompanied the storm, peaking at 4.52 in (114.8 mm) in Cape Hatteras. The highest winds were recorded in Cape Hatteras at 67 mph (107.8 km/h) and gusts reached 83 mph (133.6 km/h); however, there were few reports of damage in relation to the winds. A storm surgeStorm surge
A storm surge is an offshore rise of water associated with a low pressure weather system, typically tropical cyclones and strong extratropical cyclones. Storm surges are caused primarily by high winds pushing on the ocean's surface. The wind causes the water to pile up higher than the ordinary sea...
of 4.7 ft (1.4 m) came ashore on Hatteras Island, inundating nearby areas. Minor flooding took place along several roads, including North Carolina Highway 12 which was shut down on Hatteras Island. A pier at Atlantic Beach was also damaged by rough seas. Numerous homes along the coast were flooded by rising waters, reaching 3 ft (0.9144 m) in places. An estimated 6,600 residences were left without power due to Hurricane Earl. Waves just offshore were measured between 25 and 36 ft (7.6 and 11 m), likely resulting in beach erosion. In Manteo
Manteo, North Carolina
Manteo is a town in Dare County, North Carolina, United States, located on Roanoke Island. The population was 1,052 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Dare County.-Geography:...
, a gas station lost its canopy and some homes lost roofing shingles due to high winds. Damage in Dare County totaled over $500,000 (2010 USD), with 79 houses in the county sustaining minor damage and another six receiving major damage, mainly due to storm surge. In neighboring Hyde County
Hyde County, North Carolina
-National protected areas:* Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge * Cape Hatteras National Seashore * Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge* Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge * Swanquarter National Wildlife Refuge-Demographics:...
, strong winds caused about $2 million in crop damage. Several homes were also damaged by fallen trees in the Fairfield and Swan Quarter areas. Throughout the state, damage from Earl amounted to $3.88 million, mainly from losses sustained by national parks and agriculture. Nearly two weeks after Earl's passage, the North Carolina Department of Transportation began to pick up debris left alongside roads in the wake of the storm.
Mid-Atlantic
After brushing North Carolina, Hurricane Earl brought moderate rains and gusty winds to parts of VirginiaVirginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. Although the center of the storm remained more than 100 mi (160.9 km) offshore, wind gusts reached 45 mph (72.4 km/h) in the state. Along the coast, large swells produced by the storm resulted in some beach erosion; however, no damage was reported. Throughout Delaware
Delaware
Delaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
, the threat of Hurricane Earl lessened Labor Day weekend tourism. Many hotels across the state reached occupancies of 40-60%, significantly lower than initially expected. Along the coast, swells up to 6.02 ft (1.8 m) resulted in minor tidal flooding, though no damage took place. Off the coast of New Jersey two people were killed after being swept out to sea by rip currents. The bodies of both victims were found after they washed onshore days after Earl's passage. The outer bands of Earl brought gusty winds and minimal rainfall, peaking at 0.22 in (5.6 mm) in Coyle Field. Some beach erosion was reported along the coastline, with the worst being in Atlantic City. At the city's Garden Pier, the Historical Museum and the Atlantic City Arts Center was shut down indefinitely after electrical lines and pipes were damaged by waves. After nearly two weeks of beaches being shut down, swimmers were finally allowed to enter the water on September 5 throughout New Jersey.
In Long Island, New York, heavy surf produced by Earl inundated much of Jones Beach State Park
Jones Beach State Park
Jones Beach State Park is a state park of the U.S. state of New York. It is located in southern Nassau County, in the hamlet of Wantagh, on Jones Beach Island, a barrier island linked to Long Island by the Meadowbrook State Parkway, Wantagh State Parkway and Ocean Parkway .The park is renowned for...
, leading to officials closing the area for several days. By September 6, flood waters brought onshore by the storm still remained in the area despite continuous efforts to drain the water. Moderate beach erosion also took place in Robert Moses State Park
Robert Moses State Park (Long Island)
Robert Moses State Park - Long Island is a state park that is located in the state of New York.The park lies in southern Suffolk County on the western end of Fire Island, one of the central barrier Islands off the southern coast of Long Island...
. Similar impacts were felt in The Hamptons as many roads were temporarily shut down due to flooding. Rainfall from the storm peaked at 2.11 in (53.6 mm) just outside Jamesport
Jamesport, New York
Jamesport is a census-designated place that roughly corresponds to the hamlet by the same name in the town of Riverhead in Suffolk County, New York, United States. The CDP's population was 1,526 at the 2000 census. Jamesport is known for its quaint downtown area including antique shops and...
. Following the lack of damage caused by the storm, the Long Island Power Authority was criticized for excessive spending on emergency crews. An estimated $30 million was spent to bring in an additional 1,600 crewmen to deal with possible power outages despite forecasts showing Earl missing the state. Due to the excess funding, residents in New York were faced with increased rates for power. Additionally, New York senator Charles Fuschillo
Charles Fuschillo
Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. is a Republican member of the New York State Senate from Long Island. Since 1998, he has represented the 8th State Senate district which spans several South Shore communities in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties...
called for an audit of the power authority. It was later determined that LIPA had "jumped the gun" on the situation and brought in the assistance without necessity. In their defense, the agency claimed that "it [was] better to be safe than sorry", referring to the power outage following Hurricane Gloria
Hurricane Gloria
Hurricane Gloria was a powerful Cape Verde-type hurricane that formed during the 1985 Atlantic hurricane season and prowled the Atlantic Ocean from September 16 to September 28. Gloria reached Category 4 status on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale near the Bahamas, but weakened significantly...
in 1985
1985 Atlantic hurricane season
The 1985 Atlantic hurricane season had the most U.S. landfalling tropical cyclones since 1916. The season officially began on June 1, 1985, and lasted until November 30, 1985...
which affected parts of Long Island for over a week.
New England
On August 31, several days prior to Earl's passage, rough seas produced by the storm killed a man in Massachusetts after he was knocked off rocks and pulled out to sea. Late on September 3, a weakened Tropical Storm Earl brushed New EnglandNew England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
, with its center passing roughly 90 mi (144.8 km) south-southeast of Nantucket, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. During the height of the storm, heavy rains and winds up to 58 mph (93.3 km/h) buffeted the coastline. In Yarmouth
Yarmouth, Massachusetts
Yarmouth is a New England town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States, Barnstable County being coextensive with Cape Cod. The population was 24,807 at the 2000 census....
, a total of 5.17 in (131.3 mm) of rain fell during the storm, the highest in the state. Throughout the state, roughly 1,800 residences, roughly 600 of which were on Cape Cod, lost power due to downed trees and power lines. In the local harbors, most boats were unaffected by the storm; however, one did capsize. The most significant losses were to businesses who lost their Labor Day weekend revenue. Several hotels estimated that 10% of the revenue was lost, this equates to hundreds of thousands of dollars. One hotel in Yarmouth reported an 80% decrease in attendance despite a price cut from $130 to $85. On the other hand, supply stores saw improved sales, experiencing a 20% increase in revenues. Due to the lack of major damage from the storm, most businesses reopened on September 4 and tourists resumed their weekend plans. Throughout the state, Earl left $20,000 in damage.
In parts of Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
, coastal flooding inundated low-lying roads, leaving ocean debris behind. Further north in Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
, the effects of Earl were limited to increased swells along the coast and moderate rainfall. Several areas across the state measured over 2 in (50.8 mm) of rain, with the highest total being measured at 4.28 in (108.7 mm) in Machias. Winds in the state peaked between 35 and 40 mph (55 and 65 km/h), though no wind damage took place. Prior to Earl's arrival, a dry spell left several brooks and streams nearly empty; however, the rainfall from the storm alleviated the drought conditions. Only one road experienced flooding as a result of the rains. According to state transportation officials, northbound and southbound traffic along the Maine Turnpike
Interstate 95 in Maine
In the U.S. state of Maine, Interstate 95 is a long highway running from the New Hampshire border near Kittery, to the Canadian border near Houlton. It is the only two-digit Interstate Highway in Maine...
was down 19% and 2.7% respectively, indicating that many tourists who were expected to travel to the region changed their plans.
Canada
Hurricane Earl came ashore in Queens County near Western Head, Nova ScotiaWestern Head, Nova Scotia
Western Head is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in the Region of Queens Municipality . The Meteorological Service of Canada maintains a weather station in Western Head ID: CWWE....
on September 4 around 10:00 am (1400 UTC), as a category 1 storm with sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h). Just offshore, buoys recorded winds near hurricane-force and enormous waves up to 82 ft (25.1 m) tall. Onshore, strong winds and heavy rain affected much of Atlantic Canada
Atlantic Canada
Atlantic Canada is the region of Canada comprising the four provinces located on the Atlantic coast, excluding Quebec: the three Maritime provinces – New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia – and Newfoundland and Labrador...
; rainfall peaked at 3 in (76.5 mm) in Edmundston, New Brunswick
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
. In Quebec, heavy rains from the storm amounted to at least 1.9 in (48.2 mm); however, reports from a storm chaser indicate that up to 3.2 in (82 mm) may have fallen in Passes-Dangereuses
Passes-Dangereuses, Quebec
Passes-Dangereuses is an unorganized territory in the Canadian province of Quebec, located between the Peribonka River on the east and the Mistassibi River on the west...
. The strongest winds onshore reached 84 mph (135 km/h) on Beaver Island
Beaver Island, Nova Scotia
Beaver Island is an island community of the Halifax Regional Municipality in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. The weather station code is CWBV. Since 1846 there has been a lighthouse on the island.-References:***...
. Sustained winds of at least 39 mph (62.8 km/h) likely affected all of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is a Canadian province consisting of an island of the same name, as well as other islands. The maritime province is the smallest in the nation in both land area and population...
, much of Newfoundland, and parts of eastern New Brunswick, as well as extreme eastern Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
and Labrador.
Throughout the affected region, about 252,000 residences, nearly one million people, were left without power as a result of Earl. Roughly 104,000 residences that lost power were in the Halifax metro area. The city received some of the worst impacts from the storm, experiencing near-hurricane force winds around 12:00 pm (local time) on September 4. Several structures in the city were struck by fallen trees. At the height of the storm, Nova Scotia Routes 207
Nova Scotia Route 207
Route 207 is a collector road in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. It is located in the Halifax Regional Municipality and connects Dartmouth to Porter on the Eastern Shore.-Dartmouth:...
, 331
Nova Scotia Route 331
Route 331 is a collector road in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia.It is located on the province's South Shore, connecting East Medway at Highway 103 with Bridgewater at Route 325.-Communities:*East Port Medway*Vogler's Cove*Cherry Hill*Broad Cove...
and 333
Nova Scotia Route 333
Route 333 is a collector road in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia.It is located in the Halifax Regional Municipality, connecting Upper Tantallon at Trunk 3 with Beechville at Trunk 3.From Shad Bay to Beechville it is named the "Prospect Road"...
were shut down due to flooding and downed power lines. Numerous trees and power lines were downed throughout Nova Scotia, blocking roads and damaging homes. Earl's only fatality in Canada occurred when one man drowned while trying to retrieve a boat which had been dislodged from its moorings.
Throughout Prince Edward Island, high winds left roughly 9,000 homes and businesses without power. Minor streets flooding and downed trees impeded travel throughout the area. In New Brunswick, little damage took place during Earl's passage; some trees were downed, resulting in scattered power outages. Along the St. George's Bay area in Newfoundland, numerous residents were left without power due to fallen trees and power lines. No injures or major damage took place on the island and power was expected to be fully restored by the afternoon of September 5. Intense winds produced by the storm felled numerous trees, some more than 100 years old, and damaged homes.
Within hours of the storm's passage in Nova Scotia, hundreds of power crews were deployed to restore electricity as quickly as possible. Once winds dropped below 65 mph (100 km/h), roughly 400 crewmen began fixing damaged lines. One lineman was injured after briefly coming into contact with live wires. Additional crews from New Brunswick, consisting of 18 trucks and 36 linemen, were deployed to the hardest hit regions. Roughly 90,000 Nova Scotia residences had their electricity restored by 10:00 pm the same night. By the morning of September 5, about 92,000 residences remained without power across Nova Scotia. It was not until September 7 that all residents affected by the storm had their power restored.
See also
- List of Category 4 Atlantic hurricanes
- Other storms named EarlHurricane EarlThe name Earl has been used for six tropical cyclones in the Atlantic Ocean.* Hurricane Earl — drifted over the central Atlantic Ocean without affecting land* Hurricane Earl — drifted over the central Atlantic Ocean without affecting land...
- List of North Carolina hurricanes (2000–present)
- List of New England hurricanes
- List of Canada hurricanes