Hurricane Charley (1986)

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Hurricane Charley

Category 1 hurricane (SSHS)
Hurricane Charley near peak intensity North Carolina
Formed	August 13, 1986
Dissipated	August 20, 1986
Highest winds	80 mph (130 km/h) (1-minute sustained)
Lowest pressure	987 mbar (hPa; 29.15 inHg)
Fatalities	16 total
Damage	> $15 million (1986 USD) > $29 million (2009 USD) (Total for United States only)
Areas affected	Southeastern United States (North Carolina landfall)), Mid-Atlantic states, Massachusetts, Ireland, United Kingdom
Part of the 1986 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Charley was the costliest tropical cyclone of the 1986 Atlantic hurricane season, and the first hurricane to threaten the east-central United States since Hurricane Gloria in the previous year. The third tropical storm and second hurricane of the season, Charley formed as a subtropical low on August 13 along the Florida panhandle. A few days later intensified it into a tropical storm off the coast of South Carolina, and Charley attained hurricane status before moving across eastern North Carolina. It gradually weakened over the north Atlantic Ocean before transitioning into an extratropical cyclone, though its remnants remained identifiable for over a week until after it crossed the British Isles and dissipated on August 30.

The storm brought light to moderate precipitation along its path through the southeastern United States. In Georgia and South Carolina, the rainfall alleviated drought conditions. In North Carolina, where the hurricane made landfall, tidal flooding and downed trees were the primary impact. The storm brought high winds to southeastern Virginia, where 110,000 people were left without power. Minor damage extended along the Atlantic coastline northward through Massachusetts. One traffic fatality was reported each in North Carolina and Virginia. Three people in Maryland died due to a plane crash related to the storm. Throughout the United States, Hurricane Charley caused an estimated $15 million in damage (1986 USD, $29 million 2008 USD).

As an extratropical cyclone, Charley brought heavy rainfall and strong winds to Ireland and the United Kingdom, causing at least 11 deaths. In Ireland, the rainfall set records for 24 hour totals, including an accumulation of more than 7.8 in (200 mm) which set the record for the greatest daily rainfall total in the country. In the country, the rainfall caused widespread flooding, resulting in two rivers overflowing their banks. In the Dublin area, 451 buildings were flooded, some up to a depth of 8 ft (2.4 m). In the United Kingdom, the storm caused downed trees and power lines, as well as flooded rivers.

Contents 1 Storm history 2 Preparations 3 Impact 3.1 North America 3.2 Europe 4 See also 5 References

[edit] Storm history

Hurricane Charley originated in an area of convection associated with a trough, first observed on August 11 across southern Florida and the southeastern Gulf of Mexico. The area spread northward, developing a weak and broad low pressure area on August 12. Moving northward into the Florida panhandle, the low became slightly better organized, and at the same time it merged with a weakening weather front.^[1] On August 13, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) assessed it as developing into a subtropical low near Apalachee Bay along the coastline of the Gulf of Mexico;^[2] the NHC defines a subtropical cyclone as "a non-frontal low pressure system that has characteristics of both tropical and extratropical cyclones."^[3]

Upon becoming a subtropical low, the cyclone tracked northeastward through Georgia, before turning eastward and exiting South Carolina into the Atlantic Ocean; its track was influenced by the western periphery of the subtropical ridge, which is a large belt of high pressure.^[4] While moving over land, the cyclone had become better organized,^[1] and on August 15 it transitioned into a tropical depression about 70 miles (110 kilometres) southeast of Charleston, South Carolina.^[2] The depression strengthened further, and based on reports from the Hurricane Hunters, the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Charley by late on August 15. With a weak ridge to its north, the storm initially tracked slowly eastward just off the coast of North Carolina, before turning to the north-northeast as a trough approached from the west.^[1] A broad cyclone, Charley gradually intensified, and a single ring of convection around the center developed into an eyewall;^[5] at 1200 UTC on August 17 it attained hurricane status about 13 mi (21 km) off the North Carolina coastline. About two hours later, Hurricane Charley made landfall near Cape Fear, and it subsequently moved across the eastern portion of the state.^[2]

Hurricane Charley did not weaken while moving over land; instead it intensified, attaining peak winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) after emerging into the Atlantic Ocean near the North Carolina/Virginia border.^[6] Within 12 hours of reaching peak intensity, however, the hurricane weakened to tropical storm status.^[4] The approaching trough, which had previously caused Charley to turn northward, forced the hurricane to accelerate northeastward and later eastward, resulting in the storm passing about 80 mi (130 km) southeast of Nantucket, Massachusetts on August 19.^[1] As the trough was not very strong, Charley slowly underwent the process of extratropical transition, unlike other tropical cyclones which complete the transition much quicker with a stronger trough; for several days, the storm maintained hybrid, or subtropical characteristics.^[7] By August 21, Charley completed the transition into an extratropical cyclone to the south of Atlantic Canada, after which it re-intensified under baroclinic instability. The resulting storm was a very large and fairly strong gale that gradually moved across the northern Atlantic Ocean.^[8] As an extratropical cyclone, Charley attained an atmospheric pressure of 980 mbar, which was lower than its pressure as a tropical cyclone. It accelerated as it approached the British Isles, and after passing south of Ireland it moved across Great Britain on August 27.^[6] While in the North Sea, the cyclone weakened as it executed a counter-clockwise loop, and on August 30 the remnants of Charley dissipated near Denmark as a new circulation developed to its southwest.^[8]

[edit] Preparations

As the hurricane paralleled the east coast of the United States and its exact track and strength were uncertain, there were several tropical cyclone warnings and watches issued in association with Charley; in an analysis subsequent to the storm, the NHC described "the complication of the warning process for this type of situation."^[9] Initially, the storm was not expected to affect land. In its first advisory, the NHC assessed a 22% probability for Charley passing within 65 mi (105 km) of land, and specifically it was predicted to be closest to the South Carolina coastline. Thus, the agency assessed a 78% probability for Charley not passing near land.^[10]

About 16 hours prior to it making landfall, the NHC issued a gale warning between Bogue Inlet and Oregon Inlet along the North Carolina coastline, including the Pamlico Sound. As its strengthening became evident, the gale warning was replaced by a hurricane warning, and additional gale warnings were issued westward to Topsail Beach and northward to Virginia Beach, Virginia.^[11] Up to 10,000 people evacuated the Outer Banks, which resulted in traffic jamming on the roadways leaving the area. Ocracoke island was partially evacuated by six ferries, although many people were unable to leave and instead rode out the storm on the island.^[12] As Charley moved across eastern North Carolina, the hurricane warnings were extended northward, first to Virginia Beach, then to Cape Charles, and later to the Maryland/Delaware border.^[11] Prior to its arrival, the storm resulted in the closure of Norfolk International Airport, and more than 9,000 people evacuated the coastline for emergency shelters.^[12] Hurricane warnings ultimately reached as far north as Sandy Hook, New Jersey, and gale warnings continued further north to Chatham, Massachusetts, including Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.^[11][13] In New York, after Hurricane Gloria in the previous season left thousands of customers without power, the Long Island Lighting Co. arranged for additional workers for potential power restoration.^[12]

After Charley became extratropical, the Irish Meteorological Service issued weather alerts prior to the arrival of the storm, noting the potential for "extremely heavy rainfall [which would] cause local flooding."^[14] In the United Kingdom, the threat of the storm resulted in the cancellation of ferry service between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, as well between Great Britain and France.^[15]

[edit] Impact

[edit] North America

Hurricane Charley affected at least ten U.S. states,^[8][9][16] resulting in five total deaths and $15 million in damage (1986 USD, $29 million 2008 USD).^[4] Charley was the first hurricane to threaten the east-central United States since Hurricane Gloria affected the area about eleven months prior.^[6] The precursor disturbance to Charley brought rainfall to much of Florida, including a total of 8.61 inches (219 millimetres) in Steinhatchee; that rainfall maxima was the greatest total associated with Charley within the United States.^[16] The system also produced light to moderate rainfall across Georgia and South Carolina,^[16] which proved beneficial as the region was in a major drought. However, its heaviest rainfall remained over open waters.^[8]

Moving across eastern North Carolina as a minimal hurricane, Charley produced locally strong wind gusts, peaking at 80 mph (130 km/h) in Frisco. However, no stations recorded sustained winds of hurricane force.^[17] The hurricane dropped moderate precipitation along the coastline, including over 7 in (175 mm) near Manteo.^[16] As it moved ashore, it produced above normal tides, peaking in the state at 5.78 feet (1.76 metres) at Duck Coe fishing pier.^[18] Near Cape Hatteras, a woman drowned while attempting to drive through a flooded roadway.^[8] Impact in the state was primarily from tidal flooding and downed trees, and a preliminary damage estimate for the state was about $400,000 (1986 USD, $786,000 2008 USD).^[8]

Tropical storm force winds spread across southeastern Virginia, with wind gusts reaching 82 mph (133 km/h) on Cape Charles.^[4] Offshore, a station on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel recorded sustained winds of 97 mph (157 km/h) with gusts to 104 mph (168 km/h).^[9] After the gust, the bridge-tunnel was closed overnight.^[12] The winds downed many trees,^[9] and in Norfolk, a motorist died after crashing into a downed tree.^[8] In Virginia Beach, the winds blew off the roof of a hotel and destroyed two homes under construction.^[9] Across the area, the storm left about 110,000 customers without power.^[12] Rainfall in Virginia was fairly light, including a 24 hour total of just over 1 in (25 mm) in Norfolk.^[17] Strong waves destroyed 250 ft (76 m) of Harrison's Pier in Norfolk.^[12] A preliminary damage estimate for the area was $1 million (1986 USD, $2 million 2008 USD).^[9]

Thunderstorms to the north of the circulation brought moderate rainfall to Maryland; the same thunderstorms caused a light aircraft to crash near Baltimore, resulting in the death of its three occupants.^[8] Rainfall spread across much of Maryland,^[16] peaking at 4.24 in (105 mm) in Hollywood.^[18] The rainfall flooded a few roads, including along a portion of U.S. Route 50 which left one lane closed for about seven hours.^[19] Tropical storm force winds extended into Delaware, and a peak wind gust of 75 mph (121 km/h) was reported in Rehoboth Beach.^[18] Only isolated and minor damage occurred in Maryland in Delaware.^[8] In New Jersey, a hurricane force wind gust was reported on Long Beach Island, and 1.3 in (33 mm) of rainfall was reported in Atlantic City.^[4] In the southernmost counties in the state, the winds left about 15,000 electrical customers without power.^[12] Further north, light rainfall and gusty winds extended into the New York metropolitan area.^[4]

As Charley passed south of Massachusetts, it produced precipitation to the southeastern portion of the state. Nantucket reported 3.20 in (81 mm), while Chatham recorded 2.68 in (68 mm) in a 24 hour period. Nantucket also reported sustained winds of 60 mph (96 km/h), and as the storm passed the island it produced a storm tide of 3.5–4 ft (1–1.2 m).^[17] High tides and heavy rain caused significant street flooding on Nantucket. Several boats were damaged, others were beached, and one large boat sunk in Nantucket Harbor. Damage on the island $75,000 (1986 USD, $150,000 2008 USD).^[9]

Before becoming extratropical, the storm brushed the coast of Nova Scotia with wind gusts of 65 mph (105 km/h) and moderate precipitation totaling 4.57 in (116 mm).^[14]

[edit] Europe

The extratropical remnants of Hurricane Charley moved across the Ireland and Great Britain, with winds of 50 mph (85 km/h).^[6] Ireland and England were significantly affected by its accompanying rainfall,^[15] and the only portion of the British Isles not affected seriously by the storm was Scotland.^[20] In the English Channel, rough waves up to 26 ft (8 m) in height caused waters to breach and flood a 31 person ship; the passengers were rescued by rescue helicopters and ships.^[20] Throughout the region, the passage of the storm resulted in at least 11 deaths.^[15]

First passing just south of Ireland on the 25th, the storm dropped heavy rainfall and brought strong winds, significantly affecting the coastline where winds of 65 mph (105 km/h) were reported. Rainfall spread across the entire country, peaking at 11.0 in (280 mm) in Kippure. A station in Kilcoole reported more than 7.8 in (200 mm), which set the record for the greatest daily rainfall total in the country. Several 24 hour rainfall records were set during the storm, and new six-hour and twelve-hour record totals at Casement Aerodrome were set with 1.63 in (41.5 mm) and 2.61 in (66.2 mm).^[14] The rainfall left some areas flooded,^[15] particularly in the Dublin area where 451 buildings were flooded, some up to a depth of 8 ft (2.4 m). Preliminarily, it was described as the worst flooding in the history of Dublin.^[14] Two rivers, the Dodder and the Dargle, exceeded their banks due to the rainfall.^[14] The River Dargle overflowed in Bray, flooding some areas up to a depth of 5 ft (1.5 m) and forcing about 1,000 people to evacuate;^[20] several special-needs people were evacuated by boat. The flood, which originated about one mile north of the town, damaged over 500 houses and brought down several trees. Despite local politicians promising for flood protection after the flood, the city remained vulnerable to such flooding at least 20 years after the storm.^[21] The River Dodder, which also overflowed, nearly exceeded the reservoir dam in Bohernabreena, although additional spillways were later added in the event of another similar flood.^[22] In the Wicklow Mountains, the rainfall resulted in significant runoff, which caused erosion along the Cloghoge River.^[23] The passage of the storm left heavy crop damage, part of a larger period of poor agriculture in the country.^[20] Throughout the country, the storm caused at least five deaths, four of which were drownings in flooded rivers; the fifth death was caused by a heart attack while being evacuated from flooding.^[15] Two months after the storm struck, the government of Ireland allocated IR£6,449,000 (1986 IEP, $8,650,000 1986 USD) to repair roads and bridges damaged by the weather system.^[24]

The storm also affected the United Kingdom, moving across the southern portion of the country.^[6] The storm struck the area during the Summer Bank holiday, creating unfavorable conditions for driving and resulting in several accidents.^[20] Heavy rainfall flooded rivers, which swept away several people. This prompted officials to deploy boats and helicopters to assist in rescues, although at least three deaths were reported due to drowning in the rivers. Severe flooding was reported in Cumbria and Gloucestershire. The passage of the storm also left roads blocked by fallen trees and power lines. In Whitland, Wales, local soldiers assisted rescuing people, and later contributed to the cleanup of the town. Throughout the country, five people were missing after the storm, all of whom presumed drowned; and additional death was confirmed in Newry, Northern Ireland.^[15]

[edit] See also

• List of North Carolina hurricanes (1980–present)
• Other tropical cyclones named Charley

[edit] References