Hurricane Isaias
Hurricane Isaias
| Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS/NWS) | |
 Hurricane Isaias at peak intensity over The Bahamas on July 31 | |
| Formed | July 30, 2020 |
|---|---|
| Dissipated | August 5, 2020 |
| (Extratropical after August 5) | |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 85 mph (140 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 987 mbar (hPa); 29.15 inHg |
| Fatalities | 11 total |
| Damage | Unknown |
| Areas affected | West Africa, Lesser Antilles, Greater Antilles, The Bahamas, East Coast of the United States, Eastern Canada |
| Part of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season | |
Hurricane Isaias (/ˌiːsɑːˈiːɑːs/)[1] was a Category 1 hurricane that struck portions of the Eastern Caribbean and caused significant damage across much of the Eastern United States in July and August 2020. The ninth named storm and second hurricane of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, Isaias originated from a vigorous tropical wave off the coast of Africa that was first identified by the National Hurricane Center on July 23, 2020. The tropical wave gradually became more organized, and obtained gale-force winds on July 28, before organizing into Tropical Storm Isaias on July 30. Isaias marked the earliest ninth named storm on record, surpassing 2005's Hurricane Irene by eight days. Isaias strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane the next day, reaching a peak intensity of 85 mph (137 km/h) and a pressure of 987 mbar. On August 1, the storm made landfall on North Andros, Bahamas and subsequently weakened to a tropical storm before paralleling the east coast of Florida and Georgia. As it approached the Carolina coastline, it reintensified back into a hurricane shortly before making landfall near Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, at 11:10 PM EDT on August 3 as a Category 1 hurricane, and proceeded to accelerate up the East Coast of the United States.
Numerous tropical storm watches and warnings as well as hurricane watches and hurricane warnings were issued for the Lesser Antilles, Greater Antilles, Bahamas, Cuba, and the East Coast of the United States. Isaias caused devastating flooding and wind damage in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Several towns were left without electricity and drinking water in Puerto Rico, which prompted a disaster declaration by President Donald Trump. In the Dominican Republic, two people were killed by wind damage. A woman was killed in Puerto Rico after being swept away in flood waters. At least two were killed after a tornado touched down in North Carolina and four others were killed by wind damage in Maryland, Delaware, Connecticut, and New York. A woman drowned after her vehicle was swept away by flood waters in Pennsylvania, and a man drowned in rough surf off the coast of New Jersey.
Meteorological history[edit]
The National Hurricane Center first began tracking a vigorous tropical wave off the west coast of Africa on July 23.[2] The wave gradually organized and became better defined, developing a broad area of low pressure.[3] Though the circulation was broad and disorganized, convection continued to increase over the system, and the system obtained gale-force winds on July 28. Although the system still lacked a well-defined center, imminent threat of tropical cyclonegenesis and tropical storm-force winds to land areas prompted its designation as Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine at 15:00 UTC on July 28.[4] The system moved just south of Dominica on July 29, and at 03:00 UTC on the following day, the system organized sufficiently to become a tropical cyclone. Due to its precursor disturbance already having gale-force winds, it was immediately declared a tropical storm and given the name Isaias.[5] When Tropical Storm Isaias developed, it became the earliest ninth named storm on record, breaking the record of Hurricane Irene in 2005 by eight days. Isaias continued strengthening after reaching tropical storm status, with one-minute sustained winds reaching 60 mph (95 km/h) on July 30 as it made landfall on the southern coast of the Dominican Republic. Contrary to predictions by meteorologists, the mountainous terrain of Hispaniola did not weaken the storm, as the system had a broad circulation and developed a new low-pressure center to the north of the island, thus maintaining its intensity.[6]
Early the next day, hurricane hunters unexpectedly found that Isaias strengthened, reaching its initial peak intensity as a Category 1 hurricane, with 1-minute sustained winds of 80 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 990 mbar (29.23 inHg).[7] Moderate to strong southwesterly wind shear and dry air entrainment began affecting the storm a few hours later, resulting in the low-level center being exposed near the western edge of the convection. After a brief weakening trend, Isaias began to intensify again, with deep convection firing over the exposed center and an eye feature forming on Bahamian radar. Later that evening, data from another hurricane hunter reconnaissance aircraft confirmed a closed eyewall and a lower minimal central pressure of 987 mbar (29.15 inHg).[8] The storm strengthened afterwards to obtain its peak intensity, with 1-minute sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h), despite a somewhat ragged appearance on satellite imagery.[9] At 15:00 UTC on August 1, Isaias made landfall on Northern Andros Island, Bahamas with winds of 80 mph (130 km/h), slightly weaker than its peak.[10] Land interaction and the continued effects of wind shear and dry air continued to weaken the system, and Isaias dropped below hurricane strength at 21:00 UTC, as its center became completely devoid of convection, although a large burst of convection formed over the center shortly after it moved back over water.[11]
As the storm neared Southeast Florida, a strong mid-level circulation formed just northeast of the low-level circulation center, spawning intense convection mainly north and east of the LLCC. The storm then paralleled the east coast of Florida and Georgia, with its winds fluctuating between 65–70 miles per hour (105–113 km/h). As the storm turned northeastward, it entered a more favorable environment for strengthening, with wind shear relaxing just enough to allow the storm to redevelop intense convection. The storm began to quickly reintensify, regaining hurricane status at 00:00 UTC on August 4, before reaching a secondary peak intensity, with 1-minute sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 988 mbar (29.18 inHg).[12][13] At 03:10 UTC, the hurricane made landfall near Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina at the same intensity.[14] The date of this landfall made Isaias the earliest fifth tropical cyclone to make landfall in the United States.[15] Following landfall, Isaias continued to accelerate and only weakened slowly, dropping below hurricane status at 07:00 UTC over North Carolina.[16] Isaias moved quickly to the north-northeast, crossing through Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania while losing tropical characteristics. [17][18][19] The system fully lost tropical characteristics and became extratropical at 03:00 UTC on August 5 over southern Quebec.[20]
Preparations[edit]
Numerous tropical storm, hurricane, and storm surge watches and warnings were issued for areas in the path of Isaias.[21]
Greater and Lesser Antilles[edit]
The first tropical storm watches and warnings were posted for Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Leeward Islands, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti when the system was designated Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine.[21][22][23]
The Bahamas[edit]
With the system approaching and strengthening, hurricane warnings were posted for The Northwestern Bahamas at 00:00 UTC on July 31. The sudden upgrade to hurricane status caused all of the warnings in the Bahamas to change to under hurricane warnings at 03:40 UTC.[21]
People living on Abaco and Grand Bahama islands were evacuated before the storm. Many of the citizens were still living in temporary structures due to damage caused by Hurricane Dorian in 2019. Many of the structures were weak and could be easily destroyed by tropical storm and hurricane-force winds. The meteorology department of the Bahamas advised citizens to "hunker down".[24] The government of the Bahamas lifted the COVID-19 lockdown instituted for controlling the virus before the storm so people could freely travel to safer places. Shelters were opened on larger islands in the island chain, with people on smaller, less populated, islands needing to travel to reach a shelter. Bahamas Power and Light shut off electricity to areas at high risk of flooding on New Providence, the most populous island in the Bahamas, until it was safe to re-energize.[25]
United States[edit]
Southeast[edit]
Tropical storm watches were first initiated in Southeast Florida at 21:00 UTC on July 30, with more watches and warnings going up as the storm got closer. Hurricane warning were issued as the storm approached, but they were downgraded to tropical storm warnings when the storm weakened. Hurricane Warnings were issued for areas near the South Carolina-North Carolina border after the storm was forecasted to reach minimal hurricane status again just before landfall. At one point, Tropical Storm Watches and Warnings extended over 1,000 miles from Florida to Maine.[21][26] Tornado watches were also issued in northeastern South Carolina and eastern North Carolina.[27]
In anticipation of the storm, the state of Florida closed COVID-19 testing sites on July 30 due to potential impacts from Isaias.[28] The next day, Florida governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for the eastern coast of Florida ahead of Isaias.[29]
In Georgia, beaches were closed and the Coast Health District suspended all operations. The Sidney Lanier Bridge in Glynn County was closed at 6 a.m. on August 3 as the storm approached. Savannah's Talmadge Memorial Bridge was also scheduled to close at 2 p.m. that day, but remained open. Inspections were planned for both bridges after the storm passed.[30][31]
On July 31, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm. A mandatory evacuation of Ocracoke Island, North Carolina, was issued that same day.[32]
Northeast[edit]
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio stated in a press conference on July 31 that the city would be monitoring the storm, but that the projections looked "pretty favorable".[33] On August 2, in a press call with reporters, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said, in conjunction with a press release by New York City Emergency Management, that models showed Isaias hitting the NYC and Long Island area with sustained winds of 50 to 65 mph and 3 to 6 inches of rain by Tuesday August 4.[34][35] On August 3, the National Weather Service issued a Tropical Storm Warning for the New York City, with Emergency Management issuing a Travel advisory that evening, stating that the strongest of the storm would be from 12 PM to 2 PM (EST) on August 4.[36][37] On the morning of August 4, a Tornado watch was issued for New York City, Long Island, New Jersey, and a portion of Connecticut.[38]
New England[edit]
Tropical Storm Watches were issued as the storm began to move up the coast of Florida before they upgraded into warnings as the storm accelerated towards the region.[21] A tornado watch was also issued for Southern New England on the morning of August 4.[39]
Canada[edit]
On the morning of August 4, Environment Canada's Hurricane Forecasting Center estimated that Isaias, as a post-tropical storm, would pass through Montérégie and the Cantons de l'Est in the evening and reach the Quebec region on Wednesday morning. 30-50 millimeters (1-2 inches) of rain were expected.[40]
Impacts[edit]
Caribbean[edit]
Most of the Caribbean islands were suffering from moderate to severe drought conditions from an unusually dry spring and early summer. The drought was particularly severe in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, with the governor of Puerto Rico declaring a state of emergency in late June and ordering rationing of water, subjecting residents in affected areas to 24-hour water shutoffs every other day. Heavy rain from Isaias and its precursor disturbance alleviated drought in many areas of the Caribbean.[41]
Lesser Antilles[edit]
The precursor to Isaias brought squally conditions to the Windward Islands. Rainfall peaked at 3.13 inches (8.0 cm) in the town of Salisbury, on the island of Dominica.[41]
Greater Antilles[edit]
In Puerto Rico, about 448,000 customers and 23 hospitals lost power and about 150,000 customers lost water service due to electric blackouts and blocked intakes.[42][43] The entire town of Yauco had no power, and all roads leading to the town were either flooded or blocked by fallen trees.[44] Many surrounding towns in eastern Puerto Rico also had no drinking water nor electricity from a lack of access to the areas of damage. Three gates on the Carraízo reservoir dam in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, were opened because of runoff from Isaias.[45] A woman was dragged by a river in Rincón, Puerto Rico while she was crossing a bridge due to heavy rain; she was found dead two days later.[46][47] Due to the extensive damage, President Donald Trump approved an emergency declaration request from Puerto Rico's governor Wanda Vázquez Garced.[45]
One person was killed in El Seibo Province, in the Dominican Republic, when a power line fell on his horse a few feet away from him, killing him and the animal.[48] A 5-year-old boy was also killed when a tree fell and crushed his home in Altamira in Puerto Plata province.[49] Widespread flooding was reported in Hato Mayor del Rey, a town of 70,000 inhabitants.[50]
The Bahamas[edit]
Isaias passed over the Bahamas from July 31 to August 1, hitting some areas still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Dorian a year before. Tropical-storm-force winds and heavy rain damaged roofs and toppled trees.[25] Initial damage assessments began on August 2, with reports indicating damage in the Berry Islands and Andros Island was generally minor.[51]
United States[edit]
Isaias caused over 2.7 million power outages along the east coast, with almost half of them occurring in New Jersey.[52] Additionally, over 100 tornado warnings have been issued.[53][54]
Florida[edit]
The outer rainbands of Isaias began to impact the Florida Peninsula on August 1, bringing gusty winds, heavy rainfall, and flooding to the area. There were some reports of power outages due to downed power lines, but damage was mostly minor and far less than originally expected due to a weakened Isaias.[55] President Donald Trump issued a disaster declaration for the state of Florida.[citation needed]
The Carolinas[edit]
Hurricane Isaias generated the third highest high tide ever recorded in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and trees and power lines were knocked down in Myrtle Grove, North Carolina by the rapidly-forming northern eyewall as the storm came ashore.[56][57] Throughout the Carolinas, over 400,000 people lost power at the height of the storm, mostly in North Carolina.[57][58] Favorable shear profiles also led to widespread tornado warnings with at least five tornadoes touching down.[56][53][54] One tornado spawned in Bertie County, North Carolina killed two and injured nearly 20, while leaving three others missing.[59] A large, intense, and destructive tornado also occurred near Chowan University, prompting a rare PDS tornado warning.[54]
Mid-Atlantic[edit]
Across Virginia and Maryland, Isaias left about 400,000 people without power.[60] Nearly 100,000 residences lost power in Delaware.[61] One person was killed after a tree fell on his moving vehicle in St. Mary's County, Maryland.[62] A woman in Milford, Delaware was killed when a tree branch struck her while she was surveying damage.[63][64] High winds overturned three tractor trailers along the U.S. Route 50 bridge over the Choptank River in Cambridge, Maryland.[65] Winds from the storm caused roof damage and downed trees and wires in Ocean City, Maryland.[66] In the Delaware beach towns in Sussex County, winds from the storm knocked down trees, signs, and wires. Damage to the beaches was minimal.[67] The storm caused heavy wind damage to homes, trees, and fences in a neighborhood in Bear, Delaware.[68]
Isaias spawned at least six tornadoes across the region. Multiple tornado warnings were issued throughout Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware, including one for a storm that moved directly through Hampton Roads.[53][54] An EF2 tornado caused major damage in Courtland, Virginia while EF0 and EF1 tornadoes hit Downtown Suffolk, Virginia.[56] Around 6:00 am on August 4, a tornado hit in the area of Vienna and Mardela Springs, Maryland, knocking down several trees and lifting a home off its foundation in Mardela Springs, injuring a person inside the home. Another tornado touched down near Snow Hill, Maryland around 7:20 am. An additional tornado struck Dover, Delaware around 9:00 am, causing significant damage to trees and buildings. A middle school in Dover had portions of its roof torn away, streets were flooded, and power outages were reported, with a state of emergency declared in the city. Tornadoes were also reported in Queenstown, Maryland, Sandtown, Delaware, and Smyrna, Delaware. A tree fell onto a home in Smyrna.[69][70][71] An unconfirmed tornado also caused damage in Milford, Delaware.[72]
Northeast[edit]
Isaias was the second tropical cyclone to effect the Northeastern States in a 3-week time span, with Tropical Storm Fay effecting the same regions in early July.[73] In Pennsylvania, rain from the storm caused flooding in several locations, with water rescues made in Belmont Hills and Chadds Ford. In Prospect Park, flooding occurred along Lincoln Avenue. In Doylestown, Pennsylvania, the storm caused wind damage to Doylestown Hospital.[74] Widespread flooding also occurred in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. The on and off-ramps of Interstate 95 at Broad Street were closed due to flooding.[75] An unsecured barge along the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia broke loose from flooding caused by the storm and struck the Vine Street Expressway Bridge that carries Interstate 676 across the river, causing a portion of Interstate 676 to be closed and SEPTA Regional Rail service to be suspended.[76] A 44-year-old woman died when her vehicle was swept downstream in a flooded area of Upper Saucon Township.[77]
In New Jersey, the storm brought wind gusts of 71 mph (114 km/h), as well as heavy rainfall, causing numerous power outages.[78] Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey declared a state of emergency as 1.36M were reported without power throughout the state.[79][80] Winds from the storm brought down a church steeple in Ocean City.[81] Multiple tornadoes continued touch down throughout the region, including a large wedge tornado that caused considerable damage in Strathmere and Marmora in Upper Township, New Jersey.[71][82] Another tornado occurred in Barnegat Township, New Jersey.[78][82] In Wildwood, numerous businesses and motels lost their roofs due to 70+ mph wind gusts.[83] A 21-year-old man drowned off the coast of Cape May, New Jersey due to strong rip currents and rough surf.[84]
In New York City, a person was killed when a tree fell on their car in Queens.[85] The New York City Subway service at outdoor stations was suspended in the afternoon, due to sustained winds over 39 mph (63 km/h).[86][87]
New England[edit]
The southern shoreline of Connecticut along Long Island Sound saw relatively high wind gusts near 60 miles per hour (97 km/h), and certain beaches were affected by storm surges.[88] Multiple tornado warnings were issued as the storm moved through the region.[54] One person was killed after being hit by a falling tree in Naugatuck, Connecticut.[89]
Canada[edit]
Shortly after 8 a.m. on August 5, 26,138 Hydro-Quebec customers were without electricity. Across the province of Quebec, it was over 38,189 homes that had no electricity because of the tropical storm. At the height of the storm, nearly 75,000 customers were without electricity, more than half of them in the Capitale-Nationale[90], where winds were around 70 kilometers per hour (43 miles / hour)[91]. But it was at the Île d'Orléans that gusts of 91 km/h were recorded (56.5 miles / hour)[92]. Further west, Trois-Rivières received 100 millimeters (4 inches) of rain and 120 millimeters (4.7 inches) fell in Charlevoix[93]. Howerver, only small damages were reported.
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