Hurricane Able (1952)
Encyclopedia
Hurricane Able was the only hurricane to make landfall
in the United States
in the 1952 season
. Forming on August 18 off the west coast of Africa, Able moved generally west- to west-northwestward for much of its duration. It was first observed by the Hurricane Hunters
on August 25 to the north of the Lesser Antilles. Two days later, Able attained hurricane status, and on August 30 it turned sharply to the north-northwest in response to a cold front. The hurricane reached peak winds of 105 mph (169 km/h) just prior to moving ashore near Beaufort, South Carolina
on August 31. Although it quickly weakened below hurricane force, Able maintained tropical storm force for almost two days over land, eventually dissipating over Maine on September 2.
The threat of the storm prompted hurricane warnings in the southeastern United States, resulting in the evacuation of tourists on Labor Day Weekend. Able produced heavy rainfall from Florida through New England, which caused widespread flooding. The city struck by the hurricane was heavily damaged and briefly isolated due to downed power and telephone lines. Overall damage in the United States totaled $2.75 million (1952 USD
, $ USD), mostly from crop damage in South Carolina. Further north, Able produced flooding and gusty winds, which washed out a portion of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
.
islands and the west coast of Africa
on August 18, although it was not classified as a tropical cyclone for another week. The depression tracked west-southwestward for three days, followed by a turn to the west and later west-northwest. Late on August 24 it intensified into a tropical storm about 700 mi (1100 km) east-northeast of Guadeloupe
in the Lesser Antilles
. The next day, the Miami Weather Bureau Office
initiated advisories on Tropical Storm Able after the Hurricane Hunters
confirmed the presence of a poorly defined center. Continuing to the west-northwest, the storm passed north of Puerto Rico
and attained hurricane status on August 27.
After reaching hurricane status, Able tracked west-northwest and gradually intensified. The lowest pressure
in relation to the storm, 998 mbar
, was reported shortly after it attained hurricane status. After reaching a position about 130 mi (209.2 km) east of Jacksonville, Florida
on August 30, Able slowed and turned to the north-northwest due to an approaching cold front
. By that time, the Hurricane Hunters reported a well-defined eye
, and the next day estimated winds of 125 mph (201.2 km/h) as they reported concentric eyewalls. Officially, the strongest winds in Able were 105 mph (169 km/h), attained early on August 31. At 0300 UTC
that day, the hurricane made landfall
in a sparsely populated area near Beaufort, South Carolina
where the pressure was unofficially reported as 985 mbar.
As the hurricane turned north and northeastward over land, the winds quickly weakened to tropical storm force, although Able maintained winds of at least 40 mph (64.4 km/h) through North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland. Able was able to retain its intensity over land for so long because it remained over the flat terrain east of the Appalachian Mountains
in addition to retaining a plume of tropical moisture from its south. After the storm weakened to a tropical depression, it still produced 50 mph (80.5 km/h) gusts as it crossed Pennsylvania through New England. Late on September 2, the circulation of Able dissipated near Portland, Maine
.
from Vero Beach, Florida
to Wilmington, North Carolina
. Later, the agency issued a hurricane warning from Fernandina, Florida to Georgetown, South Carolina
, prompting the threatened areas to enact storm preparations and for ships to return to harbor. Near Jacksonville, Florida
, the United States Navy
sent 17 planes to the Naval Air Station Olathe
in Olathe, Kansas
.
Before moving ashore in South Carolina, Able produced rainfall in the western portion of its circulation. Fernandina Beach, Florida
reported 6.2 in (157.5 mm), and in neighboring Georgia, precipitation peaked at 2.1 in (53.3 mm) in Mount Vernon
. Wind gusts in Savannah, Georgia
only reached 35 mph (56.3 km/h).
When Able moved ashore in South Carolina, the western eyewall moved over Beaufort
, where winds of up to 90 mph (144.8 km/h) were reported. The town received heavy damage from the storm, with houses losing their roofs and downed trees blocking roads due to the winds. For several hours, Beaufort was isolated after the winds downed power and telephone lines. The strongest winds over land were unknown since they crossed over an unpopulated swampy area. Winds in Charleston
reached 63 mph (101.4 km/h), about 50 mi (80.5 km) east of where the storm made landfall. There, the hurricane caused two serious injuries and left streets flooded in ankle-deep water. Able also swept a freighter ashore near Charleston. The storm dropped heavy rainfall in the state, peaking at 6.53 in (165.9 mm) in Conway
. The combination of the rainfall and winds left heavy damage to the cotton industry, and crop damage in the state totaled $1.5 million (1952 USD
, $ USD). Other damage in the state resulted from property and communications, totaling about $700,000 (1952 USD
, $ USD). The hurricane also caused two indirect deaths in the state, one from touching a downed power line, and the other from driving into a fallen tree during a period of heavy rain.
As the storm spread into North Carolina, winds of around 40 mph (64.4 km/h) were observed, causing light damage. Able spawned a tornado in Stokes County
which damaged a few farm buildings. Rainfall in the state peaked at 6.11 in (155.2 mm) in Carthage
. The rainfall caused low-flooding, covering a few highways and washing out a few roads. Damage in the state is estimated less than $50,000 (1952 USD
, $ USD).
In the Mid-Atlantic states
, moderate rainfall continued along the storm's path, including 4.97 in (126.2 mm) at the National Arboretum
in Washington, D.C.
The peak rainfall in each state was 5.6 in (142.2 mm) in Big Meadows, Virginia, 6.09 in (154.7 mm) in Emmitsburg, Maryland
, 4.06 in (103.1 mm) in two locations in West Virginia
, and 2.55 in (64.8 mm) in Wilmington, Delaware
. The rainfall caused flooding across the region, which washed out the tracks of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
near Baltimore after a stream rose above its banks. In Ellicott City, Maryland
, the rains flooded several houses, forcing families to evacuate. In addition, Able maintained stronger winds in the region, producing a gust of 60 mph (96.6 km/h) at Washington National Airport
. The winds downed trees and power lines, which disrupted power and telephone service. The storm also spawned a damaging F2
tornado in Franconia, Virginia
, which was potentially the same as another tornado in Potomac, Maryland
. The former tornado destroyed one house and the roofs of two others, and also flung a car 100 ft (30.5 m). Damage in the area was estimated at around $500,000 (1952 USD
, $ USD). Further northeast, rainfall reached over 6 in (150 mm) in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, resulting in localized flooding and damage to the fruit crop. One indirect death was reported in Pennsylvania. Across New England, Able produced 1–3 in (25–75 mm) of rainfall.
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...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in the 1952 season
1952 Atlantic hurricane season
The 1952 Atlantic hurricane season was the most recent season in which all named storms attained hurricane status, although it was the least active since 1946. The season officially started on June 15; however, a pre-season unnamed storm formed on Groundhog Day, becoming the only storm on...
. Forming on August 18 off the west coast of Africa, Able moved generally west- to west-northwestward for much of its duration. It was first observed by the Hurricane Hunters
Hurricane Hunters
The Hurricane Hunters are aircraft that fly into tropical cyclones in the North Atlantic Ocean and Northeastern Pacific Ocean for the specific purpose of directly measuring weather data in and around those storms. In the United States, the Air Force, Navy, and NOAA units have all participated in...
on August 25 to the north of the Lesser Antilles. Two days later, Able attained hurricane status, and on August 30 it turned sharply to the north-northwest in response to a cold front. The hurricane reached peak winds of 105 mph (169 km/h) just prior to moving ashore near Beaufort, South Carolina
Beaufort, South Carolina
Beaufort is a city in and the county seat of Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States. Chartered in 1711, it is the second-oldest city in South Carolina, behind Charleston. The city's population was 12,361 in the 2010 census. It is located in the Hilton Head Island-Beaufort Micropolitan...
on August 31. Although it quickly weakened below hurricane force, Able maintained tropical storm force for almost two days over land, eventually dissipating over Maine on September 2.
The threat of the storm prompted hurricane warnings in the southeastern United States, resulting in the evacuation of tourists on Labor Day Weekend. Able produced heavy rainfall from Florida through New England, which caused widespread flooding. The city struck by the hurricane was heavily damaged and briefly isolated due to downed power and telephone lines. Overall damage in the United States totaled $2.75 million (1952 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....
, $ USD), mostly from crop damage in South Carolina. Further north, Able produced flooding and gusty winds, which washed out a portion of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was one of the oldest railroads in the United States and the first common carrier railroad. It came into being mostly because the city of Baltimore wanted to compete with the newly constructed Erie Canal and another canal being proposed by Pennsylvania, which...
.
Meteorological history
A tropical depression developed between the Cape VerdeCape Verde
The Republic of Cape Verde is an island country, spanning an archipelago of 10 islands located in the central Atlantic Ocean, 570 kilometres off the coast of Western Africa...
islands and the west coast of Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
on August 18, although it was not classified as a tropical cyclone for another week. The depression tracked west-southwestward for three days, followed by a turn to the west and later west-northwest. Late on August 24 it intensified into a tropical storm about 700 mi (1100 km) east-northeast of 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...
in 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 next day, the Miami Weather Bureau Office
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , pronounced , like "noah", is a scientific agency within the United States Department of Commerce focused on the conditions of the oceans and the atmosphere...
initiated advisories on Tropical Storm Able after the Hurricane Hunters
Hurricane Hunters
The Hurricane Hunters are aircraft that fly into tropical cyclones in the North Atlantic Ocean and Northeastern Pacific Ocean for the specific purpose of directly measuring weather data in and around those storms. In the United States, the Air Force, Navy, and NOAA units have all participated in...
confirmed the presence of a poorly defined center. Continuing to the west-northwest, the storm passed north of 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...
and attained hurricane status on August 27.
After reaching hurricane status, Able tracked west-northwest and gradually intensified. The lowest pressure
Atmospheric pressure
Atmospheric pressure is the force per unit area exerted into a surface by the weight of air above that surface in the atmosphere of Earth . In most circumstances atmospheric pressure is closely approximated by the hydrostatic pressure caused by the weight of air above the measurement point...
in relation to the storm, 998 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...
, was reported shortly after it attained hurricane status. After reaching a position about 130 mi (209.2 km) east of Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
on August 30, Able slowed and turned to the north-northwest due to an approaching cold front
Cold front
A cold front is defined as the leading edge of a cooler mass of air, replacing a warmer mass of air.-Development of cold front:The cooler and denser air wedges under the less-dense warmer air, lifting it...
. By that time, the Hurricane Hunters reported a well-defined 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...
, and the next day estimated winds of 125 mph (201.2 km/h) as they reported concentric eyewalls. Officially, the strongest winds in Able were 105 mph (169 km/h), attained early on August 31. At 0300 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...
that day, the hurricane 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...
in a sparsely populated area near Beaufort, South Carolina
Beaufort, South Carolina
Beaufort is a city in and the county seat of Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States. Chartered in 1711, it is the second-oldest city in South Carolina, behind Charleston. The city's population was 12,361 in the 2010 census. It is located in the Hilton Head Island-Beaufort Micropolitan...
where the pressure was unofficially reported as 985 mbar.
As the hurricane turned north and northeastward over land, the winds quickly weakened to tropical storm force, although Able maintained winds of at least 40 mph (64.4 km/h) through North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland. Able was able to retain its intensity over land for so long because it remained over the flat terrain east of the Appalachian Mountains
Appalachian Mountains
The Appalachian Mountains #Whether the stressed vowel is or ,#Whether the "ch" is pronounced as a fricative or an affricate , and#Whether the final vowel is the monophthong or the diphthong .), often called the Appalachians, are a system of mountains in eastern North America. The Appalachians...
in addition to retaining a plume of tropical moisture from its south. After the storm weakened to a tropical depression, it still produced 50 mph (80.5 km/h) gusts as it crossed Pennsylvania through New England. Late on September 2, the circulation of Able dissipated near Portland, Maine
Portland, Maine
Portland is the largest city in Maine and is the county seat of Cumberland County. The 2010 city population was 66,194, growing 3 percent since the census of 2000...
.
Preparations and impact
As the hurricane approached the southeastern United States, the U.S. Weather Bureau issued storm warningsTropical cyclone warnings and watches
Warnings and watches are two levels of alert issued by national weather forecasting bodies to coastal areas threatened by the imminent approach of a tropical cyclone of tropical storm or hurricane intensity. They are notices to the local population and civil authorities to make appropriate...
from Vero Beach, Florida
Vero Beach, Florida
Vero Beach is a city in Indian River County, Florida, USA. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2006 estimates, the city had a population of 16,939. It is the county seat of Indian River County...
to Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington is a port city in and is the county seat of New Hanover County, North Carolina, United States. The population is 106,476 according to the 2010 Census, making it the eighth most populous city in the state of North Carolina...
. Later, the agency issued a hurricane warning from Fernandina, Florida to Georgetown, South Carolina
Georgetown, South Carolina
Georgetown is the third oldest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina and the county seat of Georgetown County, in the Low Country. Located on Winyah Bay at the confluence of the Great Pee Dee River, Waccamaw River, and Sampit River, Georgetown is the second largest seaport in South Carolina,...
, prompting the threatened areas to enact storm preparations and for ships to return to harbor. Near Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
, the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
sent 17 planes to the Naval Air Station Olathe
Naval Air Station Olathe
Naval Air Station Olathe is a former United States Navy base located in Gardner, Kansas. On its grounds at one point was Olathe Air Force Station...
in Olathe, Kansas
Olathe, Kansas
Olathe is a city in and the county seat of Johnson County, Kansas, United States. Located in northeastern Kansas, it is also the fifth most populous city in the state, with a population of 125,872 at the 2010 census. As a suburb of Kansas City, Missouri, Olathe is the fourth-largest city in the...
.
Before moving ashore in South Carolina, Able produced rainfall in the western portion of its circulation. Fernandina Beach, Florida
Fernandina Beach, Florida
Fernandina Beach is a city in Nassau County in the state of Florida in the United States of America and on Amelia Island. It is a part of Greater Jacksonville and is among Florida's northernmost cities. The area was first inhabited by the Timucuan Indian tribe...
reported 6.2 in (157.5 mm), and in neighboring Georgia, precipitation peaked at 2.1 in (53.3 mm) in Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon, Georgia
Mount Vernon is a city in Montgomery County, Georgia, United States. The population was 2,082 at the 2000 census. It is home to the Baptist-affiliated Brewton-Parker College.Mount Vernon is part of the Vidalia Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
. Wind gusts in Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
only reached 35 mph (56.3 km/h).
When Able moved ashore in South Carolina, the western eyewall moved over Beaufort
Beaufort, South Carolina
Beaufort is a city in and the county seat of Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States. Chartered in 1711, it is the second-oldest city in South Carolina, behind Charleston. The city's population was 12,361 in the 2010 census. It is located in the Hilton Head Island-Beaufort Micropolitan...
, where winds of up to 90 mph (144.8 km/h) were reported. The town received heavy damage from the storm, with houses losing their roofs and downed trees blocking roads due to the winds. For several hours, Beaufort was isolated after the winds downed power and telephone lines. The strongest winds over land were unknown since they crossed over an unpopulated swampy area. Winds in Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
reached 63 mph (101.4 km/h), about 50 mi (80.5 km) east of where the storm made landfall. There, the hurricane caused two serious injuries and left streets flooded in ankle-deep water. Able also swept a freighter ashore near Charleston. The storm dropped heavy rainfall in the state, peaking at 6.53 in (165.9 mm) in Conway
Conway, South Carolina
Conway is a city in Horry County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 16,317 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Horry County and is part of the Myrtle Beach metropolitan area. It is the home of Coastal Carolina University....
. The combination of the rainfall and winds left heavy damage to the cotton industry, and crop damage in the state totaled $1.5 million (1952 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....
, $ USD). Other damage in the state resulted from property and communications, totaling about $700,000 (1952 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....
, $ USD). The hurricane also caused two indirect deaths in the state, one from touching a downed power line, and the other from driving into a fallen tree during a period of heavy rain.
As the storm spread into North Carolina, winds of around 40 mph (64.4 km/h) were observed, causing light damage. Able spawned a tornado in Stokes County
Stokes County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 44,711 people, 17,579 households, and 13,043 families residing in the county. The population density was 99 people per square mile . There were 19,262 housing units at an average density of 43 per square mile...
which damaged a few farm buildings. Rainfall in the state peaked at 6.11 in (155.2 mm) in Carthage
Carthage, North Carolina
Carthage is a town in Moore County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,871 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Moore County.-Geography:Carthage is located at ....
. The rainfall caused low-flooding, covering a few highways and washing out a few roads. Damage in the state is estimated less than $50,000 (1952 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....
, $ USD).
In the Mid-Atlantic states
Mid-Atlantic States
The Mid-Atlantic states, also called middle Atlantic states or simply the mid Atlantic, form a region of the United States generally located between New England and the South...
, moderate rainfall continued along the storm's path, including 4.97 in (126.2 mm) at the National Arboretum
United States National Arboretum
The United States National Arboretum is an arboretum in Washington, D.C., operated by the United States Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service as a division of the Henry A. Wallace Beltsville Agricultural Research Center...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
The peak rainfall in each state was 5.6 in (142.2 mm) in Big Meadows, Virginia, 6.09 in (154.7 mm) in Emmitsburg, Maryland
Emmitsburg, Maryland
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 2,290 people, 811 households, and 553 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,992.9 people per square mile . There were 862 housing units at an average density of 750.2 per square mile...
, 4.06 in (103.1 mm) in two locations in West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
, and 2.55 in (64.8 mm) in Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington is the largest city in the state of Delaware, United States, and is located at the confluence of the Christina River and Brandywine Creek, near where the Christina flows into the Delaware River. It is the county seat of New Castle County and one of the major cities in the Delaware Valley...
. The rainfall caused flooding across the region, which washed out the tracks of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was one of the oldest railroads in the United States and the first common carrier railroad. It came into being mostly because the city of Baltimore wanted to compete with the newly constructed Erie Canal and another canal being proposed by Pennsylvania, which...
near Baltimore after a stream rose above its banks. In Ellicott City, Maryland
Ellicott City, Maryland
Ellicott City is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Howard County, Maryland, United States. It is part of the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. The population was 65,834 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Howard County...
, the rains flooded several houses, forcing families to evacuate. In addition, Able maintained stronger winds in the region, producing a gust of 60 mph (96.6 km/h) at Washington National Airport
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is a public airport located south of downtown Washington, D.C., in Arlington County, Virginia. It is the commercial airport nearest to Washington, D.C. For many decades, it was called Washington National Airport, but this airport was renamed in 1998 to...
. The winds downed trees and power lines, which disrupted power and telephone service. The storm also spawned a damaging F2
Fujita scale
The Fujita scale , or Fujita-Pearson scale, is a scale for rating tornado intensity, based primarily on the damage tornadoes inflict on human-built structures and vegetation...
tornado in Franconia, Virginia
Franconia, Virginia
Franconia is a census-designated place in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. The population was 18,245 at the 2010 census, down from 31,907 in 2000 due to the splitting off of part of it to form Kingstowne CDP....
, which was potentially the same as another tornado in Potomac, Maryland
Potomac, Maryland
Potomac is a census-designated place in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States, named for the nearby Potomac River. The population was 44,822 at the 2000 census. The Potomac area is known for its very affluent and highly-educated residents. In 2009 CNNMoney.com listed Potomac as the fourth...
. The former tornado destroyed one house and the roofs of two others, and also flung a car 100 ft (30.5 m). Damage in the area was estimated at around $500,000 (1952 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....
, $ USD). Further northeast, rainfall reached over 6 in (150 mm) in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, resulting in localized flooding and damage to the fruit crop. One indirect death was reported in Pennsylvania. Across New England, Able produced 1–3 in (25–75 mm) of rainfall.
See also
- Other storms of the same nameHurricane AbleThe name Able has been used for three tropical cyclones in the North Atlantic Ocean.*Hurricane Able , a category 4 hurricane that ultimately hit Nova Scotia as a tropical storm...