November 2009 Mid-Atlantic nor'easter
Encyclopedia
The November 2009 Mid-Atlantic nor'easter (also referred to as "Nor'Ida") was a powerful autumn nor'easter
that caused widespread damage throughout the east coast of the United States. This extratropical cyclone
formed in relation to Hurricane Ida's
mid-level circulation across southeastern Georgia and moved east-northeast offshore North Carolina before slowly dropping south and southeast over the succeeding several days.
. Once in the Gulf of Mexico
, the combination of increasing wind shear
and cooler waters caused Ida to weaken. The system eventually moved over the southeastern United States on November 10 before transitioning into an extratropical cyclone
. Ida eventually dissipated over the Florida Panhandle
. However, Ida's mid-level circulation led to the formation of a new low over southeastern Georgia
, which eventually moved off the coast of North Carolina
. This new low quickly intensified and became a powerful nor'easter
that caused substantial damage throughout the Mid-Atlantic States
. Due to the rapid succession of these systems, United States media referred to the nor'easter as "Nor'Ida". By November 12, the system attained a minimum pressure of 992 mbar (hPa; 29.29 inHg) along with winds of 65 mph (100 km/h). In combination with a large area of high pressure
, a long stretch of easterly, onshore winds impacted areas from Virginia
to southern New England
. Tracking parallel to the North Carolina coastline, the system eventually moved onshore near Cape Hatteras by November 13. Due to the high pressure system situated over Vermont
, the low turned southeastward, bringing its center back over water. Gradual weakening took place during this period, though heavy rains continued to fall across much of the Chesapeake Bay
area. On November 14, a brief secondary low developed off the coast of Delaware. Continuing to weaken, the cyclone resumed a northward track after the high weakened and persisted through November 17, by which time it had moved over Atlantic Canada
.
s were already in force from Alabama
to Georgia
and watches
extended northward into the Mid-Atlantic states
. Coastal flood watches and high wind warnings were also in effect from North Carolina to Delaware
. Flood warnings were later expanded into South Carolina and coastal advisories were extended to New Jersey and Long Island. Gale warnings continued to grow in coverage, encompassing areas from North Carolina to New Jersey by the afternoon of November 12. By November 13, the watches and warnings gradually began to be discontinued as the low moved offshore. Although the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center
issued their final advisory on the system later on November 13, flood advisories remained in effect due to residual impacts from the cyclone.
to much of the region and in some cases, these surges reached record levels set by Hurricane Isabel
in 2003. In Norfolk, Virginia
, a maximum storm surge of 7.74 ft (2.4 m) was measured on November 13. Five coastal measuring stations recorded record-high water levels during the event and three were within 0.5 ft (0.1524 m). Despite the nor'easter not being nearly as intense as Hurricane Isabel, water levels rivaled that of the hurricane because of persistent onshore flows, elevating water levels for several days.
spawned by the remnants of Ida resulted in widespread damage along coastal areas. Minor damage was reported in South Carolina
as winds up to 45 mph (75 km/h) and heavy rains, amounting to 3 to 5 in (76.2 to 127 mm) in most of the state, impacted the region. One person was killed after his vehicle collided with a downed tree in. Flash flooding took place in some areas due to the heavy rains and previously saturated grounds. In North Carolina
strong winds downed several trees loosened in saturated soil. In Rockingham County
, one person was killed after being struck by a branch while driving. In the Outer Banks
, four homes were destroyed and over 500 others were damaged by the system, leaving at least $5.8 million in losses.
, waves up to 10 ft (3 m) caused some coastal damage and high winds left roughly 13,000 without power. In Delaware
alone, damage was estimated at $45 million. The most severe damage took place in New Jersey where coastal losses were estimated to be at least $180 million. Extensive sand loss was reported at numerous beaches, including 7 million cubic yards in Ocean City
alone. In New York, one person drowned after being caught in rough seas off Rockaway Beach. Total beach losses in the state reached $8.2 million. Further north, the remnants of the cyclone brought heavy rains to portions of New England
, resulting in flash flooding. In Maine
, the highest rainfall total was recorded in Wells
at 6.3 in (160 mm). In Cumberland County
, one river rose 3.76 ft (1.1 m) above flood-stage, inundating nearby areas.
during the storm. In some areas, roads were closed multiple times due to flooding. Minor damage was also reported as a few homes were inundated with up to 1 ft (0.3048 m) of water. Some areas reported a storm surge comparable to that of Hurricanes Gloria
in 1985
and Isabel
in 2003
. Damage from the storm in Virginia was estimated to be at least $38.8 million, of which $25 million was in Norfolk
alone. According to the National Weather Service
, 7.4 in (188 mm) of rain fell in Norfolk between November 11 and 13, nearly three times the monthly average for November; in those three days alone, the total rainfall surpassed the monthly record of 7.02 in (178.3 mm) set in 1951. Hurricane-force winds also affected the state, with a peak gust of 75 mph (120.7 km/h) occurring in Oceana.
was signed by President Barack Obama
on December 9 to provide residents in Virginia with federal assistance. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA), the cost of public assistance in the state would reach $11,227,376.
Nor'easter
A nor'easter is a type of macro-scale storm along the East Coast of the United States and Atlantic Canada, so named because the storm travels to the northeast from the south and the winds come from the northeast, especially in the coastal areas of the Northeastern United States and Atlantic Canada...
that caused widespread damage throughout the east coast of the United States. This 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...
formed in relation to Hurricane Ida's
Hurricane Ida (2009)
Hurricane Ida was the strongest landfalling tropical cyclone during the 2009 Atlantic hurricane season, crossing the coastline of Nicaragua with winds of 80 mph . The remnants of the storm became a powerful nor'easter that caused widespread damage along coastal areas of the Mid-Atlantic States...
mid-level circulation across southeastern Georgia and moved east-northeast offshore North Carolina before slowly dropping south and southeast over the succeeding several days.
Synoptic history
The origins of the nor'easter are with the remnants of Hurricane Ida which formed on November 4 over the southern Caribbean Sea. After tracking through Nicaragua as a Category 1 hurricane, the system attained Category 2 status over the Yucatán ChannelYucatán Channel
The Yucatán Channel is a strait between Mexico and Cuba. It connects the Yucatán Basin of the Caribbean Sea with the Gulf of Mexico. The strait is across between Cape Catoche in Mexico and Cape San Antonio, Cuba and reaches a maximum depth of .-References:...
. Once in the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
, the combination of increasing 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 cooler waters caused Ida to weaken. The system eventually moved over the southeastern United States on November 10 before transitioning 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...
. Ida eventually dissipated over the Florida Panhandle
Florida Panhandle
The Florida Panhandle, an informal, unofficial term for the northwestern part of Florida, is a strip of land roughly 200 miles long and 50 to 100 miles wide , lying between Alabama on the north and the west, Georgia also on the north, and the Gulf of Mexico to the south. Its eastern boundary is...
. However, Ida's mid-level circulation led to the formation of a new low over southeastern 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...
, which eventually moved off the coast of 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...
. This new low quickly intensified and became a powerful nor'easter
Nor'easter
A nor'easter is a type of macro-scale storm along the East Coast of the United States and Atlantic Canada, so named because the storm travels to the northeast from the south and the winds come from the northeast, especially in the coastal areas of the Northeastern United States and Atlantic Canada...
that caused substantial damage throughout 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...
. Due to the rapid succession of these systems, United States media referred to the nor'easter as "Nor'Ida". By November 12, the system attained a minimum pressure of 992 mbar (hPa; 29.29 inHg) along with winds of 65 mph (100 km/h). In combination with a large area of high pressure
High pressure area
A high-pressure area is a region where the atmospheric pressure at the surface of the planet is greater than its surrounding environment. Winds within high-pressure areas flow outward due to the higher density air near their center and friction with land...
, a long stretch of easterly, onshore winds impacted areas from 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...
to southern 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...
. Tracking parallel to the North Carolina coastline, the system eventually moved onshore near Cape Hatteras by November 13. Due to the high pressure system situated over Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
, the low turned southeastward, bringing its center back over water. Gradual weakening took place during this period, though heavy rains continued to fall across much of the Chesapeake Bay
Chesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. It lies off the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by Maryland and Virginia. The Chesapeake Bay's drainage basin covers in the District of Columbia and parts of six states: New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West...
area. On November 14, a brief secondary low developed off the coast of Delaware. Continuing to weaken, the cyclone resumed a northward track after the high weakened and persisted through November 17, by which time it had moved over 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...
.
Preparations
As the remnants of Ida began to weaken within the developing nor'easter on November 11, flood warningFlood warning
Flood warning is closely linked to the task of flood forecasting. The distinction between the two is that the outcome of flood forecasting is a set of forecast time-profiles of channel flows or river levels at various locations, while "flood warning" is the task of making use of these forecasts to...
s were already in force from Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
to 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...
and watches
Flood watch
Flood alerts are issued by weather agencies to alert residents that flood conditions are a possibility for their area.-Types of flood alerts:...
extended northward into 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...
. Coastal flood watches and high wind warnings were also in effect from North Carolina to 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...
. Flood warnings were later expanded into South Carolina and coastal advisories were extended to New Jersey and Long Island. Gale warnings continued to grow in coverage, encompassing areas from North Carolina to New Jersey by the afternoon of November 12. By November 13, the watches and warnings gradually began to be discontinued as the low moved offshore. Although the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center
Hydrometeorological Prediction Center
The Hydrometeorological Prediction Center is one of nine service centers under the umbrella of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction , a part of the National Weather Service, which in turn is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the U.S. government...
issued their final advisory on the system later on November 13, flood advisories remained in effect due to residual impacts from the cyclone.
Storm surge
Due to the location of the storm, south east of the Chesapeake Bay, persistent onshore flows brought elevated water levels to some areas for up to four days. This also brought 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...
to much of the region and in some cases, these surges reached record levels set by Hurricane Isabel
Hurricane Isabel
Hurricane Isabel was the costliest and deadliest hurricane in the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season. The ninth named storm, fifth hurricane, and second major hurricane of the season, Isabel formed near the Cape Verde Islands from a tropical wave on September 6 in the tropical Atlantic Ocean...
in 2003. In Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
, a maximum storm surge of 7.74 ft (2.4 m) was measured on November 13. Five coastal measuring stations recorded record-high water levels during the event and three were within 0.5 ft (0.1524 m). Despite the nor'easter not being nearly as intense as Hurricane Isabel, water levels rivaled that of the hurricane because of persistent onshore flows, elevating water levels for several days.
Southeastern states
Along the east coast of the United States, a nor'easterNor'easter
A nor'easter is a type of macro-scale storm along the East Coast of the United States and Atlantic Canada, so named because the storm travels to the northeast from the south and the winds come from the northeast, especially in the coastal areas of the Northeastern United States and Atlantic Canada...
spawned by the remnants of Ida resulted in widespread damage along coastal areas. Minor damage was reported in 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...
as winds up to 45 mph (75 km/h) and heavy rains, amounting to 3 to 5 in (76.2 to 127 mm) in most of the state, impacted the region. One person was killed after his vehicle collided with a downed tree in. Flash flooding took place in some areas due to the heavy rains and previously saturated grounds. In 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...
strong winds downed several trees loosened in saturated soil. In Rockingham County
Rockingham County, North Carolina
Rockingham County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2010, the population was 93,643. Its county seat is Wentworth.- History :The county was formed in 1785 from Guilford County...
, one person was killed after being struck by a branch while driving. In 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....
, four homes were destroyed and over 500 others were damaged by the system, leaving at least $5.8 million in losses.
Mid-Atlantic
Along the Delmarva PeninsulaDelmarva Peninsula
The Delmarva Peninsula is a large peninsula on the East Coast of the United States, occupied by most of Delaware and portions of Maryland and Virginia...
, waves up to 10 ft (3 m) caused some coastal damage and high winds left roughly 13,000 without power. In 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...
alone, damage was estimated at $45 million. The most severe damage took place in New Jersey where coastal losses were estimated to be at least $180 million. Extensive sand loss was reported at numerous beaches, including 7 million cubic yards in Ocean City
Ocean City, New Jersey
Ocean City is a city in Cape May County, New Jersey, United States. It is the principal city of the Ocean City Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Cape May County. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 11,701...
alone. In New York, one person drowned after being caught in rough seas off Rockaway Beach. Total beach losses in the state reached $8.2 million. Further north, the remnants of the cyclone brought heavy rains to portions of 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...
, resulting in flash flooding. 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 highest rainfall total was recorded in Wells
Wells, Maine
Wells is a town in York County, Maine, United States. Founded in 1643, it is the third-oldest town in Maine. The population was 9,400 at the 2000 census. Wells Beach is a popular summer destination.-History:...
at 6.3 in (160 mm). In Cumberland County
Cumberland County, Maine
Cumberland County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine. As of 2010, the population was 281,674. Its county seat is Portland, and is the most populous of the sixteen Maine counties, as well as the most affluent. Cumberland County has the deepest and second largest body of water in the...
, one river rose 3.76 ft (1.1 m) above flood-stage, inundating nearby areas.
Virginia
Widespread coastal damage and major flooding took place in Virginia as rainfall exceeding 7 in (177.8 mm) fell in many places and large waves affected beaches. A maximum rainfall of 18 in (457.2 mm) fell in HamptonHampton, Virginia
Hampton is an independent city that is not part of any county in Southeast Virginia. Its population is 137,436. As one of the seven major cities that compose the Hampton Roads metropolitan area, it is on the southeastern end of the Virginia Peninsula. Located on the Hampton Roads Beltway, it hosts...
during the storm. In some areas, roads were closed multiple times due to flooding. Minor damage was also reported as a few homes were inundated with up to 1 ft (0.3048 m) of water. Some areas reported a storm surge comparable to that of Hurricanes 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...
and Isabel
Hurricane Isabel
Hurricane Isabel was the costliest and deadliest hurricane in the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season. The ninth named storm, fifth hurricane, and second major hurricane of the season, Isabel formed near the Cape Verde Islands from a tropical wave on September 6 in the tropical Atlantic Ocean...
in 2003
2003 Atlantic hurricane season
The 2003 Atlantic hurricane season was an active Atlantic hurricane season with tropical activity before and after the official bounds of the season – the first such occurrence in 50 years. The season produced 21 tropical cyclones, of which 16 developed into named storms; seven...
. Damage from the storm in Virginia was estimated to be at least $38.8 million, of which $25 million was in Norfolk
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
alone. According to the National Weather Service
National Weather Service
The National Weather Service , once known as the Weather Bureau, is one of the six scientific agencies that make up the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States government...
, 7.4 in (188 mm) of rain fell in Norfolk between November 11 and 13, nearly three times the monthly average for November; in those three days alone, the total rainfall surpassed the monthly record of 7.02 in (178.3 mm) set in 1951. Hurricane-force winds also affected the state, with a peak gust of 75 mph (120.7 km/h) occurring in Oceana.
Aftermath
Following the widespread flooding caused by the storm, a major disaster declarationDisaster area
A disaster area is a region or a locale heavily damaged by either natural hazards, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, tsunamis, floods, earthquakes, technological hazards including nuclear and radiation accidents, or sociological hazards like riots, terrorism or war. The population living there often...
was signed 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...
on December 9 to provide residents in Virginia with federal assistance. According to 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), the cost of public assistance in the state would reach $11,227,376.