Hurricane Gaston (2004)

Hurricane Gaston coming ashore on South Carolina on August 29

On August 29, Gaston made landfall near Bulls Bay with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (121 km/h). At the Isle of Palms, a gust of 81 mph (130 km/h) was reported by a storm chaser.[1] The heaviest rain fell from Williamsburg County, through Florence and Darlington counties,[16] where rainfall amounts ranged from 5 in (130 mm) to over 10 in (250 mm).[1] This resulted in flash flooding, up to 5 ft (1.5 m) deep in some cases, which overwashed and closed several roads. One F1 tornado was reported in Marlboro County, although damage was unknown.[1]

Storm surge ranged from 4 to 4.5 ft (1.2 to 1.4 m) feet in Bulls Bay. Widespread wind damage occurred in northern Charleston County and in Berkeley County. The high winds blew down numerous trees and branches, destroying eight homes. In total over 3,000 structures sustained minor to significant damage, and trees fell on several vehicles. Several lamp posts, power lines, mailboxes, signs and fences were damaged or destroyed by fallen debris. The Lumber River crested at a record high of nearly 8 feet above flood stage, forcing the evacuation of many homes and flooding farmlands.[16] In Berkeley County, 20 structures were severely damaged or destroyed, and dozens of other structures suffered minor flooding damage.[1] Overall, damage in South Carolina rose to over $40 million.[1] During the height of the storm over 150,000 customers were without power.[17]

Gaston tracked into North Carolina as a tropical depression early on August 30, producing up to 6.10 in (155 mm) of rain near Red Springs.[1] Wind gusts peaked at 45 mph (72 km/h) at the Laurinburg-Maxton Airport. Also, the Elizabeth City Coast Guard Air Station reported gusts of 39 mph (63 km/h).[18] These winds knocked out power to 6,500 customers.[19] In Chatham County and Johnston County, numerous trees were blown down. A fallen tree landed on a post office, inflicting damage to the roof and back porch.[20] Windspread flooding occurred as a result of the heavy rainfall. In Raleigh, the Marsh Creek overflowed its banks, flooding several trucks and closing numerous onramps to Interstate 40.[21] Persistent rainfall on the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge caused the Linville River near Linville to rapidly rise, flooding a bridge. Many other small creeks and rivers overflowed which forced some evacuations in the early hours of the morning.[22] In Selma, 6 to 12 in (150 to 300 mm) of water was reported on Interstate 95.[23] Additionally, a tornado spawned by the storm damaged several homes in Hoke County.[18]

This section of E. Grace Street in Richmond washed out as a result of the heavy rainfall.

As the storm tracked northward through Virginia as a tropical depression, it produced torrential rainfall, peaking at 12.60 in (320 mm) in Richmond.[24] The storm strengthened over Virginia, as it pivoted from a northerly track to a northeasterly track nearly over the Richmond area, which led to the afternoon of exceptional rainfall, with the epicenter over Richmond. There were also numerous reports of rainfall over 10 in (250 mm), primarily in the central portions of the state.[1] The heavy precipitation caused moderate to severe damage in Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Hanover, Henrico, and Prince George counties, where 350 homes and 230 businesses were damaged or destroyed, and many roads were closed due to high water. Hanover, Virginia reported almost a foot of rain, 11.7 inches to be exact.[1] The heaviest-hit location was downtown Richmond, where 20 blocks of the city were under water. In the historic district, a brick building collapsed[19] and dozens of other structures received flood damage as water reached 10 ft (3.0 m) in some places.[25] It is estimated that 29 homes were declared uninhabitable.[26] At the Richmond battlefield, a foot of standing water left $32,500 (2004 USD) in damage.[27] Rushing water floated automobiles and crashed them into buildings in some parts of the city.[28] Also, over 120 roads were closed within Richmond, with several more in other areas.[19] The stretch of Interstate 95 in the city was closed as flash flooding caused 20 traffic accidents.[29] An intersection was closed due to a 30 ft (9.1 m) crest as a result of flowing underground water.[30] Along the James River, swift–water rescues were required to bring people who were stranded in their cars to safety. Additionally, at least 1,000 people were forced from their homes.[29] In total, damage from flooding in the city totaled to over $20 million (2004 USD)[25] and nine people were killed, eight directly.[1]

Gaston touched off numerous tornadoes in the state. In all, 19 tornadoes were confirmed in Virginia.[31] These were mostly weak, commonly ranking F0 or F1 on the Fujita Scale. Damage from the tornadoes was mostly minor, and typically limited to fallen trees and light structural damage.[31] A tornado in Hopewell downed 25–30 trees and damaged a shed.[32] Also, an F0 tornado in Nottoway County tore metal roofing off the roof of a church.[33]

On August 30, the hurricane produced a shield of rain just off the coast of mainland Nova Scotia, although on Sable Island 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain fell in four hours.[34] Other than reports of light rainfall there was no damage and little if any effects in the region.[34]

Approximately 2,000 cars and trucks were reported towed from the disaster area following Gaston. Consequently, the flooded-out cars and trucks, known as "flood cars," were sold on used car lots at a cheap price. There were also isolated reports of scamming.[37]

Many small businesses in the Richmond area were hit hard by the flooding brought by Gaston. While some managed to reopen, some closed for longer periods of time or even permanently. After the storm, city officials cordoned off the historic Shockoe Bottom area (roughly between 15th and 18th Streets, south of East Broad Street), so building inspectors and crews from the Department of Public Utilities and Dominion Virginia Power could ensure that the area's stores, restaurants, warehouses, and apartments were safe to enter and that there were no gas leaks.

"Property insurance by itself probably won't cover damages," said a spokesman for the State Corporation Commission. "However, many businesses in the Bottom have flood insurance, since most lenders would make it a requirement in flood-prone areas..."

"The best other businesses can hope for, in the rebuilding process, is federal assistance through grant money and low-interest loans if Richmond is declared a federal disaster area," he later said.

The flooding from Gaston also affected VDOT's emergency road repair fund. VDOT estimated that repairing the wrecked roads and bridges would cost $10 to $20 million, and that did not cover damage to streets and roads that the city of Richmond and Henrico County maintain.

Already stretching its budget thin, VDOT had to set $16 million aside for major projects other than snow removal, leaving very little to pay for storm damage.

After the storm, the Richmond city government poured money into reconstruction and expansion of the drainage system and new emergency-notification technology that officials said would make Richmond ready for future storms. Beginning in 2006, the city had spent $1.9 million on projects to mitigate the impact of major rainfalls. The city had also stepped up the frequency of its inspections and cleanings of the existing drain system, and has installed a new flash flood warning system.

$8.7 million was spent to help the victims of the storm, much of it from FEMA. In Shockoe Bottom, most of the buildings were rebuilt and most of the businesses were back up and running. Some business owners say that the relief came too late.

This sparked criticism of the city government in response to Hurricane Gaston. Many complained about potholes lining the roads, brick sidewalks that were a mess, and faded crosswalks. Also, because of poor drainage, streets was covered with a thick layer of silt and because of the lack of trash cans, storm debris was everywhere.

Even a year later, some of the damage from Gaston still lingered.