Tropical Storm Danielle (1992)

Tropical Storm Danielle was a strong tropical storm that made landfall on Virginia in the 1992 Atlantic hurricane season. The fourth storm of the season, Danielle was one of two tropical cyclones in the year to make landfall in the United States, the other being Hurricane Andrew. It formed out of a stationary trough of low pressure on September 18 near the coast of North Carolina. The system quickly reached tropical storm status, and Danielle looped to the west due to a change in steering currents. Tropical Storm Danielle reached a peak of 65 mph (105 km/h) winds before weakening and hitting the Delmarva Peninsula. The storm quickly dissipated over land.

Tropical Storm Danielle
Tropical storm (SSHWS/NWS)
Tropical Storm Danielle off the coast of North Carolina on September 25
FormedSeptember 22, 1992
DissipatedSeptember 26, 1992
Highest winds1-minute sustained: 65 mph (100 km/h)
Lowest pressure1001 mbar (hPa); 29.56 inHg
Fatalities2 direct
Areas affectedNorth Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania
Part of the 1992 Atlantic hurricane season

The storm dropped light rainfall throughout its path, and winds were minimal. The combination of Danielle and a high pressure system produced higher than normal tides and strong waves, causing beach erosion and light coastal damage. The waves killed two in New Jersey from a boat sinking, and also destroyed three houses in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Overall damage from the storm was minimal.

Meteorological history
Map plotting the track and the intensity of the storm, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale

A surface trough of low pressure with an area of convection persisted off the southeast coast of the United States on September 18. On the same day, a weak tropical wave which moved off the coast of Africa on September 8 approached the area. A cold front merged with the stationary area of disturbed weather on September 20, and on September 22 a circulation developed 200 miles (325 km) southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.[1] Organization continued as outflow became better defined, and the system developed into Tropical Depression Six later that day.[2]

The depression rapidly organized and attained tropical storm status with winds of 50 mph (80 km/h) just six hours after forming, upon which it was named Danielle. In response to an approaching trough, Danielle initially moved to the northeast. However, the trough outran the system, and a developing high pressure system to its north resulted in Danielle executing a tight, anticyclonic loop on September 23 to the 24th. The storm strengthened as it turned to the northwest, and reached a peak of 65 mph (105 km/h) winds on September 25 while just off the northeastern coast of North Carolina. Danielle turned to the north-northwest, and made landfall on the Eastern Shore of Virginia late on the 25th. It rapidly weakened over land, and dissipated over eastern Pennsylvania on September 26.[1]

Preparations
Radar image of Danielle making landfall on September 25

Early in its life, forecasters had difficulties regarding the future track and intensity of Danielle, including a northeastward motion instead of its loop. After Danielle executed its loop, forecasters consistently predicted a landfall along the northeastern North Carolina coastline.[3] As a result, officials issued Tropical Storm Warnings for the coast of North Carolina on September 24, 36 hours before the storm passed to the east of the state. The continued northward motion caught forecasters off guard, and consequentially tropical storm warnings were not issued for the Delmarva Peninsula until just 12 hours before the storm made landfall. In addition, forecasters issued tropical storm warnings from Delaware through Watch Hill, Rhode Island, as a precaution.[4]

In North Carolina, ferry operations between Ocracoke and the mainland at Hyde County were closed, while officials canceled schools in Dare County, North Carolina due to the approaching storm.[5] Several families voluntarily evacuated St. George's Island in southern St. Mary's County, Maryland.[6] In addition, officials in Delaware recommended evacuations for low-level areas and beaches. As a precaution, officials set up two shelters in Kent County.[7]

Impact

North Carolina

The pressure gradient between Tropical Storm Danielle and a ridge of high pressure to its north produced moderately strong winds across eastern North Carolina, peaking at 58 mph (93 km/h) at Alligator River Bridge. Several other locations reported over tropical storm force winds. The pressure gradient also produced higher than normal waves along the coastline, with a maximum of 20 feet (6 m) at Duck.[8] Despite passing close to the coastline, Danielle dropped only light rainfall, totaling to 0.2 inches (5 mm) at Cape Hatteras.[9] However, locations in the central portion of the state experienced over 1 inch (25 mm) of rainfall.[10]

Waves and high tides from the storm caused flooding along the Pamlico Sound side of Ocracoke and southern Hatteras Island. High tides also resulted in overwash in Pea Island, forcing the closure of Highway 12 due to 12 inches (305 mm) of salt water. High tides from the storm also destroyed two houses in South Nags Head and one in Rodanthe, two of which were previously condemned after the 1991 Perfect Storm. Three other houses in the Outer Banks were threatened by the storm.[9] Elsewhere in the Outer Banks, damage was minimal, and was limited to pedestrian ramps and steps to the beachfront.[5]

Mid-Atlantic

In Virginia, Tropical Storm Danielle produced peak wind gusts of 61 mph (98 km/h) at Cape Henry, though sustained winds remained below tropical storm strength. Rainfall was light along the coast, totaling to around 0.34 inches (8.6 mm).[11] However, outer bands of the storm produced heavier rainfall in the center portion of the state, peaking at 4.09 inches (103.88 m) at Charlottesville.[12] The storm also produced higher than usual tides, peaking at 4.42 feet (1.3 m) at the mouth of the Elizabeth River in Sewells Point,[11] as well as strong waves along the Virginia coastline. The waves caused significant overwash, leaving parts of Norfolk under 2 feet (.6 m) of water. Several homes, businesses, and cars were flooded, as well. The waves also eroded beaches along the coast.[13] Overall, damage was minimal, and there were no reports of deaths or injuries.[11]

Upon making landfall Danielle produced an estimated storm tide of 2 to 3 feet (.6 to .9 m) in Ocean City, Maryland. Wind gusts peaked at 53 mph (85 km/h), also in Ocean City.[6] The storm produced moderate rainfall of over 3 inches (76 mm) across the Eastern Shore of Maryland,[10] while interior amounts experienced slightly lesser amounts of up to 2.79 inches (71 mm) in Pasadena. Waves from the storm caused minor to moderate beach erosion along the coastline, and the combination of waves and high tides caused moderate street flooding. Near Salisbury, the storm produced a possible hook echo, though no tornadoes were reported. Danielle caused no deaths or injuries in the state.[6]

In Delaware, the storm dropped light precipitation, with a maximum amount of 3.75 inches (95 mm) in Smyrna. Wind gusts peaked at 66 mph (106 km/h) at Cape Henlopen.[12] Danielle caused 2 to 3-foot (.6 to .9-m) higher than normal tides, along with strong waves. The combination of the two flooded some coastal houses[7] and resulted in significant beach and dune erosion. The waves also sank four boats and washed away a dock near Slaughter Beach.[14] Gusty winds caused power outages in New Castle County, while persistent rainfall caused sewer interruptions. Overall, with the exception of the severe beach erosion, damage was minimal.[15]

Northeast United States

Tropical Storm Danielle dropped light rainfall across much of New Jersey, with some areas in the southwestern portion of the state experiencing over 3 inches (76 mm).[10] Strong waves from the storm washed out miles of beaches along the coastline. In Ocean City, the waves passed over the boardwalk and into houses. Further north, the waves crashed a four-person, 35-foot (10-m) sailboat near Island Beach State Park. Two managed to swim safely to shore,[16] though the other two occupants drowned.[17]

Danielle's outer bands dropped light rainfall from Connecticut through Maine, with isolated locations in Rhode Island and Massachusetts reporting over 3 inches (76 mm). Damage in New England is unknown.[10]

See also

References
  1. Miles Lawrence (1992). "Tropical Storm Danielle Preliminary Report Page One". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2006-08-02.
  2. Lixion Avila (1992). "Tropical Depression Six Discussion One". NHC. Retrieved 2006-08-02.
  3. Miles B. Lawrence (1992). Tropical Storm Danielle Preliminary Report (Report). NHC. p. 2. Retrieved 2006-08-02.
  4. Miles B. Lawrence (1992). "Tropical Storm Danielle Preliminary Report". NHC. p. 5. Retrieved 2006-08-02.
  5. Virginia Pilot (1992). "Danielle destroys three beach cottages". Retrieved 2006-08-02.
  6. Davis (1992). "Danielle Preliminary Report". Baltimore National Weather Service. Retrieved 2006-08-02.
  7. James N. Roets (1992). "Tropical Storm Danielle Summary for Delaware". Wilmington National Weather Service. Retrieved 2006-08-02.
  8. Glenn A. Field (1992). "Tropical Storm Danielle Report". Raleigh National Weather Service. Retrieved 2006-08-05.
  9. Demaurice (1992). "Tropical Storm Danielle Preliminary Report". Cape Hatteras National Weather Service. Retrieved 2006-08-05.
  10. Hydrometeorological Prediction Center (2005). "Tropical Storm Danielle Rainfall Summary". Retrieved 2006-08-05.
  11. Norfolk National Weather Service (1992). "Tropical Storm Danielle Preliminary Report". Retrieved 2006-08-06.
  12. Miles B. Lawrence (1992). Meteorological Statistics for Danielle (Report). NHC. p. 4. Retrieved 2006-08-06.
  13. Steve Stone (1992). "Coast is spared the worst of unpredictable Danielle". Virginia Pilot. Retrieved 2006-08-06.
  14. James N. Roets (1992). "Tropical Storm Danielle Summary for Delaware". Wilmington National Weather Service. Retrieved 2006-08-08.
  15. James N. Roets (1992). "Tropical Storm Danielle Summary for Delaware". Wilmington National Weather Service. Retrieved 2006-08-08.
  16. Associated Press (1992). "Tropical Storm blamed on one death". Retrieved 2006-08-09.
  17. James E. Hudgins (2000). "Tropical cyclones affecting North Carolina since 1586". National Weather Service. Archived from the original on March 11, 2007. Retrieved 2006-08-09.

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