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2001 Atlantic Hurricane Season Summary
By Michele Novack
The Atlantic basin hurricane season spans the six-month period from
June 1st to November 30th, with August through October being the peak period
of the season. This is a high-risk period in the Caribbean Sea, Gulf
of Mexico, and North Atlantic where significant damage and even deaths
from storm surge and inland flooding can result if meteorological technologies,
early warning communications, and emergency management systems are not
successfully utilized. According to Max Mayfield, director of the
National Hurricane Center in Miami, hurricane-spawned disasters occur even
in years with normal, or below-normal, levels of activity—as evidenced
by Hurricane Andrew (1992), the costliest hurricane on record, which developed
during a season of below-normal activity. [1]
Back on May 21st, hurricane experts from the National Oceanographic
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted that the 2001 Atlantic
hurricane season would have normal levels of activity, bringing fewer storms
than the past three years. At a news conference held to release the
2001 Atlantic hurricane outlook report, NOAA officials said the absence
of strong La Niña conditions this year would likely result in a
number of storms, but relatively fewer compared to the past three seasons.
In 2000, there were 13 named storms, of which eight became hurricanes.
A normal Atlantic hurricane season typically brings eight to eleven tropical
storms, of which five to seven reach hurricane strength, and two to three
being classified as major (sustained winds greater than 110 mph).
Seasons with normal hurricane activity average one to two land-falling
hurricanes in the United States, and one in the Caribbean. [1]
For the 2001 season outlook, NOAA had been able to take advantage of
several improvements in technology and research to support its forecasters.
This included better data from weather satellites, better computer models,
and an improved ability to monitor and understand global climate patterns
that help to create better long-term forecasts. [1]
During the first part of the season (i.e. the months of June and July),
two tropical depressions formed, but only one became a named storm: Tropical
Storm Allison. Table 1 summarizes the National Weather Service data
for Allison. Clearly, this season started off by fulfilling Max Mayfield’s
caution regarding seasons with below normal activity. Tropical Storm
Allison, although never reaching hurricane strength, wreaked havoc across
the US Gulf Coast and sporadically northward along the mid-Atlantic coast.
Allison, a slow moving storm, dumped 35 inches of rain on the Houston
area alone, causing 22 flood related deaths and an estimated $4 billion
in damage. One week after Allison rumbled onto the Texas and Louisiana
coasts, states across the South were still dealing with traces of the storm,
which showed signs of regaining strength. Madison County and Tallahassee,
Florida suffered drenching rain, powerful winds, and tornadoes. Nine
deaths in Florida were attributed to the storm. As the storm
moved north into Georgia and South Carolina, more rain was dumped, and
forecasters continued to be concerned until it moved off into the Atlantic
where it eventually dissipated. [2]
Disaster recovery operations in Texas continued into November.
A total of 984 families were still in temporary housing (travel trailers)
and work on the Texas Medical Center continued. A total of $84.6
million had been obligated so far for FEMA Public Assistance (PA).
Overall, approximately $893 million had been distributed. The Small
Business Administration (SBA) had approved over $378.1 million; Disaster
Housing had disbursed over $177.3 million; the Individual and Family Grant
Program disbursements were $233 million and volunteer agencies had disbursed
over $30 million. Of those totals, PA represents 60% of the cost
of Tropical Storm Allison. [3]
In early August, NOAA released an update to the 2001 Atlantic hurricane
outlook report. The experts’ consensus was that the season would
feature normal to slightly above-normal levels of activity.
The season, however, was not expected to be hyperactive, as was observed
during the 1995, 1996, 1998, and 1999 seasons. The meteorological
data, on which the revised outlook was based, showed strengthening patterns
that were known to be more conducive to hurricane formation and intensification.
According to the report, historical records indicated that 58% of comparable
seasons featured 9-12 tropical storms, 67% featured 6-8 hurricanes, and
67% featured 2-4 major hurricanes (categories 3-4-5 on the Saffir-Simpson
scale). [4]
Detailed named storm data for August through November is summarized
in Table 2. Tropical cyclone activity was a bit below normal in August.
An average August has three named storms, of which two become hurricanes.
There were three tropical storms during August: Barry, Chantal, and
Dean, but no hurricanes. This was the first month of August to have
no hurricanes since 1997. This is also the first season since 1988
to have no hurricanes observed prior to September. [5]
On August 7th, after churning for several days in the Gulf of Mexico,
Tropical Storm Barry pushed ashore along Florida’s Panhandle. It
brought heavy rain (6 to 8 inches) and stiff winds but caused relatively
little damage. The storm snapped tree branches and flooded some roads,
and then lost strength within 8 hours of landfall. Power outages
disrupted service to approximately 35,000 customers for several hours.
No deaths or serious injuries were reported as the storm swept across the
Panhandle and into Alabama at a brisk 15 mph. Because of the speed,
the rain was spread widely, minimizing the chance of major floods in Alabama.
[6]
On August 20th, Tropical Storm Chantal hit Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula
with sustained winds of around 70 mph. Damage was limited to snapped
power lines and debris. Earlier in the day, residents in the region
prepared for the storm; several thousand elected to evacuate their homes.
Tourists cut short their Caribbean vacations. Hours, before the storm
rumbled inland, however, officials downgraded a state of emergency to a
“state of alarm.” [7]
September was a fairly active month for tropical cyclones. Four
named storms formed, and all of them became hurricanes: Erin, Felix,
Gabrielle, and Humberto. In addition, there was one tropical depression.
Only Gabrielle had reported damage and fatalities. October had above
normal tropical cyclone activity. Five named storms formed, two of
which became hurricanes: Iris and Karen. The long-term averages for
October are two named storms, of which one normally becomes a hurricane.
The 2001 season, therefore, would be characterized by significant late
season activity. However, media coverage of these storms dissipated
in the wake of the 11 September terrorist attacks on New York and Washington.
The active late season continued into November, as Tropical Storm Michelle
became Hurricane Michelle and worried many in the Caribbean. It ultimately
became the most powerful hurricane to hit Cuba in a half-century. [8] The
storm, with 135 mph winds, hit Cuba on Sunday, November 4th, causing tremendous
damage and 5 deaths. (Another 12 people were killed in Central America
and Jamaica.) [9] The death toll was relatively low largely because authorities
evacuated more the 750,00 people (and 741,000 animals) from the most dangerous
areas. Police cleared low-lying areas near the sea, but they also
conducted more precise, house-by-house evacuations. Electrical and
telephone systems on 45% of the island’s territory were hit hardest.
At least 45,000 homes were damaged. Damage to agriculture was more
considerable. Banana and citrus plantations were decimated.
Sugar ministry officials said Cuba’s important sugar crop was severely
damaged: nearly 1 million acres of sugarcane that was to be harvested
later this month was flattened. After passing over Cuba, Hurricane
Michelle moved northeastward, its outer edges dumping heavy rain on the
evacuated Florida Keys and sparing the rest of South Florida. [10]
By Tuesday, life in Havana had begun to get back to normal, but restoration
of power and phone service would take several more days before it would
be completely back on line. The US government had offered humanitarian
assistance. Diplomatic talks were underway to negotiate the purchase
of millions of dollars worth of food and medicine. [11]
As of Thanksgiving Day, there were no active tropical systems in the
Atlantic or Caribbean, and the outlook did not note any potential developments.
The current season tally is 15 tropical depressions, of which 13 became
named storms: 7 hurricanes and 6 tropical storms. This level
of activity is comparable to the 2000 hurricane season and is well within
the normal to above-normal range. The NHC will post the season summaries
for the Atlantic and East Pacific areas as well as the respective tracking
charts on 1 Dec. Helpful Tropical Storm information is always available
on the following websites:
National Hurricane Center (& Tropical Prediction Center) page at
www.nhc.noaa.gov
FEMA Storm Watch page at www.fema.gov/fema/trop.htm
US Coast Guard Storm Center page at www.uscg.mil/news/stormcenter
References:
1. “Hurricane Season 2001,” NOAANews Press Release, 21 May 2001
2. The Washington Post, Nation in Brief column, 14 June 2001
3. FEMA National Situation Update, 7 November 2001
4. “NOAA: 2001 Atlantic Hurricane Outlook Update,:
NOAA Climate Prediction Center Press Release, 9 August 2001
5. National Weather Service Monthly Summary Report for August
2001
6. Duggan, Paul, “For Relieved Southeast, Barry is a Quiet Storm,”
The Washington Post, 7 August 2001
7. The Washington Post, World in Brief column, 21 August 2001
8. Sullivan, Kevin, “After the Storm, Cubans Survey Losses,”
The Washington Post, 7 November 2001
9. Snow, Anita, “Cuba: Damage From Michelle Extensive,”
Associated Press, 9 November 2001
10. Carlson, Coralie, “Hurricane Michelle Brushes Florida,” Associated
Press, 5 November 2001
11. “Cuba Seeks U.S. Goods for Hurricane Relief,” Associated
Press, 16 November 2001
Table 1—2001 Atlantic Hurricane Season, Summary of Storm Statistics
for June and July
| Storm Name, Date(s)& Meteorological Activity Description* |
Impact** |
| Tropical Storm Allison5 thru 19 JuneTropical Storm Allison developed
from a tropical wave that had moved into the eastern North Atlantic Ocean
on 2 June. The disturbance stalled over the Gulf of Tehuantepec before
moving to the northeast and weakening over the Yucatan Peninsula.
By 4 June, the disturbance moved north-northwestward over the western Gulf
of Mexico where thunderstorm activity increased. The system became
a depression when a small low-level circulation formed on the morning of
the 5th. The depression strengthened quickly, becoming Tropical Storm
Allison and reaching a peak intensity of 60 mph early in the afternoon.
Allison weakened slightly before it moved inland over southeast Texas with
50 mph winds late in the afternoon.After moving inland, Allison rapidly
weakened before stalling over eastern Texas on the 7th. The
remnant circulation drifted south and emerged over the northwestern Gulf
of Mexico on the 9th. The system reorganized as a subtropical
cyclone before moving inland over Louisiana on the 11th. The subtropical
low tracked east-northeastward before stalling over eastern North Carolina
on the 14th. The low was nearly stationary for almost three days
before finally moving northeastward off the mid-Atlantic coast on the 17th.
The subtropical low merged with a cold front and dissipated on the 19th
southeast of Nova Scotia. |
Most extensive flooding ever associated with a tropical storm.
Allison produced extremely heavy rainfall from eastern Texas across the
Gulf states and along the mid-Atlantic coast.Preliminary damage estimates
ranged from $2.5-4.0 billion. There were at least 32 direct deaths.
(There were an additional 11 fatalities indirectly associated with Allison.)
The preliminary death toll by states was reported as follows: Texas
22, Florida 8, Louisiana 1, and Mississippi 1.In the Houston metropolitan
area, where more than 30 inches of rain were reported at several locations,
damage estimates were near $2 billion and at least 22 fatalities occurred.
Major Disaster Declarations issued:09 Jun Texas (FEMA Disaster #1379)11
Jun Louisiana (FEMA Disaster #1380)17 Jun Florida (FEMA Disaster
#1381)21 Jun Mississippi (FEMA Disaster #1382)22 Jun Pennsylvania (FEMA
Disaster #1383) |
* Compiled from National Weather Service reports posted on www.nhc.noaa.gov
** Compiled from various sources including www.fema.gov/library/diz01.htm
Table 2—2001 Atlantic Hurricane Season, Summary of Storm Statistics
for August through November
| Storm Name, Date(s)& Meteorological Activity Description* |
Impact** |
| Tropical Storm Barry2 thru 6 August:
Barry formed from a tropical wave over the eastern Gulf of Mexico on
2 August. Initially moving west-northwest, the storm slowed to an
erratic drift on the 3rd that continued into the 4th. Unfavorable
upper level winds caused Barry to weaken to a depression early on the 4th,
with the cyclone regaining tropical storm strength later that day.
Barry moved north and intensified on the 5th, making landfall—at just under
hurricane strength—in the Florida panhandle between Panama City and Destin
early on the 6th. The cyclone turned northwest and weakened to a
depression over southwestern Alabama. It then weakened further to
a low over northern Mississippi. The remnants of Barry were last
seen over southeastern Missouri on the 8th. |
Winds and rains associated with Barry caused minor damage in the Florida
panhandle. |
| Tropical Storm Chantal 14 thru 22 August:
Chantal originated from a tropical wave, first becoming a depression
on 14 August about 1500 miles east of the southern Windward islands.
The depression moved westward so rapidly that it was unable to maintain
a closed surface circulation and degenerated Into an open wave on the 16th.
It moved through the Lesser Antilles as a wave but did produce winds of
tropical storm force at Martinique. The wave slowed down in the eastern
Caribbean, and the system became a tropical storm on the 17th when a circulation
redeveloped. Chantal moved westward through the Caribbean, briefly
reaching an intensity of 70 mph on the 19th when it was south of Jamaica.
Chantal weakened late on the 19th, but began to strengthen again as it
approached Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula. Chantal made landfall
near the Belize-Mexico border late on the 20th with winds of 70 mph.
Chantal weakened to a depression and then dissipated over southeastern
Mexico on the 22nd. |
No casualties associated with Chantal while it was a tropical cyclone,
although two deaths were reported in Trinidad from lightning associated
with the passage of the tropical wave through the Lesser Antilles.Damage
in Belize is estimated at $10-15 million. There were no reports of
significant damage in Mexico. |
| Dean formed from a tropical wave over the Virgin Islands on 22 August,
and a hurricane hunter plane indicated that its winds were near hurricane
force later that day. However, the system soon encountered an unfavorable
environment and it weakened to a tropical wave just north of Puerto Rico
the next day. Dean’s remnants moved mostly northward for the next
several days, and interacted with a large non-tropical trough off the U.S.
East Coast. On the 26th, thunderstorm activity began to organize
near the remnant low pressure indicating that is was again acquiring tropical
characteristics. Dean re-attained tropical storm status late on the
26th while located about 400 miles north-northeast of Bermuda. After
strengthening to just below hurricane force, Dean continued northeastward
and became extratropical the following day |
Tropical force winds were reported in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and
there was damage due to flooding in Puerto Rico. |
| Hurricane Erin 1 thru 14 September:
Erin formed over the eastern tropical Atlantic on the 1st from a strong
tropical wave that moved off the west coast of Africa on 30 August.
The system soon became a tropical storm about 670 miles west-southwest
of the Cape Verde Islands. Over the next few days, Erin moved west-northwestward.
It strengthened to 60 mph on the 3rd, but soon succumbed to westerly shear.
The weakening cyclone moved to about 280 miles east-northeast of the northern
Leeward islands on the 5th where it dissipated. However, a new center
developed the following day about 475 miles north-northeast of the northern
Leeward islands within the same area of disturbed weather that was associated
with Erin. The re-born tropical cyclone strengthened into a tropical
storm about 635 miles southeast of Bermuda. Moving north-northwest,
Erin became a hurricane on the 8th. The system passed about 100 miles
east of Bermuda on the 9th. A little later that same day, it strengthened
to its peak intensity of 120 mph, the first major hurricane of the season.
Erin accelerated northeastward, and passed very near Cape Race Newfoundland
on the 14th. It became extratropical shortly thereafter. |
There were no reports of damage or casualties. |
| Hurricane Felix 6 thru 18 September:
Felix developed on the 6th about 400 miles southwest of the Cape Verde
Islands and moved westward for the next 2 days. Late on the 8th,
the depression encountered strong upper-level vertical wind shear and weakened
back to a tropical wave. While continuing on a westward track, the
vertical shear relaxed enough to allow deep convection and a new center
to re-develop early on the 10th about 1000 miles east of the Lesser Antilles.
The depression tracked steadily west-northwestward over the open tropical
Atlantic and slowly strengthened into tropical storm Felix on the 11th.
During the next couple of days, Felix turned to the northwest and then
north. Late on the 12th, it intensified into the second hurricane
of the season about 1500 miles southwest of the Azores Islands. A
peak intensity of 115 mph was maintained until early on the 14th, after
which slow weakening occurred. Felix gradually turned eastward on
the 15th and continued this motion until it weakened back to a tropical
storm on the 17th when it stalled about 350 miles southwest of the Azores.
Increasing upper-level shear and cold upwelling caused Felix to weaken
as it drifted slowly southward. It weakened to a depression early
on the 18th and dissipated later that day about 400 miles southwest of
the Azores. |
There were no reports of damage or casualties. |
Hurricane Gabrielle11 thru 18 SeptemberGabrielle formed over the southeastern
Gulf of Mexico on the 11th. After looping slowly for a few days,
it moved inland across the west coast of central Florida on the 14th as
a 70-mph tropical storm. Gabrielle then moved northeastward over
the western north Atlantic ocean and strengthened to an 80-mph hurricane
on the 18th while located about 250 miles north of Bermuda. It became
an extratropical storm on the 19th.
Hurricane Humberto21 thru 27 SeptemberHumberto formed on the 21st about
470 miles north-northeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico. It moved northwestward
for about a day, strengthening into a tropical storm on the 22nd.
Humberto gradually turned toward the north, and, while passing about 160
miles west of Bermuda, it strengthened into a hurricane. The hurricane’s
winds soon increased to near 100 mph. Humberto turned toward the
northeast and weakened, but still maintained hurricane strength for a couple
of days. Then, remarkably, the cyclone re-intensified over the north
Atlantic, and its winds reached a peak near 105 mph on the 26th while Humberto
was centered about 200 miles south-southeast of Sable Island, Nova Scotia.
The hurricane turned eastward and weakened to a tropical storm the following
day. It lost tropical characteristics on the 27th and the remnant
circulation was absorbed by a large extratropical low-pressure system over
the far north Atlantic. |
There were no reports of damage or casualties. |
| Hurricane Iris4 thru 9 OctoberIris was a small but severe Category
4 hurricane that devastated southern Belize. Iris became a tropical
depression near the Windward islands on the 4th and moved westward across
the Caribbean. It became a tropical storm on the 6th and reached
hurricane status on the 7th just south of the Barahona Peninsula of the
Dominican Republic. Iris passed very close to the southern coast
of Jamaica and continued westward toward central America. It then
intensified—reaching its peak intensity of 145 mph with a pressure of 948
mb—just before making landfall in the vicinity of Monkey River Town in
southern Belize during the evening of the 8th. |
Because the core of Iris was small, the severe damage was concentrated
within a 60-mile wide area of southern Belize. Iris caused at least
31 deaths in the Caribbean and central America, most of which occurred
when the boat M/V Wave Dancer capsized near Belize. |
| Tropical Storm Jerry6 thru 8 OctoberJerry developed from a tropical
wave, becoming a depression on the6th about 750 miles east of the Windward
islands, and reaching tropical storm strength late that day about 400 miles
east-southeast of Barbados. Jerry moved through the Windward islands
with 50 mph winds on the 7th and 8th, with the center passing close to
St. Vincent. Jerry then became disorganized in the eastern Caribbean
and dissipated late on the 8th. |
There were no reports of damage or casualties. |
| Hurricane Karen12 thru 15 OctoberKaren originated from a cold frontal
system that stalled a couple hundred miles southeast of Bermuda on the
10th. This system developed into a strong subtropical low that eventually
tracked northwestward close to Bermuda early on the 12th and produced sustained
winds of 67 mph with gusts to 90 mph. There were also unofficial
reports of sustained winds near 75 mph, or minimal hurricane strength.
Later that day, Air Force reconnaissance aircraft investigated subtropical
storm one and found that it was slowly acquiring tropical characteristics.
Early on the 13th, it became tropical storm Karen and strengthened into
the sixth Atlantic hurricane of the season later that day. Karen
moved in a general northward direction for the next 2 days and reached
a peak intensity of 80 mph early on the 14th about 400 miles south of Halifax,
Nova Scotia. Karen eventually made landfall along the southern coast
of Nova Scotia, just west of Halifax, on the 15th as a 45 mph tropical
storm. Karen quickly became extratropical as it tracked rapidly northeastward
toward western Newfoundland where it eventually merged with a large mid-latitude
low-pressure system. |
The strong winds caused considerable tree and power line damage on
Bermuda and more than 23,000 people were withoutpower. Heavy rainfall
occurred over much of drought-stricken Nova Scotia and western Newfoundland.
Up to 6 inches of rain fell in less than 12 hours near Cape Race Newfoundland
and widespread flooding—the worst in 100 years—occurred in St. John’s,
Newfoundland.There were no reports of casualties. |
| Tropical Storm Lorenzo27 thru 31 OctoberLorenzo formed from a non-tropical
area of low pressure in the eastern Atlantic that gradually acquired tropical
characteristics. The low became a tropical depression on the 27th
about 900 miles southwest of the Azores islands and moved slowly westward.
Late on the 29th, it reached tropical storm strength about 1250 miles west-southwest
of the Azores. Lorenzo turned to the northwest and then to the north
on the 30th with little change in strength. Accelerating rapidly
to the north-northeast early on the 31st, Lorenzo lost its tropical characteristics
ahead of an approaching cold front about 800 miles west of the Azores. |
There were no reports of damage or casualties. |
| Hurricane Michelle29 October thru early NovemberMichelle formed from
a broad area of low pressure in the southwestern Caribbean that gradually
became better organized and developed into a tropical depression on the
29th along the east coast of Nicaragua. The depression remained nearly
stationary over northeastern Nicaragua for two days. Late on the
31st, the depression moved into the northwestern Caribbean just north of
the Honduras-Nicaragua border and strengthened to tropical storm Michelle.
At months end, Michelle was gathering strength as it moved slowly northward
across the northwestern Caribbean. Michelle went on to strike Cuba
with devastating results before moving northward, skirting the south Florida
Atlantic coast and moving out to sea. The final NHC report on Michelle
will be released on 1 Dec 01. |
While stationary over northeastern Nicaragua, Michelle produced extremely
heavy rains with flooding over portions of Nicaragua and Honduras.
Early media reports indicated that flooding associated with Michelle had
already killed three people in Honduras. |
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