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List of New Jersey's Most Notable Storms

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List of New Jersey hurricanes

A New Jersey hurricane is a tropical cyclone originating in the Atlantic Ocean that affects the state of New Jersey . Due to its location, few hurricanes have hit the state directly, though numerous hurricanes have passed near or through New Jersey in its history. About every 10 years, hurricanes approach the coastline close enough to send waves over barrier islands' dunes and into back bays. According to an estimate by meteorologist George Prouflis, the chances for a direct hit by a hurricane on the Jersey shore each year is 1 in 200. [1]

New Jersey has seen the remnants of several once-powerful hurricanes, some resulting in heavy damage. In addition, numerous hurricanes that remained offshore have each drowned small numbers of swimmers.

Most of the following are tropical cyclones that passed through the state after weakening from their peak.

Pre-1900

In the 19th century, two hurricanes struck the coastline, one in 1804 and one in 1821. Both caused only minor damage. The most significant storm of the century was the Gale of 1878 , which produced hurricane force winds across western New Jersey . The hurricane caused severe damage and 8 deaths.

1900-1949

Hurricane activity was above average during this time period. A hurricane in 1903 hit near Atlantic City , causing heavy damage near the shore. The most severe hurricane in the time period was the 1944 Great Atlantic Hurricane . Though it didn't make landfall, it brought strong winds and waves to the coastline, destroying hundreds of homes.

  • September 16 , 1903 : A hurricane made landfall on Atlantic City as an 80 mph (129 km/h) hurricane, making it the most recent hurricane to directly strike the state. Dubbed by the Atlantic City Press as the Vagabond Hurricane , the storm gathered media interest from Philadelphia and New York, with one newspaper offering $200,000 (1903 USD) to aid the survivors. When the reporters arrived at the coast, they were disappointed at the lack of damage, which was confined to loose boards along the boardwalk. The storm's strong surf destroyed several boats along the coastline, including 34 in Waretown . [1]
  • August 4 , 1915 : A tropical depression crossed the northern portion of the state, though damage totals are unknown. [24]
  • August 23 , 1933 : A tropical storm passed to the west of the state, causing moderate damage along the coastline from high waves and storm surge. [25] Offshore, about 100 boats were destroyed, causing numerous casualties. [1]
  • September 19 , 1936 : A Category 2 hurricane paralleled the New Jersey coastline. Strong waves flooded much of Long Beach Island and cause severe beach erosion along the coast. 200 feet (60 m) of sand near the Barnegat Lighthouse were lost, threatening the foundation of the lighthouse. [1]
  • September 21 , 1938 : The New England Hurricane of 1938 passed to the east of the state, causing strong winds of up to 100 mph (160 km) and powerful waves to the coastline. The bridge to Brigantine collapsed, leaving the city marooned. All of the tomato crop was ruined, and half of the apple harvest was destroyed. [1]
  • August 1 , 1944 : A tropical storm hit Cape May after passing through the Delmarva Peninsula , causing severe beach erosion and high tides. [1]
  • September 13 - September 14 , 1944 : The 1944 Great Atlantic Hurricane paralleled the coastline as a Category 2 hurricane, with a minimum pressure of 965 mbar occurring in Cape May. The hurricane caused severe flooding, a storm surge of up to 9.6 feet (2.9 m), and intense waves of up to 40 feet (12 m) in height. Along the entire coastline, strong winds gusting to 125 mph (201 km/h) destroyed hundreds of homes and damaged thousands, while the ferocious waves washed away fishing piers and boardwalks along the coastline. [1] In all, the hurricane caused $25 million (1944 USD, $267 million 2005 USD) in damage [26] and 9 deaths in the state. [27]

1950-1979

Several tropical cyclones affected the state during the time period, though Hurricane Donna was the most severe. Paralleling the coastline offshore, the hurricane caused heavy damage near the coastline from high waves and winds. In addition, Hurricane Belle was predicted to strike the state, though it passed to the east with only minor effects.

1980s

The 1980s was a relatively active decade, with 8 tropical cyclones affecting the state. The most notable storm of the decade was Hurricane Gloria in 1985, which was originally predicted to strike the state. The hurricane caused minor damage throughout the state.

Flooding from Hurricane Gloria in Cape May
Flooding from Hurricane Gloria in Cape May
  • August 25 , 1985 : The remnants of Hurricane Danny dropped up to 5 inches (13 cm) of rainfall in the extreme southern portion of the state. [41]
  • September 24 , 1985 : Tropical Storm Henri passed to the east of the state, causing light rainfall. [42]
  • September 27 , 1985 : Hurricane Gloria paralleled the New Jersey coastline just offshore as a Category 2 hurricane. Its arrival forced 95,000 citizens to evacuate, while eleven casinos in Atlantic City closed, resulting in a loss of $7 million (1985 USD). Dubbed by some as the storm of the century, the hurricane was expected to become the first hurricane to hit the New Jersey coastline since the hurricane in 1903, though a last minute turn spared the state. [1] While passing by the state, Gloria caused a storm surge of 4.6 feet (1.4 m) in Ventnor City and a wind gust of 80 mph (129 km) in Ocean City. [43] Despite coming within miles of the coast, the storm caused around 3 inches (8 cm) of rain along shoreline, though further inland there were reports of over 5 inches (13 cm). [44] Strong winds downed trees and power lines, leaving 237,000 without power after the storm. [45] Overall, damage was minor, and some were even disappointed at the lack of damage from the proclaimed storm of the century. [1]
  • August 18 , 1986 : Hurricane Charley came within 100 miles (160 km) of the state but turns out to sea. The hurricane caused 1.3 inches (3.3 cm) of rain and a 1.6 foot (0.5 m) storm surge in Atlantic City. [46]
  • August 30 , 1988 : Tropical Storm Chris moved across the northern portion of the state as a tropical depression. The system caused light rain of up to 1 inch (3 cm). [47]
  • Late June to early July, 1989 : Moisture from Tropical Storm Allison dropped up to 7 inches (18 cm) in southwestern New Jersey. [48]
  • September, 1989: Hurricane Gabrielle , though remaining far out in the Atlantic, produced strong waves of up to 16 feet (5 m) in height, killing one person. [49]
  • September 22 , 1989 : Hurricane Hugo passed to the west of the state, causing over 5 inches (13 cm) of rain in North Jersey. [50]

1990s

13 tropical cyclones affected New Jersey during the 1990s. The 1991 Halloween Nor'easter eroded beaches severely along the coast, while Hurricane Floyd in 1999 produced severe flooding in northern New Jersey, killing 6.

Hurricane Bob to the southeast of New Jersey
Hurricane Bob to the southeast of New Jersey

2000s

The most notable hurricane to affect New Jersey during the 2000s was Hurricane Isabel . Strong winds and storm surges caused heavy damage, totaling to $50 million (2003 USD). In addition, the hurricane caused 1 death and 1 indirect death.

Waves and Beach erosion during Hurricane Isabel
Waves and Beach erosion during Hurricane Isabel

Listed by month

Tropical cyclones affect New Jersey the most during the month of September, though the state has experienced tropical cyclones throughout the hurricane season, excluding November. Storms affect the state most in September due to peak warmth in water temperatures. No recorded storm has affected the state between November and May. [1]

Month Number of recorded storms
affecting New Jersey
June 5
July 4
August 23
September 36
October 9

[ edit ] Deadliest storms

Most tropical cyclones that impact New Jersey only cause rainfall or strong waves, though a few have caused deaths in the state. A hurricane in 1933 caused numerous casualties offshore, though the number is unknown. Other recorded storms causing deaths in New Jersey include:

Name Year Number of deaths
Unnamed 1806 21
Unnamed 1944 9
Unnamed 1878 8
Floyd 1999 6
Felix 1995 5
Doria 1967 3
Doria 1971 3
Edouard 1996 2
Gabrielle 1989 1
Danielle 1992 1
Bertha 1996 1
Maria and Nate 2005 1
Isabel 2003 1 (1 indirect)
Donna 1960 0 (1 indirect)