Jump to content

Tropical Storm Henri (2003)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tropical Storm Henri
Satellite footage of hurricane storm clouds over Florida
Tropical Storm Henri near peak intensity on September 5
Meteorological history
FormedSeptember 3, 2003
DissipatedSeptember 8, 2003
Tropical storm
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds60 mph (95 km/h)
Lowest pressure997 mbar (hPa); 29.44 inHg
Overall effects
FatalitiesNone reported
Damage$19.6 million (2003 USD)
Areas affectedFlorida, Delaware, Pennsylvania
IBTrACSEdit this at Wikidata
Part of the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season

Tropical Storm Henri was a moderate tropical storm that struck Florida during the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season. The eighth storm of the season, Henri was one of six tropical cyclones to hit the United States in the year. Henri formed from a tropical wave in the Gulf of Mexico on September 3. Moving generally to the east, it strengthened to reach peak winds of 60 mph (97 km/h) two days later. Henri encountered unfavorable conditions, and it weakened before making landfall on western Florida near Clearwater as a tropical depression. Although Henri degenerated into a remnant low on September 8, the weather system persisted off the east coast of the United States for a few days before moving back ashore over North Carolina. The system brought heavy rainfall across parts of the Mid-Atlantic before dissipating on September 17.

Henri caused little damage as a tropical cyclone. In Florida, it dropped heavy rainfall, though damage was limited to minor flooding damage. In Delaware and Pennsylvania, damage was greater, where heavy rainfall damaged hundreds of houses and businesses. The resulting floods in Delaware were described as a 1 in 500 year event. The total damage by Henri along its path amounted to $19.6 million (2003 USD), but no deaths were reported.

Meteorological history

[edit]
Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

On August 22, a tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa, and it moved westward across the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea without developing significantly. On September 1 the wave axis entered the Gulf of Mexico, and upon doing so convection steadily organized around a low-level center of circulation. The system moved northward and developed into Tropical Depression Twelve on September 3 while located about 300 miles (480 kilometers) west of Tampa, Florida. Embedded within a slow mid-latitude trough, the depression moved eastward and strengthened into Tropical Storm Henri on September 5.[1]

Image of remnant hurricane clouds in the Atlantic off the coast of North Carolina and Virginia, and over Maryland, Delaware, and eastern Pennsylvania
Remnants of Henri near North Carolina on September 12

Despite strong southwesterly vertical shear, Henri continued intensifying while moving eastward, and reached a peak strength of 60 mph (97 km/h) later on September 5. Shortly thereafter, though, the shear greatly weakened the storm, and it was downgraded to a tropical depression. Henri was not able to recover its intensity, and made landfall near Clearwater, Florida on September 6 as a 35 mph (56 km/h) tropical depression, and quickly crossed the state as it accelerated to the northeast.[1] Despite initial predictions of re-intensification over open waters due to potentially lower shear,[2] Henri failed to re-strengthen and degenerated into a remnant low pressure area on September 8 off the coast of North Carolina.[1]

The broad and disorganized remnant low remained nearly stationary due to a ridge of high pressure to its north.[1] Residual convection within the remnants of Henri remained disorganized, but forecasters kept watch for the potential for redevelopment.[3] However, it moved inland near Cape Hatteras on September 12 without reorganizing.[4] The remnants continued to the north and dissipated on September 17 over New England.[5]

Preparations

[edit]

The National Hurricane Center issued a Tropical Storm Warning from Englewood to Indian Pass, Florida while Henri was a tropical depression; however, warnings were discontinued by the time Henri made landfall.[1] Flood warnings were issued across the state prior to the storm making landfall, with predictions of 5 to 10 inches (127 to 254 millimetres) of rainfall.[6] As a result of the storm's approach, twelve shelters were placed on standby. Similarly, the Hurricane Shelter Information Hotline was placed on standby and ready to be activated within 10 minutes.[7] Levy County officials declared a state of emergency. There, sand bags and sand were sent to Cedar Key, Yankeetown, and Inglis in anticipation for storm surge and flooding.[8] Schools in three western Florida counties canceled events for the evening of September 5 due to the storm.[9]

Impact

[edit]
Rainfall map showing the track of Henri. Light rainfall occurred in New England and along the Eastern Seaboard, with heaviest rainfall in Florida and eastern Pennsylvania
Rainfall from Henri

Henri dropped heavy rainfall along its path as a tropical cyclone and as a remnant low throughout the eastern United States.[5]

Florida, Bahamas, and Bermuda

[edit]

During its passage through Florida, Henri resulted in two injuries. In Lee County, lightning from a feeder band injured a man.[1] In Pinellas Park, a driver hydroplaned and crashed along Interstate 275.[10] A tornado was observed on September 5 near Zoo Miami, and was rated an F0 on the Fujita scale.[11][12] Along Florida's west coast, wind gusts reached 29 mph (46 km/h) in several locations during Henri's passage. The tropical depression also produced higher surf, along with tides 1 ft (0.30 m) above normal. However, Henri's most significant effects in the state were from its heavy rainfall.[10] The region was already experiencing above-normal rainfall since August,[9] and Henri dropped additional precipitation across the state. Three locations observed rainfall totals of over 7 in (180 mm), with a statewide peak of 9.09 in (231 mm) in Hialeah in the southeast portion of the state.[5] Two locations – Fort Myers and Sarasota–Bradenton International Airport – recorded rainfall records on September 5.[13] The rains caused isolated street flooding in the state, which entered some houses in Punta Gorda due to wake from cars driving in the floods. Damage was estimated at $120,000.[10][14] In Englewood, floods displaced residents, resulting in the American Red Cross opening up a temporary shelter.[15] In Hernando County, a stationary thunderstorm dropped over 5 in (130 mm) of rain in around an hour. It caused a rapid flooding of roads, though quickly retreated. Damage was minor, due to lack of many homes in the area.[16]

In the Bahamas, outer rainbands from Henri dropped around 1 inch (25 mm) of rain. Winds in the archipelago gusted to 32 mph (51 km/h).[17] Just days after Hurricane Fabian struck Bermuda, moisture from Henri brought thunderstorms and heavy rainfall and thunderstorms totaling to 2.44 inches (62 mm) at the airport.[18] This hindered cleanup efforts, though caused no known damage.[19]

Mid-Atlantic

[edit]
Damaged white home, with "Buy Us Out" and "We R Done" written on the siding
A destroyed Glenville, Delaware home on October 2, 2003, two weeks after Tropical Storm Henri flooded the subdivision

In North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland, the remnants of Henri produced 1 to 3 in (25 to 76 mm) of rainfall.[5] The rains in Baltimore, Maryland ended a seven-day dry period, the city's longest stretch without precipitation since October 2002.[13] In parts of northern Delaware, the storm dropped over 10 in (250 mm) of rainfall over a five hour period, as estimated by Doppler radar. The highest official rainfall total was 9.02 in (229 mm) in Hockessin. The rains led to flash flooding along the Red Clay Creek that led to record flow rates, exceeding 32,000 cu ft (910 m3) per second near Wooddale. The event was estimated to have been a 1 in 500 year flood.[20][21][22] In the Glenville area, the floods damaged 194 houses, forcing residents to evacuate to a nearby elementary school. Several people required rescue from their inundated cars, and one person escaped their house by helicopter.[22] The Red Cay Creek washed out the historic Wooddale Covered Bridge, and severely damaged the Ashland Covered Bridge.[23] Floodwaters along the creek crested at 17.27 ft (5.26 m), which is 11.77 ft (3.59 m) above flood stage.[22] The floods also destroyed six Wilmington & Western Railroad bridges, and washed out or damaged 8 mi (13 km) of track, causing $5.9 million in damage.[23] Greenbank Mill, a historic gristmill complex, saw $450,000 in damage.[24] A business along the White Clay Creek sustained millions in damage after floodwaters entered the building.[25] Damage throughout the state reached $16.1 million.[22]

Heavy rainfall from the remnants of Henri extended into eastern Pennsylvania, reaching 8.75 in (222 mm) in Downingtown. Several rivers crested above their flood stage, resulting in flash flooding that led to hundreds of emergency rescues. In Avondale, 250 people evacuated an apartment building, while in Kennet Square, 50 people required rescue from cars or their porches. The floods destroyed 12 homes and damaged another 360 across the region. About 109,000 people lost power due to downed trees and floods. The floods also damaged 22 bridges, including two that closed indefinitely.[26] The floods closed several roads, including a portion of U.S. Route 1 in Chadds Ford.[27] Damage in Pennsylvania totaled $3.54 million.[26]

Rains from the remnants of Henri extended into New York and New England, reaching 2.57 in (65 mm) in Platte Clove, New York, and 2.36 in (60 mm) in Connecticut.[28][29]

Aftermath

[edit]

On September 23, just days after the storm moved through, President George W. Bush declared New Castle County, Delaware as a disaster area following the effects of Henri and later Hurricane Isabel. The declaration designated the affected citizens eligible for grants to pay for temporary housing, house repairs, and serious disaster-related expenses. The declaration also allowed for federal funding for 75% of the repair cost for replacing public facilities.[30] On September 26, President Bush also declared Chester County, Pennsylvania as a disaster area following the damage of Henri, Tropical Storm Isabel, and severe flooding unrelated to either tropical cyclone.[31] By a month after the declaration, 342 homeowners and business owners applied for disaster aid, totaling to around $600,000 (2003 USD).[32]

By two months after the storm, 659 Delaware residents had applied for disaster aid through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), totaling to just over $1 million (2003 USD).[25] Due to the storm damage, 200 homes in Glendale were relocated.[33] 141 small businesses applied for loans, totaling to around $2.5 million (2003 USD).[34] FEMA grants helped floodproof two businesses that could not afford to relocate.[25] In addition, FEMA received 183 applications for public assistance, which would be used for rebuilding public roads and buildings.[34] Over twenty volunteer organizations met to establish a long-term committee to find resources for disaster recovery needs. One goal sought by the committee was to find a permanent housing solution for every one who was displaced from their houses from the storms. Volunteers also helped remove ruined appliances and furniture to local landfills, totaling to more than 300 tons.[35] State and county governments in Delaware purchased 171 homes following the damage in the Glenville area, the highest number of houses purchased in the state due to storm damage.[36] The house purchasing was done to mitigate the flood damage by restoring the area as a wetland.[37] In 2005, New Castle County completed a debris cleanup of the Red Clay Creek.[38] The Wilmington & Western Railroad reopened on June 28, 2007, utilizing funding from a variety of federal, state, and local resources.[23] In December 2008, the Wooddale Covered Bridge reopened after being rebuilt 5 ft (1.5 m) higher.[39]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tropical Storm Henri (2003).
  1. ^ a b c d e f Daniel P. Brown and Miles Lawrence (2003). "Tropical Storm Henri Tropical Cyclone Report" (PDF). National Hurricane Center. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 29, 2015. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
  2. ^ James L. Franklin (2003). "Tropical Depression Henri Discussion 13". National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on June 23, 2006. Retrieved June 12, 2006.
  3. ^ James L. Franklin (September 11, 2003). "Tropical Weather Outlook". National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on July 14, 2017. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
  4. ^ James L. Franklin (September 12, 2003). "Tropical Weather Outlook". National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on July 14, 2017. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
  5. ^ a b c d David Roth (2006). "Rainfall information on Tropical Storm Henri". Weather Prediction Center. Archived from the original on September 22, 2013. Retrieved June 12, 2006.
  6. ^ GoFlorida (2003). "Tropical Storm Henri". Archived from the original on May 15, 2013. Retrieved June 12, 2006.
  7. ^ Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross (2003). "Situation Report" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on June 26, 2006. Retrieved June 12, 2006.
  8. ^ Florida State Emergency Response Team (2001). "Situation Report" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on June 26, 2006. Retrieved June 12, 2006.
  9. ^ a b Brenden Farrington (September 6, 2003). "Henri could bring a foot of rain to Florida". Jacksonville Daily News. Jacksonville North Carolina. Associated Press. p. 2. {{cite news}}: Wikipedia Library link in |url= (help)
  10. ^ a b c Tropical Storm Henri, September 5-6, 2003 (PDF) (Report). Tampa Bay National Weather Service. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  11. ^ "Tropical Storm Henri drops heavy rain in Florida; rest of nation is mostly dry". Southern Illinoisan. Carbondale, Illinois. Associated Press. September 6, 2003. {{cite news}}: Wikipedia Library link in |url= (help)
  12. ^ Tornado Event Report for Miami-Dade County, Florida (Report). Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  13. ^ a b Brad Rippey (2004). "September 2003". Weatherwatch. 57: 52. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  14. ^ Flash Flood Event Report for Charlotte County, Florida (Report). Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  15. ^ Flash Flood Event Report for Sarasota County, Florida (Report). Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  16. ^ "Flash Flood Event Report for Hernando County, Florida". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  17. ^ Stormcarib.com (2003). "Unofficial Reports from the Bahamas". Archived from the original on July 12, 2012. Retrieved June 12, 2006.
  18. ^ Bermuda Weather Service (2003). "Weather Summary for September 2003". Archived from the original on February 5, 2012. Retrieved October 17, 2006.
  19. ^ World Meteorological Organization RA IV Hurricane Committee (2004). "Final Report of the Twenty-Sixth Session" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on September 27, 2012. Retrieved December 18, 2011.
  20. ^ "Flooding in Delaware". National Weather Service. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  21. ^ Gerald Kauffman; John Talley. Henri Visits Delaware: The September 15, 2003 Flooding in the Red Clay Creek Watershed (PDF) (Report). University of Delaware Water Resources Center. p. 16. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  22. ^ a b c d "Flash Flood Event Report for New Castle County, Delaware". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  23. ^ a b c "Special 50th Anniversary Historic Timeline The Wilmington & Western's Half-century of Operation" (PDF). Historic Red Clay Valley Inc. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
  24. ^ Tony Shahan (2003). "Red Clay Creek Flood, 9/15/03". Archived from the original on May 15, 2013. Retrieved June 15, 2006.
  25. ^ a b c Michael Powell; Robin Ringler (April 2006). Floodplain Strategies for Staying Dry and Staying Put (PDF). Public Management (Report). Vol. 88.
  26. ^ a b "Flash Flood Event Report for Chester County, Pennsylvania". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  27. ^ "Flash Flood Event Report for Delaware County, Pennsylvania". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  28. ^ Roth, David M (May 12, 2022). "Tropical Cyclone Rainfall in the Mid-Atlantic United States". Tropical Cyclone Rainfall. United States Weather Prediction Center. Retrieved January 6, 2023. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  29. ^ Roth, David M (May 12, 2022). "Tropical Cyclone Rainfall for the New England United States". Tropical Cyclone Rainfall. United States Weather Prediction Center. Retrieved January 6, 2023. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  30. ^ Federal Emergency Management Agency (2003). "Federal Disaster Funds Authorized To Aid Delaware Recovery From Tropical Storm Henri". Archived from the original on February 5, 2012. Retrieved June 13, 2006.
  31. ^ FEMA (2003). "Federal Disaster Aid Ordered For Pennsylvania Storms". Archived from the original on September 29, 2006. Retrieved June 13, 2006.
  32. ^ FEMA (2003). "Disaster Aid Surpasses Half Million Dollars". Archived from the original on October 3, 2006. Retrieved June 13, 2006.
  33. ^ Worst Case Effects of Hurricanes, Fluvial Flooding, High Tides, and Sea Level Rise on DelDOT Assets (PDF) (Report). Delaware Department of Transportation. July 16, 2018.
  34. ^ a b FEMA (2003). "Disaster Victims Receive Over $3.5 Million In Assistance So Far". Archived from the original on October 3, 2006. Retrieved June 13, 2006.
  35. ^ FEMA (2003). "Community Momentum Builds To Help Storm Victims". Archived from the original on October 3, 2006. Retrieved June 13, 2006.
  36. ^ New Castle County Emergency Management (2006). "Hurricanes". Archived from the original on June 27, 2006. Retrieved June 12, 2006.
  37. ^ Gerald J. Kauffman (2003). "Henri Visits Delaware: September 15, 2003 Tropical Storm Floods in Red Clay Creek Watershed". Delaware Water Resources Center. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved June 12, 2006.
  38. ^ Floodplain: An Ashland Nature Center Trail (PDF) (Report). Delaware Nature Society. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
  39. ^ "Wooddale Covered Bridge reconstruction complete". Hockessin Community News. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tropical_Storm_Henri_(2003)&oldid=1288975359"