List of New Jersey hurricanes

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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.

Contents 1 List of tropical cyclones 1.1 Pre-1900 1.2 1900-1949 1.3 1950-1979 1.4 1980s 1.5 1990s 1.6 2000s 2 Listed by month 3 Deadliest storms 4 See also 5 References

[edit] List of tropical cyclones

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

[edit] 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.

• 1278-1438: Though New Jersey hurricane history is unknown prior to its founding in 1524, sedimentary layers indicate a powerful hurricane hit the state's coastline during this time period.^[2]
• October 9, 1804: The Storm of October 1804 struck near Atlantic City as a strong Category 2 or weak Category 3 hurricane, sinking or beaching many ships in the Mid-Atlantic. The hurricane later produced a snow storm in New England.^[3]
• August 23, 1806: A ship off Barnegat Island sinks during the Great Coastal Hurricane of 1806, killing 21 people.^[4]
• September 22, 1815: The Great September Gale of 1815 caused heavy damage along the New Jersey coastline while remaining offshore, though exact totals are unknown.^[5]
• August 9, 1817: A tropical storm moved through the western portion of the state.^[6]
• September 3, 1821: The 1821 Norfolk and Long Island Hurricane hit near Cape May as a Category 4 hurricane. Accompanied by a five foot storm surge, damage was great in the small town, though only moderate along the coastline due to the sparse population. No known deaths are associated with the hurricane.^[7]
• August 30, 1839: A hurricane that remained offshore of the state forced the floating light in Sandy Hook to break loose and set adrift.^[8]
• October 3, 1841: A hurricane that remained offshore caused a mixture of rain and snow in New Brunswick.^[9]
• October 13, 1846: The Great Havana Hurricane of 1846 passed near or over the state, destroying many houses, downing many trees, and drowning several livestock.^[10]
• July 18, 1850: A tropical storm passed to the west of the state, causing heavy rain and crop damage in Burlington.^[11]
• August 25, 1850: A hurricane passed just south of Cape May, causing over 3 inches (8 cm) of rain in New Brunswick.^[12]
• September 8, 1850: A hurricane paralleled the coastline offshore, causing high winds and 2.6 inches (6.6 cm) of rain in Newark.^[13]
• September 28, 1861: A strong tropical storm passed over the state, though its effects are unknown.^[14]
• September 19, 1863: A 60 mile per hour (97 km/h) tropical storm crossed the state, though its effects are unknown.^[15]
• October 30, 1866: A 60 mph (97 km/h) tropical storm brushed the northeastern portion of the state before entering New York, though its effects are unknown.^[16]
• October 26, 1872: Approaching from Delaware, a tropical storm moved across New Jersey with winds of 45 mph. Its effects are unknown.^[17]
• August, 1873: Though it never makes landfall, the Great Nova Scotia Cyclone approached the state, prompting the U.S. Army Signal Corps to issue a hurricane warning from Cape May to New Haven, Connecticut.
• September 29, 1874: A tropical storm moved through the state, though its effects are unknown.^[18]
• October 23, 1878: The Gale of 1878 passed to the west of New Jersey, producing winds of up to 84 mph. Strong winds uproofed around 150 houses in Camden, while telegraph lines and trees were downed across the state. In addition, many railroad lines were either washed out or blown over. The hurricane caused high tides and strong flooding, destroying several houses along the coastline. In all, the hurricane caused 8 deaths and severe damage.^[19]
• September 12, 1882: A tropical storm that passed to the south of the state causes strong winds and damage along the coastline.^[20]
• September 24, 1882: A 45 mph (72 km/h) tropical storm paralleled the coastline and caused no known damage.^[21]
• June 23, 1886: A tropical depression crossed the state, causing no known damage.^[22]
• August 24, 1893: A hurricane passed just east of the state and later makes landfall near New York City. The hurricane produced strong winds and rainfall along the coastline, though causes no known deaths.^[23]

[edit] 1900-1949

Hurricane activity was above average during this time period. One hurricane in 1903 hit near Atlantic City, causing damage in the northern portion of the state from flooding. 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, damage totaled to $25 million (1944 USD, $267 million 2005 USD).^[26]

[edit] 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.

• September 1, 1952: Hurricane Able moved across the northern portion of the state as a tropical depression, dropping up to 2 inches (5 cm) of rain in Teterboro.^[27]
• August 31, 1954: Hurricane Carol caused gusty winds along the coastline and moderate damage.^[1]
• August 19, 1955: Hurricane Diane moved across the center portion of the state, causing moderate flooding and damage.^[1]
• September 19, 1955: Hurricane Ione passes to the southeast of the state, dropping over 3 inches of rainfall in South Jersey.^[28]
• July 30, 1960: Tropical Storm Brenda paralleled the coastline as a moderate tropical storm, causing no known damage.^[29]
• September 12, 1960: Hurricane Donna, the only tropical cyclone to bring hurricane force winds to every state on the East Coast of the United States passed New Jersey as a Category 2 hurricane while moving at a high speed. Damage was significant along the coastline, but was less than in other states struck directly by Donna. The hurricane caused winds gusts of up to 105 mph (169 km/h), heavy rainfall, and a storm surge of 6 feet (2 m).^[29] Well-executed warnings across the entire state resulted in a direct death toll of 0, though one indirect death occurred from a heart attack.^[1]
• September 15, 1961: Tropical Storm Six, after crossing North Carolina, Virginia and the Delmarva Peninsula, paralleled the state. Damage is unknown.^[30]
• September 20, 1961: Hurricane Esther paralleled the coastline offshore as a major hurricane, causing high surf and 70 mph (113 km/h) winds at beaches in New Jersey.^[31]
• September 14, 1964: Hurricane Dora caused high tides of up to 4 feet (1 m) and rainfall peaking at 2.5 inches.^[32]
• June 13, 1966: Hurricane Alma approached the coast before turning northeastward and becoming extratropical. The storm caused a high tide of 4.5 feet (1.4 m) in Atlantic City, where Alma also produced 26 mph (42 km/h) winds and .14 inches (.36 cm) of rain.^[33]
• September 16, 1967: Hurricane Doria, while moving westward, produced 0.53 inches (1.53 cm) of rain in Atlantic City and wind gusts of 39 mph (63 km/h). Minor damage occurred along the coast, though the storm killed three when a boat offshore of Ocean City sank in the strong waves.^[34]
• August 28, 1971: Tropical Storm Doria moved through the entire state, causing torrential rainfall amounting to a maximum of 8.09 inches (20.55 cm) in Trenton. The storm killed three people in New Jersey.^[35]
• June 23, 1972: Tropical Storm Agnes made landfall on extreme western Long Island, New York, causing 2.5 inches (6.35 cm) of rain in New Jersey but little damage.^[36]
• September 25, 1975: The remnants of Hurricane Eloise caused light flooding in the state.^[37]
• August 10, 1976: Prior to the arrival of Hurricane Belle from the south, 250,000 evacuated from the shore during the peak of the tourist season. While paralleling the coast just offshore, it caused winds of 65 mph (105 km/h) and gusts of up to 90 mph (145 km/h), along with a maximum rainfall total of 3.93 inches (9.98 cm) in Cape May Court House. In addition, the hurricane caused a storm surge of 8.85 feet (2.70 m) in Atlantic City. However, damage was less than expected, and no deaths occur.^[38]
• September 6, 1979: Hurricane David passed to the west of the state, causing wind gusts peaking at 58 mph and rainfall of 1.85 inches (4.70 cm) in Atlantic City. Part of the tornado outbreak caused by the hurricane reached southern New Jersey.^[39] The wind gusts downed power lines across the state, leaving many without power after the storm.^[1]

[edit] 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.

• 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.^[40]
• September 24, 1985: Tropical Storm Henri passed to the east of the state, causing light rainfall.^[41]
• 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.^[42] 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). ^[43] Strong winds downed trees and power lines, leaving 237,000 without power after the storm.^[44] 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.^[45]
• 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).^[46]
• Late June to early July, 1989: Moisture from Tropical Storm Allison dropped up to 7 inches (18 cm) in southwestern New Jersey.^[47]
• 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.^[48]
• September 22, 1989: Hurricane Hugo passed to the west of the state, causing over 5 inches (13 cm) of rain in North Jersey.^[49]

[edit] 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.

• October, 1990: An offshoot of the remnants of Hurricane Klaus and Tropical Storm Marco caused around 3 inches (8 cm) of rain in the northern portion of the state.^[50]
• August 19, 1991: Hurricane Bob paralleled the state offshore, causing up to 3 inches (8 cm) of rain across the state. Damage was minimal.^[51]
• October 31, 1991: The 1991 Halloween Nor’easter, also known as the Perfect Storm, caused strong waves of up to 30 feet (9 m) in height. High tides along the shore were only surpassed by the 1944 hurricane, while significant bay flooding occurred. Strong waves and persistent intense winds caused extreme beach erosion, amounting to 13.5 million cubic feet (382,000 m² of sand lost in one location. In all, damage amounted to $90 million (1991 USD), though no deaths occurred in the state.^[1]
• September 26, 1992: Tropical Storm Danielle moved inland over the Delmarva Peninsula, causing up to 3 inches (8 cm) of rain along the coast. The storm also caused minor beach erosion. Strong waves off the coast of New Jersey sank a sailboat, causing the death of its driver.^[52]
• August 18, 1994: Tropical Depression Beryl crossed over the extreme northern portion of the state, causing light rainfall of up to 1 inch (3 cm).^[53]
• August 7, 1995: The remnants of Hurricane Erin caused up to 3 inches (8 cm) of precipitation in southwestern New Jersey.^[54]
• Mid-August, 1995: Strong rip currents from Hurricane Felix killed five people, while persistent cyclonic winds caused extensive beach erosion.
• October 5, 1995: As an extratropical storm, Hurricane Opal caused up to 5 inches (13 cm) of rainfall in the northern portion of the state.^[55]
• July 13, 1996: Tropical Storm Bertha crossed the entire state, causing heavy rainfall peaking at 6.59 inches (16.74 cm) in Estell Manor. Bertha also caused a storm surge of 2.27 feet (69 cm) in Atlantic City, and killed one surfer.^[56]
• Late August, 1996: Hurricane Edouard sent strong swells to the coastline, causing two deaths from drowning.^[57] In addition, one computer model predicted the hurricane would strike near Atlantic City with winds of over 111 mph (178 km/h) on Labor Day. This caused Cape May County officials to contemplate ordering an evacuation for the busiest tourist weekend of the year, though an evacuation never occurred. ^[58]
• July 25, 1997: Tropical Storm Danny passed to the southeast of the state, causing up to 7 inches (18 cm) of rainfall in North Jersey.^[59]
• September 6, 1999: Hurricane Dennis moved northward through central Pennsylvania, causing around 5 inches (13 cm) of rain on the New Jersey/New York state border from the storm's outer bands.^[60]
• September 17, 1999: Hurricane Floyd crossed the entire state as a tropical storm, unleashing torrential rainfall amounting to a maximum of 13.34 inches (33.88 cm) in Somerville. Cape May reports a storm surge of 2.6 feet (.79 m).^[61] Five rivers, including the Raritan River, withheld too much water and exceeded flood stages.^[62] Strong wind gusts left over 650,000 citizens without power during the storm's passage.^[63] Floyd caused great damage in the state and six casualties.^[62]

[edit] 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.

• June 17, 2001: Tropical Storm Allison passed just east of the state as a subtropical depression, causing gusty winds and up to 4.86 inches (12.34 cm) of rain.^[64]
• September 13, 2003: The remnants of Tropical Storm Henri caused up to 3 inches (8 cm) of rain across the state.^[65]
• September 19, 2003: Hurricane Isabel passed well to the southwest of the state, though because of the hurricane's large windfield, Isabel causes strong storm surges of up to 10.6 feet (3.2 m) in Burlington. Outer bands of the storm resulted in light rainfall amounting to 1.3 inches (3.3 cm) in Wildwood with gusts of 62 mph (100 km) elsewhere in the state. Persistent strong waves severely erode beaches along the coast. Isabel caused 1 direct death and 1 indirect death, with damage amounting to $50 million (2003 USD).^[66]
• August 31, 2004: Tropical Storm Gaston passed to the east of the state, causing up to 3 inches (8 cm) of rainfall across the state.^[67]
• September 8, 2004: Hurricane Frances as an extratropical storm dropped around 3 inches (8 cm) of rain in North Jersey.^[68]
• September 17, 2004: Hurricane Ivan dropped 5.5 inches (14.0 cm) of rain in Maplewood.^[69]
• September 28, 2004: Hurricane Jeanne passed to the south of the state as an extratropical storm, causing up to 5 inches (13 cm) of rainfall across New Jersey.^[70]
• August 11-August 16, 2005: Hurricane Irene passed to the southeast of the state, causing rip currents and strong waves. In Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey, lifeguards made 150 rescues in a three day period. Many beaches banned swimming due to the threat.^[71]
• September 7-September 8, 2005: Rip currents from Hurricane Maria and Hurricane Nate killed one and seriously injured another. ^[72]
• September 3, 2006: The interaction between the remnants of Tropical Storm Ernesto and a strong high pressure system produced intense wind gusts of up to 81 mph in Strathmere. The storm also drops heavy rainfall, totaling to a maximum of 4.92 inches in Margate. The winds and rain down trees and power lines, resulting in power outages.^[73]

[edit] 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	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)

[edit] See also

• List of New England hurricanes
• List of Atlantic hurricane seasons
• List of notable Atlantic hurricanes
• Tropical cyclone

[edit] References