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{{Short description|Nor'easter and Category 1 Atlantic hurricane in 1992}}
{{Infobox Hurricane
{{Redirect|Halloween Storm|the 2011 nor'easter|2011 Halloween nor'easter}}
| Name=1991 Perfect Storm
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2018}}
| Type=hurricane
{{Infobox weather event
| Year=1991
| name = 1991 "Perfect Storm"
| Basin=Atl
| image = 12L 1991-11-01 1900Z.png
| Image location=Perfect storm.gif
| Image name=The Perfect Storm to the south of Nova Scotia | caption = The unnamed hurricane at peak intensity on November 1
| Formed= {{start-date|October 28, 1991|October 28, 1991}} | formed = {{start-date|October 28, 1991|}}<br>{{small|(Extratropical until October 31)}}
| Dissipated= {{end-date|November 4, 1991|November 4, 1991}} | dissipated = {{end-date|November 2, 1991|}}
}}{{Infobox weather event/NWS
| 1-min winds=65
| Pressure=972 | winds = 65
| pressure = 980
| Damages=200
| pressure-suffix = <br />({{convert|972|mbar|inHg|abbr=on}} while ])
| Damagespre=>
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| Inflated=0
| year = 1991
| Fatalities=13 direct | fatalities = 13 direct
| Areas=], ]
| damage = 200000000
| Hurricane season=]
| damage-prefix = >
| areas = ], ], ]
| refs =
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer
| season = ]
}} }}
The '''1991 Perfect Storm''', also known as '''The No-Name Storm''' (especially in the years immediately after it took place)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beegel |first=Susan F. |title=Journal of the No-Name Storm |url=https://nha.org/research/nantucket-history/history-topics/journal-of-the-no-name-gale/ |access-date=2023-01-18 |website=Nantucket Historical Association |language=en-US}}</ref> and the '''Halloween Gale/Storm''', was a damaging and deadly ] in October 1991. Initially an ], the storm absorbed ] to its south and evolved into a small unnamed ] later in its life. Damage from the storm totaled over $200 million (1991 USD)<ref name="ncdc">{{cite web|last=McCown|first=Sam|work=National Climatic Data Center|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|date=August 20, 2008|title="Perfect Storm" Damage Summary|access-date=April 5, 2019|url=ftp://ftp.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/data/extremeevents/specialreports/perfect-storm-damage.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906073118/ftp://ftp.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/data/extremeevents/specialreports/perfect-storm-damage.pdf|archive-date=September 6, 2021}}</ref> and thirteen people were killed in total, six of which were an outcome of the sinking of '']'', which inspired the ] and later ], ''The Perfect Storm''. The nor'easter received the name, playing off the ], after a conversation between Boston ] forecaster ] and author ].
The '''1991 Perfect Storm''', also known as the '''Halloween Nor'easter of 1991''', was a ] that absorbed ] and ultimately evolved into a small hurricane late in its life cycle. The initial ] developed off ] on October&nbsp;28. Forced southward by a ] to its north, it reached its peak intensity as a large and powerful cyclone. The storm lashed the ] with high waves and coastal flooding, before turning to the southwest and weakening. Moving over warmer waters, the system transitioned into a ] before becoming a tropical storm. It executed a loop off the ] and turned toward the northeast. On November&nbsp;1 the system evolved into a full-fledged hurricane with peak winds of 75&nbsp;mph (120&nbsp;km/h), although the ] left it unnamed to avoid confusion amid media interest in the predecessor extratropical storm. It later received the name "the Perfect Storm" after a conversation between Boston ] forecaster ] and author ]. The system was the fourth hurricane and final tropical cyclone in the ]. The tropical system weakened, striking Nova Scotia as a tropical storm before dissipating.


The initial ] developed off the coast of ] on October 28. Forced southward by a ] to its north, it reached its peak intensity as a large and powerful ]. The storm lashed the east coast of the United States with high waves and ] before turning to the southwest and weakening. Moving over warmer waters, the system transitioned into a ] before becoming a tropical storm. It executed a loop off the ] and turned toward the northeast. On November 1, the system evolved into a full-fledged hurricane, with peak sustained winds of 75 miles per hour (120&nbsp;km/h), although the ] left it unnamed to avoid confusion amid media interest in the precursor extratropical storm. The system was the twelfth and final tropical cyclone, the eighth tropical storm, and fourth hurricane in the ]. The tropical system weakened, striking Nova Scotia as a tropical storm before dissipating.
Damage from the Perfect Storm totaled over $200&nbsp;million (1991&nbsp;USD)<ref name="ncdc">{{cite web|last=McCown|first=Sam|work=National Climatic Data Center|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|date=2008-08-20|title="Perfect Storm" Damage Summary
|accessdate=2011-06-20|url=http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/satellite/satelliteseye/cyclones/pfctstorm91/pfctstdam.html}}</ref> and the death toll was thirteen. Most of the damage occurred while the storm was extratropical, after waves up to {{convert|30|ft|m|abbr=on}} struck the coastline from Canada to Florida and southeastward to Puerto Rico. In Massachusetts, where damage was heaviest, over 100&nbsp;homes were destroyed or severely damaged. To the north, more than 100&nbsp;homes were affected in Maine, including the vacation home of then-] ]. More than 38,000&nbsp;people were left without power, and along the coast high waves inundated roads and buildings. In portions of New England, damage was worse than ] had caused two months prior.


Aside from tidal flooding along rivers, the storm's effects were primarily concentrated along the coast. A ] off the coast of Nova Scotia reported a wave height of 100.7&nbsp;ft (30.7&nbsp;m), the highest ever recorded in the province's offshore waters. In the middle of the storm, the ] sank, killing its crew of six and inspiring the ], and later ], ''The Perfect Storm''. Off the shore of New York's ], an Air National Guard helicopter ran out of fuel and crashed; four members of its crew were rescued, and one was killed. Two people died after their boat sank off ]. High waves swept people to their deaths in Rhode Island and Puerto Rico, and another person was blown off a bridge to his death. The tropical cyclone that formed late in the storm's duration caused little impact, limited to power outages and slick roads; one person was killed in Newfoundland from a traffic accident related to the storm. Most of the damage occurred while the storm was extratropical, after waves up to {{convert|30|ft|m|-1}} struck the coastline from Nova Scotia to Florida and southeastward to Puerto Rico. In portions of New England, the damage was worse than that caused by ] two months earlier. Aside from ] along rivers, the storm's effects were primarily concentrated along the coast. A ] off the coast of Nova Scotia reported a wave height of {{convert|100.7|ft|m}}, the highest ever recorded in the province's offshore waters. In Massachusetts, where damage was heaviest, over 100 homes were destroyed or severely damaged. To the north, more than 100 homes were affected in Maine, including the ] of then-] ]. More than 38,000 people were left without power, and along the coast high waves inundated roads and buildings. Off the shore of New York's ], an Air National Guard helicopter ran out of fuel and crashed; four members of its crew were rescued and one died. Two people died after their boat sank off ]. High waves swept two people to their deaths, one in Rhode Island and one in Puerto Rico, and another person was blown off a bridge to his death. The tropical cyclone that formed late in the storm's duration caused little impact, limited to power outages and slick roads; one person was killed in Newfoundland from a traffic accident related to the storm.


==Meteorological history== ==Meteorological history==
{{see also|Hurricane Grace (1991)}}
] {{Storm path|1991 Atlantic hurricane 8 track.png|alt=Storm track beginning southeast of Canada as an extratropical storm, moving westward toward New England, becoming tropical as it looped to the northeast, and later dissipating over Prince Edward Island}}
The Perfect Storm originated from a ] that exited the east coast of the United States. On October&nbsp;28, the front spawned an extratropical low to the east of Nova Scotia. Around that time, a ] extended from the ] northeastward to Greenland, with a strong high pressure center over eastern Canada. The blocking ridge forced the extratropical low to track toward the southeast and later to the west. Hurricane Grace was swept aloft by its cold front into the warm conveyor belt circulation of the deep cyclone on October&nbsp;29. The cyclone significantly strengthened as a result of the temperature contrast between the cold air to the northwest and the warmth and humidity from the remnants of Hurricane Grace. The low pressure system continued deepening as it drifted toward the United States.<ref name="history2"/> It had an unusual retrograde motion for a ], beginning a set of meteorological circumstances that occur only once every 50 to 100&nbsp;years.<ref name="case">{{cite web|publisher=National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration News|date=2000-06-16|title=NOAA Meteorologist Bob Case, the Man Who Named the Perfect Storm|accessdate=2011-07-01|url=http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories/s444.htm}}</ref> Most nor'easters affect New England from the southwest.<ref name="pp">{{cite news|author=Staff writer|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press|date=1991-10-31|title=East battered by storm born off Canada; 4 lost|accessdate=2011-07-03|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Md8cAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GGQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6189,8218796&dq=storm+new+england&hl=en}}</ref> The Perfect Storm originated from a ] that exited the east coast of the United States. On October 28, the front spawned an extratropical low to the east of Nova Scotia. Around that time, a ] extended from the ] northeastward to ], with a strong high pressure center over eastern Canada. The blocking ridge forced the extratropical low to track toward the southeast and later to the west. ] was swept aloft by its cold front into the warm conveyor belt circulation of the deep cyclone on October 29, with the storm completely absorbing Grace by the next day.<ref name="history2" /> The cyclone significantly strengthened as a result of the temperature contrast between the cold air to the northwest, and the warmth and moisture from the remnants of Grace. The low-pressure system continued deepening as it drifted toward the United States.<ref name="history2"/> It had an unusual retrograde motion for a ], beginning a set of meteorological circumstances that occur only once every 50 to 100 years.<ref name="case">{{cite web|publisher=National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration News|date=June 16, 2000|title=NOAA Meteorologist Bob Case, the Man Who Named the Perfect Storm|access-date=July 1, 2011|url=http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories/s444.htm| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110716220940/http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories/s444.htm| archive-date= July 16, 2011 | url-status= live}}</ref> Most nor'easters affect New England from the southwest.<ref name="pp">{{cite news|author=Staff writer|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press|date=October 31, 1991|title=East battered by storm born off Canada; 4 lost|access-date=July 3, 2011|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Md8cAAAAIBAJ&pg=6189,8218796&dq=storm+new+england&hl=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429160412/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Md8cAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GGQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6189,8218796&dq=storm+new+england&hl=en|archive-date=April 29, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>


] ]
While situated about {{convert|390|mi|km|abbr=on}} south of ], the storm attained its peak intensity with winds of up to {{convert|70|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name="history2">{{cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|title=The Perfect Storm|date=2008-08-20|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|accessdate=2009-09-14|url=http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/satellite/satelliteseye/cyclones/pfctstorm91/pfctstorm.html}}</ref> The nor'easter reached peak intensity at approximately 12:00&nbsp;] on October&nbsp;30 with its lowest pressure of 972&nbsp;]s. The interaction between the extratropical storm and the high pressure system to its north created a significant pressure gradient, which created large waves and strong winds.<ref name="history2"/> Between the southern New England coast and the storm's center, the gradient was {{convert|70|mbar|inHg|abbr=on}}.<ref name="erh"/> A buoy located 264&nbsp;mi (425&nbsp;km) south of ] reported a wave height of 100.7&nbsp;ft (30.7&nbsp;m) on October&nbsp;30. This became the highest recorded wave height on the Scotian Shelf, which is the oceanic ] off the coast of Nova Scotia.<ref name="Canada"/> East of Cape Cod, a NOAA buoy located at {{Coord|41.1|-66.6}} reported maximum sustained winds of 56&nbsp;mph (91&nbsp;km/h) with gusts to 75&nbsp;mph (120&nbsp;km/h), and a ] (average height of the highest waves) of 39&nbsp;feet (12&nbsp;m) around 15:00&nbsp;UTC on October&nbsp;30. Another buoy, located at {{Coord|40.5|-69.5}}, reported maximum sustained winds of 61&nbsp;mph with gusts to 72&nbsp;mph (117&nbsp;km/h) and a significant wave height of 31&nbsp;ft (9&nbsp;m) near 00:00&nbsp;UTC on October 31.<ref name="history2"/> While situated about {{convert|390|mi|km}} south of ], the storm attained its peak intensity with winds of up to {{convert|70|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name="history2">{{cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|title=The Perfect Storm|date=August 20, 2008|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|access-date=September 14, 2009|url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/satellite/satelliteseye/cyclones/pfctstorm91/pfctstorm.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109135251/https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/satellite/satelliteseye/cyclones/pfctstorm91/pfctstorm.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 9, 2017}}</ref> The nor'easter reached peak intensity at approximately 12:00 ] on October 30 with its lowest pressure of 972 ]s. The interaction between the extratropical storm and the high pressure system to its north created a significant pressure gradient, which created large waves and strong winds.<ref name="history2"/> Between the southern New England coast and the storm's center, the pressure differential was {{convert|70|mbar|inHg|abbr=on}}.<ref name="erh"/> A buoy located {{convert|264|mi|km}} south of ] reported a wave height of {{convert|100.7|ft|m}} on October 30. This became the highest recorded wave height on the ], which is the oceanic ] off the coast of Nova Scotia.<ref name="Environment Canada Perfect Storm"/> East of Cape Cod, a NOAA buoy located at {{Coord|41.1|-66.6}} reported maximum sustained winds of {{convert|56|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} with gusts to {{convert|75|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, and a ] (average height of the highest one-third of all waves) of {{convert|39|ft|m}} around 15:00 UTC on October 30. Another buoy, located at {{Coord|40.5|-69.5}}, reported maximum sustained winds of {{convert|61|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} with gusts to {{convert|72|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} and a significant wave height of {{convert|31|ft|m}} near 00:00 UTC on October 31.<ref name="history2"/>


Upon peaking in intensity, the nor'easter turned southward and gradually weakened; by November 1, its pressure had risen to {{convert|998|mbar|inHg}}. The low moved over warm waters of the ], where ] of ] around the center began to organize.<ref name="8 TCR1">{{Cite web|last=Pasch|first=Richard|title=Unnamed Hurricane Preliminary Report Page 1|date=|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2009-09-14|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1991-prelim/unnamed/prelim01.gif}}</ref> Around this time, the system attained ]. On November 1, while the storm was moving in a counter-clockwise loop, a ] had been identified at the center of the larger low.<ref name="history4">{{Cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|title=Unnamed Hurricane|date=|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|accessdate=2009-09-14|url=http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/satellite/satelliteseye/hurricanes/unnamed91/unnamed91.html}}</ref> (Although these conditions are rare, ] during 1980 also formed within a larger non-tropical weather system.)<ref name="MWR">{{Cite web|first1=Richard|last1=Pasch|first2=Lixion|last2=Avila|title=Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1980|date=1992-03-26|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|accessdate=2009-09-13|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/1991.pdf|format=PDF|page=2686}}</ref> Upon peaking in intensity, the nor'easter turned southward and gradually weakened; by November 1, its pressure had risen to {{convert|998|mbar|inHg}}. The low moved over warm waters of the ], where ] of ] around the center began to organize.<ref name="8 TCR1">{{Cite web|last=Pasch|first=Richard|title=Unnamed Hurricane Preliminary Report Page 1|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=September 14, 2009|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1991-prelim/unnamed/prelim01.gif|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023203807/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1991-prelim/unnamed/prelim01.gif|archive-date=October 23, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Around this time, the system attained ]. On November 1, while the storm was moving in a counter-clockwise loop, a ] had been identified at the center of the larger low.<ref name="history4">{{Cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|title=Unnamed Hurricane|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|access-date=September 14, 2009|url=http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/satellite/satelliteseye/hurricanes/unnamed91/unnamed91.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207192407/http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/satellite/satelliteseye/hurricanes/unnamed91/unnamed91.html|archive-date=December 7, 2013}}</ref> (Although these conditions are rare, ] during 1980 formed within a larger non-tropical weather system.)<ref name="MWR">{{Cite web|first1=Richard |last1=Pasch |first2=Lixion |last2=Avila |title=Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1980 |date=March 26, 1992 |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date=September 13, 2009 |url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/1991.pdf |page=2686 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101207000313/http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/1991.pdf |archive-date=December 7, 2010 }}</ref>


By around 14:00&nbsp;UTC on November&nbsp;1, an ] was forming, and the tropical cyclone reached its peak intensity with ] of 75&nbsp;mph (120&nbsp;km/h);<ref name="8 TCR2">{{Cite web|first1=Richard|last1=Pasch|title=Unnamed Hurricane Preliminary Report Page 2|date=|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2009-09-14|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1991-prelim/unnamed/prelim02.gif}}</ref>{{Atlantic hurricane best track}} these estimates, combined with reports from an Air Force Reserve Unit flight into the storm and confirmation that a ] center was present, indicated that the system had become a Category 1 hurricane on the ]. The hurricane accelerated toward the northeast and quickly weakened back into a tropical storm. It made landfall near Halifax, Nova Scotia, at 14:00&nbsp;UTC on November&nbsp;2 with sustained winds of {{convert|45|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. While the storm was approaching the coast, weather radars depicted curved rainbands on the western side of the system.<ref name="history4"/> After crossing over ],<ref name="Canada">{{cite web|author=Canadian Hurricane Centre|date=2010-09-14|title=1991-Unnamed "Perfect Storm"|accessdate=2011-06-17|url=http://www.ec.gc.ca/Hurricane/default.asp?lang=En&n=B87EB885-1|publisher=Environment Canada}}</ref> it fully dissipated late on November&nbsp;4.<ref name="history4"/> By around 14:00 UTC on November 1, an ] was forming, and the tropical cyclone reached its peak intensity with ] of {{convert|75|mph|km/h|abbr=on}};<ref name="8 TCR2">{{Cite web|first1=Richard|last1=Pasch|title=Unnamed Hurricane Preliminary Report Page 2|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=September 14, 2009|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1991-prelim/unnamed/prelim02.gif|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024231620/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1991-prelim/unnamed/prelim02.gif|archive-date=October 24, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Atlantic hurricane best track}} these estimates, combined with reports from an Air Force Reserve Unit flight into the storm and confirmation that a ] center was present, indicated that the system had become a Category 1 hurricane on the ]. The hurricane accelerated toward the northeast and quickly weakened back into a tropical storm. It made landfall near Halifax, Nova Scotia, at 14:00 UTC on November 2, with sustained winds of {{convert|45|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. While the storm was approaching the coast, weather radars depicted curved rainbands on the western side of the system.<ref name="history4"/> After crossing over ],<ref name="Environment Canada Perfect Storm">{{cite web|author=Canadian Hurricane Centre|date=September 14, 2010|title=1991-Unnamed "Perfect Storm"|access-date=June 17, 2011|url=http://www.ec.gc.ca/Hurricane/default.asp?lang=En&n=B87EB885-1|publisher=Environment Canada|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005234342/http://www.ec.gc.ca/hurricane/default.asp?lang=En&n=B87EB885-1|archive-date=October 5, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> the storm fully dissipated late on November 2.<ref name="history4"/>


==Preparations and naming== ==Preparations and naming==
]
]
For several days, ] forecast the development of a significant storm off New England.<ref name="erh">{{cite web|first=Walter|last=Drag|publisher=Boston National Weather Service Office|date=2000-07-14|title=A comparative retrospective on the Perfect Storm|accessdate=2011-07-01|url=http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/box/PS.htm}}</ref> However, the models were inadequate in forecasting coastal conditions, which in one instance prevented adequate warning. In addition, a post-storm assessment found an insufficient number of observation sites along the coast.<ref name="post">{{cite web|title=Executive Summary|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|accessdate=2011-07-01|url=http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/assessments/pdfs/pstorm1.pdf}}</ref> On October&nbsp;27, the ] noted that a "dangerous storm" would form within 36&nbsp;hours, with its wording emphasizing the unusual nature of the storm.<ref>{{cite web|first=Jim|last=Hoke|work=Oceanic Prediction Center|date=2005-02-16|title=The Ocean Prediction Center and "The Perfect Storm"|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|accessdate=2011-07-01|url=http://www.opc.ncep.noaa.gov/perfectstorm/mpc_ps_intro.shtml}}</ref> The ] likewise issued warnings for the potential storm, providing information to emergency service offices as well as the media.<ref name="post"/> The public however was skeptical and did not recognize the threat.<ref name="case"/><ref name="post"/> The timely warnings ultimately lowered the death toll;<ref name="post"/> whereas the Perfect Storm caused 13&nbsp;deaths, the ] killed 99&nbsp;people, and the ] killed 564&nbsp;people.<ref name="erh"/> For several days, ] forecast the development of a significant storm off New England.<ref name="erh">{{cite web|first=Walter|last=Drag|publisher=Boston National weather Service Office|date=July 14, 2000|title=A comparative retrospective on the Perfect Storm|access-date=July 1, 2011|url=http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/box/PS.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130214060246/http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/box/PS.htm|archive-date=February 14, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the models were inadequate in forecasting coastal conditions, which in one instance failed to provide adequate warning. In addition, a post-storm assessment found an insufficient number of observation sites along the coast.<ref name="post">{{cite web|title=Executive Summary|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|access-date=July 1, 2011|url=http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/assessments/pdfs/pstorm1.pdf| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110629070922/http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/assessments/pdfs/pstorm1.pdf| archive-date= June 29, 2011 | url-status= live}}</ref> On October 27, the ] noted that a "dangerous storm" would form within 36 hours, with its wording emphasizing the unusual nature of the storm.<ref name="Hoke">{{cite web|first=Jim|last=Hoke|work=Oceanic Prediction Center|date=February 16, 2005|title=The Ocean Prediction Center and "The Perfect Storm"|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|access-date=July 1, 2011|url=http://www.opc.ncep.noaa.gov/perfectstorm/mpc_ps_intro.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130223214056/http://www.opc.ncep.noaa.gov/perfectstorm/mpc_ps_intro.shtml|archive-date=February 23, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The ] likewise issued warnings for the potential storm, providing information to emergency service offices as well as the media.<ref name="post"/> The public however was skeptical and did not recognize the threat.<ref name="case"/><ref name="post"/> The timely warnings ultimately lowered the death toll;<ref name="post"/> whereas the Perfect Storm caused 13 deaths, the ] killed 99 people, and the ] killed 564 people.<ref name="erh"/>


From Massachusetts to Maine, thousands of people evacuated their homes and sought shelter.<ref name="ap1031"/> A state of emergency was declared for nine counties in Massachusetts, including ], as well as two in Maine.<ref name="pp"/><ref name="ct"/> In North Carolina, the National Weather Service offices in ] and ] first issued a heavy surf advisory on October&nbsp;27, more than eight hours before the first reports of high waves. That same day, a coastal flood watch and later a warning was issued, along with a gale warning. The Hatteras NWS office ultimately released 19&nbsp;coastal flood statements, as well as media reports explaining the threat from the wind and waves, and a state of emergency was declared for ].<ref name="ap1031">{{cite news|first=John|last=Rogers|date=1991-10-31|title=Atlantic Storm Wallops East Coast|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=The Item|accessdate=2011-07-03|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7ooiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=F68FAAAAIBAJ&pg=6508,7056631&dq=storm+new+england&hl=en}}</ref> The warnings and lead times in the region were described as "very good".<ref name="nc"/> From Massachusetts to Maine, thousands of people evacuated their homes and sought shelter.<ref name="ap1031"/> A state of emergency was declared for nine counties in Massachusetts, including ], as well as two in Maine.<ref name="pp"/><ref name="ct"/> In North Carolina, the National Weather Service offices in ] and ] first issued a heavy surf advisory on October 27, more than eight hours before the first reports of high waves. That same day, a ] and later a warning was issued, along with a gale warning. The Hatteras NWS office ultimately released 19 coastal flood statements, as well as media reports explaining the threat from the wind and waves, and a state of emergency was declared for ].<ref name="ap1031">{{cite news|first=John|last=Rogers|date=October 31, 1991|title=Atlantic Storm Wallops East Coast|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=The Item|access-date=July 3, 2011|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7ooiAAAAIBAJ&pg=6508,7056631&dq=storm+new+england&hl=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160520114222/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7ooiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=F68FAAAAIBAJ&pg=6508,7056631&dq=storm+new+england&hl=en|archive-date=May 20, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The warnings and lead times in the region were described as "very good".<ref name="nc"/>


In Canada, the threat from the storm prompted the cancellation of ferry service from ], to ], as well as from Nova Scotia to Prince Edward Island and between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.<ref name="Canada"/><div style="clear:both;"></div> In Canada, the threat from the storm prompted the cancellation of ferry service from ], to ], as well as from Nova Scotia to Prince Edward Island and between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.<ref name="Environment Canada Perfect Storm"/>


In its ] on the hurricane, the National Hurricane Center only referred to the system as "Unnamed Hurricane".<ref name="8 TCR1"/> The Natural Disaster Survey Report called the storm "The Halloween Nor’easter of 1991".<ref name="erh"/> The "]" moniker was coined by author and journalist ] after a conversation with NWS Boston Deputy ] ] in which Case described the convergence of weather conditions as being "perfect" for the formation of such a storm.<ref name="case"/> The NHC posted warnings on the unnamed hurricane in its ''High Seas and Offshore and Coastal Weather Forecasts'' in lieu of typical advisories which are issued for tropical cyclones under the agency's purview.<ref name="8 TCR4">{{Cite web|first1=Richard|last1=Pasch|title=Unnamed Hurricane Preliminary Report Page 4|year=1991|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2011-06-16|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1991-prelim/unnamed/prelim04.gif}}</ref> In its ] on the hurricane, the National Hurricane Center only referred to the system as "Unnamed Hurricane".<ref name="8 TCR1"/> The Natural Disaster Survey Report called the storm "The Halloween Nor'easter of 1991".<ref name="erh"/> The "]" moniker was coined by author and journalist ] after a conversation with NWS Boston Deputy ] ] in which Case described the convergence of weather conditions as being "perfect" for the formation of such a storm.<ref name="case"/> Other National Weather Service offices were tasked with issuing warnings for this storm in lieu of the typical NHC advisories. The OPC posted warnings on the unnamed hurricane in its ''High Seas Forecasts''.<ref name="Hoke"/> The National Weather Service State Forecast Office in Boston issued ''Offshore Marine Forecasts'' for the storm. Local NWS offices along the East coast covered the storm in their ''Coastal Waters Forecasts''.<ref name="8 TCR4">{{Cite web|first1=Richard|last1=Pasch|title=Unnamed Hurricane Preliminary Report Page 4|year=1991|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=June 16, 2011|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1991-prelim/unnamed/prelim04.gif|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025164118/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1991-prelim/unnamed/prelim04.gif|archive-date=October 25, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>


Beginning in 1950, the ] named officially recognized tropical storms and hurricanes. The unnamed hurricane was reported to have met all the criteria for a tropical cyclone, but it was purposefully left unnamed. This was done to avoid confusion among the media and the public, who were focusing on the damage from the initial nor'easter, as the hurricane itself was not expected to pose a major threat to land. It was the eighth nameable storm of the ].<ref name="history4"/><ref>{{Cite web|author=|title=Canadian Tropical Cyclone Season Summary for 1991|date=2009-07-10|publisher=Canadian Hurricane Centre|accessdate=2009-09-14|url=http://www.ec.gc.ca/ouragans-hurricanes/default.asp?lang=en&n=9D24F0EE-1}}</ref> Beginning in 1950, the ] named officially recognized tropical storms and hurricanes. The unnamed hurricane was reported to have met all the criteria for a tropical cyclone, but it was purposefully left unnamed. This was done to avoid confusion among the media and the public, who were focusing on the damage from the initial nor'easter, as the hurricane itself was not expected to pose a major threat to land. It was the eighth nameable storm of the ].<ref name="history4"/><ref>{{Cite web|title=Canadian Tropical Cyclone Season Summary for 1991|date=July 10, 2009|publisher=Canadian Hurricane Centre|access-date=September 14, 2009|url=http://www.ec.gc.ca/ouragans-hurricanes/default.asp?lang=en&n=9D24F0EE-1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002234027/http://www.ec.gc.ca/ouragans-hurricanes/default.asp?lang=En&n=9D24F0EE-1|archive-date=October 2, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Had the system been named instead, it would have received the name ''Henri'', which was the next name on the 1991 list after Grace.<ref>{{cite news|author=Staff Writer|newspaper=Portsmouth Daily Times|title=Ana, Bob, Claudette first hurricane names|access-date=2011-07-14|date=1991-06-02|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=o0RGAAAAIBAJ&sjid=P9EMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5296,3651079&dq=ana+bob+claudette&hl=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429211056/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=o0RGAAAAIBAJ&sjid=P9EMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5296,3651079&dq=ana+bob+claudette&hl=en|archive-date=2016-04-29|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Impact== ==Impact==
]]] ] on October 31.]]
The Halloween Storm of 1991 left significant damage along the east coast of the United States, primarily in ] and southern ]. Across seven states, damage totaled over $200&nbsp;million (1991&nbsp;USD).<ref name="ncdc"/> Over a three-day period, the storm lashed the northeastern United States with high waves,<ref name="erh"/> causing damage to beachfront properties from North Carolina to Maine.<ref name="post"/> The coastal flooding damaged or destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses and closed roads and airports.<ref name="history2"/> In addition, high winds left at least 38,000&nbsp;people without power. The total without power was much less than for Hurricane Bob two months prior, and was fairly low due to little rainfall and the general lack of leaves on trees.<ref name="ct">{{cite news|author=Staff writer|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=Record-Journal|date=1991-10-31|title=Wind and water take toll along Connecticut Shore|accessdate=201-07-03|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ihxIAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rgANAAAAIBAJ&pg=1620,180883&dq=storm+new+england&hl=en}}</ref> Overall there were thirteen confirmed deaths,<ref name="erh"/><ref name="Canada"/> including six on board the '']'', a swordfishing boat. The vessel departed ], for the waters off Nova Scotia. After encountering high seas in the middle of the storm, the vessel made its last radio contact late on October&nbsp;28 about {{convert|180|mi|km|abbr=on}} northeast of ]. The ''Andrea Gail'' sank while returning to Gloucester, its debris washing ashore over the subsequent weeks. The crew of six was presumed killed after a Coast Guard search was unable to find them. The boat's sinking was later recounted in the ] and ] ''The Perfect Storm''.<ref name="history2"/><ref>{{cite news|first=Paula|last=Park|newspaper=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|date=1991-11-11|title=Search Ended for Lost Fishermen|accessdate=2011-07-03|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=y64cAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3HsEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6811,330103&dq=andrea+gail&hl=en}}</ref> The Halloween Storm of 1991 left significant damage along the east coast of the United States, primarily in ] and southern ]. Across seven states, damage totaled over $200 million (1991 USD).<ref name="ncdc"/> Over a three-day period, the storm lashed the northeastern United States with high waves,<ref name="erh"/> causing damage to beachfront properties from North Carolina to Maine.<ref name="post"/> The coastal flooding damaged or destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses and closed roads and airports.<ref name="history2"/> In addition, high winds left about 38,000 people without power. The total without power was much less than for Hurricane Bob two months prior, and was fairly low due to little rainfall and the general lack of leaves on trees.<ref name="ct">{{cite news|author=Staff writer|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=Record-Journal|date=October 31, 1991|title=Wind and water take toll along Connecticut Shore|access-date=July 3, 2011|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ihxIAAAAIBAJ&pg=1620,180883|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502202215/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ihxIAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rgANAAAAIBAJ&pg=1620,180883|archive-date=May 2, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Overall there were thirteen confirmed deaths,<ref name="erh"/><ref name="Environment Canada Perfect Storm"/> including six on board '']'', a swordfishing boat. The vessel departed ], for the waters off Nova Scotia. After encountering high seas in the middle of the storm, the vessel made its last radio contact late on October 28, about {{convert|180|mi|km}} northeast of ]. ''Andrea Gail'' sank while returning to Gloucester, her debris washing ashore over the subsequent weeks. The crew of six was presumed killed after a Coast Guard search was unable to find them. The storm and the boat's sinking became the center-piece for ]'s best-selling non-fiction book ] (1997), which was adapted to a major Hollywood film in 2000 as ] starring ].<ref name="history2"/><ref>{{cite news|first=Paula|last=Park|newspaper=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|date=November 11, 1991|title=Search Ended for Lost Fishermen|access-date=July 3, 2011|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=y64cAAAAIBAJ&pg=6811,330103|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427181231/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=y64cAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3HsEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6811,330103|archive-date=April 27, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>


]'', a ] ] that rescued the crew of a downed ] helicopter]] ], a ] ] that rescued the crew of a downed ] helicopter]]
Despite the storm's severity, it was neither the costliest nor the strongest to affect the northeastern United States. It was weakening as it made its closest approach to land, and the highest tides occurred during the ], which is the time when tide ranges are minimal.<ref name="erh"/> The worst of the storm effects stayed offshore. A buoy {{convert|650|mi|km|abbr=on}} northeast of ], which was {{convert|60|mi|km|abbr=on}} west of the ''Andrea Gail''{{'s}} last known position, recorded a {{convert|73|ft|m|abbr=on}} rise in wave height in 10&nbsp;hours while the extratropical storm was still rapidly intensifying. Two buoys near the Massachusetts coast observed record wave heights, and one observed a record wind report.<ref name="erh"/> The ] rescued at least 25&nbsp;people at sea at the height of the storm,<ref name="star">{{cite news|author=Staff writer|title=Storms turn elements loose: waves, flood, snow, wind|date=2011-09-11|accessdate=2011-07-03|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IlVIAAAAIBAJ&sjid=khQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6895,6104171&dq=storm+new+england&hl=en|work=Star-News}}</ref> including 13&nbsp;people from ].<ref name="pp"/> A National Guard helicopter crashed during the storm {{convert|90|mi|km|abbr=on}} south of ], after it ran out of fuel. After one helicopter attempted a rescue in the midst of the storm, an 18-person crew on a Coast Guard cutter named the '']'' arrived and rescued four members of the crew of five after six hours in hypothermic waters. The last member was never found.<ref name="pp"/><ref name="ct"/><ref>{{cite web|first=William H.|last=Thiesen|date=2010-11-04|title=History – CGC Tamaroa and "The Perfect Storm"|publisher=Coastguard Compass|accessdate=2011-07-03|url=http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2010/11/history-cgc-tamaroa-and-%E2%80%9Cthe-perfect-storm%E2%80%9D/}}</ref> Despite the storm's severity, it was neither the costliest nor the strongest to affect the northeastern United States. It was weakening as it made its closest approach to land, and the highest tides occurred during the ], which is the time when tide ranges are minimal.<ref name="erh"/> The worst of the storm effects stayed offshore. A buoy {{convert|650|mi|km}} northeast of ], which was {{convert|60|mi|km|}} west of ''Andrea Gail''{{'s}} last known position, recorded a {{convert|73|ft|m|abbr=on}} rise in wave height in 10 hours while the extratropical storm was still rapidly intensifying. Two buoys near the Massachusetts coast observed record wave heights, and one observed a record wind report.<ref name="erh"/> The ] rescued 25 people at sea at the height of the storm,<ref name="star">{{cite news|author=Staff writer|title=Storms turn elements loose: waves, flood, snow, wind|date=September 11, 2011|access-date=July 3, 2011|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IlVIAAAAIBAJ&pg=6895,6104171&dq=storm+new+england&hl=en|work=Star-News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160527012010/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IlVIAAAAIBAJ&sjid=khQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6895,6104171&dq=storm+new+england&hl=en|archive-date=May 27, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> including 13 people from ].<ref name="pp"/> A ] ] helicopter of the 106th Air Rescue Wing ditched during the storm, {{convert|90|mi|km}} south of ], after it was unable to refuel in flight and ran out of fuel. After the helicopter had attempted a rescue in the midst of the storm, an 84-person crew on the Coast Guard Cutter '']'' arrived and rescued four members of the crew of five after six hours in hypothermic waters. The survivors were pilots, Major Christopher David Ruvola and Captain Graham Buschor, flight engineer Staff Sergeant James R. Mioli, and pararescue jumper Technical Sergeant John Spillane. The fifth member, pararescue jumper Technical Sergeant Arden Richard Smith, was never found.<ref name="ang">{{cite web|url=http://www.ang.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-091123-012.pdf |title=Surviving The Perfect Storm - Air National Guard |access-date=October 1, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203104703/http://www.ang.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-091123-012.pdf |archive-date=December 3, 2013 }}</ref> They were all featured on the show '']''.<ref name="pp"/><ref name="ct"/><ref>{{cite web|first=William H. |last=Thiesen |date=November 4, 2010 |title=History – CGC Tamaroa and "The Perfect Storm" |publisher=Coastguard Compass |access-date=July 3, 2011 |url=http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2010/11/history-cgc-tamaroa-and-%E2%80%9Cthe-perfect-storm%E2%80%9D/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318054758/http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2010/11/history-cgc-tamaroa-and-%E2%80%9Cthe-perfect-storm%E2%80%9D/ |archive-date=March 18, 2012 }}</ref>


Following the storm's damage, President George Bush declared five ], seven ], and ] to be disaster areas.<ref name="ncdc"/> The declaration allowed for the affected residents to apply for low-interest repair loans.<ref name="dec"/> New Jersey governor ] requested a declaration for portions of the coastline, but it was denied due to the funding needs of other disasters such as ], Hurricane Bob, and the ].<ref name="nj"/> The ] opened service centers in four locations in Massachusetts to assist the storm victims by providing food, clothing, medicine, and shelter. The agency deployed five vehicles carrying cleanup units and food, and also allocated $1.4&nbsp;million to provide assistance to 3,000&nbsp;families.<ref name="dec">{{cite news|author=Staff writer|agency=Associated Press|title=Red Cross Opens Assistance Shelters|date=1991-11-02|newspaper=]|accessdate=2011-07-03|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3o5KAAAAIBAJ&sjid=W5QMAAAAIBAJ&dq=storm%20new%20england&pg=6685%2C372289}}</ref> Following the storm's damage, President George H. W. Bush declared five ], seven ], and ] to be disaster areas.<ref name="ncdc"/> The declaration allowed for the affected residents to apply for low-interest repair loans.<ref name="dec"/> New Jersey governor ] requested a declaration for portions of the coastline, but the request was denied because of the funding needs of other disasters, such as ], Hurricane Bob, and the ].<ref name="nj"/> The ] opened service centers in four locations in Massachusetts to assist the storm victims by providing food, clothing, medicine, and shelter. The agency deployed five vehicles carrying cleanup units and food, and allocated $1.4 million to provide assistance to 3,000 families.<ref name="dec">{{cite news|author=Staff writer|agency=Associated Press|title=Red Cross Opens Assistance Shelters|date=November 2, 1991|newspaper=]|access-date=July 3, 2011|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3o5KAAAAIBAJ&dq=storm%20new%20england&pg=6685%2C372289|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160501034804/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3o5KAAAAIBAJ&sjid=W5QMAAAAIBAJ&dq=storm%20new%20england&pg=6685,372289|archive-date=May 1, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>


===New England and Atlantic Canada=== ===New England and Atlantic Canada===
Along the Massachusetts coastline, the storm produced {{convert|25|ft|m|abbr=on}} wave heights on top of a {{convert|4|ft|m|abbr=on}} high tide.<ref name="ncdc"/> In ], the highest tide was {{convert|14.3|ft|m|abbr=on}},<ref name="erh"/> which was only {{convert|1|ft|cm|abbr=on}} lower than the record from the blizzard of 1978.<ref name="ncdc"/> High waves on top of the storm tide reached about {{convert|30|ft|m|abbr=on}}. The storm also produced heavy rainfall in southeastern Massachusetts, peaking at {{convert|5.5|in|mm|abbr=on}}.<ref name="erh"/> Coastal floods closed several roads, forcing hundreds of people to evacuate. In addition to the high tides, the storm produced strong winds; ] recorded a gust of {{convert|78|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. Damage was worst from ] in northeastern Massachusetts to Nantucket, with over 100&nbsp;homes destroyed or severely damaged at ], ], and ]. There were two injuries in the state, although there were no fatalities. Across Massachusetts, damage totaled in the hundreds of millions of dollars.<ref name="ncdc"/> Along the Massachusetts coastline, the storm produced {{convert|25|ft|m|abbr=on}} wave heights on top of a {{convert|4|ft|m|abbr=on}} high tide.<ref name="ncdc"/> In ], the highest tide was {{convert|14.3|ft|m|abbr=on}},<ref name="erh"/> which was only {{convert|1|ft|cm|abbr=on}} lower than the record from the blizzard of 1978.<ref name="ncdc"/> High waves on top of the storm tide reached about {{convert|30|ft|m|abbr=on}}. The storm produced heavy rainfall in southeastern Massachusetts, peaking at {{convert|5.5|in|mm}}.<ref name="erh"/> Coastal floods closed several roads, forcing hundreds of people to evacuate. In addition to the high tides, the storm produced strong winds; ] recorded a gust of {{convert|78|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. Damage was worst from ] in northeastern Massachusetts to Nantucket, with over 100 homes destroyed or severely damaged at ], ], and ]. There were two injuries in the state, although there were no fatalities. Across Massachusetts, damage totaled in the hundreds of millions of dollars.<ref name="ncdc"/>
] ]


Elsewhere in New England, waves up to {{convert|30|ft|m|abbr=on}} reached as far north as Maine,<ref name="ncdc"/> along with tides that were {{convert|3|ft|m|abbr=on}} above normal.<ref name="star"/> Significant flooding was reported in that state, along with high winds that left areas without power. A total of 49&nbsp;houses were severely damaged, 2 were destroyed,<ref name="ncdc"/> and overall more than 100 were affected.<ref name="maine">{{cite news|first=William C.|last=Hidlay|date=1991-11-01|title=Maine hit hard by storm|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=Bangor Daily News|accessdate=2011-07-03|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DqhJAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KQ4NAAAAIBAJ&pg=3345,8099&dq=storm+new+england&hl=en}}</ref> In ], the storm blew out windows and flooded the vacation home of then-President ].<ref name="history2"/> The home sustained significant damage to its first floor.<ref>{{cite news|author=Staff writer|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press|date=1991-10-31|title=Bush to assess damage to Kennebunkport home battered by sea|accessdate=2011-07-03|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Md8cAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GGQEAAAAIBAJ&dq=storm%20new%20england&pg=3692%2C8275025}}</ref> In ], tides were {{convert|3|ft|m|abbr=on}} above normal, among the ten highest tides since record-keeping began in 1914. Along the coast, damage was worse than that caused by Hurricane Bob two months prior.<ref name="maine"/> Across Maine, the storm left $7.9&nbsp;million (1991&nbsp;USD) in damage,<ref name="ncdc"/> mostly in ].<ref name="maine"/> More than half of the damage total was from property damage, with the remainder to transportation, seawalls, and public facilities.<ref name="maine"/> Although there were no deaths, there were two injuries in the state. In neighboring New Hampshire, coastal flooding affected several towns, destroying two homes. The storm destroyed three boats and damaged a lighthouse.<ref name="ncdc"/> High waves destroyed or swept away over 50,000&nbsp;lobster traps, representing $2&nbsp;million in losses (1991&nbsp;USD).<ref>{{cite news|author=Staff writer|date=1991-11-02|title=N.H. lobster industry says it was hit hard|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=The Telegraph|accessdate=2011-07-03|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3o5KAAAAIBAJ&sjid=W5QMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2962,372608&dq=storm+new+england&hl=en}}</ref> Damage was estimated at $5.6&nbsp;million (1991&nbsp;USD).<ref name="ncdc"/> Further west, high winds and coastal flooding lashed the Rhode Island and Connecticut coasts, killing a man in ]. Winds reached {{convert|63|mph|km/h}} in ], causing power outages.<ref name="ncdc"/> Elsewhere in New England, waves up to {{convert|30|ft|m|abbr=on}} reached as far north as Maine,<ref name="ncdc"/> along with tides that were {{convert|3|ft|m|abbr=on}} above normal.<ref name="star"/> Significant flooding was reported in that state, along with high winds that left areas without power. A total of 49 houses were severely damaged, 2 were destroyed,<ref name="ncdc"/> and overall more than 100 were affected.<ref name="maine">{{cite news|first=William C.|last=Hidlay|date=November 1, 1991|title=Maine hit hard by storm|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=Bangor Daily News|access-date=July 3, 2011|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DqhJAAAAIBAJ&pg=3345,8099&dq=storm+new+england&hl=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909075230/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DqhJAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KQ4NAAAAIBAJ&pg=3345,8099&dq=storm+new+england&hl=en|archive-date=September 9, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> In ], the storm blew out windows and flooded the vacation home of then-President ].<ref name="history2"/> The home sustained significant damage to its first floor.<ref>{{cite news|author=Staff writer|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press|date=October 31, 1991|title=Bush to assess damage to Kennebunkport home battered by sea|access-date=July 3, 2011|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Md8cAAAAIBAJ&dq=storm%20new%20england&pg=3692%2C8275025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512195010/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Md8cAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GGQEAAAAIBAJ&dq=storm%20new%20england&pg=3692,8275025|archive-date=May 12, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> In ], tides were {{convert|3|ft|m|abbr=on}} above normal, among the ten highest tides since record-keeping began in 1914. Along the coast, damage was worse than that caused by Hurricane Bob two months prior.<ref name="maine"/> Across Maine, the storm left $7.9 million (1991 USD) in damage,<ref name="ncdc"/> mostly in ].<ref name="maine"/> More than half of the damage total was from property damage, with the remainder to transportation, seawalls, and public facilities.<ref name="maine"/> Although there were no deaths, there were two injuries in the state. In neighboring New Hampshire, coastal flooding affected several towns, destroying two homes. The storm destroyed three boats and damaged a lighthouse.<ref name="ncdc"/> High waves destroyed or swept away over 50,000 lobster traps, representing $2 million in losses (1991 USD).<ref>{{cite news|author=Staff writer|date=November 2, 1991|title=N.H. lobster industry says it was hit hard|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=The Telegraph|access-date=July 3, 2011|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3o5KAAAAIBAJ&pg=2962,372608&dq=storm+new+england&hl=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160520070504/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3o5KAAAAIBAJ&sjid=W5QMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2962,372608&dq=storm+new+england&hl=en|archive-date=May 20, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Damage was estimated at $5.6 million (1991 USD).<ref name="ncdc"/> Further west, high winds and coastal flooding lashed the Rhode Island and Connecticut coasts, killing a man in ]. Winds reached {{convert|63|mph|km/h}} in ], causing power outages.<ref name="ncdc"/>


Off the coast of Atlantic Canada, the storm produced very high waves, flooding a ship near ] and stranding another ship. Along the coast, the waves wrecked three small boats near ], as well as nine boats in ]. In Nova Scotia, where the storm made landfall, precipitation reached 1.18&nbsp;in (30&nbsp;mm), and 20,000&nbsp;people in ] were left without power. The storm also caused widespread power outages in Newfoundland from its high winds, which reached 68&nbsp;mph (110&nbsp;km/h) near ]. There were at least 35&nbsp;traffic accidents, one fatal, in ] due to slick roads. Prior to the storm's formation, there was a record 4.4&nbsp;in (116&nbsp;mm) of snowfall across Newfoundland.<ref name="Canada">{{cite web|author=Canadian Hurricane Centre|date=2010-09-14|title=1978-Ella|accessdate=2010-11-01|url=http://www.ec.gc.ca/Hurricane/default.asp?lang=En&n=DB671096-1}}</ref> The storm caused no significant damage in Canada, other than these traffic accidents.<ref name="8 TCR3">{{Cite web|first1=Richard|last1=Pasch|title=Unnamed Hurricane Preliminary Report Page 3|date=|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2009-09-14|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1991-prelim/unnamed/prelim03.gif}}</ref> Off the coast of Atlantic Canada, the storm produced very high waves, flooding a ship near ] and stranding another ship. Along the coast, the waves wrecked three small boats near ], as well as nine boats in ]. In Nova Scotia, where the storm made landfall, precipitation reached 1.18 in (30&nbsp;mm), and 20,000 people in ] were left without power. The storm also caused widespread power outages in Newfoundland from its high winds, which reached 68&nbsp;mph (110&nbsp;km/h) near ]. There were at least 35 traffic accidents, one fatal, in ] due to slick roads. On October 28, prior to the nor'easter's development into a subtropical storm, a record 4.4 in (116&nbsp;mm) of snowfall was recorded across Newfoundland.<ref name="Environment Canada Perfect Storm"/> The storm caused no significant damage in Canada, other than these traffic accidents.<ref name="8 TCR3">{{Cite web|first1=Richard|last1=Pasch|title=Unnamed Hurricane Preliminary Report Page 3|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=September 14, 2009|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1991-prelim/unnamed/prelim03.gif|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024231633/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1991-prelim/unnamed/prelim03.gif|archive-date=October 24, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>


===Mid-Atlantic states=== ===Mid-Atlantic states===
] ]
In New York and northern New Jersey, the storm system left the most coastal damage since the ]. Numerous boats were damaged or destroyed, killing two people off ]. High winds swept a man off a bridge, killing him.<ref name="ncdc"/> High waves flooded the beach at ]. In ], waves washed over a seawall, forcing 200&nbsp;people to evacuate.<ref name="pp"/> Further inland, the ], ], and ] rivers experienced tidal flooding.<ref name="history2"/> Outside Massachusetts, damage was heaviest in southern New Jersey, where the cost was estimated at $75&nbsp;million (1991&nbsp;USD). Across the area, tide heights reached their highest since the 1944 hurricane, leaving severe coastal and back bay flooding and closing many roads. The storm also caused significant beach erosion,<ref name="ncdc"/> with 500,000&nbsp;]s (382,000&nbsp;cubic meters) lost in ], as well as $10&nbsp;million damage to the beach in ]. The presence of a ] system mitigated the erosion in some areas.<ref name="nj">{{cite book|first=Margaret|last=Buchholz|coauthors=Larry Savadove|year=1993|title=Great Storms of the Jersey Shore|publisher=Down the Shore Publishing|isbn=0-945582-51-X|pages=148–150}}</ref> There was also damage to the ] Boardwalk.<ref name="pp"/> Following the storm, there was a ] on clamming in the state's bays, due to contaminated waters.<ref name="nj"/> Along the ], there was widespread water damage to homes, including ten affected houses in ], Virginia. Tides in ], reached a record height of {{convert|7.8|ft|m|abbr=on}}, while elsewhere the tides were similar to the ].<ref name="ncdc"/> In New York and northern New Jersey, the storm system left the most coastal damage since the ]. Numerous boats were damaged or destroyed, killing two people off ]. High winds swept a man off a bridge, killing him.<ref name="ncdc"/> High waves flooded the beach at ]. In ], waves washed over a seawall, forcing 200 people to evacuate.<ref name="pp"/> Further inland, the ], ], and ] rivers experienced tidal flooding.<ref name="history2"/> Outside Massachusetts, damage was heaviest in southern New Jersey, where the cost was estimated at $75 million (1991 USD). Across the area, tide heights reached their highest since the 1944 hurricane, leaving severe coastal and back bay flooding and closing many roads. The storm caused significant ],<ref name="ncdc"/> with 500,000 ]s (382,000 cubic meters) lost in ], as well as $10 million damage to the beach in ]. The presence of a ] system mitigated the erosion in some areas.<ref name="nj">{{cite book|first=Margaret|last=Buchholz|author2=Larry Savadove|year=1993|title=Great Storms of the Jersey Shore|publisher=Down the Shore Publishing|isbn=0-945582-51-X|pages=148–150}}</ref> There was damage to the ] Boardwalk.<ref name="pp"/> Fire Island National Seashore was affected, washing away an entire row of waterfront houses in towns like ]. Following the storm, there was a ] on clamming in the state's bays, due to contaminated waters.<ref name="nj"/> Along the ] and ], there was widespread water damage to homes, including ten affected houses in the ] area of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Tides in ], reached a record height of {{convert|7.8|ft|m|abbr=on}}, while elsewhere the tides were similar to the ].<ref name="ncdc"/>


===Farther south=== ===Farther south===
In North Carolina along the ], high waves were initially caused by Hurricane Grace and later its interaction with a high pressure system. This produced gale-force winds and {{convert|12|ft|m|abbr=on}} waves in the town of ]. Later, the extratropical predecessor to the unnamed hurricane produced additional high waves, causing oceanfront flooding from ] through the northern portions of ]. Flooding was first reported on October&nbsp;28, when the ocean covered a portion of ] north of ];<ref name="nc"/> the route is the primary thoroughfare in the Outer Banks.<ref name="star"/> ], ], and ] had large portions covered with water for several blocks away from the beach. The resultant flooding damaged 525&nbsp;houses and 28&nbsp;businesses and destroyed two motels and a few homes.<ref name="nc">{{cite web|first=Joseph|last=Pelissier|year=1991|title=North Carolina Coastal Flood|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2011-06-16|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1991/unnamed/preloc/ncflood1.gif|format=GIF}}</ref> Damage was estimated at $6.7&nbsp;million (1991&nbsp;USD).<ref name="ncdc"/> Further south, the storm left 14&nbsp;people injured in Florida. There was minor beach erosion and flooding, which damaged two houses and destroyed the pier at ].<ref name="ncdc"/> In some locations, beaches gained additional sand from the wave action.<ref>{{cite news|first=Carl|last=Herzog|date=1991-11-02|title=Erosion is a sampling of hurricane's potential|newspaper=Boca Raton News|accessdate=2011-07-03|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tvVTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=z4wDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6423,469152&dq=storm+new+england&hl=en}}</ref> Two people went missing off ] after their boat lost power.<ref name="pp"/> High waves destroyed a portion of ].<ref>{{cite news|author=Staff writer|newspaper=The News-Journal|date=1991-11-01|title=Wintry blast sends snow into Texas|accessdate=2011-07-03|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Iw8qAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rNQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3703,111342&dq=storm+new+england&hl=en}}</ref> Damage in the state was estimated at $3&nbsp;million (1991&nbsp;USD).<ref name="ncdc"/> High waves also affected Bermuda, the Bahamas, and the Dominican Republic.<ref name="history2"/> In Puerto Rico, waves of {{convert|15|ft|m|abbr=on}} affected the island's north coast, which prompted 32&nbsp;people to seek shelter. The waves swept a person off a rock to their death.<ref name="ncdc"/> In North Carolina along the ], high waves were initially caused by Hurricane Grace and later its interaction with a high pressure system. This produced gale-force winds and {{convert|12|ft|m|abbr=on}} waves in the town of ]. Later, the extratropical predecessor to the unnamed hurricane produced additional high waves, causing oceanfront flooding from ] through the northern portions of ]. Flooding was first reported on October 28, when the ocean covered a portion of ] north of ];<ref name="nc"/> the route is the primary thoroughfare in the Outer Banks.<ref name="star"/> ], ], and ] had large portions covered with water for several blocks away from the beach. The resultant flooding damaged 525 houses and 28 businesses and destroyed two motels and a few homes.<ref name="nc">{{cite web|first=Joseph|last=Pelissier|year=1991|title=North Carolina Coastal Flood|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=June 16, 2011|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1991/unnamed/preloc/ncflood1.gif|format=GIF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230231921/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1991/unnamed/preloc/ncflood1.gif|archive-date=December 30, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Damage was estimated at $6.7 million (1991 USD).<ref name="ncdc"/> Farther south, the storm left 14 people injured in Florida. There was minor beach erosion and flooding, which damaged two houses and destroyed the pier at ].<ref name="ncdc"/> In some locations, beaches gained additional sand from the wave action.<ref>{{cite news|first=Carl|last=Herzog|date=November 2, 1991|title=Erosion is a sampling of hurricane's potential|newspaper=Boca Raton News|access-date=July 3, 2011|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tvVTAAAAIBAJ&pg=6423,469152&dq=storm+new+england&hl=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425190152/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tvVTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=z4wDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6423,469152&dq=storm+new+england&hl=en|archive-date=April 25, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Two people went missing off ] after their boat lost power.<ref name="pp"/> High waves destroyed a portion of ].<ref>{{cite news|author=Staff writer|newspaper=The News-Journal|date=November 1, 1991|title=Wintry blast sends snow into Texas|access-date=July 3, 2011|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Iw8qAAAAIBAJ&pg=3703,111342&dq=storm+new+england&hl=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160519172958/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Iw8qAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rNQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3703,111342&dq=storm+new+england&hl=en|archive-date=May 19, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Damage in the state was estimated at $3 million (1991 USD).<ref name="ncdc"/> High waves also affected Bermuda, the Bahamas, and the Dominican Republic.<ref name="history2"/> In Puerto Rico, waves of {{convert|15|ft|m|abbr=on}} affected the island's north coast, which prompted 32 people to seek shelter. The waves swept a person off a large rock to his death.<ref name="ncdc"/>


==See also== ==See also==
{{Commons category|Unnamed Hurricane (1991)}} {{Commons category|Unnamed Hurricane (1991)}}
{{portal|Tropical cyclones}} {{Portal|Tropical cyclones|United States|Canada}}
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ] * ]
* ]
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
* ]
{{clear}}
* ]
* ] (2003)
* ] (2012)
* ]
* ] (2021)
* ] – A similar nor'easter that developed into Tropical Storm Wanda several days after striking the Northeastern U.S.


==References==
==Notes and references==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}} {{Reflist|30em}}


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Latest revision as of 01:37, 9 January 2025

Nor'easter and Category 1 Atlantic hurricane in 1992 "Halloween Storm" redirects here. For the 2011 nor'easter, see 2011 Halloween nor'easter.

1991 "Perfect Storm"
The unnamed hurricane at peak intensity on November 1
Meteorological history
FormedOctober 28, 1991 (1991-10-28)
(Extratropical until October 31)
DissipatedNovember 2, 1991 (1991-11-03)
Category 1 hurricane
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds75 mph (120 km/h)
Lowest pressure980 mbar (hPa); 28.94 inHg
(972 mbar (28.7 inHg) while extratropical)
Overall effects
Fatalities13 direct
Damage>$200 million (1991 USD)
Areas affectedMid-Atlantic states, Northeastern United States, Eastern Canada
IBTrACSEdit this at Wikidata

Part of the 1991 Atlantic hurricane season

The 1991 Perfect Storm, also known as The No-Name Storm (especially in the years immediately after it took place) and the Halloween Gale/Storm, was a damaging and deadly nor'easter in October 1991. Initially an extratropical cyclone, the storm absorbed Hurricane Grace to its south and evolved into a small unnamed hurricane later in its life. Damage from the storm totaled over $200 million (1991 USD) and thirteen people were killed in total, six of which were an outcome of the sinking of Andrea Gail, which inspired the book and later movie, The Perfect Storm. The nor'easter received the name, playing off the common expression, after a conversation between Boston National Weather Service forecaster Robert Case and author Sebastian Junger.

The initial area of low pressure developed off the coast of Atlantic Canada on October 28. Forced southward by a ridge to its north, it reached its peak intensity as a large and powerful cyclone. The storm lashed the east coast of the United States with high waves and coastal flooding before turning to the southwest and weakening. Moving over warmer waters, the system transitioned into a subtropical cyclone before becoming a tropical storm. It executed a loop off the Mid-Atlantic states and turned toward the northeast. On November 1, the system evolved into a full-fledged hurricane, with peak sustained winds of 75 miles per hour (120 km/h), although the National Hurricane Center left it unnamed to avoid confusion amid media interest in the precursor extratropical storm. The system was the twelfth and final tropical cyclone, the eighth tropical storm, and fourth hurricane in the 1991 Atlantic hurricane season. The tropical system weakened, striking Nova Scotia as a tropical storm before dissipating.

Most of the damage occurred while the storm was extratropical, after waves up to 30 feet (10 m) struck the coastline from Nova Scotia to Florida and southeastward to Puerto Rico. In portions of New England, the damage was worse than that caused by Hurricane Bob two months earlier. Aside from tidal flooding along rivers, the storm's effects were primarily concentrated along the coast. A buoy off the coast of Nova Scotia reported a wave height of 100.7 feet (30.7 m), the highest ever recorded in the province's offshore waters. In Massachusetts, where damage was heaviest, over 100 homes were destroyed or severely damaged. To the north, more than 100 homes were affected in Maine, including the vacation home of then-President George H. W. Bush. More than 38,000 people were left without power, and along the coast high waves inundated roads and buildings. Off the shore of New York's Long Island, an Air National Guard helicopter ran out of fuel and crashed; four members of its crew were rescued and one died. Two people died after their boat sank off Staten Island. High waves swept two people to their deaths, one in Rhode Island and one in Puerto Rico, and another person was blown off a bridge to his death. The tropical cyclone that formed late in the storm's duration caused little impact, limited to power outages and slick roads; one person was killed in Newfoundland from a traffic accident related to the storm.

Meteorological history

See also: Hurricane Grace (1991)
Storm track beginning southeast of Canada as an extratropical storm, moving westward toward New England, becoming tropical as it looped to the northeast, and later dissipating over Prince Edward Island
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 circle Tropical cyclone square Subtropical cyclone triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

The Perfect Storm originated from a cold front that exited the east coast of the United States. On October 28, the front spawned an extratropical low to the east of Nova Scotia. Around that time, a ridge extended from the Appalachian Mountains northeastward to Greenland, with a strong high pressure center over eastern Canada. The blocking ridge forced the extratropical low to track toward the southeast and later to the west. Hurricane Grace was swept aloft by its cold front into the warm conveyor belt circulation of the deep cyclone on October 29, with the storm completely absorbing Grace by the next day. The cyclone significantly strengthened as a result of the temperature contrast between the cold air to the northwest, and the warmth and moisture from the remnants of Grace. The low-pressure system continued deepening as it drifted toward the United States. It had an unusual retrograde motion for a nor'easter, beginning a set of meteorological circumstances that occur only once every 50 to 100 years. Most nor'easters affect New England from the southwest.

The tropical storm making landfall west of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, on November 2

While situated about 390 miles (630 km) south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, the storm attained its peak intensity with winds of up to 70 mph (110 km/h). The nor'easter reached peak intensity at approximately 12:00 UTC on October 30 with its lowest pressure of 972 millibars. The interaction between the extratropical storm and the high pressure system to its north created a significant pressure gradient, which created large waves and strong winds. Between the southern New England coast and the storm's center, the pressure differential was 70 mbar (2.1 inHg). A buoy located 264 miles (425 km) south of Halifax reported a wave height of 100.7 feet (30.7 m) on October 30. This became the highest recorded wave height on the Scotian Shelf, which is the oceanic shelf off the coast of Nova Scotia. East of Cape Cod, a NOAA buoy located at 41°06′N 66°36′W / 41.1°N 66.6°W / 41.1; -66.6 reported maximum sustained winds of 56 mph (90 km/h) with gusts to 75 mph (121 km/h), and a significant wave height (average height of the highest one-third of all waves) of 39 feet (12 m) around 15:00 UTC on October 30. Another buoy, located at 40°30′N 69°30′W / 40.5°N 69.5°W / 40.5; -69.5, reported maximum sustained winds of 61 mph (98 km/h) with gusts to 72 mph (116 km/h) and a significant wave height of 31 feet (9.4 m) near 00:00 UTC on October 31.

Upon peaking in intensity, the nor'easter turned southward and gradually weakened; by November 1, its pressure had risen to 998 millibars (29.5 inHg). The low moved over warm waters of the Gulf Stream, where bands of convection around the center began to organize. Around this time, the system attained subtropical characteristics. On November 1, while the storm was moving in a counter-clockwise loop, a tropical cyclone had been identified at the center of the larger low. (Although these conditions are rare, Hurricane Karl during 1980 formed within a larger non-tropical weather system.)

By around 14:00 UTC on November 1, an eye feature was forming, and the tropical cyclone reached its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (121 km/h); these estimates, combined with reports from an Air Force Reserve Unit flight into the storm and confirmation that a warm-core center was present, indicated that the system had become a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale. The hurricane accelerated toward the northeast and quickly weakened back into a tropical storm. It made landfall near Halifax, Nova Scotia, at 14:00 UTC on November 2, with sustained winds of 45 mph (72 km/h). While the storm was approaching the coast, weather radars depicted curved rainbands on the western side of the system. After crossing over Prince Edward Island, the storm fully dissipated late on November 2.

Preparations and naming

The Perfect Storm to the south of Nova Scotia on October 30.

For several days, weather models forecast the development of a significant storm off New England. However, the models were inadequate in forecasting coastal conditions, which in one instance failed to provide adequate warning. In addition, a post-storm assessment found an insufficient number of observation sites along the coast. On October 27, the Ocean Prediction Center noted that a "dangerous storm" would form within 36 hours, with its wording emphasizing the unusual nature of the storm. The National Weather Service likewise issued warnings for the potential storm, providing information to emergency service offices as well as the media. The public however was skeptical and did not recognize the threat. The timely warnings ultimately lowered the death toll; whereas the Perfect Storm caused 13 deaths, the blizzard of 1978 killed 99 people, and the 1938 New England hurricane killed 564 people.

From Massachusetts to Maine, thousands of people evacuated their homes and sought shelter. A state of emergency was declared for nine counties in Massachusetts, including Suffolk County, as well as two in Maine. In North Carolina, the National Weather Service offices in Hatteras and Raleigh first issued a heavy surf advisory on October 27, more than eight hours before the first reports of high waves. That same day, a coastal flood watch and later a warning was issued, along with a gale warning. The Hatteras NWS office ultimately released 19 coastal flood statements, as well as media reports explaining the threat from the wind and waves, and a state of emergency was declared for Dare County, North Carolina. The warnings and lead times in the region were described as "very good".

In Canada, the threat from the storm prompted the cancellation of ferry service from Bar Harbor, Maine, to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, as well as from Nova Scotia to Prince Edward Island and between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.

In its tropical cyclone report on the hurricane, the National Hurricane Center only referred to the system as "Unnamed Hurricane". The Natural Disaster Survey Report called the storm "The Halloween Nor'easter of 1991". The "perfect storm" moniker was coined by author and journalist Sebastian Junger after a conversation with NWS Boston Deputy Meteorologist Robert Case in which Case described the convergence of weather conditions as being "perfect" for the formation of such a storm. Other National Weather Service offices were tasked with issuing warnings for this storm in lieu of the typical NHC advisories. The OPC posted warnings on the unnamed hurricane in its High Seas Forecasts. The National Weather Service State Forecast Office in Boston issued Offshore Marine Forecasts for the storm. Local NWS offices along the East coast covered the storm in their Coastal Waters Forecasts.

Beginning in 1950, the National Hurricane Center named officially recognized tropical storms and hurricanes. The unnamed hurricane was reported to have met all the criteria for a tropical cyclone, but it was purposefully left unnamed. This was done to avoid confusion among the media and the public, who were focusing on the damage from the initial nor'easter, as the hurricane itself was not expected to pose a major threat to land. It was the eighth nameable storm of the 1991 Atlantic hurricane season. Had the system been named instead, it would have received the name Henri, which was the next name on the 1991 list after Grace.

Impact

Oceanfront flooding in Ocean City, New Jersey on October 31.

The Halloween Storm of 1991 left significant damage along the east coast of the United States, primarily in Massachusetts and southern New Jersey. Across seven states, damage totaled over $200 million (1991 USD). Over a three-day period, the storm lashed the northeastern United States with high waves, causing damage to beachfront properties from North Carolina to Maine. The coastal flooding damaged or destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses and closed roads and airports. In addition, high winds left about 38,000 people without power. The total without power was much less than for Hurricane Bob two months prior, and was fairly low due to little rainfall and the general lack of leaves on trees. Overall there were thirteen confirmed deaths, including six on board Andrea Gail, a swordfishing boat. The vessel departed Gloucester, Massachusetts, for the waters off Nova Scotia. After encountering high seas in the middle of the storm, the vessel made its last radio contact late on October 28, about 180 miles (290 km) northeast of Sable Island. Andrea Gail sank while returning to Gloucester, her debris washing ashore over the subsequent weeks. The crew of six was presumed killed after a Coast Guard search was unable to find them. The storm and the boat's sinking became the center-piece for Sebastian Junger's best-selling non-fiction book The Perfect Storm (1997), which was adapted to a major Hollywood film in 2000 as The Perfect Storm starring George Clooney.

Tamaroa, a Coast Guard cutter that rescued the crew of a downed Air National Guard helicopter

Despite the storm's severity, it was neither the costliest nor the strongest to affect the northeastern United States. It was weakening as it made its closest approach to land, and the highest tides occurred during the neap tide, which is the time when tide ranges are minimal. The worst of the storm effects stayed offshore. A buoy 650 miles (1,050 km) northeast of Nantucket, which was 60 miles (97 km) west of Andrea Gail's last known position, recorded a 73 ft (22 m) rise in wave height in 10 hours while the extratropical storm was still rapidly intensifying. Two buoys near the Massachusetts coast observed record wave heights, and one observed a record wind report. The United States Coast Guard rescued 25 people at sea at the height of the storm, including 13 people from Long Island Sound. A New York Air National Guard Sikorsky HH-60G helicopter of the 106th Air Rescue Wing ditched during the storm, 90 miles (140 km) south of Montauk, New York, after it was unable to refuel in flight and ran out of fuel. After the helicopter had attempted a rescue in the midst of the storm, an 84-person crew on the Coast Guard Cutter Tamaroa arrived and rescued four members of the crew of five after six hours in hypothermic waters. The survivors were pilots, Major Christopher David Ruvola and Captain Graham Buschor, flight engineer Staff Sergeant James R. Mioli, and pararescue jumper Technical Sergeant John Spillane. The fifth member, pararescue jumper Technical Sergeant Arden Richard Smith, was never found. They were all featured on the show I Shouldn't Be Alive.

Following the storm's damage, President George H. W. Bush declared five counties in Maine, seven counties in Massachusetts, and Rockingham County, New Hampshire to be disaster areas. The declaration allowed for the affected residents to apply for low-interest repair loans. New Jersey governor Jim Florio requested a declaration for portions of the coastline, but the request was denied because of the funding needs of other disasters, such as Hurricane Hugo, Hurricane Bob, and the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. The American Red Cross opened service centers in four locations in Massachusetts to assist the storm victims by providing food, clothing, medicine, and shelter. The agency deployed five vehicles carrying cleanup units and food, and allocated $1.4 million to provide assistance to 3,000 families.

New England and Atlantic Canada

Along the Massachusetts coastline, the storm produced 25 ft (7.6 m) wave heights on top of a 4 ft (1.2 m) high tide. In Boston, the highest tide was 14.3 ft (4.4 m), which was only 1 ft (30 cm) lower than the record from the blizzard of 1978. High waves on top of the storm tide reached about 30 ft (9.1 m). The storm produced heavy rainfall in southeastern Massachusetts, peaking at 5.5 inches (140 mm). Coastal floods closed several roads, forcing hundreds of people to evacuate. In addition to the high tides, the storm produced strong winds; Chatham recorded a gust of 78 mph (126 km/h). Damage was worst from Cape Ann in northeastern Massachusetts to Nantucket, with over 100 homes destroyed or severely damaged at Marshfield, Minot Beach in Scituate, and Brant Point. There were two injuries in the state, although there were no fatalities. Across Massachusetts, damage totaled in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Street flooding in Ocean City, New Jersey, from the storm

Elsewhere in New England, waves up to 30 ft (9.1 m) reached as far north as Maine, along with tides that were 3 ft (0.91 m) above normal. Significant flooding was reported in that state, along with high winds that left areas without power. A total of 49 houses were severely damaged, 2 were destroyed, and overall more than 100 were affected. In Kennebunkport, the storm blew out windows and flooded the vacation home of then-President George H. W. Bush. The home sustained significant damage to its first floor. In Portland, tides were 3 ft (0.91 m) above normal, among the ten highest tides since record-keeping began in 1914. Along the coast, damage was worse than that caused by Hurricane Bob two months prior. Across Maine, the storm left $7.9 million (1991 USD) in damage, mostly in York County. More than half of the damage total was from property damage, with the remainder to transportation, seawalls, and public facilities. Although there were no deaths, there were two injuries in the state. In neighboring New Hampshire, coastal flooding affected several towns, destroying two homes. The storm destroyed three boats and damaged a lighthouse. High waves destroyed or swept away over 50,000 lobster traps, representing $2 million in losses (1991 USD). Damage was estimated at $5.6 million (1991 USD). Further west, high winds and coastal flooding lashed the Rhode Island and Connecticut coasts, killing a man in Narragansett, Rhode Island. Winds reached 63 miles per hour (101 km/h) in Newport, Rhode Island, causing power outages.

Off the coast of Atlantic Canada, the storm produced very high waves, flooding a ship near Sable Island and stranding another ship. Along the coast, the waves wrecked three small boats near Tiverton, Nova Scotia, as well as nine boats in Torbay, Newfoundland and Labrador. In Nova Scotia, where the storm made landfall, precipitation reached 1.18 in (30 mm), and 20,000 people in Pictou County were left without power. The storm also caused widespread power outages in Newfoundland from its high winds, which reached 68 mph (110 km/h) near St. Lawrence. There were at least 35 traffic accidents, one fatal, in Grand Falls-Windsor due to slick roads. On October 28, prior to the nor'easter's development into a subtropical storm, a record 4.4 in (116 mm) of snowfall was recorded across Newfoundland. The storm caused no significant damage in Canada, other than these traffic accidents.

Mid-Atlantic states

The cyclone near its closest approach to the United States

In New York and northern New Jersey, the storm system left the most coastal damage since the 1944 Great Atlantic hurricane. Numerous boats were damaged or destroyed, killing two people off Staten Island. High winds swept a man off a bridge, killing him. High waves flooded the beach at Coney Island. In Sea Bright, New Jersey, waves washed over a seawall, forcing 200 people to evacuate. Further inland, the Hudson, Passaic, and Hackensack rivers experienced tidal flooding. Outside Massachusetts, damage was heaviest in southern New Jersey, where the cost was estimated at $75 million (1991 USD). Across the area, tide heights reached their highest since the 1944 hurricane, leaving severe coastal and back bay flooding and closing many roads. The storm caused significant beach erosion, with 500,000 cubic yards (382,000 cubic meters) lost in Avalon, as well as $10 million damage to the beach in Cape May. The presence of a dune system mitigated the erosion in some areas. There was damage to the Atlantic City Boardwalk. Fire Island National Seashore was affected, washing away an entire row of waterfront houses in towns like Fair Harbor. Following the storm, there was a moratorium on clamming in the state's bays, due to contaminated waters. Along the Delmarva Peninsula and Virginia Beach, there was widespread water damage to homes, including ten affected houses in the Sandbridge Beach area of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Tides in Ocean City, Maryland, reached a record height of 7.8 ft (2.4 m), while elsewhere the tides were similar to the Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962.

Farther south

In North Carolina along the Outer Banks, high waves were initially caused by Hurricane Grace and later its interaction with a high pressure system. This produced gale-force winds and 12 ft (3.7 m) waves in the town of Duck. Later, the extratropical predecessor to the unnamed hurricane produced additional high waves, causing oceanfront flooding from Cape Hatteras through the northern portions of Currituck County. Flooding was first reported on October 28, when the ocean covered a portion of North Carolina Highway 12 north of Rodanthe; the route is the primary thoroughfare in the Outer Banks. Nags Head, Kitty Hawk, and Kill Devil Hills had large portions covered with water for several blocks away from the beach. The resultant flooding damaged 525 houses and 28 businesses and destroyed two motels and a few homes. Damage was estimated at $6.7 million (1991 USD). Farther south, the storm left 14 people injured in Florida. There was minor beach erosion and flooding, which damaged two houses and destroyed the pier at Lake Worth. In some locations, beaches gained additional sand from the wave action. Two people went missing off Daytona Beach after their boat lost power. High waves destroyed a portion of State Road A1A. Damage in the state was estimated at $3 million (1991 USD). High waves also affected Bermuda, the Bahamas, and the Dominican Republic. In Puerto Rico, waves of 15 ft (4.6 m) affected the island's north coast, which prompted 32 people to seek shelter. The waves swept a person off a large rock to his death.

See also

References

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Tropical cyclones of the 1991 Atlantic hurricane season
TSAna TDTwo 3Bob TDFour TDFive 4Claudette TSDanny TSErika TSFabian TDTen 2Grace 1"The Perfect Storm"

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