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Hurricane Emily originated from an African ] that passed through the ] on August&nbsp;17, 1993. The wave traversed the ] and ] a closed cyclonic circulation five days later, when the ] (NHC) classified it as a ]. At the time, it was located {{convert|800|mi|km}} east-northeast of ] while moving toward the northwest.<ref name=prelim01>{{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1993/emily/prenhc/prelim01.gif|title=Preliminary Report Hurricane Emily: 22&nbsp;August &ndash; 06&nbsp;September&nbsp;1993|publisher=National Hurricane Center|first=Miles|last=Lawrence|date=1993-09-30|series=Hurricane Emily: Hurricane Digital Wallet Archives}}</ref> The depression remained poorly organized for several days, with an ill-defined circulation center and sporadic thunderstorms, in part due to unfavorable ] from an ] to its north.<ref>{{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1993/emily/tropdisc/nal0593.002|title=Tropical Depression Five Discussion Number 2|publisher=National Hurricane Center|first=Miles|last=Lawrence|date=1993-08-22|series=Hurricane Emily: Hurricane Digital Wallet Archives|accessdate=2012-01-17}} Hurricane Emily originated from an African ] that passed through the ] on August&nbsp;17, 1993. The wave traversed the ] and ] a closed cyclonic circulation five days later, when the ] (NHC) classified it as a ]. At the time, it was located {{convert|800|mi|km}} east-northeast of ] while moving toward the northwest.<ref name=prelim01>{{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1993/emily/prenhc/prelim01.gif|title=Preliminary Report Hurricane Emily: 22&nbsp;August &ndash; 06&nbsp;September&nbsp;1993|publisher=National Hurricane Center|first=Miles|last=Lawrence|date=1993-09-30|series=Hurricane Emily: Hurricane Digital Wallet Archives}}</ref> The depression remained poorly organized for several days, with an ill-defined circulation center and sporadic thunderstorms, in part due to unfavorable ] from an ] to its north.<ref>{{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1993/emily/tropdisc/nal0593.002|title=Tropical Depression Five Discussion Number 2|publisher=National Hurricane Center|first=Miles|last=Lawrence|date=1993-08-22|series=Hurricane Emily: Hurricane Digital Wallet Archives|accessdate=2012-01-17}}
* {{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1993/emily/tropdisc/nal0593.004|title=Tropical Depression Five Discussion Number 4|publisher=National Hurricane Center|first=Britt M.|last=Mayfield|date=1993-08-23|series=Hurricane Emily: Hurricane Digital Wallet Archives|accessdate=2012-01-17}} * {{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1993/emily/tropdisc/nal0593.004|title=Tropical Depression Five Discussion Number 4|publisher=National Hurricane Center|first=Britt M.|last=Mayfield|date=1993-08-23|series=Hurricane Emily: Hurricane Digital Wallet Archives|accessdate=2012-01-17}}
* {{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1993/emily/tropdisc/nal0593.007|title=Tropical Depression Five Discussion Number 7|publisher=National Hurricane Center|first=Richard|last=Pasch|date=1993-08-24|series=Hurricane Emily: Hurricane Digital Wallet Archives|accessdate=2012-01-17}}</ref> On August&nbsp;25, it became nearly stationary in response to weakening ] in its vicinity.<ref name=prelim01 /> As the upper environment became less hostile to development,<ref>{{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1993/emily/tropdisc/nal0593.014|title=Tropical Depression Five Discussion Number 14|publisher=National Hurricane Center|first1=Lixion|last1=Avila|first2=Jerry|last=Jarrell|date=1993-08-25|series=Hurricane Emily: Hurricane Digital Wallet Archives|accessdate=2012-01-21}}</ref> a ] flight into the depression found unusually high ]&mdash;an indication that the cyclone had quickly strengthened into a strong ]. The NHC named the storm Emily soon thereafter and upgraded it to a hurricane the following day, based on reports of 75&nbsp;mph (120&nbsp;km/h) winds from reconnaissance aircraft.<ref name=prelim01 /><ref>{{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1993/emily/tropdisc/nal0593.017|title=Hurricane Emily Discussion Number 17|publisher=National Hurricane Center|first=Miles|last=Lawrence|date=1993-08-26|series=Hurricane Emily: Hurricane Digital Wallet Archives|accessdate=2012-01-17}}</ref> * {{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1993/emily/tropdisc/nal0593.007|title=Tropical Depression Five Discussion Number 7|publisher=National Hurricane Center|first=Richard|last=Pasch|date=1993-08-24|series=Hurricane Emily: Hurricane Digital Wallet Archives|accessdate=2012-01-17}}</ref> On August&nbsp;25, it became nearly stationary in response to weakening ] in its vicinity.<ref name=prelim01 /> After the upper environment became less hostile to development,<ref>{{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1993/emily/tropdisc/nal0593.014|title=Tropical Depression Five Discussion Number 14|publisher=National Hurricane Center|first1=Lixion|last1=Avila|first2=Jerry|last=Jarrell|date=1993-08-25|series=Hurricane Emily: Hurricane Digital Wallet Archives|accessdate=2012-01-21}}</ref> a ] flight into the depression found unusually high ]&mdash;an indication that the cyclone had quickly strengthened into a strong ]. The NHC named the storm Emily soon thereafter and upgraded it to a hurricane the following day, based on reports of 75&nbsp;mph (120&nbsp;km/h) winds from reconnaissance aircraft.<ref name=prelim01 /><ref>{{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1993/emily/tropdisc/nal0593.017|title=Hurricane Emily Discussion Number 17|publisher=National Hurricane Center|first=Miles|last=Lawrence|date=1993-08-26|series=Hurricane Emily: Hurricane Digital Wallet Archives|accessdate=2012-01-17}}</ref>


Upon becoming a hurricane, Emily was centered roughly 1,000&nbsp;mi (1,600&nbsp;km) east of the ] peninsula. A ] began to develop to its north on August&nbsp;27, forcing the hurricane to curve toward the west. The cyclone's winds vacillated between tropical storm and hurricane force over the course of the day, but Emily resumed its strengthening by August&nbsp;28 and developed favorable upper-level ].<ref name=prelim01 /><ref>{{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1993/emily/tropdisc/nal0593.023|title=Hurricane Emily Discussion Number 23|publisher=National Hurricane Center|first=Lixion|last=Avila|date=1993-08-28|series=Hurricane Emily: Hurricane Digital Wallet Archives|accessdate=2012-01-21}}</ref> The hurricane, then located over warm ]s, continued to improve in appearance on ], as the ] within its ] steadily decreased.<ref>{{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1993/emily/tropdisc/nal0593.024|title=Hurricane Emily Discussion Number 24|publisher=National Hurricane Center|first=Lixion|last=Avila|date=1993-08-28|series=Hurricane Emily: Hurricane Digital Wallet Archives|accessdate=2012-01-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1993/emily/tropdisc/nal0593.025|title=Hurricane Emily Discussion Number 25|publisher=National Hurricane Center|first=Lixion|last=Avila|date=1993-08-28|series=Hurricane Emily: Hurricane Digital Wallet Archives|accessdate=2012-01-21}}</ref> By August&nbsp;29, Emily had turned to the northwest along a weakness from a ] in the ridge to its north.<ref name=prelim01 /><ref>{{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1993/emily/tropdisc/nal0593.027|title=Hurricane Emily Discussion Number 27|publisher=National Hurricane Center|first=Lixion|last=Avila|date=1993-08-29|series=Hurricane Emily: Hurricane Digital Wallet Archives|accessdate=2012-01-21}}</ref> The NHC expressed uncertainty in forecasting Emily's track from thereon, stating that ], ], and other ] were at risk of a direct hit from the hurricane.<ref>{{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1993/emily/tropdisc/nal0593.029|title=Hurricane Emily Discussion Number 29|publisher=National Hurricane Center|first=Miles|last=Lawrence|date=1993-08-29|series=Hurricane Emily: Hurricane Digital Wallet Archives|accessdate=2012-01-21}}</ref> Upon becoming a hurricane, Emily was centered roughly 1,000&nbsp;mi (1,600&nbsp;km) east of the ] peninsula. A ] began to develop to its north on August&nbsp;27, forcing the hurricane to curve toward the west. The cyclone's winds vacillated between tropical storm and hurricane force over the course of the day, but Emily resumed its strengthening by August&nbsp;28 and developed favorable upper-level ].<ref name=prelim01 /><ref>{{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1993/emily/tropdisc/nal0593.023|title=Hurricane Emily Discussion Number 23|publisher=National Hurricane Center|first=Lixion|last=Avila|date=1993-08-28|series=Hurricane Emily: Hurricane Digital Wallet Archives|accessdate=2012-01-21}}</ref> The hurricane, then located over warm ]s, continued to improve in appearance on ], as the ] within its ] steadily decreased.<ref>{{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1993/emily/tropdisc/nal0593.024|title=Hurricane Emily Discussion Number 24|publisher=National Hurricane Center|first=Lixion|last=Avila|date=1993-08-28|series=Hurricane Emily: Hurricane Digital Wallet Archives|accessdate=2012-01-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1993/emily/tropdisc/nal0593.025|title=Hurricane Emily Discussion Number 25|publisher=National Hurricane Center|first=Lixion|last=Avila|date=1993-08-28|series=Hurricane Emily: Hurricane Digital Wallet Archives|accessdate=2012-01-21}}</ref> By August&nbsp;29, Emily had turned to the northwest along a weakness from a ] in the ridge to its north.<ref name=prelim01 /><ref>{{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1993/emily/tropdisc/nal0593.027|title=Hurricane Emily Discussion Number 27|publisher=National Hurricane Center|first=Lixion|last=Avila|date=1993-08-29|series=Hurricane Emily: Hurricane Digital Wallet Archives|accessdate=2012-01-21}}</ref> The NHC expressed uncertainty in forecasting Emily's track from thereon, stating that ], ], and other ] were at risk of a direct hit from the hurricane.<ref>{{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1993/emily/tropdisc/nal0593.029|title=Hurricane Emily Discussion Number 29|publisher=National Hurricane Center|first=Miles|last=Lawrence|date=1993-08-29|series=Hurricane Emily: Hurricane Digital Wallet Archives|accessdate=2012-01-21}}</ref>

Revision as of 07:14, 19 February 2012

Hurricane Emily
Category 3 major hurricane (SSHWS/NWS)
Hurricane Emily off North Carolina coastline
FormedAugust 22, 1993
DissipatedSeptember 6, 1993
Highest winds1-minute sustained: 115 mph (185 km/h)
Lowest pressure960 mbar (hPa); 28.35 inHg
Fatalities3 direct
Damage$50 million (1993 USD)
Areas affectedOuter Banks, North Carolina, and Maryland
Part of the 1993 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Emily was a Category 3 tropical cyclone during the 1993 Atlantic hurricane season. Emily formed as a tropical depression over the open Atlantic Ocean on August 22 and moved generally northwestward. Initially, the cyclone remained disorganized due to unfavorable wind shear, but it was upgraded to a hurricane on August 26 after reconnaissance aircraft observed unusually high winds. It continued to strengthen while moving toward the west to west-northwest, becoming a major hurricane off the coast of the Carolinas. On September 1, the storm brushed the Outer Banks of North Carolina before heading back out to sea. Despite coming within miles of North Carolina as a major hurricane, the storm caused only three deaths and $50 million (2004 US dollars) in damages.

Meteorological history

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

Hurricane Emily originated from an African tropical wave that passed through the Cape Verde Islands on August 17, 1993. The wave traversed the tropical Atlantic and developed a closed cyclonic circulation five days later, when the National Hurricane Center (NHC) classified it as a tropical depression. At the time, it was located 800 miles (1,300 km) east-northeast of Puerto Rico while moving toward the northwest. The depression remained poorly organized for several days, with an ill-defined circulation center and sporadic thunderstorms, in part due to unfavorable wind shear from an upper-level low to its north. On August 25, it became nearly stationary in response to weakening steering currents in its vicinity. After the upper environment became less hostile to development, a reconnaissance aircraft flight into the depression found unusually high sustained winds—an indication that the cyclone had quickly strengthened into a strong tropical storm. The NHC named the storm Emily soon thereafter and upgraded it to a hurricane the following day, based on reports of 75 mph (120 km/h) winds from reconnaissance aircraft.

Upon becoming a hurricane, Emily was centered roughly 1,000 mi (1,600 km) east of the Florida peninsula. A ridge of high pressure began to develop to its north on August 27, forcing the hurricane to curve toward the west. The cyclone's winds vacillated between tropical storm and hurricane force over the course of the day, but Emily resumed its strengthening by August 28 and developed favorable upper-level outflow. The hurricane, then located over warm sea surface temperatures, continued to improve in appearance on satellite images, as the barometric pressure within its eye steadily decreased. By August 29, Emily had turned to the northwest along a weakness from a shortwave trough in the ridge to its north. The NHC expressed uncertainty in forecasting Emily's track from thereon, stating that South Carolina, North Carolina, and other Mid-Atlantic states were at risk of a direct hit from the hurricane.

As the high-pressure ridge to Emily's north re-established itself near North Carolina, the hurricane turned to the west-northwest in the early morning hours of August 30, although it initiated a prolonged curve toward the north around the western portion of the ridge soon thereafter. Emily displayed a distinct eye surrounded by a ring of intense thunderstorms, and a reconnaissance mission early the next day found that its winds had increased to Category 2 force on the Saffir–Simpson scale. The hurricane closed in on the North Carolina coastline, and after completing its northward curve it further intensified into a Category 3 major hurricane. Land was not spared entirely, and the western portion of Emily's 115 mph (185 km/h) eyewall passed over the Outer Banks on September 1. The hurricane accelerated to the east-northeast, and steadily weakened over the north Atlantic Ocean due to increased vertical shear. It turned to the south on the 3rd, and quickly weakened to a tropical depression by the next day. The depression again turned to the northeast and became extratropical on September 6.

Impact

Because Hurricane Emily did not make landfall, North Carolina and Virginia avoided substantial damage. Had Hurricane Emily continued its forward track, it would have caused much greater damage, possibly comparable to that of Hurricane Isabel ten years later. Though its damage was minor, rough seas and wind caused three fatalities, all from drowning. Its name was not retired.

North Carolina

Rainfall amounts from Emily

In Cape Hatteras, Emily damaged 553 homes beyond repair from its near-direct hit and strong winds. In addition, officials cut power to Hatteras Island fearing that downed power lines could start a fire. The area most affected by Hurricane Emily was Buxton, North Carolina, where a 10.2-foot (3.1 m) storm surge and a maximum of 7.5 inches (190 mm) of rain occurred. On Highway 12, there were reports of sinkholes caused by heavy rains, some of which swallowed up three four-wheel-drive vehicles. Because Emily hit during Labor Day weekend, the tourism industry suffered after Emily, losing $10 million when 160,000 were evacuated from northeastern North Carolina. Storm surge and flooding left 25% of the population of Cape Hatteras homeless, causing Dare County to issue a federal disaster declaration. Emily's high winds uprooted trees, downed power lines, tore off roofs, and, combined with its heavy flooding, caused $35 million (1993 US dollars) in damage, a lesser total than expected. In addition, Emily's limited effects only caused two deaths in North Carolina when two swimmers in Nags Head drowned.

Virginia

In Newport News, lightning from Emily set a roof on fire in the Lee Hall section of the city while 5,000 residents were left without power. The Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel also lost power because of the storm. Emily's light rains in the area were not enough to break a prolonged drought that hampered Virginia. Heavy surf resulted in one person drowning on the coast of Virginia in the days prior to the hurricane's arrival. In addition, a storm surge of 1.2 feet (0.37 m) was reported at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.

Mid-Atlantic and New England

Due to uncertainty of when and if Emily would make its northeast turn, thousands were evacuated from Virginia through New York, including 750 in Virginia, 100,000 in Maryland, 1000 in Delaware, and 20,000 from Fire Island, New York. The hurricane remained far enough from these locations to cause little, if any damage. In Ocean City, Maryland, 2.8 inches of rain were reported, while Sussex County Airport reported only .01 inches of precipitation.

See also

References

  1. ^ Lawrence, Miles (1993-09-30). Preliminary Report Hurricane Emily: 22 August – 06 September 1993 (Report). Hurricane Emily: Hurricane Digital Wallet Archives. National Hurricane Center.
  2. Lawrence, Miles (1993-08-22). Tropical Depression Five Discussion Number 2 (Report). Hurricane Emily: Hurricane Digital Wallet Archives. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-01-17.
  3. Jarrell, Lixion (1993-08-25). Tropical Depression Five Discussion Number 14 (Report). Hurricane Emily: Hurricane Digital Wallet Archives. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-01-21. {{cite report}}: |first2= missing |last2= (help); More than one of |last1= and |last= specified (help)
  4. Lawrence, Miles (1993-08-26). Hurricane Emily Discussion Number 17 (Report). Hurricane Emily: Hurricane Digital Wallet Archives. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-01-17.
  5. Avila, Lixion (1993-08-28). Hurricane Emily Discussion Number 23 (Report). Hurricane Emily: Hurricane Digital Wallet Archives. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-01-21.
  6. Avila, Lixion (1993-08-28). Hurricane Emily Discussion Number 24 (Report). Hurricane Emily: Hurricane Digital Wallet Archives. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-01-21.
  7. Avila, Lixion (1993-08-28). Hurricane Emily Discussion Number 25 (Report). Hurricane Emily: Hurricane Digital Wallet Archives. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-01-21.
  8. Avila, Lixion (1993-08-29). Hurricane Emily Discussion Number 27 (Report). Hurricane Emily: Hurricane Digital Wallet Archives. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-01-21.
  9. Lawrence, Miles (1993-08-29). Hurricane Emily Discussion Number 29 (Report). Hurricane Emily: Hurricane Digital Wallet Archives. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-01-21.
  10. Mayfield, Britt M. (1993-08-30). Hurricane Emily Discussion Number 32 (Report). Hurricane Emily: Hurricane Digital Wallet Archives. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-02-10.
  11. Pasch, Richard; Haydu, Kenneth (1993-08-30). Hurricane Emily Discussion Number 31 (Report). Hurricane Emily: Hurricane Digital Wallet Archives. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-02-10.
  12. Pasch, Richard (1993-08-31). Hurricane Emily Discussion Number 35 (Report). Hurricane Emily: Hurricane Digital Wallet Archives. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-02-10.
  13. "NOAA: Hurricane Emily Preliminary Report". Aoml.noaa.gov. 1995-11-21. Retrieved 2009-07-31.
  14. "Hurricane Climbs N.C. Coast to Virginia". Washington Post. January 30, 1999. Retrieved 2009-07-31.
  15. "NOAA: North Carolina hurricanes: Hurricane Emily". Csc.noaa.gov. 1993-08-31. Retrieved 2009-07-31.
  16. "Infoweb Newsbank".

External links

Tropical cyclones of the 1993 Atlantic hurricane season
TDOne TSArlene TSBret TSCindy TSDennis 3Emily 1Floyd 2Gert 1Harvey TDTen
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