1821 Norfolk and Long Island hurricane

Infobox Hurricane
Name=Norfolk and Long Island Hurricane
Type=hurricane
Year=1821
Basin=Atl
Image location=1821 Atlantic Hurricane Track Map.gif


Formed=September 1, 1821
Dissipated=September 4, 1821
1-min winds=116
Pressure=995
Pressurepre=<
Pressurepost=≤965 mbar estimatedcite web|author=F.P. Ho|url=http://garnet.acns.fsu.edu/~jelsner/HHITProject/HHITyears/1821/storm1_pt2_ho.pdf|title=The Norfolk and Long Island Hurricane - Sept. 3-4 - Pt. 2|accessdate=2007-07-02|format=PDF]
Da

Inflated=0
Fatalities=≥22 direct
Areas=North Carolina, Mid-Atlantic States, New England
Hurricane season=1821 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 1821 Norfolk and Long Island Hurricane was one of two known hurricanes that have made landfall on what is now modern New York City. Another, even more intense hurricane struck the region in pre-Columbian times (somewhen between 1278 and 1438) and was detected by paleotempestological research.cite journal |last=Donnelly |first=Jeffrey P. |authorlink= |coauthors="et al." |year=2001 |month= |title=Sedimentary evidence of intense hurricane strikes from New Jersey |journal=Geology |volume=29 |issue=7 |pages=615–618 |doi=10.1130/0091-7613(2001)029<0615:SEOIHS>2.0.CO;2 |url= |accessdate= |quote= ]

The first of three recorded tropical cyclones recorded in the 1821 Atlantic hurricane season, it was first observed off the southeast United States coast on September 1, with winds estimated in excess of 135 mph (215 km/h). It moved ashore near Wilmington, North Carolina, and passed near Norfolk, Virginia before moving through the Delmarva Peninsula and New Jersey just inland. The hurricane struck New York City on September 3, approximately near Jamaica Bay, and on September 4 it was observed over New England. The hurricane occurred just 6 years after the destructive Great September Gale of 1815.

Meteorological history

A tropical cyclone was first observed on September 1 off the southeast coast of the United States. Initially, it was believed to be the same storm that struck Guadeloupe on the same day, though subsequent research indicated there were two separate storms.cite web|author=Chenoweth|year=2006|title=A Reassessment of Historical Atlantic Basin Tropical Cyclone Activity, 1700-1855|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2007-07-02|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/Chenoweth/chenoweth06.pdf|format=PDF] The hurricane tracked by the Bahamas while tracking generally northward, and it attained major hurricane status over the western Atlantic Ocean. As it approached the United States coastline, the hurricane was very intense, with winds estimated at over 135 mph (215 km/h) and potentially as strong as 160 mph (260 km/h), or a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale.cite web|author=Bossak|year=2003|title=Early 19th Century U.S. Hurricanes: A GIS Tool and Climate Analysis|publisher=Florida State University|accessdate=2007-07-02|url=http://garnet.acns.fsu.edu/~jelsner/HHITProject/HHITStormList.txt] Late on September 2, the hurricane made landfall near Wilmington, North Carolina and later turned to the northeast to cross the Pamlico Sound.cite web|author=David Roth & Hugh Cobb|year=2001|title=Early Nineteenth Century Virginia Hurricanes|publisher=Hydrometeorological Prediction Center|accessdate=2007-07-03|url=http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/research/roth/vaerly19hur.htm]

The hurricane accelerated northeastward, and passed over the Hampton Roads area early on September 3. After crossing the Chesapeake Bay, the cyclone traversed the Delmarva Peninsula near the Atlantic coastline, and at around 1500 UTC the eye passed directly over Cape Henlopen, Delaware; a thirty minute period of calm was reported. It continued across the Delaware Bay and later passed over Cape May, New Jersey, where a fifteen minute calm was reported.cite web|author=David Ludlum|url=http://garnet.acns.fsu.edu/~jelsner/HHITProject/HHITyears/1821/storm1_pt1_ludlum.pdf|title=The Norfolk and Long Island Hurricane - Sept. 3-4 - Pt. 1|accessdate=2007-07-04|format=PDF] Modern researchers estimate it was a Category 3 or Category 4 hurricane upon striking New Jersey, one of the few hurricanes to hit the state.cite web|author=Alexander Lane|year=2005|title=What if it happened here?|publisher=New Jersey Star Ledger|accessdate=2007-07-04|url=http://www.icnj.org/SiteDocuments/News/9-4-2005/whatifithappenedheresl_9-4-2005.htm] cite web|author=Protectingnewjersey.org|year=2006|title=New Jersey: Exposed and Unprepared|accessdate=2007-07-04|url=http://www.protectingnewjersey.org/Index.asp?PFID=21&PID=79] Moving ashore at very low tide, it paralleled the state's coastline just inland, and after exiting into Lower New York Bay the hurricane made landfall on New York City at around 1930 UTC on September 3; this makes it the only major hurricane to directly hit the city. A minimal hurricane in 1893 also made landfall on New York City. [cite web|author=Hurricane Research Division|year=2006|title=Continental U.S. hurricanes: 1851-1914|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2008-01-10|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/usland1851-1914-gt.txt|format=TXT] One modern researcher estimates the hurricane was moving at a forward speed of 35 mph (55 km/h), and upon moving ashore had a pressure of 965 mbar. The hurricane continued northeastward through New England, and after entering Massachusetts on September 4 its exact path was unknown;cite web|author=David Ludlum|url=http://garnet.acns.fsu.edu/~jelsner/HHITProject/HHITyears/1821/storm1_pt3_ludlum.pdf|title=The Norfolk and Long Island Hurricane - Sept. 3-4 - Pt. 3|accessdate=2007-07-04|format=PDF] one researcher estimated the cyclone tracked northeastward until losing its identity over southeastern Maine, while another assessed the storm as passing far to the west of Maine.cite web|author=Cotterly|year=1999|title=1821 New England Hurricane|accessdate=2007-07-04|url=http://garnet.acns.fsu.edu/~jelsner/HHITProject/HHITyears/1821/storm1_pt3_other.pdf]

Based on the arrangement of effects in New England, meteorologist William C. Redfield deduced that the wind field and center of tropical cyclones are circular; previously the winds were believed to be in a straight line.

Impact

In North Carolina, a powerful storm surge flooded large portions of Portsmouth Island; residents estimated the island would have been completely under water had the worst of the storm lasted for two more hours. Strong winds occurred across eastern North Carolina, resulting in at least 76 destroyed houses. Numerous people were killed in Currituck.

The strongest winds of the hurricane lasted for about an hour in southeastern Virginia, after which the storm rapidly abated. Several houses were completely destroyed, with many others receiving moderate to severe damage. The winds destroyed most of the roof of the courthouse, and uprooted trees across the region; fallen tree limbs damaged a stone bridge in Norfolk. The hurricane produced a strong storm surge along the Virginia coastline, which reached 10 feet (3 m) at Pungoteague on the Delmarva Peninsula. The storm surge, which reached several hundred yards inland, destroyed two bridges and flooded many warehouses along the Elizabeth River. Rough waves grounded the USS "Guerriere" and the USS "Congress", and also destroyed several schooners and brigs. Along the eastern shore, the storm surge flooded barrier islands along the Atlantic coastline, causing severe crop damage and downing many trees. Several houses were destroyed, and at Pungoteague the impact of the hurricane was described as "unexampled destruction"; five people drowned in Chincoteague. Considered one of the most violent hurricanes on record in the Mid-Atlantic, the hurricane caused $200,000 in damage in Virginia (1821 USD, $3.1 million 2007 USD).

Gale force winds affected the Delmarva Peninsula; on Poplar Island in Talbot County, Maryland, winds peaked at 1600 UTC on September 3. The strongest winds were confined to the Atlantic coastline, with outer rainbands producing heavy rainfall in Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, Maryland.cite web|author=David Ludlum|url=http://garnet.acns.fsu.edu/~jelsner/HHITProject/HHITyears/1821/storm1_pt2_ludlum.pdf|title=The Norfolk and Long Island Hurricane - Sept. 3-4 - Pt. 2|accessdate=2007-07-07|format=PDF] Fierce winds were observed in Cape Henlopen, Delaware, with the strongest gales occurring after the eye passed over the area.

Upon making landfall on Cape May, New Jersey, the cyclone produced a 5 foot (1.5 m) storm surge on the Delaware Bay side of the city. Lasting for several hours, the hurricane force winds were described as " [blowing] with great violence", causing widespread devastation across the region. In Little Egg Harbor, its passage caused damage to the port. Strong winds reached as far inland as Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where winds of over 40 mph (60 km/h) downed trees and chimneys; in the city, precipitation accrued to 3.92 inches (99.6 mm). Further to the north, the hurricane destroyed a windmill at Bergen Point, New Jersey. Though the hurricane struck at low tide, it produced a storm surge of over 29 feet (9 m) along several portions of the New Jersey coastline, causing significant overwash.

The hurricane produced a storm surge of 13 feet (4 m) in only one hour at Battery Park. Manhattan Island was completely flooded to Canal Street; one hurricane researcher remarked that the storm surge flooding would have been much worse, had the hurricane not struck at low tide. [cite web|author=Aaron Naparstek|date=2005-07-20|title=The Big One for New York City|publisher=The New York Press|accessdate=2008-01-10|url=http://www.nypress.com/18/29/news&columns/aaronnaparstek.cfm] However, few deaths were reported in the city, since the flooding affected neighborhoods much less populated than today. [cite web|author=New York City Office of Emergency Management|title=Early New York Hurricanes|accessdate=2008-01-10|url=http://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/html/hazards/storms_hurricanehistory.shtml] The hurricane brought light rainfall as it passed New York City, though strong winds left severe damage across the city. High tides occurred along the Hudson River. Strong waves and winds blew many ships ashore along Long Island. One ship sank, killing 17 people. Along Long Island, the winds destroyed several buildings and left crops destroyed.

In New England, the hurricane produced widespread gale force winds, with damage greatest in Connecticut. The lighthouse in Black Rock, Connecticut, was destroyed. Elsewhere in the state, the winds damaged or destroyed churches, houses and small buildings. Moderate crop damage to fruit was reported as well. Strong winds extended into eastern Massachusetts, though little damage was reported in the Boston area.

ee also

* List of North Carolina hurricanes (pre-1900)
* List of New Jersey hurricanes
* List of New York hurricanes
* List of New England hurricanes

References

* [http://www.warner.nh.us/historical_sketches.htm Historical Sketches of the Town of Warner, New Hampshire (1832)]