Hurricane Floyd

Hurricane Floyd was a very powerful and large tropical cyclone which struck the Bahamas and the East Coast of the United States. It was the sixth named storm, fourth hurricane, and third major hurricane in the 1999 Atlantic hurricane season. Floyd triggered the fourth largest evacuation in US history (behind Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Gustav, and Hurricane Rita) when 2.6 million coastal residents of five states were ordered from their homes as it approached. The hurricane formed off the coast of Africa and lasted from September 7 to 19, becoming extratropical after September 17, and peaked in strength as a very strong Category 4 hurricane. It was among the largest Atlantic hurricanes of its strength ever recorded, in terms of gale-force diameter.<ref name="Legacy" />

Floyd was once forecast to strike Florida, but turned away. Instead, Floyd struck the Bahamas at peak strength, causing heavy damage. It then moved parallel to the East Coast of the United States, causing massive evacuations and costly preparations from Florida through the Mid-Atlantic states. The storm weakened significantly, however, before striking the Cape Fear region, North Carolina as a very strong Category 2 hurricane, and caused further damage as it traveled up the Mid-Atlantic region and into New England.

The hurricane produced torrential rainfall in Eastern North Carolina, adding more rain to an area already hit by Hurricane Dennis just weeks earlier. The rains caused widespread flooding over a period of several weeks; nearly every river basin in the eastern part of the state exceeded 500-year flood levels. In total, Floyd was responsible for 85 fatalities and $6.5 billion (1999 USD) in damage. Due to the destruction, the World Meteorological Organization retired the name Floyd and replaced it with Franklin.

Meteorological history

Template:Storm path Floyd originated from a tropical wave that exited the west coast of Africa on September 2. The wave moved generally westward, presenting a general curvature in its convection, or thunderstorms, but little organization at first. By September 5, a center of circulation was evident within the convective system. Over the next day, the thunderstorms increased in intensity as they organized into a curved band. Aided by favorable outflow, the system organized further into Tropical Depression Eight late on September 7, located about Template:Convert east of the Lesser Antilles. With a strong ridge of high pressure to its north, the nascent tropical depression moved to the west-northwest, where environmental conditions favored continued strengthening,<ref name="tcr">Template:Cite web</ref> including progressively warmer water temperatures.<ref name="d2"/> On issuing its first advisory, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) anticipated that the depression would intensify into a hurricane within three days,<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> a forecast that proved accurate.<ref name="tcr"/> On its second advisory, NHC forecaster Lixion Avila stated that the depression had "all the ingredients...that we know of...to become a major hurricane eventually."<ref name="d2">Template:Cite report</ref>

Early on September 8, the depression became sufficiently well-organized for the NHC to upgrade it to Tropical Storm Floyd.<ref name="tcr"/> The storm had a large circulation,<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> but Floyd initially lacked a well-defined inner core, which resulted in only slow strengthening.<ref name="tcr"/> The first Hurricane Hunters mission occurred on September 9, which observed the developing storm.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> On September 10, Floyd intensified into a hurricane about 230 mi (370 km) east-northeast of the Lesser Antilles. Around that time, the track shifted more to the northwest, steered by a tropical upper tropospheric trough north of Puerto Rico.<ref name="tcr"/> An eye developed in the center of the hurricane, signaling strengthening.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> On September 11, Hurricane Floyd moved through the upper-level trough, which, in conjunction with an anticyclone over the eastern Caribbean, disrupted the outflow and caused the winds to weaken briefly. The hurricane re-intensified on September 12 as its track shifted more to the west, steered by a ridge to the north. That day, the NHC upgraded Floyd to a major hurricane, or a Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson scale.<ref name="tcr"/>

Radar imagery of Hurricane Floyd making landfall in North Carolina.

Over a 24-hour period from September 12–13, Hurricane Floyd rapidly intensified, aided by warm waters east of The Bahamas. During that time, the maximum sustained winds increased from Template:Convert,<ref group="nb">All wind speeds in the article are maximum sustained winds sustained for one minute, unless otherwise noted.</ref> making Floyd a strong Category 4 hurricane. This was based a 90% reduction of an observation by the Hurricane Hunters, which recorded flight-level winds of 171 mph (276 km/h). Around the same time, the pressure dropped to Template:Convert,<ref name="tcr"/> which was the fourth-lowest pressure for a hurricane not to reach Category 5 intensity in the Atlantic Ocean – only Hurricanes Iota, Gloria and Opal had lower pressures than Floyd.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track Around this time, tropical cyclone forecast models suggested an eventual landfall in the Southeastern United States from Palm Beach, Florida to South Carolina.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref>

At its peak, tropical storm-force winds spanned a diameter of Template:Convert, making Floyd one of the largest Atlantic hurricanes of its intensity ever recorded.<ref name="Legacy">Template:Cite web</ref> For about 12 hours, Hurricane Floyd remained just below Category 5 status while crossing The Bahamas. Late on September 13, the eye of the hurricane passed just north of San Salvador and Cat Islands. On the next day, the hurricane made landfalls on Eleuthera and Abaco islands.<ref name="tcr"/> During this time, Floyd underwent an eyewall replacement cycle, in which an outer eyewall developed, causing the original eye to dissipate near Eleuthera. This caused a temporary drop in sustained winds to Category 3 status, only for Floyd to restrengthen briefly to a Category 4 on September 15.<ref name="tcr"/>

While approaching the southeastern United States, a strong mid- to upper-level trough eroded the western portion of the high-pressure ridge, which had been steering Floyd for several days. The break in the ridge caused Floyd to turn to the northwest. After the hurricane completed its eyewall replacement cycle, Floyd had a large 57 mi (93 km) eye. The large storm gradually weakened after exiting The Bahamas, due to drier air and increasing wind shear. On September 15, Floyd paralleled the east coast of Florida about 110 mi (170 km) offshore, as it accelerated to the north and north-northeast. At around 06:30 UTC on September 16, Hurricane Floyd made landfall in Cape Fear, North Carolina with winds of Template:Convert, a Category 2. The eyewall had largely dissipated by that time. Continuing northeastward along a cold front, Floyd moved through eastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia, weakening to tropical storm status by late on September 16. The storm gradually lost its tropical characteristics as it quickly moved through the Delmarva Peninsula, eastern New Jersey, Long Island, and New England. Late on September 17, Floyd transitioned into an extratropical cyclone near the coast of southern Maine. The storm continued to the northeast, passing through New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland on September 18. On the following day, a larger extratropical storm over the North Atlantic Ocean absorbed what was once Hurricane Floyd.<ref name="tcr"/> Template:Clear

Preparations

Early in Floyd's duration, the hurricane posed a threat to the Lesser Antilles, prompting tropical storm watches for Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Saint Martin, and Saint Barthelemy. After the storm bypassed the region, the government of The Bahamas issued a tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch for the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeast Bahamas, as well as hurricane warnings for the central and northwestern Bahamas.<ref name="tcr"/>

Although Floyd's track prediction was above average while out at sea, the forecasts as it approached the coastline were merely average compared to forecasts from the previous ten years. The official forecasts did not predict Floyd's northward track nor its significant weakening before landfall.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At some point, the NHC issued a hurricane warning for nearly all of the East Coast of the United States, from Florida City, Florida, to Plymouth, Massachusetts; however, only a fraction of this area actually received hurricane-force winds. The last time such widespread hurricane warnings occurred was during Hurricane Donna in 1960.<ref name="tcr"/>

Visual comparison of Hurricane Floyd with Hurricane Andrew while at similar positions and nearly identical intensities

Initial fears were of a direct hit as a large Category 4 hurricane in Florida, potentially costlier and deadlier than Hurricane Andrew had been in 1992. In preparation for a potentially catastrophic landfall, more than one million Florida residents were told to evacuate, of which 272,000 were in Miami-Dade County.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> U.S. President Bill Clinton declared a federal state of emergency in both Florida and Georgia in anticipation of the storm's approach.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> As the storm turned to the north, more people were evacuated as a progressively larger area was threatened. The massive storm prompted what was then the largest peacetime evacuation in U.S. history, with around 2.6 million evacuating coastal areas in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas.<ref name="extremes0999">Template:Cite web</ref>

Evacuation on Interstate 26

With the storm predicted to hit near Cape Canaveral with winds of over Template:Convert, all but 80 of Kennedy Space Center's 12,500-person workforce were evacuated. The hangars that house three space shuttles can withstand winds of only Template:Convert, and a direct hit could have resulted in potentially billions of dollars in damage of space equipment.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> When Floyd passed by the area, Kennedy Space Center only reported light winds with minor water intrusion. Overall damage was minor and was repaired easily.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

A hurricane warning was issued for the North Carolina coastline 27 hours prior to landfall. However, due to the size of the storm, initial forecasts predicted nearly all of the state would be affected in one form or another. School systems and businesses as far west as Asheville shut down for the day landfall was predicted. As it turned out, only the Coastal Plain sustained significant damage; much of the state west of Raleigh escaped unscathed. In New York City, public schools were closed on September 16, 1999, the day Floyd hit the area. This was a rare decision by the city, as New York City public schools close on average once every few years. Before Floyd, the last time New York City closed its schools was for the Blizzard of 1996. After Floyd, the next time its public schools would close was due to a blizzard on March 5, 2001.<ref>Template:Cite web </ref> Walt Disney World also closed for the first time in its history due to the storm.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Ahead of the storm, officials in Pennsylvania hoped rainfall from Hurricane Floyd would relieve persistent drought conditions, although on September 15 a spokesperson for the Department of Environmental Protection advised that the storm's path was still uncertain.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Then-governor Tom Ridge activated the state Emergency Operations Center in anticipation of flooding rains.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref> Advisories for high winds and potential flooding were issued throughout the state,<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref><ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref> and a state of emergency was declared in eastern Pennsylvania.<ref name="Mt Holly">Template:Cite web</ref>

A state of emergency was declared in Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey prompting schools statewide to be shut down on September 16. In Delaware, about 300 people evacuated.<ref name="ncdcmd2">Template:Cite report</ref><ref name="dencdc"/><ref name="njncdc"/>

In Atlantic Canada, the Canadian Hurricane Centre issued 14 warnings related to Floyd, generating significant media interest. About 100 Sable Offshore Energy Project employees were evacuated to the mainland. In southwestern Nova Scotia, 66 schools were closed, and provincial ferry service with Bar Harbor, Maine was canceled.<ref name="ec"/>

Impact

Death toll by area

State/country	Deaths
The Bahamas	1
North Carolina	51
Virginia	4
Maryland	2
Delaware	2
Pennsylvania	13
New Jersey	8
New York	2
Connecticut	1
Vermont	1
Total	85

With a death toll of 85, Hurricane Floyd was the deadliest United States hurricane since Hurricane Agnes in 1972. The storm was the third-costliest hurricane in the nation's history at the time, with monetary damage estimated at $6.5 billion (1999 USD); it ranked the 19th costliest as of 2017.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> Most of the deaths and damage were from inland, freshwater flooding in eastern North Carolina.

Caribbean

Around when Floyd first became a hurricane, its outer bands moved over the Lesser Antilles.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref>

Hurricane Floyd lashed the Bahamas with winds of Template:Convert and waves up to Template:Convert in height.<ref name="extremes0999"/> A Template:Convert storm surge inundated many islands with over five ft (1.5 m) of water throughout.<ref name="baha">Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref> The wind and waves toppled power and communication lines, severely disrupting electricity and telephone services for days. Damage was greatest at Abaco Island, Cat Island, San Salvador Island, and Eleuthera Island, where Floyd uprooted trees and destroyed a significant number of houses.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Numerous restaurants, hotels, shops, and homes were devastated, severely limiting in the recovery period tourism on which many rely for economic well-being.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Damaged water systems left tens of thousands across the archipelago without water, electricity, or food. Despite the damage, however, few deaths were reported, as only one person drowned in Freeport, and there were few injuries reported.<ref name="baha"/>

Southeastern United States

Template:Main For several days, Hurricane Floyd paralleled the east coast of Florida, spurring widespread evacuations. Ultimately, the storm left $50 million in damage, mostly in Volusia county. There, high winds and falling trees damaged 337 homes. The highest recorded wind gust in the state was Template:Convert in Daytona Beach. Beach erosion affected much of the state's Atlantic coast. The most significant effects were in Brevard and Volusia counties, where waves damaged houses and piers. Rainfall in the state reached Template:Convert in Sanford.<ref name="tcr"/><ref>Template:Cite news Template:Free access</ref><ref name="sd">Template:Cite journal</ref>

Farther north in Georgia, Floyd produced wind gusts of Template:Convert at Savannah International Airport. The winds knocked down a few trees and power lines near the coast, but statewide damage was minimal. In Savannah, the hurricane produced tides Template:Convert above normal. Rainfall was light in the state, reaching Template:Convert in Newington.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="tcr"/>

Tropical storm force winds affected the entirety of the South Carolina coastline, with statewide damage estimated at $17 million. Sustained winds reached Template:Convert at the Charleston National Weather Service Office, which also recorded wind gusts of Template:Convert. The winds destroyed a few roofs and knocked down thousands of trees, leaving more than 200,000 people without electricity. The hurricane produced above normal tides along the coast, reaching Template:Convert above normal in Charleston Harbor. The waves caused minor to moderate beach erosion. At Myrtle Beach International Airport, Hurricane Floyd dropped Template:Convert of rainfall, the highest recorded in the state.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="tcr"/>

North Carolina

Coastal property damage at Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina

North Carolina received the brunt of the storm's destruction. In all, Hurricane Floyd caused 51 fatalities in North Carolina, much of them from freshwater flooding, as well as billions in damage.

The storm surge from the large hurricane amounted to Template:Convert along the southeastern portion of the state. The hurricane also spawned numerous tornadoes, most of which caused only minor damage. Damage to power lines left over 500,000 customers without electricity at some point during the storm's passage.<ref name="tcr"/>

Just weeks prior to Floyd hitting, Hurricane Dennis brought up to Template:Convert of rain to southeastern North Carolina. When Hurricane Floyd moved across the state in early September, it produced torrential rainfall, amounting to a maximum of Template:Convert in Wilmington. Though it moved quickly, the extreme rainfall was due to Floyd's interaction with an approaching cold front across the area.<ref name="tcr"/>

Extensive flooding, especially along NC Hwy 91 and the White Oak Loop neighborhood, led to overflowing rivers; nearly every river basin in eastern North Carolina reached 500 year or greater flood levels.<ref name="usgs-flooding"/> Most localized flooding happened overnight; Floyd dropped nearly Template:Convert of rain during the hours of its passage and many residents were not aware of the flooding until the water came into their homes. The U. S. Navy, National Guard and the Coast Guard performed nearly 1700 fresh water rescues of people trapped on the roofs of their homes due to the rapid rise of the water. By contrast, many of the worst affected areas did not reach peak flood levels for several weeks after the storm, as the water accumulated in rivers and moved downstream (see flood graphic at right).

The passage of Hurricane Irene four weeks later contributed an additional 6 in (150 mm) of rain over the still-saturated area, causing further flooding.

Flooded areas from Floyd along the Tar and Neuse rivers Template:Legend Template:Legend Template:Legend

The Tar River suffered the worst flooding, exceeding 500-year flood levels along its lower stretches; it crested Template:Convert above flood stage. Flooding began in Rocky Mount, as much as 30% of which was underwater for several days. In Tarboro, much of the downtown was under several feet of water.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Nearby, the town of Princeville was largely destroyed when the waters of the Tar poured over the town's levee, covering the town with over Template:Convert of floodwater for ten days.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref> Further downstream, Greenville suffered very heavy flooding; damages in Pitt County alone were estimated at $1.6 billion (1999 USD, $2.81 billion 2022 USD).<ref name="extremes0999"/> Washington, where the peak flood level was observed, was likewise devastated. Some residents in Greenville had to swim six feet underwater to reach the front doors of their homes and apartments.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Due to the heavy flooding in downtown Greenville, the East Carolina Pirates were forced to relocate their football game against #9 Miami to N.C. State's Carter–Finley Stadium in Raleigh, where they beat the Hurricanes 27–23.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The Neuse River, Roanoke River, Waccamaw River, and New River exceeded 500-year flood levels, although damage was lower in these areas (compared to the Tar River) because of lower population densities. Because most of the Cape Fear River basin was west of the peak rainfall areas, the city of Wilmington was spared the worst flooding despite having the highest localized rainfall; however, the Northeast Cape Fear River (a tributary) did exceed 500-year flood levels. Of the state's eastern rivers, only the Lumber River escaped catastrophic flooding.<ref name="usgs-flooding">Template:Cite web</ref>

Rainfall and strong winds affected many homes across the state, destroying 7,000, leaving 17,000 uninhabitable, and damaging 56,000. Ten thousand people resided in temporary shelters following the storm. The extensive flooding resulted in significant crop damage. As quoted by North Carolina Secretary of Health and Human Services H. David Bruton, "Nothing since the Civil War has been as destructive to families here. The recovery process will be much longer than the water-going-down process."<ref name="extremes0999"/> Around 31,000 jobs were lost from over 60,000 businesses through the storm, causing nearly $4 billion (1999 USD, $7.02 billion 2022 USD) in lost business revenue.<ref name="ncjobs">Template:Cite web</ref> In much of the affected area, officials urged people to either boil water or buy bottled water during Floyd's aftermath.<ref name="cnnflooding">Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref>

In contrast to the problems eastern North Carolina experienced, much of the western portion of the state remained under a severe drought.<ref name="extremes0999"/> Template:Clear

Virginia

Flooding in Franklin, Virginia

Hurricane Floyd left $101 million in damage in Virginia, and contributed to four fatalities – two from fallen trees in Fairfax and Halifax County, one in a traffic accident in Hanover County, and a man in Accomack County who drowned in his submerged vehicle.<ref name="wpc">Template:Cite web</ref> As in North Carolina and elsewhere along its path, Floyd dropped torrential rainfall across eastern Virginia, reaching Template:Convert in Newport News.<ref name="tcr"/> While Floyd moved through southeastern Virginia, it was still at hurricane status, producing winds strong enough to knock down hundreds of trees and power lines. The highest sustained winds in the state were Template:Convert at Langley Air Force Base.<ref name="tcr"/> Wind gusts were much stronger, reaching Template:Convert on the James River Bridge.<ref name="vancdc">Template:Cite web</ref> Floyd's winds and rains knocked down hundreds of trees across the state, some centuries old.<ref name="wpc"/>

The heavy rains washed out several roads, and closed regional routes including Interstate 95 between Emporia and Petersburg, U.S. Route 58 between Emporia and Franklin, and U.S. Route 460 near Wakefield.<ref name="vancdc"/> The rainfall led to overflowing rivers in the Chowan River Basin, some of which exceeded 500-year flood levels.<ref name="usgs-flooding"/> The Blackwater River reached 100-year flood levels and flooded Franklin with Template:Convert of water. Extensive road damage occurred there, isolating the area from the rest of the state. Some 182 businesses and 150 houses were underwater in Franklin from the worst flooding in 60 years. In addition, two dams along the Rappahannock River burst from the extreme flooding. Throughout all of Virginia, Floyd damaged 9,250 houses.<ref name="wpc"/> In addition to the heavy rainfall, tides in Norfolk were Template:Convert above normal, resulting moderate to locally severe coastal flooding. Along the Chesapeake Bay, Floyd produced a Template:Convert storm surge, causing up to Template:Convert of flooding in Accomack County homes.<ref name="vancdc"/> Floyd's winds and rains knocked down hundreds of trees across the state, some centuries' old.<ref name="wpc"/>

Mid-Atlantic

Template:Main As Floyd moved northward from Virginia, a stalled cold front acted as a conveyor belt of tropical moisture across the Mid-Atlantic.<ref name="tcr"/> Wind gusts in Washington, D.C. reached Template:Convert at the Children's National Medical Center. The storm knocked down trees and dropped heavy rainfall, causing a shop on New York Avenue NW to close after the roof collapsed.<ref name="wpc"/>

The hurricane's rainbands moved across Maryland, dropping Template:Convert of rainfall in Chestertown, Maryland.<ref name="tcmid"/> Statewide, about 450 people required evacuated from low-lying areas. A mudslide in Anne Arundel County stranded five trains carrying about 1,000 passengers. Flooding closed 225 roads statewide, with dozens of motorists requiring rescue, and more than 90 bridges were damaged. A man in Centreville died while attempting to jump a washed out bridge on his motorcycle. High tides, Template:Convert above normal, affected coastal areas of St. Mary's, Calvert, Harford, and Anne Arundel counties, with 5 houses destroyed and 23 severely damaged. Flooding inundated the only bridge to St. George Island, stranding six people. The highest statewide wind gust – 71 mph (114 km/h) – occurred in Tall Timbers, while the highest wind gust in eastern Maryland was 52 mph (83 km/h) in Ocean City.<ref name="mdncdc"/><ref name="ncdcmd2"/> The winds knocked down hundreds of trees, including the nearly 400 year–old Liberty Tree at St. John's College in Annapolis.<ref name="mdncdc"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The winds also knocked down power lines, leaving about 500,000 customers without electricity. Two people were injured, and one person killed, from Carbon monoxide poisoning related to using a generator. The Anne Arundel county fair was canceled for the first time in its history.<ref name="mdncdc">Template:Cite report</ref> In Baltimore, the Baltimore Orioles postponed a baseball game.<ref>Orioles have experience with hurricanes, NBC Sports, October 28, 2012</ref> Statewide damage was estimated at $7.9 million.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In Delaware, Hurricane Floyd left $8.42 million in damage.<ref name="dencdc"/> The storm dropped torrential rainfall, reaching Template:Convert in Greenwood, Delaware.<ref name="tcmid"/> During the storm, Greenwood recorded Template:Convert, breaking the record for the state's highest 24 hour rainfall total. The rains caused record crests along rivers and streams in New Castle County. The White Clay Creek crested at Template:Convert, and was above flood stage for 18 hours. Statewide, Floyd damaged 171 homes, and caused 33 homes to be condemned. Flooding closed hundreds of roads and bridges, with two bridges and a few miles of track belonging to the Wilmington and Western Railroad washed out. Dozens of motorists required rescue. Winds in the state reached 64 mph (104 km/h) at Cape Henlopen along the coast. The winds knocked down hundreds of trees and power lines, leaving about 25,000 people without power.<ref name="tcr"/><ref name="dencdc">Template:Cite report</ref>

As Floyd continued up the coast, it dropped heavy rainfall in New Jersey, reaching Template:Convert in Little Falls; this was the highest statewide rain from a tropical cyclone since 1950.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Following the state's fourth-worst drought in a century,<ref name="njem">Template:Cite web</ref> the rains collected in rivers and streams, causing record flooding at 18 river gauges, and mostly affecting the Raritan, Passaic, and Delaware basins.<ref name="nyt1017">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="njncdc">Template:Cite web</ref> Statewide damage totaled $250 million (1999 USD), much of it in Somerset and Bergen counties. This made Floyd the costliest natural disaster in New Jersey's history, until it was surpassed by Hurricane Irene in 2011.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> Seven people died in New Jersey during Floyd's passage – six due to drowning, and one in a traffic accident. A police lieutenant took his life after working for nearly 48 hours coordinating floodwater rescues. In Bound Brook, the Raritan crested at a record Template:Convert on September 16, well above the Template:Convert flood stage, and exceeding the previous record of Template:Convert set during Tropical Storm Doria in 1971. Downtown Bound Brook was flooded Template:Convert, causing 200 buildings to be condemned. In Manville, the Raritan crested at a record Template:Convert, nearly double the flood stage of Template:Convert. Parts of Manville were flooded to a depth of Template:Convert, which damaged 1,500 homes, caused 284 homes to be condemned, and forced 1,000 people to evacuate. A water treatment plant was damaged in Bridgewater Township, forcing nearly 500,000 people in Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset counties to boil water for eight days.<ref name="njncdc"/><ref name="nyt1017"/> The Rochelle Park, New Jersey hub of Electronic Data Systems was inundated by the nearby Saddle River, disrupting service to as many as 8,000 ATMs across the United States.<ref name="rochelle park eds">Template:Cite news</ref> Flooding in an adjoining Bell Atlantic switching facility cut off phone service to one million customers in the area.<ref name="rochelle park bell atlantic">Template:Cite news</ref>

In Pennsylvania, Floyd killed 13 people, largely due to drownings, fallen trees, or heart attacks from physical strain. Another 40 people were severely injured. The hurricane left about $60 million in damage. Floyd produced moderate to heavy rainfall across the eastern half of the state, concentrated in extreme southeastern areas. Along the axis of the most severe downpours, rain exceeded 100-year levels.<ref name="Hydrometeorology">Template:Cite web</ref> Rainfall peaked at Template:Convert in Marcus Hook.<ref name="tcmid">Template:Cite web</ref> The highest wind gust was Template:Convert occurred at the Commodore Barry Bridge. In Delaware and Bucks County, 7,000 people evacuated from their homes. More than 10,000 homes were flooded, including 200 that were damaged to the point of being uninhabitable. More than 4,000 people statewide lost their homes due to the storm. The flooding forced the closure of hundreds of roads and bridges throughout the area, and total monetary damage to infrastructure was estimated at $20 million. Runoff inundated sewage treatments plants, causing raw sewage to empty into rivers. Many creeks swelled to record levels, in some cases over double their estimated flood stage, which left motorists in need of rescue, including a bus with 11 students in Buckingham Township. Statewide, Floyd left over 500,000 homes and businesses without power.<ref name="pancdc">Template:Cite web</ref>

The borough of Darby in Delaware County was "cut off and decimated" by floods from the Darby and Cobb creeks.<ref name="NCDC">Template:Cite web</ref> Flood waters there, reportedly up to Template:Convert deep, demolished local homes and businesses. In Aston Township, mud accumulated to Template:Convert. In Conshohocken, a rail car carrying 10 people became trapped in rapidly rising flood waters. After a rescue boat capsized en route, a few of the passengers held onto a tree awaiting rescue. Tides along the Delaware River caused moderate flooding of low-lying land.<ref name="NCDC"/>

In the Philadelphia area, 3,500 homes were flooded and 1,000 residents were evacuated. Around 400 people became stranded at the Radisson Hotel. Although wind gusts were below hurricane-force in Pennsylvania, saturated ground from the torrential precipitation resulted in widespread downed trees, some of which struck houses and vehicles. Gibson's Covered Bridge, which spans the East Branch Brandywine Creek, sustained severe damage due to fallen trees swept against it by the waters of the creek. Over 500,000 homes and businesses lost power as a result of Tropical Storm Floyd. On the Rockville Bridge, which spans the Susquehanna River,<ref>Template:Google maps</ref> high winds tipped over some cars of a freight train.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Tropical Storm Floyd over New England on September 16

Tropical Storm Floyd made landfall on western Long Island as it moved northward.<ref name="tcr"/> The heaviest rainfall associated with the storm was concentrated in the southeastern section of the state.<ref name="Hydrometeorology">Template:Cite web</ref> Several meteorological elements worked to enhance the moisture from the cyclone.<ref name="CBS6">Template:Cite web</ref> Rainfall totals exceeding Template:Convert were common, with as much as Template:Convert reported locally in the Catskills. At Cairo, Template:Convert of rain fell. The precipitation, combined with that of Hurricane Dennis earlier in the month, helped to alleviate persistent drought conditions.<ref name="NYNCDC">Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref> Floyd also produced gusty winds, reaching Template:Convert at Stewart International Airport,<ref name="tcr"/> worsened by a pressure gradient between the storm and an area of high pressure over the Ohio Valley.<ref name="CBS6"/>

Floyd's rainfall resulted in deadly and extensive flooding that killed two people in New York.<ref name="tcr"/><ref name="NYNCDC"/> Heavy flooding was reported along numerous creeks. In the Albany area, the Normanskill rose to extremely high levels, and the resultant flood waters damaged nearby buildings. The Coeymans Creek in Selkirk overflowed and forced 20 families to leave their homes.<ref name="NYNCDC"/> Further south, the Saw Mill and Bronx rivers both overflowed, and caused urban flooding.<ref name="NYNCDC2"/> A dam on a mill pond broke near Lake Placid, leading to flooding along the Chubb River.<ref name="impacts">Template:Cite web</ref>

The strong winds, combined with saturated ground from the rainfall, brought down trees in widespread areas of the Hudson Valley and Capital District. Many of the trees would not have otherwise fallen in drier conditions.<ref name="CBS6"/> Some of the downed trees fell on structures. In a narrow swath in the Wolf Pond Valley of Warren County, where wind gusts are estimated to have reached Template:Convert, hundreds of trees were blown down.<ref name="NYNCDC"/> At the storm's worst, power outages affected over 100,000 people region-wide,<ref name="CBS6"/> and some individuals remained without power for a week. At the Albany International Airport, the storm forced the cancellation of flights, and throughout the region schools were closed.<ref name="NYNCDC"/> Several boats sustained damage along the shore of Lake Champlain.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref> Throughout Orange, Putnam, Rockland, and Westchester counties, initial cost estimates were $14.6 million, although that figure represents only a portion of the actual monetary damage.<ref name="NYNCDC2">Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref> The storm also caused about $2 million in property damage in Essex County.<ref name="impacts"/>

New England

In Connecticut, the storm caused one casualty: a man drowned after boating in the swollen Quinnipiac River.<ref name="NC">Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref> The storm caused extensive flooding and serious damage. Wind gusts exceeding Template:Convert, combined with the saturated ground, brought down many trees and triggered severe power outages in the area.<ref name="NC"/> As Floyd tracked up the Connecticut River Valley towards Massachusetts, it dropped heavy precipitation. The heaviest rainfall occurred in a southwest–northeast orientated swath from northern New Jersey to southwestern Connecticut, including southeastern New York. At the Danbury Airport, Template:Convert of rain was reported. Rainfall rates of Template:Convert per hour occurred at Bethel and Danbury. Numerous rivers overflowed; for example, the Still River and its tributaries triggered severe flooding.<ref name="NC"/> The worst of the flooding—considered the worst in 40 years—took place at Danbury.<ref name="times">Template:Cite news</ref> Hundreds of homes, two car dealerships, several roads, and other structures were damaged there.<ref name="NC"/> At Greentree Motors, all 200 vehicles were declared a total loss.<ref name="times"/> Parts of the city were submerged with Template:Convert of water.<ref name="Danbury"/> However, throughout the state, roads were closed and basements were inundated. The flooding inflicted at least $1.3 million in monetary damage within Fairfield County.<ref name="NC"/> Portions of the state were declared a federal disaster area.<ref name="impacts"/>

Rainfall in the United States and Canada

Floyd brought intense winds and heavy rain to Rhode Island. The strongest winds were confined to Washington and Providence counties. The winds brought down numerous trees, tree limbs and power lines. Rainfall typically ranged from Template:Convert, with a report of Template:Convert at North Smithfield, Rhode Island. The Pawtuxet River reached flood stage on September 16, and crested the next day. Although it surpassed its banks, no flood damage was reported.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref> The storm's effects in the state were mostly minor.<ref name="Danbury">Template:Cite news</ref>

In Massachusetts, the storm produced wind gusts of Template:Convert, reaching Template:Convert at the New Bedford Hurricane Barrier. The strongest winds were concentrated over two sections of the state—the western mountains terrain and Cape Cod. The winds brought down trees and power lines in these areas,<ref name="NCDC2x"/> particularly around Pittsfield.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref> In terms of rainfall, the storm dropped Template:Convert in many locations. The heavy precipitation caused rivers to swell, and in some cases flow over their banks.<ref name="NCDC2x">Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref> Storm surge at the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier reached Template:Convert.<ref name="tcr"/>

By September 17, Floyd was located over southwestern Maine, dropping heavy rains. The entire state received precipitation, with the highest totals confined to southern areas.<ref name="Hydrometeorology"/> The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for two-thirds of the state. The storm was described as "tame", and damage was generally minor.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In much of Androscoggin County, rainfall amounted to between 7 and 8 in (180 and 200 mm); Poland reported Template:Convert. Several rivers approached or exceeded flood stage due to rainfall from Floyd and Hurricane Dennis less than a week earlier, causing minor flooding.<ref name="high wind">Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref><ref name="Floyd">Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref> Floyd helped to alleviate drought conditions in Maine.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Some roads in susceptible areas were submerged, and a few basements were flooded. Wind gusts of Template:Convert blew down trees and snapped branches, especially in the area surrounding Baxter State Park.<ref name="high wind"/> Around 15,000 residents were affected by power outages as a result.<ref name="Floyd"/> Following the event, five counties—Androscoggin, Cumberland, Kennebec Oxford, and Somerset—were declared disaster areas, making federal aid available to those areas.<ref name="impacts"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Rainfall in New Hampshire generally ranged from Template:Convert, although a few higher totals were recorded. At Mount Washington, Template:Convert of precipitation fell. The rainfall swelled rivers, pushing them above flood stage; the Saco River at Conway crested at Template:Convert, surpassing the 9-ft (2.7 m) flood stage. Along the Saco and Pemigewasset rivers, minor flooding took place,<ref name="New Hampshire">Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref> though only in low-lying terrain.<ref name="New Hampshire 2">Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref> Strong winds also impacted the state, with gusts often exceeding Template:Convert.<ref name="New Hampshire"/> The winds brought down several small trees in Jaffrey,<ref name="New Hampshire 2"/> and triggered power outages that affected 10,000 residents.<ref name="New Hampshire"/> A federal disaster area was declared in the state.<ref name="impacts"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In Vermont, for the first time in years, the Tunbridge World's Fair was canceled due to the storm. One woman sustained injuries after a tree crashed on her vehicle. Floyd produced high winds and heavy rain throughout the state, leading to widespread downed trees and powerlines. Thousands of residents in the state lost power after Template:Convert winds impacted the area. Rainfall totals of Template:Convert were common,<ref name="common"/> although there were localized higher reports. The rainfall was offset by persistent drought conditions, however.<ref name="impacts"/> Numerous tributaries overflowed their banks, and significant flooding was reported. In Weathersfield, part of U.S. Route 5 was washed away.<ref name="common">Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref> Some schools were closed and events canceled in the region. The downed trees caused structural damage, blocked roadways, and affected hiking trails.<ref name="NCDC1">Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref> The high winds also damaged buildings and some apple orchards,<ref name="NCDC2">Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref><ref name="NCDC3">Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref><ref name="NCDC4">Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref> Waves of Template:Convert occurred on Lake Champlain, damaging numerous watercraft along the shore. The hurricane caused one death. Most of Vermont was declared a disaster area after the storm.<ref name="impacts"/>

Canada

The remnants of Floyd produced rainfall and gusty winds from Ontario to Atlantic Canada, with Template:Convert occurring along the Saint Lawrence River in Quebec, the strongest winds in the country.<ref name="ec"/> The high winds damaged corn and other crops along the river's south shore from the l'Amiante to Bellechasse regions.<ref name="QC">Template:Cite journal</ref> The highest rainfall in Canada also occurred in eastern Quebec, reaching Template:Convert. Power outages affected Montreal and Quebec City, causing classes to be canceled at the Université de Montréal. Inclement weather was a potential factor in a five car accident on Autoroute 15 in Montreal. Minor traffic accidents also occurred in the Maritimes. Heavy rainfall backed up storm drains in Fredericton, New Brunswick. The Confederation Bridge connecting Prince Edward Island to the mainland shut down during the storm due to Template:Convert winds. About 6,000 people lost power in Nova Scotia.<ref name="ec">Template:Cite report</ref>

Aftermath

The Bahamas

To help the affected citizens, the Bahamas Red Cross Society opened 41 shelters, though within one week many returned home.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Bahamas required $435,000 (1999 USD; $Template:Formatprice {{#time:Y}} USD) in aid following the storm, much of it in food parcels.<ref name="baha"/> The Inter-American Development Bank loaned $21 million (1999 USD; $Template:Formatprice {{#time:Y}} USD) to the archipelago to restore bridges, roads, seawalls, docks, and other building projects in the aftermath of the hurricane.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

North Carolina

Flooding in Greenville, North Carolina on the Tar River

The Hurricane Floyd disaster was followed by what many judged to be a very slow federal response. Fully three weeks after the storm hit, Jesse Jackson complained to FEMA Director James Lee Witt on his CNN program Both Sides Now, "It seemed there was preparation for Hurricane Floyd, but then came Flood Floyd. Bridges are overwhelmed, levees are overwhelmed, whole towns under water ... [it's] an awesome scene of tragedy. So there's a great misery index in North Carolina." Witt responded, "We're starting to move the camper trailers in. It's been so wet it's been difficult to get things in there, but now it's going to be moving very quickly. And I think you're going to see a—I think the people there will see a big difference [within] this next weekend."Template:Citation needed

Runoff in the aftermath of the hurricane

Runoff from the hurricane created significant problems for the ecology of North Carolina's rivers and sounds. In the immediate aftermath of the storm, freshwater runoff, sediment, and decomposing organic matter caused salinity and oxygen levels in Pamlico Sound and its tributary rivers to drop to nearly zero. This raised fears of massive fish and shrimp kills, as had happened after Hurricane Fran and Hurricane Bonnie, and the state government responded quickly to provide financial aid to fishing and shrimping industries. Strangely, however, the year's shrimp and crab harvests were extremely prosperous; one possible explanation is that runoff from Hurricane Dennis caused marine animals to begin migrating to saltier waters, so they were less vulnerable to Floyd's ill effects.<ref name="Legacy"/> Pollution from runoff was also a significant fear. Numerous pesticides were found in low but measurable quantities in the river waters, particularly in the Neuse River. Overall, however, the concentration of contaminants was slightly lower than had been measured in Hurricane Fran, likely because Floyd simply dropped more water to dilute them.<ref name="usgs-flooding"/>

When the hurricane hit North Carolina, it flooded hog waste lagoons and released 25 million gallons of manure into the rivers, which contaminated the water supply and reduced water quality.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Ronnie Kennedy, Duplin County director for environmental health, said that of 310 private wells he had tested for contamination since the storm, 9 percent, or three times the average across eastern North Carolina, had faecal coliform bacteria. Normally, tests showing any hint of faeces in drinking water, an indication that it can be carrying disease-causing pathogens, are cause for immediate action.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Pennsylvania

On September 18, then-President Bill Clinton declared Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Montgomery, Philadelphia and York counties as major disaster areas, and an additional county, Berks, was included the next month. The deadline for storm victims to apply for state and federal aid was set for November 17.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In total, 16,442 applications were received, and by November 19, $26.6 million in aid had been provided.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Catholic Charities provided additional assistance to North Carolina, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Retirement

Template:See also Due to the high impact, extensive damage, and loss of life from the hurricane, the name Floyd was retired by the World Meteorological Organization in the spring of 2000, and it will never again be used for another north Atlantic tropical cyclone. It was replaced with Franklin for the 2005 season.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

See also

• Hurricane Dorian
• Hurricane Florence
• Hurricane Irene
• Hurricane Isaias
• List of New Jersey hurricanes
• List of North Carolina hurricanes (1980–1999)
• List of Pennsylvania hurricanes
• List of Virginia hurricanes
• List of wettest tropical cyclones in Massachusetts
• Center for Natural Hazards Research
• Timeline of the 1999 Atlantic hurricane season

External links

• NHC Floyd Report
• USGS: "Hydrologic Water-Quality, and Geologic Effects of Hurricanes Dennis, Floyd, and Irene"
• USGS: Flooding in Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland From Hurricane Floyd, September 1999
• NWS Service Assessment (flooding)
• NHC Advisory Archive—Floyd