Hurricane Irene
Hurricane Irene orginated from a broad area of low pressure in the southwest Caribbean. The low gradually became better organized over a period of several days and a tropical depression formed on the 13th. Tropical storm strength was reached later that day with the center about 230 miles south of the Isle of Youths Cuba. Irene moved north, then north-northeast, making landfall on the Isle of Youth on the 14th. The center of Irene continued north-northeast over western Cuba and into the Florida Straits and post analysis indicates that Irene became a hurricane around this time. The center passed over Key West Florida early on the 15th. At this time, most of the hurricane force winds were east of the center and the lower to middle Florida Keys. Later that day the center made landfall on the Florida peninsula near Flamingo and moved across southeast Florida. Torrential rains, with accumulations of 10 to 20 inches, and winds to tropical storm force were experienced over mainland Florida, with hurricane force winds confined to squalls off the Florida east coast. The center of Irene moved offshore near Jupiter Florida later on the 15th. It retained hurricane strength as it moved north parallel to the Florida coast. Irene then turned and accelerated to the northeast just east of the North Carolina Outer Banks early on the 18th. After passing the Outer Banks, Irene rapidly intensified and reached a peak intensity of 105 mph on the 18th. Irene continued northeast and was absorbed by an extratropical low on the 19th.
The following preliminary information is for southeast North Carolina and northeast South Carolina:
Highest Winds:
Wilmington International Airport:
2 minute sustained wind - 32 mph at 11:42 PM on the 17th
peak gust - 38 mph at 11:44 PM on the 17thMyrtle Beach International Airport:
2 minute sustained wind - 22 mph at 1:55 AM on the 17th
peak gust - 32 mph at 7:50 PM on the 17thNorth Myrtle Beach Airport:
2 minute sustained wind - 23 mph at 4:02 AM on the 17th
peak gust - 29 mph at 2:54 PM on the 17thFlorence Airport:
2 minute sustained wind - 24 mph at 2:55 PM on the 17th
peak gust - 30 mph at 1:37 AM on the 17thLumberton Airport:
2 minute sustained wind - 28 mph at 2:47 PM on the 17th
peak gust - 34 mph at 2:46 PM on the 17thFrying Pan Shoals Tower:
10 minute sustained wind - 56 mph at 6:50 PM on the 17th
peak gust - 70 mph at 8:00 PM on the 17thLowest Pressure:
Wilmington International Airport - 994.6 mb at 10:02 PM on the 17th
Myrtle Beach International Airport - 994.9 mb at 5:45 PM on the 17th
North Myrtle Beach Airport - 994.9 mb at 6:44 PM on the 17th
Florence Airport - 998.7 mb at 4:51 PM on the 17th
Lumberton Airport - 999.7 mb at 7:01 PM on the 17thRainfall:
Wilmington Internation Airport - 2.86 inches
North Myrtle Beach Airport - 4.15 inches
Florence Airport - 2.67 inches
Lumberton Airport - 4.63 inchesStorm tides:
Estimated 1 to 2 feet above normal. Possibly 3 feet above normal on south facing beaches of Brunswick and New Hanover counties.Beach erosion:
Overwash occurred at Floyd-Stricken Oak Island, causing moderate erosion to bulldozed dunes built after Floyd. Minor overwash occurred at the north end of Carolina Beach in New Hanover county, where Canal Drive was flooded on the sound side.
Radar and satellite images are available for veiwing along with data plots for the Wilmington, North Myrtle Beach and Lumberton airports* and Frying Pan Shoals Tower. To view a larger version of the images, click on the small image of interest or the text next to it. Anyone interested in obtaining a copy of the radar or satellite images should contact the National Climatic Data Center.
Data Plots
Data for the plots was taken from hourly observations. Because of this, highest and lowest information listed above may not be displayed on the the plots. Highest and and lowest information noted on the plots is only for the data used in the plots.
Satellite Image Loop
Radar Images
Velocity Images
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Page created November 1, 1999