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Evolution
and Impacts –
An area of showers developed between the Bahamas and Bermuda
on September 6, in association with a developing upper-level trough and a
weak surface trough. This convection increased in both coverage and
intensity and the surface trough became better defined. A broad surface low
formed in the system late on September 7. By early on September 8, the
cyclone had developed sufficient organized convection to qualify as a
subtropical depression about 440 nautical miles south-southeast of Cape
Hatteras. Later that day, an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft
investigated the cyclone and found it had become Subtropical Storm Gustav.
Gustav moved erratically west-northwestward on September 9 as
it slowly strengthened. Gustav turned north early on September 10 as
convection became better organized near the center. Based on this and the
development of a band of strong winds closer to the center, the cyclone
transformed into a tropical storm. Maximum sustained winds reached 63 mph
while the center passed between Cape Hatteras and Diamond Shoals, North
Carolina late in the afternoon on September 10, as the center of
circulation moved just offshore of the Outer Banks.
Gustav turned northeastward when it reached the Hatteras area,
then accelerated northeastward on September 11. The tropical cyclone
intensified as it gradually began to merge with a non-tropical low and
Gustav became the 2002 season's first hurricane just before 8 AM EDT on
September 11 and reached a maximum intensity of 98 mph later that day. Gustav made landfall over the
southern part of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia near early on September 12 as a
Category 2 hurricane. Satellite, surface, and radar data indicated the
cyclone was becoming extratropical as it made a second landfall over
southwestern Newfoundland and Gustav lost all tropical characteristics late
on September 11 while decelerating across Newfoundland. The remnant
extratropical low moved into the Labrador Sea, where it turned
northwestward late on September 13 and dissipated on September 15.
Although
Gustav passed just to the east of Cape Hatteras, areas of North Carolina as
well as southeastern Virginia received heavy rain and tropical storm-force
winds. Parts of the Outer Banks received 2 to 5 inches of rain from Gustav
(Figure 3). In addition, winds of up to 50 mph occurred in the Outer Banks,
and the Coast Guard station at Cape Hatteras recorded a wind gust of 78
mph. Storm surge flooding of 5 to 6 feet above normal tide levels occurred
along the inland side of the Outer Banks in Hyde and Dare counties. This
occurred during a period of strong northwesterly winds following the
passage of the center of Gustav. Storm tides of 3-4 feet above normal were
reported in Cedar Island and along the Neuse River. Tides were 1-2 feet
above normal elsewhere along the coast of North Carolina. In addition, a
weak waterspout touched down on Silver Lake near Ocracoke and moved
onshore, but only minor roof damage was reported in association with the
waterspout. In addition, sporadic power outages were also reported. One
person was killed after suffering injuries in high surf caused by the
cyclone, and 40 other people had to be rescued from the rip currents and
storm surge associated with the storm. Total damage in eastern North
Carolina was around $100,000.
Figure 3.
Rainfall Totals from Gustav, September 8 to 12, 2002.
Sources –
National
Hurricane Center
Wikipedia
Vastormphotos.com
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