Meteorological Analysis
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Irene originated from an interaction between a tropical wave and an area of low pressure
over the Western Caribbean in mid October. On October 8th a low pressure system was
evident over the southwestern Caribbean. The area didn't organize much until a tropical
wave interacted with it on October 11th. By the 12th a 1006 mb low had formed in
association with the system just north of Honduras but, it was too disorganized to classify.
The system continued to organize however and became a tropical depression on the 13th.
The depression strengthened into tropical storm Irene later that day as it headed north.
Irene then slowed down as it approached Cuba and continued to strengthen, making
landfall at the Isle of Youth on the 14th with winds of 70 mph. Irene also began to turn
NNE around this time due to an approaching trough. Irene then emerged into the Florida
straits near Havana and intensified into a hurricane due to the very warm waters of the
Gulf Stream. Irene formed an eye around this time, and the eye passed right over Key
West, Florida on the 15th. Irene had winds of 75 mph at the time, these winds were
confined to squalls east of the center. Irene then made landfall on the mainland of South
Florida at Cape Sable on the 15th, with winds of 80 mph. Extreme rains occurred across
South Florida as Irene crossed the state, and hurricane force winds only occurred east of
the center over the Atlantic. Irene didn't lose much steam from crossing Florida and
remained a hurricane as it emerged into the Atlantic off of Jupiter, Florida on the 16th.
Irene then accelerated NE and brushed the Carolinas with heavy rains and some strong
winds. Irene did not make landfall in the Carolinas however. Irene then rapidly intensified
on the 18th to its max wind speed of 110 mph with a pressure of 958 mb. Irene continued
NE and became extratropical over the cold waters of the far north Atlantic, near
Newfoundland. Irene was absorbed by a large extratropical low shortly after transition and
the system as a whole became an intense extratropical cyclone.
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Casualty and Damage Overview
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There were 8 deaths indirectly attributed to Irene, all associated with severe flooding in
southeast Florida. There was also widespread flooding damage, with southeast Florida
taking the brunt. Some low lying areas such as Sunshine Ranches ended up underwater
for a week. Total damages in the state were $800 million
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Irene Hurricane Research Division Products
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Imagery
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Tracking Data
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Hurricane Irene
Time Lat Lon Wind(mph) Pressure Storm type
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12 GMT 10/12/99 15.9N 82.0W 25 1006 Subtropical Depression
18 GMT 10/12/99 16.4N 83.0W 25 1006 Subtropical Depression
0 GMT 10/13/99 16.7N 83.2W 25 1005 Tropical Depression
6 GMT 10/13/99 17.3N 83.3W 35 1004 Tropical Depression
12 GMT 10/13/99 18.5N 83.4W 40 1003 Tropical Storm
18 GMT 10/13/99 19.8N 83.6W 50 1001 Tropical Storm
0 GMT 10/14/99 20.7N 83.6W 65 999 Tropical Storm
6 GMT 10/14/99 21.0N 83.6W 70 999 Tropical Storm
12 GMT 10/14/99 21.3N 82.9W 70 997 Tropical Storm
18 GMT 10/14/99 22.4N 82.4W 70 995 Tropical Storm
0 GMT 10/15/99 23.1N 82.6W 70 988 Tropical Storm
6 GMT 10/15/99 23.8N 82.2W 75 988 Category 1 Hurricane
12 GMT 10/15/99 24.4N 81.8W 75 987 Category 1 Hurricane
18 GMT 10/15/99 25.1N 81.3W 75 986 Category 1 Hurricane
0 GMT 10/16/99 26.1N 80.6W 75 986 Category 1 Hurricane
6 GMT 10/16/99 27.0N 80.2W 75 985 Category 1 Hurricane
12 GMT 10/16/99 27.8N 80.1W 75 982 Category 1 Hurricane
18 GMT 10/16/99 28.6N 79.9W 75 984 Category 1 Hurricane
0 GMT 10/17/99 29.4N 79.8W 75 984 Category 1 Hurricane
6 GMT 10/17/99 30.2N 79.8W 75 985 Category 1 Hurricane
12 GMT 10/17/99 31.2N 79.7W 75 984 Category 1 Hurricane
18 GMT 10/17/99 32.2N 79.0W 80 978 Category 1 Hurricane
0 GMT 10/18/99 33.4N 77.4W 90 976 Category 1 Hurricane
6 GMT 10/18/99 34.8N 75.2W 110 964 Category 2 Hurricane
12 GMT 10/18/99 36.8N 71.6W 105 960 Category 2 Hurricane
18 GMT 10/18/99 39.0N 67.4W 90 968 Category 1 Hurricane
0 GMT 10/19/99 41.5N 61.0W 90 968 Category 1 Hurricane
6 GMT 10/19/99 44.9N 51.5W 90 968 Extratropical Storm
12 GMT 10/19/99 48.0N 48.0W 90 968 Extratropical Storm
18 GMT 10/19/99 51.0N 45.0W 90 968 Extratropical Storm
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Tracking maps courtesy of NHC
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Selected Hurricane Research Division Radar Image
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Selected Satellite Image
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