Natural Hazards and Disasters: The Journey of Hurricane Arthur

Tuesday 8 July 2014

The Journey of Hurricane Arthur

Hurricane Arthur was the first tropical storm of the season over the Atlantic Ocean. It became classified as a tropical depression on 1 July with sustained wind speeds of 55 km/h. The National Hurricane Center forecast that the tropical depression would become a tropical storm later that day. A tropical storm watch was issued.

At 11:00 AM (EDT) the tropical depression gained its tropical storm status. It was located offshore of the Central Florida Atlantic Coast and was travelling northwest at 4 km/h with wind speeds of 65 km/h. At 11:00 PM (EDT), Arthur had wind speeds of 85 km/h and was travelling north at 4 km/h. The NHC issued a tropical storm watch for east coast of Florida from Fort Pierce to Flagler Beach. It was predicted that Arthur would gain strength and become a hurricane on 3 July with estimated wind speeds of 110 km/h.

On 3 July at 5:00 AM (EDT) Arthur gained its hurricane status with wind speeds up to 120 km/h. It was not a Category 1 hurricane moving north at 15 km/h. The minimum central pressure was 985 MB. Hurricane Warnings was extended to areas northwards from Duck North Carolina to North Carolina/Virginia border.

At 9:00 PM (EDT) on the same day Arthur became classified as a Category 2 Hurricane with sustained maximum wind speeds of 160 km/h and minimum pressure of 976 MB. Arthur was forecast to pass near or over the coast of North Carolina and the Outer Banks. A maximum height of 5ft storm surges was expected along coastal areas. This was due to the combination of both the low pressure and high tide.

At 11:15 PM (EDT) the center of Arthur made landfall over Shackleford Banks between Cape Lookout and Beaufort North Carolina. Sustained wind speeds of 155 km/h were recorded. The minimum central pressure was 976 MB and the storm was moving north east at 30 km/h.

On 4 July Arthur continued to move northeast with maximum sustained winds of 155 km/h, triggering numerous watches and warnings. An increase in the forward speed was expected. According to the forecast track, the center of Arthur would pass over coastal areas of eastern North Carolina, southeast of New England and be near or over western Nova Scotia on Saturday 5 July. At 2:00 AM (EDT) Arthur was moving up the west side of Pamlico Sound at 35 km/h.

Hurricane conditions continued to spread north along the Outer Banks. At 5:00 AM (EDT) Arthur was moving offshore of the Outer Banks and was expected to pass southeast of Cape Code later that night. At 8 AM (EDT) Hurricane Arthur kept moving away from the coast of North Carolina at 34 km/h and began to weaken as it moved away. At 11:00 PM (EDT) Arthur's wind speeds had decreased to 120 km/h and the minimum pressure center was 976 MB. The system was moving northeast at 50 km/h. It was downgraded to a Category 1 Hurricane.

At 8:00 AM (EDT) on 5 July, Hurricane Arthur became a post tropical cyclone as it moved over southeast Canada with winds of 100 km/h.

26 counties in North Carolina declared a Sate of Emergency with evacuation orders in place. The impacts of Hurricane Arthur were limited with no severe structural damage reported. Several homes lost power due to the damaging wind. Flooding along coastal regions was reported, however no fatalities or serious injuries took place. An EF1 tornado was also reported in Duplin County. The tornado damaged two structures and numerous trees.