What kind of Hurricane was Irene going to be?
The hurricane intensified into a Category 3 major hurricane as it recurved toward the northwest along a weakness in the subtropical ridge. Irene would gradually weaken to a strong Category 1 storm as it approached the North Carolina coast as dry air wrapped into the hurricane.
When did Hurricane Irene hit the Outer Banks?
Early on August 27, Irene further weakened to a Category 1 hurricane as it approached the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
Where was the SWATH system during Hurricane Irene?
SWaTH is a system of flood-hardened, real-time telemetered tide gages, rapid deployment gages, and storm tide sensors deployed in integrated network configurations along the Northeastern Atlantic Coast from North Carolina to Maine. Below are news stories associated with Hurricane Irene and USGS flood activities.
When did Hurricane Irene hit the Leeward Islands?
By the time the wave approached the Leeward Islands on August 21, the system began to develop and eventually became Tropical Storm Irene. Originally, the model runs saw Irene pushing into southern Florida or possibly emerging into the eastern Gulf of Mexico.
Tropical-storm force winds began to affect the Outer Banks and Crystal Coast during the early evening hours of August 26. Additionally, Irene spawned several tornadoes during the late evening hours of August 26, producing significant damage in Tyrrell, Washington and Beaufort Counties.
When did Maryland declare a state of emergency for Hurricane Irene?
On August 25, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley declared a state of emergency in preparation for Irene. The town of Ocean City initiated „phase one“ of its contingency plan that same day, which includes a mandatory evacuation order for international workforce students.