Effects of Hurricane Ida in the Northeastern United States

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Hurricane Ida
Extratropical cyclone (SSHWS/NWS)
Ida 01-09-2021 10-00 UTC.jpg
Ida as a powerful extratropical storm over the Northeastern United States
DurationSeptember 1–2, 2021
Winds1-minute sustained: 40 mph (65 km/h)
FatalitiesAt least 54 total
Damage≥ $16 billion (2021 USD)
Areas affectedPennsylvania, New Jersey, New York State (including New York City), Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine
Part of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season
Effects

Other wikis

On September 1–2, 2021, Hurricane Ida affected much of the Northeastern United States with catastrophic flash flooding and tornadoes. At least 54 people have died in the states of New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut.[1][2][3] The storm spawned seven tornadoes across Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Another tornado was reported in Massachusetts.[4] An EF1 tornado that tracked from Edgewater Park, New Jersey to Bristol, Pennsylvania prompted a rare tornado emergency for Bristol and Croydon, Pennsylvania, as well as Burlington, New Jersey. This was the first tornado emergency ever issued for a tropical cyclone as well as the first ever issued for the Northeastern United States.[5][6] Ida killed at least 54 people across the region. CoreLogic estimated that Ida caused an estimated $16 to 24 billion in flooding damage in the Northeastern United States.[7]

Background[]

Ida was the third tropical system in a time period of several weeks to affect the Northeastern United States, after Tropical Storm Fred and Hurricane Henri in August.[8][9] These storms dropped heavy rainfall, saturating the soil. New York City recorded 9.06 in (230 mm) from August 16 to 30.[8] Water levels in rivers were also higher than average, leaving much of the region susceptible to flooding.[10]

Preparations[]

The Weather Prediction Center issued a High Risk of flash flooding for parts of West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut.[11]

Impact[]

Deaths in the U.S.
State Total Ref.
New Jersey 30 [12][13][14]
New York 18 [15]
Pennsylvania 5 [16]
Connecticut 1 [16]
4 states 54

Pennsylvania[]

Flooding in Conshohocken, in Montgomery County, on September 2.

At least five people were killed in Pennsylvania. A woman was killed in Upper Dublin Township, when a tree fell onto her house.[17] In Bucks County, a man drowned in his vehicle in the Unami Creek.[18] An EF2 tornado caused damage in Fort Washington, Upper Dublin Township, and Horsham Township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, knocking down trees and power lines and tearing the roof off of the Upper Dublin Police Department.[19] Also In Pennsylvania, an EF1 tornado struck Buckingham Township in Bucks County, and a tornado touched down in Oxford in Chester County.[18]

New Jersey[]

The remnants of Ida producing flash flooding and severe weather across the Northeastern United States.

Newark International Airport was shut down, cancelling more than 400 flights.[20] An EF3 tornado with winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) damaged or destroyed many homes and tossed cars in Mullica Hill, New Jersey. One unanchored frame home was completely leveled. Two people were injured by the tornado.[21] In Millburn, Essex County, the Rahway River overflowed its banks, flooding the downtown area.[22] More than 100 rescues were conducted. People were evacuated to the Millburn Library.[23] In nearby Livingston, the Canoe Brook overflowed its banks, and flooding damaged several police, fire department, and public works vehicles. One fire department SUV was swept away while rescuing a person in a trapped car.[24] Around 500 rescues occurred in Manville, Somerset County, and 100 houses were estimated to be uninhabitable. Manville Office of Emergency Management Director John Bentz stated that the Raritan River crested on the morning of September 3 at 27.6 ft (8.4 m), beating Hurricane Floyd of 1999.[25] In nearby Bound Brook, a NJ Transit train was stuck in floodwaters.[26] In A total of 30 people were killed in New Jersey.[12]

New York State[]

The Long Island Expressway in New York City shut down due to flooding from the remnants of Hurricane Ida.

At least three people were killed in the suburbs of Westchester County. More than 200 cars were abandoned on roads. A man was killed near the Saw Mill River Parkway in New York City after his car was submerged.[4] A total of 18 people died in New York State.[27][15] According to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, flooding caused more than $50 million in damage in New York State.[28]

New York City and Long Island[]

In the New York Subway System, 17 trains were trapped and service was halted until the morning of September 2. Everyone trapped was evacuated, with no casualties.[29] At the US Open tennis site in Flushing in New York City, 18 people were rescued.[27] A total of 13 people were killed in New York City, with 11 of them occurring when basements of apartments flooded. In one of the incidents, a toddler was killed. A man's body was recovered from the Gowanus Canal late on September 2.[30]

Early on the morning of September 2, more than 13,200 customers lost power in Long Island. The Long Island Railroad suspended service systemwide due to severe weather conditions.[31]

New England[]

A Connecticut State Trooper sergeant was hospitalized after he and his police vehicle were swept away by floodwaters from the Pomperaug River in Litchfield County, early on September 2.[32] He died later that day.[33] An EF0 tornado was spawned in Dennis, Massachusetts, causing minor damage to two homes and knocking down three large oak trees.[4]

Aftermath[]

States of emergency were declared in New York, including in New York City, New Jersey, and Connecticut.[1][34] President of the United States Joe Biden stated that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was responding to the catastrophe.[27]

New Jersey[]

Several New Jersey public school districts delayed or cancelled classes because of flooding or severe weather damage.[35] Newark Liberty International Airport suffered flooding in the terminals, and all departures were grounded. Operations continued the following morning with flight delays and cancellations.[36] On September 2, it was announced that, because of the major flooding around SHI Stadium, the Rutgers–Temple home opener game would be postponed.[37] Governor of New Jersey Phil Murphy toured Mullica Hill. He said that the state needed improved infrastructure. Murphy said he would be requesting a major disaster declaration from the federal government, and promised to discuss storm-response measures with President Biden late on September 2.[38] Murphy also called the flooding "historic by any measure." Murphy also attributed the storm to climate change, saying that "there's no denying it".[27] The governor toured downtown Millburn. He stated that businesses and non-profits with up to 50 employees that were damaged by Hurricane Ida would be qualified for up to $5,000 in repercussions.[39]

New York[]

Governor of New York Kathy Hochul said that the state needed "massive cleanup".[27] The New York City Department of Buildings investigated the conditions of the basements where people had drowned during Ida. Five of the six basements were found to be illegally-converted apartments.[40] Mayor of New York Bill de Blasio presented the Climate Driven Rain Response Plan, which is expected to create a new and improved warning system. De Blasio also announced the formation of the 30-day Extreme Weather Response Task Force to look into how the city could be more ready to face such weather. The mayor also laid out the potential for travel restrictions, door-to-door warnings, phone alerts, and faster evacuations in the future.[40] On September 6, President Biden approved Hochul's request for a major disaster declaration. On the same day, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, De Blasio, Senator Chuck Schumer, and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez visited Queens, one of the hardest-hit areas in New York City.[41] AOC attributed the impacts to climate change, and also said that "[we] needed more advance notice from the [National Weather Service]."[42] She also stated that most of the flooding was caused by problems with the sewer system.[41]

References[]

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  42. ^ Gentile, Luke (September 6, 2021). "New York Democrats ripped by their constituents". The Washington Examiner. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
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