Hurricane Diane

Hurricane Diane was one of three hurricanes to hit North Carolina during the 1955 Atlantic hurricane season. Diane struck an area that had been hit by Hurricane Connie five days earlier. Diane was the costliest hurricane in United States history until it was surpassed by Hurricane Betsy in 1965, and was the sixth costliest U.S. hurricane of the 20th century^[2].

Storm history

Storm path

A tropical wave developed into a tropical depression on August 7 in the tropical Atlantic. It moved west-northwestward, and became a tropical storm on the 9th. A cold low above and warm waters below provided instability, and as Diane turned northeastward on the 11th and 12th, it rapidly strengthened to its peak as a 120 mph (195 km/h) major hurricane. When the cold low left the storm, Diane turned to the west again, with a ridge of high pressure to its north. Diane retained its peak intensity for three days, but cooler air behind Connie became entrained in Diane's circulation. The hurricane steadily weakened as it moved west-northwestward, and Diane made landfall as a minimal Category 1 hurricane near Carolina Beach, North Carolina on August 17, about 150 miles southwest of Connie's landfall only 5 days before. After reaching Virginia, Diane recurved to the northeast in response to the weakening of the Bermuda-Azores high. It paralleled the south coast of New England as a tropical storm on August 19 and 20, and became extratropical on the 20th while south of Nova Scotia.

Impact

Rainfall totals from Hurricane Diane

When Diane brought heavy rain through New England, flooding was immediate and devastating. Compounding the problem was the fact that Diane was, and still remains, the wettest tropical cyclone on record for the Northeast. ^[1] Many small rivers rose above their banks from mountain run-off and flooded towns throughout New England. Flood records were numerous throughout the northeast, and damage was high. Many areas in Connecticut were flooded once more, including Winsted and Waterbury[3], as well as East Granby, where a former housing subdivision sitting where Grandbrook Park is today was completely swept away by the floodwaters. An estimated 184–200 people died because of the direct effects of Diane (on top of the 25 killed by Connie)^[4]. $831 million (1955 USD) in damages is attributed to Diane (although separating damage from Hurricane Connie and Hurricane Ione is difficult)^[5]. Accounting for inflation, Diane is the 12th costliest hurricane in U.S. history (as of 2005), with total damages of $7 billion (2004 USD)^[6].

Aftermath

The flooding in the Delaware River water basin initiated federal involvement to dam the Delaware River with the Tocks Island Dam Project. The project fell through after opposition from local residents, lack of funding, and geological problems. Hurricane Diane also severely damaged or destroyed parts of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad, causing the railway to suspend operations for a time. The resulting debts and operational constraints placed upon the DL&W contributed to its ultimate merger with the Erie Railroad in 1960.

Retirement

See also: List of retired Atlantic hurricanes

The name Diane was later retired due to this storm, and will never be used for an Atlantic hurricane again.

See also

Tropical cyclones Portal

• List of notable Atlantic hurricanes

References

1. ^  NOAA/NHC costliest US hurricanes (no inflation)
2. ^  NOAA/NHC costliest US hurricanes (with inflation)
3. ^  NOAA/NHC costliest US hurricanes (normalized)
4. ^  NOAA/NHC US hurricanes, 1851-2004
5. ^  NOAA/NHC deadliest hurricanes

External links

• HPC Rainfall Page on Diane