Effects of Hurricane Floyd in New Jersey

Hurricane Floyd
Tropical storm (SSHWS/NWS)
Tropical Storm Floyd over the New York Metro area
Formed September 16, 1999
Winds 1-minute sustained: 45 mph (70 km/h)
Gusts: 55 mph (85 km/h)
Pressure 997 mbar (hPa); 29.44 inHg
Fatalities 7 total
Damage $250 million (1999 USD)
Areas affected New Jersey
Part of the 1999 Atlantic hurricane season

The effects of Hurricane Floyd in New Jersey in 1999 were the costliest natural disaster in state history, until it was surpassed by Hurricane Irene in 2011. Hurricane Floyd struck North Carolina on September 16 and moved up the East Coast of the United States, crossing over much of the Jersey Shore as a tropical storm. Damage in the state totaled $250 million (1999 USD), much of it in Somerset and Bergen counties. Seven people died in New Jersey during Floyd's passage – six due to drowning, and one in a traffic accident.

Ahead of the storm, the National Hurricane Center issued hurricane and tropical storm warnings for the coastline. Floyd dropped rainfall across the entire state, with a statewide peak of 14.13 in (359 mm) in Little Falls; this was the highest statewide rain from a tropical cyclone since 1950. The rains collected in rivers and streams, particularly along the Raritan, Passaic, and Delaware rivers and their tributaries.

Preparations

Hurricane Floyd was a long-tracked Cape Verde hurricane that threatened to strike Florida for several days, until a torn toward the north occurred. As Floyd turned away from Florida, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) issued various tropical cyclone warnings and watches for the East Coast of the United States. On September 15, the NHC first issued a tropical storm watch for the entirety of New Jersey's coastline from the Delaware Bay to the New York Metro area. Early the next day, this was upgraded to a hurricane warning as far north as Manasquan Inlet, with a tropical storm warning extending northward to New York. These watches and warnings were downgraded and discontinued as Floyd weakened from a hurricane to tropical storm status. Late on September 16, the center of Floyd crossed the Delaware Bay and moved up the New Jersey coastline as a tropical storm, less than 18 hours after the hurricane made landfall in North Carolina.[1]

Ahead of the storm, then-governor Christine Todd Whitman declared a state of emergency, prompting school closures. In Vineland, about 3,700 people evacuated from trailer parks. Train service along the Northeast Corridor and NJ Transit lines were canceled for over three days. Rutgers University closed classes for two days.[2]

Impact

Rainfall from Floyd in the United States, showing the highest statewide totals in northern New Jersey

From April to July, rainfall in New Jersey was 7.14 in (181 mm) below normal, the second-driest for that time period since 1900. Although the state received normal rainfall in the month leading up to Floyd, New Jersey was still in a drought emergency when the storm arrived. On September 15, 1999, a day before Floyd moved through the state, an approaching cold front dropped over 1 in (25 mm) of rainfall, fueled by moisture from the storm. As Floyd moved through state, it dropped heavy rainfall over a 12 hour period in North Jersey.[3] Across New Jersey, the average rainfall total was 7.05 in (179 mm), with the highest totals in North Jersey.[4] The peak statewide precipitation during Floyd 14.13 in (359 mm) in Little Falls,[5] which was the highest rainfall total associated with a tropical cyclone in the state since 1950.[6] More than 12 in (300 mm) of rainfall occurred in Hunterdon, western Somerset, Morris, Essex, Passaic, and Union counties, with the heaviest totals near the Watchung Mountains.[2] Water capacity in North Jersey reservoirs were 11% below average ahead of the storm, but within a week of Floyd rose to 11% above average.[3] In addition to the storm's rainfall, Floyd produced gusty winds. The strongest observed winds in the state occurred at Newark Liberty International Airport, which recorded sustained winds of 44 mph (70 km/h), and gusts of 53 mph (85 km/h).[1] Floyd produced above normal tides along the eastern United States coastline. In Cape May, tides reached 7.36 ft (2.24 m) above mean sea level, which equates to a storm surge of 2.6 ft (0.79 m).[1]

Tropical Storm Floyd killed seven people in the state – six due to drowning, and one person in a fatal car accident on the New Jersey Turnpike. The combination of saturated grounds and gusty winds knocked over trees throughout the state, some of which fell onto houses. The storm's heavy rainfall caused flooding along rivers and streams, mostly in the northern half of New Jersey. Flooding forced about 26,000 people to evacuate statewide, about half of whom in Somerset and Bergen counties. Statewide, Tropical Storm Floyd damaged 39,113 houses, 2,232 apartments, and 2,183 businesses; of these, 183 homes or apartments and 75 businesses were destroyed. Storm-related power outages affected around 616,400 homes and businesses, for some lasting five days. About 17,800 people, mostly in Somerset County, lost gas service for as long as two weeks after the storm.[2] Severe flooding from Floyd damaged 24 dams, with three destroyed: Kirby's Mill in Medford, Bostwick Lake in Upper Deerfield Township, and Spencer Detention Basin Dam in Morris Township.[7]

Statewide damage from Tropical Storm Floyd totaled $250 million,[4] making it the costliest natural disaster on record in the state.[8] Early damage estimates were as high as $1.1 billion.[2] Floyd's damage total was surpassed by Hurricane Irene in 2011, which caused around $1 billion in statewide damage. Irene was surpassed a year later by Hurricane Sandy causing $30 billion in damage.[4]

South Jersey and coast

Along the Jersey Shore, Floyd caused minor beach erosion and back bay flooding. More significant flooding occurred in the Delaware Valley and its tributaries in the state due to heavy rainfall. A man drowned in the Salem River near Pennsville Township. In Haddonfield, the Cooper River crested at 3.9 ft (1.2 m) – 1.1 ft (0.34 m) above flood stage. More than 60 people had to evacuate in Burlington, Camden, and Ocean counties, including an elder care facility in Ocean County. The floods closed two bridges and ten roads in the region, including parts of U.S. Route 130, and damaged a road in Woolwich Township. Downed trees damaged a house in both Blackwood and Toms River.[2]

Central Jersey

In Central Jersey, Floyd's heavy rainfall was a 1-in-100 year event. The rains accumulated in rivers and streams, causing record or near-record flooding at four locations along the Raritan River. In Bound Brook, the Raritan crested at a record 42.5 ft (13.0 m) on September 16, well above the 28 ft (8.5 m) flood stage, and exceeding the previous record of 37.5 ft (11.4 m) set during Tropical Storm Doria in 1971. In Manville, the Raritan crested at a record 27.5 ft (8.4 m), nearly double the flood stage of 14 ft (4.3 m). In Pine Brook in Morris County, the Raritan remained above flood stage for around five days. The Millstone River crested at a record 21 ft (6.4 m), more than double the flood stage of 9 ft (2.7 m). Excessive floodwaters damaged a water treatment plant in Bridgewater Township, forcing nearly 500,000 people in Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset counties to boil water for eight days. Several schools could not reopen until the water flow was restored. Other sewage treatment plants in the region were unable to withstand the rush of water, causing raw sewage to be released into rivers and streams.[2]

The worst flooding damage occurred in Somerset County, where the floods isolated several townships, destroyed and damaged 75% of the bridges. The floods covered several roads, including New Jersey Route 18. There was also heavy tree damage in the northern half of the county. In Bound Brook, the record floods forced nearly 2,000 people to evacuate, including nearly 800 people from the second-story or on the roofs of their houses. Two people drowned in the city when they refused to evacuate their apartment. More than 200 homes were condemned. In downtown Bound Brook, floodwaters reached a depth of 13 ft (4.0 m). An electrical malfunction sparked a fire in downtown, but the floodwaters prevented firefighters from putting out the blaze, which destroyed or severely damaged seven businesses. Parts of Manville were flooded to a depth of 10 ft (3.0 m), which damaged 1,500 homes, caused 284 homes to be condemned, and forced 1,000 people to evacuate. The Flooding in Franklin Township caused $1.5 million worth of damage to the Zarapeth Community Church, after 20,000 books were destroyed. When the Green Brook exceeded its banks, the Green Brook Township Municipal Building was covered with nearly 3 ft (0.91 m) of contaminated floodwaters. In Hillsborough Township, flooding from the Millstone and the Neshanic rivers flooded 200 houses and forced 600 people to evacuate.[2]

Downstream the Raritan River, Middlesex County also sustained flooding damage, with more than 30 roads closed. In New Brunswick, about 1,000 people had to evacuate due to the rising Raritan River, which destroyed the city's police department and municipal court. The flooding damaged 500 homes in Middlesex, with a city damage total of $6 million. In Piscataway, three apartment complexes were flooded, and citywide damage was estimated at $5 million. The floods damaged about more than 100 homes in Dunellen. In Monmouth County, floodwaters closed portions of state routes 35 and 36, as well as six roads in Manalapan Township. The floods washed thousands of industrial drums and barrels into the Raritan Bay and onto adjacent beaches.[2]

Upstream reaches of the Raritan River caused flooding damage in Hunterdon County, where 699 homes were damaged and five were destroyed, and two apartment complexes were severely damaged. The floods damaged 5% of the county's roads, and closed three bridges for a period of two months. In Lambertville, the swollen Swan Creek flooded about 100 homes and damaged a water pipe, leaving the city temporarily without water service. The city's elementary school sustained $1.1 million in damage after it was flooded with nearly 2 ft (0.61 m) of water; it was closed for 12 days. High winds damaged two homes in Holland Township. In Mercer County to the southeast of Hunterdon County, flooding closed about 85 roads, including portions of Interstate 95, U.S. 1 and U.S. 130, and NJ 33. Hundreds of people required rescue after their cars became trapped in the floodwaters. In Trenton, the swollen Assunpink Creek damaged 40 homes and three businesses. The Shabakunk Creek exceeded its banks, damaging nearby homes and business, including a car dealership. High winds damaged the chimney and roof of the Imani Community Church, causing $1.1 million in damage.[2]

North Jersey

The state's heaviest rainfall from Floyd occurred in urban areas of North Jersey. Streams and tributaries of the Passaic River reached flood stage at several locations. In Pine Brook in Morris County, the Passaic remained above flood stage for nearly five days. The Pompton River in Pompton Plains crested at 21 ft (6.4 m), or 5 ft (1.5 m) above flood stage, which was its third highest level on record.[2] Three rivers in North Jersey reached record flood levels – the Hackensack River at New Milford, the Saddle River at Lodi, and the Pascack Brook at Westwood.[9]

Urban flooding closed roads and entered basements across portions of North Jersey. Two people drowned in their cars in Bergen County.[9] Two people also drowned in Passaic County.[2] Gusty winds and saturated soils knocked down many trees.[9]

In Morris County, strong winds knocked down hundreds of trees, which damaged dozens of homes. This was some of the worst wind damage in the state. About 90% of Harding Township lost power when trees fell onto power lines. Floodwaters in Morris County forced about 1,500 people to evacuate, and closed dozens of roads, including U.S. 46 and state routes NJ 10, NJ 23, and NJ 53. In Pequannock, flooding damaged around 250 houses, causing an estimated $5.5 million in damage. One house collapsed in the flooding, trapping two people and a dog inside; they were all rescued. Floodwaters washed away the Allen Street Bridge in Netcong. The swollen Whippany River forced 50 families to evacuate in Morristown.[2]

Flooding in an evacuated trailer park in Franklin Township sparked an electrical fire, leading to an explosion of a trailer. Contaminated floodwaters disrupted public water service in Andover and Hampton Township.[2]

Aftermath

Debris removal in Bound Brook six days after Floyd's passage

Due to Floyd's damage in the state, then-President Bill Clinton declared a state of emergency on September 17, and a day later declared a federal disaster area for nine counties – Bergen, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, and Union. This declaration allowed for emergency funding to be used for debris removal, restoring public facilities, unemployment benefits for storm victims, and public assistance for homes and businesses.[10][11][12][13][14] FEMA – the Federal Emergency Management Agency – opened three disaster recovery centers and three mobile units to provide information about federal assistance, which ultimately assisted 4,241 people. Applications for federal assistance ended two months after the storm struck on December 17, 1999. By that time, 20,439 state residents registered for some form assistance, including $78.7 million in loans from the Small Business Administration, over $35 million in housing or family assistance, $267,798 in unemployment assistance, and more than $150,000 for crisis counseling. The state received more than $7.5 million to repair public facilities.[15] Following the storm, the name Floyd was retired and removed from the Atlantic hurricane naming list.[16]

The New Jersey National Guard delivered nearly 500,000 bottles of water to residents along the Raritan River without clean drinking water. During storm cleanup, a building inspector became ill from Legionnaire's Disease.[2] Volunteer organizations provided assistance to state residents. The American Red Cross served over 143,000 meals to more than 2,400 families. The New Jersey State Bar Association provided pro bono disaster legal service to state residents.[15]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Richard J. Pasch; Todd B. Kimberlain; Stacy R. Stewart (September 9, 2014). Hurricane Floyd Preliminary Report (PDF) (Report). National Hurricane Center.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "Heavy Rain Event Report". National Climatic Data Center. Archived from the original on September 29, 2018. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
  3. 1 2 David A. Paterson. Hurricane Floyd Rainfall in New Jersey (PDF). 12th Conference on Applied Climatology. University of Rutgers. pp. 265–268.
  4. 1 2 3 "Risk Assessment". State of New Jersey 2014 Hazard Mitigation Plan (PDF) (Report). State of New Jersey. Page 5.8-2. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
  5. ↑ Roth, David M; Weather Prediction Center (2012). "Tropical Cyclone Rainfall in the Mid-Atlantic United States". Tropical Cyclone Rainfall Point Maxima. United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service. Retrieved June 23, 2012.
  6. ↑ "Maximum Rainfall caused by North Atlantic & Northeast Pacific Tropical Cyclones and their remnants per state (1950-2018)" (GIF). Weather Prediction Center. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  7. ↑ "Hurricane Floyd". New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Dam Safety. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
  8. ↑ Congressional Record, V. 146, Pt. 8, June 13, 2000 to June 21, 2000. Proceedings and Debates of the 106th Congress Second Session. United States Government Printing Office. p. 10649.
  9. 1 2 3 "Flash Flood Event Report". National Climatic Data Center. Archived from the original on October 9, 2018. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  10. ↑ "New Jersey Hurricane Floyd (EM-3148)". FEMA. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  11. ↑ "New Jersey Hurricane Floyd (DR-1295)". FEMA. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  12. ↑ "Disaster Aid Ordered For New Jersey Hurricane Recovery". FEMA. September 19, 1999. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  13. ↑ "New Jersey Hurricane Floyd (DR-1295)". FEMA. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  14. ↑ "Flood Victims Eligible for Unemployment Benefits Helping Hand for Those Left Jobless". FEMA. September 27, 1999. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  15. 1 2 "New Jersey Recovery Assistance Final Update". FEMA. December 17, 1999. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  16. ↑ Gary Padgett; John L. Beven; Free, James Lewis; Delgado, Sandy (April 27, 2016). "Subject: B3) What storm names have been retired?". Tropical Cyclone Frequently Asked Questions:. United States Hurricane Research Division. Archived from the original on July 19, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
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