Hurricane Gabrielle (2001)
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| Category 1 hurricane (SSHS) | ||
|---|---|---|
 Tropical Storm Gabrielle on September 14, 2001 |
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| Formed | September 11, 2001 | |
| Dissipated | September 19, 2001 | |
| Highest winds |
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| Lowest pressure | 975 mbar (hPa) | |
| Damage | $230 million (2001 dollars) $253 million (2006 dollars) |
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| Fatalities | 2 direct, 1 indirect | |
| Areas affected |
Florida, Newfoundland | |
| Part of the 2001 Atlantic hurricane season |
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Hurricane Gabrielle was, at the time of landfall near Venice, Florida, a strong tropical storm that produced a torrential amount of rain. The storm caused 3 deaths, one of those indirect.
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[edit] Storm history
On September 5, 2001, a weak, non-tropical low along a trough began to organize off the southeastern coastline of the United States. The feature remained, and on the 11th, Tropical Depression Eight formed in the Gulf of Mexico. The depression was under the power of very weak steering currents and it made a small loop. Tropical Depression Eight then strengthened to Tropical Storm Gabrielle on September 13. At the same time a mid-level trough was moving through the westerlies and this helped Gabrielle move to the northeast in a quicker pace. This resulted in Gabrielle making landfall near Venice, Florida on September 14 as a strong tropical storm with winds of 70 mph (60 km/h).
As a result, Gabrielle then weakened to a tropical storm with 45 mph winds. After 18 hours over the state of Florida, Gabrielle exited near Titusville, Florida and rapidly moved northeastward. Although Gabrielle was in a strong shear environment, the storm strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane, near Bermuda, on September 17. Then on September 19, Gabrielle was downgraded to a tropical storm south of Newfoundland. Later, it lost all of its deep convection and was declared extratropical.
[edit] Impact
Gabrielle, at the time a tropical storm, produced a torrential amount of rain over the state of Florida. Amounts added up to between the 4- 7 inch range along its track. A foot of rain fell in Volusia and Lake counties in northeast Florida. Other reports of urban flooding and river flooding was also acknowledged throughout the state. In addition to the severe flooding of up to one foot, many reports of tornadoes also poured in. In all, there were eighteen reports of twisters as Gabrielle came ashore.
The FAA had grounded private aircraft following the tragic events of 9/11. As the storm approached an exemption was issued for Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama. Owners were able to evacuate their aircraft and provide emergency relief flights after the storm passed. [1]
As Gabrielle was extratropical, it drenched parts of the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland with rainfall amounts totaling up to 6 inches. One recording station reported that almost 2 inches fell per hour.
In all, Gabrielle killed two people directly and one indirectly. A fifteen year old boy died of drowning in Winter Springs, Florida. Another died due to a rip current off the coastline of Alabama. The indirect death was the cause of an individual falling off a boat and drowning due to intoxication.
[edit] Retirement
The name Gabrielle was not retired. It will be used again in the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season.
[edit] See also
- List of notable tropical cyclones
- List of notable Atlantic hurricanes
- 2001 Atlantic hurricane season
[edit] External links
- National Hurricane Center Tropical Cyclone Report on Gabrielle
- US National Hurricane Center Tropical Storm Gabrielle advisory archive
- Impact in Canada
