Hurricane Belle (1976)
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| Category 3 hurricane (SSHS) | ||
|---|---|---|
 Hurricane Belle |
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| Formed | August 6, 1976 | |
| Dissipated | August 10, 1976 | |
| Highest winds |
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| Lowest pressure | 957 mbar (hPa; 28.27 inHg) | |
| Fatalities | 5 direct | |
| Damage | $100 million (1976 USD) $354 million (2006 USD) |
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| Areas affected |
New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts | |
| Part of the 1976 Atlantic hurricane season |
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Hurricane Belle was the third tropical storm and first hurricane of the 1976 Atlantic hurricane season. It was a major hurricane that threatened much of the East Coast of the United States. However, the storm weakened prior to landfall and struck Long Island, New York as a Category-1 hurricane, causing $100 million (1976 US dollars) in damage.
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[edit] Storm history
On July 28, a tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa. It moved quickly across the Atlantic Ocean at speeds up to 23 mph, and slowly organized with a large area of convection with a possible low level circulation as early as July 31. The convection became detached from the wave, and moved northwestward to a position near the Bahamas. As it remained stationary, it developed a circulation and became a tropical depression on August 6. Under weak steering currents, it looped, and was upgraded to Tropical Storm Belle early on August 7.
Belle drifted to the west-northwest, and attained hurricane status late on August 7. On the 8th, the storm turned to the north, where conditions favored additional strengthening. Late on the 8th, Belle reached major hurricane status, and early on the 9th, it peaked at 120 mph while east of Florida. During this time, Hurricane Warnings were posted from Georgia to eventually Maine.
Belle accelerated to the north-northeast and paralleled the United States coastline. After peaking on August 9, the hurricane weakened, possibly due to cooler waters off the North Carolina coast. It continued to parallel the coastline, remaining within 100 miles off the coast. Just after midnight on August 10, Belle made landfall on the South Shore of Long Island, NY, near Jones Beach, as a Category-1 hurricane with winds of 65 kt and a central pressure of 980 mb. It rapidly weakened over land, and became extratropical later that day over New England.
[edit] Impact
Belle's effects were much less than expected, in part due to its rapid motion of 30 mph as it paralleled the coastline. Gusts were near hurricane force winds in some locations, though winds were fairly light in most locations from 35 to 45 mph. Storm surge varied from 3 ft. to 4½ ft. above normal.
The greatest effect from Belle was its rainfall. Four to five inches of rain was seen throughout New England and the Mid-Atlantic region. There was considerable small stream flooding, as well as moderate crop damage. The crop damage, combined with widespread property damage, resulted in a total loss of $100 million in damage (1976 USD, $342 million 2005 USD). In addition, Belle was responsible for 5 casualties.
The name Belle was not retired, due to lighter than expected damage and few deaths. However, due to a change in the list of hurricane names in 1979, the name Belle has not been used since.
