The effects of Hurricane Noel in The United States were widespread, although they resulted in no casualties or significant property damage. The storm paralleled the U.S. East Coast and brushed Cape Cod; on November 4, 2007, it was determined that Noel had lost all tropical characteristics.[1]
Near the Bahamas, Hurricane Noel generated high waves and wind along the eastern shore of Florida. There, beach erosion was significant, eroding a 15 ft (4.6 m) vertical drop along the shore in some locations. As the storm tracked northward, much of the East Coast was affected by high seas and gusty wind. In North Carolina, parts of North Carolina Highway 12 were covered with water and sand. The western side of the storm struck eastern New England—particularly coastal Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Maine—with hurricane-force wind gusts on November 3. At least 80,000 customers lost power in Massachusetts alone due to the storm. Some damage was reported, mostly related to fallen trees, downed power lines, and coastal damage. The highest wind gust reported on land was 89 mph (143 km/h) at Barnstable, Massachusetts.
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On late October 31, the National Hurricane Center issued a tropical storm watch for southeastern Florida, as tropical storm force winds were predicted along the coastline.[1] The Miami National Weather Service office posted a tropical storm warning for Atlantic coastal waters from north of Ocean Reef to Jupiter. A coastal flood warning was declared for Palm Beach County, while a high surf advisory was issued for Broward, and Miami-Dade counties.[2]
Hurricane Noel made its closest approach to Florida on November 2.[3] The interaction of Noel and a ridge to its north produced strong, gusty winds and high waves along the east coast of the state.[4] The tight pressure gradient led to a prolonged period of gale-force winds;[1] gusts unofficially peaked at 55 mph (89 km/h). However, the highest official gust was 44 mph (71 km/h), while sustained winds reached 31 mph (50 km/h). Throughout Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties, 5,000 customers lost power. Overall wind damage was minor and mostly limited to downed power lines.[5] Rainfall was light, with local rainfall amounts up to 2.14 inches (54.4 mm) as Noel's rain bands moved in from the Atlantic.[6]
The offshore storm generated 12 ft (3.7 m) waves in some locations, forcing the historic fishing pier in Flagler Beach to close.[7] Beach erosion was significant, amounting to about $4 million (2007 USD) in damage.[8] Near West Palm Beach, Florida, a 20 ft (6.1 m) sand dune was eroded to its foundation.[9] In other areas, large portions of beach were washed away, prompting concerns about properties and structures along the shore.[10] Some oceanfront buildings sat at the edge of a 15 ft (4.6 m) vertical drop to the water due to the erosion. At South Palm Beach, the pounding surf collapsed a seawall, forcing the evacuation of part of a condominium building. On November 3, a boat capsized in the rough surf at the Boynton Beach Inlet; all five occupants were tossed into the water. They were later hospitalized, but their injuries were not believed to have been life-threatening. Additionally, coastal flooding and minor wind damage were reported.[8]
Coastal flood warnings, high surf advisories, and high wind warnings were posted for the coastline of North Carolina and South Carolina as Noel passed well offshore in the Atlantic. Similar advisories were placed into effect from Virginia Beach, Virginia to Ocean City, Maryland. A coastal flood watch was issued for parts of New York, including Long Island.[11]
As an extratropical cyclone, Noel interacted with high pressure building in from the northwest, forming a tight pressure gradient that produced moderate winds along the Outer Banks of North Carolina, primarily on November 2. At Cedar Island, sustained winds of 43 mph (69 km/h) were reported. Along the coast from Cape Lookout northward, gusts peaked at around 60 mph (100 km/h).[12] South of Bonner Bridge, a power line was knocked down, causing power outages to 6,000 customers. Light precipitation fell within the storm's outer rain bands, peaking at 0.5 inches (13 mm) in Morehead City.[13] The storm produced strong waves, flooding North Carolina Highway 12 with up to 5 ft (1.5 m) of water and sand on November 3.[14] Some coastal flooding was reported, and eight oceanfront properties sustained damage.[13] Overall, damage in North Carolina totaled $72,000 (2007 USD).[14]
Elsewhere, the effects were primarily high winds and minor beach erosion. As Noel was tracking northward parallel to the U.S. East Coast, high winds affected several states; wind gusts reached 53 mph (85 km/h) in Virginia.[15] Similar winds were reported along the coast of Maryland, causing minimal damage.[16] Beach erosion was reported in New Jersey, at one point eroding a 10 ft (3.0 m) vertical drop. Sand fencing was damaged, while rocks and cement walls were left exposed. Wind gusts reached 47 mph (76 km/h) at Barnegat Inlet, and minor coastal flooding was also reported.[17] Noel passed 200 mi (320 km) southeast of Montauk Point, New York. On Long Island, strong winds knocked down trees and power lines.[18]
As the extratropical storm progressed north, wind advisories were posted along the coast of New England.[11] Additionally, a winter storm watch was declared for northern Maine as rain was expected to change to snow.[19] In New England, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency activated its Emergency Operations Center.[20] The Cape Cod and Islands division of the Red Cross opened a number of shelters on Nantucket and along coastal Massachusetts. At various ports, boats were died down with additional ropes. Stores on Cape Cod were closed by November 3, of which some boarded up their windows.[21] The U.S. Coast Guard completed preparations by warning boaters of the storm.[22]
On November 3, the western side of the storm hit eastern New England, particularly coastal Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Maine, with hurricane-force wind gusts. Massachusetts reported a top wind gust of 89 mph (143 km/h), with sustained winds topping 59 mph (95 km/h). Throughout Cape Cod, trees and tree limbs were downed, particularly along Old Main Street in South Yarmouth.[23] The winds were also intense across central and Downeast Maine, where sustained winds of 50 mph (80 km/h) and gusts to 70 mph (110 km/h) were common.[24] Rainfall peaked at 5.03 in (128 mm) at Cutler Rainwise, Maine, while other reports ranged from 2 in (50 mm) to 4 in (100 mm) across the region. Throughout other portions of New England, rainfall was generally less than 1 in (25 mm).[25] In northern Maine, temperatures were cold enough to support 6 in (150 mm) of snowfall.[26] Strong surf caused flooding along the coast, with Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard suffering the most significant;[27] several beachfront houses were severely damaged, and beach erosion was a concern. Additionally, seas of up to around 30 ft (9.1 m) occurred.[28]
Power outages were widespread; about 80,000 customers in Massachusetts, mostly on Cape Cod, and 9,000 in Maine lost electric power. A candle burned because of the blackout is blamed for sparking a house fire in Barnstable, though no people were killed or injured.[26] A few roads were closed, mainly due to flooding and downed trees and tree limbs. Old North Wharf in Nantucket was damaged beyond repair, while numerous small boats were washed ashore. A large number of scallops were washed up in a nearby harbor. Overall wind damage was common, including broken windows, structural damage, and substantial movement of debris such as garbage cans and downed trees.[28] In Rhode Island, sporadic damage was reported, and a sailboat was damaged after being blown into a sea wall.[29] Despite the effects, no fatalities or significant property damage were reported.[30]