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Isaias Recap

5 Aug 2020, 8:00 pm

Isaias began developing over a week ago as an unorganized cluster of storms in the eastern Caribbean, strengthening to a Category 1 Hurricane with max sustained winds of 85 mph by the time it made landfall in the United States.

 

After passing over the Lesser Antilles, the system strengthen to a Tropical Storm and impacted Puerto Rico by dumping between 6″ -10″ of rain. Debris flows and devastating flooding took over the island as the slow moving system passed.

https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1289161636381679616

As the system moved over Hispaniola, it strengthened to Category 1 Hurricane on July 31st, while moving toward The Bahamas.

https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1289319210963935232

Hurricane Isaias held it’s strength as it moved through the southern islands of the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos. Eventually making a landfall over Andros Island in the northwestern region of the Bahamas.

https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1289659669028524032

This interaction brought the storm strength down, slightly, to a tropical storm as it started to approach the southern parts of Florida.

The impacts throughout Florida included gusty wind along the beach and outer bands bringing off and on downpours. The storm’s center was just far enough of coast the major impacts remained over the open water.

The storm was able to churn in the open water and this allowed it to strengthen. Outer rain bans impacted southern Georgia and South Carolina by early on Aug. 3rd.

The storm strengthened back to a Category 1 Hurricane with max sustained wind of 85 mph as it made landfall over Ocean Isle Beach, NC at 11:10 p.m. ET Monday, Aug. 3rd.

Storm surge along the Carolinas’ Coast ranged anywhere from 2 to 4+ feet on top of several inches of rain inundating coastal communities with water.

Wind from this storm was gusting even stronger than 85 mph at times through North Carolina. Oak Island, NC was hit with a gust of 87 mph on top of the storm surge and rain.

As Isaias’ wind weakened to a sustained 70 mph its speed picked up and impacts were felt all the way up to Canada. Tornadoes were numerous in the outer bands as the storm moved along the coast. Many water spouts moved onshore while inland tornadoes were strong and long lasting. The red dots indicate the reported sightings and damage from the tornadoes.

 

As the storm continued farther north, the tornado risk started to weaken but the flooding risk ramped-up. Over 8″ of rain fell in parts of New England leading in imminent flooding concerns.

The wind remained gusty which lead to many trees coming down under the weak ground from the rain thus leaving millions without power Tuesday Aug. 4th and Wednesday Aug. 5th.

Clean up efforts are underway from millions as the tropical system is gone and quieter conditions return.

We were with you before, during and after the storm and strive to keep you aware and safe.

About the author
Chelsea Ambriz
Chelsea is from Indianapolis, Indiana. Although it may be the Hoosier state, she attended Purdue University and is a diehard Boilermaker fan. She has a BS in atmospheric science and is currently pursuing her MS in environmental policy and management with a concentration in energy and sustainability from the University of Denver. Chelsea loves the ever-changing patterns of the atmosphere which led ... Load Moreher to participate in extensive severe weather research for the Red Cross during her undergrad years. She is currently a Community Volunteer Leader for the Red Cross and enjoys giving back to the community she lives. Before coming to WeatherNation, Chelsea worked in West Virginia at WSAZ and in west Tennessee at WBBJ where she did it all from reporting to sports but her passion is weather.

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