"Worst Hurricane"

[IsentropicLift]

The worst system in my immediate town was Irene due to the catastrophic river flooding. The worst conditions I've ever experienced were during Sandy. My buddy in SE Florida said that Andrew was his worst followed by Wilma.

[Ground Scouring]

Yeah, I've also found some weird inconsistencies on those wunderground storm overviews.

Check NOAA-HRD online for the latest data. Reanalysis has the 1947 FL-GA hurricane as a 90-kt/966-mb (strong Cat. 2) LF south of Savannah, GA (and an 80-kt/975-mb hit in Monroe County, FL).

 

The chart, while interesting, is highly subjective and, moreover, doesn't really match what some of the locations actually experienced. For instance, based on wind damage, Donna 1960 was almost certainly not the worst for inland Central FL (Orlando area). Reanalysis indicates that the Cat.-3 inland wind in HURDAT was likely overestimated and that Donna produced, at most, TS to low-end Cat.-1 winds over land. Those wind values are consistent with a revised intensity of 85-90 kt as Donna moved inland. Based on historical accounts, the October 1944 hurricane, the September 1945 hurricane, King 1950, and Charley 2004 produced winds of at least mid-range Cat.-1 intensity over land in Central Florida, with Charley in particular producing considerable wind damage all the way across the central peninsula. Many, many people in Central Florida say that Charley produced more significant wind damage than either Frances or Jeanne did.

 

The chart also overestimates the impact from the 1935 hurricane on the SW FL mainland. That cyclone was so tiny that the SW coast only experienced TS to low-end Cat.-1 winds as the cyclone paralleled the coast. Only a small section of the middle FL Keys experienced winds of major hurricane intensity. In terms of storm surge, the October 1910, September 1926, and October 1944 hurricanes were probably the worst (besides Wilma, whose surge mostly impacted the rural Everglades). Additionally, the chart makes too much space for Andrew 1992 in SE FL. Andrew's worst impact spared Miami proper and was highly concentrated in south Dade County and the extreme upper Keys. The September 1926 hurricane was probably the most intense ever to impact Miami-Ft. Lauderdale proper, with the September 1928 and August 1949 Cat.-4 storms being the most intense in Palm Beach and the Treasure Coast.

[jbcmh81]

For Ohio, it was Ike.  The state is rarely affected by tropical events outside of heavy rain and some flooding (Frederick in 1979 being a good example).  I don't think the state ever saw any serious wind from tropical remnants until Ike, though.  The worst areas were along I-71 from Cincinnati through Columbus.  Columbus had sustained winds of  between 50 and 60mph and gusts to and above hurricane force for several hours.

 

Dayton area: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0D02cFxJMX8

Columbus area: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZ4V7iCBjSk

NWS ILN area photos: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/iln/Gallery/Archive08AprSep/recent.html

 

At the peak, between 2 and 2.5 million were without power.  Damage ended up being between $1.5 and $2 billion, making it one of, if not the #1 costliest natural disaster in state history.

[PSUBlizzicane2007]

For Ohio, it was Ike.  The state is rarely affected by tropical events outside of heavy rain and some flooding (Frederick in 1979 being a good example).  I don't think the state ever saw any serious wind from tropical remnants until Ike, though.  The worst areas were along I-71 from Cincinnati through Columbus.  Columbus had sustained winds of  between 50 and 60mph and gusts to and above hurricane force for several hours.

 

Dayton area: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0D02cFxJMX8

Columbus area: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZ4V7iCBjSk

NWS ILN area photos: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/iln/Gallery/Archive08AprSep/recent.html

 

At the peak, between 2 and 2.5 million were without power.  Damage ended up being between $1.5 and $2 billion, making it one of, if not the #1 costliest natural disaster in state history.

 

I'll never forget seeing the waves on Lake Erie at Cleveland from Sandy, though.

[Weather.St]

I dont see how Hurricane Bob is worse then 1938 hurricane in New Bedford.  1938 was a disaster in all of RI so thats accurate, but Bob worse in New Bedford?  I dont get it.

Bob was certainly not worse than 1938. You have no idea how a forward speed of 70 mph can affect the wind speeds in addition to cat 3... it was pretty much CAT 4/5 speeds in some areas at times.

[wxmx]

Bob was certainly not worse than 1938. You have no idea how a forward speed of 70 mph can affect the wind speeds in addition to cat 3... it was pretty much CAT 4/5 speeds in some areas at times.

Forward speed is already incorporated to wind speed...it was a cat 3 partially thanks to the forward speed.

[Weather.St]

Forward speed is already incorporated to wind speed...it was a cat 3 partially thanks to the forward speed.

True, but it was also very unique in adding that 70 mph forward speed and still hitting land. Bob was simple a category 2 hurricane, however, it was the LAST hurricane to hit the New England states directly. Kind of odd to find a 23 year lull in a landfalling hurricane here into New England. However, 1938 was much more fierce, and had less warning time.