List of Pennsylvania hurricanes explained

The following is a list of tropical cyclones that affected the state of Pennsylvania in the United States.

List of tropical cyclones

Pre-1900

• September 18, 1876 – A tropical storm produced sustained winds that went up to 55mph in parts of Pennsylvania.^{[1] [2] [3]}
• September 13, 1878 – An extratropical storm produced at least 45 miles per hour (70 km/h) sustained winds throughout the state.^{[4] [5]}
• October 24, 1878 – The Gale of 1878 destroyed at least 700 buildings, caused $2 million in damage, killed at least ten people and injured more, and produced 80 km/h sustained winds throughout the state.^{[6] [5] [7] [8]}
• October 13, 1885 – An extratropical storm produced 44 miles per hour (70 km/h) sustained winds throughout the state.^{[9] [10]}
• August 22, 1888 – A tropical storm produced 46 miles per hour (75 km/h) sustained winds throughout the state.^{[11] [10] [12]}
• August 29, 1893 – A tropical storm produced 62 miles per hour (100 km/h) sustained winds throughout the state.^{[13] [14] [15]}
• October 25, 1893 – A tropical storm produced 40 miles per hour 65 km/h sustained winds.^{[16] [14]}
• September 30, 1896 – The extratropical remnants of the Cedar Keys hurricane produced close to 60 mph sustained winds.^{[17] [14]}
• November 1, 1899 – An extratropical storm produced 60 miles per hour sustained winds.^{[18] [14]}

1900–1950

• June 29, 1902 – An extratropical storm caused 65kn winds throughout the state.^{[19] [20]}
• September 16, 1903 – The Vagabond Hurricane affected Pennsylvania as a tropical storm with winds of 40 miles per hour, after making landfall in New Jersey with hurricane-force winds.^{[21] [20]}
• August 4, 1915 – A tropical depression caused winds of 30 miles per hour.^[22]
• October 1, 1915 – An extratropical storm caused winds of 40 miles per hour.^[23]
• October 24, 1923 – An extratropical storm caused winds of 45 miles per hour.^[24]
• September 20, 1928 – An extratropical storm caused winds of 45 miles per hour.^[25]
• October 3, 1929 – An extratropical storm caused winds of 35 miles per hour.^[26]
• September 21, 1932 – A tropical depression caused winds of 20 miles per hour.^[27]
• August 24, 1933 – A tropical storm caused winds of 50 miles per hour.^[27]
• August 19, 1939 – A tropical depression caused winds of 30 miles per hour.^[27]
• September 19, 1945 – An extratropical storm caused winds of 30 miles per hour.^[28]
• August 29, 1949 – A tropical storm caused winds of 50 miles per hour.^[28]

1951–1999

• September 1, 1952 – Tropical Storm Able affected Pennsylvania as a tropical storm and tropical depression after making landfall in South Carolina as a hurricane.^[29]
• October 15, 1954 – Hurricane Hazel caused hurricane-force winds and small portions with 6inches or more of rain.^[30]
• August, 1955 – Hurricanes Connie and Diane both caused as much as 10inches of rain and tropical storm force winds. Over 10,000 people lost power due to Connie.^[31] $70 million (1955 USD) was lost in the state and over 101 deaths were reported due to Diane.^{[32] [33]}
• June 21-June 22, 1972 – Hurricane Agnes caused rain and some winds. It caused widespread rains of 6 to 12inches with local amounts up to 19inches.
• September 6, 1979 – Tropical Storm David caused tropical storm force winds and at least 5 inches of rain.^[34]
• September 1987 – Tropical Depression Nine brought at least 500 inches of rain to part of the state.^[35]
• September 26, 1992 – Tropical Storm Danielle caused tropical storm force winds and around 2 inches of rain.^[36]
• August 18, 1994 – Tropical Depression Beryl caused some rain and tropical depression winds. Many evacuations occurred due to the storm, while roads were also closed. One house burned down in Middlebury Township. Damage in the state totaled at least $575,000.^[37]
• September 1996 – Tropical Storm Fran caused flashing flooding in about 15 Western Pennsylvania counties as rainfall up to 7 inches (178 mm) caused the Juniata River to overrun its banks, with flash flooding also occurring.^[38]
• August 29-August 31, 1999 – Hurricane Dennis caused tropical depression force winds and five inches (127 mm) of rain. Around 414 homes were damaged in the state. In a trailer park at a campground, multiple trailers were swept away. 8 ft flood waters hit Swatara Township, resulting in the entire town evacuating. Damage totaled much more than $800,000.^[39]

• September 16, 1999 – Hurricane Floyd, which was a tropical storm by the time it reached Pennsylvania, caused 13 deaths and 10inches of rain in the eastern part of the commonwealth. It produced a 2.8feet storm surge in Philadelphia.^[40] Multiple counties saw major evacuations, over 7,000. Many cars, despite barracades, were swept into the rushing floodwaters. 500,000 homes lost power due to Floyd. In addition to the 13 deaths, over 40 people were severly injured. 4,000 people were left homeless.^[41] Damage from the storm totaled $60 million.^[42]

2000 onwards

• June 16, 2001 – Tropical Storm Allison caused rain and extensive damage. At its height, there were 10 inches of rain in some parts of the Philadelphia area. Some 241 homes were destroyed, at least 1,300 were majorly damaged, and 3 buildings of an Apartment Complex caught fire due to an explosion after a gas leak.^[43] A total of 7 lives were lost in the Philadelphia area, and damage totaled to $215 million.^[44]
• September 2003 – Tropical Storm Henris remnants caused rain and $3.5 million in damage. 12 homes were destroyed, 380 majorly damaged (half being severely damaged) and 109,000 PECO customers were without power.^{[45] [46]}
• September 17, 2003 – Hurricane Isabel caused one death in Lancaster County, one death due of carbon monoxide poisoning caused by the storm, and brought strong winds to parts of the state. Damage in the state totaled $160 million.^[47]

• September 18, 2004 – Hurricane Ivan caused some of the worst flooding in Pittsburgh. The worst ever 24-hour rain total in the city was reported at the Pittsburgh International Airport.^{[48] [49]}
• September 1–2, 2006 – Tropical Depression Ernesto caused 2.5 to 3 in (40 to 75 mm) of rain in parts of the south-western portion of the state. 2 deaths were reported in the state.^{[50] [51]}
• June 4, 2007 – Tropical Depression Barry caused 1.66inches of rain, reported at Philadelphia International Airport.^[52]
• September 6, 2008 – The remnants of Tropical Storm Hanna led to a possible EF1 tornado that may have touched down in Allentown, Pennsylvania.^[53]
• September 14, 2008 – The remnants of Hurricane Ike caused 180,000 people to be without power in western Pennsylvania, wind gusts over 70 mph, and other wind damage. In Oil City, one person was killed by a falling tree limb. A state of emergency was declared for Pennsylvania.^{[54] [55]}
• August 28, 2011 – Hurricane Irene left 706,000 people without power in eastern Pennsylvania, and killed three people in Northampton County, Luzerne County, and Pocono Township. Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter declared a state of emergency for the first time since 1986. Hurricane Irene brought rain and wind gusts of up to 54 mph at the Philadelphia International Airport.^[56] Tornado warnings were issued in southeastern Pennsylvania, although no tornadoes were ultimately observed. Irene also brought winds of nearly 70 mph along the coast and 40 to 60 mph inland. The storm left five people dead in the state.^[57]
• September 5, 2011 – The remnants of Tropical Storm Lee brought 6 to 10 inches of rain in Pennsylvania, some areas over 14 inches. Lee's leftovers spread into the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, in some areas causing severe flooding, and record rainfalls throughout much of eastern Pennsylvania. On September 7, 2011, emergency management officials in Northumberland County, Bradford County, Susquehanna County, Columbia County, and Luzerne County declared a state of emergency, and mandatory evacuations because of major flooding; schools were closed due to rising river levels.^{[58] [59]} County officials determined that numerous roads were covered by water or washed out. A number of bridges were affected by high water. In parts of Wilkes-Barre, severe flooding hadn't been seen since Hurricane Agnes of 1972.^[60] Over 2,000 homes were damaged in Lebanon County. Damage in the state totaled over $177 million.^{[61] [62] [63]}
• October 29–30, 2012 – Hurricane Sandy brought over 20 inches of rain to southern Pennsylvania and caused 14 deaths.^[64] Over 1.2 million people were without electricity throughout the state. On October 29, a State of Emergency was declared. In Philadelphia, all major roads and highways were closed and people in low-lying areas were evacuated.^[65] By October 31, people were able to return home. In all the state, schools and certain jobs were closed for more than a week. Social media referred to Hurricane Sandy as "Superstorm Sandy."^[66]
• June 7, 2013 – Tropical Storm Andrea impacted south-eastern Pennsylvania with rainfall of 1–3 inches in Bucks, Montgomery, and other southern counties in the state.^[67]
• June 23–24, 2017 – The remnants of Tropical Storm Cindy bought flash flooding in eastern Pennsylvania, following with more than 6 inches of rain in southwestern Pennsylvania. An EF1 tornado was confirmed near Long Pine, with damage to trees and homes.
• September 8, 2018 – The remnants of Tropical Storm Gordon are absorbed by a large front. The new system brings rainfall to the state for several days.
• July 9–11, 2020 – Part of Tropical Storm Fay hit New Jersey, causing a microburst to form over parts of the state, such as Pittsburgh, causing flooding through the area.
• September 1, 2021 – Days after Hurricane Ida hit Louisiana as a Category 4 hurricane with 145 mph winds, the remnants traveled to Pennsylvania, bringing record flooding and extensive tornado damage. The National Weather service predicted that 9/1 could be one of the top five wettest days on record in central PA, behind Hurricane Agnes (1972) and Tropical Storm Lee (2011). The storm brought at least 5 inches of rain at Harrisburg International airport and 7 inches of rain in Lancaster. The Schuylkill river crested at 17.2 feet.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Data. www.aoml.noaa.gov . 2021-01-08.
2. Web site: Data. www.aoml.noaa.gov . PDF. 2021-01-08.
3. Web site: SAIC | SAIC | IT Modernization. www.saic.com.
4. Web site: Data. www.aoml.noaa.gov . PDF. 2021-01-08.
5. Web site: metadata. www.aoml.noaa.gov.
6. Web site: Data. www.aoml.noaa.gov . PDF. 2021-01-08.
7. Web site: Data. www.aoml.noaa.gov . PDF. 2021-01-08.
8. Web site: Gale of '78 - Storm 9 of the 1878 Hurricane Season. www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov.
9. Web site: Data. www.aoml.noaa.gov . PDF. 2021-01-08.
10. Web site: metadata. www.aoml.noaa.gov.
11. Web site: Data. www.aoml.noaa.gov . PDF. 2021-01-08.
12. Web site: Data. www.aoml.noaa.gov . PDF. 2021-01-08.
13. Web site: Data. www.aoml.noaa.gov . PDF. 2021-01-08.
14. Web site: metadata. www.aoml.noaa.gov.
15. Web site: Data. www.aoml.noaa.gov . PDF. 2021-01-08.
16. Web site: Data. www.aoml.noaa.gov . PDF. 2021-01-08.
17. Web site: Data. www.aoml.noaa.gov . PDF. 2021-01-08.
18. Web site: Data. www.aoml.noaa.gov . PDF. 2021-01-08.
19. Web site: Data. www.aoml.noaa.gov . PDF. 2021-01-08.
20. Web site: metadata. www.aoml.noaa.gov.
21. Web site: Data. www.aoml.noaa.gov . PDF. 2021-01-08.
22. Web site: Data. www.aoml.noaa.gov . PDF. 2021-01-08.
23. Web site: Data. www.aoml.noaa.gov . PDF. 2021-01-08.
24. Web site: Data. www.aoml.noaa.gov . PDF. 2021-01-08.
25. Web site: Data. www.aoml.noaa.gov . PDF. 2021-01-08.
26. Web site: Data. www.aoml.noaa.gov . PDF. 2021-01-08.
27. Web site: Untitled Document. www.aoml.noaa.gov.
28. Web site: Untitled Document. www.aoml.noaa.gov.
29. Web site: Untitled Document. www.aoml.noaa.gov.
30. Web site: Hurricane Hazel - October 1954. www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov.
31. Web site: Aug 14, 1955, page 13 - The Morning Call at Newspapers.com . 2024-08-02 . Newspapers.com . en.
32. Book: Matthai, Howard Frederick . Water Resources of the San Francisco Bay Area, California . 1957 . U.S. Department of the Interior, Geological Survey . en.
33. Book: Geological Survey Water-supply Paper . 1960 . U.S. Government Printing Office . en.
34. Web site: Hurricane David -Early September 1979. www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov.
35. Web site: Tropical Depression 9- September 7-10, 1987. www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov.
36. Web site: TROPICAL STORM DANIELLE 1992 . 2024-08-12 . hurricanecentral.freeservers.com.
37. August 1994 . Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena . Storm Data . 36 . 22, 23, 28, 38, 55, 57, 61–62, 86, 87, 97–101, 114, 115, and 117 . 0039-1972 . July 2, 2017 . 8.
38. Web site: Hurricane Fran - September 4-8, 1996 . 2024-08-12 . www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov.
39. News: September 9, 1999 . New car lifted from gaping hole . April 28, 2019 . The Daily Item . 3 . Newspapers.com.
40. Web site: Climate-Watch, September 1999 . 2000-03-02 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20011024130238/http://lwf.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/extremes/1999/september/extremes0999.html . 2001-10-24 . . 2024-04-17.
41. Web site: December 17, 1999 . Climate-Watch, September 1999 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20011024130238/http://lwf.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/extremes/1999/september/extremes0999.html . October 24, 2001 . April 22, 2010 . National Climatic Data Center.
42. Web site: Event Record Details for Pennsylvania: High Wind . dead . https://archive.today/20100422134342/http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~371449 . April 22, 2010 . June 3, 2014 . National Climatic Data Center.
43. Web site: National Climatic Data Center . 2001 . Event Details: Flash Flood . 2024-07-16.
44. Web site: Risk Management Solutions . 2001 . Tropical Storm Allison Event Report . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20060525191930/http://www.rms.com/Publications/TS_Allison.pdf . 2006-05-25 . 2024-07-16.
45. Web site: NCDC: Event Details . 2006-08-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120204110138/http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~519026 . 2012-02-04 . dead .
46. Web site: National Climatic Data Center . 2003 . Event Report for Pennsylvania . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120204110138/http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~519026 . 2012-02-04 . 2006-06-12.
47. Web site: Jack Beven . Hugh Cobb . 2003 . Hurricane Isabel Tropical Cyclone Report . 2006-12-26 . National Hurricane Center.
48. [National Weather Service]
49. News: Cueni-Cohen . Jill . Hurricane Ivan: 10 Years Later . September 18, 2014 . . subscription . April 17, 2024.
50. News: Staff Writer . 2006-09-05 . Ernesto Blamed for 2nd Pa. Death . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110521063610/http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=weather&id=4529057 . May 21, 2011 . 2011-04-28 . 6abc.com . Associated Press.
51. News: 2006-09-05 . Murray delayed by New York rain . 2010-05-04 . BBC News.
52. Web site: Data. www.aoml.noaa.gov . PDF. 2021-01-08.
53. Web site: Joanna Poncavage . September 8, 2008 . Possible Tornado damages Dieruff . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080908053923/http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all_tornado907,0,6293748.story . September 8, 2008 . 2008-09-08 . The Morning Call . mdy-all.
54. News: News Staff . 2008-09-15 . More than 140,000 in region still without power . 2008-09-15 . Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
55. Web site: Staff Report . 2008-09-17 . Death Toll From Ike Aftermath Climbs To 50 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080918084414/http://cbs2.com/national/storm.flooding.Midwest.2.819372.html . September 18, 2008 . 2008-09-17 . KCBS-TV.
56. Web site: August 29, 2011 . Hurricane Irene Philadelphia: Hundreds of Thousands Without Power . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20120209142245/http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/205337/20110829/hurricane-irene-philadelphia-flooding.htm . February 9, 2012 . September 6, 2011 . International Business Times.
57. News: WPVI-TV . DT . August 31, 2011 . The 44 victims of Hurricane Irene . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20111114231225/http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi//story?section=news%2Flocal&id=8333317 . November 14, 2011 . September 14, 2011 . 6ABC.
58. News: Holmes . Phillip A. . September 9, 2011 . 3 towns evacuated . September 8, 2011 . . 1.
59. http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/09/post_237.html Harrisburg announces flood evacuation of up to 10,000 residents from Front to Third streets
60. http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/luzerne-officials-issue-mandatory-evacuation-in-footprint-of-agnes-flood-1.1199789 Luzerne officials issue mandatory evacuation in footprint of Agnes flood
61. News: Staff Writer . 2011-09-16 . York County reports $2.9M in damage from Tropical Storm Lee . September 17, 2011 . York Dispatch.
62. News: Monica Von Dobeeck . 2011-09-15 . Agencies starting to compile lists of damages from Tropical Storm Lee . September 17, 2011 . The Patriot News.
63. News: Thompson . David . September 10, 2011 . Receding waters: Damage in the millions . September 9, 2011 . . 1.
64. News: November 2, 2012 . Death toll from Sandy now 96 in U.S . https://web.archive.org/web/20121102132836/http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/11/02/sandys-damages-estimated-at-as-much-as-50-billion/ . November 2, 2012 . November 2, 2012 . CNN.
65. Web site: Vicious Superstorm Sandy Smashes U.S. Northeast Cities . https://web.archive.org/web/20210213095319/http://ens-newswire.com/2012/10/29/vicious-superstorm-sandy-smashes-u-s-northeast-cities/ . February 13, 2021 . October 30, 2012 . newswire.com.
66. News: Kate Sheppard . September 18, 2014 . Report Warns That Superstorm Sandy Was Not 'The Big One' . April 18, 2017 . Huffington Post.
67. Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena: June 2013 . 2014 . National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration . Asheville, North Carolina . 49–50, 55–56, 58, 64, 66–67, 71, 73, 87, 279, 282, 284–285, 412, 414, 448, 466, 480, 482, 486, 590, 620, 628, 640, and 769 . February 20, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140220045548/http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS-1DC9704E-E924-48F3-A05F-4D0CAB4155EA.pdf . February 20, 2014 . National Climatic Data Center.