**** Info via Environment Canada
Hurricane Dorian 5th anniversary
Five years ago, on September 7, hurricane Dorian made landfall as a post-tropical cyclone between Sambro and Terence Bay in Nova Scotia with hurricane-force wind gusts and heavy rainfall across the province.
On August 24, 2019, Tropical Depression 5 formed and later became Hurricane Dorian. By September 1, Dorian intensified to a Category 5 hurricane, hitting the Bahamas with wind speeds of 295 km/h which caused severe damage.
Dorian then moved northeast along the U.S. coast, weakening to a Category 2 hurricane by its landfall in Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, on September 6. The storm transitioned to a post-tropical system on September 7, which spread the damaging winds even wider, as it headed towards Atlantic Canada.
Classified as a post-tropical storm with Category 1 to 2 hurricane-force winds, Dorian made landfall near Halifax, at Sambro Creek, just after 7:00 p.m. local time on September 7. It then moved over northern Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and the Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland.
By September 9, Dorian had exited Canadian waters into the North Atlantic Ocean.
Dorian’s wrath
Dorian is remembered in the Maritimes for its extensive destruction. This post-tropical cyclone brought heavy rain, large waves, storm surge, and severe winds, causing considerable damage. Roofs were torn off buildings, hundreds of trees were downed, and a crane toppled in Halifax. The storm led to massive power outages, leaving 80% of Nova Scotians without power. Across the Maritimes, over 500,000 people were left without power.
The Canadian Armed Forces deployed 450 personnel, and utility crews worked tirelessly, yet some rural areas remained without power for up to nine days after the storm. Estimated insurable losses exceeded $105 million (CAD 2019).
In the aftermath of this hurricane, the World Meteorological Organization retired the name Dorian from its rotating list of hurricane names. The name was replaced by Dexter. Retiring a hurricane name is a significant measure taken to acknowledge and remember the storm’s severe impacts.
As we commemorate this sad anniversary, we recognize the importance of remaining vigilant and prepared to face such storms.
For more on Dorian, visit: Tropical cyclone season summary: 2019.
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