Punishing tropical systems in the Mid-Atlantic Region

 

Hurricane Isabel, September 2003 (Source: NOAA)

As Tropical Storm Debby slowly tracks up the East Coast, it may evoke memories of past tropical systems to impact the DMV.  Here are some of the memorable ones to occur since 2000.

Ida (2021): The DC Metro Area had heavy rain and severe weather due to the remnants of Ida.  A September 1 rainfall record of 4.13” was reported at BWI Airport. Several tornadoes were also reported in the DC Area, including an EF-2 in Anne Arundel County that caused a lot of damage in suburban Annapolis, Maryland. 

Ida ranks as the sixth costliest hurricane in U.S. history with $84.6 billion worth of damage (2024 dollars), according to NOAA. Ida also claimed nearly 100 lives in the United States.

Isaias (2020): It was a minimal Category 1 hurricane when it made landfall in North Carolina on August 3, 2020. However, Isaias had significant impacts in the DMV, including 4 tornadoes in St. Mary’s Co., Maryland. A slew of tornadoes also touched down in central and southern Virginia and on the Eastern Shore. 

Record rainfall also occurred on August 4. along with many downed trees and significant coastal flooding/erosion. Isaias left nearly $6 billion in damage (2024 dollars) with over a dozen fatalities in the United States.

National Airport – 2.48”
Dulles – 1.87”
BWI – 2.32” (its third highest August 4 rainfall total)

Irene (2011): Hurricane Irene made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane on August 27 and brought significant impacts to the Mid-Atlantic Region and the Northeast. A two-day storm total of 3.83” was recorded at National Airport on August 27-28, more than a third of D.C.’s August 2011 rainfall total. August 2011 was D.C.’s rainiest August since 1967, according to NOAA. Irene claimed over three dozen lives and caused $18.8 billion in damage (2024 dollars).

Isabel (2003): Once a Category 5, Isabel weakened to Category 2 intensity before its landfall in North Carolina on September 18. Despite weakening, Isabel caused major flooding and damage across much of the Mid-Atlantic Region and the Northeast. In the D.C. Metro Region, it was responsible for approximately one million power outages. Isabel caused 17 direct fatalities in the United States along with $9.3 billion in damage (2024 dollars).