| Formed | July 11, 1995 |
|---|---|
| Dissipated | August 5, 1995 |
| Fatalities | 1,000+ heat related;[1] 1 flood related; 6 lightning related; 13 storm related; Total: 1,020+ |
| Damage | ~$1 billion |
| Areas affected | Northern and eastern United States |
The 1995 United States heat waves and derechos were a series of record-setting heat waves and damaging severe weather events, resulting one of the deadliest natural disasters to impact the United States in the 20th century. The event took place between July 11 and August27, 1995 and affected 24 states, killing over 1,000 people and leaving over $10 million in direct losses. The extreme temperatures also sparked large-scale Derecho events across northern and eastern states, causing an estimated $1 billion in damages
Derechos
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July 11
editThe first of four derechos formed during the evening of July 11 over Montana. The system tracked nearly due east through the rest of the night into the morning of July 12, at which time it had reached western Michigan, before dissipating.[2] Upon its formation in Montana, large hail damaged homes and cars and high winds tore roofs off of buildings.[3][4] By 5:30 pm MST, winds were gusting up to 90 miles per hour (140 km/h).[5] Just before 6:00 pm MST, a tornado of unknown intensity touched down in McCone County; several outbuildings were destroyed along the tornado's 1 mile (1.6 km) path and a home was lifted off its foundation. Damages were estimated at $300,000.[6] Several hours after forming, the derecho entered North Dakota.[2] Reports of winds in excess of 70 miles per hour (110 km/h) were common throughout the state with a peak gust of 105 miles per hour (169 km/h) recorded in Stark County.[7]
July 12-13
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The third major derecho raced through six states in 24 hours: Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio and one Canadian province, Ontario. This was termed a 'right turn' derecho because its initial eastward progression moved sharply to a south-southeast direction, having developed from a band of thunderstorms in Montana. The airport at Fargo, North Dakota recorded a 91 mph wind gust. This was the second day of three that Minnesota suffered hits from derecho winds--five million trees were blown down and buildings were damaged or destroyed, and six campers were injured by falling trees in the early morning hours.[2]
The derecho moved south and southeast during the afternoon hours and blew more trees down. Three people were killed and several injuries occurred in eastern Michigan. In Roscommon County, 100,000 trees and 100 miles of power lines were blown down. In Detroit, Michigan, 400,000 people lost power. It was the biggest power loss for the city since the July 7, 1991 derecho event. The power loss only added to what might have been a very uncomfortable situation. As previously mentioned, Detroit was in a massive heat wave. Luckily, the heat was mitigated by cooling from rain.[2]
The derecho wreaked havoc in southwestern Ontario, hundreds of trees fell and damage was caused to buildings. When the derecho crossed Lake Erie, the storm capsized many boats and one man was killed.[2]
The derecho moved into Ohio and felled thousands of more trees. Three more people were killed and several more were injured. The derecho finally dissipated near the Ohio River at midnight on July 14.[2]
July 14-15
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The Ontario-Adirondacks Derecho got its start near the straits of Mackinac on Friday evening of July 14. At the Mackinac Bridge connecting the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan, 100 mph winds were detected and sustained winds above 80 mph continued on the bridge for 10 additional minutes. After crossing the open waters of Lake Huron/Georgian Bay, the storm raced southeastward into central southern Ontario. Several brief tornadoes were reported. One F2 tornado was reported near Bridgenorth destroying 20 homes and a marina with winds estimated upward of 200 km/h (120 mp/h). A sustained gust of 136 km/h (84 mp/h) was recorded just north of Toronto at the Buttonville Airport, which was located on the southern fringe of the main derecho line.[2]
Thousands of trees were blown down severing power lines, blocking roadways, and damaing homes. One person was killed, and dozens of people were injured. Eight people trapped in flipped houseboat in Pigeon Lake near Peterborough were rescued hours after the storm. Power was not restored to some affected areas for up to a week after the event. The derecho caused CAN$53 million in damage.[2]
The storm entered New York state at around 4 A.M. The storm slammed into the Adirondacks felling 900,000 acres (3,600 km²) of forest. The value of the loss of timber was estimated at over $200 million (1995 dollars).[2]
The derecho passed through the Syracuse airport with a 76 mph wind gust. A parked Boeing 727 was blown into another plane. A 77 mph wind gust was recorded at Albany. It moved into New England a little after sunrise producing 70-90 mph wind gusts in several towns in Massachusetts. Fifty people were left homeless after the derecho blew the roof of an apartment building in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Three people were injured in Deerfield, Massachusetts when a hot air balloon got caught into the winds of the derecho gust front and blew the balloon into a tree.[2]
The Ontario-Adirondacks Derecho was the strongest of the Derecho events of the previous days and is among the costliest thunderstorms in US/Canadian history. It caused $500 million US dollars in damage. Altogether, the four derecho events caused nearly $1 billion in damage.[2]
Chicago heat wave
edit| State | Heat |
|---|---|
| Illinois | 754 |
| Wisconsin | 197 |
| Pennsylvania | 73 |
| Missouri | 34 |
| District of Colombia | 14 |
| Indiana | 14 |
| Maryland | 11 |
| New Jersey | 10 |
| Texas | 10 |
| New York | 7 |
| Ohio | 5 |
| South Carolina | 5 |
| Iowa | 3 |
| Alabama | 2 |
| Arkansas | 2 |
| Delaware | 2 |
| Virginia | 2 |
| Mississippi | 1 |
| Tennessee | 1 |
The most severe impacts from the heat were felt in Chicago, Illinois where 739 died of heat related incidents. For three consecutive days, the high temperature in the city reached 99 °F (37 °C) with the heat index reaching 120 °F (49 °C) due to high humidity. The heat wave became the deadliest natural disaster to ever occur in Chicago, although it was not the hottest.[8] On July 13, a high temperature of 106 °F (41 °C) was recorded in the city, marking the highest temperature recorded in Chicago during the month of July.[9]
Wisconsin heat wave
editIn Wisconsin, the heat wave lasted from July 13 to 23, with the worst effects being felt in Milwaukee. High temperatures in the city peaked at 106 °F (41 °C), resulting in 197 fatalities.[10] During the nighttime hours, temperatures in the city on July 14 did not fall below 84 °F (29 °C), setting the record highest minimum temperature ever recorded in Milwaukee. Heat indices peak near 130 °F (54 °C), resulting in over 100,000 animal fatalities. Regarded as one of the worst natural disasters to affect Wisconsin, temperatures reached 109 °F (43 °C) in portions of the state with dew points in the low 80 °F (27 °C) range. The all-time-record high of 108 °F (42 °C) was tied in La Cross County as well as numerous daily record highs throughout the state.[11]
Northeast heat waves
editTwo heat waves impacted the northeastern United States during the event. On July 15, the all time record high in Connecticut was broken as the temperature in Danbury reached 106 °F (41 °C). Several other towns and cities also set records for the hottest July 15.[12] During the second wave, electric companies reported a record production of 10,805 megawatts of power on August 2. In Connecticut, high temperatures exceeded 90 °F (32 °C) for ten days, surpassing the record of nine days with consecutive 90 °F (32 °C) days.[13] In New Jersey, temperatures peaked at 98 °F (37 °C) on August 4, marking a daily record high for that date. Residents were given free fans to help prevent heat stroke during the August event.[14]
Tornadoes
edit| List of reported tornadoes - Tuesday, July 11, 1995 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | ||||||
| F0 | Ft. Lauderdale area | Broward | 26°08′N 80°08′W / 26.133°N 80.133°W | 1750 | 0.25 miles (0.40 km) | A brief tornado touched down in Broward County and struck the Ft. Lauderdale airport. Seven planes were overturned, six of which sustained severe damage. Damages from the tornado amounted to $200,000.[15] |
| Arizona | ||||||
| F? | SW of the Grand Canyon | Coconino | 35°23′N 112°40′W / 35.383°N 112.667°W | 0010 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) | A pilot reported a tornado touching down roughly 40 miles (64 km) southwest of the Grand Canyon.[16] |
| Montana | ||||||
| F? | unknown | McCone | 47°10′N 105°58′W / 47.167°N 105.967°W | 0056 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | A brief tornado touched down in McCone County. Several outbuildings were destroyed and a home was lifted off its foundation. Damages from the tornado amounted to $300,000.[3] |
| List of reported tornadoes - Wednesday, July 12, 1995 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | ||||||
| F0 | SW of Minot | Ward | 48°01′N 101°36′W / 48.017°N 101.600°W | 0600 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) | A brief tornado touched down over North Dakota Highway 23.[17] |
| F0 | Marion area | La Moure | 0700 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) | A brief tornado touched down in Marion without any known damage.[18] | |
| Minnesota | ||||||
| F0 | Central Lakes area | St. Louis | 1155 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) | A brief tornado touched down twice over one home, uprooting ten trees and moderately damaging the home. Damages from the tornado amounted to $2,000.[19] | |
| Florida | ||||||
| F0 | E of Homestead Air Reserve Base | Miami-Dade | 1700 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) | A brief tornado downed 10 power poles roughly 1 mile (1.6 km) east of Homestead Air Reserve Base.[20] | |
| F1 | S of St. Petersburg | Pinellas | 1815 | 6 miles (9.7 km) | A relatively long tracked tornado made several touchdowns in Pinellas County, damaging numerous homes and destroyed a boat and several motorcycles. One person was injured after her roof collapsed on her. Damages from the tornado amounted to $200,000.[21] | |
| F0 | Sawgrass Mills area | Broward | 1915 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) | A brief tornado touched down near a shopping center.[22] | |
| South Dakota | ||||||
| F0 | Isabel area | Dewey | 0400 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) | A brief tornado touched down in Isabel.[23] | |
| List of reported tornadoes - Thursday, July 13, 1995 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | ||||||
| F? | Cut River Bridge area | Mackinac | 1740 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) | A brief tornado touched down without any known damage.[24] | |
| F1 | W of West Branch | Ogemaw | 2041 | 3 miles (4.8 km) | A small tornado damaged several thousand trees and numerous homes; a few docks along a lake were also destroyed by the tornado. Damages from the tornado amounted to $500,000. One person was injured after being struck by a fallen tree.[25] | |
| F0 | S of West Branch | Ogemaw | 2055 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) | A brief tornado touched down in a forested area.[26] | |
| F2 | Alger area | Arenac | 2115 | 5 miles (8.0 km) | A strong tornado uprooted hundreds of trees and damaged up to 50 homes.[27] | |
| Florida | ||||||
| F0 | WSW of Brooksville | Hernando | 2220 | 2 miles (3.2 km) | A waterspout moved onshore in Hernando County, downing several trees before dissipating.[28] | |
| F0 | NNE of Pie | Hernando | 2220 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) | A waterspout moved onshore in Hernando County, downing several trees before dissipating.[29] | |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Stephanie Kenitzer (April 11, 1996). "Many of the 1995 heat wave deaths were preventable according to NOAA report". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Storm Prediction Center (1998). "July 1995 Derecho Series". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
- ^ a b Stuart Hinson (1995). "Montana Event Report: Hail". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
- ^ Stuart Hinson (1995). "Montana Event Report: Thunderstorm Winds". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
- ^ Stuart Hinson (1995). "Montana Event Report: Thunderstorm Winds". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
- ^ Stuart Hinson (1995). "Montana Event Report: Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
- ^ Stuart Hinson (1995). "North Dakota Event Report: Thunderstorm Winds". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
- ^ Eric Klinenberg (2005). "Heat Wave of 1995". The Electronic Encyclopedia of Chicago. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
- ^ Jim Angel (March 6, 2008). "The 1995 Heat Wave in Chicago, Illinois". Illinois State Climatologist Office. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
- ^ Staff Writer (June 21, 1996). "Heat-Wave–Related Mortality — Milwaukee, Wisconsin, July 1995" (PDF). Center for Disease Control. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
- ^ Stuart Hinson (1995). "Wisconsin Event Report: Extreme Heat". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 30, 2009.
- ^ Stuart Hinson (1995). "Connecticut Event Report: Record Heat". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
- ^ James Barron (August 3, 1995). "In Such a Heat Wave, Familiarity Breeds Records". The New York Times. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Stuart Hinson (1995). "New Jersey Event Report: Heat Wave". National Climatic Data Cneter. Retrieved June 30, 2009.
- ^ Stuart Hinson (1995). "Florida Event Report: F0 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
- ^ Stuart Hinson (1995). "Arizona Event Report: Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
- ^ Stuart Hinson (1995). "North Dakota Event Report: F0 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
- ^ Stuart Hinson (1995). "North Dakota Event Report: F0 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
- ^ Stuart Hinson (1995). "Minnesota Event Report: F0 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
- ^ Stuart Hinson (1995). "Florida Event Report: F0 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
- ^ Stuart Hinson (1995). "Florida Event Report: F1 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 30, 2009.
- ^ Stuart Hinson (1995). "Florida Event Report: F0 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 30, 2009.
- ^ Stuart Hinson (1995). "South Dakota Event Report: F0 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 30, 2009.
- ^ Stuart Hinson (1995). "Michigan Event Report: Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 30, 2009.
- ^ Stuart Hinson (1995). "Michigan Event Report: F1 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 30, 2009.
- ^ Stuart Hinson (1995). "Michigan Event Report: F0 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 30, 2009.
- ^ Stuart Hinson (1995). "Michigan Event Report: F2 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 30, 2009.
- ^ Stuart Hinson (1995). "Florida Event Report: F0 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 30, 2009.
- ^ Stuart Hinson (1995). "Florida Event Report: F0 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 30, 2009.