As of 2021 Pennsylvania has been affected by approximately 53 tropical storms and hurricanes, some with winds reaching as high as 75 miles per hour (121km/h). The state is landlocked in the Northeastern United States. No storm has ever made landfall in the state, though many storms, notably Hurricane Irene, Hurricane Ida, and Hurricane Agnes have passed through the state as an extratropical cyclone.[1] The strongest winds in the state were from Hurricane Sandy. Winds of 81 miles per hour (130km/h) were recorded in Allentown, Pennsylvania.[2] While it is very uncommon for a system to hit Pennsylvania while tropical, many systems see their remnants pass through the state.
List of tropical cyclones
Pre-1900
1876-1899
September 18, 1876 – A tropical storm produced sustained winds of up to 55 miles per hour (89km/h) (89 km/h) in parts of Pennsylvania.[3][4][5]
September 13, 1878 – An extratropical storm produced at least 45 miles per hour (72km/h) (70 km/h) sustained winds throughout the state.[6][7]
October 24, 1878 – The Gale of 1878 destroyed at least 700 buildings, caused $2million in damage, killed at least ten people, and injured more, and produced 80 km/h sustained winds throughout the state.[8][7][9][10]
October 13, 1885 – An extratropical storm produced 44 miles per hour (71km/h) (70 km/h) sustained winds throughout the state.[11][12]
August 22, 1888 – A tropical storm produced 46 miles per hour (74km/h) (75 km/h) sustained winds throughout the state.[13][12][14]
August 29, 1893 – A tropical storm produced 62 miles per hour (100km/h) (100 km/h) sustained winds throughout the state.[15][16][17]
October 25, 1893 – A tropical storm produced 40 miles (64km) per hour 65km/h sustained winds.[18][16]
September 30, 1896 – The extratropical remnants of the Cedar Keys hurricane produced close to 60 miles per hour (97km/h) sustained winds.[19][16]
November 1, 1899 – An extratropical storm produced sustained winds of 60 miles (97km) per hour.[20][16]
1900s
1900s-1920s
June 29, 1902 – An extratropical storm caused 65 knots (75mph) winds throughout the state.[21][22]
September 16, 1903 – The Vagabond Hurricane affected Pennsylvania as a tropical storm with winds of 40 miles per hour (64km/h), after making landfall in New Jersey with hurricane-force winds.[23][22]
August 4, 1915 – A tropical depression caused winds of 30 miles (48km) per hour.[24]
October 1, 1915 – An extratropical storm caused winds of 40 miles (64km) per hour.[25]
October 24, 1923 – An extratropical storm caused winds of 45 miles (72km) per hour.[26]
September 20, 1928 – An extratropical storm caused winds of 45 miles (72km) per hour.[27]
October 3, 1929 – An extratropical storm caused winds of 35 miles (56km) per hour.[28]
1930s-1940s
September 21, 1932 – A tropical depression caused winds of 20 miles (32km) per hour.[29]
August 24, 1933 – A tropical storm caused winds of 50 miles (80km) per hour.[29]
August 19, 1939 – A tropical depression caused winds of 30 miles (48km) per hour.[29]
September 19, 1945 – An extratropical storm caused winds of 30 miles (48km) per hour.[30]
August 29, 1949 – A tropical storm caused winds of 50 miles (80km) per hour.[30]
Hazel's rainfall amounts across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States, including PennsylvaniaHurricane Agnes over Pennsylvania
1950s
September 1, 1952 – Tropical Storm Able affected Pennsylvania as a tropical storm and tropical depression after making landfall in South Carolina as a hurricane.[31]
October 15, 1954 – Hurricane Hazel caused hurricane-force winds and small portions with 6 inches (150mm) or more of rain.[32]
August 1955 – Hurricanes Connie and Diane both caused as much as 10 inches (250mm) of rain and tropical storm force winds. Over 10,000 people lost power due to Connie.[33] $70million (1955 USD) was lost in the state and over 101 deaths were reported due to Diane.[34][35]
1970s-1980s
June 21 – 22, 1972 – Hurricane Agnes caused rain and some winds. It caused widespread rains of 6 to 12 inches (300mm) with local amounts up to 19 inches (480mm).[36]
September 6, 1979 – Tropical Storm David caused tropical storm force winds and at least 5 inches (13cm) of rain.[37]
September 26, 1992 – Tropical Storm Danielle caused tropical storm force winds and around 2 inches (5.1cm) of rain.[39]
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.[40]
September 1996 – Tropical Storm Fran caused flash flooding in about 15 Western Pennsylvania counties as rainfall up to 7 inches (18cm) (178 mm) caused the Juniata River to overrun its banks, with flash flooding also occurring.[41]
August 29 – 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. Flood waters totaling 8 feet (2.4m) hit Swatara Township, resulting in the entire town evacuating. Damages totaled more than $800,000.[42][40]
September 16, 1999 – Hurricane Floyd, which was a tropical storm by the time it reached Pennsylvania, caused 13 deaths and 10 inches (250mm) of rain in the eastern part of the commonwealth. It produced a 2.8ft (0.85m) storm surge in Philadelphia.[43] Multiple counties saw major evacuations, over 7,000. Many cars, despite barricades, were swept into the rushing floodwaters. 500,000 homes lost power due to Floyd. In addition to the 13 deaths, over 40 people were severely injured. 4,000 people were left homeless.[44] Damage from the storm totaled $60million.[45]
2000 onwards
2000s
June 16, 2001 – Tropical Storm Allison caused rain and extensive damage. Rainfall reached 10 inches (250mm) 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.[46] A total of 7 lives were lost in the Philadelphia area, and damage totaled to $215million.[47]
September 2003 – Tropical Storm Henri's remnants caused rain and $3.5million in damage. 12 homes were destroyed, 380 majorly damaged (half being severely damaged) and 109,000 PECO customers were without power.[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.[53][54]
September 14, 2008 – The remnants of Hurricane Ike caused 180,000 people to be without power in western Pennsylvania, wind gusts over 70 miles per hour (110km/h), and other wind damage. In Oil City, one person was killed by a falling tree limb. A state of emergency was declared for Pennsylvania.[57][58]
2010s
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 miles per hour (87km/h) at the Philadelphia International Airport.[59] Tornado warnings were issued in southeastern Pennsylvania, although no tornadoes were ultimately observed. Irene also brought winds of nearly 70 miles per hour (110km/h) along the coast and 40 to 60 miles per hour (97km/h) inland. The storm left five people dead in the state.[60]
September 5, 2011 – The remnants of Tropical Storm Lee brought 6 to 10 inches (250mm) of rain in Pennsylvania, some areas over 14 inches (36cm). 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.[61][62] 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.[63] Over 2,000 homes were damaged in Lebanon County. Damage in the state totaled over $177million.[64][65][66]
October 29–30, 2012 – Hurricane Sandy brought over 20 inches (51cm) of rain to southern Pennsylvania and caused 14 deaths.[67] Over 1.2million 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, and schools and jobs were closed for more than a week.[68] By October 31, people were able to return home. Social media referred to Hurricane Sandy as "Superstorm Sandy."[69]
June 7, 2013 – Tropical Storm Andrea impacted south-eastern Pennsylvania with rainfall of 1–3 inches (25–76mm) in Bucks, Montgomery, and other southern counties in the state.[70]
June 23–24, 2017 – The remnants of Tropical Storm Cindy bought flash flooding in eastern Pennsylvania, specifically Philadelphia, following with more than 6 inches (150mm) of rain in southwestern Pennsylvania.[71] An EF1 tornado was confirmed near Lone Pine, with damage to trees and homes.[72]
September 8, 2018 – The remnants of Tropical Storm Gordon were absorbed by a large front. The new system brings rainfall to the state for several days.[73] Notably, a game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Miami Marlins was postponed.[74]
2020s
July 9–11, 2020 – Part of Tropical Storm Fay hit Delaware and subsequently Pennsylvania. Flash flooding occurred in Wynnewood.[75] At least 6 drivers needed rescue after getting trapped in rushing waters. Eastern Pennsylvania saw more flash flooding, while some trees were downed.[76]
August 24, 2021 – Hurricane Henri caused heavy rainfall is Eastern Pennsylvania. Notably, multiple parking lots and basements suffered damage. A sewer also overflowed in Dunmore.[79]6.03 inches (153mm) fell in Albrightsville, 5.80 inches (147mm) in Gouldsboro, 5.68 inches (144mm) in Mount Pocono, 5.54 inches (141mm) in Jim Thorpe, 4.86 inches (123mm) in Stroudsburg, and 4.29 inches (109mm) in Thornhurst.[80]
Storm of Hurricane Ida in Mid-Atlantic States on September 1, 2021I-676 Flooded in Downtown Philly on September 2, 2021August 31-September 5, 2021 – Days after Hurricane Ida hit Louisiana as a Category 4 hurricane with 145 miles per hour (233km/h) winds, the remnants travel 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 (130mm) of rain at Harrisburg International airport and 7 inches (180mm) of rain in Lancaster.[81] The Schuylkill River crested at 17.2 feet (5.2m) and flooded parts of Philadelphia; Interstate 676, which ran through the city, was inundated.[82] Five people were killed in the state, and damage ranged from $2.5–3.5billion. Around $100million was lost in Southern Pennsylvania.[83] Multiple tornadoes were reported as well.[84]
October 2, 2022 - The remnants of Hurricane Ian brought a daily record of 1.99in (51mm) of rain to Philadelphia. [85]
Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena: June 2013(PDF). National Climatic Data Center (Report). Asheville, North Carolina: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 2014. pp.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. Archived from the original(PDF) on February 20, 2014. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
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