This article is about the nor'easter that occurred in April 2007. For the nor'easter that occurred on this date 14 years later, see April 2021 nor'easter.
The April or Spring nor'easter of 2007 was a nor'easter that affected mainly the eastern parts of North America during its four-day course, from April 14 to April 17, 2007. The combined effects of high winds, heavy rainfall, and high tides led to flooding, storm damages, power outages, and evacuations, and disrupted traffic and commerce. In the north, heavy wet snow caused the loss of power for several thousands of homes in Ontario and Quebec. The storm caused at least 18 fatalities.
Meteorological history
The storm that would become the April 2007 nor'easter started out in the Southwestern United States, as an upper-level disturbance in the jet stream, on April 13.[1] It brought high wind and fire danger to California, Nevada, New Mexico and Arizona. The storm then moved out into the southern Plains States, bringing heavy snow to Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas. Heavy rain and severe thunderstorms, with hail, wind, and tornadoes, affected parts of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and the Carolinas. The storm then moved across the Mid-Atlantic States, and into the Atlantic Ocean, following the East Coast. The storm then rapidly intensified into a major nor'easter, with the warm waters of the Gulf Stream. The storm stalled just offshore from New York City and continued to strengthen. The lowest barometric pressure recorded was 968 millibars (28.58 in Hg), equivalent to that of a moderate Category 2 hurricane.[1]
Impact
Water levels of the Pompton River, New Jersey by April 16, 2007
The National Weather Service reported 7.57 inches (192 mm) of rain in Central Park by midnight of April 15, the second heaviest rainfall in 24 hours on record, and indicated that this storm caused the worst flooding since Hurricane Floyd in 1999.[2]
Major airports in the New York area resumed flights on April 16, after having had to cancel over 500 flights before. Local rail and transit lines reported delays and cancellations affecting the MTA, NJ Transit, LIRR, and Metro-North Railroad. Power failures affected several thousand people.[2]
On April 16, 2007, the storm caused sustained winds of nearly 100 mph (87 knots) on, and near New Hampshire's Mount Washington, with gusts topping out at 156 mph (136 knots).[3]
Nor'easter April 16, 2007
While areas closer to the shore received heavy rainfall, higher regions inland received unseasonal snow.[4] Several towns suffered from flooding including Mamaroneck in New York, and Bound Brook and Manville in New Jersey, while coastal towns had to deal with damage from high tides. Most major highways in Westchester County, New York were closed on April 15 and April 16 due to extreme flooding. In Quebec, several regions including the Laurentides and Charlevoix regions received in excess of 6 inches (15 cm) of snow with areas exceeding well above 1 foot (30 cm) of snow. In the city of Ottawa, 17 cm (5 in) of heavy wet snow fell in just a few hours causing power lines and trees to fall down causing scattered blackouts in several parts of the city.[5] Similar damage was reported in the higher elevations north of Montreal and Ottawa.
In total, more than 175,000 homes in Canada suffered a power outage, including 160,000 Hydro-Québec customers mainly in areas from Gatineau towards Quebec City including Montreal, Lanaudière and the Laurentians with an additional 15,000 Hydro One and Hydro Ottawa customers.[6] In the US over a quarter million homes lost power with New York and Pennsylvania being the hardest hit states due to the strong winds.
The storm was blamed for several fatalities, including one person in a tornado in South Carolina, two people in storm-related traffic accidents in New York and Connecticut,[8] two people in West Virginia, three people in New Jersey,[9] and prior to its arrival in the East, five deaths in Kansas and Texas.[2] In Quebec, an accident between a van and a tractor trailer killed five occupants of the van in a highway north of Montreal.[10] Numerous other accidents were reported by OPP and the Sûreté du Québec during the storm.
The Boston Marathon took place in what many considered to be the worst weather in its 110-year history. Race officials held serious talks about whether or not to cancel the race.[11] The men's race had the slowest winning time in thirty years (1977). In the women's race, "[t]he rainy and windy conditions led to the slowest winning time since 1985".[12]
While filing for federal disaster relief, acting governor Codey of New Jersey indicated that the storm caused $180 million in property damage in New Jersey, making it the second-worst rain storm in its history, after Hurricane Floyd.[9] In addition, New Hampshire received $30.5 million in aid following the storm, the most aid received for any storm in state history.[15]
1 death - Substantial roof damage was done to a grocery store, several homes, and a church. Another church suffered steeple damage, and commercial buildings were also damaged, including one that sustained total collapse of an east-facing wall. Tractor-trailers were damaged or destroyed, and numerous trees and power lines were downed as well. Damage was $1 million.[19]
One home had significant damage with the carport being destroyed and other damage to sidings, roof and windows. Trees were snapped or uprooted and a power pole also snapped.[25]
Following a large microburst, a tornado damaged two churches and an old home had its roof blown off and was pushed off its foundation. Trees were downed in a convergent pattern.[26]
A carport, two sheds, a barn and a greenhouse were destroyed. A residential gable collapsed, and several homes sustained moderate damage in the community of Post Oak. Trees were downed as well, including one that landed on a house.[30]
A greenhouse, an announcers booth at a football field and two mobile homes were destroyed. Several retain buildings sustained minor damage as well. One home was destroyed by a fallen tree, injuring both occupants. Numerous trees and power lines were downed, some of which landed on homes and caused damage.[33]
Two mobile homes and a greenhouse were destroyed. The carport of a site-built home was removed as well as a portion of the roof. Several other mobile homes and site-built homes sustained minor damage from wind and fallen trees. 3 people were injured.[34]
One mobile home was rolled over and a utility building lost portions of its roof. About a dozen homes in Adrian were damaged. Two homes at a campground were also damaged due to fallen trees. In Orianna, two homes were heavily damaged and outbuildings were destroyed. A mobile home was also destroyed in Emanuel County near the end of the path.[36][37][38][39]
Outbuildings were destroyed and numerous trees and power lines were downed. Several homes and a church sustained minor damage, and a family life center was shifted off of its foundation.[40][41]
A home and several silos were damaged while trees and power lines were downed. A mobile home was also pushed off its foundation while a car was thrown into a guard rail on Interstate 75.[43][44]
1 death – Seven mobile homes were destroyed, nine frame homes were severely damaged while 62 mobile and frame homes were damaged at varying degrees. 5 other people were injured.[49]
Hundreds of trees and power lines were downed, and a large barn was destroyed with debris scattered up to a half-mile away. A house sustained window, brick veneer, and siding damage. A large 8,000 lb (3,600 kg) horse trailer was lifted up and carried 500 ft (150 m), and an 800-pound grain wagon was lifted and carried 400 ft (120 m). A bass boat was flipped over and a 4-wheeler was damaged along with other farm equipment. A tree also fell on a mobile home as well.[52]
Tornado carried two empty grain silos about 100 ft (30 m), snapped off or uprooted dozens of trees, destroyed a large portion of an outbuilding, and severely injured a dog.[53]
Tornado overturned 3 mobile homes and shifted another 7 mobile homes off of their foundations. It tore the skirting away from another mobile home, destroyed a storage shed, and snapped off or uprooted dozens of trees. A couple of trees fell on a house. A vehicle and an outbuilding were also damaged. 9 people were injured.[54]
Boat house roofs were blown off, and trees were snapped. Buildings had windows blown out and pieces of lumber embedded into them. Signs were bent over at 45-degree angles.[55]
^National Weather Service in San Angelo, Texas (2007). Texas Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
^National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma (2007). Texas Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
^National Weather Service in Fort Worth, Texas (2007). Texas Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
^National Weather Service in Fort Worth, Texas (2007). Texas Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
^National Weather Service in Fort Worth, Texas (2007). Texas Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
^National Weather Service in Fort Worth, Texas (2007). Texas Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
^National Weather Service in Fort Worth, Texas (2007). Texas Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
^National Weather Service in Jackson, Mississippi (2007). Mississippi Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
^National Weather Service in Jackson, Mississippi (2007). Mississippi Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
^National Weather Service in Jackson, Mississippi (2007). Mississippi Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
^National Weather Service in Mobile, Alabama (2007). Alabama Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
^National Weather Service in Mobile, Alabama (2007). Alabama Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
^National Weather Service in Mobile, Alabama (2007). Alabama Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
^National Weather Service in Birmingham, Alabama (2007). Alabama Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
^National Weather Service in Tallahassee, Florida (2007). Alabama Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
^National Weather Service in Tallahassee, Florida (2007). Georgia Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
^National Weather Service in Tallahassee, Florida (2007). Georgia Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
^National Weather Service in Peachtree City, Georgia (2007). Georgia Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
^National Weather Service in Peachtree City, Georgia (2007). Georgia Event Report: EF2 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
^National Weather Service in Peachtree City, Georgia (2007). Georgia Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
^National Weather Service in Peachtree City, Georgia (2007). Georgia Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
^National Weather Service in Peachtree City, Georgia (2007). Georgia Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
^National Weather Service in Peachtree City, Georgia (2007). Georgia Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
^National Weather Service in Peachtree City, Georgia (2007). Georgia Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
^National Weather Service in Peachtree City, Georgia (2007). Georgia Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
^National Weather Service in Peachtree City, Georgia (2007). Georgia Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
^National Weather Service in Peachtree City, Georgia (2007). Georgia Event Report: EF2 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
^National Weather Service in Tallahassee, Florida (2007). Georgia Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
^National Weather Service in Peachtree City, Georgia (2007). Georgia Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
^National Weather Service in Peachtree City, Georgia (2007). Georgia Event Report: EF2 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
^National Weather Service in Jacksonville, Florida (2007). Florida Event Report: EF2 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
^National Weather Service in Columbia, South Carolina (2007). South Carolina Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
^National Weather Service in Columbia, South Carolina (2007). South Carolina Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
^National Weather Service in Columbia, South Carolina (2007). South Carolina Event Report: EF3 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
^National Weather Service in Columbia, South Carolina (2007). South Carolina Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
^National Weather Service in Columbia, South Carolina (2007). South Carolina Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
^National Weather Service in Charleston, South Carolina (2007). South Carolina Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
^National Weather Service in Charleston, South Carolina (2007). South Carolina Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
^National Weather Service in Charleston, South Carolina (2007). South Carolina Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
^National Weather Service in Jacksonville, Florida (2007). Florida Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
^National Weather Service in Tampa, Florida (2007). Florida Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
