Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | July 31, 1989 |
Dissipated | August 8, 1989 |
Category 2 hurricane | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Highest winds | 105 mph (165 km/h) |
Lowest pressure | 968 mbar (hPa); 28.59 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | None |
Damage | $8.9 million (1989 USD) |
Areas affected | Leeward Islands, Bermuda, Atlantic Canada |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1989 Atlantic hurricane season |
Hurricane Dean was a strong tropical cyclone that affected the United States and Atlantic Canada while remaining offshore in early August 1989. The fourth named storm and second hurricane of the 1989 Atlantic hurricane season, Dean formed on July 31 and reached tropical storm status the following day east of the Leeward Islands. Dean brushed the northern Leeward Islands as a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale, bringing light rain but producing no damage, before turning northward and striking Bermuda as a Category 2 hurricane. It continued northward before making landfall in southeastern Newfoundland.
Dean was initially difficult to forecast; it was thought to pose a possible threat to the Lesser Antilles, and as a result several evacuations occurred, and many hurricane watches and warnings were issued. However, as the storm turned northward, all watches and warnings in the Lesser Antilles were discontinued. As Dean approached Bermuda, a hurricane watch was issued, and was later upgraded to a hurricane warning. After the storm tracked away from the island, the hurricane warning was discontinued. In addition, a hurricane warning was briefly in effect for Sable Island, Nova Scotia. The storm left $8.9 million (1989 USD$, 21.9 million 2024 USD) and sixteen injuries across Bermuda, but no fatalities were reported. In Atlantic Canada, Dean dropped light rain across Nova Scotia and Sable Island.