Hurricane Alex (2004)

Hurricane Alex
Alex at peak intensity south of Nova Scotia early on August 5
Meteorological history
FormedJuly 31, 2004 (July 31, 2004)
DissipatedAugust 6, 2004 (August 6, 2004)
Category 3 major hurricane
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds120 mph (195 km/h)
Lowest pressure957 mbar (hPa); 28.26 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities1 direct
Damage$7.5 million (2004 USD)
Areas affectedOuter Banks, Sable Island, Nova Scotia
IBTrACSEdit this at Wikidata

Part of the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Alex was one of the northernmost major hurricanes on record, and whose formation marked the fifth-latest start to an Atlantic hurricane season since 1952. The first named storm, hurricane, and major hurricane of the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season, Alex developed from the interaction between an upper-level low and a weak surface trough on July 31 to the east of Jacksonville, Florida. It moved northeastward, and strengthened to attain winds of 100 mph (160 km/h) before passing within 10 miles (16 km) of the Outer Banks coast. Alex strengthened further and reached a peak of 120 mph (190 km/h) winds while off the coast of New England, one of only six hurricanes to reach Category 3 status north of 38° N.[1] Alex caused a scare of a hurricane-force direct hit in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, which had been devastated by Hurricane Isabel less than a year earlier.

The hurricane produced light damage in the Outer Banks, primarily from flooding and high winds. Over 100 houses were damaged, while numerous cars were disabled from the flooding. Damage totaled about $7.5 million (2004 USD). Alex produced strong waves and rip tides along the East Coast of the United States, causing one death and several injuries.

  1. ^ "Atlantic hurricane best track (HURDAT version 2)" (Database). United States National Hurricane Center. April 5, 2023. Retrieved July 24, 2024. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.