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Environment

2012 Atlantic Hurricane Season Review

Anna Maria Island escaped unscathed from the 2012 hurricane season, although persistent onshores winds generated by Tropical Storm Debby scoured out beach sand and turtle nests. Hurricane Isaac replenished the sand and the turtles redoubled their nesting efforts.

2012 Atlantic storm tracks
2012 Atlantic storm tracks

Summary:

  • No effects on Anna Maria Island besides some temporary beach erosion by Debby.
  • 2 storms (Alberto, Beryl) formed prior to official season start June 1
  • Earliest “D” named storm ever recorded
  • No “major hurricanes” (Cat 3 or higher) made US landfall
  • 4 storms made US landfalls (Beryl, Debby, Isaac, Sandy)
  • Largest storm area of 900 miles across ever recorded (Sandy)
  • Hurricane Sandy (Cat 2) caused major wind damage and flooding to NJ and NY shorelines with peak surge coinciding with high tide.
Atlantic Hurricane SeasonJune 2012 forecast 2012 Actual
Named storms (>35mph)1319
Hurricanes (>72mph)510
Major hurricanes (>111mph)21
US landfall likelihood48%21%
Gulf Coast landfall28%5%

Beryl – Tropical Storm, 65mph wind, May 26-30, landfall Jacksonville Beach Florida, heavy rain in Cuba, Bahamas, South Florida

Debby – Tropical Storm, 60mph wind, June 23-26, landfall Steinhatchee Florida, heavy rain in north Florida with west coast beach erosion

Isaac – Hurricane Cat 1, 80mph wind, Aug 21-Sep 1, landfall Hispanola; Cuba; Mississippi River; Fort Fourchon Louisiana, 11′ storm surge, large storm area, 45 killed

Sandy –  Hurricane Cat  2, 110mph wind, Oct 22-31, landfall Jamaica; Bahamas; Atlantic City New Jersey, 13′ surge, 253 fatalities.

Hurricane Sandy landfall

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