Hurricane Joaquin

Event Information

• Date: September 28–October 7, 2015
• Place: Atlantic Ocean; Bahamas; Turks and Caicos; Cuba; Haiti; Dominican Republic; southeastern United States; Bermuda
• Result: 34 dead; over $60 million in damages

Overview

Hurricane Joaquin was a category 4 storm that heavily impacted the Bahamas and nearby islands, including the Turks and Caicos Islands and Bermuda. Joaquin also caused historical rainfalls that led to catastrophic floods in the southeastern United States.

Joaquin was the second significant storm of the 2015 Atlantic hurricane season. It first began to develop in the Atlantic Ocean on September 27 and was designated a tropical storm on September 29. It reached hurricane status early on September 30 and rapidly grew stronger as it moved over warm waters toward the Bahamas. Joaquin’s formation is notable because despite being a major hurricane, it was not of tropical origin. Instead, it developed from an upper atmospheric disturbance that moved off the eastern US coastline.

Early on October 1, Joaquin reached category 3 strength and became a major hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (miles per hour), or 100 knots (kts). As it came in contact with a low-pressure area in the upper atmosphere, the storm slowed and began to turn toward the Bahamas and gain strength as it moved over the above normal temperatures of the Atlantic. It became a category 4 hurricane on October 2, with peak winds at 138 mph (120 kts) and sustained winds at near 130 mph (110 kts). It remained at that intensity over the Bahamas until October 3, when it turned toward Bermuda and intensified with sustained winds of 155 mph (135 kts), making it the strongest Atlantic hurricane since Hurricane Igor in 2010. Eventually the storm moved back to the northeast and accelerated, passing by Bermuda just to the west. Joaquin remained a hurricane for several more days before dissipating on October 7.

Tropical storm warnings and watches began across the Bahamas on September 30. Schools were closed beginning October 1, domestic flights were canceled, resorts were evacuated, and the majority of airports across the Bahamas were shut down and secured. In addition, cruise ships in the area were redirected to other ports. The Bahamian government’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) activated its Emergency Operations Centre and the residents of the Bahamian island of Mayaguana were advised to evacuate the district. As conditions worsened, the government was criticized for providing insufficient warnings and emergency preparations. NEMA debunked the accusations and claimed that people were given sufficient warning, but many residents refused to leave. In Bermuda, a hurricane warning was issued on October 3. A state of emergency was declared in the US states of Virginia, New Jersey, Maryland, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Coastal North Carolina was also placed under mandatory evacuation.

The regions most severely affected by Joaquin were the southern and central Bahamas. Although there were no hurricane-related deaths reported, Joaquin caused widespread power outages, severe flooding, and significant damage and destruction to property. Dozens of homes lost their roofs and many were completely destroyed. The islands of Rum Cay, Acklins Island, San Salvador, and Crooked Island were devastated, with approximately 7,000 people affected. Many airports were destroyed and airstrips rendered unusable. Thousands of residents were without food, water, or shelter for several days.

On October 1, the US cargo ship El Faro sank after its engines failed while the ship attempted to maneuver through the hurricane. An extensive search operation was conducted by the US Coast Guard and assisted by the Air Force, the Air National Guard, and the Navy. Although a lifeboat, some debris, and one body were recovered, all thirty-three people onboard the El Faro were declared dead. The wreckage was located on October 31, almost three miles below the surface of the ocean.

In addition to the significant damage to several islands in the Bahamas, Joaquin caused coastal flooding and damage in Cuba. High waves along the northern coast of Haiti’s Tiburon Peninsula capsized a boat, with one of the fishermen drowning. In addition, a cargo vessel north of Haiti began to take on water, but all twelve crew members were rescued.

Damage to the island of Bermuda was reportedly less than was experienced during the 2014 hurricanes Fay and Gonzalo, according to the Bermuda Weather Service. Many roads were blocked by debris and floodwater, and widespread power outages were reported, but property damage across the island was minor.

Significant roadway damage accounted for approximately 90 percent of all damage reported in the Turks and Caicos Islands as a result of Joaquin’s heavy rains. In several areas, crushing waves caused coastal erosion and created large deposits of seaweed. In addition, fruit and vegetable crops were lost to the storm, particularly at the government farm on North Caicos.

Joaquin also caused historic rainfall and flooding in North and South Carolina, where the South Carolina cities of Charleston and Columbia were extremely affected and nineteen people were killed in weather-related deaths.

On April 25, 2016, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) retired the name Joaquin from his name registry of tropical storms and hurricanes, replacing it with Julian for the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season.

Impact

The Bahamas sustained over $60 million in damages to homes, schools, airports, and government and commercial buildings, and the effects of the storm were compared to those following Hurricane Andrew, a category 5 hurricane that struck the northwestern Bahamas in 1992. In a collective effort, private groups, nongovernmental organizations, and local businesses initiated donation drives and began distributing supplied to storm victims. Members of the US Coast Guard and volunteers used boats and seaplanes to deliver supplies to residents of the hardest hit, southern Bahamian islands that were experiences severe food and drinking water shortages. A special committee was formed to supervise rebuilding efforts, and government officials began drafting new legislation to address stricter and more efficient building codes. The Bahamian government also pledged aid to businesses and homeowners to help offset the cost of rebuilding and repair. The international community pledged its support to the Bahamas in the wake of Hurricane Joaquin, with Jamaica and United States being some of the first countries to send supplies and monetary donations. At the end of October, NEMA shifted its focus from emergency intervention in the area to rebuilding efforts.

Bibliography

Berg, Robbie. "National Hurricane Center Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Joaquin." NHC.NOAA. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 12 Jan. 2016. Web. 9 July 2016.

Chaney, Eric, and Sean Breslin. "Hurricane Joaquin Slams the Bahamas: Residents Evacuated from Devastated Islands." Weather.com. Weather Channel, 7 Oct. Web. 9 July 2016.

Charles, Jacqueline, Jenny Staletovich, and Daniel Chang. "After Destruction in Bahamas, Relief Efforts Commence as Hurricane Joaquin Threatens Bermuda." Miami Herald. Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2015. Web. 9 July 2016.

"Hurricane Joaquin Recap." Weather.com. Weather Channel, 7 Oct. 2015. Web. 7 July 2016.

"International Community Rallies to Support Bahamas after Storm." Tribune242. Ellington, 4 Oct. 2015. Web. 9 July 2016.

Stewart, Stacy R. "2015 Atlantic Hurricane Season." National Hurricane Center Annual Summary. Natl. Hurricane Center, NOAA, 10 Feb. 2016. Digital file.

Wiltgen, Nick. "South Carolina’s Catastrophic Floods Caused by One of the Most Prolific Rainfall Events in Modern US History." Weather.com. Weather Channel, 8 Oct. 2015. Web. 9 July 2017.