Hurricane Belle facts for kids
| Category 3 major hurricane (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Hurricane Belle near peak intensity on August 8
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| Formed | August 6, 1976 |
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| Dissipated | August 15, 1976 |
| (Extratropical after August 10) | |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 120 mph (195 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 957 mbar (hPa); 28.26 inHg |
| Fatalities | 12 total |
| Damage | $100 million (1976 USD) |
| Areas affected | North Carolina, Mid-Atlantic states, New England, and Atlantic Canada |
| Part of the 1976 Atlantic hurricane season | |
Hurricane Belle was a strong tropical cyclone that formed in the Atlantic Ocean in August 1976. At one point, this storm had winds reaching about 120 miles per hour (195 km/h). Belle traveled northward along the East Coast of the United States, affecting several states.
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Hurricane Belle: A Powerful Storm
Hurricane Belle began as a storm on August 6, 1976. It quickly grew stronger, becoming Tropical Storm Belle on August 7. Later that same day, it officially became a hurricane. On August 9, Belle reached its strongest point with winds around 120 miles per hour. This made it a Category 3 hurricane.
Belle's Path Up the Coast
As Hurricane Belle moved closer to land, weather experts issued hurricane watches. These warnings told people from Georgia all the way to Maine to prepare for the storm.
Belle first passed by the coast of North Carolina. It brought strong winds, but didn't hit the land directly there. Unlike many storms that move towards the Northeastern United States, Belle did not speed up as it got closer to the coast.
On the morning of August 10, Hurricane Belle made landfall. It hit near Jones Beach on Long Island, New York. At this point, it was still a hurricane, though not as strong as before. After crossing the Long Island Sound, Belle hit land again. This time, it was near Bridgeport and New Haven, Connecticut, as a strong tropical storm.
The Impact of Hurricane Belle
Hurricane Belle caused significant damage along the East Coast of the United States. The storm was responsible for 12 deaths. The total damage from Hurricane Belle was estimated to be about $100 million.
Images for kids
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Radar image of Hurricane Belle off the coast of North Carolina on August 9
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Rainfall accumulations from Hurricane Belle across the Eastern United States
