Hurricane Earl (2010) facts for kids

Hurricane Earl was a very strong and long-lasting hurricane that happened in 2010. It was the first big storm to threaten New England in the United States in nearly 20 years, since Hurricane Bob hit in 1991. Earl traveled a long way, causing damage in several places.

Earl started as a powerful storm and moved across the Atlantic Ocean. It passed very close to the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean. Later, it moved up the eastern coast of the United States, passing near North Carolina. The storm then headed northeast and eventually reached Nova Scotia, Canada.

What is a Hurricane?

A hurricane is a huge, spinning storm that forms over warm ocean waters. It has very strong winds and brings a lot of rain. Hurricanes are given names to help people track them. They are measured by their wind speed, and the strongest ones can cause a lot of damage. Earl was a very powerful hurricane, reaching Category 4 strength at one point.

Earl's Journey Begins

Hurricane Earl first formed in the Atlantic Ocean in late August 2010. It quickly grew stronger, becoming a major hurricane. As it moved west, it passed very close to the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean. These islands include places like Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, and the British Virgin Islands. Earl brought strong winds and heavy rain to these islands. The storm caused about $40 million in damage there.

Satellite image of the North Atlantic Ocean on August 29, 2010, showing Hurricane Earl (middle).

Hurricane Earl as seen from the International Space Station on August 30, 2010.

Heading Towards the U.S.

After passing the Caribbean, Hurricane Earl turned north. It moved up the eastern coast of the United States. On September 3, 2010, the center of the storm passed about 86 miles (138 kilometers) east of North Carolina. Even though it didn't make a direct hit on the coast, it still brought strong winds, rough waves, and heavy rain to states like Virginia, Maryland, and New Jersey.

Hurricane Earl off the Mid-Atlantic coast of the U.S.

Rainfall from Hurricane Earl along the East Coast of the United States.

Many people living along the coast, especially in popular vacation spots, had to leave their homes and move to safer places. Beaches were closed, and ferries were stopped. The storm caused some flooding and power outages, but thankfully, the damage in the U.S. was not as bad as it could have been because the storm stayed offshore.

Landfall in Canada

As Hurricane Earl continued to move northeast, it started to weaken and was downgraded to a tropical storm. However, it then gained strength again and became a hurricane just before it made landfall in Nova Scotia, Canada, on September 4, 2010.

Hurricane Earl shortly after making landfall in Nova Scotia.

When Earl hit Nova Scotia, it brought strong winds and heavy rain. It caused power outages for many homes and businesses. The storm also affected other parts of eastern Canada, but it quickly moved out into the Atlantic Ocean and lost its strength.

Images for kids

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  Wave Height and Wind Speed of Hurricane Earl as measured by satellites, from August 29 to September 1, 2010.

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  Hurricane Earl as it moved away from the Leeward Islands on August 30, 2010.

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  The Chatham, Massachusetts Lighthouse during Hurricane Earl on September 3, 2010.

See also

In Spanish: Huracán Earl (2010) para niños