Hurricane Emily (1993) facts for kids
Hurricane Emily was a super powerful storm, known as a Category 5 hurricane. It started way over in Africa and traveled all the way across the Atlantic Ocean, passing by Puerto Rico before heading towards the Outer Banks in the United States. This huge storm lasted for a long time, from August 22, 1993, to September 6, 1993. When it hit, Hurricane Emily brought heavy rain, strong winds, and caused a lot of flooding. It even broke two records!
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What Was Hurricane Emily?
Hurricane Emily was a very strong type of storm called a tropical cyclone, which we usually call a hurricane. These storms form over warm ocean waters and can become incredibly powerful. Emily was one of the strongest hurricanes ever recorded at the time it happened.
Emily's Journey Across the Atlantic
Hurricane Emily began its long journey far away, near the coast of Africa. It then moved west, traveling thousands of miles across the vast Atlantic Ocean. As it moved, it gathered more energy from the warm ocean waters, growing bigger and stronger.
It passed by islands like Puerto Rico, bringing some rain and wind there. But its main path continued towards the United States. Eventually, it got very close to the Outer Banks, which are a string of narrow islands off the coast of North Carolina.
How Strong Was Emily?
At its peak, Hurricane Emily was a Category 5 hurricane. This is the highest category on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, meaning it had incredibly strong winds. Category 5 hurricanes are known for causing a lot of damage. While Emily was a Category 5 over the open ocean, it weakened a bit before reaching land. Even so, it was still a very dangerous storm when it got close to the coast.
What Happened When Emily Hit Land?
When Hurricane Emily approached the Outer Banks, it brought a lot of trouble. The storm caused:
- Heavy Rainfall: Huge amounts of rain fell, leading to widespread flooding.
- Strong Winds: Powerful winds whipped through the area, damaging buildings and knocking down trees.
- Coastal Flooding: The storm pushed ocean water onto the land, especially in low-lying coastal areas.
Even though Emily didn't make a direct "landfall" as a Category 5 storm, its close pass still caused significant problems for the people living in the Outer Banks and nearby areas of North Carolina and Virginia.
Records Broken by Emily
Hurricane Emily was a memorable storm because it broke two important records for hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean. These records showed just how powerful and unusual Emily was compared to other storms.
Images for kids
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Map of the Outer Banks, with locations listed
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Rainfall amounts from Emily
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Radar image of Hurricane Emily on August 31, nearing the Outer Banks
