Hurricane Irene Facts for Kids

This page is about the tropical cyclone in 2011. For other storms of the same name, see List of storms named Irene.

Quick facts for kids
Hurricane Irene
Meteorological history
Hurricane Irene at peak intensity over the southern Bahamas on August 24
Formed	August 21, 2011
Extratropical	August 28
Dissipated	August 30, 2011
Category 3 tropical cyclone
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds	120 mph (195 km/h)
Lowest pressure	942 mbar (hPa); 27.82 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities	49 direct, 9 indirect
Damage	$14.2 billion (2011 USD)
Areas affected	Hispaniola, Lesser Antilles, Greater Antilles, Turks and Caicos, Bahamas, East Coast of the United States, Vermont (Landfalls in North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Atlantic Canada)
Part of the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Irene was a large and destructive tropical cyclone which affected much of the Caribbean and East Coast of the United States during late August 2011. The ninth named storm, first hurricane, and first major hurricane of the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season, Irene originated from a well-defined Atlantic tropical wave that began showing signs of organization east of the Lesser Antilles. Due to development of atmospheric convection and a closed center of circulation, the system was designated as Tropical Storm Irene on August 20, 2011. After intensifying, Irene made landfall in St. Croix as a strong tropical storm later that day. Early on August 21, the storm made a second landfall in Puerto Rico. While crossing the island, Irene strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane. The storm paralleled offshore of Hispaniola, continuing to slowly intensify in the process. Shortly before making four landfalls in the Bahamas, Irene peaked as a 120 mph (190 km/h) Category 3 hurricane.

Thereafter, the storm slowly leveled off in intensity as it struck the Bahamas and then curved northward after passing east of Grand Bahama. Continuing to weaken, Irene was downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane before making landfall on the Outer Banks of North Carolina on August 27, becoming the first hurricane to make landfall in the United States since Hurricane Ike in 2008. Later that day, the storm re-emerged into the Atlantic from southeastern Virginia. Although Irene remained a hurricane over water, it weakened to a tropical storm while making yet another landfall in the Little Egg Inlet in southeastern New Jersey on August 27. A few hours later, Irene made its ninth and final landfall in Brooklyn, New York City. Early on August 29, Irene transitioned into an extratropical cyclone while striking Vermont, after remaining inland as a tropical cyclone for less than 12 hours.

Throughout its path, Irene caused widespread destruction and at least 49 deaths. Damage estimates throughout the United States are estimated near $13.5 billion, making Irene one of the costliest hurricanes on record in the country. In addition, monetary losses in the Caribbean and Canada were $830 million and $130 million respectively for a total of nearly $14.2 billion in damage.

Images for kids

Hurricane Irene's remnants on August 30, in the process of being absorbed by another system.
Hurricane Irene shortly after landfall in the Outer Banks of North Carolina
Satellite image of Irene making landfall in New York City.
A restaurant boards up in preparation for Irene in Ocean City, New Jersey
Grand Central Terminal stands empty following the shut down of the Metro-North Railroad.
Vessels riding out the storm in Bedford Basin near Halifax, Nova Scotia
Last radar image of Irene from San Juan, before the radar went out
Hurricane Irene's rainfall across Puerto Rico
Storm total rainfall from Hurricane Irene
Flooding at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island
A Lexus RX450h damaged by a fallen tree in Washington, D.C.
A downed tree branch in Kutztown, Pennsylvania
The Raritan River at New Brunswick on August 29, 2011, one day after Hurricane Irene landfall
Radar image of the storm at landfall in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
Irene over North Carolina on August 27.
Storm surge flooding in Centerport, New York as the eye of Irene passed near high tide.
Damage to the Port Jervis Line
A road washout in New Windsor
Sailboats broke from their moorings and washed ashore in Massachusetts
Two trees toppled by Irene in coastal Massachusetts.
Flood waters from Tropical Storm Irene on the Ottauquechee River in Quechee, Vermont.
Flood waters on the Ottauquechee River in Quechee scouring the approach to the covered bridge, opposite side.
Damage caused by flood waters to the Quechee covered bridge on the northern shore of the river.
Damage caused by flood waters on the Ottauquechee River to the Taftsville bridge.
Damage caused by flood waters on the White River to the Royalton, Vermont bridge.

Hurricane Irene facts for kids

Images for kids

See also