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RICK SCHWARTZ MID-ATLANTIC HURRICANES 07/31/2011 AT 09:33PM. By Kevin Shaw of Gaithersburg, MD
Press inquiries regarding Mid-Atlantic hurricane history are welcome.
Contact the author: 571-245-0318, ricschwartz@yahoo.com
Blue Diamond Books
For Release: Immediately
Alexandria, Va. 5/03/11
The East Coast Faces a Significant Risk for a Major Hurricane
When hurricane season begins on June 1, why should residents of the East Coast be
concerned?
After all, since the current active North Atlantic hurricane cycle began during 1995 the
East Coast has experienced little activity.
The last Saffir-Simpson Category 2 hurricane (winds of 96 to 110 mph) to make landfall
north of Florida occurred in 2003. The last Category 3 to strike the East Coast between
Georgia and Maine slammed ashore in North Carolina during 1996, and the last Category 4
took aim on South Carolina in 1989. Meanwhile, ten Category 2 or stronger storms made
landfall along the Gulf Coast between 2004 and 2008.
"The Eastern Seaboard can beat the odds for only so long," said Rick Schwartz, author
of the book, Hurricanes and the Middle Atlantic States. "The East Coast 's seeming
immunity will change."
Never before have so many people and so much property been at risk. Extensive coastal
development and a rising sea contribute to increased vulnerability. A storm like the Great
Atlantic Hurricane of 1944, a powerful Category 3, would savage shorelines from North
Carolina to New England. Hurricane history indicates that such an event is due.
Hurricane Hazel in 1954 battered North Carolina as a Category 4 and swept through the
Northeast. It swirled hurricane-force winds along an interior track of 600 miles. More than
100 people died. Hazel-type windstorms occur about every 50 years.
Areas north of Florida are particularly susceptible to wind damage. Shallow-rooted and
leafy trees are easy prey for strong winds. Less wind resistant building design also
contributes to risk. Hurricane Isabel in 2003 was downgraded to a tropical storm when it
reached Virginia but still caused billions of dollars in damage from there through Maryland
and Pennsylvania.
Inland flooding is a threat any time a hurricane makes landfall. Hurricane Camille dumped
nearly 30 inches of rain on part of Virginia in 1969. Devastating flash flooding killed nearly
150 people.
The hurricane season officially begins on June 1 and continues until November 30.
"2011 is not a year for complacency," said Schwartz.
Contact information: Rick Schwartz (author of the book, Hurricanes and the Middle
Atlantic States). E-mail-- ricschwartz@yahoo.com or call, 571-245-0318.
The Web site, www.midatlantichurricanes.com, offers insight into hurricanes of the Middle
Atlantic region and offers summaries of the big storms that have affected Delaware,
Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
Interview with the Author:
The following are questions frequently asked Richard Schwartz, author of Hurricanes
and the Middle Atlantic States:
Q. What are the region's greatest hurricane threats?
The Middle Atlantic states are due for a destructive region-wide coastal storm. The
last significant region-wide coastal hurricane was Gloria in 1985. The current active
North Atlantic hurricane cycle began in 1995, yet the region has not had a major
coastal event. Previous active cycles, typically lasting 25 to 30 years, featured at
least a half-dozen.
The Mid-Atlantic is also due for a severe, extensive, inland windstorm. The last was
Hurricane Hazel in 1954. It brought hurricane-force gusts to nearly the entire eastern
third of the region. Inland hurricanes occur, on average, about every 50 years. Never
before have so many people and so much property been at risk.
Q. What is your perspective on the 2011 hurricane season?
2010 was the sixth consecutive year without significant Mid-Atlantic hurricane activity.
Hurricane history indicates that such lengthy lulls are rare during an active hurricane
cycle. The winters of 2009-10 and 2010-11 included unforgettable nor'easters--often
a harbinger of destructive tropical cyclones. The chances of a notable hurricane in
2011 are definitely greater than 50 percent.
The current respite won't last for the Mid-Atlantic or for the East Coast. The last
Category 2 hurricane to make landfall north of Florida was Isabel in 2003. The last
Category 3 was Fran in 1996. Yet, in the past seven years, the Gulf Coast region
has experienced about ten Category 2 or stronger hurricanes. When major storms
return to the Eastern Seaboard, they will likely plague the area for several years.
Both the coast and interior sections are at risk.
Q. Why did you write the book?
I have lived in the Mid-Atlantic region all my life. I became interested in hurricanes
when I was a teenager. From that time until my book came out, there was no
resource that provided a regional hurricane history. In fact, it seemed a lost history.
I discovered an extensive, fascinating and compelling past. Residents need to be
aware of it as the kinds of hurricanes that have visited in the past will return.
Hurricane history is very repetitious.
My research included records dating back to the 1600s. Voices from the past
seemed to whisper, "Don't let our observations be lost. Future generations need to
know what we've seen and experienced."
It's crucial to learn from the past to better prepare for the future. Unfortunately, it
seems as if little has been done to prepare for the Big Ones and apathy, particularly
away from the coast, continues to grow. My book offers vital information; reasons to
be concerned and prepare.
Q. What are your credentials?
I have tracked Atlantic hurricanes during the past 40 years. I spent seven years
researching and writing the book. This included more than 10,000 miles of driving,
about 100 interviews and viewing countless rolls of microfilm. I have also read the
hurricane history works of many other authors.
Perhaps, I was meant to write a book like this. My birthday is on June 1, the official
start of hurricane season.
Q. How will readers benefit?
The book offers an incisive examination of the types and characteristics of the
region's hurricanes, as well as the risks faced by the Middle Atlantic states. It
provides a basis for comparison, a basis for preparation and a way to put future
storms in context. At the same time it is an interesting read, an extensive collection of
short storm stories and hurricane damage photographs found nowhere else.
Q. Which states are featured?
The book focuses on Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
However, neighboring states are not neglected, nor are Washington, D.C., or the
New York City metropolitan area. The human interest stories and lessons from past
storms are of universal interest.
Q. What is the worst hurricane to visit the region?
There is no one hurricane that offers a complete package of utter devastation. The
'worst' depends on the type of event. For high winds, Hurricane Hazel in 1954 is the
worst during the past 100 years. Hurricane Agnes, in 1972, was the most destructive
region-wide rainstorm. Hurricane Camille, Virginia's deadliest natural disaster, ranks
among the most extreme localized rain events. The Great Atlantic Hurricane of 1944
or Chesapeake and Potomac Hurricane of 1933 are among the most destructive
coastal hurricanes of the past century.
Q. Could a Hurricane Katrina strike the Middle Atlantic states?
Yes! The two major coastal urban areas, Hampton Roads, Va., and New York City
metropolitan area have had close encounters with hurricanes.
Category 2 hurricanes nearly struck the Hampton Roads area in 1933 and 1936.
Category 3--Katrina strength hurricanes--have tracked fewer than 50 miles offshore.
The low-lying area, which is located in southeastern Virginia, has a population of
more than a million. A direct hit of a Category 3 or stronger hurricane could inundate
the homes of more than a half million residents.
Category 1 hurricanes have tracked over or within a few miles of New York City in
1821, 1893 and 1976. A Category 3 hurricane came ashore on Long Island, within
60 miles of New York City, in 1938. That disaster killed 600 people in New England.
While an extremely rare event--it has not happened in the past 400 years--a
Category 3 or stronger hurricane might follow a path closer to the New York
metropolitan area than the storm of 1938.
By Author, Rick Schwartz
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