Hurricane Hanna (2008)

Basin

North Atlantic

Dates

August 28, 2008 to September 8, 2008

Peak strength

Category 1, 75 kt (86 mph)

Lowest pressure

977 mb (28.85 inHg)

Landfall

Yes

Accumulated cyclone energy

10.4

Tropical-storm-force wind reached

275 nmi (509 km, 316 mi) from the center at its widest

Hurricane-force wind reached

40 nmi (74 km, 46 mi) from the center at its widest

Eyewall radius at its peak

50 nmi (93 km, 58 mi)

Overall size

350 nmi (648 km, 403 mi) to the outermost closed isobar

Peak gust in the best track

85 kt (98 mph)

Fastest the center moved

36 kt (41 mph)

Identifier

AL082008

Radar at KLTX as it neared land, Sep 6, 07:00 UTC

The sources count different things and are not added together.

Landfall points the US agencies flagged in the best track. The nearest town is named from the site’s gazetteer, not from the report.

NOAA’s Storm Events database, the record National Weather Service offices compile months after a storm, as compiled March 2026.

Deaths

8 (8 direct, 0 indirect)

Injuries

4

Property damage

$8.9 million

Crop damage

$1,000

Events recorded

420 in 46 reports from 18 states and marine areas

State by state

What was recorded

128 flash flood, 126 tropical storm, 63 heavy rain, 51 flood, 16 storm surge/tide, 10 strong wind, 6 debris flow, 5 high wind, 4 rip current, 3 marine thunderstorm wind, 2 funnel cloud, 2 high surf, 2 thunderstorm wind, 1 lightning, 1 tornado.

1 tornado recorded in the United States, strongest first.

The Weather Prediction Center attributes 2,482 rain gauge totals over the contiguous United States to this storm. The wettest reached 9.65 inches (245 mm).

WPC’s storm rainfall file, 1900 to 2020, compiled by David Roth.

The strongest winds National Weather Service offices recorded with this storm. An estimated figure is a forecaster’s judgment from the damage, not an instrument reading.

From the Storm Events narratives, unedited.

The outer edges of Hurricane Gustav produced easterly winds of 20 knots with higher gusts along the Atlantic coasts of Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade Counties, while Tropical Storm Hanna east of the area pushed swells toward the coast as well. This in turn created strong rip currents that drowned a North Dakota husband and wife couple at an unguarded beach in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea.

Coastal Broward County, Florida · Rip Current · Aug 31, 18:00 UTC

The outer edges of Hurricane Gustav produced easterly winds of 20 knots with higher gusts along the Atlantic coast Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade Counties while Tropical Storm Hanna pushed swells toward the coast as well. This in turn created strong rip currents that drowned a 14 year old boy at John Lloyd State Park in Hollywood. The boy went missing at around 6:30 while swimming with his friend, and was recovered by the U.S. Coast Guard the next morning. The friend was rescued by Ocean Rescue officials and taken to a local hospital. The 12 year old boy was in stable condition.

Coastal Broward County, Florida · Rip Current · Aug 31, 22:30 UTC

A flash flood overtook a group of four hikers as they were walking along the banks of River Prieto-River Blanco along the south slope of the Caribbean National Forest El Yunque in the municipality of Naguabo. Two of the hikers were able to escape the flash flood, the other two were washed by the water surge. Showers affected the rain forest during the early afternoon causing rainfall amounts of around 1.5 inches.

Northeast, Puerto Rico · Flash Flood · Sep 1, 18:00 UTC

Up to seven inches of rain caused flash flooding in many locations across Raleigh particularly along Crabtree Creek and other flood prone areas. A motorist was rescued from a vehicle after driving into a flooded underpass at Hillsborough Drive and Chapel Drive in west Raleigh. Sullivan Drive between Dan Allen and Varsity Drive was closed due to flooding along with Avent Ferry Road at Trailwood Drive. Numerous Creeks across the region flooded low lying areas as well as some vehicles.

Wake, North Carolina · Flash Flood · Sep 6, 05:30 UTC

Heavy rain from the remnants of Tropical Storm Hanna fell across Lancaster County. Amounts ranged from 2.18 inches in New Holland, to 4.54 inches in Safe Harbor. Other rain amounts included 4.02 inches in Truce, 3.50 inches 5 miles west southwest of Elizabethtown, 3.40 inches in Lancaster and 3.00 inches in Quarryville. Much of the heaviest rain fell in a several hour period during the afternoon of September 6th. The heavy rain knocked down several trees throughout the county.

Lancaster, Pennsylvania · Heavy Rain · Sep 6, 18:00 UTC

Numerous trees were reported down across Southeastern Suffolk County from Tropical Storm Hanna. Wind gusts ranged from 26 kt (30 mph) at Montauk Airport to 45 kt (52 mph) at Shinnecock Inlet. Rainfall ranged from 2.39 inches at Westhampton Beach to 3.06 inches at Bridgehampton. Minor beach erosion was also reported along South Shore Beaches.

Southeast Suffolk, New York · Tropical Storm · Sep 6, 18:00 UTC

Heavy rain caused flooding along the Valley Creek. The Valley Creek at Valley Forge was above its 7 foot flood stage from 603 p.m. EDT through 1057 p.m. EDT on the 6th. It crested at 7.90 feet at 730 p.m. EDT. Storm totals in Chester County included 3.72 inches in Kenneth Square, 3.02 inches in Glenmoore and 2.47 inches in Honey Brook.

Chester, Pennsylvania · Flood · Sep 6, 22:03 UTC

Runoff from the heavy rain caused flooding along the Whippany Creek within Morristown. The Whippany fire house on New Jersey State Route 10 was sandbagged to prevent flooding from the creek from reaching it in Hanover Township. Flooding was also reported along a small tributary to the creek along Horsehill Road in Hanover Township. The Whippany Creek in Morristown was above its 6 foot flood stage from 614 p.m. EDT through 1022 p.m. EDT on the 6th. It crested at 6.38 feet at 8 p.m. EDT. Precipitation storm totals in Morris County included 6.00 in Morris Plains, 4.72 inches in Parsippany, 4.59 inches in Randolph, 3.84 inches in Roxbury and 3.70 inches in Boonton.

Morris, New Jersey · Flood · Sep 6, 22:14 UTC

In Paterson, Hwy 19 was closed in both directions at Valley Rd. and Rt. 20 (southbound) was closed at Broadway due to flooding. Around 30 cars were partially submerged in the Best Buy and Kohl's parking lot off of Route 46 in West Paterson. Emergency personnel had to evacuate stranded shoppers in the Little Falls Civic Center on Warren St. in Little Falls. Overflowing storm drains turned roads into moats around the Third Ward Park on Passaic Ave. and Glenside Ave. in Passaic. Finally, flooding submerged Riverside Dr. near the Home Depot and other low-lying sections of the borough.

Passaic, New Jersey · Flash Flood · Sep 7, 00:50 UTC

Tropical Storm Hanna made landfall near the North Carolina/South Carolina border at 320AM EDT September 6. Hanna then moved north/northeast across the Mid-Atlantic states and southern New England September 6 and 7. Storm total rainfall in southeast Providence County ranged from four to five inches. The highest sustained wind of 25 knots (29 mph) and gust of 35 knots (40 mph) were recorded at T.F. Green Providence Airport. The lowest sea level pressure was 996.0 mb at T.F. Green Providence Airport. A coastal storm surge of 2 feet above normal tide was experienced at Providence, RI. No coastal flooding was reported. Several trees, wires, and a transformer were blown down in southeastern Providence County. All of the associated effects of Hanna in southeastern Providence County resulted in no loss of life or injuries, and $13K in property damage, all from wind.

Southeast Providence, Rhode Island · Tropical Storm · Sep 7, 01:21 UTC

Tropical Storm Hanna made landfall near the North Carolina/South Carolina border at 320AM EDT September 6. Hanna then moved north/northeast across the Mid-Atlantic states and southern New England September 6 and 7. Storm total rainfall in southern Plymouth County ranged from two and a half to a little over four inches. The nearest Automated Surface Observing Station at Plymouth Municipal Airport measured a sustained wind of 18 knots (21 mph) and a gust of 36 knots (41 mph). The lowest sea level pressure was 995.6 mb at Plymouth Municipal Airport. Several trees and wires were blown down in southern Plymouth County. All of the associated effects of Hanna in southern Plymouth County resulted in no loss of life or injuries, and $7K in property damage, all attributed to winds.

Southern Plymouth, Massachusetts · Tropical Storm · Sep 7, 01:36 UTC

Tropical Storm Hanna made landfall near the North Carolina/South Carolina border at 320AM EDT September 6. Hanna then moved north/northeast across the Mid-Atlantic states and southern New England September 6 and 7. Storm total rainfall in southern Bristol County ranged from two to three inches. The highest sustained wind of 24 knots (28 mph) and gust of 33 knots (38 mph) were recorded at New Bedford Regional Airport. The lowest sea level pressure was 995.4 mb at New Bedford Regional Airport. Several trees and wires were blown down in southern Bristol County. A boat in New Bedford Harbor was blown off its mooring as well. All of the associated effects of Hanna in southern Bristol County resulted in no loss of life or injuries, and $3K in property damage, all wind related.

Southern Bristol, Massachusetts · Tropical Storm · Sep 7, 01:52 UTC

Storm total rainfall of 4.50 to 6.00 inches in less than 12 hours was common across Acadia National Park from Saturday evening through mid morning Sunday...with local totals in excess of 7.00 inches. A maximum total of 7.61 inches was reported at Bar Harbor. Flash flooding was reported from Bar Harbor to Northeast Harbor where many roads were closed and damaged...with 1 to 2 feet of water covering some roads. In the Bar Harbor area...Cromwell Brook Road...Cottage Street...West Street and Route 3 were all closed due to flash flooding. Elsewhere on Mount Desert Island...Seal Cove Road was flooded and heavily damaged in spots. Additional flooding was reported at Northeast Harbor along Route 198 which was damaged and debris covered. Most of the carriage road and fire road system within Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island was closed due to major washouts.

Hancock, Maine · Flash Flood · Sep 7, 09:45 UTC

Storm total rainfall of 4.00 to 6.00 inches...with local totals of around 7.00 inches produced flash flooding across the region. A maximum rainfall total of 7.09 inches was reported at Lubec. Flash flooding was reported on Route 1 near Perry...near Addison...along Route 1 between Jonesboro and Whiting...near Cutler and in Machias. Roads were closed and damaged across the region...with additional damage to culverts.

Washington, Maine · Flash Flood · Sep 7, 10:45 UTC

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• Hurricane IkeNorth Atlantic · 2008 · 195 deaths · $38 billionCat 4125 kt · 935 mb
• Tropical Storm JosephineNorth Atlantic · 2008Tropical Storm55 kt · 994 mb
• Hurricane KyleNorth Atlantic · 2008Cat 175 kt · 984 mb
• Hurricane LauraNorth Atlantic · 2008Cat 170 kt · 990 mb
• Tropical Storm MarcoNorth Atlantic · 2008Tropical Storm55 kt · 998 mb
• Tropical Storm NanaNorth Atlantic · 2008Tropical Storm35 kt · 1004 mb
• Hurricane OmarNorth Atlantic · 2008Cat 4115 kt · 958 mb
• Unnamed tropical depressionNorth Atlantic · 2008Tropical Depression25 kt · 1004 mb
• Hurricane PalomaNorth Atlantic · 2008 · 19 deathsCat 4125 kt · 944 mb

A best track is the record a warning agency settles on after the storm, not what it said at the time: position, maximum sustained wind and central pressure every six hours, revised against every observation that came in later. Category is the Saffir-Simpson scale, which runs from Category 1 at 64 kt to Category 5 at 137 kt and reads wind only, so it says nothing about surge or rain. Accumulated cyclone energy adds up the square of the wind through the storm's life, so it counts strength and duration together.

Storm history from NOAA NCEI’s International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS), which merges the official best track of every warning agency. Live storms, cones, watches and warnings from the National Hurricane Center and the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Archived radar from NOAA’s Level II archive.

• Tropical cyclone report, National Hurricane Center
• Every advisory and discussion NHC issued while it was live
• Wikipedia article: Hurricane Hanna