Hurricane Irene (2011)

Basin

North Atlantic

Dates

August 21, 2011 to August 30, 2011

Peak strength

Category 3, 105 kt (121 mph)

Lowest pressure

942 mb (27.82 inHg)

Landfall

Yes

Accumulated cyclone energy

18.8

Tropical-storm-force wind reached

360 nmi (667 km, 414 mi) from the center at its widest

Hurricane-force wind reached

80 nmi (148 km, 92 mi) from the center at its widest

Eyewall radius at its peak

15 nmi (28 km, 17 mi)

Overall size

400 nmi (741 km, 460 mi) to the outermost closed isobar

Peak gust in the best track

130 kt (150 mph)

Fastest the center moved

32 kt (37 mph)

Identifier

AL092011

Radar at KMHX as it neared land, Aug 27, 12:00 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

42 (34 direct, 8 indirect)

Injuries

24

Property damage

$2.8 billion

Crop damage

$410 million

Events recorded

855 in 65 reports from 19 states and marine areas

State by state

What was recorded

270 tropical storm, 248 flood, 165 flash flood, 55 storm surge/tide, 37 strong wind, 28 high wind, 16 marine high wind, 13 hurricane (typhoon), 9 tornado, 8 high surf, 2 thunderstorm wind, 1 rip current, 1 marine thunderstorm wind, 1 lightning, 1 heavy rain.

9 tornadoes recorded in the United States, strongest first.

The Weather Prediction Center attributes 3,357 rain gauge totals over the contiguous United States to this storm. The wettest reached 15.74 inches (400 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.

Winds to marginal tropical storm force and high surf impacted the Palm Beach County coast as the outer fringes of Hurricane Irene passed over the area. Sustained winds to 36 knots with gusts to 46 knots were measured near the coast from Jupiter through Boynton Beach associated with intermittent squalls. Wind damage was limited to a few uprooted trees and knocked down tree branches, causing minor power outages. High surf pounded the coast during the day, causing damage to Lake Worth Pier totalling $2,000 and injuring 8 people at Boynton Inlet when a large wave crashed onto the jetty while onlookers were present. Maximum storm surge at Lake Worth Pier was 1.28 feet with a maximum tide of 1.55 feet.

Coastal Palm Beach County, Florida · Tropical Storm · Aug 25, 12:30 UTC

Across Eastern Hyde County...winds gusted above hurricane force resulting in numerous tress and power-lines down with extensive power outages and minor to moderate structural damage. Storm total rainfall of 7 to 8 inches caused flooding of roads low lying areas. Sound-side storm surge on Mainland Hyde county was 5 to 6 feet. Total water level rises, including wave action, of 11 to 14 feet resulted in several dune breaches across highway 12 in Ocracoke. Sound-side surge was minimal Up to 2 feet. A mandatory evacuation was ordered for all residents and visitors on the 24th. Significant damage occurred to structures. Across Greene county...winds gusted to 50 to 60 mph resulting in downed trees and power-lines with sporadic power outages. Heavy rainfall resulting in flooding of roads and low lying areas. Significant damage occurred to structures and crops.

Eastern Hyde, North Carolina · Hurricane (Typhoon) · Aug 26, 05:00 UTC

Across Beaufort County...winds gusted to 90 mph resulting in numerous trees and power-lines down with major power outages...and structural damage due to a 7 to 11 foot surge along the Pamlico sound and Pamlico river. Numerous homes sustained major damage and were swept away in the Jarvis landing residential and Aurora Ferry landing areas. Storm total rainfall of 11 to 16 inches resulted in extensive freshwater flooding of roads and low lying areas. Mandatory and voluntary evacuations were ordered on the 25th. An EF1 tornado touched down near Belhaven around 10 pm on the 26th. The tornado heavily damaged the Edgewater Motors dealership. One woman with a pre-existing medical condition had an emergency as the hurricane began and Emergency personnel were unable to reach her for two hours due to downed trees and flooding. She passed away the following day.

Beaufort, North Carolina · Hurricane (Typhoon) · Aug 26, 05:00 UTC

In Pilesgrove Township, a 20-year-old woman was swept away by flood waters near the Salem River on U.S. Route 40 and drowned while driving her car early on the 28th. The combination of flooding rains and tropical storm force wind gusts closed forty roadways in the county. The collapse of the East Lake Road Dam in Woodstown flooded sections of the borough and Pilesgrove Township. In Pittsgrove Township, both Centerton and Palantine Lakes flooded. Half of Parvin State Park suffered wind and flood damage. For the second time within the month, the Maurice River at Norma had major flooding and set the second highest crest on record. The river at the Norma gage was above its 4 foot flood stage from 1115 p.m. EDT on the 27th through 1030 a.m. EDT on September 2nd. Event rainfall totals included 7.55 inches in Woodstown.

Salem, New Jersey · Flood · Aug 28, 11:00 UTC

Numerous trees, wires, and power poles were downed in Glastonbury (Route 17), New Britain (Pendleton Road, Pinehurst Avenue, and Grand Street), East Hartford (Larrabee and Tolland Streets, Woodlawn Circle), South Windsor (Long Hill Road), Newington (Pebble Drive), West Hartford (Waterside Lane), Hartford (Hungerford Street), East Windsor, Plantsville, Suffield, and Enfield (Pearl and Pierce Streets). Several of these trees fell onto houses. The Automated Surface Observing System at Bradley International Airport (KBDL) recorded sustained wind speeds of 26 knots (30 mph) and wind gusts to 44 knots (51 mph). The Automated Surface Observing System at Hartford-Brainard Airport (KHFD) recorded sustained winds of 21 knots (24 mph) and wind gusts to 40 knots (46 mph).

Hartford, Connecticut · Tropical Storm · Aug 28, 11:02 UTC

The combination of flooding rains and tropical storm force wind gusts closed fifty roadways in Gloucester County. Franklin Township had the greatest number of road closures. In Mullica Hill in Harrison Township, the U.S. Route 322 Bridge was washed out and damaged over Mullica Pond. The Raccoon Creek at Swedesboro had its highest crest on record. The creek was above its 13 foot flood stage from 1137 p.m. EDT on the 27th through 1125 p.m. EDT on the 28th. It crested at 18.68 feet at 430 a.m. EDT on the 28th. Event rainfall totals included 7.84 inches in Franklin Township, 6.77 inches in Woolwich Township, 6.48 inches in Mantua Township, 6.46 inches in Mullica Hill, 5.75 inches in Pitman and 4.46 inches in Washington Township.

Gloucester, New Jersey · Flood · Aug 28, 12:00 UTC

Numerous trees were downed throughout eastern Essex county, including in Danvers (Maple Street), Peabody (Martinack and Roosevelt Avenues and Crowninshield and Winona Streets), Salem (Boston and North Streets), Lynn (Jackson, West Sigourney, and Empire Streets, Greenwood Avenue, Lynn Common, and Bonavesta Terrace), Marblehead (Lafayette Street), Ipswich (Linebrook Road), and Nahant (Little Nahant Road). Some of these trees were downed onto houses, others onto power lines and wires, and still others onto cars. In addition, traffic lights on North Street in Salem were downed by strong winds. The Automated Surface Observing System at Beverly Municipal Airport (KBVY) recorded sustained wind speeds of 29 knots (33 mph) and gusts to 43 knots (49 mph). An amateur radio operator recorded a wind gust of 50 knots (58 mph) on their home weather station in Rockport.

Eastern Essex, Massachusetts · Tropical Storm · Aug 28, 12:19 UTC

Major flooding occurred on the Espous downstream from the Ashokan Reservoir. The Mount Marion river gage located on the left bank at the downstream side of the bridge on Glasco Turnpike, 0.8 miles east of Mount Marion and 1.6 miles downstream from Plattekill exceeded its 20 foot flood stage at 7:36 am EST August 28th, its 22 foot moderate flood stage at 9:30 am, its 24 foot major flood stage at 12:17 pm, crested at 25.39 feet at 4:15 pm August 28th, and dropped below flood stage at 8 pm on August 31st. At a level of 24 feet, flooding occurs to homes in the Towns of Hurley and Saugerties. The Ashokan Reservoir East gage exceeded its 589 foot flood stage at 5:22 am August 28th, its 590 foot moderate flood stage at 8:49 pm, it crested at 590.58 feet at 11:10 pm, and dropped below flood stage at 11:57 pm August 29th.

Ulster, New York · Flood · Aug 28, 12:36 UTC

Numerous trees were downed in Concord, two of these were downed onto houses. Trees were downed onto houses on Brook Street in Framingham and on Cushing Drive in Wilmington. Numerous trees were downed throughout Bedford, including on Blocking Springs, Burlington, Wilson, and South Roads, Wiggins and School Avenues, Ruben Duren Way, and Washington and Otis Streets. Several of these trees were downed onto houses. A tree was downed onto a house on Revere Road in Lexington. A large tree was downed, blocking four lanes of traffic on Route 28 in North Reading. Two utility poles were downed on Hartwell Road in Bedford. A tree was downed at the FEMA Regional Operations Center in Maynard. The Automated Surface Observing System at Hanscom Field in Bedford, MA (KBED) recorded sustained wind speeds of 29 knots (33 mph) and gusts to 44 knots (51 mph).

Western Middlesex, Massachusetts · Tropical Storm · Aug 28, 13:20 UTC

Moderate flooding occurred on the Housatonic River in Litchfield County. Flooding was reported but not limited to along Route 7 in Gaylordsville. The Falls Village river gage located near Water Street in Falls Village exceeded its 7 foot flood stage at 12:23 pm EST August 28th, its 10 foot moderate flood stage at 6:08 pm, crested at 11.74 feet at 2 am August 29th, and fell below flood stage at 5:15 pm September 1st. The Gaylordsville river gage located near Route 7, Kent Road, less than a mile north of the Village of Gaylordsville exceeded its flood stage at 6:08 pm EST August 28th and fell below flood stage at 7:50 pm August 29th. The crest time and level are unknown since the stilling well gage failed. A pressure transducer gage was installed while the water was still rising.

Litchfield, Connecticut · Flood · Aug 28, 13:40 UTC

The Little Lehigh Creek at Little Lehigh Park near Allentown had moderate flooding and was above its 6 foot flood stage from 409 a.m. EDT through 1133 p.m. EDT on the 28th. It crested at 9.68 feet at 9 a.m. EDT. Farther downstream, the Little Lehigh Creek at the 10th Street Bridge was above its 8 foot flood stage from 1245 p.m. EDT through 230 p.m. EDT on the 28th and again from 330 p.m. EDT through 640 p.m. EDT on the 28th. Its highest crest was 8.15 feet at 545 p.m. EDT. For both gages on the Little Lehigh Creek, it was the fifth highest crest on record and the highest crests since the remnants of Hurricane Ivan in September of 2004. Event rainfall totals included 5.20 inches in West Allentown, 5.01 inches at the Lehigh Valley International Airport and 4.56 inches in Schnecksville.

Lehigh, Pennsylvania · Flood · Aug 28, 16:00 UTC

The Delaware River at Easton-Phillipsburg had minor flooding and was above its 22 foot flood stage from 843 p.m. EDT on the 28th through 1210 a.m. EDT on the 30th. It crested at 25.15 feet at 5 a.m. EDT on the 29th. The Lehigh River at Glendon was above its 12 foot flood stage from 1030 a.m. EDT through 222 p/m/ EDT on the 28th. It crested at 19.20 feet at 1 p.m. EDT. The Monocacy Creek at Bethlehem had moderate flooding and was above its 4.5 foot flood stage from 202 a.m. EDT on the 28th through 245 a.m. EDT on the 29th. It crested at 6.54 feet at 1 p.m. EDT on the 28th. Event rainfall totals included 6.55 inches in Bethlehem, 5.72 inches in Martins Creek and 4.94 inches in Nazareth.

Northampton, Pennsylvania · Flood · Aug 28, 16:00 UTC

Record flooding occurred on the Mettawee River. The Kilpatrick Family Farm in Middle Granville suffered crop loss in their lowland fields abutting the Mettawee River. Flood waters destroyed the bulk of their fall crop which included leeks, lettuce, squash, arugula, bok choy, beans, brussel sprouts and radishes. The Granville river gage located on the right bank 110 feet downstream from the bridge on County Highway 21, and 2.2 miles north of Middle Granville exceeded its 7 foot flood stage at 1:33 pm EST August 28th, its 8.5 foot moderate flood stage at 4:36 pm, its 10 foot major flood stage at 5:57 pm, crested at a record 15.04 feet at 10:45 pm August 28th, and dropped below flood stage at 12:30 am August 30th. Initially started out as flash flooding then transitioned to river flooding.

Washington, New York · Flash Flood · Aug 28, 18:33 UTC

Flooding from Tropical Storm Irene caused extensive flooding across Washington County VT. The Winooski River was the primary river in flood in Washington County, cresting at 19.05 feet in Montpelier at 21:15 EST August 28, the second highest crest on record. Flooding was extensive in downtown Montpelier. Downstream in Waterbury, the Winooski flooded the Waterbury State Office Complex and portions of downtown Waterbury. Many offices of state agencies were inundated, and active operations at the Vermont state mental hospital and Vermont Emergency Management Emergency Operations Center were forced to relocate during the flood.

Washington, Vermont · Flood · Aug 28, 22:00 UTC

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• Tropical Storm EmilyNorth Atlantic · 2011Tropical Storm45 kt · 1003 mb
• Tropical Storm FranklinNorth Atlantic · 2011Tropical Storm40 kt · 1004 mb
• Tropical Storm GertNorth Atlantic · 2011Tropical Storm55 kt · 1000 mb
• Tropical Storm HarveyNorth Atlantic · 2011Tropical Storm55 kt · 994 mb
• Unnamed tropical depressionNorth Atlantic · 2011Tropical Depression30 kt · 1006 mb
• Tropical Storm JoseNorth Atlantic · 2011Tropical Storm40 kt · 1006 mb
• Hurricane KatiaNorth Atlantic · 2011Cat 4120 kt · 942 mb
• Unnamed tropical stormNorth Atlantic · 2011Tropical Storm40 kt · 1002 mb
• Tropical Storm LeeNorth Atlantic · 2011Tropical Storm50 kt · 986 mb
• Hurricane MariaNorth Atlantic · 2011Cat 170 kt · 983 mb
• Hurricane NateNorth Atlantic · 2011Cat 165 kt · 994 mb
• Hurricane OpheliaNorth Atlantic · 2011Cat 4120 kt · 940 mb
• Hurricane PhilippeNorth Atlantic · 2011Cat 180 kt · 976 mb
• Hurricane RinaNorth Atlantic · 2011Cat 3100 kt · 966 mb
• Tropical Storm SeanNorth Atlantic · 2011Tropical Storm55 kt · 982 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
• Best track as KMZ, National Hurricane Center
• Wikipedia article: Hurricane Irene