Hurricane Dorian (2019)

Basin

North Atlantic

Dates

August 24, 2019 to September 9, 2019

Peak strength

Category 5, 160 kt (184 mph)

Lowest pressure

910 mb (26.87 inHg)

Landfall

Yes

Accumulated cyclone energy

48.9

Tropical-storm-force wind reached

310 nmi (574 km, 357 mi) from the center at its widest

Hurricane-force wind reached

100 nmi (185 km, 115 mi) from the center at its widest

Eyewall radius at its peak

5 nmi (9 km, 6 mi)

Overall size

360 nmi (667 km, 414 mi) to the outermost closed isobar

Peak gust in the best track

195 kt (224 mph)

Fastest the center moved

27 kt (31 mph)

Identifier

AL052019

Radar at TJUA as it neared land, Aug 28, 18:00 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

5 (0 direct, 5 indirect)

Injuries

6

Property damage

$21 million

Crop damage

$65,000

Events recorded

245 in 39 reports from 13 states and marine areas

State by state

What was recorded

72 tropical storm, 32 flash flood, 25 tornado, 24 heavy rain, 23 tropical depression, 18 marine tropical storm, 16 coastal flood, 8 storm surge/tide, 7 hurricane (typhoon), 6 high wind, 5 marine thunderstorm wind, 3 marine tropical depression, 2 waterspout, 2 marine hurricane/typhoon, 1 rip current, 1 flood.

25 tornadoes and 2 waterspouts recorded in the United States, strongest first.

The Weather Prediction Center attributes 3,865 rain gauge totals over the contiguous United States to this storm. The wettest reached 15.21 inches (386 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.

In Brevard County, tropical storm force sustained winds affected the barrier islands, with gusts to tropical storm force in squalls through much of the remainder of the county on September 3 and 4 (beginning around 0800LST on September 3). The highest sustained wind was measured at Melbourne Beach (48 mph from the northeast at 1720LST on September 3) and the peak gust was at US Air Force Wind Tower 313 in Cape Canaveral (71 mph from the north-northwest at 0200LST on September 4). Approximately 1600 people evacuated into shelters. An indirect hurricane-related fatality occurred on September 1, during the preparedness phase of the event, around 1510LST when a 68-year-old man, who was putting plywood on the windows of his home, lost his balance upon a ladder and fell three stories to his death.

Brevard, Florida · Tropical Storm · Sep 1, 13:00 UTC

A long duration of sustained tropical storm winds impacted the coastal waters, with frequent gusts to hurricane force, especially within squalls. These winds lasted from the early morning hours on September 2 through early morning September 4. Seas reached in excess of 25 feet according to NOAA Buoy 41009, located 20 miles east of Port Canaveral and Buoy 41010, located approximately 140 miles northeast of Port Canaveral.

Sebastian Inlet To Jupiter Inlet 20-60nm, Atlantic South · Marine Tropical Storm · Sep 2, 05:00 UTC

A long duration of sustained tropical storm winds impacted the coastal waters, with frequent gusts to hurricane force, especially within squalls. These winds lasted from the early morning hours on September 3 through the afternoon on September 4. Seas reached in excess of 25 feet according to NOAA Buoy 41009, located 20 miles east of Port Canaveral and Buoy 41010, located approximately 140 miles northeast of Port Canaveral.

Volusia-Brevard County Line To Sebastian Inlet 20-60nm, Atlantic South · Marine Tropical Storm · Sep 3, 06:00 UTC

As Hurricane Dorian moved northwest parallel to the east central Florida coast, the Martin County beaches experienced varying degrees of beach erosion, with moderate to major beach erosion in some areas, due to an estimated 2 foot AGL storm surge. The strong onshore winds and large swells over two high tide cycles contributed to the surge. Similar water level rises occurred within the Indian River Lagoon system where shoreside flooding occurred in some locations, including at Sandspirit Park and along the east side of the Saint Lucie River in Stuart. The economic loss due to beach erosion was estimated at $10.5 million due primarily to beach erosion. There was significant beach erosion north of Saint Lucie Inlet, with approximately 40 feet of beach lost. Although there were no dunes breached, ocean water did intrude between some homes on MacArthur Boulevard in South Hutchinson Island.

Martin, Florida · Storm Surge/Tide · Sep 3, 12:00 UTC

Chatham County Emergency Management Agency reported numerous trees down across the entire county due to strong winds associated with Hurricane Dorian. Some power lines were also down causing isolated to scattered power outages. The Weatherflow site on the north end of Tybee Island measured peak sustained winds of 38 mph and a peak wind gust of 60 mph. The Weatherflow site on the south end of Tybee Island measured peak sustained winds of 41 mph and a peak wind gust of 55 mph. The NOS tide gauge at Fort Pulaski measured peak sustained winds of 44 mph and a peak wind gust of 58 mph.

Coastal Chatham, Georgia · Tropical Storm · Sep 4, 11:00 UTC

At 11:41 am on 9/4, a HAM radio operator reported a pine tree blown down on Dellwood Avenue on St Simons Island. At 2:02 pm on 9/4, a NWS Storm Spotter reported a restaurant sign fell onto a SUV vehicle at the intersection of Hopkins Avenue and Glynn Avenue. Peak winds include 31 mph on 9/4 at 5:17 pm at St. Simons Island Malcom-Mckinnon Airport with a peak gust of 43 mph on 9/4 at 6:40 pm. The Weatherflow mesonet site on Jekyll Island measured a peak wind of 33 mph on 9/4 at 5:09 am with a peak gust of 44 mph at 5:04 am.

Coastal Glynn, Georgia · Tropical Storm · Sep 4, 15:41 UTC

Beaufort County Emergency Management reported numerous trees down across the county due to strong winds associated with Hurricane Dorian. Isolated to scattered power outages were also reported. South Carolina Highway Patrol reported a couple of unmoored boats washed ashore along Sea Island Parkway. In an unknown location in the county, 3 sailboats washed ashore. The AWOS at the Hilton Head Airport (KHXD) measured peak sustained winds of 53 mph and a peak wind gust of 67 mph. The Weatherflow site at Pritchards Island near Beaufort measured peak sustained winds of 35 mph and a peak wind gust of 61 mph. The AWOS at the Beaufort County Airport (KARW) measured peak sustained winds of 40 mph and a peak wind gust of 52 mph.

Beaufort, South Carolina · Tropical Storm · Sep 4, 19:00 UTC

Berkeley County Emergency Management reported numerous trees and power lines down across the county due to strong winds associated with Hurricane Dorian. Isolated to scattered power outages were reported and some roads were blocked due to downed trees. The AWOS site in Moncks Corner measured peak sustained winds of 35 mph and a peak wind gust of 51 mph. The National Weather Service observation at Pinopolis on Lake Moultrie measured peak sustained winds of 45 mph and a peak wind gust of 57 mph.

Inland Berkeley, South Carolina · Tropical Storm · Sep 4, 21:00 UTC

A short-lived tornado impacted the Brookfield Community near Gordon Rd in the Wilmington area. The tornado formed just south of Stones Edge Loop causing some damage to trees. The tornado moved across Northbrook Rd and knocked large limbs down. It also caused the walls to buckle at a home along Northbrook Rd., destroyed a nearby shed, and knocked several large limbs out of a large tree. The tornado moved northwest causing damage to an old shed on the south side of Briercrest Dr. The tornado then crossed Briercrest Dr. causing minor damage to a home and knocking large limbs out of trees. The tornado lifted in the vicinity of Gordon Rd. east of North Kerr Ave.

New Hanover, North Carolina · Tornado · Sep 5, 10:39 UTC

A waterspout moved ashore over the northern end of Figure Eight Island, causing EF0 damage to a couple beachfront homes and trees. The tornado track was evident across the marsh towards the Intracoastal Waterway, where it affected Bald Eagle Ln. At the Bald Eagle Ln area there was one injury, numerous trees snapped and uprooted, along with mostly minor home damage. The tornado moved northwest towards Fazio Dr where it created its widest damage, including some roof damage and large trees snapped near the Porter's Neck golf course. The tornado continued to move northwest to Futch Creek Rd and Plantation Landing Dr where it lifted after producing EF0 damage, mainly to trees.

New Hanover, North Carolina · Tornado · Sep 5, 15:48 UTC

Tropical storm winds downed and uprooted several trees and power lines, produced some structural damage, and caused power outages across the county. Wind gust of 59 knots (68 mph) was measured at Ocean Park. Wind gust of 51 knots (59 mph) was measured at Mesonet Station XCRE Creeds. Wind gust of 47 knots (54 mph) was measured at NTU. Roof was blown off of a house near Munden. Power poles were broken near Munden and Bayside.

Virginia Beach, Virginia · Tropical Storm · Sep 6, 04:00 UTC

Tropical storm winds downed a few trees and power lines, produced minor structural damage, and caused some power outages across the county. Wind gust of 40 knots (46 mph) was measured at Mesonet Station XOCN Ocean City. Wind gust of 37 knots (43 mph) was measured at Mesonet Station ASTM2 Assateague Island.

Maryland Beaches, Maryland · Tropical Storm · Sep 6, 04:00 UTC

Wind gust of 45 knots was measured at Thimble Shoals. Wind gust of 45 knots was measured at York River East Rear Range Light. Wind gust of 42 knots was measured at Kiptopeke. Wind gust of 41 knots was measured at Poquoson River Light. Wind gust of 41 knots was measured at Plantation Flats.

Mouth of Chesapeake Bay From New Point Comfort To Little Creek, Va, Atlantic North · Marine Tropical Storm · Sep 6, 15:49 UTC

Very strong northeast to north winds associated with Hurricane Dorian produced tidal anomalies between 2.5 and 3.5 feet over the southern Chesapeake Bay. This caused moderate to major coastal flooding over portions of Virginia Beach. Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel reached 6.63 feet MLLW at 336 pm on September 6. Some streets were flooded and closed, and vehicles were stranded.

Virginia Beach, Virginia · Coastal Flood · Sep 6, 16:30 UTC

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• Unnamed tropical depressionNorth Atlantic · 2019Tropical Depression30 kt · 1013 mb
• Tropical Storm ChantalNorth Atlantic · 2019Tropical Storm35 kt · 1007 mb
• Tropical Storm ErinNorth Atlantic · 2019Tropical Storm35 kt · 1002 mb
• Tropical Storm GabrielleNorth Atlantic · 2019Tropical Storm55 kt · 995 mb
• Tropical Storm FernandNorth Atlantic · 2019Tropical Storm45 kt · 1000 mb
• Hurricane HumbertoNorth Atlantic · 2019Cat 3110 kt · 950 mb
• Hurricane JerryNorth Atlantic · 2019Cat 290 kt · 976 mb
• Tropical Storm ImeldaNorth Atlantic · 2019Tropical Storm40 kt · 1003 mb
• Tropical Storm KarenNorth Atlantic · 2019Tropical Storm40 kt · 1003 mb
• Hurricane LorenzoNorth Atlantic · 2019Cat 5140 kt · 925 mb
• Tropical Storm MelissaNorth Atlantic · 2019Tropical Storm55 kt · 994 mb
• Unnamed tropical depressionNorth Atlantic · 2019Tropical Depression30 kt · 1006 mb
• Tropical Storm NestorNorth Atlantic · 2019Tropical Storm50 kt · 996 mb
• Hurricane PabloNorth Atlantic · 2019Cat 170 kt · 977 mb
• Tropical Storm OlgaNorth Atlantic · 2019Tropical Storm45 kt · 992 mb
• Hurricane RebekahNorth Atlantic · 2019Cat 170 kt · 965 mb
• Tropical Storm SebastienNorth Atlantic · 2019Tropical Storm60 kt · 970 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
• Best track as a shapefile, National Hurricane Center
• Wikipedia article: Hurricane Dorian