Strong Wind — Dauphin, Pennsylvania

2011-08-28 · Dauphin, Pennsylvania

Event narrative

Strong to damaging non-thunderstorm winds associated with Hurricane Irene knocked down several trees and utility wires, causing widespread road closures and thousands of power outages. One tree fell and killed a 56-year old man who was camping in a tent near Manda Gap. A woman who was also in the tent survived but sustained serious injuries. Peak wind gusts at Capital City (CXY) and Harrisburg International (MDT) were 44 and 51 mph respectively.

Wider weather episode

Hurricane Irene moved north-northeast along the Mid-Atlantic Coast from North Carolina to Long Island New York. The tropical system produced extensive flooding and strong damaging winds over from the Endless Mountain region of Sullivan County southward to the lower Susquehanna Valley, with heavy rainfall amounts generally between 2 to 4 inches and several reports of non-thunderstorm wind damage. Localized 5 to 6 inch rainfall totals were also observed. Despite the widespread heavy rainfall, the most significant flooding was primarily confined to faster-responding, smaller waterways such as the Conestoga River and Loyalsock Creek as well as low-lying and poor drainage areas. Flood waters closed numerous secondary roads and washed out several small bridges. The strong winds with peak gusts over tropical storm-force downed trees and utility wires, leaving thousands of residents without power. One tree fell on a 59-year old man and 56-year old woman who were camping in East Hanover Township, Dauphin County. The man was killed but the woman survived and sustained a serious head injury.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 329970. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.