Hurricane Twins Connie and Diane
August 13, 2002
Provided by: Martin Ruzek, USRA; National Hurricane Center
Summary authors & editors: Martin Ruzek; National Hurricane Center
This week marks the anniversary of the Great Flood of 1955 which followed in the wake of twin hurricanes that crossed the North Carolina coast only 5 days apart. Hurricane Connie crossed the coast on August 12 as a Category 3 storm with sustained 75 mph ( 33.5 m/s) winds and an 8 foot (2.4 m) storm surge. There were no reported deaths and the damage in the United States was $40 million. However, the most significant aspect of Connie was the rainfall of up to 12 inches (30.5 cm) that affected the northeastern United States. Diane cossed the coast on August 17 as a Category 1 hurricane. Hurricane conditions affected only a small part of the North Carolina coast, and the damage from winds and tides was relatively minor. The main impact was heavy rains. Diane poured 10 to 20 inches (25 - 51 cm) of rain on areas soaked by Connie just a few days before, producing widespread severe flooding from North Carolina to Massachusetts. The floods were responsible for 184 deaths and $832 million in damage.
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