Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962

Damage at Virginia Beach, Virginia in March, 1962 photo by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers'
Storm type:	Winter storm
Formed:	March 6, 1962
Dissipated:	March 8, 1962
Maximum amount1:	23.6 inches (59.9 cm)
Lowest pressure:
Damages:
Fatalities:	40
Areas affected:	Mid-Atlantic coast
1Maximum snowfall or ice accretion Image File history File links AshWedStormDamageMarch62. ... Location in the Commonwealth o Virginia. ... United States Army Corps of Engineers logo The United States Army Corps of Engineers, or USACE, is made up of some 34,600 civilian and 650 military men and women. ... A typical view of a winter storm. ... is the 65th day of the year (66th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 67th day of the year (68th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962 occurred on March 6-8, 1962 along the mid-Atlantic coast of the United States. In an area accustomed to a hurricane season from late August to early November each year, and the periodic major winter storms known as "Nor'easters", the Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962 was unlike anything anyone living could recall. is the 65th day of the year (66th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 67th day of the year (68th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... “Atlantic” redirects here. ... This article is about weather phenomena. ... Satellite image of the intense noreaster responsible for the North American blizzard of 2006. ... In the Western Christian calendar, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. ...

It was considered by the U.S. Geological Survey to be one of the most destructive storms ever to impact the mid-Atlantic states. One of the ten worst storms in the United States in the 20th century, it lingered through five high tides over a three day period, killing 40 people, injuring over 1,000 and causing hundreds of millions in property damage in six states. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is a scientific agency of the United States government. ... It has been suggested that Middle Atlantic States be merged into this article or section. ... “Ebb tide” redirects here. ...

Combination of atmospheric conditions

The massive storm was caused by an unusual combination of three pressure areas, combined with atmospheric conditions of the Spring equinox which normally cause exceptionally high tides. The storm stalled in the mid-Atlantic for almost 3 days, pounding coastal areas with continuous rain, high winds, and tidal surges, and dumping large quantities of snow inland for several hundred miles. In astronomy, the vernal equinox (spring equinox, March equinox, or northward equinox) is the equinox at the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere: the moment when the sun appears to cross the celestial equator, heading northward. ... “Ebb tide” redirects here. ... Rain is a type of precipitation, a product of the condensation of atmospheric water vapor that is deposited on the earths surface. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... A storm surge is an onshore rush of water associated with a low pressure weather system, typically a tropical cyclone. ... Snow is a type of precipitation in the form of crystalline water ice, consisting of a multitude of snowflakes that fall from clouds. ...

Coastal impact

Homes, hotels, motels, and resort businesses were destroyed along North Carolina's Outer Banks from Cape Hatteras, Nags Head, and Kill Devil Hills north to Virginia Beach, where the waves broke the concrete boardwalk and sea wall. Even some cities further inland such as Norfolk and Hampton on Hampton Roads were inundated with punishing winds and high water. Construction work underway on the new Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel was dealt a severe blow, and a major piece of custom-built construction equipment called "The Big D" was destroyed. Official language(s) English Capital Raleigh Largest city Charlotte Area  Ranked 28th  - Total 53,865 sq mi (139,509 km²)  - Width 150 miles (240 km)  - Length 560[1] miles (901 km)  - % water 9. ... North Carolinas Outer Banks separating the Atlantic Ocean (east) from Albemarle Sound (north) and Pamlico Sound (south). ... An aerial view of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse prior to its 1999 relocation. ... It has been suggested that Nags Head be merged into this article or section. ... Kill Devil Hills is a town located in Dare County, North Carolina. ... Part of the Virginia Beach oceanfront resort strip. ... Photograph of the boardwalk in Atlantic City, NJ, USA, taken August 2003. ... Motto: Crescas (Latin for, Thou shalt grow. ... Motto: Americas First Location in the State of Virginia Coordinates: County Independent City Mayor Ross Kearney II Area    - City 352. ... This view from space in July 1996 shows portions of each of the Seven Cities of Hampton Roads which generally surround the harbor area of Hampton Roads, which framed by the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel visible to the east (right), the Virginia Peninsula subregion to the north (top), and the... Articles with similar titles include Chesapeake Bay Bridge. ...

At the Town of Chincoteague on Virginia's Eastern Shore near the border with Maryland, six feet (2 m) of water covered parts of Main Street, and most of the island was flooded to various depths. On adjacent Assateague Island, the Chincoteague Fire Company lost a portion of its herd of wild Chincoteague Ponies. Misty, the local pony made famous by Marguerite Henry's award-winning children's book Misty of Chincoteague and the 1961 movie Misty, survived by being brought inside a house. Also along the Delmarva Peninsula, at Wallops Island, a million dollars in damage was done to NASA's Wallops Flight Facility. Chincoteague (IPA: ) is a town in Accomack County, Virginia, United States. ... Eastern Shore refers to many places, including: Maryland Eastern Shore Eastern Shore (Nova Scotia) Eastern Shore (electoral district) of Nova Scotia This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Official language(s) None (English, de facto) Capital Annapolis Largest city Baltimore Area  Ranked 42nd  - Total 12,407 sq mi (32,133 km²)  - Width 90 miles (145 km)  - Length 249 miles (400 km)  - % water 21  - Latitude 37° 53′ N to 39° 43′ N  - Longitude 75° 03′ W to 79° 29... Egrets in Assateagues marshes Assateague Island is a barrier island, comprising the southern portion of Marylands Atlantic coast and part of Virginias Eastern Shore. ... Chincoteague is a town located in Accomack County, Virginia. ... Misty may mean: Misty - a fictional character in the anime Knights of Zodiac Misty (jazz), a jazz standard written in 1954 by the pianist Errol Garner Misty (Pokémon), a fictional character in the Pokémon universe, known as Kasumi in Japanese Lizard Misty Misty (classified project), an American spy... Misty of Chicoteague was a book written by Marguerite Henry in 1947 Marguerite Henry (April 13, 1902-November 26, 1997) was an American writer. ... Misty of Chincoteague is the title of a 1947 book by Marguerite Henry, based on the life of a real pony named Misty, native to Virginias coastal island of Chincoteague off of the Delmarva Peninsula. ... Misty is available on home video and DVD Misty is the name of a 1961 film based upon Marguerite Henrys award-winning childrens book Misty of Chincoteague, published in 1947. ... Delmarva Peninsula map The Delmarva Peninsula is a large peninsula on the East Coast of the United States, occupied by portions of three U.S. states: Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. ... Location of Wallops Island, and NASA Facilites Wallops Island Wallops Island Research Range launch facilities showing location of support facilities and launch pads. ... Wallops Flight Facility Coordinates: Latitude 37. ...

Further north, 60 mph (96 km/h) winds and 7.6 m (25 ft) waves struck Ocean City, Maryland. Waves more than 12 m (40 ft) high occurred at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware destroying the boardwalk and beach front homes. Sand dunes were flattened along the entire length of Delaware’s ocean coastline. In New Jersey, the storm ripped away part of the Steel Pier in Atlantic City. Long Beach Island was cut through in several places. The destroyer USS Monssen was washed ashore near Holgate. In New Jersey alone, an estimated 45,000 homes were destroyed or greatly damaged. In New York, on Long Island, communities such as Fire Island were decimated; 100 homes there were destroyed. Wave heights reached 12 m (40 ft) by the shore of New York City. Nickname: Location in Maryland Coordinates: County Worcester County Founded 1875 Incorporated 1880 Government  - Mayor Rick Meehan Area  - City 94. ... Rehoboth Beach is a city in Sussex County, Delaware, United States. ... This article is about the sand formations, for other meanings see Dune (disambiguation) Mesquite Flat Dunes in Death Valley National Park In physical geography, a dune is a hill of sand built by eolian (wind-related) processes. ... Capital Dover Largest city Wilmington Area  Ranked 49th  - Total 2,491 sq mi (6,452 km²)  - Width 30 miles (48 km)  - Length 100 miles (161 km)  - % water 21. ... Official language(s) English de facto Capital Trenton Largest city Newark Area  Ranked 47th  - Total 8,729 sq mi (22,608 km²)  - Width 70 miles (110 km)  - Length 150 miles (240 km)  - % water 14. ... Steel Pier The Steel Pier is a 1,000 foot long amusement pier in Atlantic City, New Jersey. ... Map of Atlantic City in Atlantic County Coordinates: , Country United States State New Jersey County Atlantic Incorporated May 1, 1854 Government  - Mayor Bob Levy Area  - City  17. ... Barnegat Lighthouse on the north tip of Long Beach Island Position of Long Beach Island (pink) relative to Ocean County Long Beach Island is a barrier island and summer colony along the Atlantic Ocean coast of Ocean County, New Jersey in the United States. ... USS McFaul underway in the Atlantic Ocean. ... USS Monssen (DD-798) was a Fletcher-class destroyer of the United States Navy, the second Navy ship named for Lieutenant Mons Monssen (1867–1930), who was awarded the Medal of Honor for putting out a fire in a magazine on Missouri (BB-11). ... “NY” redirects here. ... This article is about the island in New York State. ... Fire Island may refer to: // [edit] In New York Fire Island, New York, a barrier island with no cars on the south shore of Long Island, New York West Fire Island, a smaller island with only about five houses next to Fire Island, New York in the Great South Bay... New York, New York and NYC redirect here. ...

Inland weather

The weather front off the coast drove snow upon inland areas. Snow fell as far south as Alabama, and temperatures plunged to around 0° C (32° F) across Florida. North Carolina experienced blizzard conditions. The Shenandoah Valley received nearly 60 cm (2 ft) of snow. In Shenandoah National Park in the Blue Ridge Mountains, 1 m (42 in) of snow were recorded at Big Meadows. Snow is a type of precipitation in the form of crystalline water ice, consisting of a multitude of snowflakes that fall from clouds. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... Official language(s) English Capital Tallahassee Largest city Jacksonville Largest metro area Miami metropolitan area Area  Ranked 22nd  - Total 65,795[1] sq mi (170,304[1] km²)  - Width 361 miles (582 km)  - Length 447 miles (721 km)  - % water 17. ... Canoeing on the Shenandoah River near Winchester, VA. The Shenandoah Valley region of western Virginia, from Winchester to Staunton, is bounded by the Blue Ridge mountains to the East and the Allegheny mountains to the West. ... Shenandoah National Park encompasses part of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Blue Ridge region of Virginia. ... Blue Ridge Mountains, Shining Rock Wilderness Area Appalachian Mountain system The Blue Ridge is a mountain chain in the eastern United States, part of the Appalachian Mountains, forming their eastern front from Georgia to Pennsylvania. ... Participants in a field seminar at Big Meadows can look in the distance to see the Appalachian Mountain chain Big Meadows is located on the Skyline Drive at Milepost 51 in the Shenandoah National Park in Madison County, Virginia. ...

Aftermath

The Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962 killed 40 people and injured more than 1,000. The coastal areas from North Carolina to New York were battered and changed forever by the wind, waves, and record high tides. Thousands of homes and businesses were flooded and many destroyed. Property damage was caused in six states valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Official language(s) English Capital Raleigh Largest city Charlotte Area  Ranked 28th  - Total 53,865 sq mi (139,509 km²)  - Width 150 miles (240 km)  - Length 560[1] miles (901 km)  - % water 9. ... “NY” redirects here. ...

Its impact was so powerful that the U.S. Weather Bureau took the extraordinary step of giving it a name: "The Great Atlantic Storm." It is also known as "Five High Storm" because it lingered off the Atlantic Coast of the northeast United States over a period of five high tides. However, because the heaviest damages occurred in most areas on Wednesday, March 7, which was the Christian holiday of Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent that year, it has become most popularly well-known as the "Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962." The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is an agency of the United States Department of Commerce. ... is the 66th day of the year (67th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      A Christian () is a person who... In the Western Christian calendar, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. ... It has been suggested that Cuaresma be merged into this article or section. ...

Perhaps a fitting memorial to what was lost in the storm is Assateague Island National Seashore, a unit of the National Park Service. In the 1950's, some 5,000 private lots comprising what is now National Park Service land were zoned and sold for resort development. The Ash Wednesday Storm halted the plans for development, as it destroyed the few existing structures on the island and ripped roads apart. Instead, in 1965, Assateague Island became a National Seashore. This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... The National Park Service (NPS) is the United States federal agency that manages all National Parks, many National Monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations. ... A National seashore, in the United States, is a seashore area federally designated as being of natural and recreational signifance as a preserved area. ...

Trivia

cover of Stormy: Misty's Foal (1963) written by Marguerite Henry after the Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962

Shortly after the storm subsided, Misty, the famous horse from Chincoteague who spent the storm in the family's kitchen (her barn was flooded) gave birth to a foal. The family named her "Stormy", laying the basis for another book in Marguerite Henry's award-winning Misty of Chincoteague series. The new book was named Stormy, Misty's Foal. Image File history File links Stormy_Mistys_Foal_cover. ... Image File history File links Stormy_Mistys_Foal_cover. ... Misty of Chicoteague was a book written by Marguerite Henry in 1947 Marguerite Henry (April 13, 1902-November 26, 1997) was an American writer. ... Misty of Chicoteague was a book written by Marguerite Henry in 1947 Marguerite Henry (April 13, 1902-November 26, 1997) was an American writer. ... A foal is a young horse of either gender; a female foal is called a filly, while a male foal is called a colt. ... Misty of Chicoteague was a book written by Marguerite Henry in 1947 Marguerite Henry (April 13, 1902-November 26, 1997) was an American writer. ... Misty of Chicoteague was a book written by Marguerite Henry in 1947 Marguerite Henry (April 13, 1902-November 26, 1997) was an American writer. ...

References

• Weather.com; Storms of the Century series, Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962
• Chicoteague Chamber of Commerce:Ash Wednesday Storm web page a site with many photographs
• USGS Hurricanes, El-Niño, & Northeasters
• Virginia-Pilot newspaper, story Remembering the Ash Wednesday Storm
• Godard Institute for Space Studies; Climate Impacts in New York City: Sea Level Rise and Coastal Floods
• the 10 worst storms in the United States in the 20th century
• Virginia Dept. of Emergency Services; Winter Storm History
• Assateague Island National Seashore, National Park Service
• Aerial photographs of the March 1962 Storm on Long Beach Island
• Storm Damage in Avalon, NJ
• Avalon Residents Recall 1962 Storm