Irene's Precipitation Distribution

Irene's rainfall resulted in devastating flooding for communities in multiple states in the northeast (and much of the rest of the east coast). The flooding experienced not only destroyed properties but took lives. See the distribution of precipitation in the image above from the National Weather Service.

The Second Hurricane of 2011

Hurricane Katia, and its projected path, as of Thursday morning.

With many communities still coping with the destruction caused by Irene, a the second hurricane of the 2011 season has formed in the Atlantic. Hurricane Katia is chugging along, east of Puerto Rico, and is expected to strengthen to a major hurricane by Sunday morning.

ArcGIS Tutorial: Creating a Simple Hurricane and Population Map

Last week, I posted a quick map I generated of Irene's path and the population density of the Northeast. I have posted a tutorial on where to find applicable data and how to create something similar in a post on Outside the Neatline.

Today's Update on Hurricane Irene

As seen in this image from NOAA, Hurricane Irene's eye has formed Southeast of Florida.

Today's latest NOAA projections of Hurricane Irene's path have the storm reaching us, here in New England, sometime in the latter half of Sunday.

When it does reach us, it is projected to still be a Category 2 hurricane which, Andrew Revkin of the NYT warns, could mean hazardous flash flooding.

If and when Irene makes landfall, it will be the first Hurricane to hit the US mainland since Hurricane Ike in 2008.

Update: Hurricane Irene Approaches US Coast

A time-lapse of Hurricane Irene from the GOES-east satellite (see more from NOAA Visualizations)

On the same day a 5.9 magnitude earthquake shook the eastern seaboard, Hurricane Irene is gaining strength. It is expected to hit the US mainland this weekend.

Irene's projected path as of Tuesday 5 PM.

Irene was expected to reach Category 3 sometime today, and some forecasts have Irene as reaching Category 4 before making landfall. We, here in Connecticut, are projected to feel the effects sometime on Sunday.

Hurricane Irene Nearing Southeast US

According to NOAA's projected path (see above), Hurricane Irene may make landfall in the Southeast US later this week. Visit this NOAA website to keep up to date.