page_title: Tropical Storm Dean (1983)
section_title: Preparations and impact
hierarchical_section_title: Tropical Storm Dean (1983) / Preparations and impact
caption_attribution_description: English: Rainfall produced by Tropical Storm Dean during September and October 1983.
context_page_description: Tropical Storm Dean caused minor flooding along portions of the East Coast of the United States in September 1983. The seventh tropical cyclone and fourth named storm the 1983 Atlantic hurricane season, Dean developed from a frontal low to the northeast of the Bahamas on September 26. Initially subtropical, it gained characteristics of a tropical cyclone while tracking slowly north-northeastward. By September 27, the system was reclassified as Tropical Storm Dean. While tracking northward on September 28, Dean peaked with winds of 65 mph, shortly before curving west-northwestward and slowly leveling-off in intensity. Eventually, Dean made landfall in Virginia on the Delmarva Peninsula on September 29 as a weakening tropical storm. Dean rapidly weakened over land and was no longer classifiable as a tropical cyclone by early on October 1.
  Offshore Virginia, swells generated by the storm stranded a tugboat and injured two people. Waves along the coast also caused beach erosion, especially in Virginia and North Carolina. Inland, effects were minor and generally limited to mostly light rainfall.
context_section_description: As Dean approached the United States, numerous gale warnings were issued. Many of these warnings were issued from North Carolina up to Rhode Island. Small craft advisories were also raised along much of the eastern seaboard, covering places between Cape Cod, Massachusetts to Jupiter Inlet, Florida. In Norfolk, Virginia, the naval station was placed under "hurricane condition 3", meaning that destructive winds were anticipated within 48 hours. In parts of North Carolina, residents were urged to prepare for the storm and remain out of the rough coastal waters.
  As the storm moved inland over Virginia, its outer bands and high winds prompted more than 100 campers on Ocracoke Island and Cape Hatteras to evacuate after 1 ft (0.30 m) of water flooded North Carolina Highway 12. Along the coast, wave between 6 and 10 ft (1.8 and 3.0 m) were measured. Minor beach erosion ensued, although some beaches lost as much as 20 ft (6.1 m) of sand. Squall lines associated with Dean brought near-hurricane-force wind gusts and brief, heavy rainfall. Winds caused little effect other than isolated power outages, especially on the Outer Banks. Aside from the minor damage caused by Dean, there was also a positive side to the storm. Throughout coastal waters off North Carolina, king mackerel appeared in near-record numbers, improving the local fishing industry. Some catchers stated that they were finding some fish weighing up to 30 lb (14 kg).
  About 300 mi (480 km) off the coast of Virginia, large swells from Dean stranded a tugboat on September 29 with six people on board. Two of the crew were injured during the incident; however, they were not seriously hurt. The ship was towed to Cape May, New Jersey later that day by the United States Coast Guard. Waves up to 8 ft (2.4 m) caused beach erosion across the Virginia coastline. In addition to minor erosion, waves caused "slight flooding" at Buckroe Beach, totaling to $500 to $5,000 in damage (1983 USD). Although winds were estimated to have been around 60 mph (95 km/h) as the storm moved inland, structural damage was minimal. Many areas near Dean's path experienced light rainfall of 1 to 3 in (25 to 76 mm) of rain, especially in Virginia where the statewide peak was 1.29 in (33 mm) in Richmond.
  In Maryland, thousands of tons of sand was removed by rough seas near Ocean City; beach erosion also occurred at nearby Assateague Island. Additionally, wind gusts between 50 and 55 mph (80 and 89 km/h) resulted in minor damage, while minimal flooding was reported following rainfall. Damage in Maryland was light, totaling to between $500 and $5,000 (1983 USD). Minor effects were reported in Delaware, limited to winds gusts up to 50 mph (80 km/h), which caused the loss of tons of sand along beaches. In coastal New Jersey, locally heavy rainfall resulted in traffic jams, downed power lines, and numerous commuting problems. In some areas of New York, especially in the southeastern portions of the state, rainfall exceeding 2 in (51 mm) in 24 hours flooded roadways and delayed trains. The remnants of Dean dropped light precipitation in New England. Rainfall from the storm peaked at 4.62 in (117 mm) at the Cockaponset Ranger Station in Connecticut.
caption: Rainfall from Tropical Storm Dean in the Eastern United States