Tropical Storm Isabel (1985)

Tropical Storm Isabel (1985)

The 1985 Atlantic hurricane season had the most U.S. landfalling tropical cyclones since 1916. The season officially began on June 1 and lasted until November 30. It was an average season, with 11 named storms developing. The first storm, Ana, developed on July 15 near Bermuda and caused minor effects in Canada while transitioning into an extratropical cyclone. Four other tropical cyclones – Claudette, Fabian, Henri, and Isabel – did not significantly affect land. Claudette developed offshore of the Southeastern United States and brushed Bermuda and the Azores. Fabian remained in the open Atlantic and Henri and Isabel were dissipating as they approached land. Additionally, three tropical depressions had minimal, if any impact on land.

Although several storms caused minimal impact, there were also several tropical cyclones that caused significant impact. Hurricane Gloria, the strongest storm of the season, resulted in 8 fatalities and extensive damage in North Carolina, Virginia, Mid-Atlantic, and New England. While tracking erratically offshore and eventually inland over the Gulf Coast of the United States, Hurricane Elena caused more than $1.25 billion (1985 USD) in losses, especially in Louisiana and Mississippi. Similarly, Hurricane Juan caused more than $1 billion (1985 USD) in damage due to its erratic tracked offshore and across Louisiana. Three other tropical cyclones – Hurricanes Bob, Danny, and Kate – caused moderate to extensive damage in Cuba and the United States. In addition, the precursor to Tropical Storm Isabel caused a deadly flood in Puerto Rico, with 180 fatalities reported. Overall, the tropical cyclones of this season collectively caused almost $4.6 billion (1985 USD) in damage and 289 deaths.