Why Irene Was More Dangerous Than It Should Have Been
Monday, August 29, 2011 - 17:30
in Earth & Climate
Despite unexpectedly low damage assessments, the hurricane was bigger and longer lasting than it had any right to be, experts say.
Read the whole article on National Geographic
More from National Geographic
Learn more about
Latest news on the same topic
- NASA satellites Hurricane Irene almost one-third the size of US east coastThu, 25 Aug 2011, 20:34:50 UTC
More sources from other sites
- Baby Booms & Busts to Follow Hurricane Irenefrom Live ScienceFri, 2 Sep 2011, 20:00:26 UTC
- Earth from space: Irene's eyefrom PhysorgFri, 2 Sep 2011, 14:00:48 UTC
- Image: Katia from spacefrom PhysorgFri, 2 Sep 2011, 11:30:22 UTC
- NASA sees Katia become second Atlantic Hurricanefrom PhysorgThu, 1 Sep 2011, 22:00:32 UTC
- TRMM satellite sees heavy rain, towering clouds in Tropical Storm Katiafrom PhysorgWed, 31 Aug 2011, 21:30:22 UTC
- Tropical Depression 8E forms on Mexican coastline, watches upfrom PhysorgWed, 31 Aug 2011, 21:00:21 UTC
- Goodnight Irene: NASA's TRMM Satellite adds up Irene's massive rainfall totalsfrom PhysorgWed, 31 Aug 2011, 15:30:29 UTC
- Dramatic satellite image shows daylight breaking over newborn Atlantic Tropical Storm Katiafrom PhysorgWed, 31 Aug 2011, 14:01:11 UTC
- Hurricane Irene: Scientists collect water quality and climate change data from huge stormfrom Science DailyWed, 31 Aug 2011, 2:30:21 UTC
- Video: Hurricane Irene & college football: Trending nowfrom CBSNews - ScienceTue, 30 Aug 2011, 22:30:21 UTC
- Will Hurricane Irene's Name Be Retired?from Live ScienceTue, 30 Aug 2011, 19:00:24 UTC
- Observations and Modeling Show Irene's Storm Tide Lower than That of Isabel and Nor'idafrom Newswise - ScinewsTue, 30 Aug 2011, 18:00:31 UTC
- NASA eyes two more Atlantic tropical cyclones while Irene drenches Canadafrom PhysorgTue, 30 Aug 2011, 15:30:36 UTC
- NASA continues tracking soaking remnants of Hurricane Irene into Canadafrom PhysorgTue, 30 Aug 2011, 15:30:35 UTC
- NASA Space Centers Clean Up in Irene's Aftermathfrom Live ScienceTue, 30 Aug 2011, 15:30:28 UTC
- Hurricane Irene: Scientists collect water quality and climate change data from huge stormfrom PhysorgTue, 30 Aug 2011, 14:00:29 UTC
- VIDEO: US counts Irene storm costfrom BBC News: Science & NatureTue, 30 Aug 2011, 10:30:22 UTC
- VIDEO: Waters rise and fall in NYC harbourfrom BBC News: Science & NatureTue, 30 Aug 2011, 9:30:31 UTC
- NASA Space Centers Clean Up in Irene's Aftermathfrom Space.comMon, 29 Aug 2011, 22:30:15 UTC
- Science lessons from Hurricane Irenefrom MSNBC: ScienceMon, 29 Aug 2011, 21:30:29 UTC
- Video: Images from Space Capture Hurricane Irene’s Rise, Fallfrom Live ScienceMon, 29 Aug 2011, 21:00:17 UTC
- How Hurricane Irene stacks up vs. Katrinafrom MSNBC: ScienceMon, 29 Aug 2011, 18:30:19 UTC
- A look at Irene's wake -- and what's aheadfrom PhysorgMon, 29 Aug 2011, 15:30:34 UTC
- A look at Irene's wake _ and what's aheadfrom AP HealthMon, 29 Aug 2011, 15:30:27 UTC
- Whimbrel successfully negotiates most severe part of Hurricane Irenefrom PhysorgMon, 29 Aug 2011, 14:00:45 UTC
- Hurricane Irene vs. Hurricane Katrina: How They Stack Upfrom Live ScienceMon, 29 Aug 2011, 13:30:28 UTC
- NASA satellite shows a mean Irene's furyfrom PhysorgMon, 29 Aug 2011, 10:00:29 UTC
- NASA/ISRO Image Shows Irene's Winds Before Landfallfrom PhysorgMon, 29 Aug 2011, 10:00:26 UTC
- NASA satellite shows a mean Irene's furyfrom Science DailyMon, 29 Aug 2011, 0:31:18 UTC
- Irene forecasts on track; not up to speed on windfrom PhysorgSun, 28 Aug 2011, 23:30:29 UTC
- Beyond Irene: Future Hurricanes Will Get Worsefrom Live ScienceSun, 28 Aug 2011, 22:30:14 UTC
- Hurricane Irene Pictures: Flooding, Damage in New York, Beyondfrom National GeographicSun, 28 Aug 2011, 21:30:18 UTC
- Irene forecasts on track; not up to speed on windfrom AP ScienceSun, 28 Aug 2011, 21:00:18 UTC
- NASA Satellite Shows a Mean Irene's Furyfrom NASA Jet Propulsion LaboratorySun, 28 Aug 2011, 20:00:30 UTC
- Dot Earth Blog: Does New York City Need Surge Protection?from NY Times ScienceSun, 28 Aug 2011, 17:20:07 UTC
- Dot Earth Blog: Will New York Be Lulled by Moderate Hurricane Surge?from NY Times ScienceSun, 28 Aug 2011, 16:40:12 UTC
- Video: Irene downgraded to tropical stormfrom CBSNews - ScienceSun, 28 Aug 2011, 15:00:13 UTC
- Dot Earth Blog: New York Spared Major Surge as Irene Heads Northfrom NY Times ScienceSun, 28 Aug 2011, 14:50:06 UTC
- Video: Hurricane Irene leaves path of destruction in NCfrom CBSNews - ScienceSun, 28 Aug 2011, 14:30:15 UTC
- Video: Irene's storm surge concerns NY metro areafrom CBSNews - ScienceSun, 28 Aug 2011, 14:30:14 UTC
- Video: Ocean City, Md. dodges Irene's bulletfrom CBSNews - ScienceSun, 28 Aug 2011, 14:30:12 UTC
- Hurricane Irene safety tips on Twitterfrom PhysorgSun, 28 Aug 2011, 9:00:21 UTC
- Video: Hurricane Irene's potential rainfall amountsfrom CBSNews - ScienceSun, 28 Aug 2011, 2:30:11 UTC
- Video: Ocean City, Md. emergency operations forced to endfrom CBSNews - ScienceSun, 28 Aug 2011, 2:00:10 UTC
- NASA/ISRO Image Shows Irene's Winds Before Landfallfrom NASA Jet Propulsion LaboratorySat, 27 Aug 2011, 22:00:13 UTC
- Hurricane Irene's Extensive Watches and Warnings Most in a Decadefrom Live ScienceSat, 27 Aug 2011, 21:30:14 UTC
- Satellite Photo Shows Hurricane Irene Battering US East Coastfrom Space.comSat, 27 Aug 2011, 21:00:23 UTC
- Hurricane Irene Pictures: Storm Lashes U.S. East Coastfrom National GeographicSat, 27 Aug 2011, 21:00:18 UTC
- Why Hurricane Irene not worst-case for NYCfrom MSNBC: ScienceSat, 27 Aug 2011, 19:30:15 UTC
- Hurricane Irenefrom Live ScienceSat, 27 Aug 2011, 18:30:16 UTC
- Hurricane Irene Hits North Carolina; New York Braces for Stormfrom National GeographicSat, 27 Aug 2011, 17:30:18 UTC
- Dot Earth Blog: Irene Still Seen as Potent on N.Y. Arrival; New City Surge Estimate Serious, But Not Worst Casefrom NY Times ScienceSat, 27 Aug 2011, 17:00:10 UTC
- Best Space Photos of the Week - Aug. 27, 2011from Space.comSat, 27 Aug 2011, 13:30:19 UTC
- Worry more about Irene's water than storm's windfrom PhysorgSat, 27 Aug 2011, 8:31:11 UTC
- Hurricane Irene barrels northfrom LA Times - ScienceSat, 27 Aug 2011, 6:30:16 UTC
- Dot Earth Blog: Hurricane Irene – The Endgamefrom NY Times ScienceSat, 27 Aug 2011, 4:20:06 UTC
- Track Irene's Progress on NASA Hurricane Websitesfrom NASA Jet Propulsion LaboratorySat, 27 Aug 2011, 0:30:26 UTC
- Video: The size, strength and track of Irenefrom CBSNews - ScienceFri, 26 Aug 2011, 23:30:19 UTC
- Video: Danger facing hurricane holdouts in N.C.from CBSNews - ScienceFri, 26 Aug 2011, 23:30:18 UTC
- Video: N.J. businesses try to cash in ahead of Irenefrom CBSNews - ScienceFri, 26 Aug 2011, 23:30:17 UTC
- Hurricane Irene Puts NASA Space Centers on Alertfrom Space.comFri, 26 Aug 2011, 23:00:28 UTC
- Dot Earth Blog: Irene: Surge, Wind and Rain, Rain, Rainfrom NY Times ScienceFri, 26 Aug 2011, 22:50:09 UTC
- Green Blog: Wading Into New York City's Futurefrom NY Times ScienceFri, 26 Aug 2011, 22:50:05 UTC
- Worry more about Irene's water than storm's windfrom AP ScienceFri, 26 Aug 2011, 22:00:28 UTC
- VIDEO: Obama warns of 'historic' stormfrom BBC News: Science & NatureFri, 26 Aug 2011, 22:00:22 UTC
- Video: Irene as seen from spacefrom MSNBC: ScienceFri, 26 Aug 2011, 22:00:19 UTC
- Hurricane Irene Will Make New York Skyscrapers Swayfrom Live ScienceFri, 26 Aug 2011, 21:30:27 UTC
- Notre Dame researcher studying Hurricane Irene's storm surgefrom PhysorgFri, 26 Aug 2011, 21:30:17 UTC
- Google plots Hurricane Irene with online mapfrom PhysorgFri, 26 Aug 2011, 21:30:11 UTC
- 7 Surprises Hurricane Irene May Have In Storefrom Live ScienceFri, 26 Aug 2011, 20:30:43 UTC
- Hurricane Irene: Johns Hopkins Engineering Experts Availablefrom Newswise - ScinewsFri, 26 Aug 2011, 20:30:23 UTC
- The Lede Blog: Latest Updates on Hurricane Irenefrom NY Times ScienceFri, 26 Aug 2011, 20:20:09 UTC
- Alert Extends Up the East Coast as Hurricane Irene Closes Infrom NY Times ScienceFri, 26 Aug 2011, 20:20:05 UTC
- Huge Hurricane as Seen From Spacefrom Space.comFri, 26 Aug 2011, 20:00:22 UTC
- Huge Hurricane as Seen From Spacefrom Live ScienceFri, 26 Aug 2011, 20:00:19 UTC
- Hurricane Irene to Cause One of Largest Power Outages?from National GeographicFri, 26 Aug 2011, 20:00:15 UTC
- Dot Earth Blog: On Warming and U.S. Hurricane Strikesfrom NY Times ScienceFri, 26 Aug 2011, 19:40:08 UTC
- NASA Satellites Watch as Hurricane Irene Bears Down on East Coastfrom PopSciFri, 26 Aug 2011, 19:00:33 UTC
- Ride With Hurricane Hunters Into Irene’s Eyefrom Live ScienceFri, 26 Aug 2011, 19:00:31 UTC
- SU Expert Available to Speak on Hurricane Irenefrom Newswise - ScinewsFri, 26 Aug 2011, 19:00:23 UTC
- Real-time hurricane tracking available onlinefrom PhysorgFri, 26 Aug 2011, 18:30:16 UTC
- How Hurricane Irene Will Help Predict Future Floodsfrom Live ScienceFri, 26 Aug 2011, 17:30:22 UTC
- Storm Targets: Where the Hurricanes Hitfrom Live ScienceFri, 26 Aug 2011, 17:00:35 UTC
- Dot Earth Blog: New York Surge From Irene Looks Bad, But Not Off Chartsfrom NY Times ScienceFri, 26 Aug 2011, 17:00:16 UTC
- How barrier islands survive fury of stormsfrom MSNBC: ScienceFri, 26 Aug 2011, 16:30:39 UTC
- Hurricane Irene situation reportfrom Harvard ScienceFri, 26 Aug 2011, 15:40:06 UTC
- Huge Hurricane Irene Bears Down on USfrom Live ScienceFri, 26 Aug 2011, 15:30:32 UTC
- Astronauts Watch Hurricane Irene's Fury from Abovefrom Live ScienceFri, 26 Aug 2011, 14:00:50 UTC
- GOES Satellite Tracks Hurricane Irenefrom Live ScienceFri, 26 Aug 2011, 14:00:47 UTC
- Astronauts Watch Hurricane Irene's Fury from Abovefrom Space.comFri, 26 Aug 2011, 12:32:37 UTC
- Photos: Beautiful & Ever-Changing Barrier Islandsfrom Live ScienceFri, 26 Aug 2011, 12:32:29 UTC
- VIDEO: Hurricane Irene pictured from spacefrom BBC News: Science & NatureFri, 26 Aug 2011, 12:32:24 UTC
- Hurricane Irene closes in on Eastern Seaboardfrom LA Times - ScienceFri, 26 Aug 2011, 5:30:46 UTC
- New Jersey researchers have an eye on the science of Hurricane Irenefrom Science DailyFri, 26 Aug 2011, 1:30:21 UTC
- Hurricane Irene 'Big, Scary Storm,' Astronaut Saysfrom Live ScienceThu, 25 Aug 2011, 22:30:26 UTC
- What Hurricane Irene Holds in Store for NYCfrom Live ScienceThu, 25 Aug 2011, 21:00:32 UTC
- Hurricane Irene as Seen From the Space Stationfrom Live ScienceThu, 25 Aug 2011, 21:00:32 UTC
- Hurricane Irene as Seen From the Space Stationfrom Space.comThu, 25 Aug 2011, 21:00:26 UTC
- NASA satellites Hurricane Irene almost one-third the size of U.S. east coastfrom Science DailyThu, 25 Aug 2011, 20:31:08 UTC
- Dot Earth Blog: A Calamitous Convergence of Tracks for Hurricane Irenefrom NY Times ScienceThu, 25 Aug 2011, 20:30:32 UTC
- Hurricane Evacuations: Why Some Won't Gofrom Live ScienceThu, 25 Aug 2011, 20:00:18 UTC
- Hurricane Irene "Looking Bad" for U.S.—And Moon Makes It Worsefrom National GeographicThu, 25 Aug 2011, 19:30:16 UTC
- Stevens has an eye on the science of Hurricane Irenefrom PhysorgThu, 25 Aug 2011, 18:30:50 UTC
- NASA satellites Hurricane Irene almost one-third the size of US east coastfrom PhysorgThu, 25 Aug 2011, 18:30:48 UTC
- What It’s Like to Hunt Hurricanesfrom Live ScienceThu, 25 Aug 2011, 18:00:20 UTC
- Hurricane Irene Looks 'Terrifying' From Space, Astronaut Saysfrom Space.comThu, 25 Aug 2011, 18:00:18 UTC
- Video: Hurricane Irene batters Bahamasfrom CBSNews - ScienceThu, 25 Aug 2011, 17:30:38 UTC
- 6 Tips for Evacuating from Hurricane Irenefrom Live ScienceThu, 25 Aug 2011, 17:00:24 UTC
- In Photos: Hurricane Irenefrom Live ScienceThu, 25 Aug 2011, 16:00:42 UTC
- Hurricane Irene Photos From Spacefrom Space.comThu, 25 Aug 2011, 16:00:40 UTC
- Hurricane Irene - Space Station Crew Talks with SPACE.comfrom Space.comThu, 25 Aug 2011, 16:00:39 UTC
- Dot Earth Blog: Shift in Track for Hurricane Irene Puts Millions at Riskfrom NY Times ScienceThu, 25 Aug 2011, 15:00:11 UTC
- Hurricane Irene could strengthen, U.S. forecasters warnfrom LA Times - ScienceThu, 25 Aug 2011, 6:00:16 UTC
- Hurricane Irene - Latest Space Station Viewfrom Space.comWed, 24 Aug 2011, 21:00:31 UTC
- Dot Earth Blog: Flash Flooding Could be Greatest Threat from Hurricane Irenefrom NY Times ScienceWed, 24 Aug 2011, 17:20:05 UTC
- Hurricane Irene over Haitifrom Live ScienceWed, 24 Aug 2011, 16:31:16 UTC
- Irene becomes a major hurricane on GOES-13 Satellite videofrom PhysorgWed, 24 Aug 2011, 16:01:05 UTC
- Hurricane Irene Affirms 'Magic' Hurricane Datefrom Live ScienceTue, 23 Aug 2011, 23:30:28 UTC
- TRMM gets a look at Irene, the first hurricane of the Atlantic seasonfrom PhysorgTue, 23 Aug 2011, 21:00:26 UTC
- Hurricane Irene Headed for U.S. East Coastfrom National GeographicTue, 23 Aug 2011, 19:30:12 UTC
- Dot Earth Blog: Good Odds of First U.S. Hurricane Strike Since 2008from NY Times ScienceTue, 23 Aug 2011, 18:50:06 UTC
- Astronaut Photographs Hurricane Irene From Space Stationfrom Live ScienceTue, 23 Aug 2011, 16:32:20 UTC
- Are Category 6 Hurricanes Coming Soon?from Live ScienceTue, 23 Aug 2011, 14:30:32 UTC
- Hurricane Irene's Evolutionfrom Live ScienceTue, 23 Aug 2011, 14:30:31 UTC
- Astronaut Photographs Hurricane Irene From Space Stationfrom Space.comTue, 23 Aug 2011, 14:00:29 UTC
- NASA sees heavy rain in Hurricane Irene, satellite video watches her growthfrom PhysorgTue, 23 Aug 2011, 14:00:25 UTC
- Space Station Captures Views of Hurricane Irenefrom Live ScienceTue, 23 Aug 2011, 13:00:50 UTC
- Space Station Captures Views of Hurricane Irenefrom Space.comTue, 23 Aug 2011, 13:00:36 UTC
- Hurricane Irene Is Bornfrom Live ScienceTue, 23 Aug 2011, 12:31:06 UTC
- Are Category 6 Hurricanes Coming Soon?from Scientific AmericanTue, 23 Aug 2011, 11:50:10 UTC
- Hurricane Irene could hit U.S. as a monsterfrom CBSNews - ScienceTue, 23 Aug 2011, 9:00:16 UTC
- Hurricane Irene gets steam, heads for Bahamasfrom CBSNews - ScienceTue, 23 Aug 2011, 2:30:21 UTC