Hurricane Irene - October 13-19, 1999

Hurricane Irene orginated from a broad area of low pressure in the southwest Caribbean. The low gradually became better organized over a period of several days and a tropical depression formed on the 13th. Tropical storm strength was reached later that day with the center about 230 miles south of the Isle of Youths Cuba. Irene moved north, then north-northeast, making landfall on the Isle of Youth on the 14th. The center of Irene continued north-northeast over western Cuba and into the Florida Straits and post analysis indicates that Irene became a hurricane around this time. The center passed over Key West Florida early on the 15th. At this time, most of the hurricane force winds were east of the center and the lower to middle Florida Keys. Later that day the center made landfall on the Florida peninsula near Flamingo and moved across southeast Florida. Torrential rains, with accumulations of 10 to 20 inches, and winds to tropical storm force were experienced over mainland Florida, with hurricane force winds confined to squalls off the Florida east coast. The center of Irene moved offshore near Jupiter Florida later on the 15th. It retained hurricane strength as it moved north parallel to the Florida coast. Irene then turned and accelerated to the northeast just east of the North Carolina Outer Banks early on the 18th. After passing the Outer Banks, Irene rapidly intensified and reached a peak intensity of 105 mph on the 18th. Irene continued northeast and was absorbed by an extratropical low on the 19th.You can view Irene's tropical cyclone report from the NHC here.