Tropical Storm Dean (2001)
Tropical Storm Dean was a strong tropical storm that affected at least twelve islands along its path from the tropical Atlantic Ocean to east of Atlantic Canada in August 2001. Dean developed from a tropical wave on August 22 over the Lesser Antilles, and was initially predicted to intensify further to reach hurricane status. However, strong wind shear quickly weakened Dean to cause it to dissipate on August 23. The remnants turned northward, and redeveloped on August 26 to the north of Bermuda. Located over warm waters and in an area of favorable conditions, Dean steadily strengthened while moving to the northeast, and peaked just below hurricane status on August 27 about southwest of Newfoundland. The storm subsequently weakened over cooler waters, and became extratropical on August 28.
The precursor tropical wave dropped heavy rainfall and produced moderate winds throughout the Lesser Antilles, though no serious damage was reported. In Puerto Rico, rainfall of up to produced widespread flooding across the island. Thousands were left without power or water, and two houses lost their roofs from the storm. The passage of Dean resulted in $7.7 million in damage in Puerto Rico. The storm produced light to moderate rainfall in Bermuda and later in Newfoundland, though no damage was reported.
Meteorological history
A tropical wave exited western Africa between August 14-15. Moving westward, the wave gradually developed thunderstorms, although unfavorable upper-level wind shear prevented rapid development. Late on August 21, the wave passed through the northern Lesser Antilles, and the convection became better organzied after the wind shear dropped. On August 22, Tropical Storm Dean developed near Saint Croix, reaching winds of 60 mph later that day. It moved quickly northwestward due to a ridge to its northeast. Strong wind shear caused the circulation to dissipate on August 23, east of the Bahamas. The remnants of Dean turned to the north, and became embedded within a large mid-level trough off the East Coast of the United States. Convection increased around the system early on August 24 and gradually became more organized. The disturbance passed west of Bermuda early on August 25, and subsequently turned to the northeast. The remnants of Dean redeveloped into a tropical depression on August 26, about north of Bermuda. It soon restrengthened into a tropical storm, which developed an eye feature in the convection. Dean reached peak winds of late on August 27 while located about southwest of Cape Race, Newfoundland. Weakening over cooler waters, Dean became extratropical on August 28 about east-southeast of Cape Race, Newfoundland. The extratropical storm continued northeastward until being absorbed by a frontal low on August 29.Impact and preparations
Caribbean
The precursor disturbance to Dean dropped heavy rainfall on Saint Martin of around. In the United States Virgin Islands, the precursor disturbance produced of rain in Saint Thomas, with gusts to. Power outages occurred throughout the territory. There was minor flooding on Saint Croix. Some roads were damaged in Saint John.Tropical Storm Dean dropped heavy rainfall across Puerto Rico, peaking at in Salinas. Damage across the island totaled $7.7 million. Wind gusts reached at Roosevelt Roads Naval Station. The passage of Dean resulted in widespread flooding in eastern and southern Puerto Rico, collapsing two bridges and one road. Several highways were under water, and one car was swept away by the floodwaters, although the four occupants were rescued. Throughout the island, about 1,320 houses were flooded, and two houses experienced collapsed roofs. By the night after the storm passed the island, more than 16,000 were without power, while almost 70,000 lacked potable water. Over 130 people were evacuated from low-lying areas to hurricane shelters.
Two people were injured in Peñuelas, and three were injured in Nagüabo when the ceiling of a day care center collapsed. 17 flights were canceled, and a cruise line altered its path.