Oak Hill, WV (WOAY-TV): “I” named storms are often memorable in our region.
Well, we just mentioned that “I” storm will likely develop into a hurricane, so we’ve taken the liberty to review previous “I” named storms that have impacted our region.
Many of you remember how that impacted us. Ivan, that was September of 2004, Isabel in 2003 and Isidore in 2000; each of these were September storms. The track of these storms included a direct hit with the Carolinas and then almost a 90-degree angle to the Appalachians to the I-79 corridor. The second most favored track for tropical systems that have impacted our region includes a track through the Caribbean to the central Gulf Coast and then north along the Appalachian spine.
How much rain has fallen with these storms? Storms that move due north along the Appalachian spine or cross the Blue Ridge into our region produce the heaviest rain.
As we take a look at Ivan back in September of 2004. We did see the crux of that rain come right up through our region. There were also tornados to the east of the center along I-81.
Hurricane Isabel was a big one for the mid-Atlantic. That one darted right into the Virginia Blue Ridge and dumped excessive amounts of rain. The heaviest in our region was right along the Route 219 corridor.
So as you can see, if the storm track shifts a little bit farther west towards the central Gulf (with Idalia next week) and that storm comes straight up the Appalachian spine, then we will get dumped on.
