Photos

Hurricane Ivan caused extensive damage in the Caribbean and southeastern United States. The Cayman Islands, Jamaica, and Grenada endured winds in excess of 160 mph (250 kph). When Ivan reached the Gulf of Mexico it weakened slightly so when it struck the US coast its winds were a “mere” 140 mph (225 kph).

Shortly after it struck the US, Ivan weakened even more and eventually turned into a tropical depression dumping heavy rain and spawning tornados in the US before heading back out to sea by way of New England.

Southeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey received minimal rain from Ivan while areas such as the Pocono Mountains in northeastern Pennsylvania received 5-6 inches (12-15 cm) of rain. All that water had to go some place, and it drained into the streams and rivers that feed the Delaware River. This caused the water levels of the Delaware River to rise and cause flooding all along its banks. Bridges were closed and areas evacuated. At least one home was swept right off its foundation.

The destruction that Ivan caused here is very small when compared to what it did to some other places to which it paid a visit, but what this photo does demonstrate is that you don’t have to be anywhere near a hurricane to feel its effects.

To see what this area looks like when the river is at normal levels, please go here: http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/photo33813.htm. The area from where I took that last photo was under water.