Hurricane Blue

Hurricane Blue, also known as Hurricane Arlene was a destructive Category 5 hurricane that formed in the month of March, the first of such intensity in that month ever recorded and only the second known system to form in that month. It made landfall in Bermuda and Long Island, New York, both being extremely destructive.The system formed from a rare early season tropical wave that left the coast of Africa on March 16. The system developed while moving West, and was named Tropical Depression One on March 20. One became the third early start to a season in a row, and the second system to exist in the month of March, the other being a Category 2 Hurricane in 1908, which was 109 years before One. 2 days later it was upgraded to a Tropical Storm, and was promptly named Arlene. The storm continued to intensify while curving to the Northwest, becoming a hurricane on March 24. It then became a major hurricane on March 27, becoming stronger than the 1908 March hurricane. It then reached Category 5 status on March 29, becoming the strongest preseason storm ever recorded. 6 hours later, it made landfall in Bermuda at it's peak intensity of 160 MPH and a pressure of 931 millibars, becoming the strongest preseason landfall recorded in Atlantic History. It then curved back in a Northwesterly direction and began to head straight for Long Island, while weakening. It made landfall on April 2 as a minimal Category 1 hurricane, causing havoc. It then headed into the mainland as a Tropical Storm, and eventually dissipating near the US-Canadian border on the late hours of April 3.

Bermuda was nearly inhabitable after the strike, with the whole island being destroyed. It caused 4 billion dollars in damage, and in Bermuda there were 41 fatalities.

Even though it had greatly weakened by the time it reached Long Island, Arlene still caused mass destruction. The worst was when a skyscraper in construction fell onto the streets, causing 7 fatalities and leaving 14 more severely injured. New York City had no power for nearly 2 weeks. Prior to the landfall, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency. After the landfall, US troops brought emergency aid to New York City. People from all around the country donated to helping New York City rebuild. Parts of the city were in ruins for up to 18 months. Arlene caused 78 billion dollars of damage in the US, along with 203 fatalities.

Arlene became nicknamed "Hurricane Blue," as it made landfall on Light It Up Blue Day, also known as World Autism Awareness Day.