<P> Hurricane Irene was a large and destructive tropical cyclone which affected much of the Caribbean and East Coast of the United States during late August 2011 . Irene is ranked as the ninth - costliest hurricane in United States history . The ninth named storm , first hurricane , and first major hurricane of the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season , Irene originated from a well - defined Atlantic tropical wave that began showing signs of organization east of the Lesser Antilles . Due to development of atmospheric convection and a closed center of circulation , the system was designated as Tropical Storm Irene on August 20 , 2011 . After intensifying , Irene made landfall in St. Croix as a strong tropical storm later that day . Early on August 21 , the storm made a second landfall in Puerto Rico . While crossing the island , Irene strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane . The storm paralleled offshore of Hispaniola , continuing to slowly intensify in the process . Shortly before making four landfalls in the Bahamas , Irene peaked as a 120 mph ( 190 km / h ) Category 3 hurricane . </P>
<P> Hurricane Irene was a large and destructive tropical cyclone which affected much of the Caribbean and East Coast of the United States during late August 2011 . Irene is ranked as the ninth - costliest hurricane in United States history . The ninth named storm , first hurricane , and first major hurricane of the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season , Irene originated from a well - defined Atlantic tropical wave that began showing signs of organization east of the Lesser Antilles . Due to development of atmospheric convection and a closed center of circulation , the system was designated as Tropical Storm Irene on August 20 , 2011 . After intensifying , Irene made landfall in St. Croix as a strong tropical storm later that day . Early on August 21 , the storm made a second landfall in Puerto Rico . While crossing the island , Irene strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane . The storm paralleled offshore of Hispaniola , continuing to slowly intensify in the process . Shortly before making four landfalls in the Bahamas , Irene peaked as a 120 mph ( 190 km / h ) Category 3 hurricane . </P>
when did hurricane irene hit the united states
when did hurricane irene hit the united states
during late August 2011
during late August 2011