 Satellite image of Edith on September 9, 1971 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | September 5, 1971 |
| Dissipated | September 18, 1971 |
| Category 5 major hurricane | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
| Highest winds | 160 mph (260 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 943mbar (hPa); 27.85 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 37 direct |
| Damage | $25.4 million (1971USD) |
| Areas affected | Lesser Antilles, NorthernVenezuela,Nicaragua,Honduras,Belize,Yucatán, Northeastern Mexico, Texas,Louisiana,Mississippi,Alabama, Florida,Georgia,Tennessee,North Carolina |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the1971 Atlantic hurricane season | |
Hurricane Edith was the strongesthurricane to form during the1971 season, becoming aCategory 5 hurricane on theSaffir-Simpson scale. Edith developed from atropical wave on September 5 and quickly strengthened into a hurricane in theCaribbean Sea. Edithrapidly intensified on September 9 as it approached Central America, and it madelandfall onCape Gracias a Dios as a Category 5 hurricane, with sustained winds of 160 mph (260 km/h). It quickly lost strength over Central America, and after briefly entering theGulf of Honduras, Edith struckBelize as a strong storm.[nb 1] It crossed theYucatán Peninsula and moved across theGulf of Mexico, approaching but remaining just offshoreTamaulipas. Atrough turned the storm to the northeast, and Edith restrengthened into a hurricane, making its final landfall onLouisiana with winds of 105 mph (170 km/h) on September 16. Edith steadily weakened over land and dissipated overGeorgia on September 18.
The hurricane killed two people when it passed nearAruba. Striking northeastern Central America as a Category 5 hurricane, Edith destroyed hundreds of homes and killed at least 35 people. In Texas, high tides causedcoastal flooding but little damage. Edith caused moderate to heavy damage in portions of Louisiana due to flooding and a tornado outbreak from the storm. One tornado, rated F3 on theFujita Scale, damaged several homes and injured multiple people inBaton Rouge. The tornado outbreak extended eastward into Florida, of which a few destroyed entire buildings. Damage in the United States totaled $25 million (1971USD).[nb 2]
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depressionAtropical wave moved off the coast of Africa nearDakar on August 31. It moved westward into theIntertropical Convergence Zone, and organized into a tropical disturbance on September 2 with a small, circular area of convection. The system moved to the west, and on September 3, the convection diminished after moving west of 40° W.[2] By the next day, the tropical disturbance was barely discernible from the clouds of the Intertropical Convergence Zone.[3] The wave gradually became detached from the ITCZ, and based on areconnaissance flight that confirmed the existence of a low-level circulation, it is estimated the system developed into a tropical depression on September 5 while located 255 miles (410 km) east ofGrenada.[2]
The depression moved quickly westward, passing through the southernLesser Antilles early on September 6. The southern portion of the circulation passed over northeasternVenezuela, though after entering theCaribbean Sea, another reconnaissance flight was unable to confirm the existence of a low-level circulation.[3] Shortly thereafter, while moving into an area of lightwind shear, it was able to organize and strengthen further, and on September 7, the depression strengthened into Tropical StormEdith near the island ofCuraçao. While initially, a cold-core upper-levellow persisted about 750 miles (1,210 km) northwest of the storm, Edith moved west-northwestward due to the influence of a narrow and persistentridge of high pressure, which extended from the southwestern Atlantic Ocean to theGulf of Mexico. As the storm continued into open waters of the Caribbean, the upper-level low gradually weakened and was replaced with ananticyclone. This allowed the storm to strengthen further, and on September 8, Edith became a hurricane in the south-central Caribbean Sea.[2]
On September 9, the stormrapidly intensified, and within 24 hours, Edith strengthened from a minimal hurricane to a powerful 160 mph (260 km/h)Category 5 hurricane just off the coast ofNicaragua. The cause for the explosive deepening is unknown, though it is speculated that the transformation in the upper troposphere from an upper-level low to an anticyclone led to a release ofbaroclinic energy. Reconnaissance aircraft crews in the peak of the storm reported extreme turbulence, causing concern for the safety of the crews. At its peak intensity, the very well-defined"pinhole" eye was only 5 miles (8.0 km) in diameter. Late on September 9, Hurricane Edith made landfall on northeasternNicaragua atCabo Gracias a Dios.[2]
Hurricane Edith rapidly weakened over the mountainous terrain of northeastern Central America, and 18 hours after it made landfall, it emerged into theGulf of Honduras as a minimal hurricane. It continued to weaken as it moved northwestward, and made landfall nearBelize City with winds of 70 mph (110 km/h). Edith weakened further while crossing theYucatán Peninsula, and emerged into theGulf of Mexico nearCampeche, Mexico late on September 11 as a minimal tropical storm. Edith initially failed to re-intensify as it moved northwestward, despite low amounts ofwind shear and warm waters.[2] This was because an anticyclone over the Gulf was closely connected withHurricane Fern, which developed and moved over the northwestern portion of the Gulf of Mexico. The anticyclone resulted in an easterly upper-level flow across Edith, creatingconditions not conducive for intensification.[4] As Fern moved inland over Texas, the flow became more favorable around Edith, and 36 hours after entering the Gulf of Mexico, the storm began to reintensify slightly.[2]
Edith continued moving to the west-northwest, heading towards the coast of Mexico, but early on September 14, the storm stalled while located just off the coast ofTamaulipas. A mid-latitudetrough of low pressure approached the storm, and caused Edith to turn to slowly drift towards the northeast. Located only miles from the Mexican coast, Edith again failed to strengthen until September 15, when it accelerated northeastward and regained hurricane status. The hurricane turned to the east-northeast as it approached the coast ofLouisiana, and made landfall on September 16 in a sparsely populated area 30 miles (48 km) east ofCameron with winds of 105 mph (169 km/h), a Category 2 hurricane. Edith rapidly weakened over land, degenerating into a tropical storm over Louisiana, and into a tropical depression overMississippi. It continued to the east-northeast, and dissipated over northwesternGeorgia on September 18.[2]
Fourteen hours prior to Edith making landfall in Central America, theNational Hurricane Center warned citizens about the extreme danger of the approaching hurricane, and asked them to prepare for hurricane conditions.[5] InBelize, officials ordered the mandatory evacuation of low-lying areas, resulting in hundreds of residents leaving to the United States through the international airport. Officials sent police troops to maintain order and prevent looting.[6]
While the storm was located in the Gulf of Mexico, the National Hurricane Center issued aHurricane Warning fromCameron toMorgan City, Louisiana eighteen hours before the hurricane made landfall. Edith later struck land in the middle portion of the warning area.[5] Several oil facilities in the gulf were closed or placed on automatic controls.Drilling rigs as far east as the coastal waters off of Mississippi were prepared to evacuate in the event Edith moved further east than anticipated. Additionally, thousands evacuated coastal areas of Louisiana prior to the arrival of the hurricane. Several shelters opened in coastal cities, and many peopleprepared for the hurricane by purchasing emergency supplies. Officials closed schools throughout much of southern Louisiana.[7]
While passing through the southernLesser Antilles, the tropical depression produced heavy rainfall and winds of around 35 mph (56 km/h).[3] Edith produced tropical storm force winds inAruba, and gusts reached 60 mph (97 km/h). Two fishermen were reported lost at sea and presumed dead as a result of Edith.[2]
Edith produced strong winds across northeasternNicaragua and easternHonduras, withPuerto Lempira reporting an unofficial sustained wind of 140 mph (230 km/h). Press reports indicated every house in theCape Gracias area was destroyed or heavily damaged, leaving 7,000 people homeless. The meteorological service inBritish Honduras stated there were 100 fatalities near Cape Gracias,[8] though a later report indicated 35 people died in Nicaragua. There, damage was estimated at over $380,000.[9] ThreeUnited States Air Force aircraft delivered food, medical supplies, and fuel to the hurricane victims of Nicaragua.[10] In Honduras, the hurricane produced 15 feet (4.6 m) tides and strong winds, while strong waves destroyed 40 fishing boats as well.[11] The hurricane reportedly destroyed entire villages in the country.[12]
Offshore islands inBelize reported winds of up to 60 mph (97 km/h).[2] Edith produced flooding in a few towns in the southern portion of the country, with some buildings damaged. Heavy damage was reported nearMonkey River Town.[6]
After moving into the Gulf of Mexico, Edith produced above normal tides along Mexico's gulf coast, reaching 0.92 ft (28 cm) inTuxpan,Veracruz. The storm also dropped rainfall in parts of the country.[13]
Throughout the United States, Hurricane Edith left about $25 million in damage. Most of the damage total was related to agriculture in southwest Louisiana. However, Edith also produced a damaging outbreak of 16 tornadoes across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. Most of these tornadoes formed along a strong rainband ahead of the storm, combined with the intrusion of dry air into the hurricane's circulation.[2][14] In Louisiana, there were seven tornadoes. The first, rated F1 on theFujita scale, touched down northeast ofLoreauville inIberia Parish and crossed into neighboringSt. Martin Parish. The twister destroyed a farm and damaged several mobile homes, injuring six people. An F3 tornado struck easternBaton Rouge and intermittently remained on the ground for 7.3 mi (11.7 km). The tornado damaged hundreds of homes, including 15 that were destroyed, while also damaging a shopping center, a church, and a high school. Damage was estimated at $2.5 million, and three people were injured. An F1 touched down briefly in ruralIberville Parish, which knocked down a few trees. An F2 tornado briefly hit the city ofFranklin, damaging several homes. A brief F0 tornado touched down nearVenice. An F2 tornado inAmite City damaged a restaurant and a power pole. An F1 tornado touched down nearRobert inTangipahoa Parish, destroying three homes and a barn. In neighboring Mississippi, a brief tornado downed trees and power lines inAttala County. InWalthall County, a tornado destroyed the roof of a home, and inHarrison County, another tornado destroyed the roof of a twister. There were five tornadoes in Alabama related to Edith, including two each inWashington andBaldwin counties. An F2 twister nearYarbo damaged several homes and knocked down trees. An F1 tornado hitTibbie, destroying a few small buildings. NearPerdido, an F1 tornado destroyed two mobile homes and a few barns, while also damaging another ten homes. An F2 tornado struckFairhope and destroyed two homes. AtDanleys Crossroads, an F3 tornado destroyed a home and a vehicle. There was also a tornado that touched down nearPensacola, Florida, destroying the roof of a house and flipping a mobile home, causing one injury.[15][2][16]
Hurricane Edith affected Texas a few days afterHurricane Fern affected much of the state. The highest precipitation related to Edith in Texas was 8.66 in (220 mm), recorded atFalcon Dam, while wind gusts reached 53 mph (85 km/h) inGalveston. While moving past the state, Edith produced above normal tides, with a 6 feet (1.8 m)storm surge covering portions ofHighway 87 betweenHigh Island andSabine Pass. The hurricane producedhailstorms acrossSwisher,Hale, andLynn counties, causing $12.4 million in crop damage. In Lynn County, hailstones reached 3 in (76 mm) in diameter, becoming the worst hailstorm in the county's history. About 55,000 acres (220 km2) of cotton fields were damaged, along with another 5,000 acres (20 km2) of sorghum. The passage of Hurricane Edith also resulted in downed trees and power lines. NearPort Arthur, flying debris and broken glass injured three people, while downed power lines sparked several house fires.[2][17][15]
Off the coast ofLouisiana, the hurricane wrecked three boats, but all the occupants were safely rescued.[12] While making landfall inLouisiana, Edith produced wind gusts of 96 mph (154 km/h) atCameron, along with sustained winds of 69 mph (111 km/h). Edith also produced high tides in the state, with waters reaching 9.7 feet (3.0 m) above normal atCypremort Point. The high tides sank a few boats, and left behind a layer of mud and silt along coastal and marshy areas. Rainfall in the state reached 8.29 in (211 mm) atLake Arthur. Flooding occurred throughout southern Louisiana, in some cases due to both rainfall and the storm surge. The hurricane caused extensive crop damage southwestern Louisiana, mostly to sugar cane, cotton, and sorghum. Elsewhere in the state, the hurricane knocked down or damaged trees, power lines, and billboards.[2][8][15][18][19] InMississippi, wind gusts peaked at 70 mph (110 km/h) inHattiesburg. The winds caused power outages and broken windows, injuring one person due to broken glass. Rainfall in the state peaked at 7.05 inches (179 mm) inRockport. The rains caused flash flooding, which closed roads and damaged bridges. The hurricane also damaged crops in the state, although to a less extent than Louisiana. InAlabama, the storm produced light rains and winds, while tides reached 2.7 feet (0.82 m) above normal inMobile. In Florida, Edith produced slightly above-normal tides and light rain. In Georgia, heavy rainfall caused flooding along streams in the northern portion of the state, closing a few roads.[2][15][19] Rainfall from Edith extended across the southeastern United States, reaching 6.17 in (157 mm) along theCatawba River in North Carolina.[20]
About a month after Edith struck the United States,PresidentRichard Nixon declared portions ofLouisiana as a disaster area, which allocated relief funds to aid the affected citizens.[21]
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.| 1920s |
|
|---|---|
| 1930s |
|
| 1940s |
|
| 1950s | |
| 1960s | |
| 1970s | |
| 1980s | |
| 1990s | |
| 2000s | |
| 2010s | |
| 2020s | |
