 Ella intensifying over the Gulf of Mexico on September 11 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | September 8, 1970 |
| Dissipated | September 13, 1970 |
| Category 3 major hurricane | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
| Highest winds | 125 mph (205 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 962mbar (hPa); 28.41 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 1 direct |
| Areas affected | Nicaragua,Honduras,Belize, Mexico, Texas |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the1970 Atlantic hurricane season | |
Hurricane Ella was the second of two major hurricanes to threaten Texas during the1970 Atlantic hurricane season. The sixth tropical storm and third hurricane of the season, Ella developed on September 8 in the western Caribbean Sea. It moved across theYucatán Peninsula as a tropical depression before rapidly intensifying into a hurricane in theGulf of Mexico. Initially the hurricane was forecast to hit southern Texas, which prompted evacuations and hurricane warnings. This occurred about a month afterHurricane Celia caused significant damage across the region. Hurricane Ella ultimately turned to the west and maintained a track that sparedTexas from significant impact. On September 12, it moved ashore in northeasternMexico in the state ofTamaulipas with winds of 125 mph (201 km/h). The hurricane left one death due to a destroyed house. Ella weakened while moving inland and dissipated on September 13.
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depressionThe origins of Hurricane Ella were from a well-definedtrough that extended from theSan Andres archipelago toFlorida in early September. A tropical depression developed from the system on September 8 nearSwan Island off the north coast of Honduras. Moving northwestward, the depression failed to strengthen much before striking theYucatán Peninsula on September 10,[1] just south ofCozumel. As it emerged into the Gulf of Mexico, the depression began to intensify significantly.[2] A few hours later, theHurricane Hunters observed a tropical storm, which prompted the system beingnamed "Ella". Around that time, the storm started a general curve toward the west, due to aridge to its north. With ananticyclone aloft providing favorable conditions, Ella rapidly intensified into a hurricane less than 12 hours after emerging from the Yucatán Peninsula.[1]
Initially there was uncertainty in its future track, and the hurricane posed a threat to Texas; however, Ella turned to the west as its intensification rate slowed. About 24 hours before its finallandfall, its center became trackable on radar fromBrownsville, Texas. As the ridge to the north weakened, Ella slowed its forward motion markedly and quickly strengthened.[1] In the 12 hours before moving ashore, the winds increased from 100 mph (160 km/h) to 125 mph (201 km/h), making Ella a major hurricane (Category 3 on theSaffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale).[3] On September 12, the hurricane made landfall nearLa Pesca, Tamaulipas, about 150 mi (220 km) south of the Mexico/United States border, with abarometric pressure of 967 mbar (28.6 inHg).[1] This made Ella one of eleven major hurricanes to strike the Atlantic coast of Mexico in the period between 1970 and 2008.[4] It rapidly weakened over land, dissipating early on September 13 over westernNuevo León.[3]
As the tropical depression that became Ella moved over the Yucatán Peninsula, it produced wind gusts of 55 mph (89 km/h) and a pressure of 1,004 mbar (29.6 inHg).[2]
When Hurricane Ella was still moving to the west-northwest,[1] theWeather Bureau issued ahurricane watch for the entire Texas coastline.[5] This was later upgraded to a hurricane warning from Brownsville toPort Isabel, withgale warnings extending northward toPort Aransas.[1] Officials issued a mandatory evacuation for low-lying areas around Brownsville, as well as inSouth Padre Island and Port Isabel. AnAmerican Red Cross shelter opened to provide shelter.[6] All residents in mobile homes were also told to leave their homes in the Brownsville area.[7] People in the affected area took extra precautions due to the heavy damage left byHurricane Celia only weeks before.[6]
The hurricane increased surf along the Texas coast, with wave heights of 7 ft (2.1 m) observed.[8] As a result, small craft were recommended to remain at port.[9] Ultimately there was no reportedstorm surge in Texas, although the waves crested high along the beaches.[10] Precipitation was light in Texas, peaking at 0.88 in (22 mm) atMcAllen.[11] Observations in northeastern Mexico were sparse, although wind gusts from Ella reached 150 mph (240 km/h).[1] The Brownsville Weather Bureau office noted the potential for 15 in (380 mm) of rainfall to occur in Mexico along the hurricane's path,[12] and heavy rainfall occurred in portions of northeastern Mexico.[13] Winds up to 80 mph (130 km/h) were reported inCiudad Victoria.[14] There, the rainfall disrupted post-storm rescue work. The rains prevented the transportation of relief goods, including food and medicine, by helicopters.[15] The hurricane destroyed several houses,[11] and there was one death after a girl was stuck in her destroyed house inAbasolo.[15][16] Due to the hurricane, the Purification and theSan Fernando Rivers crested above flood stage.[1]
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.
Tropical cyclones of the1970 Atlantic hurricane season | ||
|---|---|---|
 | 1 TS TD TD TS TS 3 TS TD TS 2 1 | |
