 Hurricane Klaus at peak intensity northeast of theLeeward Islands on November 9 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | November 5, 1984 |
| Extratropical | November 13 |
| Dissipated | November 16, 1984 |
| Category 1 hurricane | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
| Highest winds | 90 mph (150 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 971mbar (hPa); 28.67 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 2 direct |
| Damage | $152 million (1984USD) |
| Areas affected | Puerto Rico,Leeward Islands |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the1984 Atlantic hurricane season | |
Hurricane Klaus was aNorth Atlantic hurricane that hit theLeeward Islands from the west in November of the1984 Atlantic hurricane season. Forming from a broad area of low pressure on November 5, Klaus maintained a northeast movement throughout much of its path. After making landfall on extreme easternPuerto Rico, it passed to the north of theLeeward Islands, resulting in strong southwesterly winds and rough seas. Klaus attained hurricane status and reached peak winds of 90 mph (145 km/h) before becoming extratropical over cooler waters on November 13. The storm dropped heavy rainfall in Puerto Rico, causing minor flooding and light damage. Klaus caused heavy marine damage in the Leeward Islands, including wrecking at least three ships. The Virgin Islands experienced heavy damage as well.
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depressionA broad area of low pressure gradually developed over the extreme southeasternCaribbean Sea on November 1. It moved slowly westward and steadily organized. By November 4, the system stalled to the north ofCuraçao, which was followed by a turn to the northeast. Convection slowly organized as a surface circulation formed, and on November 5 the system developed into Tropical Depression Fifteen. Initially weak with only 20 mph (32 km/h) winds, the depression steadily organized as it moved northeastward, and aReconnaissance Aircraft mission confirmed the existence of the cyclone on November 6 as it was located midway betweenPuerto Rico and theNetherlands Antilles. Late on the 6th, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Klaus while located a short distance south ofPuerto Rico.[1]
Tropical Storm Klaus continued northeastward, and made landfall on extreme eastern Puerto Rico early on November 7. The storm passed a short distance north of theLesser Antilles,[1] and became the first tropical cyclone in recorded history to affect the islands from the west.[2] Favorable conditions allowed the storm to continue strengthening, and Klaus attained hurricane status early on November 8. The hurricane accelerated to the northeast, and reached its peak intensity of 90 mph (145 km/h) late on November 8. After maintaining its peak strength for 30 hours, Klaus weakened slightly.[1] Interaction with an upper-level low turned the hurricane westward on November 11, though an approachingtrough of low pressure turned Hurricane Klaus to the northeast. Cold air and cooler waters weakened the convection around the center on November 12, and Klaus degenerated to asubtropical storm. It accelerated to the northeast and degenerated to anextratropical storm on November 13 while located about 440 miles (700 km) south-southeast ofCape Race,Newfoundland.[3] Six hours later, it was absorbed by another extratropical system.[4]
Shortly after forming,gale warnings were issued forPuerto Rico, theVirgin Islands, theNetherlands Antilles of theLeeward Islands,Saint Kitts and Nevis, andAnguilla.[4] Klaus was the first tropical cyclone on record to hit the Leeward Islands from the west, and as a result many were unprepared for the strong winds and rough seas from the southwest.[4]
While moving pastPuerto Rico, Tropical Storm Klaus dropped heavy rainfall peaking at 25.69 inches (653 mm) inGuavate Camp in the southeastern part of the island. Much of the southern half of Puerto Rico reported over 7 inches (180 mm) (178 mm).Vieques received around 7 inches of precipitation, whileCulebra experienced over 10 inches (250 mm).[5] The heavy rainfall resulted in freshwater flooding.[4] The strongest winds of the storm remained offshore, and wind gusts peaked at 37 miles per hour (60 km/h) inRoosevelt Roads Naval Station. Winds and rainfall on the island resulted in downed trees and power lines, though damage was minimal. Klaus struck the island onelection day, causing slight disruptions to the process.[6]
Saint John in theUnited States Virgin Islands reported over 15 inches (380 mm) of rainfall in association with Tropical Storm Klaus. BothSaint Thomas andSaint Croix received around 10 inches, while rainfall in theBritish Virgin Islands remained below 10 inches.[5] Tropical Storm Klaus caused severe flooding and extensive damage throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands.[7] Strong southwesterly winds resulted in gale-force winds and rough seas along the southwestern portions of theLeeward Islands. The rough waves caused considerable damage to marine interests in the area.[4] InAnguilla, three ships were wrecked.[8] One mile (1.6 km) offSaint Martin, the rough seas wrecked acruise ship. The 60 passengers and 23 crew members swam safely to shore, though one person was hospitalized.[9] Rough seas also damaged localcoral reefs.[10] 10,000 people were affected on the island ofDominica. There, the storm caused $2 million (1984USD, $3.9 million 2006 USD) in damage and resulted in two fatalities.[11] InAntigua, strong waves from the hurricane produced severebeach erosion, which endangered a highway behind an eroded beach. Beach erosion was reported in nearbyBarbuda, as well.[12] The British Virgin Islands sustained moderate damage totaling to $152 million (1984 USD, $315 million 2008 USD).[13] St. Kitts and Nevis also saw much Leeward coastal damage resulting from the storm, the worst impact being the destruction of theSandy Point town port inSaint Kitts.
InAnguilla, nine ships, including three that were wrecked from the hurricane, were intentionally sunk in 1990 to create an artificial reef.[8] About a month after the storm passed,PresidentRonald Reagan declared theU.S. Virgin Islands a major disaster area. The declaration permitted use of federal funds for recovery.[7] TheFederal Emergency Management Agency provided an average relief fund of $2,128 (1984 USD, $4,147 2006 USD) per affected person, the smallest return rate for a declared disaster in the Virgin Islands.[14]
