Hurricane Donna was the strongest storm of the 1960 Atlantic hurricane season, and caused severe damage to the Lesser Antilles, the Great Antilles, and the East Coast of the United States, especially Florida, in August-September. The fifth tropical cyclone, the third storm, and the first major storm of the season, Donna flourished in southern Cape Verde on 29 August, spawning a tropical wave that caused 63 deaths from plane crashes in Senegal. Depression was reinforced into Tropical Storm Donna the next day. Donna moved west-northwest at about 20 mph (32 km/h) and on August 31, reached the status of a storm. Donna deepened significantly and reached its peak intensity at the beginning of September 4, with a maximum wind speed of 145 mph (233 km/h). After that, it was slightly weakened by brushing Little Antilles that day. In Sint Maarten, the storm caused a quarter of the island's population to lose their homes and killed seven people. Five additional deaths were reported in Anguilla, and there were seven other deaths across the Virgin Islands. In Puerto Rico, severe flash floods caused 107 casualties, 85 of them only in Humacao. Donna weakened to a Category 3 hurricane at the end of September 5, but ended up becoming a 4th category storm again. As it passes through the Bahamas, some small island communities in the central region of the country are flattened, but no total damage or casualties are reported.
Early September 10, Donna made a landing near Marathon, Florida with a wind speed of 140 mph (230 km/h), hours before another mainland south of Naples at the same intensity. Florida bears the burden of Hurricane Donna. In Florida Keys, coastal floods have damaged 75% of buildings, destroying some subdivisions in Marathon. On land, 5,200 homes were damaged, which excludes 75% of damaged homes in Fort Myers Beach; 50% of the buildings were also destroyed in the city of Everglades. The loss of harvest is also very wide. As many as 50% of grapefruit crops disappear, 10% of citrus and tangerine crops disappear, and avocado plants are almost destroyed. In the state of Florida alone, there are 13 deaths and $ 300 million loss. Donna weakened over Florida and was a category 1 storm when it re-emerged into the Atlantic from North Florida. In early September 12, a storm made landfall near Topsail Beach, North Carolina as a powerful 2 category storm with 110 mph winds (165 km/h). Donna carries tornadoes and gusts of up to 100 mph (155 km/h), destroying or destroying buildings in East Carolina, while crops damaged up to 50 miles (80 km) inland. In addition, storm surges cause significant beach erosion and structural damage in Wilmington and Nags Head. Eight people were killed and there were more than 100 injuries. Then on September 12, Donna reappears into the Atlantic Ocean and continues moving northeast. The storm hit Long Island, New York at the end of September 12 and quickly weakened the interior. The next day, Donna became extratropical over Maine.
Video Hurricane Donna
Meteorological history
On August 29, a tropical wave escaped from the west coast of Africa near Dakar. That day, it is estimated that tropical depression develops along the southeast waves of Cape Verde. There is a lack of data for several days, but it is estimated that this system is gradually getting more intensive. On September 2, ships in the region suggested a tropical storm after reporting winds of more than 50 mph (80 km/h). That day, the Storm Hunter flew into the system and observed a clear eye, along with a 140 mph (230 km/h) wind. Based on the data, the office of the United States Weather Bureau in San Juan, Puerto Rico began an adviser on Hurricane Donna at 2200 UTC time on September 2, approximately 700 miles east of the Lesser Antilles. It is estimated that the storm reached the status of a storm the day before. High Azores in the north are very strong, which causes Donna to move west-northwest. When the advisory begins, Donna is a big storm, which is equivalent to Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson windstorm scale; will eventually maintain this status for nine days.
Continuing west-northwest, Donna grew stronger, and on September 4, Donna reached her peak intensity, with a maximum wind speed of 145 mph (233 km/h). After maintaining the peak wind for about 12 hours, the typhoon weakened slightly as it approached the Lesser Antilles. On 4 September, Donna's eyes moved from Barbuda, Saint BarthÃÆ' © lemy, Saint Martin, and Anguilla, and passed south of Anegada. Despite the weakness, Donna remains well organized, described in the Monthly Weather Review as it is similar to "intense and ideal storm." The weakened canyon to the north turns a typhoon over to the northwest, carrying it as far as 85 miles (137 km) from the northern coast of Puerto Rico. On September 7, Donna has changed further west after the ridge was built in the north. Over the next few days, intense hurricanes move slowly across the southern Bahamas with no clear steering currents, and the eye passes near or over Mayaguana, Acklins, Fortune Island, and Ragged Island.
While passing the Strait of Florida, Donna searched the northern coast of Cuba on 9 September with strong winds. Furthermore, a cold front moves east through the United States and weakens the ridge, causing a typhoon to change further to the northwest. This was again intensified above warmer sea temperatures, and the minimum barometer pressure of the storm dropped to 932 mbar (27.5 inHg) on ​​September 10. Between 0200 and 0300 UTC that day, 21 miles (34 km) of Donna's eyes crossed through the Florida Keys just northeast of Marathon, with sustained winds of 140 mph (230 km/h) and gusts to 178 mph (286 km/h). The storm continued north-west along the southwest coast of Florida, passing through Naples and Fort Myers before turning inland to the northeast. At 0800 UTC on September 11, Donna got out of Daytona Beach to the western Atlantic with winds of around 85 mph (165 km/h), still as an organized storm. Accelerating to the northeast due to an approaching trough, the storm re-intensified slightly before making landfall near Wilmington, North Carolina, early on 12 September. At 9:00 UTC that day, Donna reappeared in open waters near Virginia, although it had weakened, and eyes widened by more than 50 miles (80 km) in diameter. Late on September 12, a typhoon made landfall in Westhampton, New York as Category 2 Hurricane across Long Island, then moved to New England. On September 13, Donna became extratropical over northern Maine before entering eastern Canada, after becoming associated with an approaching cold front. After moving across Quebec and Labrador, Donna reaches the Labrador Sea and disappears early on September 14th.
Maps Hurricane Donna
Preparation
At noon on September 3, a storm watch was issued to the Leeward Islands, which was at 6 pm. upgraded to warning. Also at 6 pm, storm watches were raised to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, which at 6 am on September 4, was upgraded to a warning. At 6 am on September 5, a typhoon warning was dropped for the Leeward Islands, and at 9 am, Puerto Rican southwest and Virgin Island storm warnings were lowered to gale warnings. By noon, all the remaining hurricane warnings for Puerto Rico were converted into a strong wind warning. In Puerto Rico, flood warnings were issued on 5 September, although some residents in the region ignored the notice; many returned to their homes after a storm struck north. On Vieques Island, about 1,700 US Marines were evacuated to naval vessels. Officials advised small boats to remain at the harbor, and thousands of residents were evacuated to schools established as Red Cross shelters. Along the coast of Cuba, about 3,000 people fled to the interior or to church and school; while in the Bahamas, shops are closed and ships are delivered to the harbor.
Beginning on September 7th, storm watches were applied to the Florida coast from Key West to Melbourne. The next day, watches were upgraded to a storm warning from Key West to Key Largo, with storm watches being ridden on the west coast to north to Fort Myers, and gale warnings issued from Key Largo to Vero Beach. On September 11, a typhoon alert applies to south Florida from Daytona Beach on the east coast to Cedar Key on the west coast, including Lake Okeechobee. Earthquake memorials are north of Cedar Key to St Marks, as well as from Daytona Beach north to Savannah, Georgia. Evacuations in Florida Keys disrupt traffic along the Overseas Highway. The Air Force evacuated Stratoy from Boeing B-47 from Homestead Air Reserve Base. In Cape Canaveral, the threat of a storm led to the launch of two missiles to be postponed. Most flights from Miami International Airport were canceled during a storm approach. Officials closed schools in Miami and the Florida Keys, and recommended residents in the lowlands of Florida Keys and southwest Florida to evacuate. Eventually, some 12,000 people in southern Florida sought refuge in storm shelters, two of which were damaged during the storm. In Miami-Dade County alone, there are 77 storm shelters that hold 10,000 people.
At 5 pm on September 10, a strong wind war was extended north to Myrtle Beach. At 11 pm, the storm warning was lowered in Florida Keys but extended north from Daytona Beach to Savannah, Georgia. At 11 am on the morning of September 11, all warnings were downgraded south of Vero Beach and along the west coast of Florida, while a storm warning extended northwards from Savannah to Myrtle Beach. At 5 pm, a cyclone alert was lowered south from Fernandina Beach, while they extended north to cover the entire North Carolina coast. Earthquake alert issued north to Cape May. At 9 pm, a storm warning was extended north to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, while a storm warning and storm watch were ejected north to Eastport, Maine. The ship at the dock in Newport, Rhode Island pulled out into the bay to overcome the storm. On September 12 at 5 am, a storm warning was extended north to Eastport, and fell south of Cape Hatteras. At 7 am, a cyclone alert was brought down south of Cape Charles. At 2 pm, a typhoon warning was dropped to southern Cape May. At 5 pm, a cyclone alert was stopped in southern Manasquan, New Jersey. At 8 pm, the storm warning ends south of Block Island. By 11 pm on the night of September 12, all hurricane warnings were revealed.
Impact
Hurricane Donna was a devastating storm that caused widespread damage from the Lesser Antilles to New England. At least 364 people were killed by the typhoon and property damage estimated at $ 900 million (1960 USD).
West Africa and the Caribbean
Hurricane Donna precursor brought bad weather to Dakar, Senegal. Air France flight AF343, which flies from Paris, France to Abidjan, Ivory Coast, attempts to land at LÃÆ' Â © opold SÃÆ' Â © dar Senghor International Airport as a transit. However, due to bad weather, the plane even crashed into the Atlantic Ocean, killing 63 people in it. Heavy rains were also reported in Cape Verde on August 30.
Hurricane Donna caused extensive damage to Saint-Martin, killing 7 people and causing at least a quarter of the island's population to be displaced. A weather station in Sint Maarten reports a continuous breeze of 125 mph (205 km/h) and a 952 mbar (28.1 in Hg) pressure reading at the main airport. Donna killed two people in Antigua. During the passage of Hurricane Donna, Anguilla recorded five deaths, including a woman who died when the roof of her house collapsed.
Although it is only 35 miles (56 km) north of the island, Donna only causes minor damage at St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands. A station there reported a gust of winds of 60 mph (97 km/h). Some fences were overthrown, while some homes were reported to have been damaged or destroyed. Electrical and telephone services are also disrupted. The highest total daily rainfall on the island is 8.78 inches (223 mm), causing small local flooding. In Saint John, some small boats reversed.
As it passes north of Puerto Rico, Donna produces a 38 mph (61 km/h) wind in San Juan. Along the north coast of the island, high waves are about 6Ã, ft (1.8 m) and strong waves cause coastal flooding. The storm dropped heavy rain, peaking at 16.23 in (412 mm) in Naguabo in the center of the island. The large area of ​​eastern Puerto Rico receives more than 10 in (250 mm) rainfall. The storm caused about 2,500 people to be displaced on the island. Despite continued warnings from the floods, a typhoon killed 107 people on the island, 84 of whom were in Humacao.
In Haiti, the southern region of a typhoon killed three people in Port au Prince. Later, Donna searched the northern coast of Cuba with strong winds and torrential rains, causing destruction along most of the coast. In Gibara, the storm destroyed 80 homes.
Turks and Caicos and Bahamas
At Grand Turk in Turks and Caicos, Donna produces winds of 58 mph (93 km/h), as the strongest winds remain in the north of the island. However, the storm dropped more than 20 heavy rains in (510 mm), many of which fell within a 12 hour period. Even though it was raining, the damage was small.
In the Bahamas, an anemometer on Ragged Island explodes after registering a 150mph (240 km/h) wind blow. At Mayaguana, where residents were evacuated to a missile tracking center, a stormy wind blazed for 13 hours. The wind mostly destroys the village of Abraham's Bay on the island. Andros suffered a storm-force wind for several hours, and winds on Fortune Island were estimated at 173 mph (278 km/h) before an anemometer was blown off. The strongest breeze remains in the southern Bahamas northwest, which limits the damage there. Donna cuts communication between several islands.
Some small island communities in the Bahamas are being leveled. North Caicos reported 20 inches (510 mm) of rainfall in 24 hours.
United States
Fifty people were reported killed in the United States, with damage of $ 3.35 billion. Donna crossed directly over the Texas Tower 4, causing severe damage to the structure and causing her final loss in January 1961.
Donna is the only storm affecting every state along the East Coast with a whirlwind.
Florida
The state of Florida in the US receives the most damage from Hurricane Donna. The southern and western parts of Florida receive more than 10 in (250 mm) rainfall from a typhoon, peaking at 13.24 in (336 mm). Strong winds observed in the state, with sustained wind speeds of 120 mph (190 km/h) at Tavernier and gusts up to 150 mph (240 km/h) at Sombrero Key Light. In Miami, winds reach 97 mph (156 km/h). In the southeast of the city, high waves washed a 104 feet (32 m) cargo ship on land an island. The highest storm wave observed 13Ã, ft (4.0 m) was reported in Marathon. The storm also hit Southwest Florida, where the tides are 4 to 7 feet (1.2 to 2.1 m) above normal.
In Miami-Dade County, thousands of low-rise homes in Homestead are flooded. Overall, 857 houses in the area were destroyed, while about 2,317 others were damaged. Significant agricultural losses were also reported. Donna was the first storm to affect Miami, Florida, since Hurricane King in October 1950.
In the Florida Keys, some areas experience "almost complete destruction". Further north between Marathon and Tavernier, an estimated 75% of the buildings are severely damaged. In the former, the ups and downs flooded the city and destroyed several subdivisions. In Key West, one death was confirmed, and 71 people were injured. Around 564 homes were destroyed, and an additional 1,382 were damaged, 583 of which were heavily damaged. The storm surge flooded the parts of the Outer Highway and washed some sections near the bridge. Many boats and docks are heavily damaged or destroyed. In addition, the pipes that supply water to the Florida Keys are damaged in three places.
A large number of mangrove forests are lost in the western part of Everglades National Park, while at least 35% of the white heron bird population in the park is killed. In Everglades, FL, about 50% of buildings were destroyed due to strong winds and coastal flooding. End of September 11, 2 to 3 feet (0.61-0.91 m) of water is reported across the region. The city briefly became inaccessible due to streached roads. Many small buildings were destroyed, and the roofs were flown or damaged. Thousands of fallen trees, blocking some of the Tamiami Trail. Throughout Collier County, strong winds and coastal flooding combined destroyed 153 homes, had a major impact on an additional 409, and 1,049 others suffered minor damage. Substitution to south Florida reduced the damage in the Tampa area.
Throughout the state of Florida, the storm destroyed 2,156 homes and trailers, heavily damaged 3,903, and had a small impact on 30,524 others. Around 391 agricultural buildings were destroyed, an additional 989 were impacted extensively, and 2,499 others received minor damage. Around 174 buildings were demolished, 1,029 were heavily impacted, and 4,254 suffered minor damage. In addition, 281 boats were destroyed or severely damaged. As many as 50% of grapefruit crops disappear, 10% of citrus and tangerine crops are damaged, and avocado plants are almost destroyed. With at least $ 350 million in Florida damage alone, Donna was the most expensive storm that affected the country, at the time. In addition, there were 14 confirmed deaths: six of the sinks, four from heart attacks, two from car accidents, and two from electric shock. Another 1,188 were injured.
Southeastern United States and Mid-Atlantic
The storm had a small impact on Georgia. A 50 mph (80 km/h) wind blow along the shore cuts down trees and tree branches, resulting in power and telephone outages. In Brunswick, GA, power outages at the power plant caused a small explosion. Heavy rain while flooding several streets in the city. Further north in South Carolina, strong winds are reported along the coast, but cause little damage. The whirlwind that appeared in the Charleston area destroyed several homes and damaged several others, and injured several people by flying glass. The damage caused by this tornado is more than $ 500,000. Other tornadoes landed in Garden City, SC and destroyed or destroyed six buildings extensively. In Beaufort County, SC, many trees are uprooted, power lines are dead, homes are not working, docks are destroyed, and there is significant damage to corn and soybean crops.
In North Carolina, Donna brought two tornadoes to the state. The first damaged several small buildings in Bladen County. The second tornado began in Sampson County, where he destroyed a residence with eight occupants, all hospitalized. Along the coast, a 100 mph (155 km/h) breeze destroys or destroys some buildings. In addition the plant is damaged as far as 50 miles (80 km) inland. Storm waves ranging from 4 to 8 feet (1.2 to 2.4 m) above normal cause significant coastal erosion and structural damage in Wilmington and Nags Head. In addition, Topsail Beach is reported to have destroyed 50%. In Southport, the city pier was almost completely destroyed. There were eight deaths, including three from drowning, two from falling trees, two from weather-related traffic accidents, and one from an electric attack. At least 100 injured people need enough hospitalization. Damage in North Carolina exceeded $ 5 million, with the worst impact occurring in New Hanover County.
In Virginia, the state's east coast reported storm-force winds, while gusts reached up to 89 mph (143 km/h) in Virginia Beach. Strong winds toppled trees and power lines, which blocked the streets. In addition, the building suffered damage to the roof and broken windows; some structures are completely destroyed. Offshore, rough seas drown or destroy many small crafts, while a 12,000-ton (26,000,000-pound) ship ran aground. The storm killed three people in Virginia; two deaths occurred when a barge collided with a freighter and then drowned, and another after a man tried to keep his boat. Strong winds and heavy rain were observed in eastern Maryland. Ocean City suffered the worst impact, with more than $ 300,000 in property damage. The storm also damaged crops in the area, especially maize and apples. The effects of storms in Delaware are similar, with property damage and large losses in corn and apple crops. In Pennsylvania, winds of up to 59 mph (95 km/h) in the southeastern part of the country subvert many trees and utility cables. Heavy rains and bad drainage in some areas flooded basements, grasses and streets. The lowland areas of Bucks and Montgomery County are flooded with water up to 3 feet (0.91 m) after many rivers and creeks nearby are overflowing. One death in the state was reported after a boy was swept into a swollen river behind his home in Sharon Hill.
Winds as high as 100 mph (160 km/h) are observed along the coast of New Jersey. Rainfall in the state is generally between 5 and 6 inches (130 and 150 mm), with a peak of 8.99 inches (228 mm) near Hammonton. The most severe storm damage occurred in the Atlantic, Cape May, Monmouth and Ocean County, where many ships, wharves, sidewalks, and cottages were either damaged or destroyed. A resort area on Cliffwood Beach, New Jersey sees boardwalks and tourist attractions destroyed by storms, and the area never recovers. Losses for agriculture are significant, with damage to apple trees and peaches "large enough," the first to lose about a third of the crop. Wind damage to corn, Sudan grass, and sorghum resulted in the delay of their harvest. Nine deaths were reported in the state of New Jersey. In southeastern New York, heavy rain, stormy winds, and "unprecedented" tidal waves were observed. Severe river floods cause significant damage, especially on Long Island, the waterfront of New York City, and further north in Greene County. The storm caused three fatalities in the state, two from drowning and one from the one destroyed by fallen trees.
Elsewhere in North America
In Connecticut, high winds caused 15,000 people without telephone service, while 88,000 homes lost electricity. Along the coast, tides lead to coastal erosion, submerged roads, and weakening foundations. Four beach huts were ruined. Plant damage is isolated and is mainly confined to apples and maize. In Rhode Island, the storm carries a gust of wind as strong as 130 mph (210 mph/h) to Block Island. The telephone and electricity services are severely disrupted. Along the coast, high waves significantly destroy or destroy about 200 homes in Narragansett Bay and Warwick cove. Damage to these ships collectively reaches more than $ 2 million. Agriculture is also suffering from impacts, especially on fruit, wood, and poultry, particularly in Newport and Portsmouth.
Strong winds are also observed in Massachusetts, with winds of 145 mph (233 km/h) at the Blue Hill Observatory. The widespread loss to the apple orchard takes place, because the fruit is blown out of the trees. Widespread phones and power blackouts are reported. The strong southwest wind associated with Donna, in combination with very little rain, caused a significant salt deposit, which rained down a window facing southwest. Many trees and shrubs see the leaves brown because of salt. However, in other areas, 4 to 6 inches (100 to 150 mm) of rain fall, causing some local leaching and flooding. Waves along the coast rip open small boats and yachts from their moorings and then smash them with rocks or sea walls.
In Vermont, wind damages trees, tree branches, and power lines, causing telephone and power interference in some communities. The total rainfall ranges from 2 to 5 inches (51-127 mm), resulting in washing in some areas. Damage to the apple orchard reaches $ 50,000. Along the coast of New Hampshire, many ships are destroyed or damaged in several ways. Strong winds uprooted trees and power grids, causing residents in the southern part of the country to lose their telephone and electricity services. In addition, the apple orchard suffered $ 200,000 damage. Rainfall in the state peaked at 7.25 inches (184 mm) near Peterborough, resulting in local flooding and laundering.
Along the coast, large waves ravaged 15 to 20 boats in Falmouth, Maine harbor. The total damage to the vessel is estimated at $ 250,000. Coastal residents in the lowland coastal areas of Cumberland and York districts were evacuated in Maine. Some districts lost power during the storm. At Southwest Harbor, lightning struck Dirigo Hotel, causing a fire that resulted in $ 100,000 in damage. The wind caused the loss of telephone and electricity services in the Auburn-Lewiston area due to the fall of trees or tree branches. The television antenna is broken, as are some signs, including the Sears sign. In addition, 25% to 40% of apple plants are destroyed.
After being extratropical, Donna's remains continue northeast to New Brunswick, Quebec, and then Labrador. A gust of 53 mph (85 km/h) in Quebec snapped up power lines and trees. One death occurs when a man suffers a heart attack when his home is threatened by a fire. In addition, traffic accidents related to the weather in the province resulted in two injuries.
Imagery in popular culture
Nobel Prize winner John Steinbeck writes about Hurricane Donna in his 1962 non-fiction memoir Traveling with Charley: In Search of America . Steinbeck owns a truck equipped with a special shell for a journey that he intended to cross the United States, accompanied by his poodle, Charley. He plans to leave after Labor Day from his home in Sag Harbor, Long Island, New York. Steinbeck delayed his journey slightly because of Donna, who made a direct attack on Long Island. Steinbeck writes about saving his boat in the middle of a cyclone, where he jumps into the water and is blown to a beach attached to a fallen branch that is driven by strong winds. It is an exploit that foresaw his fearless, or even reckless, state of mind to dive into the unknown.
The wind from Donna can be seen in the feature film Blast of Silence (1961); a boxing fight scene on Long Island was scheduled before, and the filmmakers decided to continue and record the exterior scene despite the storm.
Aftermath, records and retirement
After the storm, US President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued a catastrophic declaration for Florida and North Carolina, allowing residents of these countries to qualify for public assistance.
The US military sent a plane carrying doctors and food from Patrick Air Force Base to Mayaguana in the Bahamas. The crew of doctors and workers with food and supplies depart from Key West and Miami to traverse the Florida Keys, bringing aid to the affected population. In Marathon, a major reconstruction program rehabilitated Christmas keys.
Coral reefs are damaged in Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary by storm. Donna caused a significant negative impact on aquatic life in north Florida Bay. Marine life is either stranded with salt water that has been pushed to the mainland or killed by misty water behind it. The depletion of oxygen due to the animals destroyed in the cyclone leads to additional deaths. Although salinity levels returned to normal within six weeks, dissolved oxygen concentrations remained fairly low for longer periods of time. Marine life is rare for several months in areas with the greatest oxygen depletion. Fish fishing in the area takes several months to recover. The young pink shrimp move from their estuary nursery into deeper waters about 97 kilometers offshore, where they are then captured by fishermen. A Caspian was swept across the coast of North America well to the north of its traditional breeding grounds, to Nova Scotia, witnessed four hours after Digby Neck's storm.
Due to its devastating impact and the high mortality associated with the cyclone, the name "Donna" was retired, and will never again be used for Atlantic storms; the name was replaced by "Dora" in 1964.
See also
- Hurricane Irma- Another powerful storm with a similar trajectory in Florida.
- Hurricane Charley - a similar track in corridor I-4
- Hurricane Luis - an equally strong storm in 1995 that struck the northeast Caribbean Sea, but later turned into a sea
- Category List 4 Atlantic hurricane
- List of Delaware storms
- List of Florida hurricanes (1950-74)
- New England hurricane list
- New York hurricane list
- North Carolina cyclone list (1950-79)
- List of wet tropical cyclones in Massachusetts
References
External links
- Picture of Naples Daily News of Donna
- Historic Historical Florida Hurricanes (State Archives of Florida)
- NoAA Hurricane Research Division Donna's Page
- HPC Rainfall Page at Donna
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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