Hurricane Edith (1971)

Infobox Hurricane
Name=Hurricane Edith
Type=hurricane
Year=1971
Basin=Atl
Image location=Hurricane Edith.jpg


Formed=September 5, 1971
Dissipated=September 18, 1971
1-min winds=140
Pressure=943
Da

Inflated=0
Fatalities=37 direct
Areas=Lesser Antilles, Northern Venezuela, Nicaragua, Honduras, Belize, Yucatán, Northeastern Mexico, Texas, Louisiana
Hurricane season=1971 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Edith was the strongest hurricane to form during the 1971 Atlantic hurricane season. It developed from a tropical wave on September 5 and quickly strengthened into a hurricane in the Caribbean Sea. Edith rapidly intensified on September 9 and made landfall on Cape Gracias a Dios as a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. It quickly lost intensity over Central America and after briefly entering the Gulf of Honduras it crossed the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. After moving across the Gulf of Mexico a trough turned the storm to the northeast and Edith, after having restrengthened while accelerating towards the coast, made landfall on Louisiana with winds of 105 mph (170 km/h) on September 16. Edith steadily weakened over land and dissipated over Georgia on September 18.

The hurricane killed two people when it passed near Aruba. Striking northeastern Central America as a Category 5 hurricane, Edith destroyed hundreds of homes and killed at least 35 people. In Texas high tides caused coastal 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 the Fujita Scale, damaged several homes and injured multiple people in Baton Rouge. The tornado outbreak extended eastward into Florida, of which a few destroyed entire buildings. Damage in the United States totaled $25 million (1971 USD, $125 million 2006 USD).

Meteorological history

A tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa near Dakar on August 31. It moved westward into the Intertropical Convergence Zone, and organized into a tropical disturbance on September 2 with a small, circular area of convection. The system moved to the west,cite web|author=R. H. Simpson, John Hope, & Neil Frank|year=1972|title=Atlantic hurricane season of 1971|publisher=National Hurricane Center & National Weather Service|accessdate=2006-11-01|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/1971.pdf] and on September 3, the convection diminished after moving west of 40° W. By the next day, the tropical disturbance was barely discernible from the clouds of the Intertropical Convergence Zone.cite web|author=John Hope|year=1971|title=Hurricane Edith Preliminary Report Page 1|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2006-11-01|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1971-prelim/edith/prelim01.gif] The wave gradually became detached from the ITCZ, and based on a reconnaissance 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 (415 km) east of Grenada.

The depression moved westward quickly, and moved through the southern Lesser Antilles early on September 6. The southern portion of the circulation passed over northeastern Venezuela, though after entering the Caribbean Sea, another reconnaissance flight was unable to confirm the existence of a low-level circulation. Shortly thereafter, while moving into an area of light wind shear, it was able to organize and strengthen further, and on September 7 the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm "Edith" near the island of Curaçao. While initially, a cold-core upper-level low persisted about 750 miles (1200 km) northwest of the storm, Edith moved west-northwestward due to the influence of a narrow and persistent ridge of high pressure, which extended from the southwestern Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. As the storm continued into open waters of the Caribbean, the upper-level low gradually weakened and was replaced with an anticyclone. This allowed the storm to strengthen further, and on September 8, Edith became a hurricane in the south-central Caribbean Sea.

On September 9, the storm rapidly 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 of Nicaragua. 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 of baroclinic 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 km) in diameter. Late on September 9, Hurricane Edith made landfall on northeastern Nicaragua at Cabo Gracias a Dios.

Hurricane Edith rapidly weakened over the mountainous terrain of northeastern Central America, and 18 hours after it made landfall, it emerged into the Gulf of Honduras as an 80 mph (130 km/h) Category 1 hurricane. It continued to weaken as it moved northwestward, and made landfall near Belize City with tropical storm winds of 70 mph (115 km/h). Edith weakened further while crossing the Yucatán Peninsula, and emerged into the Gulf of Mexico near Campeche, Mexico late on September 11 as a minimal tropical storm. Edith initially failed to re-intensify as it moved northwestward, despite low amounts of wind shear and warm waters. This was because an anticyclone over the Gulf was closely connected with Hurricane 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, creating conditions not conducive for intensification.cite web|author=John Hope|year=1971|title=Hurricane Edith Preliminary Report Page 4|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2006-11-01|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1971-prelim/edith/prelim04.gif] 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.

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 of Tamaulipas. A mid-latitude trough 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 of Louisiana, and made landfall on September 16 in a sparsely populated area 30 miles (48 km) east of Cameron with winds of 105 mph (170 km/h), equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane in the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. Edith rapidly weakened over land, degenerating into a tropical storm over Louisiana, and into a tropical depression over Mississippi. It continued to the east-northeast, and dissipated over northwestern Georgia on September 18.

Preparations

Fourteen hours prior to Edith making landfall in Central America, the National Hurricane Center warned citizens about the extreme danger of the approaching hurricane, and asked them to prepare for hurricane conditions. While the storm was located in the Gulf of Mexico, the National Hurricane Center issued a Hurricane Warning from Cameron to Morgan City, Louisiana eighteen hours before the hurricane made landfall. Edith later struck land in the middle portion of the warning area.cite web|author=John Hope|year=1971|title=Hurricane Edith Preliminary Report Page 2|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2006-11-01|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1971-prelim/edith/prelim02.gif]

In Belize, 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.cite web|author=United Press International|publishdate=1971-09-11|title=Honduras town in hurricane path evacuated|accessdate=2006-11-01|url=http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
]

In the Gulf of Mexico, several oil facilities 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 people prepared for the hurricane by purchasing emergency supplies. Officials closed schools throughout much of southern Louisiana.cite news|author=Associated Press|publishdate=1971-09-16|title=Thousands flee Hurricane Edith|accessdate=2006-11-01|url=http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
]

Impact

Caribbean

While passing through the southern Lesser Antilles, the tropical depression produced heavy rainfall and winds of around 35 mph (55 km/h). Edith produced tropical storm force winds in Aruba, and gusts reached 60 mph (95 km/h). Two fishermen were reported lost at sea and presumed dead as a result of Edith.

Edith produced strong winds across northeastern Nicaragua and eastern Honduras, with Puerto Lempira reporting an unofficial sustained wind of 140 mph (225 km/h). Press reports indicated every house in the Cape Gracias area was destroyed or heavily damaged, leaving 7,000 homeless. The meteorological service in British Honduras stated there were 100 fatalities near Cape Gracias,cite web|author=John Hope|year=1971|title=Hurricane Edith Preliminary Report Page 5|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2006-11-01|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1971-prelim/edith/prelim05.gif] though a later report indicated 35 people died in Nicaragua. There, damage was estimated at over $380,000 (1971 USD, $1.9 million 2006 USD).cite web|author=Organization of American States|title=Chapter 12- Hurricane Hazards|accessdate=2006-10-21|url=http://www.oas.org/dsd/publications/unit/oea66e/ch12.htm] Three United States Air Force aircraft delivered food, medical supplies, and fuel to the hurricane victims of Nicaragua.cite web|author=Century-of-flying.net|title=World Aviation in 1971|accessdate=2006-11-01|url=http://www.century-of-flight.net/Aviation%20history/aviation%20timeline/1971_to_1980.htm] In Honduras, the hurricane produced 15 foot (4.5 m) tides and strong winds, while strong waves destroyed 40 fishing boats as well.cite web|author=United Press International|publishdate=1971-09-10|title=Hurricane Edith Rips Honduras|accessdate=2006-11-01|url=http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] While the hurricane reportedly destroyed entire villages,Cite web|author=United Press International|publishdate=1971-09-16|title=Hurricane Batters Louisiana|accessdate=2006-11-01|url=http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] no deaths occurred in Honduras.

Offshore islands in Belize reported winds of up to 60 mph (95 km/h). Edith produced flooding in a few towns in the southern portion of the country, with some buildings damaged. Heavy damage was reported near Monkey River Town. Impact in Mexico, if any, is unknown.

United States

Two stations in Texas recorded sustained tropical force winds, and Galveston reported a peak wind gust of 53 mph (85 km/h). While moving past the state, Edith produced above normal tides of over 4 feet (1.2 m) in locations, which flooded a portion of Highway 87.cite web|author=David Roth|year=2000|title=Texas Hurricane History: Late 20th Century|publisher=National Weather Service|accessdate=2006-11-01|url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lch/research/txlate20hur2.php] The storm dropped light to moderate amounts of rainfall peaking at 3.5 inches (89 mm) in Sabine Pass. The passage of Hurricane Edith resulted in downed trees and power lines, and damage totaling $180,000 (1971 USD, $900,000 2006 USD).

Off the coast of Louisiana, the hurricane wrecked three boats, but all the occupants were safely rescued. While making landfall in Louisiana, Edith resulted in above normal tides of up to 9.7 feet (2.9 m) above normal at Cypremont Point near Morgan City. The highest winds reported by a land station were 69 mph (111 km/h) at Cameron, where a wind gust of 96 mph (155 km/h) was also reported. However, due to the lack of recording instruments near the hurricane's landing point, whether higher winds occurred there is not known, although likely. Rainfall was moderate across Louisiana, including amounts of over 8 inches (200 mm) in the southwestern portion of the state. A strong rainband well ahead of the hurricane, combined with the intrusion of dry air into the hurricane's circulation, produced 16 tornadoes from Louisiana to Alabama.cite web|author=Lon Curtis|year=2004|title=Mid-Level Dry Intrusions as a Factor in Tornado Outbreaks Associated with Landfalling Tropical Cyclones from the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico|accessdate=2006-11-01|url=http://www.vvm.com/~curtis/AMSTCTor.html] An F3 tornado touched down in the eastern residential suburbs of Baton Rouge, causing heavy property damage totaling to $2.5 million (1971 USD, $12.5 million 2006 USD) along its intermittent 7 mile (11 km) path. The tornado also injured three people.cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=1971|title=Event Report for Louisiana|accessdate=2006-11-01|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~64523] An F2 tornado in Tangipahoa Parish caused $250,000 in damage (1971 USD, $1.25 million 2006 USD) along its 4 mile (6 km) path,cite web|author=NCDC|year=1971|title=Event Report for Louisiana (2)|accessdate=2006-11-01|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~64527] while an F1 tornado in St. Martin Parish injured 6 people on its 3 mile (5 km) path.cite web|author=NCDC|year=1971|title=Event Report for Louisiana (3)|accessdate=2006-11-01|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~64522] The hurricane caused extensive damage to the sugar cane crop in southwestern Louisiana. About a month after Edith struck the United States, President Richard Nixon declared portions of Louisiana as a disaster area, which allocated relief funds to aid the affected citizens.cite web|author=FEMA|year=2004|title=Louisiana: Hurricane Edith|accessdate=2006-11-01|url=http://www.fema.gov/news/event.fema?id=1516]

In Mississippi, wind gusts peaked at 70 mph (112 km/h) in Hattiesburg, with multiple locations reporting tropical-storm-force winds. Additionally, Edith produced moderate rainfall peaking at 6.15 inches (156 mm) in Liberty. In Alabama, the storm caused light rains, moderate wind gusts, and a storm tide of 2.7 feet (0.8 m) in Mobile. Edith spawned four tornadoes in Alabama, three of which were F2 tornadoes. Two touched down in Baldwin County; one destroyed two homes and damaged several others, and the other destroyed two mobile homes, a few barns, and damaged ten houses. Two tornadoes also touched down in Washington County, one of which destroyed several small buildings and downed a few trees.cite web|author=Birmingham, Alabama National Weather Service|year=2006|title=Alabama Tornado Database: September|accessdate=2006-11-01|url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/bmx/tornadoes/sep.php] In Florida, Edith produced slightly above-normal tides and light rain. It spawned a tornado in Pensacola, Florida, injuring one person and inflicting $25,000 in damage (1971 USD, $125,000 2006 USD).cite web|author=NCDC|year=1971|title=Event Report for Florida|accessdate=2006-11-01|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~19226] Damage throughout the United States totaled to $25 million (1971 USD, $125 million 2006 USD), primarily from crop damage in southwest Louisiana. No deaths were reported in the United States.

Despite the damage caused, and the hurricane's intensity, the name Edith was not retired. Edith was one of only four Category 5 hurricanes, and the only one named that made landfall as such, that did not have its name retired. However, the name Edith has not been used since, as the tropical cyclone name lists were changed in 1979.cite web|author=Hurricane Research Division|year=2007|title=Hurdat Data for Tropical Cyclones 1851 – 2006|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2006-11-03|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1851to2006_atl.txt]

ee also

* List of Atlantic hurricanes
* List of Category 5 Atlantic hurricanes

References

External links

* [http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/1971.pdf 1971 Monthly Weather Review]