Hurricane Jose (1999)

Infobox Hurricane | Name=Hurricane Jose
Basin=Atl
Year=1999
Category=cat2
Type=hurricane
Image location=Hurricane Jose (1999).jpgbooobs . Jose became a hurricane on October 19 and was centred about convert|150|mi|km east of the Leeward Islands. As it neared the islands, Jose's minimum central pressure reached its lowest, 979 mbar (hPa). Six hours later, winds reached a peak of 100 mph (165 km/h), while just before, it had winds of only 90 mph (80 kts), resulting in two different peaks.Richard J. Pasch. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1999jose.html Hurricane Jose.] Retrieved on 2007-07-21.]

Turning back on a northwest direction, Hurricane Jose struck the northern Leeward Islands, passing over Antigua around midday on October 20. The center of the storm then moved near St. Barthelemy and St. Martin on October 21. As Jose moved over the Leeward Islands, a strong vertical wind shear disrupted the storm and Jose weakened to a tropical storm by the time it reached Tortola in the British Virgin Islands on October 21. On the same day, Jose turned back to the northwest as the center passed convert|50|mi|km east of Puerto Rico.

Between October 22 and October 23, Jose turned northeastward and sped up. Jose then briefly regained hurricane strength as it bypassed east of Bermuda. The storm continued northeastward before being declared an extratropical storm on August 25, when it merged with a mid-latitude low and a front associated with the low.

Preparations

Twenty-four shelters were set up to be used when Jose passed over. But only 506 people used the shelters.AntiguaToday. [http://1001resources.com/hosting/users/AT/news/Jose/reports/overview.html Overview of Post Hurricane Jose.] Retrieved on 2007-07-21.]

Impact

Antigua and Barbuda was strongly affected by the hurricane. The storm was damage was severe in both of the islands while damage in St. Kitts and Nevis was minor because the hurricane passed northward of those islands.

Antigua and Barbuda

In Antigua and Barbuda, there was considerable flooding of major roads and 2,000 people were severely affected and were evacuated. About 516 of the people were housed in emergency shelters.International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. [http://www.ifrc.org/docs/appeals/99/3199.pdf Antigua and Barbuda: Hurricane Jose.] Retrieved on 2007-07-21.] Across the island, the storm killed one person, injured 12, left an elderly blind man missing,ReliefWeb. [http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/ACOS-64CFMH?OpenDocument Hurricane Jose Post Impact Situation Report #2.] Retrieved on 2007-07-21.] and 500 houses were destroyed including a newly built church.Associated Press. [http://www.usatoday.com/weather/huricane/1999/atlantic/wjantigua.htm Jose rips off roofs on Antigua.] Retrieved on 2007-07-21.] http://www.ifrc.org/docs/appeals/99/3199.pdf] In the village of Crab´s Hill, 64 of the 81 houses were ether seriously damaged or destroyed. The hurricane also disrupted 50% of telephone service and 90% of the homes were left without electricity. A wind gust of 102 mph (164 km/h) was reported by the Antigua Meteorological Service on the 20th.Caribbean Hurricane Network. [http://stormcarib.com/hurr99c.htm The Caribbean Hurricane Page: Updates from the Islands - 1999 Season.] Retrieved on 2007-07-21.]

Rest of Caribbean

In St. Kitts and Nevis, flooding was the principal hazard as several main roads were washed out and landslides were reported. In St Maarten, rainfall totaled to convert|13.75|in|mm, though much of the Leeward Islands received 12 to convert|15|in|mm of rain. Because of the rain, numerous mudslides and flash floods were reported, damaging buildings and roads. One person was reported have perished due to the storm's ferocity. Dominica received no more than a little rain, only being persistent for one morning.A Virtual Dominica. [http://www.avirtualdominica.com/hurricanejose.htm Hurricane Jose.] Retrieved on 2007-07-21.] Damage in Puerto Rico was minimal, though up to convert|5|in|mm of rain fell in some areas on the island. The highest reported rainfall there was convert|6.54|in|mm in Rio Blanco Lower. [David M. Roth. [http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/jose1999.html Hurricane Jose Rainfall Page.] Retrieved on 2007-07-21.]

Aftermath

After the storm, several villages in Antigua and Barbuda were declared disaster areas and Red Cross workers were called to clean up the damage.

Lack of retirement

Despite the damage, the name Jose was not retired by the World Meteorological Organization in the spring of 2000 and so it was used again in 2005 Atlantic hurricane season for a moderate tropical storm and is currently on the list of names for the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season.

See also

* Tropical cyclone
* List of tropical cyclones
* List of Atlantic hurricanes

External links

* [http://www.ifrc.org/docs/appeals/99/3199.pdf Antigua and Barbuda Damage report]
* [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1999jose.html Jose report]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/481054.stm BBC News]
* [http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/ACOS-64CFMH?OpenDocument Jose Damage report]
* [http://www.usatoday.com/weather/huricane/1999/atlantic/wjantigua.htm Associated Press]
* [http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/1999/10/22/fpage_8.htm Irish Examiner]
* [http://1001resources.com/hosting/users/AT/news/Jose/reports/PM/Frame1.html The Prime Minister of Antigua's address to the nation about Jose]

References