Hurricane Abby (1968)

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Hurricane Abby
Abby as a hurricane on June 6, 1968.
Meteorological history
FormedJune 1, 1968 (1968-06)
DissipatedJune 13, 1968 (1968-06-14)
Category 1 hurricane
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds75 mph (120 km/h)
Lowest pressure992 mbar (hPa); 29.29 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities6 indirect
Damage$450,000 (1968 USD)
Areas affectedCuba, Florida, Georgia, Carolinas
IBTrACSEdit this at Wikidata
Part of the 1968 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Abby made

Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale. However, early on June 4, Abby weakened to a tropical storm. Around midday on June 4, the system made landfall near Punta Gorda, Florida
as a strong tropical storm.

Initially, Abby weakened slightly after moving inland, but then maintained intensity while tracking slowly eastward across Florida. By midday on June 5, the system emerged into the Atlantic Ocean, but made another landfall near

The Carolinas, eventually re-emerging into the Atlantic from South Carolina early on June 11. By late on the following day, Abby made another landfall near Swansboro, North Carolina. The storm moved offshore again on June 13, before finally dissipating near the Delmarva Peninsula
.

Abby's slow movement produced heavy rains across Florida and the

USD
) in damage.

Meteorological history

Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

A mid-tropospheric

UTC on June 1, the system developed into Tropical Depression One, while situated about 55 miles (89 km) northeast of Guanaja, Honduras
.

When a weak cold front moved into the area, it generated convection, gaining enough organization to be called a tropical depression on June 1. The initial circulation was not embedded within the convection, but as it moved slowly north-northeastward, it was able to strengthen and become better organized, reaching tropical storm strength on the 2nd. It crossed the western tip of Cuba, and upon reaching the southeast Gulf of Mexico Abby achieved hurricane strength. Abby then reached a peak intensity 75 mph (121 km/h) and before weakening back to tropical storm strength.[1]

Abby soon made landfall as a tropical storm near

Jacksonville. Abby weakened to a tropical depression as it moved over Georgia, and over the next 6 days, it wandered around the Carolinas, finally dissipating on the 13th east of Virginia. The remnants of Abby were absorbed by a cold front the same day.[1]

Preparations

At 2200 UTC on June 2, the

Marco Island to Tarpon Springs, Florida, while gale warnings were extended northward to Cedar Key.[3] After about 24 hours, the hurricane warning was discontinued. Simultaneously, the gale warning area was revised to include from Venice to Tarpon Springs on the west coast and from Palm Beach to Jacksonville on the east coast.[4] Late on June 4, gale warnings on the west coast of Florida were discontinued.[5] The gale warning was changed to a storm warning from Melbourne to Jacksonville late on June 5. Simultaneously, a hurricane watch was posted for the same areas.[6] The remaining portion of the gale warning, south of Melbourne, was discontinued at 1000 UTC on June 6. Around that time, the storm warning and hurricane watch were extended further north to Charleston, South Carolina.[7] Six hours later, the hurricane watch was discontinued for areas south of Daytona Beach, Florida.[8] At 1900 UTC on June 6, the storm warning was discontinued at and south of St. Augustine, Florida, while the entire hurricane watch was canceled.[9] Three hours later, the storm warning was condensed to include only Fernandina Beach, Florida to Charleston.[10] The storm warning was canceled south of Savannah, Georgia at 1000 UTC on June 7.[11] Four hours later, the remaining storm warning, from Savannah to Charleston, was discontinued.[12]

In May, the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) scheduled a mock preparation session for the 1968 Atlantic hurricane season. However, as Abby approached, the USACE was faced with a real threat. About 100 men from the Clewiston area filled and placed sand bags around Lake Okeechobee and secure equipment. Additionally, other residents were warned of potential evacuation procedures.[13] In Hillsborough County, about 30 schools were listed as available for shelters.[14]

On June 4, military personnel from

Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. Tanker planes of the 306th and 909th squadrons were diverted to Loring Air Force Base in Maine while other air squadrons were placed on alert.[15]

Impact

Rainfall totals from Hurricane Abby.

In

Isle of Pines and wind gusts up to 50 mph were reported. There were no reports of damage or fatalities from Abby's impact on Cuba.[1]

Abby dropped 4–8 inches (102–203 mm) of rain across southern and western Florida. The highest rainfall total was 14.65 inches (372 mm) in

Cape Kennedy around 8:10 am, but it never touched the ground.[17]

The state of

USD) in damage. Elsewhere in North Carolina, rainfall was moderate as the storm dropped 2-11 inches (50.8–279 mm) of rain across North Carolina. There were no fatalities from Abby's impact on North Carolina.[1][18]

Overall, Abby left six fatalities and $450,000 (1968

USD) in damage.[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f National Hurricane Center (1968) 1968 Monthly Weather Review URL Accessed: September 20, 2006
  2. ^ Simpson, Robert H. (June 2, 1968). Tropical Storm Advisory Number 2 Abby. National Hurricane Center (Report). Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved December 21, 2013.
  3. ^ Simpson, Robert H. (June 3, 1968). Hurricane Advisory Number 5 Abby. National Hurricane Center (Report). Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved December 21, 2013.
  4. ^ Simpson, Robert H. (June 4, 1968). Hurricane Advisory Number 9 Abby. National Hurricane Center (Report). Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved December 21, 2013.
  5. ^ Frank, Neil L. (June 4, 1968). Hurricane Advisory Number 10 Tropical Storm Abby. National Hurricane Center (Report). Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved December 21, 2013.
  6. ^ Sugg, Arnold L. (June 4, 1968). Hurricane Advisory Number 14 Tropical Storm Abby. National Hurricane Center (Report). Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved December 21, 2013.
  7. ^ Craft, Raymond H. (June 6, 1968). Hurricane Advisory Number 16 Tropical Storm Abby. National Hurricane Center (Report). Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved December 21, 2013.
  8. ^ Sugg, Arnold L. (June 6, 1968). Hurricane Advisory Number 17 Tropical Storm Abby. National Hurricane Center (Report). Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved December 21, 2013.
  9. ^ Sugg, Arnold L. (June 6, 1968). Tropical Storm Bulletin Abby. National Hurricane Center (Report). Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved December 21, 2013.
  10. ^ Sugg, Arnold L. (June 6, 1968). Tropical Storm Advisory Number 18 Abby. National Hurricane Center (Report). Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved December 21, 2013.
  11. ^ Kraft, Raymond H. (June 7, 1968). Tropical Storm Advisory Number 20 Abby. National Hurricane Center (Report). Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved December 21, 2013.
  12. ^ Kraft, Raymond H. (June 7, 1968). Tropical Storm Bulletin Abby. National Hurricane Center (Report). Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved December 21, 2013.
  13. ^ "Mock Alert Is Rushed". Tampa Bay Times. Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 1968. Retrieved December 21, 2013.
  14. ^ "Disaster Agencies 'Ready To Move' in Emergency". Tampa Bay Times. Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. June 3, 1968. Retrieved December 21, 2013.
  15. ^ U.S. Air Force Arc Light/Young Tiger - Unit Augmentation URL Accessed: September 20, 2006
  16. ^ a b David Roth (2009-02-15) Hurricane Abby - June 2-13, 1968. Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved on 2012-04-06.
  17. ^ Abby Tropical Cyclone Report Page 2
  18. ^ NOAA Hurricanes in North Carolina Archived 2007-03-11 at the Wayback Machine URL Accessed: September 21, 2006
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