Hurricane Anna (1961)

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Hurricane Anna
Black and white satellite image of a tropical cyclone, located near the center of the image. The cyclone has signs of rotation, but due to the low quality of the image, lacks definitive features. As a result of the image angle, the curvature of the Earth is visible to the left of the image.
Anna near peak intensity on July 21
Meteorological history
FormedJuly 20, 1961 (1961-07-20)
DissipatedJuly 24, 1961 (1961-07-25)
Category 2 hurricane
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds105 mph (165 km/h)
Lowest pressure976 mbar (hPa); 28.82 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities1 direct
Damage$300,000 (1961 USD)
Areas affectedVenezuela, Leeward Antilles, Colombia, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Belize, Guatemala, Mexico
IBTrACSEdit this at Wikidata
Part of the 1961 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Anna impacted

Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale. Intensification continued, and on July 22, Anna peaked with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (169 km/h). The hurricane then weakened slightly while approaching the coast of Honduras. Further weakening occurred; when Anna made landfall in Belize (then known as British Honduras
) on July 24, winds decreased to 80 mph (130 km/h). Anna rapidly weakened over land and dissipated later that day.

As a developing tropical cyclone over the Leeward Islands, Anna produced strong winds over Grenada, though damage was limited to some crops, trees, and telephone poles. Other islands experienced gusty winds, but no damage. Passing just north of Venezuela, the hurricane produced strong winds over the country, peaking as high as 70 mph (110 km/h). Strong winds caused widespread damage in northern Honduras. Throughout the country, at least 36 homes were destroyed and 228 were damaged. Severe damage in the Gracias a Dios Department left hundreds of people homeless. Additionally, high winds toppled approximately 5,000 coconut trees. Overall, Anna caused a fatality and $300,000 in damage (1961 USD),[nb 1] primarily in Central America.

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

The origins of Hurricane Anna were likely from an

UTC on July 20,[4] as confirmed by a reconnaissance aircraft flight.[3]

Situated about 25 miles (40 km) east-northeast of

barometric pressure of 976 mbar (28.8 inHg). Early on July 23, Anna weakened to a Category 1 hurricane while approaching the northern coast of Honduras. Around 12:00 UTC on the following day, Anna made landfall in a rural area of Stann Creek District, Belize, with winds of 80 mph (130 km/h). Late on July 24, the system weakened to a tropical storm and then dissipated.[4]

Preparations

The United States Weather Bureau issued

tropical cyclone watches and warnings for Venezuela, Curaçao, Bonaire and Aruba.[5] In Jamaica, meteorologists forecast that the storm would bypass the island to the south without causing any effects.[6] As Anna continued westward, it was predicted to make landfall in either northern Nicaragua or southeastern Honduras. Residents in those countries were advised to take precautions ahead of the storm.[7][8] Central Americans residing along Gulf of Honduras were also warned about 10 feet (3.0 m) tides and strong winds.[9] As the storm neared Honduras, small boats and other water craft were advised to remain in port.[10] Additionally, a hurricane watch was posted for the Swan Islands.[11] In Belize, the threat of the storm forced 100 residents to evacuate their homes, while numerous businesses were closed down. At Belize Harbor, many ships and boats were moved upstream inland.[12] The hurricane was also forecast to bring heavy rainfall to the mountainous areas of Belize, causing a concern for flash flooding.[13] Additionally, Belize's Church Welfare Service began to ship clothing and other materials in anticipation of the hurricane.[12]

Impact

The precursor to Hurricane Anna.

In

ABC Islands, the storm produced winds of 50–70 mph (80–113 km/h) in Curaçao, Los Hermanos and La Blanquilla;[5] A weather station in Aruba reported winds of 50 mph (80 km/h).[14]

In Honduras, damage from Anna was moderate and limited to the Atlantic coast. A weather station in

Útila.[16] Damage from Anna in Honduras amounted to $300,000.[3] One person drowned and 12 other were injured, and victims required food and medical aid in Anna's wake.[17] In Belize, Anna produced waves 7–10 ft (2.1–3.0 m) and gusty winds.[13] Though unspecific, there were reports of considerable damage in the country.[3]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ All damage figures are in 1961 United States dollar, unless otherwise noted

References

  1. ^
    doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1962)090<0507:SPATOO>2.0.CO;2
    . Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  2. ^ a b Higgs, Ralph L. (August 4, 1961). Report on Hurricane Anna – July 20, 1961 (Report). San Juan, Puerto Rico: San Juan Weather Bureau Office, as archived by the National Hurricane Center. p. 1. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  3. ^
    doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1962)090<0107:THSO>2.0.CO;2
    . Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  4. ^ a b c "Atlantic hurricane best track (HURDAT version 2)" (Database). United States National Hurricane Center. April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2024. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  5. ^ a b Ralph L. Higgs (August 4, 1961). Report on Hurricane Anna - July 20, 1961. U.S. Weather Bureau Office San Juan, Puerto Rico (Report). San Juan, Puerto Rico: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; National Hurricane Center. p. 2. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  6. ^ a b "Anna Should Miss Jamaica". The Daily Gleaner. 1961.
  7. ^ "Hurricane's Sight Set on North Coast of Nicaragua". The Daily Courier. United Press International. 1961.
  8. Newspapers.com
    .
  9. Newspapers.com
    .
  10. ^ "Hurricanes Path Leading to Honduras". Sunday Gazette-Mail. United Press International. 1961.
  11. Newspapers.com
    .
  12. ^ a b "Anna British Honduras Bound last night". The Daily Gleaner. 1961.
  13. ^
    Newspapers.com
    .
  14. ^ a b Ralph L. Higgs (August 4, 1961). Report on Hurricane Anna - July 20, 1961. U.S. Weather Bureau Office San Juan, Puerto Rico (Report). San Juan, Puerto Rico: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; National Hurricane Center. p. 11. Retrieved December 3, 2013.
  15. ^ Record Of Observations Made By Honduran Govt. Weather Station Tela, Honduras. Tela Railroad Co. (Report). San Juan, Puerto Rico: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; National Hurricane Center. July 27, 1961. p. 2. Retrieved December 3, 2013.
  16. ^ a b c Etat; Gordon E. Dunn (August 4, 1961). Report on Hurricane Anna. U.S. Weather Bureau Office Miami, Florida (Report). Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; National Hurricane Center. p. 11. Retrieved December 3, 2013.{{cite report}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  17. ^
    Newspapers.com
    .
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