Hurricane Beulah

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This article is about the 1967 hurricane. For other storms of the same name, see List of storms named Beulah.
Hurricane Beulah
Category 5 hurricane on September 19
Meteorological history
FormedSeptember 5, 1967
DissipatedSeptember 22, 1967
Category 5 major hurricane
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds160 mph (260 km/h)
Lowest pressure921 mbar (hPa); 27.20 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities59 direct
Damage$235 million (1967 USD)
Areas affectedGreater Antilles, Yucatán Peninsula, Northeastern Mexico, South Texas
IBTrACSEdit this at Wikidata
Part of the 1967 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Beulah was an intense

Category 3 hurricane. It spawned 115 tornadoes across Texas, which established a new record for the highest amount of tornadoes produced by a tropical cyclone
. Due to its slow movement over Texas, Beulah led to significant flooding. Throughout its path, at least 59 people were killed and total damage reached $234.6 million (1967 USD), of which $200 million occurred in the United States, $26.9 million occurred in Mexico, and $7.65 million occurred in the eastern Caribbean.

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

On August 22, 1967, an

UTC that day, with its center situated roughly 175 mi (282 km) east-northeast of Barbados.[2]

A slow-moving system, the depression steadily organized as it approached the

Saffir–Simpson hurricane scale (SSHS).[2] Upon reaching this strength, weather radar imagery from San Juan, Puerto Rico showed that Beulah featured a 15 mi (24 km) wide eye, surrounded by an intense eyewall about 8 mi (13 km) thick.[4]

Radar images of Hurricane Beulah from 21:30 UTC on September 9 to 03:30 UTC on September 10, depicting its eyewall replacement cycle

During the evening of September 9, Beulah turned westward as weak

Tropical Storm Doria.[3] The powerful storm weakened somewhat as an eyewall replacement cycle began to take shape. During this phase, the inner-eye of Beulah contracted to roughly 3–4 mi (4.8–6.4 km) in diameter while a second eyewall spanned an area 28 mi (45 km) across. The smaller eye soon dissipated, and the larger one became the single, dominant feature by the morning of September 10. The completion of this process marked the first time that an eyewall replacement cycle was observed in its entirety.[4] The aforementioned westward turn placed the Dominican Republic in the line of danger, an area still reeling from the devastating effects of Hurricane Inez just one year prior. However, the storm unexpectedly collapsed as it approached the Barahona Peninsula and struck the area as a greatly weakened, though still significant, Category 1 hurricane, with estimated winds of 90 mph (140 km/h) around 18:00 UTC on September 11.[3][2]

Skirting the southern coast of

Havana, Cuba.[3][2][5]

Doria
(middle), and Chloe (top), on September 17

Moving through the climatologically favorable western Caribbean,

Rio Grande Valley region. Aircraft reconnaissance throughout the day found falling pressures and ultimately measured a value of 923 mbar (hPa; 27.26 inHg) around 18:00 UTC. This was the second-lowest pressure ever recorded by aircraft at the time, behind a 920 mbar (hPa; 27.17 inHg) measurement in Hurricane Hattie of 1961.[3] Beulah was estimated to have achieved its peak intensity shortly thereafter, as a Category 5 hurricane with maximum 1-minute sustained winds estimated at 160 mph (260 km/h).[2]

Regarded as the third-largest hurricane on record at the time,[6] Beulah moved along a slowing, erratic, and somewhat cycloidal path. Slight weakening ensued as it neared land and Beulah ultimately made its final landfall south of Brownsville, Texas, near the mouth of the Rio Grande around 13:00 UTC on September 20. No direct measurements exist at the core of the hurricane as it moved ashore; however, based on a minimum pressure of 951 mbar (hPa; 28.08 inHg) in Brownsville, the hurricane likely struck land with a central pressure below that value.[3] A vessel anchored in the Port of Brownsville measured peak wind gusts of 136 mph (219 km/h), equivalent to a low-end Category 4 hurricane.[5][6] According to the National Hurricane Center, Beulah struck as a Category 3 hurricane, and was originally thought to have had a central pressure of 950 mbar (hPa; 28.05 inHg) at landfall,[7] but a 2020 re-evaluation as part of the Atlantic hurricane reanalysis project lowered this to 940 mbar (27.76 inHg).[8] Once over land, the hurricane slowly weakened as it remained relatively close to the coast. Sustained winds dropped below hurricane-force on September 21, roughly 24 hours after landfall. The system subsequently stalled near Alice, Texas, before turning to the southwest.[3] It was initially thought that, after diminishing to a tropical depression late on September 22,[2] Beulah's circulation finally dissipated over the mountainous terrain of Nuevo León, Mexico;[3] however, the 2020 reanalysis concluded that Beulah survived through at least September 24, when it reemerged into the Gulf of Mexico, crossing the Mexican coast between the cities of Tampico and Tuxpan.[8] Due to a lack of suitable observations, it is unknown how much longer after this Beulah continued to exist as a tropical depression over the southern Gulf of Mexico before degenerating into an open trough.[8]

Preparations

NIMBUS satellite image of Hurricane Beulah over the Eastern Caribbean on September 9

Hispaniola

Following Beulah's rapid intensification on September 9, a

Barahona and Cabo Engaño in the Dominican Republic.[5]

Across the Dominican Republic, an estimated 200,000 people evacuated from coastal areas.[3]

United States

Beginning on the afternoon of September 17, people were advised to remain off the beaches of Padre, Mustang, and St. Joseph Islands. Immediate evacuation of Port Aransas and Mustang, Padre, and St. Joseph Islands was advised on the morning of September 19. Most residents and others on the islands evacuated, including the personnel of Padre Island National Seashore. About 40 persons remained on the islands, including about 20 at Port Aransas. Immediate evacuation of Rockport and Live Oak and Lamar Peninsulas was advised in the evening of September 19. These areas and the towns of Ingleside and Aransas Pass were nearly completely evacuated. About 50 persons remained in Rockport. The evacuation of the University of Corpus Christi was advised on the morning of September 20, and Corpus Christi Beach and parts of Flour Bluff were also evacuated. During the storm there were 30,000 people in shelters in Nueces and San Patricio Counties, including 6,000 in Corpus Christi.[9]

Impact

Eastern Caribbean

Rainfall from Hurricane Beulah in Puerto Rico

Prior to Beulah, a stationary trough over the Lesser Antilles produced torrential rainfall throughout the region, setting the stage for significant flooding.[3] On September 7, Beulah brought torrential rains to the already saturated region, with reports of more than 10 in (250 mm) received by the Weather Bureau. The French West Indies, and especially Martinique, suffering the brunt of the storm.[10] During an 18‑hour span, 11.85 in (301 mm) fell on the island. Severe flooding claimed 15 lives on Martinique and destroyed many homes.[3][11] Parts of Fort-de-France were inundated by 3 ft (0.91 m) of water while the Martinique International Airport saw 1 ft (0.30 m) of flooding. The banana crop sustained extensive losses.[10][11] Across the island nearly 1,000 residents were left homeless, including 400 in Fort-de-France.[12] Damage on the island amounted to $4.5 million.[3] Supplies of fresh water were severely limited for two days following the storm.[12]

Heavy rains triggered flooding and landslides across

St. Lucia reached $3 million, mainly stemming from the banana crop which was largely ruined.[3] The periphery of the hurricane brought rainfall primarily to southwestern Puerto Rico, where a maximum of 9.76 inches (248 mm) fell at Maricao.[14] One person lost their life on the island and damage was a minimal $150,000.[3]

Owing to effective evacuations, only two people lost their lives in the Dominican Republic. The core of Beulah impacted areas devastated by Hurricane Inez a year prior, leaving extensive damage in its wake.[3] Media reports indicated that more than 1,000 people were left homeless across the Barahona Peninsula.[15] Flash flooding affected the southern coasts of both the Dominican Republic and Haiti.[16]

Beulah had limited impact on Jamaica as it brushed the island as a weak tropical storm.[3] According to newspapers, gale-force winds affected the nation though there were no reports of damage.[17]

Mexico

Rainfall from Hurricane Beulah across Mexico and Texas

Striking

Cozumel Island and the Yucatán Peninsula on September 17 as a Category 2 hurricane, Beulah caused considerable damage and killed 11 people across the region. Wind gusts up to 125 mph (201 km/h) severed communication lines, downed power lines and felled trees.[5] The Puerto Morelos lighthouse on the Riviera Maya was undermined by the storm; it was never torn down and the leaning tower remains a tourist attraction in the area.[18] In Mérida, Yucatán, winds were recorded up to 75 mph (121 km/h). Under the force of the powerful winds, several structures collapsed across the Peninsula, resulting in six fatalities.[19] Nearly every buildings on Cozumel Island sustained damage, roughly half of which lost their roofs.[20] Four people were also killed in Playa del Carmen. Along the coast, Beulah's storm surge flooded areas within 600 yd (550 m) of the coastline, washing out roads and leaving "graveyards of boats."[19] Throughout the Yucatán Peninsula, an estimated 5,000 people were left homeless and at least 30,000 were affected by the storm.[21]

Throughout Mexico, Beulah killed 19 people.

Government of Mexico set up an air lift of food and medical supplies to isolated areas by September 18.[19]

United States

In Texas upon landfall, an 18 to 20 feet (5.5 to 6.1 m) storm surge inundated lower Padre Island. The force of the storm tide made 31 cuts completely through the barrier island.

Rio Grande Valley's citrus industry, based on cultivation of the famous "Ruby Red" grapefruit
, was particularly hard hit.

Damage and Flooding in Brownsville, Texas from Hurricane Beulah.

The lower Rio Grande Valley, the four-county region that comprises deep south Texas, was inundated with torrential rains. Within a 36‑hour period, the hurricane dropped over 27 inches (690 mm) of rain near Beeville, Texas.[25] Falfurrias received more rain from Beulah than it normally records during one year. Areas south of Laredo, San Antonio, and Matagorda were isolated for more than a week due to the resulting flood.[6] On September 28, President Lyndon Baines Johnson declared twenty-four counties in southern Texas a disaster area.[26]

Animal life in the region responded in various ways to survive. Ants survived the floods by congregating in spheres of living colonies and floated down streams to safety. Predaceous beetle larvae preyed on frogs and rodents. Crustaceans from the beaches migrated en masse to the protection of high ground.[27]

Hurricane Beulah caused an estimated US$200 million in damage. Sources report 15 total deaths in Texas from the storm.[3]

Retirement

See also: list of retired Atlantic hurricane names

Due to the number of fatalities and extensive damage the system caused from the Lesser Antilles to Texas, the name Beulah was retired following the 1967 season, and will never be used for an Atlantic basin tropical cyclone again.[28] It was replaced with Beth for the 1971 season.[29]

See also

References

  1. ^
    ISSN 1520-0493. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved October 3, 2014.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link
    )
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Atlantic hurricane best track (HURDAT version 2)" (Database). United States National Hurricane Center. April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2024. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. ^
    ISSN 1520-0493. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2007-06-29. Retrieved October 4, 2014.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link
    )
  4. ^
    ISSN 1520-0493. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved October 3, 2014.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link
    )
  5. ^ a b c d "Hurricane Beulah Preliminary Report with Advisories and Bulletins Issued" (PDF). Weather Bureau. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. September 29, 1967. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2016-12-14. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
  6. ^ a b c d David M. Roth (2010). Texas Hurricane History (PDF). National Weather Service (Report). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. pp. 51–52. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2010-05-28. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  7. ^ Eric S. Blake; Christopher W. Landsea; Ethan J. Gibney (August 2011). The Deadliest, Coastliest, and Most Intense United States Tropical Cyclones from 1851 to 2010 (and Other Frequently Requested Hurricane Facts) (PDF). National Hurricane Center (Report). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. p. 13. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2012-12-21. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
  8. ^ a b c Landsea, Christopher; Delgado, Sandy; Moses, Brenden (April 2020). 1967 Reanalysis (PDF) (Report). Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory Hurricane Research Division. pp. 152–174. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  9. ^ National Weather Service Office Corpus Christi, Texas. Hurricane Beulah. Archived 2007-07-09 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2007-06-23.
  10. ^ a b "Hurricane Beulah Belts Martinique and Antilles". The Lewiston Daily Sun. Miami, Florida. Associated Press. September 9, 1967. p. 1. Archived from the original on 2016-05-06. Retrieved September 23, 2014.
  11. ^ a b "Beulah Leaves 13 Dead On Martinique, Heads Toward Haiti". Lewiston Evening Journal. Miami, Florida. Associated Press. September 9, 1967. p. 13. Archived from the original on 2016-05-19. Retrieved September 23, 2014.
  12. ^ a b "Hurricane Beulah hits Martinique, kills 13". Redlands Daily Facts. Miami, Florida. United Press International. September 9, 1967. p. 1. Archived from the original on 2014-10-17. Retrieved October 8, 2014. – via Newspapers.com (subscription required)
  13. ^ "Beulah Kills Fifteen in Caribbean". The Winona Daily News. Miami, Florida. Associated Press. September 10, 1967. p. 1. Archived from the original on 2014-10-17. Retrieved October 8, 2014. – via Newspapers.com (subscription required)
  14. ^ David M. Roth. Hurricane Beulah Black Background, Color-Filled Image for Puerto Rico. Archived 2013-09-26 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-02-28.
  15. ^ "Beulah Aims For Jamaica; It Builds Up". The Winona Daily News. Miami, Florida. Associated Press. September 12, 1967. p. 1. Archived from the original on 2014-10-17. Retrieved October 8, 2014. – via Newspapers.com (subscription required)
  16. ^ "Weather Experts Eye Beulah As Hurricane Rebuilds Punch". Brownwood Bulletin. Associated Press. September 14, 1967. p. 1. Archived from the original on 2014-10-17. Retrieved October 8, 2014. – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
  17. ^ "Beulah Claws At Jamaica". The Daily Plainsman. Miami, Florida. Associated Press. September 12, 1967. p. 2. Archived from the original on 2014-10-18. Retrieved October 8, 2014. – via Newspapers.com (subscription required)
  18. ^ Lougheed, p. 6
  19. ^ a b c "Yucatán hard hit; Texas calm, braced for hurricane Beulah". The Bulletin. United Press International. September 18, 1967. p. 1. Archived from the original on 2016-05-15. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  20. ^ "Beulah Batters Yucatán, Stalls". St. Petersburg Times. United Press International. September 18, 1967. p. 1. Archived from the original on 2016-05-07. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  21. ^ "Mexicans Flee". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Associated Press. September 18, 1967. p. 1. Archived from the original on 2016-05-10. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  22. ^ Efraín Klérigan (September 16, 2013). "Sufre Tamaulipas 10 ciclones en 43 años" (in Spanish). Conexión Total. Archived from the original on September 20, 2013. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  23. ^ National Weather Service Office Houston/Galveston, Texas. PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT. Archived 2008-07-24 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2007-06-23.
  24. ^ Robert Orton. Tornadoes Associated With Hurricane Beulah on September 19-23, 1967. Archived 2007-07-01 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2007-06-23.
  25. ^ David M. Roth. Hurricane Beulah Rainfall Page. Archived 2013-09-21 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2007-06-23.
  26. ^ Texas State Historical Association. Hurricane Beulah wracks Texas coast. Archived 2008-05-16 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2007-06-23.
  27. ^ N. E. Flitters. Hurricane Beulah. A report in retrospect on the hurricane and its effect on biological processes in the Rio Grande Valley. Retrieved on 2007-06-23.
  28. ^ "Tropical Cyclone Naming History and Retired Names". Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  29. NOAA
    Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research. May 1971. p. 96. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
Works cited
  • Lougheed, Vivien (2009). Travel Adventures Yucatán – The Riviera Maya 4th Edition. Hunter Publishing Inc.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hurricane Beulah.
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