Hurricane Brenda (1973)
Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | August 18, 1973 |
Dissipated | August 22, 1973 |
Category 1 hurricane | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Highest winds | 90 mph (150 km/h) |
Lowest pressure | 977 mbar (hPa); 28.85 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 10 |
Areas affected | Cayman Islands, Mexico |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1973 Atlantic hurricane season |
Hurricane Brenda of August 1973 was the first
Brenda made two landfalls in Mexico: first in the Yucatan and later in Campeche. Little damage resulted from the storm throughout the Yucatan Peninsula. However, severe damage took place in areas near Brenda's second landfall. A total of 10 people were killed by the hurricane and over 2,000 more were left homeless. Flooding caused by Brenda was considered to be the worst in over 25 years in some places.
Meteorological history
Hurricane Brenda originated from a
Roughly 24 hours after landfall, the center of Brenda passed directly over the city of Mérida, Yucatán. By this time, a strong ridge over southern Texas and northern Mexico caused the storm to take an unusual southwest turn. Later on August 20, the center of Brenda moved into the Gulf of Mexico, specifically the Bay of Campeche.[1] Once back over water, Brenda began to quickly intensify, attaining hurricane status later that day.[2] The next day, a well-defined eye had developed and the storm attained its peak intensity as a high-end Category 1 hurricane with winds of 90 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 977 mbar (hPa; 28.85 inHg).[1][2] Around this time, the tropical storm force winds extended out 150 mi (240 km) to the north and 75 mi (121 km) to the south.[3] The storm made landfall later that day near Ciudad del Carmen, Mexico at this intensity, becoming the first hurricane to strike the region on record. After moving inland, Brenda rapidly weakened to a depression by the morning of August 22 and dissipated later that day.[1]
Impact and aftermath
The tropical wave that spawned Brenda produced significant amounts of rainfall in the Cayman Islands as it became better organized. Upwards of 4 in (100 mm) was recorded on Grand Cayman on August 17.[1] Following its first landfall in the northern Yucatan, Brenda produced heavy rainfall and high winds,[4] gusting near 70 mph (110 km/h). Along the coast, waves were recorded up to 20 ft (6.1 m).[1] Offshore, a freighter with 25 crewman became trapped in the storm after its engines failed.[5] The United States Coast Guard responded to the distress call sent out by the ship once Brenda had moved into the Gulf of Mexico on August 21.[6]
Already suffering from severe flooding that killed at least 18 people and left 200,000 homeless, Hurricane Brenda worsened the situation with torrential rainfall and additional flooding.
See also
- 1973 Atlantic hurricane season
- Other storms of the same name
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Paul J. Herbert and Neil L. Frank (January 28, 1974). "Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1973" (PDF). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 28, 2009.
- ^ a b c d Hurricane Specialists Unit (2009). "Easy to Read HURDAT 1851-2008". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 28, 2009.
- ^ United Press International (August 21, 1973). "Hurricane Brenda Whirls Southwest". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved September 28, 2009.
- ^ a b United Press International (August 22, 1973). "Brenda Slashes Into Mexico; 2 Persons Killed". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved September 28, 2009.
- ^ a b United Press International (August 22, 1973). "Brenda Sloshes Into Mexico; 2 Persons Killed". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved September 20, 2009.
- ^ "Hurricane drifting off coast of Mexico". The Free-Lance Star. Associated Press. August 21, 1973. Retrieved September 28, 2009.
- ^ a b Staff Writer (August 20, 1973). "Hurricane Brenda Heightens Flooding Misery in Mexico". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 20, 2009.
- ^ Francis B. Kent (August 30, 1973). "Torrential Rains Hamper Hunt for Quake Victims in Mexico". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 20, 2009.
- ^ "Nearly 500 Die in Mexico Quake". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. August 29, 1973. Retrieved September 28, 2009.
- ^ Staff Writer (August 22, 2009). "A 36 años, recuerdan la furia de "Brenda"" (in Spanish). Grupo Editorial Milenio. Archived from the original on August 30, 2009. Retrieved September 21, 2009.
External links