Hurricane Edith (1971)

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Hurricane Edith
Yucatán, Northeastern Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina
IBTrACSEdit this at Wikidata
Part of the 1971 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Edith was the strongest

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. Being a category 5 hurricane, Edith peaked at only 943 mbar (hPa), making Edith the least intense category 5 Atlantic hurricane on record. It quickly lost intensity over Central America and after briefly entering the Gulf of Honduras it crossed the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. After moving across the Gulf of Mexico a trough turned the storm to the northeast and Edith, after having restrengthened while accelerating towards the coast, made landfall on Louisiana with winds of 105 mph (169 km/h) on September 16. Edith steadily weakened over land and dissipated over Georgia
on September 18.

The hurricane killed two people when it passed near

Fujita Scale, damaged several homes and injured multiple people in Baton Rouge. The tornado outbreak extended eastward into Florida, of which a few destroyed entire buildings. Damage in the United States totaled US$
25 million (1971 USD, $188 million 2022 USD).

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

reconnaissance flight that confirmed the existence of a low-level circulation, it is estimated the system developed into a tropical depression on September 5 while located 255 miles (410 km) east of Grenada.[1]

The depression moved westward quickly, and moved through the southern

low persisted about 750 miles (1,210 km) northwest of the storm, Edith moved west-northwestward due to the influence of a narrow and persistent ridge of high pressure, which extended from the southwestern Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. As the storm continued into open waters of the Caribbean, the upper-level low gradually weakened and was replaced with an anticyclone. This allowed the storm to strengthen further, and on September 8, Edith became a hurricane in the south-central Caribbean Sea.[1]

On September 9, the storm

rapidly intensified, and within 24 hours, Edith strengthened from a minimal hurricane to a powerful 160 mph (260 km/h) Category 5 hurricane just off the coast of Nicaragua. The cause for the explosive deepening is unknown, though it is speculated that the transformation in the upper troposphere from an upper-level low to an anticyclone led to a release of baroclinic energy. Reconnaissance aircraft crews in the peak of the storm reported extreme turbulence, causing concern for the safety of the crews. At its peak intensity, the very well-defined "pinhole" eye was only 5 miles (8.0 km) in diameter. Late on September 9, Hurricane Edith made landfall on northeastern Nicaragua at Cabo Gracias a Dios.[1]

Radar image of Edith at peak intensity

Hurricane Edith rapidly weakened over the mountainous terrain of northeastern Central America, and 18 hours after it made landfall, it emerged into the

Hurricane Fern, which developed and moved over the northwestern portion of the Gulf of Mexico. The anticyclone resulted in an easterly upper-level flow across Edith, creating conditions not conducive for intensification.[3] As Fern moved inland over Texas, the flow became more favorable around Edith, and 36 hours after entering the Gulf of Mexico, the storm began to reintensify slightly.[1]

Edith continued moving to the west-northwest, heading towards the coast of Mexico, but early on September 14, the storm stalled while located just off the coast of

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. Edith rapidly weakened over land, degenerating into a tropical storm over Louisiana, and into a tropical depression over Mississippi. It continued to the east-northeast, and dissipated over northwestern Georgia on September 18.[1]

Preparations

Fourteen hours prior to Edith making landfall in Central America, the National Hurricane Center warned citizens about the extreme danger of the approaching hurricane, and asked them to prepare for hurricane conditions. While the storm was located in the Gulf of Mexico, the National Hurricane Center issued a Hurricane Warning from Cameron to Morgan City, Louisiana eighteen hours before the hurricane made landfall. Edith later struck land in the middle portion of the warning area.[4]

In Belize, officials ordered the mandatory evacuation of low-lying areas, resulting in hundreds of residents leaving to the United States through the international airport. Officials sent police troops to maintain order and prevent looting.[5]

In the

prepared for the hurricane by purchasing emergency supplies. Officials closed schools throughout much of southern Louisiana.[6]

Impact

Caribbean

Edith entering the Gulf of Honduras

While passing through the southern Lesser Antilles, the tropical depression produced heavy rainfall and winds of around 35 mph (56 km/h).[2] Edith produced tropical storm force winds in Aruba, and gusts reached 60 mph (97 km/h). Two fishermen were reported lost at sea and presumed dead as a result of Edith.[1]

Edith produced strong winds across northeastern

fishing boats as well.[10] While the hurricane reportedly destroyed entire villages,[11] no deaths occurred in Honduras.[1]

Offshore islands in Belize reported winds of up to 60 mph (97 km/h).[1] Edith produced flooding in a few towns in the southern portion of the country, with some buildings damaged. Heavy damage was reported near Monkey River Town.[5] Impact in Mexico, if any, is unknown.

United States

Rainfall from Edith

Two stations in Texas recorded sustained tropical force winds, and

Sabine Pass.[1] The passage of Hurricane Edith resulted in downed trees and power lines, and damage totaling US$180,000 (1971 dollars, $900,000 in 2006 dollars).[12]

Off the coast of Louisiana, the hurricane wrecked three boats, but all the occupants were safely rescued.[11] While making landfall in Louisiana, Edith resulted in above normal tides of up to 9.7 feet (3.0 m) above normal at Cypremont Point near Morgan City.[1] The highest winds reported by a land station were 69 mph (111 km/h) at Cameron, where a wind gust of 96 mph (154 km/h) was also reported. However, due to the lack of recording instruments near the hurricane's landing point, whether higher winds occurred there is not known, although likely.[7] Rainfall was moderate across Louisiana, including amounts of over 8 inches (200 mm) in the southwestern portion of the state.[1] A strong rainband well ahead of the hurricane,[1] combined with the intrusion of dry air into the hurricane's circulation, produced 16 tornadoes from Louisiana to Alabama.[13] An F3 tornado touched down in the eastern residential suburbs of Baton Rouge, causing heavy property damage totaling $2.5 million (1971 dollars$, 18.8 million in 2023 dollars) along its intermittent 7 miles (11 km) path. The tornado also injured three people.[1][14] An F2 tornado in Tangipahoa Parish caused $250,000 in damage (1971 dollars$, 1.88 million in 2023 dollars) along its 4-mile (6.4 km) path,[15] while an F1 tornado in St. Martin Parish injured 6 people on its 3-mile (4.8 km) path.[16] The hurricane caused extensive damage to the sugar cane crop in southwestern Louisiana.[7] About a month after Edith struck the United States, President Richard Nixon declared portions of Louisiana as a disaster area, which allocated relief funds to aid the affected citizens.[17]

In Mississippi, wind gusts peaked at 70 mph (110 km/h) in Hattiesburg, with multiple locations reporting tropical-storm-force winds. Additionally, Edith produced moderate rainfall peaking at 6.15 inches (156 mm) in Liberty. In Alabama, the storm caused light rains, moderate wind gusts, and a storm tide of 2.7 feet (0.82 m) in Mobile.[1] Edith spawned four tornadoes in Alabama, three of which were F2 tornadoes. Two touched down in Baldwin County; one destroyed two homes and damaged several others, and the other destroyed two mobile homes, a few barns, and damaged ten houses. Two tornadoes also touched down in Washington County, one of which destroyed several small buildings and downed a few trees.[18] In Florida, Edith produced slightly above-normal tides and light rain. It spawned a tornado in Pensacola, Florida,[1] injuring one person and inflicting $25,000 in damage (1971 dollars, $125,000 in 2006 dollars).[19] Damage throughout the United States totaled $25 million (1971 dollars$, 188 million in 2023 dollars), primarily from crop damage in southwest Louisiana. No deaths were reported in the United States.[1]

See also

  • Other storms of the same name
  • List of Category 5 Atlantic hurricanes
  • Hurricane Wilma (2005) – The most intense Atlantic hurricane on record that rapidly strengthened to Category 5 intensity in a similar area
  • Hurricane Felix (2007) – The southern-most landfall Category 5 hurricane on record, which caused disastrous impacts across Central America
  • Hurricane Eta (2020) – A Category 4 hurricane that caused devastating impacts across Central America

References

  1. ^
    S2CID 119771736. Archived from the original
    (PDF) on September 23, 2008. Retrieved April 30, 2010.
  2. ^ a b c John Hope (1971). "Hurricane Edith Preliminary Report Page 1". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 1, 2006.
  3. ^ John Hope (1971). "Hurricane Edith Preliminary Report Page 4". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 1, 2006.
  4. ^ John Hope (1971). "Hurricane Edith Preliminary Report Page 2". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 1, 2006.
  5. ^ a b Staff Writer (September 11, 1971). "Honduras town in hurricane path evacuated". United Press International.
  6. ^ Staff Writer (September 16, 1971). "Thousands flee Hurricane Edith's fury". Nashua Telegraph. Associated Press. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
  7. ^ a b c John Hope (1971). "Hurricane Edith Preliminary Report Page 5". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 1, 2006.
  8. ^ Organization of American States. "Chapter 12- Hurricane Hazards". Retrieved October 21, 2006.
  9. ^ Century-of-flying.net. "World Aviation in 1971". Retrieved November 1, 2006.
  10. ^ "Hurricane Edith Rips Honduras". Oakland Tribune. No. 253. Oakland, California. United Press International. September 10, 1971. p. 18F. Retrieved July 3, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ a b "Hurricane Batters Louisiana". The Indianapolis News. No. 253. Indianapolis, Indiana. United Press International. September 10, 1971. p. 1. Retrieved July 3, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ a b David Roth (2000). "Texas Hurricane History: Late 20th Century". National Weather Service. Archived from the original on October 7, 2006. Retrieved November 1, 2006.
  13. ^ Lon Curtis (2004). "Mid-Level Dry Intrusions as a Factor in Tornado Outbreaks Associated with Landfalling Tropical Cyclones from the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico". Archived from the original on October 11, 2006. Retrieved November 1, 2006.
  14. ^ National Climatic Data Center (1971). "Event Report for Louisiana". Archived from the original on January 13, 2012. Retrieved November 1, 2006.
  15. ^ NCDC (1971). "Event Report for Louisiana (2)". Archived from the original on February 23, 2012. Retrieved November 1, 2006.
  16. ^ NCDC (1971). "Event Report for Louisiana (3)". Archived from the original on February 23, 2012. Retrieved November 1, 2006.
  17. ^ FEMA (2004). "Louisiana: Hurricane Edith". Archived from the original on October 2, 2006. Retrieved November 1, 2006.
  18. ^ Birmingham, Alabama National Weather Service (2006). "Alabama Tornado Database: September". Archived from the original on October 10, 2006. Retrieved November 1, 2006.
  19. ^ NCDC (1971). "Event Report for Florida". Archived from the original on February 23, 2012. Retrieved November 1, 2006.

External links

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