Hurricane Erika (1997)
Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | September 3, 1997 |
Extratropical | September 14, 1997 |
Dissipated | September 20, 1997 |
Category 3 hurricane | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Highest winds | 125 mph (205 km/h) |
Lowest pressure | 946 mbar (hPa); 27.94 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 2 direct |
Damage | $10 million (1997 USD) |
Areas affected | Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico, Azores |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1997 Atlantic hurricane season |
Hurricane Erika was the strongest and longest-lasting
The hurricane produced light rainfall and winds throughout the northern
Meteorological history
A large
Erika continued to the west-northwest, and in the early hours of September 4, an
After passing about 350 miles (560 km) east of Bermuda on September 10, Erika turned to the east-northeast in response to westerly steering currents. Increased upper-level wind shear weakened the hurricane to a tropical storm on September 12. Erika continued to weaken as it turned to the east-southeast, though it maintained deep convection near the center despite unfavorable atmospheric conditions. On September 14 the storm turned to the northeast again, and re-strengthened to reach winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) while located 510 miles (820 km) west-southwest of the Azores. On September 15 Erika passed near the western Azores islands, and quickly weakened as deep convection diminished. Erika became an extratropical cyclone on September 16 north of the Azores, and after executing a clockwise loop, the extratropical storm dissipated on September 19 about 230 miles (370 km) southwest of Ireland.[2]
Preparations
Early in the storm's development, forecasting Erika's motion was difficult, with a persistent leftward bias in official forecasts. In response to Erika's threat, the government of Saint Martin first issued a tropical storm warning late on September 4. The next day, the respective governments of Antigua, Montserrat, Barbuda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Anguilla, Dominica, Guadeloupe, and Saint Barthélemy issued tropical storm warnings for their islands. When Erika's motion resulted in a path that would take it closer to the islands, all of the aforementioned islands excluding Guadeloupe upgraded the tropical storm warning to a hurricane warning. In addition, a hurricane watch was issued for the British and United States Virgin Islands, as well as Puerto Rico. In public advisories, the National Hurricane Center stated tropical storm conditions were likely to be experienced in the Azores.[2] Early forecasts anticipated a threat to the island of Bermuda.[3]
The governments of the islands in the predicted path of Erika urged residents to quickly prepare for the hurricane through radio addresses. In the wake of busy seasons in 1995 and 1996, which some islands were still recovering from, emergency preparations began.[4] In Puerto Rico, fishermen secured their boats in preparation for the storm. Also on the island, citizens formed long lines at gas stations and purchased emergency supplies. Officials in Anguilla enacted a plan that would turn off the island's power supply if the winds exceeded 50 mph (80 km/h).[5] As a precaution, authorities on Saint Martin enacted a curfew for all but those in service jobs.[6]
Impact
Hurricane Erika produced strong waves and high low-level winds throughout the Lesser Antilles. Just weeks after the eruption of the Soufrière Hills Volcano on Montserrat, the storm blew a cloud of falling ash over Antigua. Tropical storm-force winds affected several of the islands in the Lesser Antilles.[2]
Winds from Hurricane Erika peaked at 37 mph (60 km/h) with a gust of 47 mph (76 km/h) in the
The outer rainbands of Erika passed over Puerto Rico, producing maximum sustained winds of 23 mph (37 km/h) and a peak wind gust of 42 mph (68 km/h) at the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport. The wind gusts snapped tree branches into power lines, leaving up to 12,000 people without power in San Juan, Guaynabo and Bayamón. Rainfall was light on the island, with Caguas reporting a peak total of 0.77 inches (20 mm). The hurricane produced swells of 10 to 12 ft (3.0 to 3.7 m) on the northern coast of Puerto Rico, causing beach erosion or coastal flooding. One road was closed when sections of it were flooded or washed out. The strong waves forced the evacuation of eight families in the northern portion of the island.[9] The strong waves killed two surfers in the northeastern waters of the island.[2] Damage in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands totaled to $10 million (1997 USD, $12.6 million 2006 USD) in a preliminary estimate.[10]
Thirty-one ships encountered Erika from September 4, when it was a tropical storm, to September 18, when it was extratropical. Two recorded hurricane-force winds, with a peak wind report of 99 mph (159 km/h). The lowest recorded pressure by a ship was 1000.4
See also
References
- ^ Miles Lawrence (1997-10-01). "September Monthly Tropical Weather Summary". National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original (TXT) on 2012-10-25. Retrieved 2006-11-12.
- ^ a b c d e f g Miles B. Lawrence (1997-10-24). "Hurricane Erika Tropical Cyclone Report" (PDF). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2011-10-25.
- ^ "Hurricane Erika Swirls out over Atlantic". Reuters. 1997-09-10. Retrieved 2006-11-12.
- ^ Michelle Faul (1997-09-06). "Hurricane Erika Headed for Montserrat, Antigua". Associated Press. Retrieved 2011-10-25.
- ^ Syracuse Post-Standard (1997-09-06). "Islanders, yachters prepare for the wrath of Hurricane Erika".
- ^ Suzanne Gordon (1997-09-06). "Hurricane Erika Spares Leeward Islands So Far". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2006-11-12.
- ^ National Climatic Data Center (1997). "Storm Events Database, St. Thomas/St. John". Retrieved 2019-07-31.
- ^ National Climatic Data Center (1997). "Storm Events Database, St. Croix". Retrieved 2019-07-31.
- ^ National Climatic Data Center (1997). "Storm Events Database, Puerto Rico". Retrieved 2006-11-11.
- ^ a b Usatoday.com (1999-06-11). "Erika swipes Caribbean, hits Azores". USA Today. Archived from the original on 2009-02-27. Retrieved 2006-11-12.