Hurricane Hattie
Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | October 27, 1961 |
Dissipated | November 1, 1961 |
Category 5 major hurricane | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Highest winds | 165 mph (270 km/h) |
Lowest pressure | 914 mbar (hPa); 26.99 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 319 |
Damage | $60.3 million (1961 USD) |
Areas affected | British Honduras (Belize), Guatemala, Honduras |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1961 Atlantic hurricane season |
Hurricane Hattie was the strongest and deadliest
Hattie first affected the southwestern Caribbean, where it produced hurricane-force winds and caused one death on
Meteorological history
For a few days toward the end of October 1961, a
After being classified, Hattie moved steadily northward, passing very near or over San Andres Island. A station on the island recorded a pressure of 991 mbar (29.3 inHg) and sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h), which indicated that Hattie had reached hurricane status.
With the strengthening ridge to its north, Hattie began restrengthening after retaining the same intensity for about 24 hours.
Hattie maintained much of its intensity as it continued toward the coast of British Honduras. After moving through several small islands offshore, the hurricane made landfall a short distance south of Belize City on October 31, with an eyewall of about 25 miles (40 km) in diameter.[3] Based on a post-season analysis, it was determined that Hattie had weakened to winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) before moving ashore. During landfall, a ship anchored between Belize City and Stann Creek registered a minimum central pressure of 924 mbar (27.3 inHg).[4] The hurricane deteriorated rapidly over land, dissipating on November 1 as it moved into the mountains of Guatemala. During its dissipation, Tropical Storm Simone was developing off the Pacific coast of Guatemala,[3][4] however, later analysis concluded that Simone was not a tropical cyclone at all. Later, Tropical Storm Inga formed from a complex interaction with the remnants of Hattie and nearby disturbed weather.[6]
Preparations
Upon initiating advisories on Hattie, the Miami Weather Bureau noted the potential for heavy rainfall and flash flooding in the southwestern Caribbean. The advisories recommended for small vessels to remain at harbor across the region.[2] Initially, the hurricane was predicted to move near or through the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, and Cuba.[3] As a result, Cuban officials advised residents in low-lying areas to evacuate.[7]
Hurricane Hattie first posed a threat to the Yucatán Peninsula and British Honduras on October 30 when it turned toward the area.[2] Officials at the Miami Weather Bureau warned of the potential for high tides, strong winds, and torrential rainfall. The warnings allowed for extensive evacuations in high-risk areas.[2] Most people in the capital, Belize City, were evacuated or moved to shelters,[3] and a school was operated as a refuge.[8] A hospital in the city was evacuated,[9] and over 75% of the population of Stann Creek fled to safer locations.[3] After Hattie made landfall, officials in Mexico ordered the closure of ports along the Isthmus of Tehuantepec.[9]
Impact
Despite predictions for heavy rainfall in the southwestern Caribbean, the hurricane's movement was more northerly than expected, resulting in less precipitation along the Central American coast than anticipated.[2] In its early developmental stages, Hattie struck San Andrés Island, located offshore eastern Nicaragua, with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and gusts of 104 mph (167 km/h). As the hurricane neared the island, the airport was closed due to tropical-storm-force winds.[3] Rough seas and winds damaged private property and two hotels. Many palm tree plantations were devastated. The schooner Admirar, anchored in one of the island's bays, capsized during the storm.[10] Overall, Hattie resulted in one death, fifteen injuries, and $300,000 in damage (1961 USD) in San Andrés. The hurricane was the fourth on record to strike the island, and of the four was the only to approach from the south.[3]
In the northwestern Caribbean, Hattie passed close to Grand Cayman with heavy rainfall. At least 11.5 inches (290 mm) of rain were reported on the island, including 7.8 inches (200 mm) in six hours.[2] Winds on Grand Cayman were below hurricane force, and only minor damage occurred due to the rain.[2]
The interaction between Hattie and the ridge of high pressure to its north produced sustained winds of 20 mph (32 km/h) across most of Florida, with a gust of 72 mph (116 km/h) reported at
Later, Hattie impacted various countries in Central America with flash floods, causing 11 deaths in Guatemala and one fatality in Honduras.[3] The Swan Islands reported wind gusts just below hurricane force, resulting in minor damage and one injury.[2]
British Honduras
Hurricane Hattie moved ashore in British Honduras with a
High winds caused a power outage,
Aftermath
After Hattie struck, officials in Belize City declared
About 200 British soldiers arrived from Jamaica to quell looting and maintain order.
In 1962,
Due to the destruction and loss of life attributed to the hurricane, the name Hattie was
See also
- List of retired Atlantic hurricane names
- List of Category 5 Atlantic hurricanes
- List of wettest tropical cyclones in the Cayman Islands
Notes
- ^ British Honduras, formerly a British Overseas Territory, attained its independence in 1981 and became the country of Belize.[1] The territory is referred to as British Honduras in the article.
- ^ All damage totals are in 1961 United States dollars unless otherwise noted.
References
- ^ "Belize country profile". BBC Country Profiles. BBC News. 2012-08-02. Retrieved 2013-01-13.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Hurricane Hattie: October 27–31, 1961 (PDF) (Preliminary Report). United States Weather Bureau. 1962-01-04. pp. 1–10. Retrieved 2013-05-11.
- ^ . Retrieved 2009-04-13.
- ^ a b c d Atlantic hurricane best track (HURDAT) (Database). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Hurricane Research Division. 2013. Retrieved 2013-04-25.
- ^ Guiney, John L.; Lawrence, Miles B. (1999-01-28). Hurricane Mitch: 22 October–05 November 1998 (Preliminary Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on 16 February 2014. Retrieved 2009-05-01.
- ^ Caparotta, Stephen; Walston, D.; Young, Steven; Padgett, Gary; Delgado, Sandy (2011-05-31). "E15: What tropical storms and hurricanes have moved from the Atlantic to the Northeast Pacific or Vice Versa?". In Landsea, Chris; Dorst, Neal (eds.). Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). 4.5. Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory. Archived from the original on 2006-06-15. Retrieved 2011-11-23.
- ^ "'Cane Hattie Threatens Western Cuba, Florida". The Palm Beach Post. Vol. 53, no. 223. Miami, Florida. Associated Press. 1961-10-30. p. 1. Retrieved 2020-03-09 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Ediger, Theodore A. (1961-11-05). "Battered School Shelters 200 Refugees in Belize". The Evening Independent. Vol. 3, no. 29. Belize City, British Honduras. Associated Press. p. 3A. Retrieved 2013-01-10.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Hattie's Toll is 62: Martial Law Declared". St. Petersburg Times. Vol. 78. Belize City, British Honduras. United Press International. 1961-11-02. pp. 1A, 2A. Retrieved 2013-01-08.
- ^ "Analasis de vulnerabilidad" (PDF). Plan de Emergencia Para La Atención de Huracanes (Report) (in Spanish). Comité Regional de Prevención y Atención de Desastres. 2008. p. [19]. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-05-17. Retrieved 2013-05-11.
- ^ "Full-Fledged Hattie Kicking Up a Fuss". The Miami News. 1961-10-28. p. 1A. Retrieved 2020-03-09 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Disaster Feared in Honduras". Reading Eagle. No. 277. Miami, Florida. Associated Press. 1961-10-31. p. 1. Retrieved 2011-12-12.
- ISBN 0520232550. Retrieved 2013-01-10.
- ^ a b c d Winfrey, Lee (1961-11-02). "Belize All But Wiped Out by Hurricane Hattie". The Bonham Daily Favorite. Vol. 69, no. 63. Belize City, British Honduras. United Press International. p. 5. Retrieved 2011-12-12.
- ^ a b c Rosenbury, Morris W. (1961-11-01). "Hurricane Toll Runs High". Gadsden Times. Vol. 95, no. 98. Washington, D.C. Associated Press. p. 1. Retrieved 2013-01-10.
- ^ a b c "Hattie Dealt Industry Deadly Blow". The Palm Beach Post. Vol. 28, no. 43. Belize, British Honduras. Associated Press. 1961-11-05. p. 8. Retrieved 2020-03-09 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ NEMO Press Officer (2006-11-02). "Belize Marked 45th Anniversary of Deadly Hurricane Hattie" (Press release). Belize National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO). Archived from the original on 2012-07-23. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
- ^ a b c d "Belize Toll Rises to 204". The Palm Beach Post. Vol. 28, no. 43. Belize, British Honduras. Associated Press. 1961-11-05. p. 8. Retrieved 2020-03-09 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Belize Toll Reaches 225". The Calgary Herald. Calgary, Alberta. Canadian Press. 1961-11-06. Retrieved 2013-01-10.
- ^ a b c "Mass Cremations for Belize Victims". The Windsor Star. Vol. 87, no. 55. Belize City, British Honduras. 1961-11-06. p. 21. Retrieved 2013-01-10.
- ^ a b Pridgeon, Elizabeth (2009-11-13). "Hattieville". The Belize Times. Archived from the original on 2011-05-26. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
- ^ a b "Hurricane Deaths May Total 1000". The Glasgow Herald. Vol. 179, no. 242. 1961-11-04. p. 7. Retrieved 2013-01-10.
- ^ "U.S. Navy Ships Leave Storm-Hit Honduras Area". The Florence Times. Vol. 102, no. 221. Norfolk, Virginia. Associated Press. 1961-11-06. p. 8. Retrieved 2013-01-10.
- ^ "Canada to Aid Honduras with $75,000 Supplies". The Calgary Herald. Ottawa, Quebec. Canadian Press. 1961-11-08. p. 61. Retrieved 2013-01-10.
- ^ Matt Parker (July 22, 2013). "Jimmy Cliff on a life in songwriting". Music Radar. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
- ^ Greene, Jo-Ann. "Jimmy Cliff Biography". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 14 September 2013. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
- ^ "Marks of Storm are Rare Today". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Vol. 34, no. 308. Belize, British Honduras. Associated Press. 1962-11-04. p. 3F. Retrieved 2013-01-10.
- ^ "Hurricane 'Edith' Deepens Rapidly". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Vol. 46, no. 342. Associated Press. 1971-09-07. pp. 1A, 4A. Retrieved 2013-01-10.
- ^ NEMO Press Officer (2005-10-31). "Monument to Remember 1961 Hurricane Hattie Unveiled" (Press release). Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency. Archived from the original on 2007-07-05. Retrieved 2013-04-10.
- ^ "Tropical Cyclone Naming History and Retired Names". Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
- ^ ""Anna" Will Be First Hurricane". Youngstown Vindicator. Associated Press. May 23, 1965. p. 2. Retrieved February 20, 2013.