Hurricane Klaus (1984)

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This article is about the 1984 hurricane. For the 1990 hurricane, see Hurricane Klaus (1990).
Hurricane Klaus
Hurricane Klaus at peak intensity northeast of the Leeward Islands on November 9
Meteorological history
FormedNovember 5, 1984
ExtratropicalNovember 13
DissipatedNovember 16, 1984
Category 1 hurricane
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds90 mph (150 km/h)
Lowest pressure971 mbar (hPa); 28.67 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities2 direct
Damage$152 million (1984 USD)
Areas affectedPuerto Rico, Leeward Islands
IBTrACSEdit this at Wikidata
Part of the 1984 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Klaus was a

North Atlantic hurricane that hit the Leeward Islands from the west in November of the 1984 Atlantic hurricane season. Forming from a broad area of low pressure on November 5, Klaus maintained a northeast movement throughout much of its path. After making landfall on extreme eastern Puerto Rico, it passed to the north of the Leeward Islands
, resulting in strong southwesterly winds and rough seas. Klaus attained hurricane status and reached peak winds of 90 mph (145 km/h) before becoming extratropical over cooler waters on November 13. The storm dropped heavy rainfall in Puerto Rico, causing minor flooding and light damage. Klaus caused heavy marine damage in the Leeward Islands, including wrecking at least three ships. The Virgin Islands experienced heavy damage as well.

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 broad area of low pressure gradually developed over the extreme southeastern

Reconnaissance Aircraft mission confirmed the existence of the cyclone on November 6 as it was located midway between Puerto Rico and the Netherlands Antilles. Late on the 6th, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Klaus while located a short distance south of Puerto Rico.[1]

Tropical Storm Klaus continued northeastward, and made landfall on extreme eastern Puerto Rico early on November 7. The storm passed a short distance north of the

extratropical storm on November 13 while located about 440 miles (700 km) south-southeast of Cape Race, Newfoundland.[3] Six hours later, it was absorbed by another extratropical system.[4]

Preparations

Shortly after forming, gale warnings were issued for Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Netherlands Antilles of the Leeward Islands, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Anguilla.[4] Klaus was the first tropical cyclone on record to hit the Leeward Islands from the west, and as a result many were unprepared for the strong winds and rough seas from the southwest.[4]

Impact

Rainfall totals from Klaus

While moving past Puerto Rico, Tropical Storm Klaus dropped heavy rainfall peaking at 25.69 inches (653 mm) in Guavate Camp in the southeastern part of the island. Much of the southern half of Puerto Rico reported over 7 inches (180 mm) (178 mm). Vieques received around 7 inches of precipitation, while Culebra experienced over 10 inches (250 mm).[5] The heavy rainfall resulted in freshwater flooding.[4] The strongest winds of the storm remained offshore, and wind gusts peaked at 37 miles per hour (60 km/h) in Roosevelt Roads Naval Station. Winds and rainfall on the island resulted in downed trees and power lines, though damage was minimal. Klaus struck the island on election day, causing slight disruptions to the process.[6]

Sandy Point town port in Saint Kitts
.

Aftermath

In

U.S. Virgin Islands a major disaster area. The declaration permitted use of federal funds for recovery.[7] The Federal Emergency Management Agency provided an average relief fund of $2,128 (1984 USD, $4,147 2006 USD) per affected person, the smallest return rate for a declared disaster in the Virgin Islands.[14]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c National Hurricane Center (1984). "Hurricane Klaus Preliminary Report Page One". Retrieved 2006-10-21.
  2. ^ Gary Padgett (1999). "November 1999 Tropical Cyclone Summary". Retrieved 2006-10-21.
  3. ^ National Hurricane Center (1984). "Hurricane Klaus Preliminary Report Page Two". Retrieved 2006-10-21.
  4. ^ a b c d e Miles B. Lawrence & Gilbert B. Clark (1985). "Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1984" (PDF). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2006-10-21.
  5. ^ a b David Roth (2005). "Hurricane Klaus Rainfall Summary". Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved 2006-10-21.
  6. ^ Jose Garcia (2005). "Hurricanes and Tropical Storms in Puerto Rico from 1980 to 2005". Retrieved 2006-10-21.
  7. ^ a b "Virgin Islands Disaster Area". The New York Times. Associated Press. December 11, 1984. Retrieved 2006-10-21.
  8. ^ a b Anguillan Divers (2006). "Shipwrecks". Archived from the original on 2006-10-08. Retrieved 2006-10-21.
  9. ^ United Press International (November 9, 1984). "Hurricane Losing Strength". The New York Times. Retrieved 2006-10-21.
  10. ^ Development Planning Unit of the British Virgin Islands (2005). "Coral Reef Effects". Archived from the original on October 7, 2006. Retrieved 2006-10-21.
  11. ^ Organization of American States. "Chapter 12- Hurricane Hazards". Retrieved 2006-10-21.
  12. ^ United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (1996). "Beach erosion in Antigua-Barbuda". Retrieved 2006-10-21.
  13. ^ British Virgin Islands Deputy Governor's Office (2003). "Disaster Management: A Policy Framework". Archived from the original on 2007-10-06. Retrieved 2006-10-21.
  14. ^ Keith Bea (1998). "FEMA and Disaster Relief" (PDF). Congressional Research Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-09-12. Retrieved 2006-10-21.

External links

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