Tropical Storm Alma (1974)
![]() Tropical Storm Alma at peak intensity on August 13 | |
Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | August 12, 1974 |
Dissipated | August 15, 1974 |
Tropical storm | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Highest winds | 65 mph (100 km/h) |
Lowest pressure | 1007 mbar (hPa); 29.74 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 51 total |
Damage | $5 million (1974 USD) |
Areas affected | Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1974 Atlantic hurricane season |
Tropical Storm Alma, the first
Alma left heavy damage in Trinidad, amounting to about US$5 million (value in 1974), making it the most destructive cyclone of the 20th century on the island at that time. Alma damaged about 5,000 buildings, leaving 500 people homeless. The storm also wrecked 17,750 acres (7,180 ha) of crop fields. There were two deaths in Trinidad, including one person who was struck by flying debris. Alma's heavy rainfall was responsible for a plane crash on
Meteorological history
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/75/Alma_1974_track.png/275px-Alma_1974_track.png)
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
![triangle](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/50/ArrowUp.svg/18px-ArrowUp.svg.png)
A disturbance associated with the
The center of Alma was elongated, causing
On August 14, Alma made
Preparations, impact, and aftermath
Before Alma made landfall,
While moving across Trinidad, Alma produced sustained winds of only 35 mph (56 km/h) at Piarco,[2] yet gusts reached 91 mph (147 km/h) at Savonetta.[15] Rainfall at Piarco did not exceed 1 inch (25 mm) during the storm's passage.[16] The strong gusts downed trees and power lines,[9] and damaged about 5,000 buildings, including schools, hospitals,[14] and hundreds of households, wrecking everything inside.[17] This left about 500 people homeless.[14] Alma also caused widespread damage to agriculture,[17] mostly to sugar, resulting in 17,750 acres (7,180 ha) of ruined fields. Several highways in the country suffered damage.[14] The winds flung debris from a roof, which struck and killed a woman.[9] There was also an indirect death on the island,[15] along with several injuries.[18] Damage estimates on the island totaled $5 million (1974 USD);[19] the American embassy in the country considered Alma to be the most destructive storm in Trinidad during the 20th century.[17]
After the storm, local Red Cross volunteers provided meals and clothing to thousands of storm victims. The government allocated $5.1 million (Trinidad and Tobago dollars) for relief work,[17] to be coordinated by the National Emergency Relief Organization of Trinidad and Tobago, which was established following the damaging Hurricane Flora in 1963. This helped rebuild damage houses, clear roads, and assist affected farmers. The United States Agency for International Development sent about US$5,000 in assistance, after the country's ambassador sent a formal request to Washington, D.C. The Amoco oil company also sent a $500 donation to the country's Red Cross.[14]
While moving through the Windward Islands, Alma produced strong wind gusts on
See also
- Tropical Storm Alma (disambiguation)- other storms of the same name
- 1933 Trinidad hurricane - Early-season hurricane that moved across Trinidad and northeastern Venezuela
- Tropical Storm Bret (1993) - Another low-latitude tropical storm that made landfall on Venezuela
- Hurricane Joyce (2000)- Low-latitude hurricane that passed between Trinidad and Tobago
- Tropical Storm Bret (2017) - Similar storm that hit Trinidad in mid June 2017
References
- ^ ISSN 1520-0493.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Paul J. Hebert (1974-08-26). "Tropical Storm Alma Tropical Cyclone Report". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-01-05.
- ISSN 1520-0493.
- ^ "Atlantic hurricane best track (HURDAT version 2)" (Database). United States National Hurricane Center. April 5, 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ John R. Hope and Staff (1976). "Annual Data and Verification Tabulation of Atlantic Cyclones 1974" (PDF). Retrieved 2008-01-08.
- ^ a b "First Tropical Storm Brews off Trinidad". Bangor Daily News. United Press International. 1974-08-14. Retrieved 2014-03-15.
- ^ "Storm Alma Hits Trinidad; Warnings Out". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Associated Press. 1974-08-14. Retrieved 2014-08-15.
- ^ a b "Storm Crashes in Storm". Bangor Daily News. 1974-08-15. Retrieved 2014-03-15.
- ^ a b c "Alma Hits Trinidad, Kills One". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Associated Press. 1974-08-15. Retrieved 2014-03-15.
- ^ a b José A. Colón (1974-08-21). Report on Tropical Storm Alma (PDF). San Juan Weather Service Forecast Office (Report). National Hurricane Center. p. 2. Retrieved 2014-03-15.
- ^ Paul J. Hebert (1974-08-15). Tropical Storm Alma Tropical Cyclone Discussion (JPG) (Report). Retrieved 2014-03-15.
- ^ Miles B. Lawrence (1974-08-15). Tropical Disturbance Alma Tropical Cyclone Discussion (JPG) (Report). Retrieved 2014-03-15.
- ISSN 1520-0493.
- ^ a b c d e Trinidad and Tobago - Tropical Storm Case Report (PDF) (Report). United States Agency for International Development. Retrieved 2014-03-16.
- ^ a b Tropical Cyclones Affecting Trinidad and Tobago 1725-2000 (PDF) (Report). Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service via the Internet Wayback Machine. 2002-05-02. Archived from the original on December 23, 2005. Retrieved 2011-10-13.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ José A. Colón (1974-08-21). Report on Tropical Storm Alma (PDF). San Juan Weather Service Forecast Office (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2014-03-15.
- ^ a b c d USG Disaster Assistance for Relief of Victims of Tropical Storm Alma in Trinidad (JPG). American Embassy at Port of Spain (Report). National Hurricane Center. 1974-08-30. Retrieved 2014-03-16.
- ^ "Tropical Storm Alma Blamed for Plane Crash; 47 Killed". The Telegraph. United Press International. 1974-08-15. Retrieved 2014-03-15.
- ^ Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (August 1993). "Significant Data on Major Disasters Worldwide 1900-present" (PDF). Retrieved 2014-03-15.
- ^ "Tropical Storm Alma Roars into Trinidad". The Day. Associated Press. 1974-08-13. Retrieved 2014-03-13.
- ^ "Tropical Storm Alma Blamed For Plane Crash; 47 Killed". United Press International. The Telegraph. 1974-08-15. p. 8. Retrieved 2011-07-30.
- ^ "Aircraft Accident: Vickers 749 Viscount YV-C-AMX Isla Margarita". Aviation Safety Network. 2007-02-12. Retrieved 2011-07-30.