Tropical Storm Odette (2003)
Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | December 4, 2003 |
Extratropical | December 7 |
Dissipated | December 9, 2003 |
Tropical storm | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Highest winds | 65 mph (100 km/h) |
Lowest pressure | 993 mbar (hPa); 29.32 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 8 direct, 2 indirect |
Damage | $8 million (2003 USD) |
Areas affected | Colombia, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Puerto Rico |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season |
Tropical Storm Odette was a rare off-season tropical cyclone that hit the island of Hispaniola in early December 2003. As the fifteenth named storm of the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season, Odette formed near the coast of Panama a few days after the official end of the Atlantic hurricane season ended on November 30, and ultimately made landfall on the Dominican Republic as a moderate tropical storm, before becoming extratropical on December 7, dissipating two days later.
The storm caused heavy damage throughout the Dominican Republic from unusually heavy rainfall in December. Preparation preceding Odette's landfall resulted in only eight deaths and 14 injuries. Total damage is unknown, though crop damage in the Dominican Republic totaled to over $8 million (2003 USD, $13.3 million 2023 USD).
Meteorological history
By November 30, the last day of the
Upon being classified as a tropical cyclone, the depression was embedded within the southwesterly flow between a
Upon reaching peak intensity, Odette had begun accelerating northeastward, which decreased wind shear and slightly increased its southwesterly outflow.
Preparations
Prior to Odette's predicted arrival, the Dominican Republic government issued for the evacuation of more than 10,000 people, mostly from those living near rivers. At least 2,000 shelters were set up, capable of housing up to 800,000 people. In addition, the government mobilized the army to force those unwilling to leave from their homes. Such precautions were taken due to already saturated grounds from heavy rainfall three weeks prior.[13]
A tropical storm watch was issued between Santo Domingo and the Dominican Republic/Haiti border on December 4, 56 hours prior to landfall. This was raised to a tropical storm warning on December 5 while 32 hours before landfall. In addition, tropical storm warnings were issued for all of the Haitian coastline and Jamaica.[1]
Impact
While over the southwestern Caribbean Sea, Odette dropped heavy rainfall, including prior to its formation. For several days, the storm caused rains in
Dominican Republic
Winds from Tropical Storm Odette were relatively light across the
The flooding and mudslides damaged up to 60,000 homes and destroyed 34. Gusty winds caused power outages. River flooding caused two bridges to collapse, isolating several communities. Landslides buried several roads, though authorities quickly repaired them. The rainfall also flooded fields, resulting in severe crop damage.[13] As much as 85% of the banana crop was lost, while the coffee crop suffered losses shortly before harvest season. Crop damage totaled to around $8 million (2003 USD).[16] In addition, excess flooding contaminated water supplies, leaving several areas without clean water or sanitation.[17]
In all, Tropical Storm Odette caused 8 deaths and 14 injuries, mostly due to flash flooding and mudslides. In addition, two indirect deaths are associated with the storm due to heart attacks. Neighboring Haiti experienced little from the storm.[1]
Puerto Rico and United States Virgin Islands
Though Odette passed 280 miles to the west of
Odette's rainfall caused flooding throughout Puerto Rico's rivers. The river flooding destroyed three bridges, resulting in $20,000 in damages (2003 USD). The flooding also caused a mudslide near a cemetery in Humacao. The rainfall also covered numerous roads, though overall damage was minimal throughout Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.[19]
Aftermath and records
In all, 65,000 people were affected by Tropical Storm Odette. The Dominican Republic Red Cross and Red Crescent deployed 105 volunteers to the impacted areas, primarily in the area of
When Odette formed on December 4, it became the first tropical storm since the beginning of the modern
The 2003 season was the first season since 1954 to have a pre-season storm and a post-season storm, with Ana in April and Odette.[23][24]
See also
- List of off-season Atlantic hurricanes
- List of wettest tropical cyclones by country
- For other storms of the same name
- Hurricane Lenny
- Hurricane Omar
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l James Franklin (2003). "Tropical Storm Odette Tropical Cyclone Report" (PDF). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
- ^ Mike Wallace (2003). "December 1 Tropical Weather Discussion". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-12-22.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Jamie Rhome (2003). "December 2 Tropical Weather Discussion". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-12-22.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Jamie Rhome (2003). "December 2 Tropical Weather Discussion (2)". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-12-22.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Jamie Rhome (2003). "December 2 Tropical Weather Discussion (2)". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-12-22.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b Lixion Avila (2003). "Tropical Depression Twenty Discussion One". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-12-22.
- ^ Lixion Avila (2003). "Tropical Storm Odette Discussion Two". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-12-22.
- ^ a b Stacy Stewart (2003). "Tropical Storm Odette Discussion Four". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-12-22.
- ^ Lixion Avila (2003). "Tropical Storm Odette Discussion Five". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-12-22.
- ^ Lixion Avila (2003). "Tropical Storm Odette Discussion Six". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-12-22.
- ^ a b Stacy Stewart (2003). "Tropical Storm Odette Discussion Eight". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-12-22.
- ^ Lixion Avila (2003). "Tropical Storm Peter Tropical Cyclone Report" (PDF). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
- ^ a b c d Final Report of the Twenty-Sixth Session (PDF) (Report). World Meteorological Organization. 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-09-27. Retrieved 2013-01-11.
- ^ Government of Jamaica (2003-12-04). Flooding in Jamaica 4 Dec 2003 (Report). ReliefWeb. Retrieved 2013-01-12.
- ^ Tropical Storm Odette Causes Little Damage in Caribbean (Report). Foreign Agricultural Service. 2004-01-16. Archived from the original on 2012-10-18. Retrieved 2013-01-11.
- ^ "Odette damage: RD$294 million". DR1. 2003-12-11. Retrieved 2013-01-11.
- ^ a b Dominican Republic Red Cross Relief (PDF) (Report). International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. 2003-12-22. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 4, 2004. Retrieved 2013-01-12.
- ^ David M. Roth (2007-06-20). Tropical Storm Odette - December 3-7, 2003 (Report). Hydrometeorological Prediction Center.
- ^ "December 2003 Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena" (PDF). 45 (12). National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2013-01-12.
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(help)[dead link] - ^ Chenoweth (2006). "A Reassessment of Historical Atlantic Basin Tropical Cyclone Activity, 1700–1855" (PDF). NOAA. Retrieved 2007-07-02.
- ^ Lixion A. Avila (1989-12-22). Tropical Storm Karen Preliminary Report (GIF) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2013-01-12.
- ^ "Hurricane Epsilon becomes the longest lasting December hurricane on record" (PDF). 2005-12-06. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-09-28. Retrieved 2013-01-12.
- ^ Chris Landsea; et al. (May 2015). Documentation of Atlantic Tropical Cyclones Changes in HURDAT (1954) (Report). Hurricane Research Division. Retrieved 2016-03-28.
- ^ José A. Colón (1955). "On the formation of Hurricane Alice, 1955" (PDF). U.S. Weather Bureau. Retrieved 2006-12-07.
External links
- Media related to Tropical Storm Odette (2003) at Wikimedia Commons