Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | July 11,2005 |
Dissipated | July 21,2005 |
Category 5 major hurricane | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Highest winds | 160 mph (260 km/h) |
Lowest pressure | 929 mbar (hPa);27.43 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 22 |
Damage | $1.01 billion (2005 USD) |
Areas affected | Lesser Antilles,Venezuela,Greater Antilles,Honduras,Belize,Mexico,Texas |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season |
Hurricane Emily was a powerful early season tropical cyclone that caused significant damage across the Lesser Antilles,the Caribbean,and Mexico. The fifth named storm of the record-breaking 2005 Atlantic hurricane season,Emily was the first recorded Category 5 Atlantic hurricane to formed in the month of July. It formed on July 11 from a tropical wave,which progressed westward across the Atlantic. Three days later,the hurricane struck Grenada before entering the eastern Caribbean Sea. After fluctuating in intensity,Emily strengthened to attain maximum sustained winds of 260 km/h (160 mph) on July 16 while passing southwest of Jamaica. Slight weakening occurred before Emily made landfall along Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula on July 18. Quickly crossing the peninsula,Emily emerged into the Gulf of Mexico and reorganized,making a second landfall in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas on July 20. It rapidly weakened and dissipated over land.
Just ten months after Hurricane Ivan's damaging path through the Caribbean,Emily wrought additional damage to the Lesser Antilles,damaging or destroying hundreds of homes. A landslide killed a person on Grenada,and damage on the island totaled US$110.4 million. Later,five people died in Jamaica due to a vehicle accident,while ten people died in Haiti related to floods from the storm. Emily's impacts occurred as far south as Honduras,where one person drowned due to river flooding from the storm. In northeastern Mexico,the hurricane left widespread power outages,affecting 200,000 people,with additional flood damage during its last landfall. Damage in Mexico was estimated at over US$843.3 million,with five deaths in the country.
On July 6, a tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa, associated with a large area of cyclonic turning. [1] The convection, or thunderstorms, became better organized on July 9, prompting the National Hurricane Center (NHC) to include the system as a potential area for tropical cyclone development. [2] Over the next day, the convection became more concentrated as a low pressure area developed. [1] [3] At 00:00 UTC on July 11, Tropical Depression Five developed in the tropical Atlantic Ocean, about 1,990 km (1,235 mi) east of the southern Lesser Antilles. A ridge to its north steered the nascent depression westward. At first, the depression's development was halted by moderate wind shear and dry air. However, it intensified into Tropical Storm Emily at 00:00 UTC on July 12, about 24 hours after its formation. [1] Initially, the NHC anticipated that the storm would move to the west-northwest, potentially affecting the Greater Antilles. [4] Instead, the track remained westerly as Emily continued intensifying. The storm developed outflow and improved rainbands, signs of a maturing tropical cyclone. [5] Sea surface temperatures remained warm along Emily's path, partly due to the spread of warm waters from Hurricane Dennis over the northwestern Caribbean Sea. [6] At first, the storm's structure was asymmetrical, and occasionally exposed from the thunderstorms. [7] [8] However, thunderstorms fired over the convection, and Emily became a hurricane early at 00:00 UTC on July 14. [1]
At 07:00 UTC on July 14, Hurricane Emily made landfall on northern Grenada with maximum sustained winds of 140 km/h (85 mph), and it moved west-northwestward into the Caribbean. [1] The eye became much more distinct in the center of the convection, and by late on July 14, Emily strengthened into a major hurricane, the second of the season. [9] Early on July 15, it reached a preliminary peak intensity as a Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson scale with sustained winds of 215 km/h (135 mph). The Hurricane Hunters observed two concentric eyewalls, and Emily temporarily weakened, only to re-intensify. [1] On July 16, the eye became embedded within a round central dense overcast as it approached southern Jamaica. [10] The hurricane passed about 165 km (105 mi) south of the island that day. At 00:00 on July 17, Emily attained peak winds of 260 km/h (160 mph), making it a Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale. This was based on observations from the Hurricane Hunters, which observed a minimum pressure of 929 mbar (27.4 inHg). [1] Unrelated to Emily, Typhoon Haitang developed and intensified into a Category 5-equivalent super typhoon around the same time Emily intensified into a Category 5 hurricane, marking the first time since Typhoons Ivan and Joan in 1997 when two tropical cyclones of Category 5 strength existed simultaneously in the Northern Hemisphere. [11]
After reaching peak intensity, the eye of Emily became slightly ragged as the winds fell slightly. [12] On July 18, the eyewall cross over the island of Cozumel in eastern Mexico. At 06:30 UTC that day, Emily made landfall on the Yucatán peninsula mainland at Playa del Carmen, with winds of about 215 km/h (135 mph), still a Category 4. [1] While over land, it weakened significantly, emerging into the Gulf of Mexico as a minimal hurricane late on July 18, with its inner core disrupted. With low wind shear and warm waters, Emily restrengthened as the eye redeveloped convection. [13] [14] At 00:00 UTC on July 21, the hurricane attained a secondary peak of 205 km/h (125 mph), making it a Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson scale. [1] While approaching the coast, Emily had concentric eyewalls, with an inner eye with a diameter of 30 km (18 mi), and an outer eye 93 km (58 mi) in diameter. [15] At 12:00 UTC on July 21, Emily made its final landfall in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas near San Fernando, or about 140 km (85 mi) south of Brownsville, Texas, with winds of 205 km/h (125 mph). The hurricane rapidly weakened over the mountainous terrain of the Sierra Madre Oriental, quickly dropping to tropical storm status, and dissipating late on July 21 over northern Mexico. [1]
After Emily attained tropical storm status on July 12, the various governments of the West Indies began issuing tropical cyclone watches and warnings. These included hurricane warnings for Barbados, Grenada, Grenadines, St. Vincent, and St. Lucia. A day later, the NHC incorrectly predicted that Emily would move through the islands as a tropical storm. This resulted in the hurricane warnings being downgraded to a tropical storm warning, only to be upgraded back to hurricane warnings on July 14 five hours before Emily's landfall in Grenada. That day, the ABC islands also issued a tropical storm warning. [1]
Still recovering from Hurricane Ivan a year prior, which damaged or destroyed approximately 90 percent of housing, [16] residents in Grenada took quick action to prepare for Emily, including declaring a state of emergency. [17] A shortage of construction material stagnated rebuilding after Ivan. This left fewer buildings as reliable shelters and many homes without roofs by the arrival of Emily. [18] Of the 80 buildings considered for public shelters, 45 were used as such, with 1,650 people seeking refuge in them. [19] Residents rushed to stock up on emergency supplies, resulting in heavy road traffic. [18] The International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) described residents to be in "panic"; grocery stores were emptied and stretches of cars lined at gas stations. [20] The Grenada Red Cross Society affirmed their stockpile of 2,000 jerry cans, 600 blankets, 100 tarps, 50 cots, and 10 generators. [21] They also coordinated evacuations with local transportation services. [20] The nation's government enacted a curfew from 7:00 p.m. July 14 to 6:00 a.m. July 15 local time. [19] Telecommunication services Cingular and Digicel suspended service as a precaution. [22]
In the easternmost Caribbean Island of Barbados, the government ordered the closure of businesses while residents stocked up on emergency supplies. [23] Shelters were opened nationwide, and local radio stations broadcast regular warnings to alert the public. [24] A delegate from the Panama Regional Delegation was sent to assist the local chapter of the Red Cross. [20] The Dominica Red Cross Society confirmed emergency resources were properly stockpiled. [21] Trinidad and Tobago activated its National Emergency Centre and ordered the closure of commerce. [20] Approximately 544 people sought refuge in shelters across Trinidad and Tobago. [25] BP evacuated all but 11 essential workers from their 14 oil platforms around the nation. Businesses shuttered across St. Vincent and the Grenadines and St. Lucia. Although airports remained open, British Airways cancelled flights to and from Hewanorra International Airport. [18] The St. Lucia Red Cross placed ten response teams on standby. The Antigua and Barbuda Red Cross placed 100 personnel on standby. [21] The Pan American Disaster Response Unit (PADRU), already prepping its response to Hurricane Dennis, allocated supplies for the anticipated effects of Emily. [21]
In Venezuela, a few oil tankers were forced to remain at Puerto la Cruz. [26] Some flights were cancelled or delayed as early as July 12. [27] Residents were alerted to the possibility of floods and mudslides. [28] A red alert was issued for Aragua and 100 personnel were deployed to coastal communities. [29] People living or visiting the Los Roques Archipelago were advised to remain sheltered in their homes. [30] Conditions were considered safe by July 15 and activities returned to normal. [31] Alerts were also raised for the nearby islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. [28]
On July 15, the government of Jamaica issued a hurricane warning for the island. [1] Recently impacted by Hurricane Dennis, concerns were raised of further damage in Jamaica, especially with soils already saturated. [32] In the former nation, PADRU requested immediate shipment of relief supplies, particularly hygiene kits and plastic tarps. The Jamaica Red Cross moved supply stockpiles originally intended for Dennis-related relief to southern areas of the island in preparation for Emily. [20] The nation's Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management advised residents to check their disaster supply kits, ensure their property was secured, and be prepared to evacuate. Fishermen, especially those out by the Morant Cays and Pedro Bank, were advised to return to port. [33] Prime Minister P. J. Patterson ordered J$100,000 be made available for each of the nation's constituencies. A further J$250,000–300,000 would be allocated for the activation of public shelters. [32] Thousands of people were evacuated from coastal communities, including all of Port Royal and many from Portmore. Government offices were closed beginning on July 15 and local businesses were advised to do the same. [34] Upon the onset of the storm, a total of 3,269 people were utilizing public shelters. [35] [36]
On July 14, residents of the Cayman Islands were alerted to the potential effects of Emily. [37] The following day, the territory issued a hurricane warning. [1] On July 15, shelters were opened across the territory: all but one on Grand Cayman, two on Cayman Brac, and one on Little Cayman. Owen Roberts and Charles Kirkconnell International Airports shut down for the duration of the hurricane. [22] Water Authority - Cayman shut down services starting the night of July 16 with utilities to be reactivated after the storm. The territory's government enacted a curfew and warned all residents that emergency services would not be responding to calls during the storm. [38]
As early as July 14, Haiti began issuing tropical storm warnings. [1] Already severely impacted by Hurricane Dennis, alerts were raised for four departments in Haiti on July 15: Grand'Anse, Ouest, Sud, and Sud-Est. In neighboring Dominican Republic, storm alerts were issued for the towns of Baní and Pedernales. [39]
On July 15, the Mexican Red Cross began preparations for potential impact from Emily along the Yucatán Peninsula. The agency transported 30 t (30 long tons; 33 short tons) of supplies, rescue vehicles, communication teams, and pantry trailers to the Yucatán Peninsula. [40] Preparations to evacuate thousands of residents from coastal communities (up to 0.62 mi (1 km) inland) in the eastern Yucatán Peninsula began on July 16, including the islands of Cozumel, Holbox, and Mujeres. [41] On July 17, the government of Mexico issued hurricane warnings from Chetumal to Campeche. [1] Officials in the state of Yucatán opened 1,118 shelters. [42] State authorities in Campeche prepared 624 shelters with a collective capacity of 85,000 persons. A state of alert was raised for Veracruz, prompting the readying of shelters. [42] Considered an "extremely dangerous" storm, with a trajectory mirroring Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, the highest level of alert was issued for the states of Yucatán and Quintana Roo on July 17. [43] [44] In response to this, "massive" evacuations began that day. With the region being a tourist destination, an estimated 120,000 people were visiting at the time of Emily's approach. Local officials ordered the evacuation of 85,000 people, and the complete relocation of guests at beach hotels in Cancún. [44] An estimated 60,000 people were relocated to gymnasiums, hotels, and schools farther inland. Some hotels packed 15 people into a single room. Approximately 2,000 tourists from three hotels locked inside a gymnasium without air conditioning or fans by soldiers. [45]
Supermarkets in Mérida were packed with residents stocking up on supplies. Officials in the state of Yucatán opened 1,118 shelters. Emergency services prepped response units for medical needs. [42] Residents in these areas were advised to stockpile supplies, board up their homes, and shelter in sturdy structures; travel during the storm was advised against. [43] On July 16, Cancún International Airport saw 340 departing flights, 100 more than normal. [44] The airport evacuated about 44,000 people before the facility was shut down for a few hours during the storm's passage. [46] The Mexican military mobilized in preparation for rescue operations. [47] In Cancún, local and state workers removed billboards and traffic lights to prevent damage. [46]
Hotel guests were evacuated on Saturday afternoon, and staff on Sunday afternoon. Though some hotel guests in second floor rooms and above were given the option to be bussed into the center of Cancún to safe houses and shelters or to stay and wait out the storm in only the modern built hotels and resorts. Most of the remaining guests were restricted to their rooms and were not allowed out on the beach areas. No alcohol was sold in Cancún for 36 hours prior to the arrival of the storm, in an attempt to avoid drunken tourists being injured during the night. A German resident was electrocuted on his roof in Playa del Carmen while preparing for the storm. [48]
Mexico's national oil industry Pemex evacuated approximately 15,800 workers from oil platforms in the Bay of Campeche, halting work along 23 oil wells for two days. The hurricane also caused two ports to close that export crude oil. The loss of production was estimated at Mex$4.484 billion (US$421 million), which included the suspension of 2.95 million barrels of oil, as well as 1,600,000,000 cu ft (45,000,000 m3) of natural gas. [46] [45] [49] Two pilots died during the evacuation process when their helicopter crashed amid high winds. [45] On July 18, the government of Mexico issued hurricane warnings for Tamaulipas from La Cruz northward to the United States border. [1]
On July 15, Belize's National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) initiated its preliminary phase of preparedness. [50] Two days later, the country's government issued a tropical storm warning from Belize City northward to its border with Mexico. [1] An all-clear was issued for the nation as Emily traversed the Yucatán Peninsula on July 18. [51] The Costa Rican National Meteorological Institute advised residents in high risk areas to be alert and to avoid venturing outside in the event of rainfall. Similarly, Defensa Civil de Cuba reminded people to remain vigilant. [42]
Early fears of Emily's potential disruption to oil production in the Gulf of Mexico contributed to a one dollar rise in prices by July 13, bringing the cost of a barrel over US$60. [52] Emergency management officials in Escambia County, Florida, became wary of Emily's formation on the heels of Hurricane Dennis. Although the storm was expected to remain in the Caribbean, county officials identified supplies used for Dennis-related relief; an influx of fuel was expected to normalize reserves before any potential impact. [53] On July 17, the American Red Cross began preparations to open shelters and had emergency supplies deployed for rapid distribution in South Texas. [54] The NHC issued a tropical storm warning as far north as Baffin Bay, and issued a hurricane warning for extreme southern Texas from Port Mansfield south to the Mexican border. [1]
Country | Fatalities | Damage (USD) |
Grenada | 1 [55] | $110.4 million [56] |
Jamaica | 5 [48] | $65 million [57] [58] |
Haiti | 10 [59] | N/A |
Honduras | 1 [48] | N/A |
Mexico | 5 [60] [61] | $834.3 million [62] : 11–20 |
United States | 0 [63] | $4.8 million [63] [64] |
Total | 17 | $1.014 billion |
In Barbados, damaging winds downed trees and tore the roof off two homes. [65] Tobago saw significant effects from rainfall up to 8 in (200 mm) and damaging winds. These rains caused extensive flooding, reaching a depth of 3 ft (0.91 m) in some locations, with an estimated 200–300 homes being inundated. [66] [25] Rivers in the country's capital, Port of Spain, and across central Tobago topped their banks; many roads were inundated. [67] Thirty people required evacuation in Chaguanas. Flooding in Couva left Caparo Village temporarily isolated. [68] At least 16 homes lost their roof and 2 collapsed amid gusty winds. Approximately 40 percent of residences—15,630 Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission customers: 11,000 in Trinidad and 4,330 in Tobago—lost power and communications were temporarily lost with a town in the northern part of the country. [19] [66] In San Juan–Laventille, the Aranguez Bridge was rendered impassable after its supporting gabions were washed away. [68] Landslides occurred along multiple sections of the Blanchisseuse Road between Matelot and Toco. [25] Strong winds downed power lines on the island, one of which sparked a fire. [17] Two homes were destroyed and thirty others were damaged across Trinidad while extensive flooding was reported island-wide. [66] [69]
Striking Grenada as a hurricane, Emily inflicted extensive damage to the already storm-battered nation. Hurricane-force winds tore roofs from homes, devastated agriculture, and worsened the nation's struggling economy. Nationwide, 2,641 homes were damaged and of which at least 120 were destroyed, leaving 167 families homeless. Of the impacted homes, 1,153 were in Saint Andrew Parish alone. [22] [70] Emily resulted in one fatality in Saint Andrew Parish from a landslide and significant damage in northern parts of the country, including Carriacou and Petite Martinique which had been spared from the worst effects of Ivan. [19] [71] A hospital in Carriacou lost its roof, forcing the relocation of patients, and many homes were damaged in Petite Martinique. Hardest hit were areas within Saint Andrew and Saint Patrick Parish Parishes. [19] Mount Rich, located within the latter parish, saw the destruction of half its homes. [71] A police station in Sauteurs lost its roof. [19] Two of the main hospitals were flooded, [19] including the one just rebuilt with assistance from Cuba after Ivan. [72] Flooding affected communities in Saint George's, notably in Grenville. [19] Much of the nation lost its water supply, though restoration of power quickly remedied this. [71] The slowly recovering agricultural industry was devastated, with progress made in the wake of Ivan destroyed. Cash crops including corn, pigeon peas, and bananas were largely lost while breadfruit, nutmeg, and cocoa trees were negatively impacted. [73] Damages in Grenada amounted to $110.4 million. [74]
In St. Vincent and the Grenadines, various islands experienced differing degrees of damage. The most extensive occurred on Union Island where 21 homes were damaged, 17 severely. On Canouan, four homes had their roof torn off and three others had major damage. The roof of Canouan Airport was also damaged, though it continued operating normally. [25] No structural damage occurred in St. Lucia; some debris washed ashore, however. [68] One child was injured on St. Vincent. Losses to the banana crop were minimal. [25]
While passing south of Jamaica, Emily dropped heavy rainfall, reaching 15.43 in (392 mm) at Potsdam in Saint Elizabeth Parish. [1] Five people died when their vehicle was swept into a lake near Myersville. [75] [55] Despite its intensity, Emily only produced gale-force winds at one location in southwestern Jamaica. [76] Damage in Jamaica was estimated at $65 million. [74] Landslides were reported in eastern Jamaica, triggered by heavy rain as the storm passed south of the island. [77] Extensive flooding occurred in Saint Elizabeth Parish, with many roads rendered impassable or washed away altogether. Destruction of a coastal road rendered Treasure Beach inaccessible. [75] In Manchester Parish, at least 20 homes were inundated by floodwaters. [75] In Black River, lightning struck and hospitalized a child. [78]
Heavy rainfall associated with Emily killed 10 people and affected 500 families in Saint-Marc, Haiti, as homes and vehicles were swept away. [59]
In Honduras, a man drowned in a river swollen by rains from Emily. [48]
Throughout Mexico, Emily directly caused Mex$3.427 billion (US$322 million) worth of damage, not including the Mex$4.484 billion (US$421 million) in lost oil production. [46]
Moving ashore Quintana Roo in the eastern Yucatán Peninsula, Emily produced winds of 134 mph (215 km/h) in Puerto Aventuras. The anemometer in Cancún failed after recording winds of 34 mph (55 km/h). [46] The strongest winds were confined to a small area around Emily's center. The hurricane produced high tides and waves along eastern Quintana Roo. An amateur radio from Cozumel estimated a storm surge of 15 ft (4.6 m) in San Miguel. [1] The high waves damaged 15 km (9.3 mi) of dunes and reefs in Cozumel. The waves also wrecked 1,510 turtle nests, with the loss of 181,200 eggs. On the offshore Isle Mujeres, the waves damaged 1,100 m (3,600 ft) of retaining walls to protect areas from flooding. [46] Due to the relatively fast movement of Emily, rainfall was fairly light, peaking at 4.9 in (120 mm) in Cozumel. [1] Rainfall reached 0.98 in (25 mm) in Yucatán state neighboring Quintana Roo. [46] Along the mainland, surge heights were generally less than 4 ft (1 m). Additionally, waves reached 13 ft (4 m), resulting in some beach erosion and damage to dunes and coral reefs. Additionally, 0.7 mi (1.1 km) of retaining walls sustained damage, leaving areas vulnerable to flooding from future storms. [62] : 21–40
Across the Yucatán Peninsula, Emily's damage was estimated at Mex$1.323 billion (US$124 million), of which two-thirds was in the state of Yucatán. Emily also caused about Mex$807 million (US$75.9 million) in indirect damages, such as loss of tourism revenue. [46] Areas in Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Cozumel sustained the most severe impact. [1] In Quintana Roo, hotels sustained about 86% of the state's damage and losses, incurring Mex$307 million (US$29 million) in damage. The hurricane damaged 12,500 hotel rooms, representing 20% of the rooms in the entire state. More than 3,000 rooms were closed for three months. The storm damage dropped the hotel occupancy from 88.8% to 71.7%. [46] Emily's strong winds also knocked down trees and thousands of power poles, some of which fell onto houses. Power outages lasted five days, affecting 197,018 people. A total of 851 homes sustained damage due to Emily, of which 57 were destroyed. The hurricane damaged 76 school facilities, most of them in Cozumel or Solidaridad; due to the time of year, the damage did not affect the school year. Emily's passage also damaged 5,400 ha (13,000 acres) of forests or agriculture areas, with some trees stripped of their leaves and branches. The storm damage also damaged about 11,000 beehives. The state's fishing industry sustained minor damage to lobster traps. [46]
During its final landfall in northeastern Mexico, a weather station in San Fernando, Tamaulipas, 30 mi (55 km) inland, recorded wind gusts of 97 mph (166 km/h). [1] The hurricane produced heavy rainfall that extended inland, reaching 13.77 in (350 mm) in Cerralvo, Nuevo Leon. [46]
Damage was heaviest in the state of Tamaulipas, just south of the U.S.-Mexican border, estimated at Mex$1.491 billion (US$140 million). Damage in neighboring Nuevo Leon totaled Mex$612.4 million (US$57.5 million). [46]
Emily's second landfall as a strong Category 3 hurricane brought significant damage to the northeast coast of Mexico. In the fishing community of Laguna Madre, over 80% of the buildings were destroyed as a result of the storm surge. [1] Several communities on the remote coast of Tamaulipas were isolated after the storm, and major coastal flooding was reported along with heavy wind damage, with numerous homes destroyed. Inland flooding was also reported in Monterrey. [79]
Communication to the Riviera Maya area was difficult after the storm; not all cellular phones were receiving coverage to the area, land lines were down, and electricity was out. About 18,000 people in 20 low-lying communities in the state of Tamaulipas, just south of the U.S.-Mexican border, were evacuated. Including losses sustained by the oil industry, damage in Mexico amounted to 8.87 billion pesos ($834.3 million). [62] : 11–20
In southern Texas, damage was relatively minor despite the proximity of the storm. [80] Portions of the state experienced tropical storm force winds and gusts as high as 65 mph (105 km/h), resulting in scattered roof damage. Along the coast, a storm surge of 4.26 ft (1.30 m) flooded portions of SH 100. [1] [81] No significant structural damage was reported, although some trees were down and over 30,000 customers lost electricity. [80] Rainfall from the storm peaked at 5.2 inches in Mercedes, Texas. Additionally, eight tornadoes touched down in Texas as a result of Emily, damaging or destroying several homes. The remains of Emily passed farther west into Texas and delivered some rainfall, which ended a drought. [79] Agricultural losses in Texas amounted to $4.7 million, [64] while property losses reached $225,000. [63]
On the day of Emily's passage, the Government of Grenada began relief supply distribution and conducted aerial damage assessments. The Ministry of Works coordinated the deployment of worker crews. Grenada informed the United Nations that they could largely handle the disaster on their own, though some international assistance would be needed. [19] Following further assessments, the nation formally appealed for international aid on July 18. [82] The Grenada Coast Guard assisted with the distribution of emergency supplies to Carriacou on July 15. Power was restored to much of the nation within a day of the hurricane, though some residences would remain disconnected for several days. A second night of curfew was imposed from 11:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. local time July 15–16. [71] Businesses resumed normal operations on July 16. [71]
On July 15, the IFRC launched a joint-disaster appeal of 750,000 Swiss francs (US$590,000) for relief efforts related to Hurricanes Dennis and Emily. The target goal was 35,000 people throughout Grenada, Jamaica, and Haiti. Initial relief in Grenada would be carried out by the Grenada Red Cross, with focus placed on providing shelter and psychological support. [66] The Government of Grenada made a request for 10,000–15,000 tarpaulins, hygiene kits, jerry cans, and first aid kits to the IFRC. [71] The Oxford Committee for Famine Relief (OXFAM) deployed to Carriacou to build pit latrines. [25] Food for the Poor "rushed" to assist Grenadians. [83] India provided galvanized roofing material with expected delivery in August. [71] UNICEF provided 10,000 oral rehydration salts, 5,000 water purification tablets, 500 water containers (with a collective capacity of 5,000 L (1,300 US gal)), and several trauma kits. [70]
Trinidad and Tobago did not request international assistance, indicating they could handle relief with internal resources. [25]
The Haitian Government coordinated with the IFRC to assist victims in Saint-Marc. [59]
Jamaica's Rapid Damage Assessment Team conducted aerial assessments on July 17 to determine the extent of flooding. [75]
Mexico's Secretaría de Desarrollo Social (SEDESOL) provided financial assistance toward rebuilding residents' damaged homes. The country's Fondo de Desastres Naturales (Natural Disaster Fund) rebuilt 167 homes away from high-risk areas. The government set up temporary employment programs toward housing repairs as well as clearing roads. Mexico's Comisión Nacional del Agua (CONAGUA) set up two water purifying stations, and had a crew of 54 people disinfect and sanitize water systems for 6,201 people. [46]
Hurricane Lenny was the strongest November Atlantic hurricane since the 1932 Cuba hurricane. It was the twelfth tropical storm, eighth hurricane, and record-breaking fifth Category 4 hurricane in the 1999 Atlantic hurricane season. Lenny formed on November 13 in the western Caribbean Sea at around 18:00 UTC and went on to form and maintain an unusual and unprecedented easterly track for its entire duration, which gave it the common nickname, "Wrong Way Lenny". It attained hurricane status south of Jamaica on November 15 and passed south of Hispaniola and Puerto Rico over the next few days. Lenny rapidly intensified over the northeastern Caribbean on November 17, attaining peak winds of 155 mph (249 km/h) about 21 mi (34 km) south of Saint Croix in the United States Virgin Islands. It gradually weakened while moving through the Leeward Islands, eventually dissipating on November 23 over the open Atlantic Ocean.
Hurricane Gilbert was the second most intense tropical cyclone on record in the Atlantic basin in terms of barometric pressure, only behind Hurricane Wilma in 2005. An extremely powerful tropical cyclone that formed during the 1988 Atlantic hurricane season, Gilbert peaked as a Category 5 hurricane that brought widespread destruction to the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico, and is tied with 1969's Hurricane Camille as the second-most intense tropical cyclone to make landfall in the Atlantic Ocean. Gilbert was also one of the largest tropical cyclones ever observed in the Atlantic basin. At one point, its tropical storm-force winds measured 575 mi (925 km) in diameter. In addition, Gilbert was the most intense tropical cyclone in recorded history to strike Mexico.
Hurricane Isidore was a powerful tropical cyclone that caused widespread flooding and heavy damage across Mexico, Cuba, and the United States in September 2002. The ninth named storm and the second hurricane in the 2002 Atlantic hurricane season, and the fifth of eight named storms to occur in September of that year, Isidore peaked as a Category 3 hurricane, causing damage, as well as four fatalities in Jamaica, Cuba, Mexico, and the United States. Isidore is also noted for threatening to strike the northern Gulf Coast as a Category 4 hurricane, however, the storm struck the region as a moderately strong tropical storm, due to a track change that brought the storm over the Yucatán Peninsula for over a day, which significantly weakened the cyclone in the process. The primary impact from the storm was the heavy rainfall, which fell across southeast Mexico, and also from the central United States Gulf coast into the Ohio Valley.
Hurricane Keith was a tropical cyclone in October 2000 that caused extensive damage in Central America, especially in Mexico and Belize. It was the fifteenth tropical cyclone, eleventh named storm, and seventh hurricane of the 2000 Atlantic hurricane season. Keith developed as a tropical depression from a tropical wave in the western Caribbean Sea on September 28. The depression gradually strengthened, and became Tropical Storm Keith on the following day. As the storm tracked westward, it continued to intensify and was upgraded to a hurricane on September 30. Shortly thereafter, Keith began to rapidly deepen, and peaked as a Category 4 hurricane less than 24 hours later. Keith then began to meander erratically offshore of Belize, which significantly weakened the storm due to land interaction. By late on October 2, Keith made landfall in Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker, Belize as a minimal hurricane. It quickly weakened to a tropical storm, before another landfall occurred near Belize City early on the following day. While moving inland over the Yucatán Peninsula, Keith weakened further, and was downgraded to a tropical depression before emerging into the Gulf of Mexico on October 4. Once in the Gulf of Mexico, Keith began to re-strengthen and was upgraded to a tropical storm later that day, and a hurricane on the following day. By late on October 5, Keith made its third and final landfall near Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico as a moderately strong Category 1 hurricane. The storm quickly weakened inland and dissipated as a tropical cyclone by 24 hours after landfall.
Hurricane Ivan was a large, long-lived, and devastating tropical cyclone that caused widespread damage in the Caribbean and United States. The ninth named storm the sixth hurricane and the fourth major hurricane of the active 2004 Atlantic hurricane season, Ivan formed in early September, and reached Category 5 strength on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale (SSHS). Ivan caused catastrophic damage in Grenada as a strong Category 3 storm, heavy damage in Jamaica as a strong Category 4 storm, and then severe damage in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, and the western tip of Cuba as a Category 5 hurricane. After peaking in strength, the hurricane moved north-northwest across the Gulf of Mexico to strike Pensacola/Milton, Florida and Alabama as a strong Category 3 storm, causing significant damage. Ivan dropped heavy rain on the Southeastern United States as it progressed northeastward and eastward through the Eastern United States, becoming an extratropical cyclone on September 18. The remnant low of the storm moved into the western subtropical Atlantic and regenerated into a tropical cyclone on September 22, which then moved across Florida and the Gulf of Mexico, and then into Louisiana and Texas, causing minimal damage. Ivan degenerated into a remnant low on September 24, before dissipating on the next day.
Hurricane Iris was a small, but powerful tropical cyclone that caused widespread destruction in Belize. Iris was the second-strongest storm of the 2001 Atlantic hurricane season, behind Hurricane Michelle. It was the ninth named storm, fifth hurricane, and third major hurricane of the year, forming from a tropical wave on October 4 just southeast of Barbados. It moved westward through the Caribbean, intensifying into a tropical storm on October 5 south of Puerto Rico, and into a hurricane on the following day. While passing south of the Dominican Republic, Iris dropped heavy rainfall that caused landslides, killing eight people. Later, the hurricane passed south of Jamaica, where it destroyed two houses. On reaching the western Caribbean Sea, Iris rapidly intensified into a Category 4 on the Saffir–Simpson scale. A small hurricane with an eye of only 7 mi (11 km) in diameter, Iris reached peak winds of 145 mph (233 km/h) before making landfall in southern Belize near Monkey River Town on October 9. The hurricane quickly dissipated over Central America, although its remnants contributed to the formation of Tropical Storm Manuel in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The hurricane caused severe damage—destroying homes, flooding streets, and leveling trees—in coastal towns south of Belize City.
Hurricane Janet was the most powerful tropical cyclone of the 1955 Atlantic hurricane season and one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record. Janet was also the first named storm to cause 1,000 deaths and the first Category 5 storm name to be retired. The eleventh tropical storm, ninth hurricane, and fourth major hurricane of the year, Janet formed from a tropical wave east of the Lesser Antilles on September 21. Moving westward across the Caribbean Sea, Janet fluctuated in intensity, but generally strengthened before reaching its peak intensity as a Category 5 hurricane with winds of 175 mph (282 km/h). The intense hurricane later made landfall at that intensity near Chetumal, Mexico on September 28. After weakening over the Yucatán Peninsula, it moved into the Bay of Campeche, where it slightly strengthened before making its final landfall near Veracruz on September 29. Janet quickly weakened over Mexico's mountainous terrain before dissipating on September 30.
Hurricane Dennis was a deadly and destructive tropical cyclone that briefly held the record for the strongest Atlantic hurricane ever to form before August. Dennis was the fourth named storm of the record-breaking 2005 Atlantic hurricane season. It originated on July 4 near the Windward Islands from a tropical wave. Dennis intensified into a hurricane on July 6 as it moved across the Caribbean Sea. Two days later, it became a strong Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale before striking Cuba twice on July 8. After weakening over land, Dennis re-intensified in the Gulf of Mexico, attaining its lowest barometric pressure of 930 mbar (27 inHg) on July 10. That day, Dennis weakened slightly before making a final landfall on Santa Rosa Island, Florida as a Category 3 hurricane. After moving through the central United States, the circulation associated with former Hurricane Dennis dissipated on July 18 over Ontario. While Dennis was still active as a tropical cyclone, it lost its status as the strongest hurricane before August to Hurricane Emily, which also moved through the Caribbean.
Hurricane Stan was the deadliest tropical cyclone of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season. A relatively weak system that affected areas of Central America and Mexico in early October 2005, Stan was the eighteenth named storm and eleventh hurricane of the 2005 season, having formed from a tropical wave on October 1 after it had moved into the western Caribbean. The depression slowly intensified, and reached tropical storm intensity the following day, before subsequently making its first landfall on the Yucatán Peninsula. While traversing the peninsula, the tropical storm weakened, but was able to re-intensify once it entered the Bay of Campeche. Under favorable conditions for tropical cyclogenesis, Stan attained hurricane strength on October 4, and later reached peak intensity with winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 977 mbar (28.9 inHg). The hurricane maintained this intensity until landfall in the Mexican state of Veracruz later the same day. Once over the mountainous terrain of Mexico, however, Stan quickly weakened, and dissipated on October 5.
Hurricane Wilma was the most intense tropical cyclone in the Atlantic basin and the second-most intense tropical cyclone in the Western Hemisphere, both based on barometric pressure, after Hurricane Patricia in 2015. Wilma's rapid intensification led to a 24-hour pressure drop of 97 mbar (2.9 inHg), setting a new basin record. At its peak, Hurricane Wilma's eye contracted to a record minimum diameter of 2.3 mi (3.7 km). In the record-breaking 2005 Atlantic hurricane season, Wilma was the twenty-second storm, thirteenth hurricane, sixth major hurricane, fourth Category 5 hurricane, and the second costliest.
Hurricane Claudette was a moderately strong tropical cyclone that struck South Texas in July 2003. A fairly long-lived July Atlantic hurricane, Claudette was the fourth depression, third tropical storm and first hurricane of the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season. Claudette began as a tropical wave in the eastern Caribbean. It moved quickly westward, brushing past the Yucatán Peninsula before moving northwestward through the Gulf of Mexico. Claudette remained a tropical storm until just before making landfall in Port O'Connor, Texas, when it quickly strengthened to a strong Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. Forecasting of its path and intensity was uncertain throughout its lifetime, resulting in widespread and often unnecessary preparations along its path.
Hurricane Dean was the strongest tropical cyclone of the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season. It was the most intense North Atlantic hurricane since Hurricane Wilma of 2005, tying for ninth overall. Additionally, it made the fourth most intense Atlantic hurricane landfall. A Cape Verde hurricane that formed on August 13, 2007, Dean took a west-northwest path from the eastern Atlantic Ocean through the Saint Lucia Channel and into the Caribbean. It strengthened into a major hurricane, reaching Category 5 status on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale before passing just south of Jamaica on August 20. The storm made landfall on the Yucatán Peninsula on August 21 at peak intensity. It crossed the peninsula and emerged into the Bay of Campeche weakened, but still remained a hurricane. It strengthened briefly before making a second landfall near Tecolutla in the Mexican state of Veracruz on August 22. Dean drifted to the northwest, weakening into a remnant low which dissipated uneventfully over the southwestern United States. Dean was the second-most intense tropical cyclone worldwide of 2007 in terms of pressure, only behind Cyclone George in the Australian region, and tied with Felix as the most intense worldwide in terms of 1-minute sustained winds.
The effects of Hurricane Dean in the Lesser Antilles were spread over five island countries and included 3 fatalities. Hurricane Dean formed in the Atlantic Ocean west of Cape Verde on August 14, 2007. The National Hurricane Center's first Forecast Advisory on the system anticipated that the Cape Verde-type hurricane would pass into the Caribbean through the Lesser Antilles. The storm moved persistently towards the small island chain, strengthening until it passed through the islands three days later on August 17 as a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. It went on to brush the island of Jamaica and reached Category 5 strength before making landfall on Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula.
In September 2004, Hurricane Ivan caused significant effects in the Lesser Antilles and South America, including 44 deaths and over $1 billion in damage (2004 USD), primarily in Grenada where it was considered the worst hurricane in nearly 50 years. Hurricane Ivan developed from a tropical wave on September 2 and rapidly intensified to become a major hurricane, passing through the southern Lesser Antilles on September 7 with winds of 125 mph (201 km/h). At the time, its typical storm force winds extended outward up to 160 miles (260 km) with hurricane-force winds outward to 70 miles (110 km), and the northern portion of the eye passed over Grenada.
From September 8 to 14, 2004, Hurricane Ivan moved through the Caribbean Sea, affecting all of the Greater Antilles. Reaching peak winds of 165 mph (266 km/h), Ivan attained Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale, the strongest possible category, on three times in the Caribbean. It first lashed the southern coasts of Puerto Rico and Hispaniola with high waves, killing five people in the Dominican Republic and Haiti; in the latter country, two others drowned due to storm flooding. The effects in Jamaica were among the worst from a tropical cyclone in the island's recorded history. The storm caused severe damage which left 18,000 people homeless. An estimated 17 people on the island were killed by Ivan.
The 1933 Tampico hurricane was a deadly tropical cyclone late in the 1933 Atlantic hurricane season. It was the second system of the season to reach Category 5‑equivalent intensity on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale. It developed on September 16 near the Lesser Antilles, and slowly intensified while moving across the Caribbean Sea. Becoming a hurricane on September 19, its strengthening rate increased while passing south of Jamaica. Two days later, the hurricane reached peak winds, estimated at 160 mph (260 km/h). After weakening, it made landfall on the Yucatán Peninsula, destroying several houses. One person was killed offshore Progreso, Yucatán during the storm.
Hurricane Earl was the deadliest Atlantic hurricane to impact Mexico since Hurricane Stan in 2005. The fifth named storm and second hurricane of the 2016 Atlantic hurricane season, Earl formed from a tropical wave south of Jamaica on August 2. The precursor to Earl brought torrential rainfall and flooding to the Lesser Antilles. Upon classification, the storm moved westward through the Caribbean Sea, brushing the north coast of Honduras. Earl strengthened into an 85 mph (140 km/h) hurricane before making landfall on Belize on August 4. It weakened while moving across the Yucatán Peninsula, but reintensified in the Bay of Campeche and followed the coastline. On August 6, Earl dissipated after moving ashore Veracruz.
The 1944 Jamaica hurricane was a deadly major hurricane that swept across the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico in August 1944. Conservative estimates placed the storm's death toll at 116. The storm was already well-developed when it was first noted passing westward over the Windward Islands into the Caribbean Sea on August 16. A ship near Grenada with 74 occupants was lost, constituting a majority of the deaths associated with the storm. The following day, the storm intensified into a hurricane, reaching its peak strength on August 20 with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h). At this intensity, the major hurricane made landfall on Jamaica later that day, traversing the length of the island. The damage wrought was extensive, with the strong winds destroying 90 percent of banana trees and 41 percent of coconut trees in Jamaica; the overall damage toll was estimated at "several millions of dollars". The northern coast of Jamaica saw the most severe damage, with widespread structural damage and numerous homes destroyed across several parishes. In Port Maria, the storm was considered the worst since 1903.
Hurricane Wilma significantly affected the Yucatán Peninsula, bringing destruction to the area. Hurricane Wilma developed on 15 October in the Caribbean. Four days later, it intensified into the strongest Atlantic hurricane on record as determined by barometric pressure. Wilma weakened as it moved slowly northwestward, eventually making landfall late on 21 October on the island of Cozumel. At the time, it was a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson scale. Early the next day, the hurricane made another landfall on the Mexican mainland near Puerto Morelos. Wilma exited the Yucatán Peninsula into the Gulf of Mexico on 23 October.
Hurricane Grace was the strongest tropical cyclone to make landfall in the Mexican state of Veracruz. Grace impacted much of the Leeward Islands and Greater Antilles as a tropical storm, before causing more substantial impacts in the Yucatán Peninsula and Veracruz as a hurricane. It was the seventh named storm, second hurricane, and first major hurricane of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season. Originating from a tropical wave in the Main Development Region, the primitive system tracked west-northwest across the Atlantic Ocean towards the Antilles, becoming a tropical depression on August 14. It strengthened into Tropical Storm Grace later the same day, but weakened back to a depression due to an unfavorable environment. After moving near Haiti as a tropical depression, it strengthened back to a tropical storm and became a hurricane on August 18, reaching an initial peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a pressure of 986 mbar (29.12 inHg). It weakened back to a tropical storm after its landfall in the Yucatán Peninsula and emerged into the Bay of Campeche, entering a very favorable environment for intensification hours later. Grace then rapidly intensified into a Category 3 hurricane with winds of 120 mph (190 km/h) in about 24 hours. The storm made its final landfall in the state of Veracruz at peak intensity and quickly degenerated into a remnant low over mainland Mexico on August 21; however, its remnants later regenerated into Tropical Storm Marty in the Eastern Pacific on August 23.