Hurricane Frances

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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
Disc Plain black.svg Tropical cyclone
Solid black.svg Subtropical cyclone
ArrowUp.svg Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

A strong tropical wave moved off the west coast of Africa on August 21. [1] Moving under the base of the subtropical ridge, [2] it moved westward for several days, remaining disorganized despite favorable conditions. [3] Thunderstorms associated with the wave finally began organizing early on August 24 [4] and the system became a tropical depression that evening. [5] Good upper-level outflow was observed in all but the eastern quadrants as the depression continued on its path, [6] and it strengthened to tropical storm status on August 25, approximately 1,420 miles (2,290 km) east of the Lesser Antilles. [7]

The tropical storm, now named Frances, further intensified on August 26 in an environment of low vertical wind shear as its track bent to the west-northwest. [8] Frances rapidly intensified, developing an eye and reaching hurricane strength late that afternoon. [9] An approaching upper-level trough caused Frances to move more northwesterly on August 27. [10] The cyclone reached its primary peak intensity of 135 miles per hour (217 km/h) on August 28. [11] The hurricane turned back to its original westward motion on August 29, as the upper trough moved away the region and the subtropical ridge strengthened to Frances's north. [12]

Photo of Hurricane Frances taken by Mike Fincke aboard the International Space Station on August 27, 2004 Hurricane Frances from the ISS - 10AM. EDT AUG 27 2004.jpg
Photo of Hurricane Frances taken by Mike Fincke aboard the International Space Station on August 27, 2004

Over the next day, the hurricane underwent an eyewall replacement cycle, during which the maximum sustained winds decreased to 115 miles per hour (185 km/h). [13] This weakening trend was short lived, and the storm reintensified during the afternoon of August 30, as vertical wind shear remained low. [14] The storm continued strengthening as it turned west-northwestward, reaching its peak intensity of 145 miles per hour (233 km/h) on September 2 while 555 miles (893 km) east-southeast of West Palm Beach, Florida. [15] On September 2, Frances entered the Bahamas, passing directly over San Salvador Island and very close to Cat Island. The storm weakened to a Category 3 hurricane by 2 pm, which was initially attributed to inner core processes, [16] but increasing westerly winds aloft, and the resultant vertical wind shear, was later determined to be the cause. [13] On September 3, Frances passed into the vicinity of Abaco Island and directly over Grand Bahama while continuing to slowly weaken. The storm regained Category 2 hurricane intensity prior to passing over Grand Bahama Island and also slowed in forward speed due to a weakness in the subtropical ridge to its north. Parts of South Florida began to be affected by squalls and the outer rainbands of the hurricane at this time. Gusts from 40 miles per hour (64 km/h) to as high as 87 miles per hour (140 km/h) were reported from Jupiter Inlet to Miami. [13]

Frances moved slowly, between 5 and 10 miles per hour (8.0 and 16.1 km/h), as it crossed the warm Gulf Stream between the Bahamas and Florida, leading to the concern that it could restrengthen. However, Frances remained stable at Category 2 intensity with 105 miles per hour (169 km/h) maximum sustained winds while it battered the east coast of Florida between Fort Pierce and West Palm Beach for much of September 4. At 11 pm, the western edge of the eyewall began moving onshore. Because of its large eye, which was roughly 80 miles (130 km) across, and its slow forward motion, the center of circulation remained offshore for several more hours. At 1 am EDT on September 5 (0500 UTC), the center of the broad eye of Frances made landfall along the Florida coast, at the southern end of Hutchinson Island, near Sewall's Point, Jensen Beach, and Port Salerno, Florida. [13] Late on September 5, Frances picked up speed due to a strengthening high pressure system to its north and crossed the Florida Peninsula, emerging over the Gulf of Mexico near Tampa as a tropical storm. After a short trip over the Gulf of Mexico, Frances made a second landfall near St. Marks, Florida. Frances headed inland, weakening to a tropical depression and causing heavy rainfall over the southern and eastern United States. As Tropical Depression Frances turned northeast, [13] United States meteorologists at the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center continued issuing advisories on the system until it crossed the Canada–United States border into Quebec, where heavy rainfall also fell. [17]

Preparations

Radar mosaic of Hurricane Frances at 12:57 am EDT, 5 September. Hurricane Frances radar mosaic.png
Radar mosaic of Hurricane Frances at 12:57 am EDT, 5 September.

A tropical storm watch was issued for Frances for the Leeward Islands during the afternoon of August 29, which was upgraded to a warning that night and expanded to include the islands of Anguilla, Antigua, Barbuda, Nevis, Saba, Saint Kitts, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten. A hurricane watch was issued during the night of August 29 for the northern British Virgin Islands, the northern United States Virgin Islands, Culebra, and Vieques. On the morning of August 30, the hurricane watch for Vieques was downgraded to a tropical storm watch. That afternoon, hurricane watches were changed to tropical storm warnings across Puerto Rico, Culebra, Vieques, British Virgin Islands, and the northern U. S. Virgin Islands while a tropical storm watch was issued for St. Croix while all remaining hurricane watches were dropped. That night, tropical storm watches were issued for eastern portions of the northern coast of the Dominican Republic while a tropical storm warning was issued for Guadeloupe. [13]

Early on the morning of August 31, tropical storm warnings were dropped for Antigua, Barbuda, Nevis, and St. Kitts while hurricane watches were issued for the southeast Bahamas as well as the Turks and Caicos Islands. Hurricane watches were upgraded to hurricane warnings later that morning. Toward noon, tropical storm warnings were issued for the remainder of the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, a hurricane watch was issued for the central Bahamas, while all watches and warnings were dropped for northeast portion of the Dominican Republic and portions of the Lesser Antilles south of the British Virgin Islands. That afternoon, tropical storm warnings were dropped from Puerto Rico eastward. On the morning of September 1, a hurricane watch was issued for the northwest Bahamas while the watch for the central Bahamas was upgraded to a warning. That afternoon, warnings were dropped for the Dominican Republic. [13]

Hurricane Frances making landfall on Hutchinson Island near Port St. Lucie, Florida, on September 5 Frances 2004-09-05 1815Z.jpg
Hurricane Frances making landfall on Hutchinson Island near Port St. Lucie, Florida, on September 5

On the evening of September 1, hurricane warnings were issued for the northwest Bahamas while hurricane watches were issued for the lower east coast of Florida and tropical storm watches were issued for the Florida Keys. There was the potential for catastrophic damage along Florida's heavily populated east coast, with warnings that damages from Frances could exceed the insured losses of Hurricane Andrew. [18] These damage estimates were in anticipation that Frances would strike Florida as a strong Category Four hurricane. Preparations for the storm were stepped up in Florida on September 1. Governor Jeb Bush declared a state of emergency, [19] Kennedy Space Center closed down, [20] and evacuations of 500,000 people were initially ordered. Eventually 41 counties received evacuation orders, covering 2.8 million residents, the largest evacuation in Florida's history. [21] The state education system also responded to the pending crisis. Many universities across Florida canceled classes. Both the University of Central Florida and the University of North Florida told all students to leave their dorms. Evacuation at the University of South Florida was performed on a dorm-by-dorm basis. Florida Atlantic University was closed for a week and a half. Most schools were shut down from southern Miami-Dade County to just south of Melbourne two days before the hurricane. The annual Florida State University-University of Miami college football game was rescheduled for the following week. [22] The entire Major League Baseball series between the Florida Marlins and Chicago Cubs was postponed as well. [23]

Early during the morning of September 2, hurricane watches were extended southward to Craig Key. Later that morning, hurricane watches were upgraded to hurricane warnings for the lower east coast of Florida while a hurricane watch and tropical storm warning was raised for most of the Florida Keys and Florida Bay. Hurricane warnings were dropped for the Turks and Caicos Islands late on the morning of September 1 and for the Southeast Bahamas late that night. Late on the morning of September 3, hurricane watches were issued for the northeast coast of Florida, while early that afternoon tropical storm warnings were issued for the same area. Hurricane warnings were dropped for the central Bahamas that afternoon. That night, tropical storm warnings were issued for the southwest coast of the Florida peninsula with watches issued for the northwest Florida peninsula. On the morning of September 4, tropical storm warnings were extended northward to Anna Maria Island and along the Georgia coast. Tropical storm watches were extended northward to St. Marks, Florida. That afternoon, hurricane watches were dropped for most of the northwest Bahamas while warnings were extended up the coast to St. Marks, and watches were extended westward to Panama City, Florida. [13]

Early on morning of September 5, hurricane warnings were downgraded to tropical storm warnings south of Deerfield Beach, Florida, while tropical storm warnings were extended westward through the western Florida Keys. Later that morning, hurricane warnings were issued for most of the northwest Florida coast while hurricane watches were lowered for northeast Florida and hurricane warnings were dropped for the remainder of the northwest Bahamas. That afternoon, all warnings were dropped for southeast Florida south of Jupiter Inlet, while the remaining hurricane warnings along the east Florida coast were downgraded to tropical storm warnings. Hurricane warnings along the coast of western Florida were extended southward to Anna Maria Island. Late that night, tropical storm warnings were dropped south of Bonita Beach including all the Florida Keys. Early on the morning of September 6, all warnings were dropped in Florida south of Englewood and Cocoa Beach. Later that morning, hurricane warnings were downgraded to tropical storm warnings between Indian Pass and Destin as well as between Anna Maria Island and the Suwannee River while all remaining warnings were dropped south of Anna Maria Island, as well as the Florida east coast and the Georgia coast. That afternoon, all hurricane warnings were downgraded to tropical storm warnings, with all warnings dropped between west of St. Marks and south of the Suwannee river. On the night of September 6, all remaining tropical cyclone warnings were dropped. [13]

Impact

The economic effect was felt early, as the storm struck during Labor Day weekend, traditionally the final summer vacation weekend in the United States. [24] Many hotel reservations from South Carolina to Florida were cancelled as people, seeing the destruction caused weeks earlier by Hurricane Charley, decided to avoid the coastal areas for safety. One death in the Bahamas, one in Ohio, and five in Florida were directly attributed to the storm. 42 more deaths - 32 in Florida, eight in Georgia, one in the Bahamas and one in Ohio, are indirectly attributed to Frances. [13]

The total civilian damage from Frances was determined to be approximately US$8.86 billion (2004 dollars). Add in the estimated US$100 million damage (2004 dollars) done to space and military facilities at Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, and Patrick Air Force Base, Florida and the total damage was estimated to be about US$9 billion (2004 dollars), making it the fourth costliest hurricane in United States history at that time, behind Hurricane Andrew of 1992 and Hurricanes Charley and Ivan of 2004. [25] At the time, adjusted for inflation, it became the seventh costliest hurricane for the lower 48 United States. [26] Flooding was also reported in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Minor flooding happened along the banks of the three rivers and more damage was associated with river tributaries. [27]

Bahamas

Hurricane Frances over the Bahamas on September 3 Hurricane Frances 03 sept 2004 1824Z.jpg
Hurricane Frances over the Bahamas on September 3

About 75% of the island chain lost power for a few hours during the storm. Damage occurred to downed trees and wooden homes. Between 13 and 17 percent of the non-native Australian pine on San Salvador Island experienced damage, primarily from snapping, though some browning from salt spray was noted. [28] Several feet of water flooded the international airport at Freeport. [29] In the Bahamas, insurers and reinsurers estimated industry insured losses at about $300 million (2004 dollars). [30] All cool-season vegetable plantings, and the entire banana crop, were lost during Frances. The pineapple crop was significantly impacted by wind damage in Eleuthera, while the entire fruit crop was lost for similar reasons. The corn crop in Long Island and Cat Island was completely lost. Significant poultry losses were experienced. [31]

Florida

Xenon lights illuminate the 525 ft (160 m) tall Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center, Florida where workers make repairs on September 30, 2004. Vehicle Assembly Building damage from Hurricane Frances night view.jpg
Xenon lights illuminate the 525 ft (160 m) tall Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center, Florida where workers make repairs on September 30, 2004.

Near the point of its first landfall, few structures were destroyed and ocean overwash across the barrier island was limited, though the extent of the damage far exceeded that of Hurricane Charley. [32] Wind damage to citrus groves led to a near total loss near the coast of east-central Florida between West Palm Beach and Melbourne, with lesser damage farther to the west across the Kissimmee River basin. [33] Between Hurricane Charley and Frances, citrus losses totaled $2 billion (2004 dollars). [34] Significant tree damage was reported within golf courses along the Treasure Coast, with an average of 300-500 trees experiencing damage per course. [35]

Some areas of Florida received over 13 inches (330 mm) of rain as the system moved slowly through the state. [36] Heavy rains caused a large sinkhole to develop on Interstate 95 in Palm Beach County, which closed the highway to traffic. [37] Frances caused heavy damage to the large Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center, ripping off 820 4-by-10 foot aluminum panels covering the building. [38] While Charley caused $700,000 damage (2004 dollars), Frances's damage was significantly greater. Two external fuel tanks for the Space Shuttle were in the building but seemed undamaged. The Space Shuttle Discovery's hangar was without power. [39] The total damage to space and military facilities around Cape Canaveral, Florida was reported at about $100 million (2004 dollars).[ citation needed ] Orlando, Florida's theme parks closed Sunday — [40] only the third time Walt Disney World had closed for a hurricane, but the second time in a month. [41] A wind gust of 70 mph was recorded at Orlando International Airport. [42]

Georgia

Frances dropped significant rain on Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and North and South Carolina. The passage of tropical depression Frances into Georgia dumped up to 5 inches (130 mm) of rain onto the state and caused the closings of schools in 56 counties. Across Georgia, winds of 30 to 40 miles per hour (48 to 64 km/h), with gusts to 50 miles per hour (80 km/h) led to the downing of tree branches and power lines. [43] At one point on September 7, a total of 380,000 residences were without power. [44] Significant crop damage was seen, particularly to the cotton and the peanut crops. On average, 30 percent of the crops were lost during Frances. [45]

Carolinas

Flooding was reported even in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast states, particularly along the Appalachian Mountains. A strip of upslope-induced rainfall along the Blue Ridge escarpment produced as much as 23 inches (580 mm) of rain in some areas of western North Carolina as the warm tropical air surged up and over the mountains. [36] Flooding along the Swannanoa River near Asheville, North Carolina caused a major break in Asheville's water distribution system, leaving the city without water for several days. The Pigeon River flooded in Haywood County, leaving many homeless and many businesses closed, including the town hall of Canton. Significant crop damage was seen into North Carolina, which reported $55 million in crop damage. [46] Frances also spawned 101 tornadoes from Florida to as far north as Virginia, shy of the single storm tornado record set during Hurricane Beulah. [25] Power outages affected up to six million people. Over 20 airports closed during the storm.

Canada

As an extratropical cyclone, Frances passed through southern Ontario. The storm dropped up to 5.39 inches (137 mm), [47] washing out roads and causing localized flooding in Quebec, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland. This rainfall smashed all-time rainfall records in a 24-hour period (most of the rain fell in a 6 to 8 hour-period). Ottawa's O-Train Trillium Line was halted because of a landslide that obstructed the railroad corridor. Several major roads in Gatineau and Ottawa were under several inches of water, locally chest-high. More than $45 million (2004 CAD; US$41 million) in insured damage was reported in Ontario. [48]

Aftermath

Bahamas

Frances is the first hurricane to impact the entire archipelago since 1866. On September 4, teams from the Ministry of Works, the Department of Environmental Health Services, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and the Royal Bahamas Police Force were used to clear roadways of tree debris while utilities attempted to restore power and water in New Providence. The Family Islands were surveyed on September 5 and 6, when it was noted that major damage occurred within the island group. Telecommunications were restored to most of the island chain within 24 hours. As of September 21, electricity had been restored to half of the Bahamians who had lost power. Western sections of Grand Bahama Island remained without power into Hurricane Jeanne, which was the most significantly impacted island. The onion crop was expected to be late in 2005 due to the loss of seedbeds and seedlings during the storm. [31]

Florida

President George W. Bush helps deliver water at a relief center in Ft. Pierce, Florida. 20040908-12 florida1-4-515h.jpg
President George W. Bush helps deliver water at a relief center in Ft. Pierce, Florida.

In the aftermath of the storm, many colleges and school districts across Florida remained closed. President George W. Bush declared all of Florida a federal disaster area. [49] Kennedy Space Center did not restore its complete work force until September 13 due to relief operations, as well as a lack of gasoline, ice, and water in the area. [50] A total of 8000 members of the National Guard helped out with recovery efforts soon after the storm left the Florida peninsula. Residents in the areas of impact after the storm were under a boil water order, because of the lack of electricity to area water systems. [37] Churches prepared meals for people without power and food. [51] Federal employees were granted excused absences if they helped with law enforcement and the cleanup. [52] Thousands of portable generators were sent to the state by Home Depot and Lowe's home improvement stores. [53] The United States Army Corps of Engineers installed blue tarpaulins on 41,556 damaged roofs statewide. [54] Damage to the Florida citrus crop caused orange futures to rise four cents a pound. [55]

Georgia and the Carolinas

On September 24, the southern two-thirds of Georgia was declared a disaster by President Bush. [56] The state lost 50 percent of its pecan crop due to Frances, which led to a price rise in pecans by late October. [57] Lost peach trees were expected to lower output during 2005, and increase peach prices. [58] A disaster declaration was made for the northeast section of South Carolina on October 7. [59] On September 10, President Bush declared 34 counties within North Carolina a disaster area, making them eligible for US$6.5 million (2004 dollars) in public assistance. A Wildlife Commission removed its North Carolina Mountain State Fair exhibit due to Frances midway through the fair. Over 100,000 trout were lost due to the storm in the Pisgah, Table Rock, Marion, and Armstrong state fish hatcheries. [60] Red Cross volunteers distributed over 200,000 gallons of water by its 600 volunteers in four days. After Frances and Hurricane Ivan, Asheville determined that it needed $14 million in order to buy out willing businesses and homes within the floodplain. [61]

Retirement

Because of the hurricane's effects in the United States, the name Frances was retired from the rotating lists of tropical cyclone names in the spring of 2005 by the World Meteorological Organization, and will never again be used for an Atlantic basin tropical cyclone. [62] The name was replaced with Fiona for the 2010 season. [63]

See also

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Hurricane Floyd was the only hurricane to make landfall in the United States in the 1987 Atlantic hurricane season. The final of seven tropical storms and three hurricanes, Floyd developed on October 9 just off the east coast of Nicaragua. After becoming a tropical storm, it moved northward and crossed western Cuba. An approaching cold front caused Floyd to turn unexpectedly to the northeast, and late on October 12 it attained hurricane status near the Florida Keys. It moved through southern Florida, spawning two tornadoes and leaving minor damage. The hurricane also produced rip tides that killed a person in southern Texas. Floyd maintained hurricane status for only 12 hours before the cold front imparted hostile conditions and caused weakening. It passed through the Bahamas before becoming extratropical and later dissipating on October 14.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Noel</span> Category 1 Atlantic hurricane in 2007

Hurricane Noel was a deadly tropical cyclone that carved a path of destruction across the Atlantic Ocean from the Caribbean Sea to Newfoundland in late October 2007. The sixteenth tropical depression, fourteenth named storm, and the sixth hurricane of the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season, Noel formed on October 27 from the interaction between a tropical wave and an upper-level low in the north-central Caribbean. It strengthened to winds of 60 mph (97 km/h) before making landfall on western Haiti and the north coast of eastern Cuba. Noel turned northward, and on November 1, it attained hurricane status. The hurricane accelerated northeastward after crossing the Bahamas, and on November 2, it transitioned into an extratropical cyclone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Fox (1952)</span> Category 4 Atlantic hurricane in 1952

Hurricane Fox was a powerful and destructive tropical cyclone that crossed central Cuba in October 1952. The seventh named storm, sixth hurricane, and third major hurricane of the 1952 Atlantic hurricane season, it was the strongest and deadliest system of the season. Fox developed northwest of Cartagena, Colombia, in the southern Caribbean Sea. It moved steadily northwest, intensifying to a tropical storm on October 21. The next day, it rapidly strengthened into a hurricane and turned north passing closely to Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. The cyclone attained peak winds of 145 mph (233 km/h) as it struck Cayo Guano del Este off the coast of Cienfuegos. Fox made landfall on Cuba at maximum intensity, producing peak gusts of 170–180 mph (270–290 km/h). It weakened over land, but it re-strengthened as it turned east over the Bahamas. On October 26, it weakened and took an erratic path, dissipating west-southwest of Bermuda on October 28.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical Storm Fay (2008)</span> Atlantic tropical storm in 2008

Tropical Storm Fay was an unusual tropical storm that moved erratically across the state of Florida and the Caribbean Sea. The sixth named storm of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season, Fay formed from a vigorous tropical wave on August 15 over the Dominican Republic. It passed over the island of Hispaniola, into the Gulf of Gonâve, across the island of Cuba, and made landfall on the Florida Keys late in the afternoon of August 18 before veering into the Gulf of Mexico. It again made landfall near Naples, Florida, in the early hours of August 19 and progressed northeast through the Florida peninsula, emerging into the Atlantic Ocean near Melbourne on August 20. Extensive flooding took place in parts of Florida as a result of its slow movement. On August 21, it made landfall again near New Smyrna Beach, Florida, moving due west across the Panhandle, crossing Gainesville and Panama City, Florida. As it zigzagged from water to land, it became the first storm in recorded history to make landfall in Florida four times. Thirty-six deaths were blamed on Fay. The storm also resulted in one of the most prolific tropical cyclone related tornado outbreaks on record. A total of 81 tornadoes touched down across five states, three of which were rated as EF2. Fay would cause around $560 million in damages throughout its lifespan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Hanna (2008)</span> Category 1 Atlantic hurricane in 2008

Hurricane Hanna was a moderately powerful but deadly tropical cyclone that caused extensive damage across the Western Atlantic, mostly in the Turks and Caicos Islands and the East Coast of the United States. The eighth named storm and fourth hurricane of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season. It formed east-northeast of the northern Leeward Islands on August 28. Initially, the storm struggled to intensify due to moderate wind shear as it moved westwards towards the Bahamas. By August 31, Hanna had drifted southwards and began intensifying while over the Bahamas; it attained its peak intensity as a Category 1 hurricane while over the Turks and Caicos Islands. Due to the outflow of the nearby Hurricane Gustav, Hanna weakened back into a tropical storm the next day as it began to drift northwestwards towards the Southeastern United States. The storm struck Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, before moving up the Eastern Seaboard to become an extratropical cyclone as it moved by New England into Atlantic Canada early on September 7. The system raced across the North Atlantic, sweeping west of Great Britain on September 10 before turning north and becoming absorbed by a stronger extratropical cyclone between Iceland and Greenland late on September 12.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Effects of Hurricane Katrina in Florida</span>

The effects of Hurricane Katrina in Florida were in both the southern portion of the state and in the panhandle. After developing on August 23, Katrina made landfall near the border of Broward and Miami-Dade counties with 80 mph (130 km/h) winds on August 25. While it was crossing the state, the hurricane's convection was asymmetrical, primarily located to the south and east of the center. As a result, high rainfall totals occurred in the Miami area, peaking at 16.43 in (417 mm) in Perrine. The rains caused flooding, and the combination of rains and winds downed trees and power lines, leaving 1.45 million people without power. Damage in South Florida was estimated at $523 million (2005 USD), mostly as a result of crop damage. Further south, the hurricane spawned a tornado in the Florida Keys. In the island chain, Katrina caused heavy rainfall and gusty winds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Effects of Hurricane Charley in Jamaica</span>

The effects of Hurricane Charley in Jamaica included one fatality and at least $4.1 million in damages. Forming out of a tropical wave on August 9, 2004, Charley quickly tracked through the eastern Caribbean and attained tropical storm status on August 10. While passing south of Jamaica on August 11, the storm was upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane. During its passage of Jamaica, Charley had maximum winds of 75 mph (120 km/h), a low-end Category 1 hurricane. Turning north, the storm impacted western Cuba as a Category 3 storm before making landfall in Florida as a strong Category 4. The storm eventually dissipated on August 15. As Charley approached Jamaica, officials issued tropical storm watches and warnings before issuing a hurricane watch. Two cruise ships were diverted from docking in Jamaica, affecting 5,700 passengers. Numerous shelters were set up across the island; however, relatively few people sought refuge in them.

References

  1. ↑ Lawrence (2004). "Tropical Weather Outlook". National Hurricane Center . Retrieved May 28, 2008.
  2. ↑ Beven (2004). "Hurricane Frances Forecast Discussion #3". National Hurricane Center . Retrieved May 29, 2008.
  3. ↑ Stewart (2004). "Tropical Weather Outlook". National Hurricane Center . Retrieved May 28, 2008.
  4. ↑ Avila (2004). "Tropical Weather Outlook". National Hurricane Center . Retrieved May 28, 2008.
  5. ↑ Pasch (2004). "NHC Public Advisory #1". National Hurricane Center . Retrieved May 28, 2008.
  6. ↑ Pasch (2004). "Hurricane Frances Forecast Discussion #2". National Hurricane Center . Retrieved May 29, 2008.
  7. ↑ Beven (2004). "NHC Public Advisory #4". National Hurricane Center . Retrieved May 28, 2008.
  8. ↑ Avila (2004). "Hurricane Frances Forecast Discussion #6". National Hurricane Center . Retrieved May 29, 2008.
  9. ↑ Stewart (2004). "Hurricane Frances Forecast Discussion #8". National Hurricane Center . Retrieved May 29, 2008.
  10. ↑ Stewart (2004). "Hurricane Frances Forecast Discussion #12". National Hurricane Center . Retrieved May 30, 2008.
  11. ↑ Stewart (2004). "Hurricane Frances Forecast Discussion #16". National Hurricane Center . Retrieved May 30, 2008.
  12. ↑ Avila (2004). "Hurricane Frances Forecast Discussion #19". National Hurricane Center . Retrieved May 30, 2008.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Beven (2004). "Hurricane Frances Tropical Cyclone Report" (PDF). National Hurricane Center . Retrieved May 22, 2015.
  14. ↑ Pasch (2004). "Hurricane Frances Forecast Discussion #24". National Hurricane Center . Retrieved June 1, 2008.
  15. ↑ Beven (2004). "Hurricane Frances Public Advisory #33A". National Hurricane Center . Retrieved June 1, 2008.
  16. ↑ Avila (2004). "Hurricane Frances Discussion #36". National Hurricane Center . Retrieved October 6, 2008.
  17. ↑ Glenn Lader. Public Advisory Number 65 for Remnants of Frances. Retrieved on 2008-09-30.
  18. ↑ CNN (2004).Frances could be most costly storm. Retrieved on 2008-09-30.
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  20. ↑ Maggie McKee (2004). Hurricane Frances could destroy space shuttles. Retrieved on 2008-09-30.
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  23. ↑ Frances postpones entire Marlins-Cubs series, New Haven Register, September 5, 2004
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  28. ↑ John C Rodgers III and Douglas W. Gamble (2008). The impact of Hurricane Frances (2004) on the invasive Australian pine (Casuarina equisetifolia L.) on San Salvador Island, The Bahamas. Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society, Jul-Sep 2008. Retrieved on 2009-04-08.
  29. ↑ Joseph B. Treaster (2004). Hurricane Frances: The Bahamas; Damage is Mostly Light as Storm Pelts Island Chain. New York Times. Retrieved on 2008-09-30.
  30. ↑ Guy Carpenter (2004). Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan & Jeanne Caribbean Impact. Archived November 3, 2006, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2007-04-08.
  31. 1 2 The Commonwealth of the Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2004). Communication to Parliament on Hurricane Frances and an addendum report on Hurricane Jeanne by the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. Archived October 26, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2009-04-06.
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  34. ↑ Janette Ballman (2004). Winds of Change: Hurricanes Devastate Florida Businesses. Archived November 14, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Disaster Recovery Journal, Fall 2004 - Volume 17, Issue 4. Retrieved on 2009-04-08.
  35. ↑ John H. Foy (2004). The Impact Of The 2004 Hurricane Season On Florida Golf Courses. Archived December 4, 2008, at the Wayback Machine United States Golf Association. Retrieved on 2009-04-08.
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  40. ↑ WDWmagic.com. What's New Archive 2004. Archived June 26, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Walt Disney World. Retrieved on 2007-04-08.
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  44. ↑ Office of Energy Assurance (2004). Tropical Storm Frances Situation Report: September 7, 2004 (10:00 am EDT). United States Department of Energy. Retrieved on 2009-04-10.
  45. ↑ Julia Beckhusen, Joseph B. Goodenbery, Gerrit Hoogenboom, and Jeffrey D. Mullen. Effects of Hurricane Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne on Georgia Irrigators. [ permanent dead link ] Retrieved on 2009-04-10.
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  62. ↑ "4 hurricanes in 6 weeks? It happened to one state in 2004". Washington, D.C.: NOAA. August 26, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
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Hurricane Frances
Frances 2004-08-31 1755Z.jpg
Frances near peak intensity north of Puerto Rico on August 31
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