Hurricane Hortense

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Map key
  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 tropical wave and a broad low-pressure area associated with it exited the west coast of Africa near Dakar, Senegal on August 30. The low-pressure area, which had deepened to 1,005  mbar (29.7  inHg ) by August 31, moved south of Cape Verde. Although deep convection was minimal on satellite imagery, the system possessed a well-defined low- to mid-level circulation. After crossing several National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration buoys early on September 3, it was determined that the system developed into Tropical Depression Eight at 1200 UTC on that same day, while located about halfway between Cape Verde and the Lesser Antilles. Under the influence of strong high pressure ridge, the depression tracked almost due westward, without significant intensification. Convection remained sporadic and disorganized, with a reconnaissance flight finding a board circulation and a few squall on September 6. While nearing the Leeward Islands, upper-level winds reduced to a favorable level, causing strengthening and allowing deep convection to increase. [1]

At 0600 UTC on September 7, the depression had intensified into Tropical Storm Hortense. A reconnaissance flight around that time reported winds of 71 mph (114 km/h), confirming the storm was strengthening. Early on September 8, Hortense struck Guadeloupe with winds of 60 mph (95 km/h). Shortly thereafter, intensification slowed, due to increased vertical wind shear by upper-level short wave in the eastern Caribbean Sea. Convection diminished, with satellite imagery showing a tropical cyclone with the low-level circulation exposed. The short-wave soon left the area, causing wind shear to decrease and convection quickly re-developed.

Hurricane Hortense moving through Puerto Rico on September 10 Hortense 1996-09-10 1115Z.gif
Hurricane Hortense moving through Puerto Rico on September 10

By early on September 9, Hortense intensified into a Category 1 hurricane, while curving northwestward. Around 0600 UTC on the following day, the storm made landfall near Guánica, Puerto Rico with winds of 80 mph (130 km/h); [1] this made it the first hurricane landfall on the island since Hurricane Hugo in 1989. Initially, most tropical cyclone forecast models anticipated Hortense would pass south of the island and instead strike the Dominican Republic. [2] After two hours, Hortense emerged into the Mona Passage and brushed the eastern tip of Dominican Republic; Punta Cana near the eastern tip of the country reported the calm of the eye on September 10. Land interaction with Hispaniola weakened the storm slightly, though it would soon re-strengthen. [1]

While tracking east of Turks and Caicos Islands on September 11, Hortense became a Category 2 hurricane and then to a Category 3 hurricane by early on the following day. Continuing to intensify, Hortense reached Category 4 intensity on September 12. Around that time, a developing trough centered over the Eastern United States caused the storm to curve almost due northward and accelerate. At 0000 UTC on September 13, Hortense attained its peak intensity with a maximum sustained wind speed of 140 mph (220 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 935 mbar (27.6 inHg).

After maintaining Category 4 intensity for 24 hours, the storm weakened back to a Category 3 hurricane. While passing well west of Bermuda, Hortense was downgraded to a Category 2 hurricane early on September 14. Later that day, the storm weakened further to a Category 1 hurricane. Early on September 15, Hortense made its final landfall near West Quoddy, Nova Scotia with winds of 75 mph (120 km/h). Hortense weakened over Nova Scotia and was a tropical storm when it re-emerged into the Atlantic less than nine hours after landfall. By 1800 UTC on September 15, Hortense transitioned into an extratropical cyclone while just south of Newfoundland. The storm's remnants merged with a frontal system on the following day. [1]

Preparations

Shortly after Hortense intensified into a tropical storm, a tropical storm warning was issued by the respective governments from Martinique to the United States Virgin Islands. Late on September 7, about 57 hours before the hurricane's Puerto Rico landfall, a tropical storm warning and hurricane watch was issued for Puerto Rico; [1] however, the watch was discontinued at 1500 UTC on September 8 after the storm experienced increased wind shear in the region. [2] At the same time, a hurricane warning was left after having been issued for the British and United States Virgin Islands 12 hours earlier. At 1500 UTC on September 9 – about fifteen hours before landfall – a hurricane warning was issued in Puerto Rico. [1] The downgrade of the warning on the island led residents to underestimate the hurricane's threat. [2] Before Hortense struck Puerto Rico, the local National Weather Service office warned of the potential of rainfall exceeding 10 in (250 mm), with higher totals in the mountains. [1]

Late on September 9, a hurricane warning was issued for portions of eastern Dominican Republic, which was eventually extended along the country's northern coastline. A tropical storm warning and hurricane watch was issued for the north coast of Haiti to St. Nicolas. On September 10, a hurricane warning was issued for the Turks and Caicos Islands and for the Bahamas islands of Inagua and Mayaguana; a hurricane watch was also issued for the Central Bahamas. [1]

Impact

Hurricane Hortense
Hortense 1996-09-12 2145Z.png
Hortense near peak intensity northeast of the Bahamas on September 12
Wettest tropical cyclones and their remnants in Guadeloupe
Highest-known totals
PrecipitationStormLocationRef.
Rankmmin
158222.91 Luis 1995 Dent de l'est (Soufrière)
253421.02 Fiona 2022 Saint-Claude [3]
350820.00 Marilyn 1995 Saint-Claude [4]
446618.35 Lenny 1999 Gendarmerie [5]
541616.38 Philippe 2023 Vieux-Fort [6]
638915.31 Hugo 1989
731812.52 Hortense 1996 Maison du Volcan [1]
830011.81 Jeanne 2004 [7]
9223.38.79 Cleo 1964 Deshaies [4]
102007.87 Erika 2009 [8]

Lesser Antilles

While still a tropical storm, Hortense moved through the Lesser Antilles with significant amounts of precipitation. A station on Guadeloupe reported a total of 12.5 in (320 mm). La Désirade observed 81 mph (130 km/h) wind gusts and sustained winds of 53 mph (85 km/h) while Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport observed 58 mph (90 km/h) wind gusts. [1] [9] The storm caused significant crop damage, destroying roughly over 50 percent of the banana plantain. [10] [11] Further south, heavy rains led to scattered flooding in Martinique, [12] which inundated streets, while strong winds knocked down power lines. [13] One man who attempted to drive across a flooded road was rescued from his vehicle seconds before it was swept away. [14]

While Hortense passed south of Saint Croix, the storm produced sustained winds of 39 mph (63 km/h) at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport, with unofficial gusts to 62 mph (100 km/h). [15] Hortense dropped heavy rainfall that peaked at 18.0 in (460 mm) in Christiansted. [16] The rains flooded low-lying areas of Frederiksted. On nearby Saint Thomas, the storm dropped 7.0 in (180 mm) of rainfall, with gusts reaching only 30 mph (48 km/h). [15]

Greater Antilles

Flooding caused by Hortense near Guayama, Puerto Rico Hurricane Hortense Flooding.jpg
Flooding caused by Hortense near Guayama, Puerto Rico

As Hortense approached Puerto Rico, the eastern half of the circulation had a concentrated area of thunderstorms. [15] While the hurricane crossed the southwest portion of the island, it dropped heavy rainfall of over 10 in (250 mm) in much of the territory's eastern half. Totals ranged from below 1 in (25 mm) near where the storm moved ashore to a peak of 23.5 in (600 mm) near Cayey. [16] Three stations broke their 12–hour rainfall records and two stations broke their 24–hour rainfall records; the highest 24–hour total was 19.5 in (500 mm) in Las Piedras. The rainfall caused widespread flash flooding and increased river discharge; a station along the Río Grande de Loíza in San Lorenzo reported a 1 in 100 year flow rate. Rivers and creeks across the region reached high peaks, [15] and there were several reports of mudslides. [1] Sustained winds on the island peaked at 46 mph (74 km/h) in Ceiba, and gusts reached 62 mph (100 km/h) in Carolina. [15] An unofficial wind gust of 109 mph (175 km/h) in the southwest portion of the island may have been caused by the Venturi effect, or an acceleration of winds between walls. [1] Along the southern Puerto Rico coast, Hortense caused coastal flooding and beach erosion. [15]

Loiza Lake during Hurricane Hortense Hortense flooding.jpg
Loíza Lake during Hurricane Hortense

An overflown river near San Juan flooded several homes. Across the island, Hortense left about 1.3 million people without power and 1.1 million customers without water. During the storm, 10,563 people evacuated to storm shelters. [15] Across the island, 11,463 houses were severely damaged by Hortense. [1] The hurricane left $128.4 million in crop damage, primarily to coffee, plantains, and bananas. There was another $25 million from road damage. There were 19 deaths on the island, many of whom due to flash flood drownings. [15] Some 1,400,000 people, about 40% of the population, lost power during and after the storm, straining the cleanup effort in the following days and weeks with lack of air conditioning and spoiled food. [17]

While Hortense was near the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana reported sustained winds of 92 mph (148 km/h), which was the highest land wind report associated with the hurricane. Puerto Plata along the northern coast also reported hurricane-force winds. High winds destroyed a school and church, damaged several houses, and downed several power lines. Like its effects in Puerto Rico, Hortense dropped heavy rainfall in the Dominican Republic, peaking at 19.25 in (489 mm) in San Rafael del Yuma. While passing the region, the hurricane produced a 9 ft (2.7 m) storm surge. The combination of the surge and heavy rainfall produced flooding that closed roadways. Hortense damaged 80% of the crops in Samaná. In the country, the hurricane killed three people and left 21 missing. [1]

Elsewhere

On Grand Turk Island, wind gusts reached 90 mph (140 km/h) while Hortense passed nearby; the same station reported sustained winds of 60 mph (97 km/h). [1]

The Bahamas, threatened by their second major hurricane in two weeks, fared well from the storm, with little damage and no casualties. [17]

In Bermuda, a sustained wind speed of 34 mph (55 km/h) and a gust to 48 mph (77 km/h) were measured on September 13; slightly lesser winds were reported the following day. The storm also brought rainfall to the island, though total amounts are unknown. [18] [19]

In Nova Scotia, Hortense dropped heavy rainfall and caused strong winds, causing power outages, uprooted trees, and moderate structural damage amounting to $3 million (1996 USD). [20] Rainfall was light on Prince Edward Island, with the highest observed being 1.7 inches (43 mm) in Charlottetown. Strong winds were reported throughout the province. Gusts reached 52 mph (84 km/h) in Charlottetown and 80 mph (130 km/h) elsewhere. The winds downed power lines, leaving numerous residents without electricity, especially in Charlottetown, East Point, Montague, Murray River, Souris. Effects were almost nil in New Brunswick, limited to rainfall peaking at 2.1 inches (53 mm), though most of it was a storm system that preceded Hortense's passage. Sustained winds in the province were light, reaching about 27 mph (43 km/h).

Aftermath

On September 11, President Bill Clinton declared a major disaster in 68 of the 78  municipalities of Puerto Rico; this allowed federal funding for debris removal, repairing public roads and buildings and assistance to individually affected residents. [21]

Retirement

Because of the damage caused by the hurricane, particularly in Puerto Rico, the name Hortense was retired in the spring of 1997 by the World Meteorological Organization, and will not be used again for another North Atlantic tropical cyclone. It was replaced with Hanna for the 2002 season. [22]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Avila, Lixion A; National Hurricane Center (October 23, 1996). Hurricane Hortense 3-16 September 1996 (Preliminary Report). United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service. Archived from the original on July 3, 2013. Retrieved June 17, 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 Shawn P. Bennett. An Overview of Hurricane Hortense and its Aftermath (Report). San Juan National Weather Service. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
  3. "Tempête Fiona : l'état de catastrophe naturelle sera reconnu en Guadeloupe, annonce Darmanin" [Storm Fiona: the state of natural disaster will be recognized in Guadeloupe, announces Darmanin]. Europe 1 (in French). September 18, 2022. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  4. 1 2 Roth, David M. (January 3, 2023). "Tropical Cyclone Point Maxima". Tropical Cyclone Rainfall Data. United States Weather Prediction Center. Retrieved January 6, 2023.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  5. Service Régional de METEO-FRANCE en Guadeloupe. COMPTE RENDU METEOROLOGIQUE: Passage de l'Ouragan LENNY du 17 au 19 novembre 1999 sur l'archipel de la Guadeloupe. Retrieved on 2007-02-19. A
  6. "TROPICAL STORM PHILIPPE (AL172023)" (PDF). nhc.noaa.gov. April 3, 2024. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
  7. World Meteorological Organization. Review of the Past Hurricane Season. Retrieved on 2007-02-24.
  8. (in French)AFP, France Antilles (September 3, 2009). "07 - La Tempête tropicale Erika affecte la Guadeloupe". Catastrophes Naturalles. Archived from the original on April 30, 2016. Retrieved September 4, 2009.
  9. "Hurricane Hortense" (in French). Archived from the original on May 30, 2012.
  10. Louis-Ferdinand, M. (June 28, 2000). "Session ordinaire de 1999-2000: Rapport d'information" (PDF) (in French). SÉNAT. p. 56. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  11. Yacou, Aain (January 1999). Les catastrophes naturelles aux Antilles: D'une Soufrière à une autre (in French). KARTHALA Editions, 1999. p. 200. ISBN   9782865378654.
  12. Saffache, Pascal (2006). Dossier spécial environnement: Micro insularité et dégradations des milieux marins : l'exemple de la Caraïbe (in French). Editions Publibook, 2006. p. 36. ISBN   9782748331677 . Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  13. "Hortense's strength expected to fluctuate". The Daily News . San Juan, Puerto Rico. Associated Press. September 9, 1996. p. 12. Retrieved July 2, 2016 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  14. "Hortense upgraded to tropical storm". The Salina Journal . Fort-de-France, Martinique. Associated Press. September 8, 1996. p. 11. Retrieved July 2, 2016 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena with Late Reports and Corrections" (PDF). 38 (9). National Climatic Data Center. September 1996: 84–86. Retrieved July 3, 2012.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)[ permanent dead link ]
  16. 1 2 David M. Roth (June 21, 2007). Hurricane Hortense — September 8-11, 1996 (Report). Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
  17. 1 2 @ugusta headlines: Hortense Grows Stronger, Moves North Through Atlantic, September 12, 1996
  18. "History for Saint David's, Bermuda". Weather Underground . Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  19. "History for Saint David's, Bermuda". Weather Underground. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  20. Lafortune, Richard; Oullet, Dianne; Canadian Hurricane Centre (July 10, 2009). Canadian Tropical Cyclone Season Summary for 1996 (Report). Environment Canada. Archived from the original on March 13, 2013. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
  21. Puerto Rico Hurricane Hortense Major Disaster Declared September 11, 1996 (DR-1136) (Report). Federal Emergency Management Agency. January 31, 2003. Archived from the original on January 5, 2012. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  22. "Worldwide Tropical Cyclone Names". National Hurricane Center. March 4, 2003. Archived from the original on April 11, 2003. Retrieved April 10, 2024.