Hurricane Felix

Last updated

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 tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa on August 24, tracking westward at approximately 14 mph (23 km/h) with no associated deep convection and a weak low-level inverted-V curvature. [1] [2] Initially difficult to locate on satellites, [3] the wave axis tracked through a moist environment [4] and developed an area of scattered thunderstorms. By August 25 visible satellite imagery indicated broad cyclonic turning just north of the Intertropical Convergence Zone. [5] The wave continued to develop moderate to strong convection, and on August 27 a 1012  mbar (hPa; 29.88  inHg) low pressure area developed about 830  mi (1,340  km) west-southwest of Praia, Cape Verde. [6] For the next several days the system failed to organize significantly; [7] however, on August 30 the wave became better defined with more representation of the cyclonic turning into the low. [8] Convection increased early the next day, [9] and a Hurricane Hunters flight into the system reported the presence of a closed low-level circulation; accordingly, the National Hurricane Center initiated advisories on Tropical Depression Six at 2100 UTC on August 31 while it was located about 180 mi (290 km) east-southeast of the southern Windward Islands. [10]

Upon becoming a tropical cyclone, the depression was located to the south of a strong ridge, resulting in a west-northwest motion. The system maintained curved rainbands with expanding outflow, and with light wind shear and warm water temperatures the environment favored further development. [10] Its deep convection consolidated very near the center, and shortly after passing over the island of Grenada the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Felix early at around 0900 UTC on September 1. [11] Felix quickly strengthened as it developed a small inner core of convection with tightly wound bands around the center, [12] and by late on September 1 an eye feature was observed on satellite imagery. [13] Based on reports from reconnaissance aircraft, the National Hurricane Center estimated that Felix attained hurricane status by early on September 2 while located about 155 mi (249 km) east-northeast of Bonaire. [14]

Hurricane Felix rapidly intensifying south of Hispaniola on September 2 Felix 2007-09-02 1748Z.jpg
Hurricane Felix rapidly intensifying south of Hispaniola on September 2

Tracking through an area of extremely low wind shear and increasingly high oceanic heat content, Felix quickly developed a well-defined eye, a symmetric cloud structure, and strong upper-level outflow; [15] consequently, the hurricane commenced explosive intensification shortly afterward. Felix attained major hurricane status at around 1800 UTC on September 2 while located about 490 mi (790 km) southeast of Kingston, Jamaica. [16] Rapid strengthening continued, and later that day the hurricane attained Category 4 status on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale with the pressure dropping to 957 mbar (957 hPa; 28.3 inHg); this corresponded to a falling rate of 3.4 mbar (3.4 hPa; 0.10 inHg) per hour, which the National Hurricane Center described as "one of the more rapid deepening rates we have observed." A Hurricane Hunters flight reported a stadium effect in the eye, and also reported the eye diameter shrank to 14 mi (23 km). [17] A subsequent Hurricane Hunters flight experienced flight level winds of 175 mph (282 km/h), with peak surface winds of 163 mph (262 km/h) reported in the southwest quadrant of the eyewall; surface winds of 189 mph (304 km/h) were found in its northeastern quadrant, although the National Hurricane Center reported the peak reading could have been contaminated due to graupel in the clouds. Based on the observations, it is estimated Felix attained winds of 175 mph (282 km/h) by 0000 UTC on September 3 while located about 390 mi (630 km) southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, making Felix a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. This also makes Felix the second-fastest intensifying Atlantic hurricane on record, just behind Wilma 2 years prior. [1] While investigating the hurricane, Hurricane Hunters encountered extreme turbulence and potentially dangerous graupel, which forced the flight to abort the mission. [18]

Continuing quickly westward, the diameter of the eye decreased to 12 mi (19 km), [19] and the National Hurricane Center estimates the hurricane attained a minimum central pressure of 929 mbar (929 hPa; 27.4 inHg) about seven hours after it reached Category 5 status. [1] Initially, Felix was predicted to track west-northwestward, striking Belize before crossing the Yucatán Peninsula; [19] however, its path remained nearly due westward. Subsequently, cloud tops near the center started to warm as the eye became less distinct, [20] and by 1800 UTC on September 3, Felix weakened to Category 4 status with winds of 145 mph (233 km/h). [21] On September 4, Felix had completed an eyewall replacement cycle and began strengthening again during the day. [22] Felix was upgraded to a Category 5 for the second time at 1040 UTC, [23] and made landfall in Nicaragua just south of its border with Honduras, in the Mosquito Coast region, as a Category 5 hurricane with 160 mph (260 km/h) winds. [24] Hurricane Felix struck Nicaragua on the same day as Hurricane Henriette struck the Baja California Peninsula in the eastern Pacific Ocean, which marked the second recorded occurrence that a North Atlantic hurricane and a Pacific hurricane made landfall on the same day; [25] the previous occurrence was on August 23, 1992, when Hurricane Andrew hit the Bahamas on the same day Hurricane Lester hit Mexico's Baja California Peninsula. By nine hours after moving ashore, the system maintained a well-organized cloud pattern and intense rainbands, although the winds rapidly decreased; [26] early on September 5 Felix weakened to a tropical storm as its upper-level circulation became detached from the low-level portion. [27] The system deteriorated to a tropical depression as it crossed into southern Honduras, and at 0900 UTC the National Hurricane Center issued the last advisory on Felix as it began degenerating into a broad low pressure area. [28] The remnants of Felix tracked west-northwestward over other portions of Latin America, and eventually dissipated over the Mexican state of Tabasco on September 7. [1]

Preparations

Hurricane Felix in the western Caribbean Sea, nearing Central America on September 3 Felix 2007-09-03 1830Z.jpg
Hurricane Felix in the western Caribbean Sea, nearing Central America on September 3

Upon Felix's becoming a tropical cyclone, a tropical storm warning was issued for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Tobago, and Grenada and its dependencies; a tropical storm watch was also issued for the northeastern Venezuela coast from Cumaná to Pedernales, including Isla Margarita, as well as the ABC islands. [29] The National Emergency Management Agency of Tobago was fully activated, with 79 shelters opened on the island. [30] Coinciding with the upgrade of Felix to tropical storm status, the watch for the ABC islands was upgraded to a tropical storm warning. [31] A hurricane watch was added to the islands early on September 2, [32] where several tourists attempted to leave by plane prior to the arrival of the storm. [33] Early on September 2, the government of Jamaica issued a tropical storm watch for the island, [14] which was canceled as the hurricane passed far to its south. [21] Later on September 2, a tropical storm watch was issued for Grand Cayman, [34] and the next day a tropical storm warning was put in place on Providencia Island. [35] A hurricane watch was issued for the Caribbean coast of Guatemala and the entire coastline of Belize at 1200 UTC on September 3. [36]

At 0300 UTC on September 3, the government of Honduras issued a hurricane watch from Limón to the Honduras/Nicaragua border, [37] which was upgraded to a hurricane warning six hours later. At the same time, a hurricane watch was extended westward to the Honduras/Guatemala border, [38] and early on September 4 a tropical storm warning was put in place for the same region. [39] Officials ordered evacuations for citizens in low-lying areas near the coastline; by midday on September 3, around 300 tourists evacuated from the Bay Islands department, with an additional 400 preparing to leave by plane; [40] approximately 2,000 people were evacuated from coastal areas. [41] By the time the hurricane made landfall, about 20,000 people in Honduras left for safer areas. [42]

At 1500 UTC on September 3, about 21 hours before its final landfall, the government of Nicaragua issued a hurricane warning from Puerto Cabezas northward to the national border. [43] About 12 hours before landfall, a tropical storm warning was issued from Puerto Cabezas southward to Prinzapolka. [39] Prior to the arrival of the hurricane, officials sent about 140,000  lbs (63,000  kg) of meals and emergency supplies to near the landfall location. [44]

Impact

Caribbean Islands

Felix passing Aruba Aruba-Hurricane-Felix-1.jpg
Felix passing Aruba

At around 1200 UTC on September 1 a wind gust of 46 mph (74 km/h) was recorded on Barbados, and around the same time a gust of 44 mph (71 km/h) was observed in Saint Vincent. [45] The storm produced heavy rainfall across the Windward Islands. On Trinidad, heavy precipitation caused mudslides and overflown rivers which destroyed some bridges; moderate winds damaged several buildings on the island. Damage on neighboring Tobago was concentrated on its northern portion, where several mudslides resulted from the rainfall; [46] monetary damage on Tobago was estimated at $250,000 (2007  TTD; $40,000 2007 USD$, 58,7772024 USD). [47] Felix produced gusty winds on Grenada, which downed several power lines and destroyed the roofs of two houses; rough waves also broke several vessels from their anchors. [33] In St. Lucia, winds from the storm damaged the roof of a store in Castries, which collapsed and destroyed 12 vehicles. [46]

In the ABC islands, the hurricane resulted in gusty winds and heavy rainfall. However, little damage was reported in Bonaire; the precipitation left several homes submerged under water in Curaçao. In Aruba, the winds damaged one house and briefly left a northern town without power. [48] [ full citation needed ] Hurricane Felix produced strong winds and 10 ft (3.0 m) waves along the north coast of Venezuela, which left one person missing in Puerto Cabello. [49]

Central America

Hurricane Felix after its landfall in Nicaragua on September 4 Felix 2007-09-04 1610Z.jpg
Hurricane Felix after its landfall in Nicaragua on September 4

Early reports suggest severe damage in Honduras and Nicaragua after Felix made landfall as a Category 5 hurricane. In Puerto Cabezas, nearly every structure sustained at least roof damage, and many buildings were destroyed. Along the Mosquito Coast, flooding and mudslides were reported, destroying many houses and blocking highways. The government of Nicaragua declared the northern Caribbean coast a disaster area. [50] The Miskito Cays, located about 43 mi (69 km) from Bilwi on the northeast coast of Nicaragua, was among the strongest hit areas. Hurricane Felix had not yet made landfall but reached maximum force when it passed over the Miskito Cays. The winds of the hurricane, with speeds of up to 160 mph (260 km/h), destroyed the Cays completely. Pillars that previously formed the base of the houses were the only remains on the Cays. [51]

At least 133 people were reported dead. At least 130 of them were in Nicaragua. [52] While few details have been disclosed, they include at least 25 dead Miskito fishermen swept away, a drowning death on a boat, impact from a fallen tree and at least one indirect death caused by medical complications after birth. [50] There were three deaths reported in Honduras, one of which was caused by a motor vehicle accident caused by heavy rain and landslides, and two caused by flooding in the capital city of Tegucigalpa. [53] However, hundreds of others were missing (mostly at sea), and communication was difficult to impossible in many areas. Some survivors were also found on the Mosquito Coast who were initially reported missing. [54]

According to official information, at least 40,000 people were affected and 9,000 houses destroyed, most of them in the Nicaraguan city of Bilwi (Puerto Cabezas), where a "State of Disaster" was decreed by the government. A total lack of supplies and services were also reported in the area. The response was almost immediate. Help from Venezuela, Cuba, the United States, and Honduras was received, and a lot of organizations, such as the Nicaraguan Red Cross, the media and universities organized collections all over the country. Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega visited Bilwi on the day after the catastrophe and promised the reconstruction of houses to the people affected. [55] Damage in Nicaragua totaled 13.4 billion (2007  NIO; $716.3 million 2007 USD$, 1.05 billion2024 USD). [56] [57]

Inland flooding was also reported in Honduras, particularly near Tegucigalpa and in the northwestern regions where the Ulua River and the Chamelecon River overflowed into an agricultural area. Coastal flooding also damages the town of Izabal in Guatemala where 850 people were evacuated. [53] Crop damage in Honduras amounted to L68.28 million (2007  HNL; $3.64 million 2007 USD$, 5.35 million2024 USD). [58]

Aftermath

After Felix, over 160,000 people were suffering as many communities were stranded due to the storm. An appeal was given out by the United Nations for over $48 million (2007 USD$, 70.5 million2024 USD) in emergency aid to the hard-hit areas, particularly in Nicaragua. [59] The appeal United States federal government delivered over $1.17 million (2007 USD$, 1.72 million2024 USD) in assistance, [60] and the European Union responded with a donation of €1 million euros ($1.36 million 2007 USD$, 2 million2024 USD).[ citation needed ] The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) airlifted 120 rolls of plastic sheeting to the severely affected areas, which was used to repair the damaged roofs of health clinics and schools. USAID and OFDA also distributed 12,000 ten-liter water containers to Puerto Cabezas. Emergency relief supplies from both USAID and OFDA totaled to $94,190 (2007 USD$, 138,4052024 USD). In the aftermath of both Hurricane Dean and Felix, combined, USAID and OFDA donated $25,000 (2007 USD$, 36,7362024 USD) in aid to Honduras, and $1.2 million (2007 USD$, 1.76 million2024 USD) to Nicaragua. In addition, United States Department of Defense (USDOD) gave $1.5 million (2007 USD$, 2.2 million2024 USD) in humanitarian assistance to Nicaragua. In collaboration with USAID and OFDA, the USDOD delivered near 27.55  tons (25  metric tons) of food from the United Nation's World Food Program to the North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region, Nicaragua. [61]

Retirement

Due to the extensive damage and high death toll from the hurricane in Nicaragua, the name Felix was retired by the World Meteorological Organization in May 2008, and it will never be used again for an Atlantic tropical cyclone. The name was replaced with Fernand for the 2013 season. [62] [63]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Adrian (2005)</span> Category 1 Pacific hurricane in 2005

Hurricane Adrian was an early season hurricane which took an unusual southwest to northeast track, bringing it closer to El Salvador than any other hurricane since reliable records began in 1949. The first storm of the 2005 Pacific hurricane season, Adrian developed on May 17, just two days after the official start of the season, several hundred miles south-southeast of Mexico. Tracking in an atypical northwestward direction, the storm gradually intensified. On May 19, the storm reached its peak strength as a minimal hurricane with winds of 80 mph (130 km/h). Not long after reaching this intensity, the storm abruptly weakened. By the morning of May 20, the system had weakened to a minimal tropical storm and turned due west. Later that day, the storm made landfall along the Gulf of Fonseca in Honduras before dissipating several hours later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2007 Atlantic hurricane season</span> Hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean

The 2007 Atlantic hurricane season was the first season since 2003 to feature tropical activity both before and after the official bounds of the season. There were an above-average number of named storms during the season – 15, however many storms were weak and short-lived. Despite the predominance of weak systems, this was the first season on record to feature more than one Category 5 landfalling hurricane. This would not happen again until 2017. It produced 17 tropical cyclones, 15 tropical storms, six hurricanes, and two major hurricanes. It officially started on June 1 and ended on November 30, dates which conventionally delimit the period during which most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic Ocean, although as shown by Subtropical Storm Andrea and Tropical Storm Olga in early May and early December, respectively, the formation of tropical cyclones is possible at any time of the year. The first system, Subtropical Storm Andrea, developed on May 9, while the last storm, Tropical Storm Olga, dissipated on December 13. The most intense hurricane, Dean, was, at the time, the third most intense landfalling Atlantic storm on record. It was the second on record in which an Atlantic hurricane, Felix, and an eastern Pacific hurricane, Henriette, made landfall on the same day. September had a then record-tying eight storms, until it was surpassed in 2020. However, the strengths and durations of most of the storms were low.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timeline of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season</span>

The 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was an event in the annual tropical cyclone season in the north Atlantic Ocean. It was the second most active Atlantic hurricane season in recorded history, and the most extreme in the satellite era. Officially, the season began on June 1, 2005 and ended on November 30, 2005. These dates, adopted by convention, historically delimit the period in each year when most tropical systems form. The season's first storm, Tropical Storm Arlene, developed on June 8. The final storm, Tropical Storm Zeta, formed in late December and persisted until January 6, 2006. Zeta is only the second December Atlantic storm in recorded history to survive into January, joining Hurricane Alice in 1955.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical Storm Gamma (2005)</span> Atlantic tropical storm in 2005

Tropical Storm Gamma was the 25th storm of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season. Gamma formed on November 18 from a tropical wave which had left the coast of Africa on November 3. Between November 13 and November 16 the system was designated Tropical Depression Twenty-Seven and moved westward through the Windward Islands into the Caribbean. Although its winds were not of tropical storm force, the storm brought damagingly heavy rainfall to Trinidad and to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Greta–Olivia</span> Category 4 Atlantic and Pacific hurricane in 1978

Hurricane Greta, later Hurricane Olivia, was one of fourteen named Atlantic hurricanes to cross over Central America into the eastern Pacific while remaining a tropical cyclone. The seventh named storm of the 1978 Atlantic hurricane season, Greta formed from a tropical wave just northwest of Trinidad on September 13, and despite being in a climatologically unfavorable area, gradually intensified while moving west-northwestward. On September 16, it became a hurricane south of Jamaica. Two days later, the well-defined eye approached northeastern Honduras but veered to the northwest. After reaching peak winds of 130 mph (210 km/h) that day, Greta weakened while paralleling the northern Honduras coast just offshore. On September 19, it made landfall on Belize near Dangriga and quickly weakened into a tropical depression while crossing Guatemala and southeastern Mexico. After entering the eastern Pacific, the system re-intensified into a hurricane and was renamed Olivia, the eighteenth named storm of the 1978 Pacific hurricane season which weakened before landfall and dissipated over Chiapas on September 23.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Lane (2006)</span> Category 3 Pacific hurricane in 2006

Hurricane Lane was a strong tropical cyclone which is tied as the ninth-strongest landfalling Pacific hurricane on record. The thirteenth named storm, ninth hurricane, and sixth major hurricane of the 2006 Pacific hurricane season, Lane developed on September 13 from a tropical wave to the south of Mexico. It moved northwestward, parallel to the coast of Mexico, and steadily intensified in an area conducive to further strengthening. After turning to the northeast, Lane attained peak winds of 125 mph (201 km/h), and made landfall in the state of Sinaloa at peak strength. It rapidly weakened and dissipated on September 17, and later brought precipitation to southern part of the U.S. state of Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Jimena (2003)</span> Category 2 Pacific hurricane in 2003

Hurricane Jimena was a strong tropical cyclone that brushed Hawaii in early September 2003. It was the tenth named storm and second hurricane of the 2003 Pacific hurricane season. Jimena formed on August 28 in the far Eastern Pacific Ocean as a tropical depression and moved westward where it rapidly became a hurricane the following day. The storm moved westward into the Central Pacific Ocean where it became a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale. After reaching its peak strength as a Category 2 hurricane, the storm began to weaken due to increasing wind shear. Jimena brushed past the Hawaiian Islands before becoming a tropical depression on September 3. The weakening storm then crossed the international dateline before dissipating on September 5, becoming one of the few storms to cross both 140ºW and International Date Line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meteorological history of Hurricane Wilma</span>

Hurricane Wilma was the most intense tropical cyclone in the Atlantic basin on record in terms of minimum barometric pressure, with an atmospheric pressure of 882 millibars (26.0 inHg). Wilma's destructive journey began in the second week of October 2005. A large area of disturbed weather developed across much of the Caribbean and gradually organized to the southeast of Jamaica. By late on October 15, the system was sufficiently organized for the National Hurricane Center to designate it as Tropical Depression Twenty-Four.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Pacific hurricane season</span> Hurricane season in the Pacific Ocean

The 2008 Pacific hurricane season was a near-average Pacific hurricane season which featured seventeen named storms, though most were rather weak and short-lived. Only seven storms became hurricanes, of which two intensified into major hurricanes. This season was also the first since 1996 to have no cyclones cross into the central Pacific. The season officially began on May 15 in the eastern Pacific and on June 1 in the central Pacific. It ended in both regions on November 30. These dates, adopted by convention, historically describe the period in each year when most tropical cyclone formation occurs in these regions of the Pacific. This season, the first system, Tropical Storm Alma, formed on May 29, and the last, Tropical Storm Polo, dissipated on November 5.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timeline of the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season</span>

The 2007 Atlantic hurricane season was an event in the annual tropical cyclone season in the north Atlantic Ocean. A near average Atlantic hurricane season, September had a record-tying eight storms, although the strength and duration of most of the storms was low. Also, for only the second time in recorded history, an Atlantic hurricane, Felix, and an eastern Pacific hurricane, Henriette, made landfall on the same day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meteorological history of Hurricane Dean</span>

The meteorological history of Hurricane Dean began in the second week of August 2007 when a vigorous tropical wave moved off the west coast of Africa into the North Atlantic ocean. Although the wave initially experienced strong easterly wind shear, it quickly moved into an environment better suited for tropical development and gained organization. On the morning of August 13, the National Hurricane Center recognized the system's organization and designated it Tropical Depression Four while it was still more than 1,500 mi (2,400 km) east of the Lesser Antilles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical Storm Gabrielle (2007)</span> Atlantic tropical cyclone

Tropical Storm Gabrielle was a short-lived tropical cyclone that passed over North Carolina before tracking out to sea. The seventh named storm of the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season, Gabrielle developed as a subtropical cyclone on September 8 about 385 miles (620 km) southeast of Cape Lookout, North Carolina. Unfavorable wind shear impacted the storm for much of its duration, although a temporary decrease in the shear allowed the cyclone to become a tropical storm. On September 9, Gabrielle made landfall at Cape Lookout National Seashore in the Outer Banks of North Carolina with winds of 60 mph (97 km/h). Turning to the northeast, the storm quickly weakened and dissipated on September 11.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meteorological history of Hurricane Ivan</span>

The meteorological history of Hurricane Ivan, the longest tracked tropical cyclone of the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season, lasted from late August through late September. The hurricane developed from a tropical wave that moved off the coast of Africa on August 31. Tracking westward due to a ridge, favorable conditions allowed it to develop into Tropical Depression Nine on September 2 in the deep tropical Atlantic Ocean. The cyclone gradually intensified until September 5, when it underwent rapid deepening and reached Category 4 status on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale; at the time Ivan was the southernmost major North Atlantic hurricane on record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical Storm Alma</span> Pacific tropical storm in 2008

Tropical Storm Alma of the 2008 Pacific hurricane season was the easternmost forming Pacific tropical cyclone on record. It formed within the monsoon trough just off the coast of Costa Rica on May 29. Initially forecast to remain a weak tropical storm, the cyclone rapidly strengthened and developed an eye, before making landfall on May 29 in Nicaragua, near León, with peak winds of 65 mph (105 km/h). Alma degenerated into a remnant low on May 30, before merging with another approaching tropical wave in the Gulf of Honduras shortly afterward, which became Tropical Storm Arthur on the next day. Alma was the first tropical storm on record to strike the Pacific coast of Nicaragua. In Costa Rica, heavy rainfall caused flooding and landslides, killing two and causing $35 million (USD) in damage. Three people were killed in Nicaragua, one from drowning and two others from electrocution. Five others died in Honduras from an aviation accident likely related to the storm and one other was swept away in floodwaters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meteorological history of Hurricane Gustav</span>

The meteorological history of Hurricane Gustav spanned eleven days, from August 25 to September 4, 2008. The tropical disturbance which eventually spawned Hurricane Gustav gathered on August 16, southwest of the Cape Verde islands, but was slow to develop as it trekked west across the Atlantic. Upon reaching the warm waters of Caribbean Sea it began to organize and became a tropical depression on August 25. It quickly strengthened to a tropical storm, and then a hurricane, before making landfall on Haiti's southwest peninsula. Gustav was severely disrupted by Hispaniola's mountains and stalled, disorganized, in the Gulf of Gonâve between August 26 and 27.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical Depression Five-E (2008)</span> Pacific tropical depression in 2008

Tropical Depression Five-E was a tropical depression which made landfall along the south-western Mexican coastline in July 2008. It was the fifth tropical cyclone of the 2008 Pacific hurricane season. The depression developed out of a weak tropical wave which formed off the coast of Africa on June 23. The wave remained poorly organized throughout its journey through the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. The wave entered the Eastern Pacific on July 2 after passing through Central America. The wave developed into an area of low pressure that afternoon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Beta</span> Category 3 Atlantic hurricane in 2005

Hurricane Beta was a compact and intense tropical cyclone that impacted the southwestern Caribbean in late October 2005. Beta was the twenty-fourth tropical storm, fourteenth hurricane, and seventh and final major hurricane of the record-breaking 2005 Atlantic hurricane season. On October 21, a developing tropical wave entered the eastern Caribbean Sea and spawned Tropical Storm Alpha the following day. As the wave entered the southwestern Caribbean, convection redeveloped and on October 26, the system spawned another low-pressure area which developed into Tropical Depression Twenty-six. The depression intensified into a tropical storm the next morning and was named Beta. By the morning of October 28, the storm intensified into a hurricane, the fourteenth of the season. Beta underwent rapid intensification for several hours to attain its peak intensity with winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) on October 30. The storm began to deteriorate before landfall, weakening to Category 2 status as it crossed the Nicaraguan coastline. Rapid weakening followed landfall, and the storm dissipated early the next morning.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Richard</span> Category 2 Atlantic hurricane in 2010

Hurricane Richard was a damaging tropical cyclone that affected areas of Central America in October 2010. It developed on October 20 from an area of low pressure that had stalled in the Caribbean Sea. The system moved to the southeast before turning to the west. The storm slowly organized, and the system intensified into a tropical storm. Initially, Richard only intensified slowly in an area of weak steering currents. However, by October 23, wind shear diminished, and the storm intensified faster as it headed toward Belize. The next day, Richard intensified into hurricane status, and further into its peak intensity as a Category 2 hurricane, reaching maximum winds of 100 mph (160 km/h). The hurricane made its only landfall on Belize at peak intensity. Over land, Richard quickly weakened, and later degenerated into a remnant low on October 25.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meteorological history of Hurricane Irma</span>

Hurricane Irma was an extremely powerful Cape Verde hurricane that caused extensive damage in the Caribbean and Florida. Lasting from late August to mid-September 2017, the storm was the strongest open-Atlantic tropical cyclone on record and the first Category 5 hurricane to strike the Leeward Islands. Classified as the ninth named storm, fourth hurricane, and second major hurricane of the hyperactive 2017 Atlantic hurricane season, Irma developed from a tropical wave near the Cape Verde Islands on August 30. Favorable conditions allowed the cyclone to become a hurricane on the following day and then rapidly intensify into a major hurricane by September 1 as it moved generally westward across the Atlantic. However, dry air and eyewall replacement cycles disrupted further strengthening, with fluctuations in intensity during the next few days. Irma resumed deepening upon encountering warmer sea surface temperatures, while approaching the Lesser Antilles on September 4. The system reached Category 5 intensity on the following day and peaked with winds of 180 mph (290 km/h) shortly thereafter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Iota</span> Category 4 Atlantic hurricane in 2020

Hurricane Iota was a devastating late-season Category 4 Atlantic hurricane which caused severe damage to areas of Central America already devastated by Hurricane Eta just less than two weeks prior. The 31st and final tropical cyclone, 30th named storm, 14th hurricane, and record-tying seventh major hurricane of the record-breaking 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, Iota originated as a tropical wave that moved into the Eastern Caribbean on November 10. Over the next few days, the wave began to become better organized and by November 13, it developed into a tropical depression north of Colombia. The depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Iota six hours later. The storm was initially impacted by some wind shear, but a center relocation and relaxed shear allowed Iota to quickly strengthen into a hurricane on November 15, after which it underwent explosive intensification, peaking as a high-end Category 4 storm, with wind speeds of 155 mph (249 km/h). After weakening slightly, Iota made landfall in northeastern Nicaragua as a mid-range Category 4 hurricane, becoming the strongest recorded hurricane to make landfall in Nicaragua in November. Iota then rapidly weakened as it moved inland, dissipating on November 18.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Jack Beven (2008-01-16). "Hurricane Felix Tropical Cyclone Report" (PDF). National Hurricane Center . Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  2. ↑ Patricia Wallace (2007-08-24). "August 24 Tropical Weather Discussion". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2011-03-04.[ permanent dead link ]
  3. ↑ Patricia Wallace (2007-08-24). "August 24 Tropical Weather Discussion (2)". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-09-01.[ permanent dead link ]
  4. ↑ John Cangialosi (2007-08-25). "August 25 Tropical Weather Discussion". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2011-03-04.[ permanent dead link ]
  5. ↑ John Cangialosi (2007-08-25). "August 25 Tropical Weather Discussion (2)". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2011-03-04.[ permanent dead link ]
  6. ↑ Mike Formosa (2007-08-27). "August 27 Tropical Weather Discussion". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2011-03-04.[ permanent dead link ]
  7. ↑ Michelle Mainelli (2007-08-30). "August 30 Tropical Weather Outlook". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2011-03-04.[ permanent dead link ]
  8. ↑ Jorge Augierre-Echevarria (2007-08-30). "August 30 Tropical Weather Discussion". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2011-03-04.[ permanent dead link ]
  9. ↑ Richard Knabb (2007-08-31). "August 31 Tropical Weather Outlook". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2011-03-04.[ permanent dead link ]
  10. 1 2 Eric Blake & Lixion Avila (2007-08-31). "Tropical Depression Six Discussion One". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  11. ↑ Richard Knabb (2007-09-01). "Tropical Storm Felix Discussion Three". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  12. ↑ Eric Blake & Lixion Avila (2007-09-01). "Tropical Storm Felix Discussion Four". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  13. ↑ Eric Blake & Lixion Avila (2007-09-01). "Tropical Storm Felix Discussion Five". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  14. 1 2 Jack Beven (2007-09-01). "Hurricane Felix Intermediate Public Advisory Five-A". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  15. ↑ Richard Pasch (2007-09-02). "Hurricane Felix Discussion Eight". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  16. ↑ Richard Pasch (2007-09-02). "Hurricane Felix Intermediate Public Advisory Eight-A". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  17. ↑ Richard Pasch (2007-09-02). "Hurricane Felix Discussion Nine". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  18. ↑ James Franklin & Daniel Brown (2007-09-03). "Hurricane Felix Special Discussion Ten". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  19. 1 2 Richard Knabb (2007-09-03). "Hurricane Felix Discussion Twelve". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  20. ↑ Richard Pasch (2007-09-03). "Hurricane Felix Discussion Thirteen". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  21. 1 2 Richard Pasch (2007-09-03). "Hurricane Felix Intermediate Public Advisory Thirteen-A". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  22. ↑ Richard Knabb (2007-09-04). "Hurricane Felix Discussion Sixteen". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  23. ↑ Richard Knabb (2007-09-04). "Hurricane Felix Tropical Cyclone Update". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  24. ↑ Richard Pasch (2007-09-04). "Hurricane Felix Public Advisory Sixteen-A". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  25. ↑ National Climatic Data Center (2007). "September 2007 Global Hazards and Significant Events" . Retrieved 2008-03-16.
  26. ↑ Richard Pasch (2007-09-04). "Hurricane Felix Discussion Eighteen". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  27. ↑ Jack Beven (2007-09-05). "Tropical Storm Felix Discussion Nineteen". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  28. ↑ Lixion Avila (2007-09-05). "Tropical Depression Felix Discussion Twenty". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  29. ↑ Eric Blake & Lixion Avila (2007-08-31). "Tropical Depression Six Public Advisory One". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  30. ↑ Driselle Ramjohn (2007). "Storm Lashes Tobago". Trinidad & Tobago Express. Archived from the original on 2007-11-04.
  31. ↑ Richard Knabb (2007-09-03). "Tropical Storm Felix Public Advisory Three". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  32. ↑ Jack Beven (2007-09-02). "Hurricane Felix Public Advisory Six". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  33. 1 2 "Felix becomes Category 1 hurricane as it swirls toward Aruba". Associated Press. 2007-09-01. Retrieved 2011-03-04.[ dead link ]
  34. ↑ Richard Pasch (2007-09-02). "Hurricane Felix Public Advisory Eight". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  35. ↑ Richard Pasch (2007-09-03). "Hurricane Felix Public Advisory Fourteen" . Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  36. ↑ Richard Pasch (2007-09-03). "Hurricane Felix Intermediate Public Advisory Twelve-A". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  37. ↑ James Franklin (2007-09-03). "Hurricane Felix Public Advisory Eleven". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  38. ↑ Richard Knabb (2007-09-03). "Hurricane Felix Public Advisory Twelve". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  39. 1 2 James Franklin (2007-09-04). "Hurricane Felix Public Advisory Fifteen". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  40. ↑ "Hurricane Felix Aims for Central America". Associated Press. 2007-09-03. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  41. ↑ "Tourists flee as Hurricane Felix nears Honduran Miskito Coast". Associated Press. 2007-09-03. Archived from the original on September 26, 2007. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  42. ↑ Agence French-Presse (2007-09-06). "Drenched by Felix, Honduras fears floods, mudslides". Archived from the original on 2008-06-09. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  43. ↑ Richard Knabb (2007-09-03). "Hurricane Felix Public Advisory Thirteen". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  44. ↑ "Toll from Felix rises in Central America; Henriette nears 2nd Mexican landfall". Associated Press. 2007-09-05. Retrieved 2011-03-04.[ dead link ]
  45. ↑ Eric Blake & Lixion Avila (2007-09-01). "Tropical Storm Felix Intermediate Public Advisory Three-A". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  46. 1 2 Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (2007-09-01). "TS Felix brings rain and damage". Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  47. ↑ Jensen LaVende (2007-09-02). "Cars, shop swept away at Carenage". Trinidad & Tobago Express. Archived from the original on September 3, 2007. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  48. ↑ "Hurricane Felix lashes Dutch Caribbean islands". Associated Press. 2007.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  49. ↑ Agence French-Presse (2007-09-03). "Furious Hurricane Felix heads for landfall". Archived from the original on 2009-07-07. Retrieved 2007-09-03.
  50. 1 2 Los Angeles Times. "Tropical Storm Abates in Tabasco —". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved 2008-07-18.[ dead link ]
  51. ↑ "Hurricane Felix and the Miskito Cays". ViaNica. 2007. Archived from the original on 2011-03-23. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  52. ↑ "Hurricane Felix death toll hits 130 for Nicaragua". Reuters. 2007. Archived from the original on November 3, 2007. Retrieved 2008-07-18.
  53. 1 2 Physorg.com (2007-09-07). "Search goes on for Hurricane Felix victims". Archived from the original on 2007-09-29. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  54. ↑ "Felix Death Toll Rises to 64". HighBeam Research. Associated Press. 2007-09-06. Archived from the original on 2012-11-05. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  55. ↑ Reuters (2007-09-06). "Felix devastates Nicaragua". Television New Zealand. Archived from the original on 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2011-03-04.{{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  56. ↑ Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Agricultura y la Alimentación (FAO), Nicaragua (2007). "Evaluación de Daños Causados por el Huracán Félix en el Caribe de Nicaragua" (PDF) (in Spanish). Retrieved 2008-03-24.
  57. ↑ José Adán Silva (January 29, 2008). "Huracán los terminó de hundir en la pobreza" (in Spanish). El Nuevo Diario. Archived from the original on January 22, 2009. Retrieved April 14, 2010.
  58. ↑ COPECO, Government of Honduras (2007-09-07). "Honduras: Informe preliminar de daños por Huracán Félix y últimas lluvias — Copeco — Boletín #53 - 07 de Septiembre 2007" (in Spanish). Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  59. ↑ "UN calls on world to help Nicaragua rebuild". ABC News. 2007-09-15. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  60. ↑ "USAID Hurricane Assistance to Nicaragua Increases". RedOrbit. 2007-09-11. Archived from the original on 2011-08-20. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  61. ↑ United States Agency for International Development (2007). "Latin America and the Caribbean – Hurricane Season 2007 Fact Sheet #8 (FY 2007)". ReliefWeb. Retrieved 2011-03-07.
  62. ↑ "Worldwide Tropical Cyclone Names". Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. May 13, 2008. Archived from the original on May 16, 2008. Retrieved May 14, 2008.
  63. ↑ "Dean, Felix and Noel "Retired" from List of Storm Names". NOAA. May 13, 2008. Archived from the original on August 7, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2008.
Hurricane Felix
Felix 2007-09-03 0315Z.jpg
Felix at peak intensity north of Colombia, early on September 3
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.