Hurricane Alma (1966)
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This article is about the Atlantic hurricane of 1966; for other storms with this name, see Tropical Storm Alma.
| Category 3 hurricane (SSHS) | ||
|---|---|---|
 Hurricane Alma in the Gulf of Mexico |
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| Formed | June 4, 1966 | |
| Dissipated | June 13, 1966 | |
| Highest winds |
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| Lowest pressure | 970 mbar (hPa) | |
| Damage | $210.1 million (1966 USD) $1.23 billion (2005 USD) |
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| Fatalities | 90 direct | |
| Areas affected |
Honduras, Cuba, Florida | |
| Part of the 1966 Atlantic hurricane season |
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Hurricane Alma was a rare June major hurricane in the 1966 Atlantic hurricane season. It was the earliest continental U.S. hurricane strike within any season since 1825.
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[edit] Storm history
In early June, a trough in the westerlies extended from the southeastern United States towards Nicaragua. A surface circulation formed near Cabo Gracias a Dios, also known as Cape Gracias, on June 3, and drifted southwestward over land. The circulation organized into Tropical Depression One early on June 4 over the Honduras/Nicaragua border, where it turned to a north drift, dropping heavy rain across the countries.
Upon reaching the Caribbean Sea on June 5, the depression was able to strengthen, with warm water temperatures, good outflow, and deep convection. When the only inhibiting factor, land, was removed, the depression rapidly intensified, becoming Tropical Storm Alma on the 6th and reaching hurricane status that night. Initially a slow mover, Alma accelerated to the northeast, where it reached winds of 95 mph before hitting the Isle of Youth on the 8th.
Just six hours after crossing the Isle of Youth, Alma hit western Cuba. Because it crossed at one of the narrowest points of the island, the hurricane didn't weaken at all. On the contrary, upon reaching the Gulf of Mexico, Alma reached major hurricane status with peak winds of 130 mph late on June 8. It passed between the Dry Tortugas and Key West, Florida at that intensity, and began a north-northwest motion in response to an upper level cyclone developing over the extreme northern Gulf of Mexico.
After crossing the Florida west coast, Alma weakened quickly, and hit Apalachee Bay on June 9 as a 90 mph hurricane. The storm turned to the northeast, where it weakened to a 45 mph tropical storm while crossing Georgia. On June 11 Alma emerged into the Atlantic near Savannah, Georgia, and continued its northeast movement. While paralleling the Carolina coastline over the Gulf Stream, Alma briefly restrengthened into a hurricane on the night of the 11th. This intensification trend ended when cold waters and dry air approached the system, causing Alma to lose its tropical characteristics on June 13 while east of the Delmarva Peninsula. As an extratropical storm, Alma lasted another day before dissipating near Cape Cod.
[edit] Impact
| Country | Deaths |
|---|---|
| Honduras | 73 |
| Cuba | 11 |
| United States | 6 |
| Total | 90 |
While drifting over northeastern Central America as a tropical depression, Alma dropped torrential rains, resulting in 30 inches of rain in some locations. The Honduran town of San Rafael was nearly destroyed, killing 73 of the town's population.
In Cuba, the storm brought heavy flooding, causing nearly $200 million in damage and 11 deaths.
In Florida, Alma caused strong wind damage, flooding, and 9 tornadoes, amounting to $10 million and 6 deaths.
In all, Hurricane Alma caused over $210.1 million in damage (1966 USD), with 90 deaths related to the storm.
[edit] Records
When Hurricane Alma hit Florida on June 9, it became the earliest hurricane strike on the United States since a hurricane in May/June of 1825.
The hurricane was also the second earliest to attain major hurricane intensity, only behind Hurricane Able of 1951.
