Hurricane Ginger (1971)
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| Category 2 hurricane (SSHS) | ||
|---|---|---|
 Tropical Storm Ginger |
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| Formed | September 5, 1971 | |
| Dissipated | October 3, 1971 | |
| Highest winds |
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| Lowest pressure | 959 mbar (hPa; 28.33 inHg) | |
| Fatalities | None reported | |
| Damage | $10 million (1971 USD) $53 million (2008 USD) |
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| Areas affected |
Bahamas, North Carolina | |
| Part of the 1971 Atlantic hurricane season |
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Hurricane Ginger was the eighth tropical cyclone and fifth hurricane of the 1971 Atlantic hurricane season. Spending 27.25 days as a tropical cyclone, Ginger is the second longest-lasting Atlantic hurricane on record. The hurricane, which lasted from September 5 to October 3, spent most of its life over the western Atlantic Ocean. Ginger ultimately struck North Carolina, causing $10 million in damage (1971 USD) due to flooding.
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[edit] Storm history
In early September 1971, a series of upper level lows existed in the western Atlantic. A trough of low pressure existed across the Gulf of Mexico through the Bahamas, and various tropical systems formed from this, including Fern, Ginger, Heidi and two tropical depressions. As one upper level low sat over the Gulf Stream, it extended towards the surface and became tropical. On September 5, a tropical depression formed while located about 350 miles east of Nassau, Bahamas.
For the next four days, the depression drifted to the east without strengthening. Gradually it became better organized, and on September 10, the storm was named Ginger. As it picked up forward momentum its winds increased until September 11 when Ginger became a hurricane, located 315 miles south-southeast of Bermuda. Ginger reached her peak on September 14 with sustained winds of 105 mph, but then weakened quickly.
A building high pressure system to the northeast forced the system to the southwest. Steering currents were weak in the area, resulting Ginger drifting to the west. From the 19th to the 20th, Ginger executed a small loop while located 750 miles east of Bermuda. During this time, upwelling lowered the winds to category 1 hurricane strength. After looping, Ginger appeared to pose a threat to Bermuda, but it passed 100 miles to the south on September 23. The next day, it again began drifting to the southwest, where it moved a little over 200 miles over four days. During this time, reconnaissance aircraft continually reported winds of hurricane strength, as well as a large eye, at times up to 80 miles wide.
Ginger traveled northwest towards North Carolina, gradually regaining strength. On September 29 it reached its second peak, this time of 100 mph (160 km/h) winds, but steadily weakened prior to landfall. On September 30, Ginger hit Morehead City, North Carolina as a minimal hurricane. The storm continued to lose strength as it moved inland until on October 3, while located near Williamsburg, Virginia, Ginger lost her tropical characteristics. The extratropical low moved off the coast, finally dissipating on October 5.
[edit] Impact
Upon making landfall, Ginger produced wind gusts of up to 92 mph (148 km/h) in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina, with numerous other reports of tropical storm force gusts. Sustained winds were less, with the highest recorded being less than 50 mph (80 km/h) over eastern North Carolina. Tides along the Pamlico Sound ran four to seven feet above normal, while numerous coastal beaches reported over six foot storm tides. While moving slowly through the state, Ginger dropped heavy rainfall of 10 to 13 inches (254 to 330 mm) in eastern North Carolina. Cape Hatteras reported 9.68 inches (22.9 cm), though most other areas experienced less than 4 inches. The heavy rainfall in eastern North Carolina seriously affected thousands of acres of corn and soybean. Damage in North Carolina totaled to $10 million (1971 USD, $47.9 million (2005 USD). [1]
In Virginia, the storm produced moderate rainfall, peaking at 7.49 inches (17.8 cm) in Diamond Springs. Gusty winds of over 50 mph downed a few trees, causing scattered power outages. Above normal tides and waves caused moderate to heavy beach erosion in Virginia Beach. [2]
[edit] Lack of Retirement
Because damage was relatively light, the name Ginger was not retired. However, due to a change in the List of hurricane names in 1979, the name Ginger was not used to name an Atlantic storm again.
[edit] Trivia
Ginger was a tropical cyclone from September 5 to October 3, a total of 27.25 days. This makes Ginger the second longest-duration storm in the Atlantic Ocean, behind only 1899's Hurricane San Ciriaco.
Ginger spent 20 days as a hurricane (of at least Category 1 strength), from September 11 to September 30, one of the longest durations on record.
On September 11, there were 4 active tropical cyclones at once: Hurricane Edith, Hurricane Fern, Hurricane Ginger and Tropical Storm Heidi.
On September 26 and 28, the outer rainbands of Hurricane Ginger were seeded as part of Project Stormfury. Since there were few convective elements in the rainbands bearing supercooled water, the seeding had little effect. These were the last actual hurricane seeding experiments carried out by the Project. A downturn in Atlantic hurricane activity and funding cutbacks precluded any more attempts until the Project ended in 1983.
