List of Florida hurricanes (1950-1974)

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Tracks of hurricanes over Florida from 1950 to 1974
Tracks of hurricanes over Florida from 1950 to 1974

The list of Florida hurricanes from 1950 to 1974 encompasses 84 Atlantic tropical or subtropical cyclones that affected the U.S. state of Florida. Collectively, tropical cyclones in Florida during the time period resulted in about $6.2 billion (2008 USD) in damage, primarily from Hurricanes Donna and Dora. Additionally, tropical cyclones in Florida were directly responsible for 93 fatalities during the period, as well as responsible for 23 indirect deaths. Several tropical cyclones produced over 20 inches (500 mm) of rainfall in the state, including Hurricane Easy which is the highest total during the time period. The 1969 season was the year with the most tropical cyclones affecting the state, with a total of 8 systems. The 1954 and 1967 seasons were the only years during the time period in which a storm did not affect the state.

The strongest hurricane to hit the state during the time period was Hurricane Donna, which was the 8th strongest hurricane on record to strike the United States.[1] Additionally, Hurricanes Easy, King, Isbell, and Betsy hit the state as major hurricanes.

Contents

[edit] 1950–1959

Hurricane Easy Rainfall
Hurricane Easy Rainfall

[edit] 1960–1969

Damage from Hurricane Donna in Miami
Damage from Hurricane Donna in Miami
Radar image of Hurricane Cleo at landfall in Miami
Radar image of Hurricane Cleo at landfall in Miami
  • August 27, 1964- Hurricane Cleo strikes near Miami with winds of about 105 mph (170 km/h), the first hurricane to hit the area in 14 years. Strong winds from the hurricane down many trees and power lines, with moderate to heavy building and crop damage reported near the coast. Rainfall reaches 6.8 inches (173 mm) in Miami, with storm tides peaking at 5.5 feet (1.7 m) in Pompano Beach. Damage in the state amounts to $125 million (1964 USD, $870 million 2008 USD); no deaths are reported in the state.[27]
  • September 10, 1964- Hurricane Dora makes landfall as a weakening Category 2 hurricane near Jacksonville, the first hurricane in an extended period of time to strike the area. Dora produces moderate to heavy amounts of precipitation which peaks at 23.73 inches (603 mm) in Mayo, causing flooding damage and killing one from drowning. Wind gusts peak at 125 mph (200 km/h) near Saint Augustine, causing massive utility failures and heavy damage to buildings. Two Navy personnel die when their evacuating plane crashed upon takeoff. Damage totaled about $220 million (1964 USD, $1.53 billion 2008 USD).[27]
  • September 20, 1964- Hurricane Gladys produces rough surf along the eastern Florida coastline.[28]
  • October 5, 1964- The extratropical remnant of Hurricane Hilda enters the Florida Panhandle, dropping moderately heavy rainfall and producing high tides.[27] One person drowns while surfing near Pensacola.[29]
  • October 14, 1964- Hurricane Isbell makes landfall near Everglades and drops moderate amounts of precipitation peaking at 9.46 inches (240 mm) in West Palm Beach.[3] The hurricane spawns at least 11 tornadoes and injured at least 50, mostly minor. Throughout the state, the hurricane kills three, of which one indirectly, and causes over $5 million (1964 USD, $35 million 2008 USD) in crop damage.[27]
  • June 15, 1965- An unnamed tropical storm hits near Panama City, producing high tides and moderate rainfall peaking at 5.99 inches (152 mm) in Tallahassee. Damage from the storm is minor, and no deaths or injuries are reported.[30]
A view from the interior of Hurricane Betsy's eye, taken by Hurricane Hunters before its Florida landfall
A view from the interior of Hurricane Betsy's eye, taken by Hurricane Hunters before its Florida landfall
  • September 8, 1965- Hurricane Betsy passes through the Florida Keys as a major hurricane, producing moderate rainfall reaching 11.8 inches (300 mm) at Plantation Key and wind gusts reaching an estimated peak of 160 mph (255 km/h) in North Key Largo. The rainfall provided relief to a water shortage in the Everglades, while strong waves and high tides causes considerable flooding in coastal and low-lying areas in the southeastern portion of the state. The passage of Betsy results in 4 deaths and $139.3 million in damage (1965 USD, $953 million 2008 USD) in the state.[31]
  • September 30, 1965- Tropical Storm Debbie dissipates off of the coast of Mississippi and drops 3—5 inches (75—125 mm) of precipitation across the northern region of the state.[31]
  • June 9, 1966- Hurricane Alma makes landfall near Apalachicola as a Category Two hurricane after paralleling the western coastline as a major hurricane. Rainfall peaked at 7.7 inches (196 mm) in Miami, while tides reached 10 feet (3.0 m) above normal. Alma causes $10 million in damage (1966 USD, $66 million 2008 USD), 2 direct deaths from drowning, and 4 indirect deaths.[32]
  • June 30, 1966- A tropical depression forms in the western Caribbean Sea and moves on a track similar to Alma. The center passed near Key Largo, producing two tornadoes, one of which destroyed two aircraft at Palm Beach International Airport, as well as moderate to heavy rainfall totaling nearly 10 inches (250 mm) at Everglades City and Jacksonville.[32] The combination of Alma and this tropical depression brought 21.37 inches/542.8 mm to Miami, Florida, which established a new June rainfall record for that location.[33]
  • July 24, 1966- The precursor tropical low to a tropical depression crosses the northern portion of the state; its effects are minimal.[32]
  • October 4, 1966- Hurricane Inez passes through the Florida Keys, resulting in 3 deaths and $5 million in damage (1966 USD, $33 million 2008 USD).[32] Rainfall in the state peaks at 4.8 inches (122 mm) at Kendall,[3] while offshore the hurricane results in 45 casualties in the Florida Straits.[32]
  • June 4, 1968- Tropical Storm Abby moves ashore near Punta Gorda, spawning 3 small tornadoes and producing up to 14.2 inches (361 mm) of precipitation at Cocoa. The rainfall is beneficial and ends a severe, persistent drought in the state. The storm causes six indirect deaths in the state.[34]
  • June 18, 1968- The precursor tropical depression to Hurricane Brenda passes across the eastern portion of the state, dropping moderate precipitation peaking at 8.61 inches (219 mm) in Homestead. No damage is reported.[3][34]
  • July 5, 1968- A tropical depression strikes the Florida Panhandle and quickly dissipates, though its impact is unknown.[35]
  • August 10, 1968- The precursor tropical depression to Hurricane Dolly moves through the eastern portion of the state, producing gusty winds though no known damage.[34]
  • August 28, 1968- A tropical depression stalls along the western coastline near Tampa before turning to the northeast and crossing the state.[35] It drops heavy rainfall, including 15 inches (381 mm) in Jacksonville, resulting in extensive localized flooding. The depression also spawns a tornado near Daytona Beach which destroys a motel and several houses.[34]
September 20-25, 1969 Tropical Depression Rainfall
September 20-25, 1969 Tropical Depression Rainfall

[edit] 1970–1974

Remnants of Tropical Depression Alma
Remnants of Tropical Depression Alma
Plot of tornadoes by F-scale and severe thunderstorms of the Agnes outbreak
Plot of tornadoes by F-scale and severe thunderstorms of the Agnes outbreak
  • June 19, 1972- Hurricane Agnes strikes Panama City with minimal hurricane force winds and a storm surge peaking at 7 feet (2.1 m) in Cedar Key. Agnes produces moderate rainfall throughout the state, amounting to a maximum of 8.97 inches (228 mm) in Naples.[47] The hurricane spawns 28 tornadoes in the state which destroy 15 houses and 217 trailers.[48] Throughout the state, Agnes causes $8.2 million in damage (1972 USD, $42 million 2008 USD) and nine deaths, seven of which from the tornadoes.[49]
  • September 5, 1972- The tropical depression that later becomes Tropical Storm Dawn briefly passes over southeastern Florida before turning northeastward.[47]
  • June 7, 1973- A tropical depression develops over the southeastern portion of the state, and briefly enters the Gulf of Mexico before hitting St. Marks. Its effects are unknown.[50]
  • June 23, 1973- An area of disturbed weather forms into a tropical depression over the northern portion of the state and subsequently tracks to the northeast.[50]
  • September 3, 1973- A tropical depression intensifies into Tropical Storm Delia over the open Gulf of Mexico, producing light rain across Florida before striking Texas.[51]
  • September 25, 1973- Jacksonville is struck by a tropical depression, though its effects, if any, are unknown.[50]
  • June 25, 1974- The combination of Subtropical Storm One, which struck Tampa, and a tropical depression to its southwest, produce slightly above normal tides and heavy rainfall reaching 20 inches (508 mm) near Tampa Bay. The passage of these systems cause three fatalities from drowning and $10 million in damage (1974 USD, $44 million 2008 USD) from tidal and rainfall flooding.[52]
  • September 8, 1974- Hurricane Carmen makes landfall on southern Louisiana, with its outer rainbands producing precipitation across the state that reaches over 10 inches (254 mm) in the extreme northwestern portion of the state.[53]
  • September 27, 1974- A tropical depression dissipates shortly after moving ashore near Cedar Key and causes no known effects.[54]
  • October 7, 1974- Subtropical Storm Four passes just offshore the eastern coastline and produces some beach erosion and localized flooding from rainfall peaking at 14 inches (356 mm) in Boca Raton.[52]

[edit] Monthly statistics

Month Number of recorded storms
affecting Florida
February 1
March 0
April 0
May 3
June 14
July 5
August 14
September 26
October 19
November 1

[edit] Deadly storms

The following is a list of hurricanes with known deaths in the state.

Name Year Number of deaths
Inez 1966 48 (45 offshore)
Donna 1960 13
Agnes 1972 9
Unnamed 1957 5
Betsy 1965 4
King 1950 3
Unnamed 1974 3
Alma 1966 2 (4 indirect)
Isbell 1964 2 (1 indirect)
Unnamed 1956 2
Dora 1964 1 (2 indirect)
Flora 1963 1
Hilda 1964 1
Abby 1968 0 (6 indirect)
Flossy 1956 0 (4 indirect)
Debbie 1957 0 (4 indirect)
Easy 1950 0 (2 indirect)
Dora 1964 0 (2 indirect)
Brenda 1960 0 (few indirect)

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Eric S. Blake, Edward N. Rappaport, Christopher W. Landsea (April 2007). THE DEADLIEST, COSTLIEST, AND MOST INTENSE UNITED STATES TROPICAL CYCLONES FROM 1851 TO 2006 (AND OTHER FREQUENTLY REQUESTED HURRICANE FACTS) p. 26. Retrieved on 2007-04-11.
  2. ^ a b c d Grady Norton (1951). Hurricanes of 1951. Weather Bureau Office. Retrieved on 2007-04-09.
  3. ^ a b c d e David Roth (2007). Tropical Cyclone Point Maxima. Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved on 2007-03-28.
  4. ^ Associated Press (1950-10-21). Florida Girds as New Storm Crosses Gulf. Retrieved on 2007-04-09.
  5. ^ Associated Press (1950-10-22). Dry Air Takes Starch Out of Hurricane. Retrieved on 2007-04-09.
  6. ^ United Press. "Hurricane Hits Florida Coast", 1951-05-18. Retrieved on 2007-02-14. 
  7. ^ Grady Norton (1952). Hurricanes of 1951. Weather Bureau Office. Retrieved on 2007-04-09.
  8. ^ USAToday.com (2007). Only February tropical storm hit Florida in 1952. Retrieved on 2007-04-08.
  9. ^ R.B. Ross (1952). Hurricane Able, 1952. U.S. Weather Bureau.
  10. ^ a b Grady Norton (1953). Hurricanes of 1953. Weather Bureau Office. Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
  11. ^ United Press International. "Weak Tropical Storm Spotted", 1953-08-30. Retrieved on 2007-04-07. 
  12. ^ a b NHC Hurricane Research Division (2006-02-17). Atlantic hurricane best track. NOAA. Retrieved on 2007-04-05.
  13. ^ Panama City News Herald. "Subdued Florence Brushes City Area Leaving Little Damage, No Deaths", 1953-09-27. Retrieved on 2007-04-07. 
  14. ^ a b c David Roth (2007). Tropical Cyclone Rainfall in Florida. Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved on 2007-09-22.
  15. ^ Gordon E. Dunn, Walter R. Davis, Paul L. Moore (1955). Hurricanes of 1955. Weather Bureau Office. Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
  16. ^ a b c d Gordon E. Dunn, Walter R. Davis, Paul L. Moore (1956). Hurricane Season of 1956. Weather Bureau Office. Retrieved on 2007-04-06.
  17. ^ Associated Press. "Hurricane Flossy Diminishes Into Rainstorm Over Southern Georgia", 1856-09-25. Retrieved on 2007-04-06. 
  18. ^ a b Paul L. Moore (1957). The Hurricane Season of 1957. Weather Bureau Office. Retrieved on 2007-04-05.
  19. ^ Denne Petitclerc (1958). Ella Staggers Out of Cuba. Miami Herald. Retrieved on 2007-04-05.
  20. ^ a b c Gordon E. Dunn (1959). The Hurricane Season of 1959. Weather Bureau Office. Retrieved on 2007-04-05.
  21. ^ a b c d Gordon E. Dunn (1961). The Hurricane Season of 1960. Weather Bureau Office. Retrieved on 2007-04-05.
  22. ^ Miami Herald (1960). Here's What Donna Did. Retrieved on 2007-04-05.
  23. ^ Cecil E. Mahaffey (1960). Supplemental Report on Hurricane Ethel. Pensacola, Florida Weather Bureau Office. Retrieved on 2007-04-05.
  24. ^ David Roth (2005). Rainfall Summary for Hurricane Carla. Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved on 2007-04-05.
  25. ^ National Weather Bureau (1963). Preliminary Summary on Hurricane Flora. Retrieved on 2007-04-05.
  26. ^ Gordon E. Dunn (1964). The Hurricane Season of 1963. U.S. Weather Bureau Office. Retrieved on 2007-04-05.
  27. ^ a b c d e Gordon E. Dunn (1965). Hurricanes of 1964. United States Weather Bureau. Retrieved on 2007-03-28.
  28. ^ United Press International (1964). Hurricane Moving on Georgia. Oakland Tribune. Retrieved on 2007-03-28.
  29. ^ Pensacola National Weather Service (1964). Effects of Hurricane Hilda on the Florida Panhandle. Retrieved on 2007-03-28.
  30. ^ L.E. Hughes (1965). Report on Tropical Storm One (1965). Tallahassee National Weather Service. Retrieved on 2007-02-09.
  31. ^ a b Arnold Sugg (1966). The Hurricane Season of 1966. United States Weather Bureau. Retrieved on 2007-02-09.
  32. ^ a b c d e Arnold Sugg (1967). The Hurricane Season of 1966. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2007-02-08.
  33. ^ A. James Wagner. The Weather and Circulation of June 1966. Retrieved on 2007-04-24.
  34. ^ a b c d e Arnold Sugg and Paul Hebert (1969). The Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1968. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2007-02-06.
  35. ^ a b c R.H. Simpson, Neil Frank, David Shideler, and H.M. Johnson (1969). Atlantic tropical disturbances of 1968. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2007-02-06.
  36. ^ a b Neil L. Frank (1970). Atlantic Tropical Systems of 1969. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2007-02-04.
  37. ^ a b c d e R.H. Simpson and Arnold Sugg (1970). The Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1969. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2007-02-04.
  38. ^ National Hurricane Center (1969). Hurricane Camille Preliminary Report (Page 8). Retrieved on 2007-02-04.
  39. ^ David Roth (2007). September 20-25, 1969 Tropical Depression. Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved on 2007-04-09.
  40. ^ National Hurricane Center (1970). Hurricane Alma Preliminary Report. Retrieved on 2007-02-03.
  41. ^ National Hurricane Center (1970). Tropical Storm Becky Preliminary Report. Retrieved on 2007-02-03.
  42. ^ Neil L. Frank (1971). Atantic Tropical Systems of 1970. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2007-02-03.
  43. ^ a b R.H. Simpson and Joseph Pelisser (1971). Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1970. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2007-02-03.
  44. ^ a b c d e R.H. Simpson and John R. Hope (1972). Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1971. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2007-02-03.
  45. ^ David Roth (2006). Rainfall Summary for Hurricane Fern (1971). Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved on 2007-02-03.
  46. ^ United Press International. "Cyclone Sweeps Through Panhandle", 1972-05-29. Retrieved on 2007-02-03. 
  47. ^ a b P.H. Simpson and Paul Hebert (1973). Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1972. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2007-02-03.
  48. ^ Bartlett C. Hagemeyer and Scott M. Spratt (2002). Thirty Years after Hurricane Agnes: The Forgotten Florida Tornado Disaster. Melbourne, Florida National Weather Service. Retrieved on 2007-02-03.
  49. ^ National Hurricane Center (1972). U.S. Deaths and Damage Attributed to Agnes. Retrieved on 2007-02-03.
  50. ^ a b c Neil L. Frank and Paul Hebert (1974). Atlantic Tropical Systems of 1973. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2007-02-02.
  51. ^ David Roth (2006). Rainfall Summary for Tropical Storm Delia. Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved on 2007-02-02.
  52. ^ a b John R. Hope (1975). Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1974. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2007-02-02.
  53. ^ David Roth (2005). Rainfall Summary for Hurricane Carmen. Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved on 2007-02-02.
  54. ^ Neil L. Frank (1975). Atlantic Tropical Systems of 1974. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2007-02-02.