Tropical Storm Cindy (1993)
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| tropical storm (SSHS) | ||
|---|---|---|
.JPG) Tropical Storm Cindy |
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| Formed | August 14 | |
| Dissipated | August 17 | |
| Highest winds |
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| Lowest pressure | 1007 mbar (hPa; 29.75 inHg) | |
| Fatalities | 4 | |
| Damage | Unknown | |
| Areas affected |
Martinique, Dominican Republic | |
| Part of the 1993 Atlantic hurricane season |
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Tropical Storm Cindy was the fourth tropical cyclone and third named storm of the 1993 Atlantic hurricane season, Cindy originated from a tropical wave that moved off the coast of Africa on August 8. After several days, a low-level low pressure system developed and organized into a tropical depression on August 14. Attaining tropical storm status later that day, the cyclone reached a peak intensity of 1007 mb with winds of 45 mph (72 km/h). Cindy dropped moderate to heavy rainfall over portions of the Caribbean—specifically the Dominican Republic and Martinique—which killed four people due to flooding. A specific damage total is unknown.
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[edit] Storm history
On August 8, 1993, a tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa and tracked west-northwestward across the Atlantic for several days. A U.S. Air Force Reserve aircraft investigated the disturbance on August 13, finding a poorly-organized surface circulation. Another aircraft investigation the next day revealed that the low-level circulation had developed sufficient convection to be designated as a tropical depression at about 1200 UTC.[1] Under the steering currents of a low- to mid-level flow, the depression continued west-northwestward, slowing slightly as it did so. At 1800 UTC on August 14 it was upgraded to Tropical Storm Cindy while situated over Martinique.[2] At the time, tropical storm-force winds extended for about 60 mi (97 km) away from the center.[3] Although the storm contained an outflow pattern aloft, little intensification occurred, and Cindy reached peak winds of 45 mph (72 km/h) at 1200 UTC on August 16, south of the Dominican Republic.[2] The circulation was disrupted as it passed near Hispaniola, weakening the storm. At 2100 UTC that same day, it was downgraded to a tropical depression and the poorly-defined center moved over Dominican Republic. Rapid disorganization ocurred, and Tropical Depression Cindy dissipated by August 17. The cyclone's remnants, however, spread over the Bahamas the next day.[2]
[edit] Preparations and impact
By August 14, tropical storm warnings were in effect for portions of the Lesser Antilles, and for the U.S and British Virgin Islands.[3] The next day, a tropical storm warning was issued for Puerto Rico,[4] and a similar advisory was eventually placed into effect for portions of the Dominican Republic.[5] Several hundred residents of flood-prone areas of Puerto Rice were evacuated.[6] Several thousand people prepared for the storm by stocking up on bottled water and canned goods and filling up gas tanks.[7] The Santo Domingo International Airport suspended operations as the storm approached.[8]
Although Cindy was a weak storm, rainfall amounts of 12 in (300 mm) were reported on the island of Martinique, while 3 in (76 mm)–4 in (100 mm) fell elsewhere over the Dominican Republic and in various locations. The Dominican civil defense director, Eugenio Cabral, reported scattered flooding, although no major damage.[7] The storm did, however, cause moderate to severe flooding in some places, killing two people and leaving two missing in the Dominican Republic and killing two in Martinique. Although a specific damage amount is unknown, estimates of millions of dollars in damage to houses, roads and seawalls were reported.[6]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Richard Pasch and Edward Rappaport (1993). Annual Summaries: Atlantic hurricane season of 1993. NOAA. Retrieved on 2008-05-25.
- ^ a b c Max Mayfield (1993). Tropical Storm Cindy Preliminary Report. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-26.
- ^ a b Mayfield (1993). Tropical Storm Cindy Public Advisory Number 2A. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-26.
- ^ Lawrence (1993). Tropical Storm Cindy Public Advisory Number 4A. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-26.
- ^ Rappaport (1993). Tropical Storm Cindy Public Advisory Number 7A. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-26.
- ^ a b Max Mayfield (1993). Tropical Storm Cindy Preiminary Report Page 2. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-27.
- ^ a b Associated Press (1993). A tropical storm loses steam after washing over the Dominican Republic, but a hurricane threatens Hawaii.. The Syracuse Post-Standard. Retrieved on 2008-05-27.
- ^ Associated Press (1993). Cindy tramples on Dominican Republic. The Kingston Gleaner. Retrieved on 2008-05-27.
