| Category 4 hurricane (SSHS) | |
|---|---|
| Formed | Unclear, identified on August 1, 1959 |
| Dissipated | August 8, 1959 |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 150 mph (240 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 952 mbar (hPa; 28.11 inHg) |
| Fatalities | None |
| Damage | $6 million (1959[1] USD) |
| Areas affected | Hawaiʻi |
| Part of the 1959 Pacific hurricane season | |
Hurricane Dot was a hurricane during August of the 1959 Pacific hurricane season that made a rare landfall in Hawaiʻi, and one of only five tropical cyclones since 1950 to have caused serious damage to the islands. The storm's formation is unclear, owing to the poor technology of the time, but reports suggest that Dot could have formed on July 24. Dot itself was identified only on August 1.
Dot tracked west-northwestward, eventually making landfall on the island of Kauaʻi on August 6, becoming the first recorded hurricane to make landfall in Hawaiʻi.[2] It also brought 2.66 inches (67.5 mm) of rainfall to Oahu, far more than the normal monthly average of 0.80 inches (20 mm).[3]
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On July 24, 1959, a ship, the SS Pacificus, reported 35-knot (40 mph, 65 km/h)surface winds about 1000 miles (1600 km) west of Lower California (what is now known as the Baja California Peninsula), prompting the release of a tropical storm warning.[4] Six hours later, the same ship reported 55-knot winds and the storm was then forecast to move west-northwest at 12 knots. However, there were no further reports until the last warning released on July 27 at 0000 UTC, and advisories were discontinued due to a lack of data.
Tropical Storm Dot was discovered on August 1 after an unidentified ship reported surface winds of 60 knots at 15.7°N 141.2°W. This would be around where the unnamed storm would have been had it tracked west-southwestward at 6 knots, contrary to its earlier advisories. As there was no data available from the Pacificus's second report to when Dot was identified, it is impossible to tell if Dot was the same storm, or if the earlier unnamed storm had dissipated and Dot was a new system.[3][4]
Dot tracked west-northwest, and on August 5 passed within 90 miles of South Point as a Category 4 hurricane. It then turned northwest, making landfall on the island of Kauaʻi as a Category 1 hurricane on the night of August 6. It then continued further out to sea, with the last advisory being issued on August 8 with 25 knot winds, indicating possible dissipation or extratropical changes.
Throughout its path, Dot maintained an unusually large eye diameter of 35 – 40 miles, but the eye never grew in size in the direction of the hurricane's movement, even when close to dissipation.
Affects from Dot were confined to the Hawaiian Islands of Hawaiʻi, Oʻahu, and Kauaʻi. On Hawaiʻi, local flooding occurred due to torrential rainfall, which was over 4 in (100 mm) in several locations. In addition, minor wave damage was reported around South Point and on the Kona coast. Affects were similar on Oʻahu, where local flooding occurred due to rainfall in excess of 5 in (130 mm). Wind-related damage also occurred on Oʻahu. Winds were recorded at 40 mph (65 km/h) in Waiʻanae, while winds at Barbers Point Light may have been in excess of 60 mph (95 km/h). This may account for the roof and vehicle damage in the area.
However, on Kauaʻi, many houses had their roofs blown off, while trees were uprooted. Cars were badly damaged by flying objects, and power and telephone lines were knocked down. Flood alerts were raised, and Kauaʻi was declared a disaster zone.
While damage on the Big Island and Oʻahu were estimated to be not more than $150,000 ($950,000 in 2005 USD), Kauaʻi suffered damage to agriculture estimated to be between $5.5 – $6 million ($35 – $40 million in 2005 USD). Flooding cost about $200,000 ($1.3 million in 2005 USD) in damage, while wind damage was not more than $100,000 ($650,000 in 2005 USD). Despite the ferocity of the storm, no deaths or serious injuries due to Dot were reported.[4]
