| Category 5 hurricane (SSHS) | |
|---|---|
| Surface weather analysis of Hurricane Ethel on September 15 | |
| Formed | September 14, 1960 |
| Dissipated | September 17, 1960 |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 160 mph (260 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 972 mbar (hPa; 28.7 inHg) |
| Fatalities | 1 indirect |
| Damage | $1.5 million (1960 USD) |
| Areas affected | Southeast Louisiana, Mississippi Gulf Coast |
| Part of the 1960 Atlantic hurricane season | |
Hurricane Ethel was both one of the fastest intensifying and weakening storms on record, reaching Category 5 status 18 hours after being declared a tropical storm and weakening from that intensity to a tropical storm in roughly 12 hours. Ethel formed in the Gulf of Mexico on the morning of September 14, 1960, rapidly intensified into a potentially catastrophic Category 5 hurricane, and weakened back to a tropical storm before making landfall near Biloxi, Mississippi, the next evening. Because of the rapid weakening, the storm caused little damage and no deaths.
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Hurricane Ethel originated from a small tropical disturbance over the Gulf of Mexico on the morning of September 14, 1960.[1] The disturbance quickly developed within a region favoring intensification and the National Weather Bureau issued their first advisory on the system, classifying it as an area of low pressure, at 9:00 am CST.[2] Several hours later, the low intensified into a tropical storm, at which time it was given the name Ethel.[3] Roughly six hours after becoming a tropical storm, Ethel was upgraded to a hurricane as it underwent an intense phase of explosive deepening. By this time, gale-force winds extended 150 mi (240 km) to the north of the center and 80 mi (130 km) to the south.[2] Ethel further intensified into a major hurricane, a storm with winds of 111 mph (178 km/h) or higher, as it approached the Gulf coast of the United States.[3]
Following a pass through the storm by a US Navy reconnaissance plane, Ethel was declared a "severe hurricane"[2] with winds reaching 160 mph (260 km/h), equivalent to a modern-day Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale.[4] The period in which Ethel strengthened from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane, 18 hours, was faster than any other storm on record.[3] At the time these winds were measured, a barometric pressure of 972 mbar (hPa; 28.7 inHg) was recorded, the lowest in relation to the hurricane.[2][4] Not long after attaining this intensity, cool, dry air began to weaken Ethel.[4] In a six hour span, the storm suddenly weakened to a Category 1 hurricane, a decrease of 70 mph (110 km/h).[3]
As Ethel neared landfall, forecasters at the National Weather Bureau were unsure of the future track and intensity of the hurricane due to the unusual strengthening and weakening.[2] Around 6:00 am CST on September 15, the center of Ethel brushed the coastline of Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana with winds of 90 mph (150 km/h). Continuing northward, the hurricane further weakened to a tropical storm hours before making landfall in Pascagoula, Mississippi with winds of 70 mph (110 km/h).[2][3] Gradual weakening took place as the storm moved inland over Mississippi and by 12:00 pm CST on September 16, Ethel was further downgraded to a tropical depression. The remnants of the former hurricane continued moving towards the north-northwest before dissipating on September 17 over southern Kentucky.[3]
Although the US Navy reconnaissance plane recorded winds of 160 mph (260 km/h), the actual peak intensity of Ethel has been in dispute since. Due to an abnormally high minimum barometric pressure of 972 mbar (hPa; 28.7 inHg), it is believed that Ethel may have only peaked as a Category 2 hurricane, which is calculated with the pressure to wind relationship. In addition, the extreme intensification and rapid weakening deems it more unlikely that Ethel had peaked as a Category 5 hurricane.[5]
Prior to Ethel's arrival, adequate warning allowed roughly 12,000 residents along the Mississippi coastline to evacuate to shelters, set up at churches and schools. Along a 200 mi (320 km) stretch of the Gulf Coastline, all fishing villages fully evacuated to safer places.[6] In Louisiana, at least 2,000 people had been evacuated from Grand Isle. Other towns were placed under emergency evacuations where Coast Guard boats were used to move residents to safer areas. Military aircraft were also moved from Keesler Air Force Base to other airfields across the country. Numerous schools and businesses were closed on September 15 in fears of a worst-case scenario, a storm with 160 mph (260 km/h) winds passing directly over Mobile, Alabama, a city of roughly 150,000 people. In Florida, the National Weather Bureau stated that preparations were not being undertaken fast enough nor as extensive as warranted[1] According to the Red Cross, 48,000 people in the threatened region sought refuge in shelters; however, civil defense stated that 65,000 residents moved to shelters.[7]
In Louisiana, the compact nature of Hurricane Ethel resulted in only the far eastern portions of the state being impacted.[4] A maximum of 7.45 in (189 mm) of rain fell in the state,[8] likely leading to minor flash flooding. However, before the storm rapidly weakened, there were fears that a large storm surge would inundate the region. When the storm passed, a maximum surge of 7 ft (2.1 m) was recorded.[2] While preparing for the storm, one person suffered a fatal heart attack caused by storm induced stress.[9]
Along the Mississippi coastline, Ethel brought a relatively small storm surge of 5 ft (1.5 m); however, it caused substantial beach erosion throughout the barrier islands. Roughly 1.8 mi (2.9 km) of the east end of Horn Island was lost. Ship Island was also split in two, creating east and west Ship Islands. However, this split was not well known until Hurricane Camille in 1969 which substantial widened the split.[10] Throughout the state, sustained winds were recorded up to 60 mph (97 km/h) with gusts up to 70 mph (110 km/h).[2] In Pascagoula, broken glass, fallen trees and signs covered the streets. Several areas were also flooded and power was lost in area where power lines were downed by high winds. Following the storm, Governor Ross Barnett ordered 100 National Guardsmen to Pascagoula and more were requested in other areas.[6]
Hurricane Ethel also brought heavy rains and strong winds to much of the Florida Panhandle as it moved inland over Mississippi.[2] A maximum of 12.94 in (329 mm) of rain fell in extreme western Florida, the highest total in relation to the storm.[11] In Tampa, there were fears that Ethel would cause the Hillsborough River to overflow its banks; however, this did not occur, sparing Tampa from further damage, having been struck by Hurricane Donna earlier in September.[12] A strong thunderstorm associated with Ethel produced a lightning strike that hit a power station near Tallahassee, causing a city-wide blackout for 10 minutes. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, damage directly caused by hurricane in the state reached $100,000.[13] Additionally Ethel spawned four tornadoes,[14] one of which reached F2 intensity and damaged or destroyed 25 homes near Panama City.[15]
Throughout the Gulf Coast, Ethel left $1.5 million in damage behind and only one indirect fatality.[4][9][14]
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Tropical cyclones of the 1960 Atlantic hurricane season |
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