| Category 1 hurricane (SSHS) | |
|---|---|
| Hurricane Gladys as seen from Apollo 7 | |
| Formed | October 13, 1968 |
| Dissipated | October 21, 1968 |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 85 mph (140 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 965 mbar (hPa; 28.5 inHg) |
| Fatalities | 7 direct, 3 indirect |
| Damage | $18 million (1968 USD) |
| Areas affected | Cuba, Florida, Nova Scotia |
| Part of the 1968 Atlantic hurricane season | |
Hurricane Gladys was the most destructive hurricane in the 1968 Atlantic hurricane season, causing over $100 million (2005 US dollars) in damage and ten deaths. The last storm of the season, it caused heavy rainfall along its path through the Western Caribbean Sea, Florida, and up through Atlantic Canada. When paralleling just off the coast of North Carolina, Gladys was responsible for breaking the state's worst drought since 1932.
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A tropical wave moved through the Lesser Antilles on October 11. When it reached the western Caribbean Sea, upper level conditions became favorable for continued organization, and it was upgraded to a tropical depression on October 13. Two other systems in the western Caribbean, one of which was a tropical depression, prevented significant of the depression which was to become Gladys. As it moved north-northwestward though, it became the dominant system, and became Tropical Storm Gladys on the 15th.
Warm water temperatures and a developing anticyclone allowed Gladys to continue strengthening, and on October 16 while south of Cuba the storm was upgraded to a hurricane. Gladys crossed the narrow, western part of the island just hours later, and emerged into the Gulf of Mexico without weakening. The hurricane crossed the Florida keys and turned to the north-northwest in response to the development of a low over Alabama. The low degraded to the trough, and allowed Gladys to turn to the northeast. Much of its circulation was over Florida, inhibiting strengthening, though upper level winds remained very favorable during its northward trek through the gulf. Thus, Gladys hit Homosassa, Florida, north of Tampa Bay, as an 80 mph Category 1 hurricane on the 19th.
In response to an approaching trough, Gladys accelerated to the northeast, and crossed Florida in around 6 hours. Upon reaching the western Atlantic Ocean, it paralleled the Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina coastlines, reaching peak winds of 85 mph while offshore. On October 20, it passed near Cape Hatteras, and continued northeastward, weakening slightly over the cool waters of the north Atlantic. On October 21, became extratropical as it merged with a cold front while south of Nova Scotia, and crossed the province later that day as an extratropical storm.
Strong wind gusts and flash flooding was experienced in western Cuba as Gladys crossed. There, heavy damage to the tobacco crop was seen.[1] Throughout Cuba, Gladys caused $12 million in damage (1968 USD) and six deaths.[2] At least 36,000 people were left homeless as a result of the storm.[3]
Little damage was seen in southern Florida, where the center remained far enough offshore to avoid damage. This was not the case in the northern portion of the state, where a direct hit resulted in moderate damage. Tides ran 6.5 feet (2.0 m) above normal, causing considerable beach erosion and flooding of coastal areas. 85% of Florida's citrus crop was effected to some degree, though overall crop damage was fairly minimal. Because of its winds and rain, Gladys caused $6.7 million in damage, nearly all structural with motor homes taking a major hit. Rainfall amounts varied from a trace to 6 inches (150 mm); rains caused the death of one motorist. Two other Floridians died from heart attacks while escaping the storm. Two tornadoes touched down in the state during the storm's passage. The first was an F1 which touched down in Palm Beach County tore off the roof of a warehouse.[4][5] The second tornado was an F2 in Manatee County.[6] According to locals, several other tornadoes touched down in Volusia and Putnam counties. Numerous trees were downed by the tornadoes and obvious trails of damage could be seen.[7]
In North Carolina, tides ranged from 2 to 4 feet (0.61 to 1.2 m) above normal, and rainfall was moderate. However, the rain was badly needed, and helped break the worst drought since 1932 in the state. The rest of the state, as well as South Carolina, received little damage. Had Gladys come closer while paralleling the coastline, its effects would have likely been much greater.
As the extratropical remnants of Hurricane Gladys tracked over Nova Scotia on October 21, beneficial rains, totaling between 3.2 and 6.4 cm (1.3 and 2.5 in), helped alleviate drought conditions. Minor damage took place in parts of Nova Scotia and one person was killed as a result of Gladys.[8]