| Category 1 hurricane (SSHS) | |
|---|---|
| Hurricane Jerry making landfall | |
| Formed | October 12, 1989 |
| Dissipated | October 16, 1989 |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 85 mph (140 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 983 mbar (hPa; 29.03 inHg) |
| Fatalities | 3 direct |
| Damage | $70 million (1989 USD) |
| Areas affected | Texas, eastern United States |
| Part of the 1989 Atlantic hurricane season | |
Hurricane Jerry was the tenth named storm and the sixth and final hurricane of the 1989 Atlantic hurricane season. Jerry was also the fourth U.S. landfalling storm and the third storm to strike Texas during the 1989 season; the two previous storms were Allison in June and Chantal in August. When it hit, it marked the most number of Texas landfalls in one season since 1886. Only four October tropical cyclones have struck and/or caused significant affects along the upper-Texas coast over the past 150 years, which occurs about once every 38 year, with only six having done so in the past 175 years.
Hurricane Jerry more notable for its unpredictability, as it was unexpected that it would continue northwest into the upper Texas coast, with computer models predicting a majority of the United States Gulf Coast was at threat of landfall. Although there was unpredictability and a hurricane warning issued only eight hours before landfall, only three fatalities resulted and $70 million (1989 USD, $124 million 2012 USD) in property damage.
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A tropical wave emerged from the coast of northwest Africa on September 23. No additional signs of development were noted as the tropical wave crossed the tropical Atlantic or the Caribbean Sea. The tropical wave decelerated when it reached the Yucatán Peninsula and stalled for several days in the southern Gulf of Mexico. After reaching the Gulf of Mexico, Dvorak Technique began to estimate intensity of the tropical wave starting on October 12. A later reconnaissance Air Force Flight had discovered a closed circulation at 1900 UTC, classifying the system as Tropical Depression Fourteen; post-storm analysis estimates that a tropical cyclone actually developed at 1200 UTC near the Mexican port of Veracruz. [1]
Tropical Depression Fourteen headed northward after development, quickly intensifying into a tropical storm; the National Hurricane Center assigned it to the name Jerry. Jerry continued northward between five mph (10 km/h) and 10 mph (20 km/h), while gradually intensifying. It decelerated on October 13, in response to a middle to upper-level trough which weakened the steering currents of Tropical Storm Jerry. The middle to upper-level trough generated a cut-low pressure area, which shifted Jerry to the north-northwest. Upper level wind shear on Tropical Storm Jerry in the central Gulf of Mexico, temporarily preventing no further intensification. The upper-level outflow pattern became more apparent, which decreased wind shear on Jerry and resumed strengthening.[1]
After upper-level wind shear decreased, Tropical Storm Jerry began to develop deep convection near the center, and within the following twelve hours, Jerry had attained Category 1 hurricane status. Three hours thereafter, a minimum pressure of 983 mbar (hPa; 29.03 inHg) was reported, the lowest barometric pressure in association with Hurricane Jerry. Based on aircraft reports, Hurricane Jerry quickly deepened between 0800 UTC and 2100 UTC on October 15, although too slow to be considered rapid deepening. Slightly further intensification occurred, and Hurricane Jerry made landfall in Galveston, Texas at 7:30 p.m. CDT (0300 UTC October 16) with winds of 85 mph (140 km/h). Hurricane Jerry headed north and accelerated after moving inland, also rapidly weakening to a tropical storm less than six hours after landfall. Rapidly weakening continued, although much slower, with Jerry being downgraded to a tropical depression after several more hours. Tropical Depression Jerry was absorbed into a frontal zone later on October 16.[2]
Jerry was an unpredictable storm as the strengthening before landfall and the continuation to the northwest was not anticipated. Equipment failure meant that data was not readily available, resulting in the release of a hurricane warning only eight hours prior to landfall. The National Hurricane Center forecast model was also disabled, throwing the accuracy of Jerry's track off.[3]
Jerry killed three people and caused $70 million dollars (1989 USD, $124 million 2012 USD) in damage. The landfall of Jerry marked the third landfall on Texas in 1989, after Tropical Storm Allison and Hurricane Chantal, the record highest number of tropical cyclone landfalls for Texas since the 1886 season.
Jerry produced heavy rainfall when it made landfall, with 6.4 inches (160 mm) of rain being reported in Silsbee, Texas.[4] In Galveston, city officials reported power outages, street flooding, and a roof blown off a building.[5] Three people were killed when their car crashed off the Galveston Seawall during the storm. It was unknown if the car simply drove off the seawall because of heavy rains or it was blown off by high winds. Jerry also caused light beach erosion along the Texas coast. Hurricane Jerry provided the final destruction of Texas State Highway 87 between High Island and Sabine Pass. This section of the highway had become a victim to shoreline erosion and high tides. The twenty mile (32 km) section was destroyed by the hurricane.[3]
Many other states reported rainfall from either Hurricane Jerry or the remnants, although the highest rainfall outside Texas was in Tennessee and Kentucky which reported between three-five inches (8–13 cm).[4] The heavy rainfall left many residents isolated in eastern Kentucky after flooding destroyed bridges and roads. According to state disaster assessment teams, hundreds of residents in eastern Kentucky and West Virginia had flood damage to their houses.[6]
In Polk County, Texas, Jerry knocked out power for five to ten days to half of the residents. Trees were downed everywhere, blocking roads and destroying area homes. Jerry became only the fourth storm to hit this area directly since 1983, the others being Alicia of 1983, Bonnie of 1986 and Hurricane Chantal earlier in the season.[7]
