| Category 3 hurricane (SSHS) | |
|---|---|
| Satellite image of Anna | |
| Formed | July 20, 1961 |
| Dissipated | July 24, 1961 |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 115 mph (185 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 976 mbar (hPa; 28.82 inHg) |
| Fatalities | 1 direct |
| Damage | $300,000 (1961 USD) |
| Areas affected | Windward Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, Honduras, Belize |
| Part of the 1961 Atlantic hurricane season | |
Hurricane Anna was the first named storm and hurricane of the 1961 Atlantic hurricane season. Anna formed on July 20 and moved westward on a path similar to Hurricane Abby in 1960, where it reached Category 3 status on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. The storm's winds peaked at 115 mph (185 km/h) before skirting northern Honduras and making landfall in Belize (then known as British Honduras). After making landfall, Anna dissipated on July 24.
The storm left minimal damage in the Windward Islands and Trinidad and Tobago as a tropical storm. In Honduras and Belize, the storm caused $300,000 dollars (1961 USD, $2 million 2006 USD) in damage and one fatality.[1]
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An area of low pressure was detected on July 17 by Hurricane Hunters and ship reports between 14-17°N and 50-55°W. Satellite imagery later showed the area of disturbed weather at 12°N. At approximately 12 a.m. (EST) on July 19, the disturbance quickly intensified into a 50 mph (80 km/h) tropical storm and was named Anna by the National Hurricane Center. After becoming a tropical storm, Anna moved westward due to the interference of a strong high-pressure area to the north. The center of the storm passed 75 miles (121 km) north of Venezuela. On the following day, Anna's winds reached hurricane intensity as the storm continued to track west-northwest through the Caribbean Sea at speeds of 15-23 mph (24–37 km/h).[1]
On July 21, Anna’s winds peaked at 115 mph (185 km/h),[2] and its barometric pressure dropped to 976 millibars (28.83 inches) as the hurricane continued to moved westward and stayed at a lower latitude due to the strong northern system.[1] After briefly attaining Category 3 status, the cyclone brushed past northern Honduras as a Category 2 hurricane on July 23.[2] Shortly after making landfall in Belize the following day as a Category 1 hurricane, Anna rapidly dissipated.[1][2]
The National Hurricane Center issued tropical cyclone watches and warnings for Venezuela and Aruba.[3] In Jamaica, meteorologists forecast that the storm would bypass the island to the south without causing any effects.[4] As Anna continued westward, meteorologists at the National Hurricane Center forecast the storm to make landfall in either northern Nicaragua or southeastern Honduras and advised residents in those countries and the rest of Central America to take precautions ahead of the storm.[5][6] As the storm neared Honduras, small boats and other water craft were advised to remain in port.[7]
In Belize (then known as British Honduras), the threat of the storm forced 100 residents to evacuate their homes, while numerous businesses were closed down. In Belize Harbor, many ships and boats were moved upstream inland and Belize's Church Welfare Service began to ship clothing and other materials in anticipation of the aftermath of the hurricane.[8] The hurricane was also forecast to bring heavy rainfall to the mountainous areas of Belize, causing a concern that flash flooding would result from the rainfall.[9]
In Grenada, Anna produced wind gusts of 50 mph (80 km/h) and a weather station reported a barometric pressure of 1002 millibars (29.58 inches).[1] Damage from the storm's impact on Grenada was limited to banana crops, trees and telephone poles.[4] In northern Venezuela and the ABC Islands, the storm produced winds of 50–70 mph (80–'113 km/h) in Curaçao, Los Hermanos and La Blanquilla.[3] A weather station in Aruba reported winds of 50 mph (80 km/h).[10]
A weather station in Honduras reported rainfall of 0.29–1.5 inches (7.3–25.4 mm) over a two day period. Another station in Puerto Cortés reported 2 inches of rainfall.[11] The hurricane caused moderate damage across northern Honduras. In Plaplaya, the storm damaged 215 homes and toppled 5,000 coconut trees. The storm also ruined banana and fruit harvests and one fatality was reported.[12] Severe damage was also reported in Gracias a Dios.[13] Damage from the cyclone's impact on Honduras amounted to $300,000 (1961 USD, $2 million 2007 USD).[1] The Government of Honduras provided food and medical aid after the storm.[13] In Belize, Anna produced waves 7–10 ft (2.1–3 m) and gusty winds.[9] Damage in Belize was also moderate, but no fatalities were reported.[1]
The name Anna was not retired by the National Hurricane Center, and was re-used again during the 1969 and 1976 seasons. In 1979, the spelling of "Anna" was changed to "Ana" which was used for later Atlantic hurricane seasons and is on the list of names for the 2009 Atlantic hurricane season.
