| Category 1 hurricane (SSHS) | |
|---|---|
| Track map of Hurricane Hiki | |
| Formed | August 12, 1950 |
| Dissipated | August 21, 1950 |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 85 mph (140 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 983 mbar (hPa; 29.03 inHg) |
| Fatalities | 1 |
| Areas affected | Hawaii |
| Part of the 1950 Pacific hurricane season | |
Hurricane Hiki was the wettest tropical cyclone on record in the United States.[1] The fourth tropical cyclone of the 1950 Pacific hurricane season, Hiki formed from a tropical depression that was first observed to the southeast of Hawaii on August 12. On the following day, the depression headed northwestward and intensified into a tropical storm, which was named Hiki (Hawaiian for Able). As the storm was paralleling the Hawaiian Islands, Hiki intensified into a hurricane, as it dropped torrential rainfall. After becoming a hurricane, Hiki peaked with winds of 85 mph (140 km/h). Hiki curved southwestward on August 17, and weakened back to a tropical storm when it continued its northwesterly track on August 19. After heading in the direction, Hiki weakened to a tropical depression and dissipated on August 21, while more than 1,200 mi (1,931.1 km) northwest-by-north of the Hawaiian Islands.
Although Hiki was a small tropical cyclone and bypassed the Hawaiian Islands, the storm left heavy rainfall and moderate to high winds in its wake. The effects of rainfall and high winds caused extensive property damage, although an actual cost of damage is unknown. In addition, one fatality occurred after a person came in contact with a live wire.
Contents |
The complete origin of Hurricane Hiki is unknown, but the storm was first observed on weather charts at the Honolulu International Airport on August 12. After developing into a tropical cyclone, the storm gradually intensified, and became Tropical Storm Hiki on August 13. As Hiki was east of Hilo, Hawaii, it was described as an "immature storm", and had a very small diameter. Shortly thereafter, a reconnaissance aircraft flew into Hiki and estimated that sustained winds were between 50 and 60 mph (80 and 97 km/h). Further intensification continued, and Hiki had strengthened into a hurricane on August 16.[2]
As Hiki became a hurricane on August 16, it attained its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h). Although Hiki had intensified into a hurricane, the storm had remained small, with gale force winds extending less than 150 mi (241.4 km) from the center. Hiki remained between 100 and 200 mi (160.9 and 321.9 km) offshore as it nearly paralleled several Hawaiian Islands, including Hawaii, Maui, Molokai, Oahu, and Kauai. As a high pressure ridge near Hawaii intensified, the northwestward movement of Hiki was blocked, and the storm briefly turned due west on August 17. The high pressure ridge eventually forced Hiki to move southwestward. On August 18, a reconnaissance aircraft flew into Hiki, and measured winds of 90 mph (150 km/h) to the south of the center.[2]
After that wind gust was recorded on August 18, the residents of Kauai and Oahu were alerted of a possible cyclonic loop. Later that day, the high pressure ridge weakened, and Hiki turned westward, passing south of French Frigate Shoals and Midway Island. Two reconnaissance aircraft entered the eye of Hiki, and the diameter of it was only 20-25 mi (32.2-40.2 km). The aircraft also reported a barometric pressure slightly less than 983 mbar (hPa; 29.03 inHg).[2] It was then that the Hiki was no longer monitored. However, Hiki remained a tropical cyclone, and resumed its course to the northwest on August 19. Later that day, Hiki weakened back to a tropical storm. By August 21, Hiki further weakened to a tropical depression, and dissipated six hours later.[3]
As Hiki approached, a United States Coast Guard station in French Frigate Shoals was alerted. In addition, ships in the area were also alerted. Hiki caused high waves on some of the Hawaiian Islands.[4] Hawaii remained on the southern semicircle of Hiki, and as a result, light wind damage occurred. The highest reported winds from Hiki was at the Kilauea Lighthouse on Kauai, which recorded gusts up to 68 mph (109.4 km). Tropical storm force winds were also recorded on the islands of Niihau and Lanai at the Lanai Airport, which reported winds of 48 and 50 mph (77.2 and 80 km/h), respectively. Because of the somewhat high winds, the roofs of several houses blew off. In addition, a farmer in Kohala on Hawaii died when they came in contact with a live wire that was blown down from high winds.[2]
Hiki was the wettest tropical cyclone in United States history, as rainfall of over 52 in (1,320.8 mm) occurred at the Kanalohuluhulu Ranger Station on Kauai between August 14 and August 18.[1][2] It was noted that the rain gage was capable of holding 24 in (609.6 mm) of the rain, and had to be emptied on August 15. Furthermore, the rain gage that was emptied was found overflowing less than 24 hours later. Heavy rainfall was also recorded on other locations on that island, with precipitation measured at 13 in (330.2 km) on Mount Waialeale. Few reports exist on rainfall totals on other Hawaiian Islands, with the only other island recording rainfall was Maui, with precipitation reaching 11.9 in (302.3 mm). The amount of rain measured on Maui was the highest 24 hour record for that island in the month of August.[2]
Flood damage was the most severe on Kauai, where the Waimea River flooded. As a result, more than 200 residents in Waimea Valley were evacuated. The streets on the island were reportedly flooded on August 15 and August 17. During the flooding on August 17, the Kekaha Powerhouse was severely damage, and several hundred acres of sugar cane were flooded.[2]