1961 Atlantic hurricane season

none February 2012 Atl 1961 1961 Atlantic hurricane season summary.png June 10, 1961 November 20, 1961 Hattie 914 145 1 14 12 8 5 189 (Ninth highest) 437 392.34 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963 1961 Pacific hurricane season 1961 North Indian Ocean cyclone season 1961 Pacific typhoon season The 1961 Atlantic hurricane season was a very active Atlantic hurricane season, with an accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) total of 189, the highest since 1950 and until being surpassed by 1995. The season, however, was an average one in terms of named storms. The season featured eight hurricanes and a well above average number of five major hurricanes. It was previously thought that the season had a record-tying seven major hurricanes, before the Atlantic hurricane reanalysis project downgraded two storms in 2019. Of the major hurricanes, two reached Category 5 strength. The season started on June 15, and ended on November 15. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. The first system, an operationally unclassified tropical depression, formed offshore east Central Florida on June 10, but dissipated a few days later. Next, Hurricane Anna developed in the eastern Caribbean Sea near the Windward Islands on July 20. It brought minor damage to the islands in, as well as wind and flood impacts to Central America after striking Belize as a hurricane.Prior to its independence in 1981, Belize was known as British Honduras "nb" Anna caused one death and about $300,000 (1961 USD)All damage figures are in 1961 United States dollar, unless otherwise noted "nb" in damage. Activity went dormant for nearly a month and a half, until Hurricane Betsy developed on September 2. Betsy peaked as a Category 4 hurricane, but remained at sea and caused no impact. One of the most significant storms of the season was Hurricane Carla, which peaked as a Category 4 hurricane, before striking Texas. Carla caused 43 deaths and approximately $325.74 million in damage. Hurricane Debbie was a Category 1 storm that existed in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. Early in its duration, unsettled weather from Debbie in Cape Verde resulted in a plane crash and the death of 60 people. The extratropical remnants of Debbie then brushed Ireland, causing severe damage over the British Isles. The next storm, Hurricane Esther, threatened to strike New England as a major hurricane, but rapidly weakened and made landfall in Massachusetts as only a tropical storm. Impact was generally minor, with about $6 million in damage and seven deaths, all of which from a United States Navy plane crash. An unnamed tropical storm and Hurricane Frances caused minimal impact on land. In mid-October, Tropical Storm Gerda brought flooding to Jamaica and eastern Cuba, resulting in twelve deaths. Another significant storm was Hurricane Hattie, a late-season Category 5 hurricane that struck Belize. Hattie caused 319 confirmed fatalities and about $60.3 million in damage. Destruction was so severe in Belize that the government had to relocate inland to a new city, Belmopan. In early November, the depression that would later strengthen into Hurricane Jenny brought light rainfall to Puerto Rico. The final storm, Tropical Storm Inga, dissipated on November 8, after causing no impact on land. On September 11, three hurricanes existed simultaneously – Betsy, Carla, and Debbie – the most on a single day in the Atlantic basin since 1893 and until 1998. Collectively, the storms of the 1961 Atlantic hurricane season caused about $392.34 million in damage and at least 437 fatalities. Season summary thumb|upright=.90|WSR-57 radar image of Hurricane Carla out of Galveston, Texas on September 10 The Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 15.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71391342/the-miami-herald/ Scientists Preparing To Break 'Cane's Back E. V. W. Jones June 11, 1961 20-A Miami Herald February 18, 2021 Newspapers.com It was an above average season in which twelve tropical storms formed; this was above the 1950–2000 average of 9.6 named storms.Philip J. Klotzbach William M. Gray December 8, 2006 Extended Range Forecast of Atlantic Seasonal Hurricane Activity and U.S. Landfall Strike Probability for 2007 Colorado State University March 28, 2014 http://hurricane.atmos.colostate.edu/forecasts/2006/dec2006/ https://web.archive.org/web/20061218105454/http://hurricane.atmos.colostate.edu/forecasts/2006/dec2006/ December 18, 2006 dead Boulder, Colorado Eight of these reached hurricane status, also above of the 1950–2000 average of 5.9. Furthermore, five storms reached major hurricane status. It was originally believed that the season had seven major hurricanes, though later analysis resulted in a downgrade of two storms. Of the five major hurricanes, two became Category 5 hurricanes. Four hurricanes and two tropical storms made landfall during the season, causing 348 deaths and $391.6 million in damage. https://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/1961.pdf The Hurricane Season of 1961 Gordon E. Dunn March 1962 United States Weather Bureau National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory January 31, 2014 Miami, Florida http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS-9FF6F836-52BD-4912-9F1F-2C5B28F9E210.pd Storm Data And Unusual Weather Phenomena: September 1961 Luther Hodges 1961 United States Department of Commerce 99–101, 103 National Climatic Data Center; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration February 1, 2014 PDF Asheville, North Carolina https://web.archive.org/web/20140201051314/http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS-9FF6F836-52BD-4912-9F1F-2C5B28F9E210.pdf February 1, 2014 http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS-52F4B7BD-1C8E-49D5-8E58-2306A1702BBA.pdf Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena: December 1961 Luther Hodges United States Department of Commerce 120 National Climatic Data Center; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Asheville, North Carolina February 1, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140201052024/http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS-52F4B7BD-1C8E-49D5-8E58-2306A1702BBA.pdf February 1, 2014 Irish Independent September 18, 1961 Gale Killed Fifteen 3 Irish Newspaper Archives Met Éireann 2012 March 28, 2014 Exceptional Weather Events - "Hurricane Debbie" http://www.met.ie/climate-ireland/weather-events/Sep1961_hurricane-Debbie.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20131112040048/http://www.met.ie/climate-ireland/weather-events/Sep1961_hurricane-Debbie.pdf November 12, 2013 dead mdy-all http://www.ss346.com/PDFs/ImhofRescue1961.pdf Rescue at Sea March 28, 2014 Patrick J. Imhof 4–6 September 13, 2005 Pensacola, Florida dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120204203444/http://www.ss346.com/PDFs/ImhofRescue1961.pdf February 4, 2012 mdy https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1961/gerda/news/savannah.gif Floods Fatal To 5 Jamaicans October 20, 1961 Associated Press Savannah Morning News 5 August 18, 2013 Kingston, Jamaica Belize Marked 45th Anniversary of Deadly Hurricane Hattie http://www.nemo.org.bz/cgi-bin/nemonews/exec/view.cgi?archive=1&num=285 Belize National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) December 3, 2012 NEMO Press Officer https://www.webcitation.org/6Ce1gvhur?url=http://www.nemo.org.bz/cgi-bin/nemonews/exec/view.cgi?archive=1&num=285 December 3, 2012 November 2, 2006 dead Hurricane Debbie also caused damage and deaths, despite remaining offshore and then after becoming extratropical.left|thumb|Weather map showing four active tropical cyclones in the Atlantic Ocean with Hurricanes Carla (left), Betsy (Top), Debbie and Tropical Storm Esther (Right) on September 11, 1961|210x210pxTropical cyclogenesis began with an initially unclassified tropical depression, which developed on June 10. More than a month later, Hurricane Anna formed on July 17 and dissipated on July 24. Thereafter, no other systems developed in July or the month of August. A lack of cyclonic activity in the Atlantic basin in August is rare, with such phenomenon not occurring again until the 1997 and 2022 seasons.https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2022/08/25/august-may-pass-without-single-named-tropical-storm-atlantic/ August may pass without a single named tropical storm in the Atlantic Matthew Cappuci August 25, 2022 The Washington Post August 28, 2022 The Atlantic basin remained dormant until Hurricane Betsy developed on September 2. During the next four days, two other tropical cyclones formed – Carla and Debbie. On September 11, the three storms – Betsy, Carla, and Debbie – existed simultaneously as hurricanes, the most in a single day since 1893 and until 1998.http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/tcfaq/E18.html Subject: E18) What was the largest number of hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean at the same time? Christopher W. Landsea Hurricane Research Division National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory August 31, 2021 Miami, Florida https://web.archive.org/web/20170701034516/http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/tcfaq/E18.html July 1, 2017 Esther, which developed on September 10, did not reach hurricane status until September 12. Later that day, a tropical storm that went unnamed formed over the Bahamas and moved across the East Coast of the United States for its brief duration. yes After Debbie became extratropical on September 14, another tropical cyclone developed over two weeks later, Hurricane Frances. Thereafter, tropical cyclogenesis slowed in October, which featured only three systems, a second previously unclassified tropical depression, Gerda, and Hattie. The latter was the strongest tropical cyclone of the season, peaking with maximum sustained winds of 165 mph km/h on and a minimum barometric pressure of 914 mbar inHg on on. After weakening slightly, Hattie struck Belize on October 31, before dissipating on November 1. Later that day, Hurricane Jenny developed northeast of Antigua. Jenny remained weak for much of its duration and became extratropical on November 8. The final system, Tropical Storm Inga, formed in the Gulf of Mexico on November 4. Four days later, Inga dissipated, one week before the season officially ended. The season's activity was reflected with an accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) rating of 189, one of the highest values recorded. ACE is, broadly speaking, a measure of the power of the hurricane multiplied by the length of time it existed, so storms that last a long time, as well as particularly strong hurricanes, have high ACEs. It is only calculated for full advisories on tropical systems at or exceeding 39 mph km/h on, which is the threshold for tropical storm strength.Hurricane Research Division; Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration March 2011 Atlantic basin Comparison of Original and Revised HURDAT March 6, 2012 https://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/comparison_table.html Systems Hurricane Anna Atl Hurricane Anna 1961.JPG Anna 1961 track.png July 17 July 24 90 976 Hurricane Anna (1961) A tropical wave that emerged into the Atlantic from the west coast of Africa around mid-July developed about 575 mi km on 5 northeast of Cayenne, French Guiana, late on July 17.https://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/metadata-1961-1965.pdf 1961 Atlantic Hurricane Database Reanalysis 2019 Christopher W. Landsea Sandy Delgado Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory May 3, 2021 Miami, Florida PDF2 The depression moved west-northwestward and by the following day, it intensified into a Tropical Storm Anna. After passing just south of Grenada early on July 20, Anna entered the Caribbean Sea. Favorable environmental conditions allowed Anna to reach hurricane intensity late on July 20. The cyclone continued to slowly intensifying, reaching Category 2 intensity on July 22 and peaking with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph km/h on. However, the storm weakened slightly before making landfall as a Category 1 hurricane in Honduras near Barra Patuca, Gracias a Dios Department, with winds of 80 mph km/h on. After re-emerging into the Caribbean, Anna weakened slightly further, striking Utila around 01:00 UTC on July 24 with winds of 75 mph km/h on. About nine hours later, the hurricane made landfall in Belize near Monkey River Town at the same intensity. Anna rapidly weakened over land and dissipated late on July 24. As a developing tropical cyclone over the Windward Islands, Anna produced strong winds on Grenada, though damage was limited to some crops, trees, and telephone poles.The Daily Gleaner 1961 Anna Should Miss Jamaica Other islands experienced gusty winds, but no damage. Passing just north of Venezuela, the hurricane produced strong winds over the country, peaking as high as 70 mph km/h on.https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1961/anna/preloc/pshsju02.gif Report on Hurricane Anna – July 20, 1961 Ralph L. Higgs August 4, 1961 U.S. Weather Bureau Office San Juan, Puerto Rico National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; National Hurricane Center 2 December 2, 2013 San Juan, Puerto Rico Strong winds caused widespread damage in northern Honduras. Throughout the country, at least 36 homes were destroyed and 228 were damaged.https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1961/anna/preloc/pshmhtg.gif Report on Hurricane Anna Etat Gordon E. Dunn August 4, 1961 U.S. Weather Bureau Office Miami, Florida National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; National Hurricane Center 11 December 3, 2013 Miami, Florida Severe damage in the Gracias a Dios Department left hundreds of people homeless.National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; National Hurricane Center 1961 Miami Gets Pelted With Short Storms December 3, 2013 https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1961/anna/news/miami.gif Additionally, high winds toppled approximately 10,000 coconut trees. Overall, Anna caused one fatality and $300,000 in damage, primarily in Central America.https://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/1961.pdf The Hurricane Season of 1961 Gordon E. Dunn March 1962 United States Weather Bureau National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory January 31, 2014 Miami, Florida Hurricane Betsy Atl Hurricane Betsy 1961.JPG Betsy 1961 track.png September 2 September 11 115 945 In early September, a tropical wave was noted in the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).Hurricane Betsy, September 2-11, 1961 http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/hurricanes/QC9452B472H81961.pdf Miami, Florida United States Weather Bureau National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration February 1, 2014 On September 2, the disturbance was analyzed to have attained tropical storm strength, after nearby ship reports indicated strong winds associated with anomalously low barometric pressures. Moving steadily northwestward, favorable conditions allowed Betsy to quickly intensify later that day. Shortly after, a trough situated along 50°W steered Betsy to a more northerly course. Another low-pressure area later formed in the trough, perturbing the ridge to the north of Betsy for much of its initial stages, causing the hurricane's central pressure to rise, despite an increase in sustained winds. However, on September 5, a shortwave forced the low northeastward, allowing for Betsy to strengthen further. Early on September 6, Betsy attained Category 4 hurricane strength, peaking with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph km/h on and a central pressure of 945 mbar hPa inHg on, based on reconnaissance flights into the system.15–16 However, as a result of missing the short wave itself, the hurricane later weakened and fell to Category 3 intensity while located about 440 mi km east-northeast of Bermuda. Betsy weakened further to Category 2 hurricane before becoming nearly stationary beginning on September 6. Moving into higher latitudes, Betsy began to weaken, degenerating back to Category 1 hurricane intensity on late on September 8. A separate, minor trough was later able to move the system northeastwards by the following day. Betsy re-intensified into a Category 2 hurricane early on September 10, but transitioned into extratropical cyclone several hours later. The extratropical remnants continued northeastward and weakened, before executing a large loop over the far north Atlantic. The remnants dissipated well north of the Azores on September 16. Hurricane Carla Atl Hurricane Carla Satellite.JPG Carla 1961 path.png September 3 September 13 125 927 Hurricane Carla Hurricane Carla tornado outbreak A tropical depression developed from an area of squally weather embedded within the ITCZ in the southwestern Caribbean Sea on September 3.https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1961/carla/preloc/new12.gif Carla Preliminary Report ECH September 21, 1961 United States Weather Bureau National Hurricane Center; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 12 February 1, 2014 New Orleans, Louisiana Initially a tropical depression, it strengthened slowly while heading northwestward, and by September 4, the system was upgraded to Tropical Storm Carla. About 24 hours later, Carla was upgraded to a hurricane.https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1961/carla/preloc/new14.gif Carla Preliminary Report ECH September 21, 1961 United States Weather Bureau National Hurricane Center; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 14 February 1, 2014 GIF New Orleans, Louisiana Shortly thereafter, the storm curved northward while approaching the Yucatán Channel. Late on September 7, Carla entered the Gulf of Mexico while passing just northeast of the Yucatán Peninsula. The cyclone reached major hurricane intensity around 12:00 UTC on the next day. Resuming its northwestward course, Carla continued intensification and on September 11, it peaked as a Category 4 hurricane. Carla made landfall near Port O'Connor, Texas, with winds of 145 mph km/h on. It weakened quickly inland and was reduced to a tropical storm on September 12. Heading generally northward, Carla transitioned into an extratropical cyclone on September 13, while centered over southern Oklahoma. However, the remnants continued generally northeastward and entered Canada on September 14, before dissipating near Cape Chidley early on September 16. While crossing the Yucatán Channel, the outer bands of Carla brought gusty winds and severe local flooding in western Cuba and the Yucatán Peninsula.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69488105/the-miami-news/ Hurricane Whips Cuba; Winds Batter Key West 72 September 7, 1961 The Miami News February 7, 2021 Newspapers.com Although initially considered a significant threat to Florida,https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1961/carla/public/tcp0710z.gif Hurricane Advisory Number 15 Carla Conner September 7, 1961 Weather Bureau Office New Orleans, Louisiana National Hurricane Center; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration February 1, 2014 the storm brought only light winds and small amounts of precipitation, reaching no more than 3.15 in mm on. In Texas, wind gusts as high as 170 mph km/h on were observed in Port Lavaca. Additionally, several tornadoes spawned in the state caused notable impacts, with the most destructive tornado striking Galveston, Texas at F4 intensity, resulting in 200 buildings being severely damaged, of which 60–75 were destroyed, eight deaths and 200 injuries.https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1961/carla/preloc/pshaus1.gif Hurricane Carla in Texas September 8 to 13th, 1961 Robert Orton September 16, 1961 Weather Bureau Office Galveston, Texas National Hurricane Center; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 1 January 11, 2013 Throughout the state, Carla destroyed 1,915 homes, 568 farm buildings, and 415 other buildings. Additionally, 50,723 homes, 5,620 farm buildings, and 10,487 other buildings suffered damage. There were 34 fatalities and at least $300 million in losses in Texas alone. Several tornadoes also touched down in Louisiana, causing the destruction of 140 homes and 11 farms and other buildings, and major damage to 231 additional homes and 11 farm and other buildings. Minor to moderate damage was also reported to 748 homes and 75 farm and other buildings.https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1961/carla/preloc/pshaus.gif List of known dead in Texas from Hurricane Carla as of September 18th Robert Orton September 18, 1961 Weather Bureau Office Galveston, Texas National Hurricane Center; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration February 1, 2014 Six deaths and $25 million in losses in Louisiana were attributed to Carla.https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1961/carla/prenhc/prelim2.gif Hurricane Carla: September 4–14, 1961 (A Preliminary Report) September 18, 1961 United States Weather Bureau National Hurricane Center; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2 February 1, 2014 Miami, Florida Heavy rainfall occurred in several other states, especially in Kansas,https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/tcmidwest.html Tropical Cyclone Rainfall for the Midwest 2013 Weather Prediction Center; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration February 1, 2014 College Park, Maryland where flash flooding severely damaged crops and drowned five people.http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS-9FF6F836-52BD-4912-9F1F-2C5B28F9E210.pd Storm Data And Unusual Weather Phenomena: September 1961 Luther Hodges 1961 United States Department of Commerce 99–101, 103 National Climatic Data Center; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration February 1, 2014 PDF Asheville, North Carolina https://web.archive.org/web/20140201051314/http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS-9FF6F836-52BD-4912-9F1F-2C5B28F9E210.pdf February 1, 2014 Overall, Carla resulted in $325.74 million in losses and 46 fatalities.http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS-52F4B7BD-1C8E-49D5-8E58-2306A1702BBA.pdf Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena: December 1961 Luther Hodges United States Department of Commerce 120 National Climatic Data Center; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Asheville, North Carolina February 1, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140201052024/http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS-52F4B7BD-1C8E-49D5-8E58-2306A1702BBA.pdf February 1, 2014 In Canada, the remnants of Carla brought strong winds to Ontario and New Brunswick, though impact was primarily limited to power outages and falling trees and branches.http://www.ec.gc.ca/hurricane/default.asp?lang=En&n=9D9BF402-1 1961-Carla November 5, 2009 Environment Canada April 3, 2014 Fredericton, New Brunswick https://web.archive.org/web/20130703044445/http://www.ec.gc.ca/hurricane/default.asp?lang=En&n=9D9BF402-1 July 3, 2013 live Hurricane Debbie Atl Hurricane Debbie on September 7, 1961.png Debbie 1961 track.png September 5 September 16 80 975 Hurricane Debbie (1961) A tropical disturbance was first identified in late August over Central Africa.C. O. Erickson National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration February 1963 August 31, 2021 An Incipient Hurricane Near The West African Coast 61–68 https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/mwre/91/2/1520-0493_1963_091_0061_aihntw_2_3_co_2.xml?tab_body=pdf Miami, Florida PDF The wave developed into a tropical depression just offshore Senegal around 12:00 UTC on September 5. It was estimated to have intensified into Tropical Storm Debbie early the next day. Several hours later, Debbie passed through the southern Cape Verde Islands as a strong tropical storm or minimal hurricane, resulting in a plane crash and the death of 60 people.Met Éireann 2012 March 28, 2014 Exceptional Weather Events - "Hurricane Debbie" http://www.met.ie/climate-ireland/weather-events/Sep1961_hurricane-Debbie.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20131112040048/http://www.met.ie/climate-ireland/weather-events/Sep1961_hurricane-Debbie.pdf November 12, 2013 dead mdy-all Once clear of the islands, data on the storm became sparse, and the status of Debbie was uncertain over the following several days as it tracked west-northwestward and later northward. It was not until a commercial airliner intercepted the storm on September 10 that its location was certain.http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/hurricanes/Qc9452d393h81961.pdf Hurricane Debbie — September 7–15, 1961 Preliminary Report 1961 National Weather Bureau National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration February 5, 2014 Miami, Florida The following day, Debbie intensified and reached its peak intensity as a strong Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph km/h on. The hurricane gradually slowed its forward motion and weakened. By September 13, Debbie's motion became influenced by the westerlies, causing the system to accelerate east-northeastward. The storm transitioned into an extratropical cyclone late on September 14 about 140 mi km on 5 west-southwest of Horta, Azores. The remnants of Debbie soon passed east-northeastward throughout the Azores and then curved northeastward. The system deepened slightly as it neared the British Isles, skirting the coast of Western Ireland on September 16. In Ireland, Debbie brought record winds to much of the island, with a peak gust of 114 mph km/h on measured just offshore.Connacht Sentinel September 19, 1961 Repairing Hurricane Damage 10 Irish Newspaper Archives Widespread wind damage and disruption occurred, downing tens of thousands of trees and power lines.Anglo-Celt September 23, 1961 Storm Reports From The Areas 9 Irish Newspaper ArchivesUlster Herald September 23, 1961 The Storm Made Much Work 7 Irish Newspaper Archives Countless structures sustained varying degrees of damage, with many smaller buildings destroyed.The Irish Naturalists' Journal J. G. Gruickshank N. Stephens L. J. Symons January 1962 14 1 4–12 Report of the Hurricane in Ireland on Saturday, 16 September, 1961 25534822 Agriculture experienced extensive losses to barley, corn and wheat crops.Irish Farmers Journal Crop Losses September 23, 1961 1 Irish Newspaper Archives Throughout Ireland, Debbie killed 18 people, with 12 in the Republic of Ireland and six in Northern Ireland.Irish Independent September 18, 1961 Gale Killed Fifteen 3 Irish Newspaper Archives The storm also battered parts of Great Britain with winds in excess of 100 mph km/h on. Hurricane Esther Atl Hurricane Esther.jpg Esther 1961 path.png September 10 September 26 140 919 Hurricane Esther On September 10, Television Infrared Observation Satellite (TIROS) III observed an area of disturbed weather well southwest of the Cape Verde Islands. Later that day, a tropical depression developed about 510 mi km 5 west-southwest of the southernmost Cape Verde Islands. Moving northwestward, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Esther on September 11, before reaching hurricane intensity on the following day. Early on September 13, Esther curved westward and deepened into a major hurricane. The storm remained a Category 3 hurricane for about four days and gradually moved in west-northwestward direction. Esther strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane on September 16 and peaked as a Category 5 hurricane on the following day with sustained winds of 160 mph km/h on 10. The storm curved north-northeastward on September 19, while offshore North Carolina. Esther began to weaken while approaching New England and fell to Category 2 intensity early on September 21. The storm turned eastward on the following day and gradually weakened to a tropical storm. It then executed a large cyclonic loop, until curving northward on September 25. Early on the following day, Esther made two landfalls in Massachusetts, first on Muskeget Island and then near South Yarmouth with winds of 60 mph km/h on. The storm then emerged over the Gulf of Maine and made landfall in Brunswick, Maine, around 11:00 UTC on September 26 with winds of 40 mph km/h on. Esther weakened to a tropical depression late on September 26 before weakening to a tropical depression and becoming extratropical over southeastern Quebec. The remnants persisted for about 12 hours, before dissipating early on September 27. Between North Carolina and New Jersey effects were primarily limited to strong winds and minor beach erosion and coastal flooding due to storm surge.http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/hurricanes/Qc9452e82h81961.pdf Hurricane Esther — September 12–26, 1961 Preliminary Report 1961 National Weather Bureau National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 4 March 28, 2014 Miami, Florida In New York, strong winds led to severe crop losses and over 300,000 power outages. High tides caused coastal flooding and damaged a number of pleasure boats. Similar impact was reported in Massachusetts. Additionally, some areas observed more than 8 in mm of rainfall, flooding basements, low-lying roads, and underpasses. Overall, damage was minor, totaling about $6 million. There were also seven deaths reported when a United States Navy P5M aircraft crashed about 120 mi km north of Bermuda.http://www.ss346.com/PDFs/ImhofRescue1961.pdf Rescue at Sea March 28, 2014 Patrick J. Imhof 4–6 September 13, 2005 Pensacola, Florida dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120204203444/http://www.ss346.com/PDFs/ImhofRescue1961.pdf February 4, 2012 mdy Tropical Storm Six Atl Tropical Storm Six (1961).JPG 1961 Atlantic tropical storm 6 track.png September 12 September 15 55 996 TIROS III imagery indicated a vortex east of the Bahamas between September 9 and September 12.https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/mwre/90/8/1520-0493_1962_090_0351_ntc_2_0_co_2.xml?tab_body=pdf Northbound Tropical Cyclone Richard Fay August 1962 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration United States Weather Bureau August 31, 2021 A tropical depression formed at 12:00 UTC on September 12 near Great Harbour Cay in the Bahamas, after TIROS revealed a surface circulation. The depression tracked northward and intensified into a tropical storm while located offshore North Carolina. Around 12:00 UTC September 14, it made landfall in the state near Topsail Beach, North Carolina, with winds of 45 mph km/h on. The storm curved accelerated northeastward and intensified despite mostly remaining over land, striking near the southern tip of the Delmarva Peninsula about nine hours later with winds of 50 mph km/h on. After re-emerging into the Atlantic late on September 14, the cyclone made landfall near Islip, New York, with peak winds of 65 mph km/h on around 06:00 UTC on September 15, followed by another landfall near Guilford, Connecticut, about an hour later at the same intensity. The cyclone became extratropical over southern Maine around 12:00 UTC and quickly dissipated. Impact from the storm was generally minor. In Savannah, Georgia, the storm produced an F2 tornado that blew the roof off of a lumber company building. In North Carolina, 3.12 in mm of precipitation fell at Williamston. Strong winds lashed Rhode Island, with winds as high as 70 mph km/h on in Point Judith. About 29,000 homes were left without electricity, while 1,200 lost telephone service. Hundreds of small crafts and a few ferries and barges were swamped or sank. Hurricane-force wind gusts in Massachusetts felled trees, electrical wires, and TV antennas. Some roads in the southeastern portion of the state were blocked by fallen trees. Similar impact was reported in Maine, where an F2 tornado/waterspout tracked 19.1 mi km from Beals through Roque Bluffs before dissipating in Dog Town just east of East Machias. Power lines were considerably damaged and numerous trees were knocked down, including two incidents where trees fell on and damaged homes. The tornado caused one injury when a man was hit by a flying wooden plank. Hurricane Frances Atl Hurricane Frances weather map, October 7, 1961.jpg Frances 1961 track.png September 30 October 9 115 948 A westward-moving tropical wave organized into Tropical Storm Frances on September 30, east of the northern Lesser Antilles.Hurricane Frances, Sept. 30 – Oct. 9, 1961 https://atlas.amicale-des-ouragans.org/dossiers/frances1961/1961_Frances.pdf Miami, Florida United States Weather Bureau National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration August 31, 2021 PDF Six hours later, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Frances. Heading westward, it crossed through the Leeward Islands and entered the Caribbean Sea on October 1. Thereafter, the lack of divergence at high levels prevented significant strengthening for a few days. While situated south of Puerto Rico on October 2, Frances curved northwestward. The storm brought heavy rainfall to Puerto Rico, peaking at 10.15 in mm in the Indiera Baja barrio of Maricao. Considerable damage to roads and bridges occurred. However, due to swift evacuations of residents by the Civil Defense and American Red Cross, no fatalities were reported. Tracking to the northwest, Frances made landfall near Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, early on October 3 with winds of 60 mph km/h on. No impact was reported on the island. Later on October 3, Frances emerged into the Atlantic Ocean just southeast of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Thereafter, the storm accelerated somewhat and resumed intensification, reaching hurricane status on October 4. Around that time, it curved northeastward and deepened further. Early on October 7, Frances attained its peak intensity with winds of 130 mph km/h on and a minimum barometric pressure of 948 mbar inHg on. The storm passed by Bermuda around that time, where it dropped 1.35 in mm of precipitation. Later on October 7, Frances re-curved to the north. Early on the following day, the storm became extratropical as it approached the Gulf of Maine. The remnants curved east-northeastward and struck Nova Scotia, before dissipating early on October 10. Tropical Storm Gerda Atl Gerda 1961 track.png Tropical Storm Gerda surface analysis October 20, 1961.png October 17 October 20 60 988 A westward-moving tropical wave reached the central Caribbean by mid-October. The wave crossed Jamaica, causing flooding that damaged roads and forced many to evacuate their homes in western Kingston. Five fatalities were reported in Jamaica.https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1961/gerda/news/savannah.gif Floods Fatal To 5 Jamaicans October 20, 1961 Associated Press Savannah Morning News 5B August 18, 2013 Kingston, Jamaica Early on October 17, the wave developed into a tropical depression just southwest of Cape Cruz, Cuba. It continued northward and made another landfall near Santa Cruz del Sur several hours later. The depression also brought heavy rainfall to eastern Cuba, which resulted in seven deaths. After striking Cuba, the depression emerged into the Atlantic early on October 18 as it intensified into Tropical Storm Gerda. Moving across the Bahamas later on October 18, Gerda accelerated to the north-northeast. The storm curved northeastward on October 20, while peaking with winds of 70 mph km/h on. However, a Texas Tower offshore Massachusetts observed hurricane-force winds. At 00:00 UTC on October 20, Gerda transitioned into an extratropical cyclone while situated about 165 mi km 5 southeast of Nantucket, Massachusetts. Damage from the storm in New England was "about the same as that from a typical wintertime northeaster". The remnants of Gerda moved northeastward and then to the east, before dissipating between Newfoundland and the Azores late on October 22. Hurricane Hattie Atl Hurricane Hattie radar 30 Oct 1961 - cropped.jpg Hattie 1961 path.png October 27 November 1 145 914 Hurricane Hattie In late October, an area of low pressure persisted in the western Caribbean Sea for several days.http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/hurricanes/Qc9452h39h81961.pdf Hurricane Esther — October 27–31, 1961 Preliminary Report 1961 National Weather Bureau National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 4 August 31, 2021 Miami, Florida https://web.archive.org/web/20170429192329/http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/hurricanes/Qc9452h39h81961.pdf April 29, 2017 Around 00:00 UTC on October 26, a tropical depression developed about 100 mi km on 5 northeast of Colón, Panama. Approximately 12 hours later, the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Hattie. Moving towards the north and north-northeast, the storm quickly gained hurricane status early on October 28 and reached major hurricane intensity that same day. Hattie turned towards the west to the east of Jamaica and strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 165 mph km/h on on October 31. The storm then weakened to a Category 4 hurricane prior to landfall south of Belize City, British Honduras, with winds of 150 mph km/h on. Continuing southwest, the storm rapidly weakened over the mountainous terrain of Central America, dissipating on November 1. It was originally thought that the remnants may have contributed to the development of Tropical Storm Simone in the eastern Pacific Ocean, but a 2019 reanalysis concluded that the remnants of Hattie instead became a Central American gyre. Hattie first affected regions in the southwestern Caribbean, producing hurricane-force winds and causing one death on San Andres Island. It was initially forecast to continue north and strike Cuba, which prompted evacuations.'Cane Hattie Threatens Western Cuba, Florida Associated Press The Palm Beach Post 1 West Palm Beach, Florida October 30, 1961 February 6, 2021 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46430170/the-palm-beach-post/ Newspapers.com Little effects were reported as Hattie turned to the west, although rainfall reached 11.5 in mm on on Grand Cayman. The worst damage was in the country of Belize. The former capital, Belize City, was flooded by a powerful storm surge and high waves and affected by strong winds. The territory governor estimated 70% of the buildings in the city were damaged, which left over 10,000 people homeless.United Press International November 2, 1961 Hattie's Toll is 62: Martial Law Declared St. Petersburg Times 1A, 2A St. Petersburg, Florida March 28, 2014 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=204nAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JHkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5523%2C397222 The damage was severe enough that it prompted the government to relocate inland to a new city, Belmopan.Sarasota Herald-Tribune September 7, 1971 Hurricane 'Edith' Deepens Rapidly Associated Press 1A, 4A Sarasota, Florida March 28, 2014 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HjogAAAAIBAJ&sjid=c2YEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7339,2936965 In the territory, Hattie left about $60 million in damage and caused 307 deaths.Belize Marked 45th Anniversary of Deadly Hurricane Hattie http://www.nemo.org.bz/cgi-bin/nemonews/exec/view.cgi?archive=1&num=285 Belize National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) December 3, 2012 NEMO Press Officer https://web.archive.org/web/20120723114312/http://www.nemo.org.bz/cgi-bin/nemonews/exec/view.cgi?archive=1&num=285 July 23, 2012 November 2, 2006 dead The government estimated that Hattie was more damaging than a hurricane in 1931 that killed 2,000 people; the lower toll for Hattie was due to advance warning. Elsewhere in Central America, the hurricane killed 11 people in Guatemala and one in Honduras. Hurricane Jenny Atl Jenny 1961 track.png Hurricane Jenny surface analysis November 6, 1961.png November 1 November 10 70 974 A surface trough of low pressure developed in the eastern Caribbean Sea on October 30. The trough split, with the northern portion spawning a tropical depression near Antigua at 00:00 UTC on November 2.David M. Roth Weather Prediction Center National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration October 16, 2008 March 28, 2014 Hurricane Jenny – October 30 November 2, 1961 https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/jenny1961.html College Park, Maryland The precursor to Jenny brought light rainfall to Puerto Rico, peaking at 4.97 in mm in Río Blanco, Naguabo. Moving northeastward ahead of an upper-level trough, the depression remained weak for over three days. On November 3, the system curved eastward, before briefly turning to the southeast on November 4. The depression tracked in a circular path during the next 24 hours, moving northeastward, north-northwestward, and then west-northward. Finally, the system strengthened into Tropical Storm Jenny early on November 5. Jenny intensified further and reached hurricane status at 12:00 UTC on November 6. Later that day, the United States Weather Bureau began advisories and described Jenny as having "characteristic of many storms in the sub-tropics late in the hurricane season."Hurricane Jenny, November 6-8, 1961 http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/hurricanes/Qc9452j45h81961.pdf Miami, Florida United States Weather Bureau National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration March 28, 2014 Around 18:00 UTC on November 6, Jenny attained its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph km/h on and a minimum barometric pressure of 974 mbar inHg on. Thereafter, the storm briefly decelerated and weakened, falling to tropical storm intensity around midday on November 7. Jenny curved northeastward and continued to weaken, transitioning into an extratropical cyclone late on November 10 about 545 mi km on 5 east of Cape Race, Newfoundland. The extratropical remnants continued to move northeastward and weakened before being absorbed by a larger extratropical cyclone on the following day.97 Tropical Storm Inga Atl Tropical Storm Inga analysis 6 Nov 1961.png Inga 1961 track.png November 4 November 8 60 997 Early on November 4, the SS Navigator encountered a weather system in the Gulf of Mexico that produced northwesterly winds of 81 to 92 mph km/h on. Reconnaissance aircraft data indicated that Tropical Storm Inga developed at 00:00 UTC on November 4, while located about 145 mi km 5 northeast of Veracruz. A strong high pressure system and a cold front entering the Gulf of Mexico from Texas caused the storm to move southward and then southeastward. Inga slowly strengthened and peaked as a 70 mph km/h on tropical storm early on November 7. Thereafter, the storm became nearly stationary and began weakening. By 12:00 UTC on November 8, Inga dissipated in the Bay of Campeche, as reconnaissance aircraft found no closed circulation. Tropical Storm Twelve Atl Tropical Storm Twelve weather map, November 19, 1961.jpg 1961 Atlantic tropical storm 12 track.png November 17 November 20 50 ≤ 992 A stationary front across the central Atlantic Ocean led to the development of a low pressure area by November 16, northeast of the Lesser Antilles. A day later, it is estimated that a tropical depression developed, although due to the system's large size, it was possible it was a subtropical cyclone. The depression moved northeastward and slowly intensified, based on observations from nearby ships. On November 19, the depression strengthened into a tropical storm. The storm strengthened to reach peak winds of 60 mph km/h on on November 20. By that time, a cold front was approaching the storm, causing the storm to transition into an extratropical cyclone on November 21; later that day, the front absorbed the former tropical storm. Other storms In addition to the twelve systems reaching at least tropical storm status, two other cyclones formed but remained at tropical depression intensity. The first such system, also the first tropical cyclone of the season, originated from a tropical wave about 35 mi km on 5 east of Palm Bay, Florida, on June 10. Moving quickly northeastward, the depression may have reached tropical storm intensity on June 12 but degenerated into a trough offshore New England on the next day.108 On October 12, a trough developed into a tropical depression about halfway between Bermuda and North Carolina. This depression also moved quickly northeastward and merged with a frontal boundary by October 15.109 A report from Mexico indicates that a tropical depression formed off the west coasts of Tabasco and Coatzacoalcos. The depression significantly impacted the northern portions of Veracruz with heavy rainfall on June 30.es http://www.uv.mx/eventos/inundaciones2005/PDF/20_%20RIESGO.pdf Inundaciones 2005 en el Estado de Veracruz Riesgo Quimico Asociado a Fenominos Hidrometeorologicos en el Estado de Verzacruz Humberto Bravo Alavarez Rodolfo Sosa Echeverria Pablo Sanchez Alavarez Arturo Butron Silva 317 June 22, 2006 Universidad Veracruzana March 28, 2014 February 20, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110220102041/http://www.uv.mx/eventos/inundaciones2005/PDF/20_%20RIESGO.pdf dead However, the Atlantic hurricane best track does not list this system as a tropical depression. Storm names The following list of names was used for named storms (tropical storms and hurricanes) that formed in the North Atlantic in 1961.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69488210/the-miami-news/ Go Blame An Ill Wind June 9, 1961 The Miami News 1 February 6, 2021 Newspapers.com Storms were named Frances, Hattie, Inga and Jenny for the first (and only, in the case of Hattie) time in 1961. Anna Betsy Carla Debbie Esther Frances Gerda Hattie Inga Jenny Kara Laurie Martha Netty Orva Peggy Rhoda Sadie Tanya Virgy Wenda Retirement List of retired Atlantic hurricane names The names Carla and Hattie were retired after the season due to their severity of impacts.https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutnames_history.shtml Tropical Cyclone Naming History and Retired Names National Hurricane Center Miami, Florida February 16, 2024 They were replaced with Carol and Holly, respectively, for the 1965 season.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cjBAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ClkMAAAAIBAJ&pg=771,2204280&dq=hurricane+anna+betsy+carol&hl=en "Anna" Will Be First Hurricane May 23, 1965 Associated Press Youngstown Vindicator 2 February 20, 2013 Season effects This is a table of all of the storms that formed in the 1961 Atlantic hurricane season. It includes their name, duration, peak classification and intensities, areas affected, damage, and death totals. Deaths in parentheses are additional and indirect (an example of an indirect death would be a traffic accident), but were still related to that storm. Damage and deaths include totals while the storm was extratropical, a wave, or a low, and all of the damage figures are in 1961 USD. center1961 Atlantic hurricane depression Depression June 10 – 12 35 (55) Unknown None None None cat2 Anna July 20 – 24 105 (165) 976 Windward Islands, Colombia, Venezuela, Central America, Jamaica $300,000 1 cat4 Betsy September 2 – 11 130 (215) 945 None None None cat4 Carla September 3 – 13 145 (230) 927 Central America, Yucatán Peninsula, Central United States, Eastern Canada $325.74 million 43 cat1 Debbie September 6 – 16 90 (150) 975 Cape Verde, Azores, Ireland, United Kingdom, Norway, Soviet Union Unknown 60 cat5 Esther September 10 – 26 160 (260) 919 North Carolina, Virginia, New England, Mid-Atlantic, Atlantic Canada $6 million 0 (7) storm Six September 12 – 15 65 (100) 996 The Bahamas, East Coast of the United States, Atlantic Canada Minimal None cat4 Frances September 30 – October 9 130 (215) 948 Lesser Antilles, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Bermuda, Maine, Atlantic Canada Unknown None depression Depression October 12 – 14 35 (55) Unknown None None None storm Gerda October 16 – 20 70 (110) 988 Jamaica, Cuba, The Bahamas, New England, Atlantic Canada Unknown 7 cat5 Hattie October 27 – November 1 165 (270) 914 Central America (Belize) $60.3 million 319 cat1 Jenny November 1 – 10 80 (130) 974 Puerto Rico, Leeward Islands None None storm Inga November 4 – 8 70 (110) 997 Mexico None None storm Twelve November 17 – 20 60 (95) 992 None None None 14 June 10 – November 20 165 (270) 914 $392.34 million 448 (7) See also Tropical cyclones 1961 Pacific hurricane season 1961 Pacific typhoon season 1961 North Indian Ocean cyclone season Australian region cyclone seasons: 1960–61 1961–62 South Pacific cyclone seasons: 1960–61 1961–62 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 1960–61 1961–62 Notes nb References 30em External links Monthly Weather Review 1960 Atlantic hurricane 1961 Category:Articles which contain graphical timelines