1969 Atlantic hurricane season

The 1969 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active Atlantic hurricane season since the 1933 season, and was the final year of the most recent positive Atlantic multidecadal oscillation (AMO) era. The hurricane season officially began on June 1, and lasted until November 30. Altogether, 12 tropical cyclones reached hurricane strength, the highest number on record at the time; a mark not surpassed until 2005. The season was above-average despite an El Niño, which typically suppresses activity in the Atlantic Ocean, while increasing tropical cyclone activity in the Pacific Ocean. Activity began with a tropical depression that caused extensive flooding in Cuba and Jamaica in early June. On July 25, Tropical Storm Anna developed, the first named storm of the season. Later in the season, Tropical Depression Twenty-Nine caused severe local flooding in the Florida Panhandle and southwestern Georgia in September.

The most significant storm of the season was Hurricane Camille, which peaked as a Category 5 hurricane on August 17 and devastated the Gulf Coast of the United States upon striking Mississippi the next day. Strong winds and storm surge heights especially impacted Mississippi and Louisiana. Later in its duration, the storm caused severe flooding Virginia and West Virginia. Camille alone was responsible for 259 deaths and $1.43 billion. It was the costliest United States hurricane at the time, until Hurricane Agnes in 1972. In early September, Hurricane Francelia caused deadly floods in Central America, with 271 people killed in Central America. Hurricane Inga had the third longest duration of an Atlantic tropical cyclone. The last storm, Hurricane Martha, was the only known tropical cyclone to make landfall in Panama. Martha caused minor flooding in the former and Costa Rica. Overall, the systems of the season collectively caused 535 deaths and over $1.5 billion in losses.

Season summary

thumb|upright=.90|Radar image of [[Hurricane Camille on August 17]]

The 1969 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1. Of the twenty-three tropical cyclones that developed in the North Atlantic Ocean in 1969, eighteen of them intensified into tropical storms; this was above the 1950–2000 average of 9.6 named storms. In terms of tropical storms, it was the busiest season since 1933.

thumb|left|upright=.90|Weather map featuring Hurricane Inga on October 3

Tropical cyclogenesis began early, with a tropical depression that affected Jamaica. Activity briefly went dormant between June 15 and July 25, when the next depression originated. That same day, the season's first named storm, Anna, developed over the eastern Atlantic. There were five tropical cyclones that formed in the month of August – Blanche, Camille, Debbie, Eve, and Francelia. Camille was the most intense tropical cyclone of the season, peaking as a Category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of and a minimum barometric pressure of .

September was the most active month of the season, with six tropical cyclones, five of which intensified into a tropical storm – Gerda, Holly, Inga, and an unnamed hurricane. Of the five named storms that originated in October, three intensified into hurricanes, including Kara, Laurie, and an unnamed storm. While an unnamed hurricane existed into November, Martha was the only tropical cyclone to originate in that month. Martha, the last storm of the season, dissipated over Panama on November 25.

The season's activity was reflected with an accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) rating of 149. 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 , which is the threshold for tropical storm status.

Systems

June tropical depression

A tropical depression developed near the Yucatan Peninsula on June 7. It moved north, reaching western Cuba by the following day. As the depression moved towards Florida, small-craft warnings were issued for the southern coast. The depression made landfall in Florida on June 9 and dissipated shortly thereafter. As a result of rain in Cuba, Radio Havana warned of a flash flood Sustained winds of and gusts up to were observed on the island. Impact from the depression in Florida is unknown.

July tropical depression

A tropical wave situated about east of Trinidad developed into a tropical depression on July 25. The depression moved northwestward toward the Lesser Antilles and later that day crossed Barbados with winds of . It continued to the northwest and may have struck Martinique on July 26. At 0000 UTC on the following day, the depression dissipated about west-southwest of Basseterre, Guadeloupe.

Tropical Storm Anna

On July 23, a tropical wave emerged into the Atlantic from the west coast of Africa. By 06:00 UTC on July 25, the system developed into Tropical Depression Twelve. Initially, the depression strengthened slowly while moving west-northwestward. Eventually, it was upgraded to Tropical Storm Anna at 06:00 UTC on July 27. Modest intensification ensued during the next 18 hours, after which Anna maintained winds of for nearly two days. At 12:00 UTC on July 30, Anna began to weaken and moved in a more northwesterly direction. By 12:00 UTC on July 31, Anna degenerated into a surface-based trough while situated north of the Lesser Antilles, but continued to produce gale-force winds.

August tropical depression

A trough in the western Gulf of Mexico produced an area of thunderstorms. On August 7, a Hurricane Hunters flight observed a circulation, indicating that a tropical depression developed. The system moved southwestward, making landfall near Tuxpan in northeastern Mexico early on August 8. It quickly dissipated after moving ashore.

Hurricane Blanche

A tropical wave was initially tracked about east of the Lesser Antilles on August 6.

Moving northwestward, Debbie began re-intensifying on August 19, becoming Category 3 hurricane with winds of by 18:00 UTC. By 00:00 UTC on August 20, Debbie peaked with winds of , which it maintained for a full day. The storm's minimum barometric pressure of was measured by hurricane hunters during this timeframe. Debbie curved northeastward as Hurricane Camille moved offshore the East Coast of the United States, weakening to a Category 2 hurricane early on August 21. Gradually losing strength, Debbie passed well to the southeast of Bermuda, although it is believed that if not for the presence of nearby Hurricane Camille, which emerged into the Atlantic from the United States on August 20, Debbie would have likely ended up further west, closer to the island. The remnants of Debbie began to lose definition as they accelerated northeastward, while moving over increasingly cold waters. Debbie's remnants finally dissipated west of Norway on August 27. while 20,000 residents were left homeless on the mainland; five fatalities were also reported and damages reached $5 million. Early on August 16, Camille emerged into the Gulf of Mexico. Between August 16–17, the storm rapidly deepened, attaining a minimum barometric pressure of , along with maximum sustained winds of , making it a Category 5 hurricane. After briefly weakening to Category 4 intensity near the Mississippi River Delta, Camille re-intensified prior to landfall near Waveland, Mississippi, early on August 18, becoming one of only four tropical cyclones to strike the mainland United States as a Category 5, the others being the 1935 Labor Day hurricane, Hurricane Andrew in 1992, and Hurricane Michael in 2018. With winds of and an estimated pressure of at landfall, Camille was the second strongest and next most intense hurricane to strike the mainland United States, as measured by wind and pressure, respectively, after the 1935 hurricane. Mississippi bore the brunt of Hurricane Camille. A combination of strong winds—estimated at up to in gusts—and large storm surges caused adverse impact in the state. In Mississippi alone, 3,881 dwellings were destroyed and 41,848 were damaged. About 406 trailers were destroyed and an additional 325 suffered major losses. An estimated 645 farm buildings were destroyed and another 2,002 received major damage. In addition, 569 small businesses were impacted. After reaching the Atlantic, Camille re-strengthened into a strong tropical storm with winds of on August 21, but was absorbed by a cold front south of Newfoundland on August 22. With losses estimated at $1.42 billion, Camille was considered the costliest hurricane in United States history at the time. Additionally, there were 256 deaths in the United States. The storm threatened the Mid-Atlantic states and Bermuda, but remained offshore and caused no impacts in either region. Eve strengthened slightly on August 26, reaching maximum sustained winds of . Although the storm weakened later that day, Eve reached its minimum barometric pressure of . Early on August 2, Eve was downgraded to a tropical depression. It began to succumb to the effects of cold air, which entrained the circulation of the storm. While remaining nearly stationary offshore Central America, heavy precipitation fell in some countries, especially Guatemala where severe flooding killed 269 people and caused $15 million in damage. Throughout the country, approximately 10,200 people were left homeless. In neighboring Honduras, the hurricane caused damage in the northern portions of the country, with the offshore Bay Islands Department being particularly hard hit. There, the storm damaged or destroyed the majority of two towns. In El Salvador, flooding isolated towns for several days and caused crop damage. Coastal areas of Belize lost electricity and telephone service, and high winds resulted in extensive damage to banana crops. A number of rivers in the region flooded, including the Belize River, which reached above normal. Overall damage was estimated at $35.6 million, and there were 271 deaths. Due to the winds and rainfall, portions of Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire reported power outages and localized flooding.

Hurricane Holly

A tropical wave emerged into the Atlantic Ocean from the west coast of Africa on September 8. It quickly organized and was soon upgraded to Tropical Storm Holly. Continuing northwestward, it steadily intensified, and the Hurricane Hunters reported that Holly attained hurricane status on September 16, with peak winds of and a minimum barometric pressure of .

On September 16, Holly weakened slightly while turning westward toward the Lesser Antilles. Due to the lack of good upper-level outflow, as well as unfavorable water, Holly quickly weakened to tropical storm status on September 18, as confirmed by the Hurricane Hunters. By the next day, it weakened to tropical depression status and later moved through the Lesser Antilles. Holly dissipated on September 21 in the Caribbean Sea, while situated between the Los Roques archipelago of Venezuela and Puerto Rico.

Mid-September tropical depression

Ship reports on September 19 indicated the presence of low pressure area in the Gulf of Mexico, centered about west-northwest of Key West, Florida. Many bridges and roads were washed out or inundated by water, including portions of U.S. Route 98 and State Road 20 between Tallahassee and Panama City. In addition, a tornado spawned by the depression destroyed a trailer, damaged 30 homes, and toppled ballpark bleachers, fences, lights, and electrical poles. Damage in Florida reached almost $3.78 million, including $1.65 million to crops and $2.135 million to property. In southwest Georgia, precipitation totals exceeding were common, while rainfall peaked at in southern Decatur County. Severe local flooding ensued, causing damage to property and crops, mostly to peanuts that were not threshed. Up to of rainfall fell in Alabama, while precipitation totals reached in Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia.

The hurricane produced wind gusts up to on Bermuda, though minimal impact occurred other than brief power outages.

September hurricane

A subtropical depression formed approximately east-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, around 12:00 UTC on September 21. Six hours later, the system intensified into a subtropical storm as it headed east-northeastward. The storm curved northeastward by September 24 and transitioned into a hurricane that day, peaking with maximum sustained winds of and a minimum barometric pressure of . Shortly thereafter, the hurricane began accelerating, before dissipating about south of Newfoundland early on September 26.

September tropical storm

A tropical storm developed from a subtropical depression southwest of the Azores on September 24. After a day of drifting west-southwest, it moved westward where it became a subtropical storm, and later a tropical storm on September 26. The cyclone reached peaked with maximum sustained winds of on September 27 while moving northward. Satellite estimates suggest that it may have reached hurricane intensity but such could not be concluded by other data. Six hours later, the strengthened into a subtropical storm. Early on the following day, the storm peaked with maximum sustained winds of . It maintained that intensity for about 24 hours, before cool air and wind shear began weakening the storm early on October 1. while a tornado touched down in Carabelle, and another unroofed a home in the St. James community. United States Coast Guard planes searched for three people in a light aircraft that went missing as it traveled from DeFuniak Springs to Sebring. Minor road washouts were reported in Lee County. Rainfall along the lower Kissimmee River and the Lake Okeechobee basin caused some pastures and flood plain areas to be inundated by water. Lake Kissimmee rose in height due to precipitation. Jenny's remnants later contributed to the development of heavy rains in southern Louisiana. By October 15, an upper-level westerlies forced the storm to move northeastward and accelerate.

October tropical storm

A subtropical depression formed west-southwest of the Azores on October 28. It moved northwestward, reaching tropical storm strength on October 29, and after turning sharply east, the system attained its peak of winds. The storm transitioned into an extratropical on October 31 west of the Azores.

October hurricane

A large extratropical storm over the North Atlantic formed a subtropical storm on October 31 south of Newfoundland. It moved southeast, gaining tropical characteristics and strength on the way. It reached hurricane strength on November 4, peaking as a minimal Category 1 storm while approaching the Azores, but weakened prior to passing through the islands. The system transitioned into an extratropical cyclone on November 7.

Hurricane Martha

Tropical Storm Martha developed in the southwestern Caribbean Sea on November 21. Initially, the storm developed with sustained winds of , skipping tropical depression status. It remained stationary and quickly intensified into a hurricane. Martha attained maximum sustained winds of on November 22. Subsequently, Martha weakened and drifted southward. On November 24, Martha made landfall in Veraguas, Panama, as a strong tropical storm. Martha was the only tropical cyclone on record to make landfall in Panama. The system weakened to a tropical depression and dissipated over land on November 25.

Because the storm weakened prior to landfall, strong winds were not expected or reported in the impacted countries. In Panama, more than of precipitation may have fallen in some areas. Agricultural land was flooded in Almirante, Bocas del Toro and streets became inundated in low-lying areas of Puerto Armuelles, Chiriquí. Damage in Costa Rica reached $30 million and 5 deaths were reported. This is the same list used in the 1965 season, except for Blanche, Camille, Eve, and Francelia, which replaced Betsy, Carol, Elena, and Frances, respectively. Storms were named Blanche, Camille, Eve, Francelia, Holly, Kara, Laurie and Martha for the first (and in the case of Camille, only) time in 1969.

{| width=90%

Anna
Blanche
Camille
Debbie
Eve
Francelia
Gerda

Holly
Inga
Jenny
Kara
Laurie
Martha

Retirement

After the season, the name Camille was retired. The name Cindy was selected to replace Camille in 1973. However, the 4year lists then in use were replaced in 1971 by a new series of 10 lists, running through 1980 before recycling.

Season effects

This is a table of all of the storms that formed in the 1969 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 1969 USD.

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Notes

References

External links

HPC rainfall pages for 1969 tropical cyclones