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Hurricane Hattie was a powerful Category 5 hurricane that hit Central America on Halloween during the 1961 Atlantic hurricane season. It caused millions of US dollars in damages and killed 319 people.

Meteorological history

Storm path

For several days toward the end of October 1961, a low pressure area persisted in the western Caribbean Sea, north of the Panama Canal Zone.^[1] On October 25, an upper-level anticyclone moved near and over the low, and the next day, a trough over the western Gulf of Mexico provided favorable outflow for the disturbance. At 0000 UTC on October 27, a ship in the vicinity of the disturbance reported southerly winds of 46 mph (74 km/h). Later that day, the airport on San Andres Island reported easterly winds of 60 mph (95 km/h). The two observations confirmed the presence of a closed atmospheric circulation, located about 70 miles (110 km) southeast of San Andres, or 155 mi (250 km) east of the Nicaragua coast; as a result, the Miami, Florida Weather Bureau office began issuing advisories on Tropical Storm Hattie.^[2]

After being classified, Hattie moved steadily northward, passing very near or over San Andres Island. There, a station recorded a pressure of 991 mbar and sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h), which indicated that Hattie reached hurricane status.^[2] Late on October 28, a Hurricane Hunters flight encountered a much stronger hurricane, with winds of 125 mph (200 km/h) in a small area near the center. At the time, gale force winds extended outward 140 miles (225 km) to the northeast, and 70 miles (115 km) to the southwest.^[3] By early on October 29, a trough extended from Nicaragua through Florida; based on the trough and climatology for similar hurricanes, Hattie was expected to continue northward.^[2] By later that day, the hurricane was predicted to be an imminent threat to the Cayman Islands and western Cuba.^[4] Around that time, a strengthening ridge to its north turned Hattie toward the northwest, which spared the Greater Antilles, but increased the threat to Central America.^[2]

With the strengthening of the ridge to its north, Hurricane Hattie also began intensifying again, after retaining the same strength for about 24 hours.^[2][5] Initially, forecasters at the Miami Weather Bureau predicted the storm to turn northward again. Late on October 29, the center of the hurricane passed about 90 miles (145 km) southwest of Grand Cayman; at the same time, the interaction between Hattie and a ridge to its north produced squally winds of around 30 mph (50 km/h) across Florida. Early on October 30, the Hurricane Hunters confirmed the increase in intensity, reporting winds of 140 mph (225 km/h).^[6] The minimum central pressure continued to drop throughout the day, reaching 924 mbar by 1300 UTC; a lower pressure of 920 mbar was computed at 1700 UTC that day, based on a flight-level reading.^[2] Its motion curved toward the west-southwest, causing the hurricane to pass between the Cayman Islands and the Swan Islands. By late on October 30, it is estimated that Hattie attained peak winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) about 190 mi (310 km) east of the border of Mexico and British Honduras (now known as Belize). This made Hattie the equivalence of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale, making it the latest hurricane on record to reach the status.^[5] Additionally, Hattie was the strongest measured hurricane in the northwest Caribbean until Hurricane Mitch in 1998.^[7]

Hurricane Hattie maintained much of its intensity as it continued toward the coast, and on October 31 made landfall a short distance south of Belize City after moving through several islands offshore. Its eyewall measured about 25 miles (40 km), and sustained winds were unofficially estimated at over 150 mph (240 km/h), potentially as strong as 200 mph (325 km/h).^[2] In a post-season analysis, it was determined that Hattie weakened to winds of 140 mph (225 km/h) before moving ashore.^[5] The hurricane weakened rapidly over land, dissipating on November 1 as it moved into the mountains of Guatemala. As it was dissipating Tropical Storm Simone was developing off the Pacific coast of Guatemala.^[2][5] There was speculation that Hattie contributed to the development of Simone, and later Tropical Storm Inga in the Gulf of Mexico, though it was not confirmed.^[8]

Preparations and impact

Southwestern Caribbean

When the Miami Weather Bureau first began issuing advisories on Hattie, the agency noted the potential for heavy rainfall in the southwestern Caribbean, which could potentially cause flash flooding. The advisories recommended for small ships to remain at harbor, across the region.^[1] Ultimately, the hurricane's movement was more northerly than expected, resulting in less precipitation along the Central American coast than was previously anticipated.^[3]

While forming and intensifying, Hurricane Hattie passed near or over San Andrés island, which is located off the east coast of Nicaragua. The hurricane was the fourth on record to strike the island, and of the four was the only to approach from the south. While approaching the island, the airport was closed due to tropical storm force winds. Maximum sustained winds reached 80 mph (130 km/h), with gusts to 104 mph (167 km/h). The hurricane resulted in one death, 15 injuries, and $300,000 in damage (1961 USD, $2.2 million 2009 USD).^[2]

Greater Antilles and Florida

Initially, the hurricane was predicted to move near or through the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, and Cuba.^[2] It remained away from the islands, although it passed closest to Grand Cayman, where heavy rainfall were reported. About 11.5 inches (292 mm) were reported on the island, including 7.8 inches (198 mm) in six hours.^[9] Winds on Grand Cayman were below hurricane force, and minor damage occurred due to the heavy rainfall.^[10]

The interaction of a ridge of high pressure and the hurricane produced sustained winds of 20 mph (35 km/h) across most of Florida, with a gust of 72 mph (116 km/h) reported at Hillsboro Inlet Light; the winds produced some beach erosion in the state.^[4]

Northwestern Caribbean

Hurricane Hattie first posed a threat to the Yucatán Peninsula and British Honduras (now the country of Belize) on October 30, when it first turned toward the area.^[6] Officials at the Miami Weather Bureau warned of the threat for high tides, strong winds, and torrential rainfall. The warnings were transmitted to people in the affected area, allowing for extensive evacuations.^[10] Most of the people in the capital, Belize City, were evacuated or moved to shelters,^[2] although some shelters were unsafe and were destroyed in the hurricane.^[10] Over 75% of the population of Stann Creek fled to safer locations.^[2] The hurricane moved ashore with powerful winds and a storm tide of up to 14 feet (4.3 m) near Belize City. The capital received a 10 ft (3 m) storm tide along its waterfront, which, in combination with high waves, reached the third story of some buildings. Most of the capital city was destroyed or severely damaged, as was the city of Stann Creek.^[2] The hurricane left significant crop damage across the region, including $2 million in citrus fruits and similar losses to timber, cocoa, and bananas. Damage throughout the territory totaled $60 million (1961 USD, $435 million 2009 USD),^[2] and a total of 307 deaths were reported;^[11] more than 100 of the fatalities were in Belize City.^[10] The government of British Honduras considered Hurricane Hattie more damaging than a hurricane in 1931 which killed 2,000 people; the lower death toll of Hattie was due to advanced warning.^[2]

Hurricane Hattie also impacted other countries in Central America with flash floods, causing 11 deaths in Guatemala and one fatality in Honduras.^[2] Swan Island reported wind gusts slightly below hurricane force, with minor damage and one injury reported.^[10]

Aftermath

In the days after the storm, throngs of survivors numbering in the thousands roamed the streets for days digging about in the crumbled ruins in search of any kind of food. Hattie damaged Belize City badly enough to force the government to relocate to a new capital further inland: its present location in Belmopan. Some permanent towns, such as Hattieville, were formed from temporary shelters built for those made homeless by the hurricane. Violence broke out in the aftermath of the storm, causing the British frigate, HMS Troubridge, to land 125 officers and men to aid colony police in halting widespread looting and pillaging.

On the 44th anniversary of the hurricane in 2005, the government of Belize unveiled a monument in Belize City to recognize the victims of the hurricane.^[12]

The name Hattie was retired the following year and will never be used by an Atlantic hurricane again. It was replaced by Holly in 1965.

See also

Tropical cyclones portal

• List of retired Atlantic hurricane names
• List of Category 5 Atlantic hurricanes
• List of wettest tropical cyclones in the Cayman Islands

References

External links

• Effects of Hurricane Hattie on the British Honduras Reefs and Cays