1964 Atlantic hurricane season
Encyclopedia
The 1964 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 15, 1964, and lasted until November 15, 1964. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclone
s form in the Atlantic basin
. The season
was slightly above average, with twelve total storms and six hurricanes; unusually, all six of the hurricanes strengthened into major (Category 3) storms.
Three storms were notable enough to have their names retired: Cleo, Dora, and Hilda. Hurricane Cleo
killed over 200 in its trek from the Caribbean Sea
across Florida
. Hurricane Dora
struck northeastern Florida, causing nearly $300 million (1964 US dollars) in damages. Hurricane Hilda
caused damage when it struck Louisiana. Three hurricanes hit Florida this season (Cleo, Dora and Isbell); the first time this has happened since 1886
and the last time it would happen until the 2004 season
.
Operationally, the season began on June 16.
developed a tropical depression in the Northwest Caribbean Sea on June 2. It drifted northward without strengthening. Moving faster through the Gulf of Mexico, the depression crossed Florida on June6, causing strong winds and hail from thunderstorms. When it reached the Atlantic Coast
, it strengthened to a tropical storm, remaining away from landmass until its dissipation on June 11. Tropical Storm One caused $1 million (1964 USD, $ USD) in flood damage to areas along the First Coast
and further inland.
. It became a tropical depression on August 5 and, moving slowly westward, reached tropical storm strength on August 7. Abby hit Matagorda, Texas as a 65 mph (105 km/h) tropical storm that night, and dissipated the following day. Abby was a small system; its complete circulation at the surface was less than 100 miles (200 km) in diameter. Because of this, Abby caused only $750,000 (1964 USD, $ USD) in damage, most of it from crop damage. The rain was beneficial.
. As it neared the island, it strengthened to a tropical storm, causing tornadoes on the island. Brenda drifted east-southeastward before turning to the northeast and dissipating on August 10. Brenda caused $275,000 (1964 USD, $ USD) in damage.
. The hurricane remained a Category 4 as it passed into the Caribbean, and moved just to the south of Hispaniola
on August 24, and then veered more to the north which brought a landfall on the tip of Haiti
. The storm then turned to the north and weakened to a Category 1 before it struck Cuba
, but remained a hurricane the whole time over land. Cleo then brushed against Miami and the east coast of Florida as it weakened from a Category 2 hurricane to a tropical storm. Cleo killed a total of 217 people and caused serious property damage as it travelled through the Caribbean Sea and into Florida, totaling $198 million (1964 USD, $ USD) in damage.
that moved off the coast of Africa on August 28 as a vigorous tropical low. The system moved steadily westward, becoming a tropical storm on September 1, and a hurricane on the following day. It then turned to the northwest in response to a trough of low pressure to its north. The storm steadily strengthened to a peak of Category 4, and turned back to the west-northwest in response to a ridge of high pressure building in behind the trough. The storm weakened thereafter, due to interaction with Hurricane Cleo
. The storm continued to slow down and weaken,and made landfall near Jacksonville, Florida
on September 10. The system briefly emerged over the Gulf of Mexico, but then turned back to the northeast as a tropical depression, before moving offshore in the Carolinas. The storm dissipated in the northern Atlantic Ocean
on September 14.
Hurricane Dora was the only hurricane in the Twentieth Century to make landfall on the First Coast region of Florida. It caused $280 million in damage (1964 USD, $ USD).
, but it turned northeastward in response to the development of a low pressure system over the Great Lakes. Gladys became extratropical on September 24, and caused beach erosion and high tides.
landfall on October 4. After landfall, Hilda quickly dissipated over Georgia. Hurricane Hilda killed 37 when it made landfall in Louisiana
, with most of the deaths caused by storm-generated tornadoes. It caused roughly $126 million (1964 USD, $ USD) in damage.
, and upon reaching the southeast Gulf of Mexico, strengthened to a Category 3 hurricane. Isbell peaked at 130 mph (210 km/h) before entering Florida near Everglades City
as a Category 2 hurricane on October 14. It reached the Atlantic Ocean that night, and steadily weakened while moving to the north. Isbell became extratropical just before its final landfall on Morehead City, North Carolina
on October 16, and dissipated the next day. Isbell caused $20 million (1964 USD, $ USD) in damage; most of it was from crop damage or tornadic activity. The hurricane also caused six deaths.
disturbance. A tropical depression developed on November 5 north of Panama
. The depression moved northwestward, becoming a tropical storm on November 6. It turned westward, hitting near the border of Honduras
and Nicaragua
on November 7. The storm weakened and re-emerged into the Caribbean, after which it hit Belize and dissipated on November 10. Tropical Storm Twelve (the named hurricanes filling in the large numbering gap) caused $5 million (1964 USD, $ USD) in damage from significant flooding in Honduras
. Five small houses were destroyed, and the town Caukira was flooded, with tides as high as 18 ft (5.5 m). In Puerto Castilla
significant rainfall, caused flooding and destroyed a bridge, leaving part of the population out of communication.
. Also, though Hilda and Dora were retired from the Atlantic lists before modern naming was introduced, they are still in use for the 1st and 3rd Pacific lists as of 2011.
Tropical cyclone
A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a large low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. Tropical cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor...
s form in the Atlantic basin
Atlantic Basin
The Atlantic Basin is the Atlantic Ocean.Atlantic Basin may also refer to:* Atlantic Basin Iron Works, an ironworks that operated in Brooklyn, New York, in the early to mid-20th century...
. The season
Atlantic hurricane season
The Atlantic hurricane season is the period in a year when hurricanes usually form in the Atlantic Ocean. Tropical cyclones in the North Atlantic are called hurricanes, tropical storms, or tropical depressions. In addition, there have been several storms over the years that have not been fully...
was slightly above average, with twelve total storms and six hurricanes; unusually, all six of the hurricanes strengthened into major (Category 3) storms.
Three storms were notable enough to have their names retired: Cleo, Dora, and Hilda. Hurricane Cleo
Hurricane Cleo
Hurricane Cleo was the third named storm, first hurricane, and first major hurricane of the 1964 Atlantic hurricane season. Cleo was one of the longest-lived storms of the season...
killed over 200 in its trek from the Caribbean Sea
Caribbean Sea
The Caribbean Sea is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean located in the tropics of the Western hemisphere. It is bounded by Mexico and Central America to the west and southwest, to the north by the Greater Antilles, and to the east by the Lesser Antilles....
across Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. Hurricane Dora
Hurricane Dora
Hurricane Dora was the first tropical cyclone on record to make landfall over the extreme northeast coast of Florida. Dora was also the first storm to produce hurricane force winds to Jacksonville, Florida in the almost 80 years of record keeping. Dora killed five people and left over...
struck northeastern Florida, causing nearly $300 million (1964 US dollars) in damages. Hurricane Hilda
Hurricane Hilda
Hurricane Hilda was the third hurricane to make landfall in the United States during the 1964 Atlantic hurricane season. Originating near Cuba, the cyclone intensified while moving through the Gulf of Mexico, and became a Category 4 hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico before striking Louisiana in...
caused damage when it struck Louisiana. Three hurricanes hit Florida this season (Cleo, Dora and Isbell); the first time this has happened since 1886
1886 Atlantic hurricane season
The 1886 Atlantic hurricane season ran through the summer and the first half of fall in 1886.-Storms:The 1886 Atlantic hurricane season began with 3 U.S. landfalling hurricanes in June...
and the last time it would happen until the 2004 season
2004 Atlantic hurricane season
The 2004 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, 2004, and lasted until November 30, 2004. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin...
.
Operationally, the season began on June 16.
Tropical Storm One
The Intertropical Convergence ZoneIntertropical Convergence Zone
The Intertropical Convergence Zone , known by sailors as The Doldrums, is the area encircling the earth near the equator where winds originating in the northern and southern hemispheres come together....
developed a tropical depression in the Northwest Caribbean Sea on June 2. It drifted northward without strengthening. Moving faster through the Gulf of Mexico, the depression crossed Florida on June6, causing strong winds and hail from thunderstorms. When it reached the Atlantic Coast
East Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
, it strengthened to a tropical storm, remaining away from landmass until its dissipation on June 11. Tropical Storm One caused $1 million (1964 USD, $ USD) in flood damage to areas along the First Coast
First Coast
The First Coast is a region of Florida, in the United States. It extends along the Atlantic, or eastern, coast of the state, from the Georgia border, past the southern end of Anastasia Island, to Marineland....
and further inland.
Tropical Storm Two
A cloud vortex developed in the Tropical Atlantic on July 27. It was well-organized enough to become a tropical depression on July 28, but intensification was limited due to rapid forward motion. It turned northeastward and became a tropical storm on July 31. After reaching a peak of 50 mph (80 km/h) the storm became extratropical on August 2.Tropical Storm Abby
The precursor to Tropical Storm Abby was a surface trough in the northern Gulf of MexicoGulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
. It became a tropical depression on August 5 and, moving slowly westward, reached tropical storm strength on August 7. Abby hit Matagorda, Texas as a 65 mph (105 km/h) tropical storm that night, and dissipated the following day. Abby was a small system; its complete circulation at the surface was less than 100 miles (200 km) in diameter. Because of this, Abby caused only $750,000 (1964 USD, $ USD) in damage, most of it from crop damage. The rain was beneficial.
Tropical Storm Brenda
A minor trough of low pressure spawned a tropical depression on August 7 west of BermudaBermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
. As it neared the island, it strengthened to a tropical storm, causing tornadoes on the island. Brenda drifted east-southeastward before turning to the northeast and dissipating on August 10. Brenda caused $275,000 (1964 USD, $ USD) in damage.
Hurricane Cleo
A tropical wave strengthened into a depression on August 20, and was named Tropical Storm Cleo soon after. Cleo moved quickly to the west and strengthened into a Category 4 storm by the time it churned through the Lesser AntillesLesser Antilles
The Lesser Antilles are a long, partly volcanic island arc in the Western Hemisphere. Most of its islands form the eastern boundary of the Caribbean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean, with the remainder located in the southern Caribbean just north of South America...
. The hurricane remained a Category 4 as it passed into the Caribbean, and moved just to the south of Hispaniola
Hispaniola
Hispaniola is a major island in the Caribbean, containing the two sovereign states of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The island is located between the islands of Cuba to the west and Puerto Rico to the east, within the hurricane belt...
on August 24, and then veered more to the north which brought a landfall on the tip of Haiti
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
. The storm then turned to the north and weakened to a Category 1 before it struck Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
, but remained a hurricane the whole time over land. Cleo then brushed against Miami and the east coast of Florida as it weakened from a Category 2 hurricane to a tropical storm. Cleo killed a total of 217 people and caused serious property damage as it travelled through the Caribbean Sea and into Florida, totaling $198 million (1964 USD, $ USD) in damage.
Hurricane Dora
Hurricane Dora was a powerful Cape Verde-type hurricaneCape Verde-type hurricane
A Cape Verde-type hurricane is an Atlantic hurricane that develops near the Cape Verde islands, off the west coast of Africa. The average hurricane season has about two Cape Verde-type hurricanes, which are usually the largest and most intense storms of the season because they often have plenty of...
that moved off the coast of Africa on August 28 as a vigorous tropical low. The system moved steadily westward, becoming a tropical storm on September 1, and a hurricane on the following day. It then turned to the northwest in response to a trough of low pressure to its north. The storm steadily strengthened to a peak of Category 4, and turned back to the west-northwest in response to a ridge of high pressure building in behind the trough. The storm weakened thereafter, due to interaction with Hurricane Cleo
Hurricane Cleo
Hurricane Cleo was the third named storm, first hurricane, and first major hurricane of the 1964 Atlantic hurricane season. Cleo was one of the longest-lived storms of the season...
. The storm continued to slow down and weaken,and made landfall near Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
on September 10. The system briefly emerged over the Gulf of Mexico, but then turned back to the northeast as a tropical depression, before moving offshore in the Carolinas. The storm dissipated in the northern Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
on September 14.
Hurricane Dora was the only hurricane in the Twentieth Century to make landfall on the First Coast region of Florida. It caused $280 million in damage (1964 USD, $ USD).
Hurricane Ethel
A large cloud mass in the central tropical Atlantic, possibly developing from a tropical wave, became a tropical depression on September 4, and a tropical storm six hours later. Ethel developed slowly, possibly due to an unfavorable upper-level trough or due to the strong outflow of Dora to the storm's west. On September 7, Ethel rapidly organized and became a hurricane. On September 9, Ethel briefly became a major hurricane, but unfavorable conditions returned, weakening Ethel to a minimal hurricane. The storm was able to restrengthen to a Category 2 hurricane before accelerating and becoming extratropical on September 15.Tropical Storm Florence
A tropical wave that moved off the coast of Africa became a tropical depression on September 5. Conditions were not very favorable for development, and the depression took three days to become a tropical storm. Florence turned northeastward, and dissipated on September 10 without affecting any landmasses.Hurricane Gladys
Hurricane Gladys developed from a westward moving tropical wave on September 13. Later that day, it intensified and became Tropical Storm Gladys. Conditions were favorable for intensification, and Gladys became a hurricane on September 14. Hurricane Gladys remained a minimal hurricane for the next three days, until September 17 when it rapidly became a 145 mph (233 km/h) hurricane. After its peak Gladys steadily weakened to a Category 1 on September 21. It passed within 150 miles (240 km) of the Outer BanksOuter Banks
The Outer Banks is a 200-mile long string of narrow barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina, beginning in the southeastern corner of Virginia Beach on the east coast of the United States....
, but it turned northeastward in response to the development of a low pressure system over the Great Lakes. Gladys became extratropical on September 24, and caused beach erosion and high tides.
Hurricane Hilda
A tropical wave organized into a tropical depression on September 28 while located south of Cuba. It steadily strengthened throughout the day and became a tropical storm on September 29 near the western tip of Cuba. On September 30, Hilda strengthened to hurricane intensity, which was followed by a period of rapid intensification which lasted until October 1. Hilda became a 150 mph (240 km/h) Category 4 hurricane while south of Louisiana. As it approached the coastline, conditions became unfavorable, weakening Hilda to a 110 mph (180 km/h) Category 2 hurricane at the time of its St. Mary Parish, LouisianaSt. Mary Parish, Louisiana
St. Mary Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Franklin. As of 2000, the population was 53,500.The Morgan City Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of St. Mary Parish.-Geography:...
landfall on October 4. After landfall, Hilda quickly dissipated over Georgia. Hurricane Hilda killed 37 when it made landfall in Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, with most of the deaths caused by storm-generated tornadoes. It caused roughly $126 million (1964 USD, $ USD) in damage.
Hurricane Isbell
An old diffuse frontal trough reached the western Caribbean in early October. Evidence of a tropical disturbance appeared over the western Caribbean during October 7 and October 8 at the tail end of this frontal trough. A weak tropical depression formed on October 8, and it moved slowly to the northwest. On October 12, it executed a small loop, followed by a northeastward turn. Lack of inflow kept the depression weak, but on October 12, it was able to strengthen, reaching tropical storm strength on October 13. Later that day, Isbell intensified into a hurricane. Hurricane Isbell crossed western CubaCuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
, and upon reaching the southeast Gulf of Mexico, strengthened to a Category 3 hurricane. Isbell peaked at 130 mph (210 km/h) before entering Florida near Everglades City
Everglades, Florida
Everglades is a city in Collier County, Florida, United States. The population was 479 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 513...
as a Category 2 hurricane on October 14. It reached the Atlantic Ocean that night, and steadily weakened while moving to the north. Isbell became extratropical just before its final landfall on Morehead City, North Carolina
Morehead City, North Carolina
Morehead City is a port city in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 8,661 at the 2010 census. Morehead City celebrated the 150th anniversary of its founding on May 5, 2007...
on October 16, and dissipated the next day. Isbell caused $20 million (1964 USD, $ USD) in damage; most of it was from crop damage or tornadic activity. The hurricane also caused six deaths.
Tropical Storm Twelve
Similar to Tropical Storm One, Tropical Storm Twelve developed from an Intertropical Convergence ZoneIntertropical Convergence Zone
The Intertropical Convergence Zone , known by sailors as The Doldrums, is the area encircling the earth near the equator where winds originating in the northern and southern hemispheres come together....
disturbance. A tropical depression developed on November 5 north of Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
. The depression moved northwestward, becoming a tropical storm on November 6. It turned westward, hitting near the border of Honduras
Honduras
Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
and Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
on November 7. The storm weakened and re-emerged into the Caribbean, after which it hit Belize and dissipated on November 10. Tropical Storm Twelve (the named hurricanes filling in the large numbering gap) caused $5 million (1964 USD, $ USD) in damage from significant flooding in Honduras
Honduras
Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
. Five small houses were destroyed, and the town Caukira was flooded, with tides as high as 18 ft (5.5 m). In Puerto Castilla
Puerto Castilla
Puerto Castilla is a village in Honduras.This port city on the Caribbean Sea was the one-time site of the United Fruit Company's Castilla Division which specialized in the growth, cultivation and shipments of the Gros Michel banana...
significant rainfall, caused flooding and destroyed a bridge, leaving part of the population out of communication.
Storm names
The following names were used for named storms (tropical storms and hurricanes) that formed in the North Atlantic in 1964. A storm was named Isbell for the first time in 1964. Names that were not assigned are marked in .
|
Hurricane Hilda Hurricane Hilda was the third hurricane to make landfall in the United States during the 1964 Atlantic hurricane season. Originating near Cuba, the cyclone intensified while moving through the Gulf of Mexico, and became a Category 4 hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico before striking Louisiana in... |
Retirement
The names Cleo, Dora, and Hilda were later retired, and were replaced with Candy, Dolly, and Hannah, respectively, in the 1968 season1968 Atlantic hurricane season
The 1968 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, 1968, and lasted until November 30, 1968. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin....
. Also, though Hilda and Dora were retired from the Atlantic lists before modern naming was introduced, they are still in use for the 1st and 3rd Pacific lists as of 2011.
See also
- List of Atlantic hurricanes
- List of Atlantic hurricane seasons