Hurricane Dot (1959)
Encyclopedia
Hurricane Dot was a hurricane during August of the 1959 Pacific hurricane season that made a rare landfall in Hawaii
, and one of only five tropical cyclone
s since 1950 to have caused serious damage to the islands. The storm's formation is unclear, owing to the poor technology of the time, but reports suggest that Dot could have formed on July 24. Dot itself was identified only on August 1.
Dot tracked west-northwestward, eventually making landfall on the island of Kauai
on August 6, becoming the first recorded hurricane to make landfall in Hawaii. It also brought 2.66 inches (67.5 mm) of rainfall to Oahu
, far more than the normal monthly average of 0.80 inches (20 mm).
), prompting the release of a tropical storm warning. Six hours later, the same ship reported 55-knot winds and the storm was then forecast to move west-northwest at 12 knots. However, there were no further reports until the last warning released on July 27 at 0000 UTC
, and advisories were discontinued due to a lack of data.
Tropical Storm Dot was discovered on August 1 after an unidentified ship reported surface winds of 60 knots at 15.7°N 141.2°W. This would be around where the unnamed storm would have been had it tracked west-southwestward at 6 knots, contrary to its earlier advisories. As there was no data available from the Pacificuss second report to when Dot was identified, it is impossible to tell if Dot was the same storm, or if the earlier unnamed storm had dissipated and Dot was a new system.
Dot tracked west-northwest, and on August 5 passed within 90 miles of South Point as a Category 4 hurricane. It then turned northwest, making landfall on the island of Kauai
as a Category 1 hurricane on the night of August 6. It then continued further out to sea, with the last advisory being issued on August 8 with 25 knot winds, indicating possible dissipation or extratropical changes.
Throughout its path, Dot maintained an unusually large eye diameter of 35 – 40 miles, but the eye never grew in size in the direction of the hurricane's movement, even when close to dissipation.
and on the Kona coast
. Affects were similar on Oahu, where local flooding occurred due to rainfall in excess of 5 in (127 mm). Wind-related damage also occurred on Oahu. Winds were recorded at 40 mph (65 km/h) in Waiʻanae, while winds at Barbers Point Light
may have been in excess of 60 mph (95 km/h). This may account for the roof and vehicle damage in the area.
However, on Kauai, many houses had their roofs blown off, while trees were uprooted. Cars were badly damaged by flying objects, and power and telephone lines were knocked down. Flood alerts were raised, and Kauai was declared a disaster zone.
While damage on the Big Island and Oahu were estimated to be not more than $150,000 ($950,000 in 2005 USD
), Kauai suffered damage to agriculture estimated to be between $5.5 – $6 million ($35 – $40 million in 2005 USD). Flooding cost about $200,000 ($1.3 million in 2005 USD) in damage, while wind damage was not more than $100,000 ($650,000 in 2005 USD). Despite the ferocity of the storm, no deaths or serious injuries due to Dot were reported.
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
, and one of only five tropical cyclone
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 since 1950 to have caused serious damage to the islands. The storm's formation is unclear, owing to the poor technology of the time, but reports suggest that Dot could have formed on July 24. Dot itself was identified only on August 1.
Dot tracked west-northwestward, eventually making landfall on the island of Kauai
Kauai
Kauai or Kauai, known as Tauai in the ancient Kaua'i dialect, is geologically the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands. With an area of , it is the fourth largest of the main islands in the Hawaiian archipelago, and the 21st largest island in the United States. Known also as the "Garden Isle",...
on August 6, becoming the first recorded hurricane to make landfall in Hawaii. It also brought 2.66 inches (67.5 mm) of rainfall to Oahu
Oahu
Oahu or Oahu , known as "The Gathering Place", is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous of the islands in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The state capital Honolulu is located on the southeast coast...
, far more than the normal monthly average of 0.80 inches (20 mm).
Meteorological history
On July 24, 1959, a ship, the SS Pacificus, reported 35-knot (40 mph, 65 km/h)surface winds about 1000 miles (1600 km) west of Lower California (what is now known as the Baja California PeninsulaBaja California Peninsula
The Baja California peninsula , is a peninsula in northwestern Mexico. Its land mass separates the Pacific Ocean from the Gulf of California. The Peninsula extends from Mexicali, Baja California in the north to Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur in the south.The total area of the Baja California...
), prompting the release of a tropical storm warning. Six hours later, the same ship reported 55-knot winds and the storm was then forecast to move west-northwest at 12 knots. However, there were no further reports until the last warning released on July 27 at 0000 UTC
Coordinated Universal Time
Coordinated Universal Time is the primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time. It is one of several closely related successors to Greenwich Mean Time. Computer servers, online services and other entities that rely on having a universally accepted time use UTC for that purpose...
, and advisories were discontinued due to a lack of data.
Tropical Storm Dot was discovered on August 1 after an unidentified ship reported surface winds of 60 knots at 15.7°N 141.2°W. This would be around where the unnamed storm would have been had it tracked west-southwestward at 6 knots, contrary to its earlier advisories. As there was no data available from the Pacificuss second report to when Dot was identified, it is impossible to tell if Dot was the same storm, or if the earlier unnamed storm had dissipated and Dot was a new system.
Dot tracked west-northwest, and on August 5 passed within 90 miles of South Point as a Category 4 hurricane. It then turned northwest, making landfall on the island of Kauai
Kauai
Kauai or Kauai, known as Tauai in the ancient Kaua'i dialect, is geologically the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands. With an area of , it is the fourth largest of the main islands in the Hawaiian archipelago, and the 21st largest island in the United States. Known also as the "Garden Isle",...
as a Category 1 hurricane on the night of August 6. It then continued further out to sea, with the last advisory being issued on August 8 with 25 knot winds, indicating possible dissipation or extratropical changes.
Throughout its path, Dot maintained an unusually large eye diameter of 35 – 40 miles, but the eye never grew in size in the direction of the hurricane's movement, even when close to dissipation.
Impact
Affects from Dot were confined to the Hawaiian Islands of Hawaii, Oahu, and Kauai. On Hawaii, local flooding occurred due to torrential rainfall, which was over 4 in (101.6 mm) in several locations. In addition, minor wave damage was reported around South PointKa Lae
Ka Lae , also known as South Point, is the southernmost point of the Big Island of Hawaii and of the 50 United States. The Ka Lae area is registered as a National Historic Landmark District under the name South Point Complex...
and on the Kona coast
Kona District, Hawaii
Kona is the name of a moku or district on the Big Island of Hawaii in the State of Hawaii. In the current system of administration of Hawaii County, the moku of Kona is divided into North Kona District and South Kona District . The term "Kona" is sometimes used to refer to its largest town,...
. Affects were similar on Oahu, where local flooding occurred due to rainfall in excess of 5 in (127 mm). Wind-related damage also occurred on Oahu. Winds were recorded at 40 mph (65 km/h) in Waiʻanae, while winds at Barbers Point Light
Barbers Point Light (Hawaii)
Barbers Point Light is a lighthouse on the island of Oahu in Hawaii....
may have been in excess of 60 mph (95 km/h). This may account for the roof and vehicle damage in the area.
However, on Kauai, many houses had their roofs blown off, while trees were uprooted. Cars were badly damaged by flying objects, and power and telephone lines were knocked down. Flood alerts were raised, and Kauai was declared a disaster zone.
While damage on the Big Island and Oahu were estimated to be not more than $150,000 ($950,000 in 2005 USD
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
), Kauai suffered damage to agriculture estimated to be between $5.5 – $6 million ($35 – $40 million in 2005 USD). Flooding cost about $200,000 ($1.3 million in 2005 USD) in damage, while wind damage was not more than $100,000 ($650,000 in 2005 USD). Despite the ferocity of the storm, no deaths or serious injuries due to Dot were reported.