Hurricane season 2008, unlike 2006 and 2007, was a shift back to the years of numerous damaging and deadly U.S. and Caribbean storms and hurricanes; so far 883 direct deaths and 99 indirect deaths have been documented.
Sixteen named storms formed, 8 became hurricanes of which 5 became major hurricanes. These numbers are very close to the 1995 to 2008 average of 15, 8 and 4, respectively rounded to the nearest whole number.
Similar to the busy 2004 hurricane season there were numerous tropical cyclone strikes on the U.S. coastline.
It was fortunate for the US that both of the strongest hurricanes of the season (Gustav and Ike, both CAT 4's) struck other land areas and weakened before striking the US as weaker hurricanes, but unfortunately in the process Ike greatly expanded in size.
The 2008 hurricane season was an all time record breaker; 5 of the 6 months of hurricane season had a major hurricane. The old record (2005) was a least one major hurricane in 4 months of hurricane season.
In 2008 Bertha became a major in July, Gustav a major in August, Ike a major in September, Omar a major in October and finally Paloma shattered the Atlantic Basin record when it became a major hurricane in November.
Hurricane Bertha became the longest --lived named storm on record in July in the Atlantic Basin (17 days). Bertha also formed farther east than any other on record so early in the season (east of 25W as a storm and 50W as a hurricane).
Image of Hurricane Bertha in the west-central Atlantic.
However prior to the satellite era few observations were available in this area to "see" any tropical storms; there have probably been others tropical storms like Bertha that are just not documented.
A series of 7 named storms starting with Cristobal and ending with Ike struck the U.S. coastline, this extended series of named storms all striking the U.S. with no non-strikers between is a record for the U.S.
Ike was by far the most costly hurricane for the U.S. in 2008 and will likely go into the record books in the top 5 costliest hurricanes in U.S. history, possibly in the top three.
Hurricane Ike as it emerges into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico after dealing a destructive blow on the western end of Cuba.
Although Ike struck near Galveston Texas as only a category 2 hurricane the enormous size of Ike's hurricane winds and its gigantic area of tropical storm winds brought huge waves and very high surge to the coast, both more representative of what would be expected from an average size CAT 4/5 hurricane, except that those extreme affects covered a much larger coastal and inland area than that observed from an average sized hurricane so that far more areas felt impacts from Ike.
A wild-looking Ike as it menaces the Gulf Coast just prior to landfall. Image courtesy of WeatherTap
Waves, surge and winds ransacked the coast from east-central Louisiana to near Freeport, Texas. Impacts on Galveston, southeast Houston, and the Bolivar Peninsula all the way to Lake Charles were extreme and the resulting wave, surge and wind damage caused oil drilling disruptions and gas refinery disruptions both resulting in an extended period of gas shortages to area as far away as north Georgia.
The combination of surge and additional water rise from battering high waves destroyed homes in west Galveston, flooding homes and businesses in north Galveston, flooding many homes and businesses around Galveston Bay, devastated many homes on the Bolivar Peninsula, and flooding residences, businesses and destroying infrastructure to areas to southeast of Lake Charles. In many wave and surge areas, homes vanished beneath the pounding surf.
The incredible breadth of Ike's surge. AP Photo/The Times-Picayune, Michael DeMocker: Plaquemines Parish, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008
Wave heights were estimated to be near 40-50 feet and water rise, based on high water marks, is estimated to be 15-20 feet near the Bolivar Peninsula; portions of southeast Galveston Bay may have seen water briefly and very locally exceed 20 feet.
A large area of coastline reported 10 feet of water rise, and coastal water level stations measured heights as high as 12 feet, heights exceeded 8 feet at the mouth of the Mississippi River. Tide gauges failed or terminated transmission of data prior to measuring maximum values.
Hundreds of thousands of people were left without power in the Greater Houston Galveston area and across areas to the south and east of Houston. Some lost power for many weeks and some still do not have power or any hint of a home left along the coast.
Ike was a most classic example of how damaging a very large hurricane can be despite the fact that its maximum winds at the coast were less than 111 mph.
Sadly, even though hundreds of thousands evacuated, many did not and the result was that an unnecessary number of people died in the raging waves and high water that were forced onshore by Ike. Hundreds were rescued at the last hours before Ike's landfall or after Ike moved inland as many were left stranded by destroyed or impassible roads.
A year with a hurricane Ike comes along only once in 20 years or less and this hurricane alone would have made 2008 a season to remember.
But 6 other storms and hurricanes also struck the U.S. coastline, thus making this one of the most destructive in U.S. history, obviously mostly because the U.S. has built up a huge and continuous population of hurricane vulnerable structures along its coasts.
NOAA 2008 HURRICANE SEASON RECAP
The 2008 Atlantic Hurricane Season officially comes to a close on Sunday, marking the end of a season that produced a record number of consecutive storms to strike the United States and ranks as one of the more active seasons in the 64 years since comprehensive records began.
A total of 16 named storms formed this season, based on an operational estimate by NOAA's National Hurricane Center. The storms included eight hurricanes, five of which were major hurricanes at Category 3 strength or higher. These numbers fall within the ranges predicted in NOAA's pre- and mid-season outlooks issued in May and August. The August outlook called for 14 to 18 named storms, seven to 10 hurricanes and three to six major hurricanes. An average season has 11 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes.
"This year's hurricane season continues the current active hurricane era and is the tenth season to produce above-normal activity in the past 14 years," said Gerry Bell, Ph.D., lead seasonal hurricane forecaster at NOAA's Climate Prediction Center.
Overall, the season is tied as the fourth most active in terms of named storms (16) and major hurricanes (five), and is tied as the fifth most active in terms of hurricanes (eight) since 1944, which was the first year aircraft missions flew into tropical storms and hurricanes.
For the first time on record, six consecutive tropical cyclones (Dolly, Edouard, Fay, Gustav, Hanna and Ike) made landfall on the U.S. mainland and a record three major hurricanes (Gustav, Ike and Paloma) struck Cuba. This is also the first Atlantic season to have a major hurricane (Category 3) form in five consecutive months (July: Bertha, August: Gustav, September: Ike, October: Omar, November: Paloma).
Bell attributes this year's above-normal season to conditions that include:
An ongoing multi-decadal signal. This combination of ocean and atmospheric conditions has spawned increased hurricane activity since 1995. Lingering La Ni#a effects. Although the La Ni#a that began in the Fall of 2007 ended in June, its influence of light wind shear lingered. Warmer tropical Atlantic Ocean temperatures. On average, the tropical Atlantic was about 1.0 degree Fahrenheit above normal during the peak of the season. NOAA's National Hurricane Center is conducting comprehensive post-event assessments of each named storm of the season. Some of the early noteworthy findings include:
Bertha was a tropical cyclone for 17 days (July 3-20), making it the longest-lived July storm on record in the Atlantic Basin. Fay is the only storm on record to make landfall four times in the state of Florida, and to prompt tropical storm and hurricane watches and warnings for the state's entire coastline (at various times during its August lifespan). Paloma, reaching Category 4 status with top winds of 145 mph, is the second strongest November hurricane on record behind Lenny in 1999 with top winds of 155 mph. Much of the storm-specific information is based on operational estimates and some changes could be made during the review process that is underway.
DETAILED LOOK AT EACH EVENT IN 2008:
2008 Atlantic Basin Tropical Summary:
Hurricane season 2008, unlike 2006 and 2007, was a shift back to the years of numerous damaging and deadly U.S. and Caribbean storms and hurricanes; so far 883 direct deaths and 99 indirect deaths have been documented.
Sixteen named storms formed, 8 became hurricanes of which 5 became major hurricanes. These numbers are very close to the 1995 to 2008 average of 15, 8 and 4, respectively rounded to the nearest whole number. Similar to the busy 2004 hurricane season there were numerous tropical cyclone strikes on the U.S. coastline. It was fortunate for the US that both of the strongest hurricanes of the season (Gustav and Ike, both CAT 4's) struck other land areas and weakened before striking the US as weaker hurricanes, but unfortunately in the process Ike greatly expanded in size.
May and June:
Tropical Storm Arthur, the first Atlantic storm of the 2008 season, formed on May 31 in the Caribbean Sea, near the coast of Belize and lasted into very early June.
On average a Tropical Storm occurs in the Atlantic Basin during late May to June about every other year.
Arthur took many by surprise because it rapidly intensified to a tropical storm and made landfall in Belize that same day. It was the result of a combination of the low to mid-level remnants of eastern Pacific Tropical Storm Alma and a westward moving Tropical Wave over the Caribbean Sea. Arthur formed on May 31 about 45 miles north-northwest of Belize City. Arthur brought torrential rain to Belize with storm totals up to 15 inches, prompting flash floods that claimed five lives. The Belize National Emergency Organization estimates that total damages were about 78 million U.S. dollars.
SUMMARY TABLE
NAME DATES MAX WIND DEATHS U.S. DAMAGE MPH $MILLION
TS ATHUR 31 May 45 5 NONE
July:
Tropical activity during July was much above average. There were three Tropical Storms forming during the month. Two of these became Hurricanes, and one became a Major Hurricane reaching category three or higher. On average there is one Tropical Storm that forms in July and a Hurricane forms about every other July.
Hurricane Bertha, the Atlantic's first hurricane for the 2008 season, developed in the Atlantic Ocean on July 3. The storm reached peak intensity on July 7 with maximum sustained winds Category three at 120 mph, but as it traveled toward Bermuda, Bertha weakened into a tropical storm. Although Bertha did not make landfall, Bermuda was battered by the storm's heavy rain and strong winds, causing roads to be flooded and leaving 7,500 people without electricity (Associated Press). Bertha was the longest-lived July Atlantic tropical storm when it entered its 16th day on July 19. The second longest-lived July tropical storm was Storm Number 2 in 1960, lasting just over 12 days.
Tropical Storm Cristobel, A trough of low pressure associated with an old frontal zone became nearly stationary along the east coast of the United States on July 15. The trough extended southwestward across Florida and the eastern Gulf of Mexico and on July 16, an area of low pressure formed on the southern portion of the trough near the southwest coast of Florida. The low moved northeastward across Florida, producing heavy rains, and it became better defined just off the Georgia coast on July 17. The shower activity around the low gradually increased and became more concentrated, with ample mid-level rotation. A well-defined surface circulation center then developed, and is estimated that a tropical depression formed at 8 p.m. EDT on July 19 about 60 n mi east of the Georgia/South Carolina border. The depression moved slowly toward the northeast with most of the shower activity located to the east of the center. The surface circulation and convection continued to become better organized and it is estimated that by 8 a.m. EDT July 19 the depression strengthened to a tropical storm. Cristobal moved northeastward very close to the Outer Banks of North Carolina but the strongest winds remained over water to the east of the center. The cloud pattern was unimpressive at times with very limited convection while Cristobal continued to move toward the northeast. The cyclone encountered a more favorable atmospheric environment and strengthened, reaching a peak intensity of 65 mph or55 knots with a minimum pressure of 998 mb at 8 a.m. EDT on July 22. An eye feature was observed in microwave data around that time at this time. By then, Cristobal was located about 180 n mi southeast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Thereafter, Cristobal encountered cooler waters and began to weaken. By 8 a.m. EDT on July 23, Cristobal was absorbed by a large extratropical cyclone.
Hurricane Dolly, the Atlantic's second hurricane for the 2008 season, developed as a tropical storm in the western Caribbean Sea on July 20. The storm made landfall in the Yucatan Peninsula on July 21 with maximum sustained winds near 49 mph or 43 knots. The tropical storm brought heavy rains to parts of Guatemala where deadly landslides were triggered, killing 21 people. Dolly moved towards the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico where it strengthened to a category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 100 mph or 87 knots on the 23rd. Later that same day, Dolly made a second landfall in the South Padre Island, southern Texas. The storm lashed the U.S.-Mexico border with strong winds that brought down trees and power lines, and brought heavy rain that caused extensive flooding (Associated Press/AFP). One fatality was reported and nearly 250,000 people were left without drinking water in Mexico. Dolly was downgraded to a tropical depression as it moved further inland on July 25. Dolly's remnants caused heavy rainfall that triggered flash floods across parts of New Mexico, killing one person, flooding nearly 60 homes, and destroying 12 bridges (Reuters).
SUMMARY TABLE
NAME DATES MAX WIND (MPH) DEATHS
MH BERTHA 3 JUL - 20 JUL 120 *
TS CRISTOBAL 19 JUL - 23 JUL 65
H DOLLY 20 JUL - 25 JUL 100 23
MH DENOTES MAJOR HURRICANE...CATEGORY 3 OR HIGHER ON THE SAFFIR- SIMPSON HURRICANE SCALE.
August:
Tropical activity during August was near Average with four Tropical Storms forming during the month. One of these became a Major Hurricane. On average, three Tropical Storms form during August with two becoming Hurricanes. Tropical Storm Edouard developed as a tropical depression in northern Gulf of Mexico on August 3. The storm strengthened to a tropical storm later that same day, but reached its peak intensity of 65 mph or 56 knots before it made landfall along the upper Texas coast, east of Galveston, on the 5th. The storm brought much-needed precipitation to parts of Texas. Edouard weakened as it moved further inland. No fatalities were reported.
Tropical Storm Fay developed over the Dominican Republic on August 15. The storm brought 45 mph or 39 knots winds and heavy rains across the island of Hispaniola. In the Dominican Republic, Fay downed trees and power lines, damaged hundreds of homes, and was blamed for killing 5 people who were swept away by flood waters. In Haiti, a bus was swept away by a flooded river, causing the deaths of 7 people and leaving 3 others missing (Associated Press). Fay exited the Island of Hispaniola and tracked toward Cuba, where authorities had already evacuated residents from low-lying areas. However, heavy downpours associated with Tropical Storm Fay caused floods across parts of Jamaica, resulting in two deaths (Reuters). The storm made landfall in western Cuba on August 17, with maximum sustained winds near 49 mph or 43 knots. No fatalities were reported for Cuba (Associated Press/AFP). In total, Fay was blamed for 23 fatalities across the Caribbean. The storm was expected to become a hurricane after exiting Cuba into open waters; however, it remained a dangerous tropical storm. Fay made its first landfall in Florida, over Key West, on the 18th with maximum sustained winds near 60 mph or 52 knots, and then again south of Naples on the 19th. The storm dumped copious amounts of rain across parts of Florida and spawned several tornadoes. It was reported that Fay downed trees, flooded streets, and left more than 93,000 residents without power. The storm moved toward the northeast, exiting the Florida panhandle near Melbourne on August 20. Nonetheless, Fay made its third landfall in Florida near Daytona Beach on August 21, tracking westward. The storm made its fourth and final landfall in Florida on the 23rd when it re-entered the state near Panama City, becoming the first storm in recorded history to strike the state (or any state) four concurrent times. As the storm zigzagged across Florida, Fay hammered parts of the state with heavy rainfall. It was reported that Melbourne received more than (26 inches) of rain and damages were estimated to be up to $12 million. The damage left by the storm across the state led President Bush to declare a state of emergency. Fay weakened into a depression as it drifted across the Gulf Coast states. Nevertheless, remnants of the storm caused heavy rain and widespread flooding across the drought-stricken Southeast. According to reports, Fay was responsible for 13 fatalities in the U.S. and 20+ in the Caribbean.
Hurricane Gustav developed as a tropical depression in the Caribbean Sea, south of the island of Hispaniola, on August 25. The following day the storm rapidly intensified into a tropical storm, then a category one hurricane, and made landfall in Haiti later that day, near the city of Jacmel, only a week after Tropical Storm Fay claimed 23 lives across the Caribbean. Gustav lashed Haiti with maximum sustained winds near 92 mph or 80 knots and torrential rain, prompting deadly floods and landslides. The storm was responsible for at least 59 fatalities in Haiti and 8 in neighboring Dominican Republic (Reuters) and for damaging nearly 900 homes. The storm weakened into a tropical storm as it exited Haiti. Gustav unexpectedly tracked south toward Jamaica, lashing the island on August 28 with maximum sustained winds near 70 mph or 60 knots and pounding rains. Gustav prompted flash floods that affected about 1,500 people and claimed the lives of 11 people (AFP). On August 30, Gustav made landfall in western Cuba as a category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 150 mph or 130 knots. The storm caused major flooding, damaged crops, ripped roofs off houses, uprooted trees, and disrupted power and phone services. However, no fatalities where reported (BBC News). It was reported that Gustav was the worst storm to hit Cuba in 50 years. In the city of Paso Real de San Diego, 212 mph or 184 knots wind gusts were registered, the highest in Cuba's history (Miami Herald). By August 31, the storm moved across the Gulf of Mexico towards the U.S.
Hurricane Gustav, which developed during the last week of August, pounded several Caribbean nations before making landfall west of Grand Isle, LA on September 1 as a category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 115 mph or 100 knots. Nearly two million people fled coastal areas as many feared a repetition of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. According to reports, this was described as the biggest evacuation in U.S. history (AFP). Gustav's ferocious winds brought down trees and power lines, leaving thousands of customers without power in Louisiana (Associated Press). As Gustav moved inland, the storm weakened to a depression. The storm was blamed for 25 fatalities in the U.S.
Hurricane Hanna developed as a tropical depression in the Atlantic Ocean on August 28, strengthening into a tropical storm later that day. By September 1, Hanna intensified to a hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 81 mph or 70 knots as it trailed towards the Bahamas. Although Hanna did not make landfall on the Island of Hispaniola, the storms outer rain bands brought heavy rain to Haiti's saturated grounds. The copious rain caused fatal floods and mudslides, claiming the lives of 529 people (Reuters) and destroying immense areas of crops (BBC News). The worst affected city was Gonaives, which according to reports was completely devastated (BBC News). The storm tracked towards the Eastern Seaboard, making landfall near the North and South Carolina border on the 6th with maximum sustained winds near 58 mph or 50 knots. Hanna brought much needed rain to the Carolinas; however severe to exceptional drought persisted according to 9 September 2008 U.S. Drought Monitor Map. The storm moved towards the Northeast region, dumping heavy rains and lashing the region with strong winds. Hanna was blamed for flooding highways, delaying flights, and leaving thousands of residents without power (Associated Press).
SUMMARY TABLE
NAME DATES MAX WIND (MPH) DEATHS
TS EDOUARD 3- 6 AUG 65 0
TS FAY 15-26 AUG 65 36+
MH GUSTAV 25 AUG- 2 SEP 150 122+
H HANNA 28 AUG- 7 SEP 80 600+
MH DENOTES MAJOR HURRICANE...CATEGORY 3 OR HIGHER ON THE SAFFIR- SIMPSON HURRICANE SCALE.
September:
Tropical activity during September was near average, with four named Tropical Storms forming of which two were Hurricanes and one a Major Hurricane. On average four named Tropical Storms form during September with two becoming Hurricanes and one strengthening into a Major Hurricane. Hurricanes Gustav and Hanna, which formed in August, were also active during the month of September.
Hurricane Ike developed as a tropical storm, west of the Cape Verde Islands, on September 1. The storm quickly intensified, reaching its peak strength (a dangerous Category 4 hurricane) on the 4th when it had maximum sustained winds near 145 mph or 126 knots and a pressure of 935 mb. So far, Ike has been the strongest storm in the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season. Haiti, already ravaged by three previous tropical storms (Fay, Gustav, and Hanna), was affected by Ike's outer rain bands. Torrential rain fell, producing swollen rivers, mudslides, and floods, which claimed the lives of 74 people (AFP). The storm tracked towards Cuba (also previously affected by Fay, Gustav, and Hanna), which was preparing itself for a fourth time, evacuating nearly a million Cubans across the coastal areas. Prior to making landfall in Cuba, Ike slightly weakened to a Category 3 hurricane. Ike made landfall in eastern Cuba on September 7 with maximum sustained winds near 120 mph or 104 knots. Ike's ferocious winds tore off roofs, toppled trees and power lines. As the storm roared across the island, Ike weakened; however, remained a dangerous Category 1 hurricane. The storm crossed over western Cuba, striking the area with additional flooding and storm surge (AFP). Hurricane Ike was responsible for seven fatalities in Cuba, the highest death toll for any storm in years, according to reports. Ike's death toll in Cuba exceeds the death toll from Hurricane Michelle in 2001 when five fatalities were reported (Associated Press). It has been reported that Hurricane Gustav and Ike caused nearly 5 billion U.S. dollars in damages in Cuba. More than 63,000 homes were destroyed and about 450,000 were damaged (Associated Press). After lashing Cuba, Ike moved into the Gulf's warm waters, tracking towards the U.S.-Mexico coasts. As the storm moved steadily towards Texas coast, Ike strengthened into a Category 2 hurricane. Ike was a large storm. Long before it made landfall, Louisiana and Texas coast felt Ike's effects. The storm made U.S. landfall at Galveston, Texas on the 13th with maximum sustained winds near 109 mph or 95 knots. The storm brought widespread floods across the Galveston area. Houston was also pummeled as the storm moved inland, blowing out windows and leaving millions of residents without power (BBC News). As the storm tracked towards the Midwest, it weakened. However, Ike's remnants caused havoc across the Midwest. Torrential rain and strong winds were responsible for inundating homes and causing blackouts to more than a million homes and businesses. The storm dumped 6-8 inches of rain across parts of Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri. The storm was also responsible for spawning a tornado in Arkansas that caused damage to several buildings. Ike was blamed for 15 fatalities across the Midwest, which brought the U.S. death toll from Ike to 92 (Associated Press).
Tropical Storm Josephine developed from a well-organized Tropical Wave that departed the West Coast of Africa on September 1. A Tropical Depression formed early on September 2, located about 170 miles south-southeast of The Cape Verde Islands. The Tropical Depression became a Tropical Storm late on September 2. Josephine reached peak intensity of 65 mph or 56 kts on September 3 while the system was located 305 miles west-southwest of The Cape Verde Islands. Thereafter a combination of moderate to strong southwesterly wind shear and cooling waters caused the Tropical Storm to weaken over the next several days. Early on September 6, Josephine weakened to Tropical Depression and then dissipated.
Hurricane Kyle originated from an area of low pressure that formed in the Windward Islands on September 19. The Low moved slowly toward the northwest and then drifted over western Puerto Rioc and The Dominican Republic for a couple of days producing torrential rains and plenty of damage over Puerto Rico due to Flash Floods. Once the low moved northward away from Hispaniola it developed a well-defined center and became a Tropical Storm late on September 25. Kyle moved on a general northward track and passed well to the west of Bermuda on the morning of September 27 and then became a Hurricane later that day. Kyle then accelerated northward with no significant change in strength and then made landfall over western Nova Scotia late on September 28. It continued northward and lost tropical characteristics as it approached New Brunswick. Kyle brought heavy flooding rain and high surf to eastern Canada.
Tropical Storm Laura originated from a non-tropical low pressure system over the central North Atlantic. It formed over the central North Atlantic into a subtropical storm with 60 mph winds early on September 29 about 1000 miles west of the westernmost Azores Islands. Laura initially moved west-northwest but it soon turned northward. On September 30 Subtropical Storm Laura made a transition to a Tropical Storm. At Month's end, Laura began to lose Tropical characteristics over the cold waters of the North Atlantic a few hundred miles southeast of New Foundland. The extratropical system then traveled to the east eventually bringing heavy wind and rains to the British Isles on October 5.
SUMMARY TABLE
NAME DATES MAX WIND (MPH) DEATHS
MH GUSTAV 25 AUG - 2 SEP 150 122+
H HANNA 28 AUG - 7 SEP 80 600+
MH IKE 1 SEP - 14 SEP 145 175+
TS JOSEPHINE 2 SEP - 6 SEP 65
H KYLE 25 SEP - 29 SEP 80
TS LAURA 29 SEP -- 30 SEP 60
MH DENOTES MAJOR HURRICANE...CATEGORY 3 OR HIGHER ON THE SAFFIR- SIMPSON HURRICANE SCALE.
October:
Four Tropical Cyclone formed during October. Tropical Storms Marco and Nana, Hurricane Omar, and Tropical Depression Sixteen. Tropical Storm Laura which formed in September was still active at the beginning of the month.
Tropical Storm Marco roared ashore on Mexico's Gulf coast with near-hurricane force winds on Tuesday October 8th with top winds of 65 mph, prompting a shutdown of some oil platforms. The storm flooded coastal highways and brought heavy rains to the city of Veracruz, but the busy port appeared to have escaped most of the storm's wrath. Veracruz state authorities closed schools and set up some 200 shelters. Soldiers and rescue officials lined up buses and prepared to evacuate communities, some in low-lying areas still trying to recover from heavy flooding caused by rains last week. Mexico's state oil company said it had evacuated 33 workers from four offshore platforms in the Gulf of Mexico, closed six wells and shut down a natural gas processing plant in Veracruz State ahead of Marco's arrival.
Marco was a tightly wound cyclone with tropical-storm-force winds extending only about 15 miles from the center, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami. Marco hit land about 55 miles north of Veracruz with winds near hurricane strength, but quickly weakened as it headed inland. Forecasters said it would dissipate as it moves over mountainous terrain, and state officials warned that rainfall of as much as 4 inches in places could unleash dangerous mudslides. Mexico's Communications and Transportation Department ordered the small ports of Nautla and Alvarado closed to small vessels. Ranulfo Marquez, the state's top civil protection official, said dozens of shelters would remain open in southern Veracruz, where rain-swollen rivers jumped their banks, leaving the towns of Minatitlan and Hidalgotitlan under 10 feet of water.
Tropical Storm Nana was weak, short-lived Tropical Storm that developed from a Tropical Wave on October 12 about 925 miles west of The Cape Verde Islands. Nana became a Tropical Storm later that day and remained over the open Atlantic for the duration of its lifetime. Tropical Storm Nana moved steadily west-northwestward and southwesterly upper-level shear caused Nana to weaken to a Tropical Depression on October 13. The system degenerated into a remnant low on October 14 about 1300 miles east of the Lesser Antilles.
Hurricane Omar started as a Tropical Wave that moved westward from coast of Africa on September 30. The Tropical Wave moved slowly across the Tropical Atlantic and reached the eastern Caribbean Sea on October 10. The associated shower activity showed signs of organization on October 11 and became a Tropical Depression on October 13 about 175 miles north-northwest of Curacao in the Netherland Antilles. The cyclone moved slowly and erratically on October 13-14 and then became a Tropical Storm on October 14 about 125 miles north of Curacao. Omar turned northeastward and accelerated on October 15 as it became a hurricane. It rapidly strengthened to a peak intensity of 125 mph early on October 16 as it passed through the Virgin and northern Leeward Islands. The powerful core of the storm passed overnight between St. Martin and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, said Lixion Avila, a hurricane specialist with the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami. "It could have been worse," Avila said. "They were very, very lucky." Omar knocked down trees, caused some flooding and minor mudslides but there were no immediate reports of deaths or major damage in the U.S. Virgin Islands, said Mark Walters, director of the disaster management agency for the Caribbean territory. A last-minute shift to the east spared St. Croix, the most populated of the islands. The nearby British Virgin Islands also emerged largely unscathed, said Deputy Gov. Inez Archibald, noting there was little damage beyond some mudslides and scattered debris. In St. Maarten, roads were flooded and littered with tree branches and other debris, but authorities lifted a curfew Thursday afternoon and planned to reopen the main airport on Friday. In Dominica, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit toured the island's west coast. "There is substantial damage to housing, fishing boats and port infrastructure," he said. One death was reported on Puerto Rico's tiny island of Culebra. Authorities say a 55-year-old man collapsed from cardiac arrest while trying to install storm shutters on his house. The island's Hovensa oil refinery, one of the 10 largest in the world, shut down operations for the storm but didn't sustain any major damage. Hurricane Omar forced at least three cruise ships to change course and flights were canceled on several islands. Later that day, southwesterly sheared caused rapid weakening and Omar weakened to a Tropical Storm early on October 17. A temporary decrease in the shear allowed Omar to regain Hurricane strength later that day. Hurricane Omar then moved rapidly northeastward over the Open Atlantic. However, it weakened back to a Tropical Storm on October 18. Movement over colder water caused Omar to decay to a remnant low late on October 18, about 820 miles east of Bermuda. This low moved slowly northeastward and dissipated on October 21, about 650 miles west of the Western Azores Islands.
Tropical Depression Sixteen formed about 45 miles north-northeast of Cabo Gracias A Dios on the Nicaragua/Honduras border out of a broad area of low pressure in the western Caribbean on October 14. The sprawling system was never able to gain much organization as it moved along the north coast of Honduras on October 15. The center of the Depression moved inland over north-central Honduras that afternoon and dissipated early on October 16. The depression and its precursor low and its remnants caused massive flooding that resulted in 54+ deaths in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala. As many as 1 million people were impacted by the widespread flooding.
SUMMARY TABLE
NAME DATES MAX WIND (MPH) DEATHS
TS LAURA 29 SEP-1 OCT 60
TS MARCO 6-8 OCT 65
TS NANA 12-14 OCT 40
H OMAR 13-18 OCT 125 1
TD SIXTEEN 14-16 OCT 30 54+
November: Hurricane Paloma was the seventeenth tropical cyclone, sixteenth tropical storm, eighth hurricane and fifth major hurricane of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season. Paloma developed out of a strong tropical disturbance off the eastern coast of Nicaragua and northern coast of Honduras on November 5. The disturbance had slowly developed into a tropical depression while hugging the coastline. The depression strengthened into a tropical storm early on November 6, then a hurricane later that day. The next day, Paloma intensified into a Category 2 hurricane then soon a Category 3 and impacted Grand Cayman and then Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. Early on November 8, Paloma continued to intensify and reached Category 4 intensity, and then weakened into a Category 3 again before making landfall in Santa Cruz del Sur, Cuba. Paloma weakened into a tropical storm on November 9 while moving over Cuba, where it stalled out. It dissipated later that evening. Hurricane Paloma caused heavy damage, to south-central Cuba.
The system that became Paloma formed off a low pressure system on November 3. It slowly organized into a tropical disturbance soon after. The disturbance slowly organized and became a Depression#the seventeenth of the season on November 5. The next day, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Paloma. On the evening of November 6, Paloma strengthened into a hurricane according to supporting data from a NOAA buoy. Gradual strengthening continued on November 7, and Paloma became a Category 2 hurricane that afternoon, the first hurricane to reach such intensity in the Atlantic in November since Hurricane Michelle in 2001. It continued to strengthen at a more rapid pace and became a Category 3 hurricane that evening and a Category 4 hurricane early on November 8. The center of Paloma passed directly over Little Cayman and Cayman Brac that morning with 140 mph winds. Paloma continued northeastward, and hit its peak winds of 145 mph by 4 p.m. EDT, making it officially the second most powerful November hurricane by wind speed in recorded history, behind only Hurricane Lenny in 1999 which reached 155 mph. Paloma held steady in intensity, but it suddenly weakened to a 125 mph Category 3 before making landfall near Santa Cruz del Sur, Cuba that evening, striking on the same day and within the same area as the 1932 Cuba Hurricane 76 years earlier. After making landfall, Paloma steadily weakened over Cuba. It became a tropical storm early on November 9 EST and a tropical depression that afternoon while stalling over the area. Later that day, the last advisory was issued at 10:00 pm. EST.
SUMMARY TABLE
NAME DATES MAX WIND (MPH) DEATHS
MH PALOMA 05-09 NOV 145
Information and Data Courtesy:
National Hurricane Center - NOAA
National Climatic Data Center - NOAA
GOES PROJECT - NOAA
Colorado State University - Philip J. Klotzbach and William M. Gray
