Hurricane Carla ranks as the most intense U.S. tropical cyclone landfall on the Hurricane Severity Index. At the time, this was the largest evacuation in U.S. history. In the early morning hours of September 12, a violent F4 tornado moved across Galveston Island along a 1-mile long, 100-yard-wide path (it crossed into Galveston Bay as well), severely damaging 200 buildings, of which 60-75 were destroyed,[19] and causing eight deaths and 200 injuries. [7] On September 8, a hurricane watch was issued along the southwest coast of the state from Vermilion Bay westward. Carla spawned the largest hurricane-related tornado outbreak on record at the time, when 26 tornadoes touched down within its circulation. After touching the Yucatán Peninsula as a weak hurricane, Carla moved into the Gulf of Mexico and headed for the U.S. Gulf Coast . Offshore Honduras on Swan Island, a rainfall amount of 3.89 inches (99 mm) was reported along with wind gusts up to 60 mph (95 km/h). [34] Owing to the hurricane's intensity and destruction, the name Carla was retired and will never again be used for an Atlantic hurricane. Other significant precipitation totals include 16.49 inches (419 mm) at Scholes International Airport at Galveston, 14.94 inches (379 mm) in Downtown Galveston, 13.05 inches (331 mm) in Wharton, 12.55 inches (319 mm) in Liberty, 12.47 inches (317 mm) in Dickinson, 11.81 inches (300 mm) in Flatonia, 10.59 inches (269 mm) in Columbus, 8.75 inches (222 mm) in Hallettsville, and 8.9 inches (230 mm) in Smithville. Ships docked at Key West sailed out to sea to ride out the squalls. The highest tide reported was 18.5 feet (5.6 m) at Port Lavaca, with large wave heights including 12.6 feet (3.8 m) in Matagorda, 10.9 feet (3.3 m) in Port Aransas, 10.8 feet (3.3 m) in Freeport, 10.1 feet (3.1 m) in Texas City, and 10 feet (3.0 m) in Galveston and Sabine. However, in 2005 a much larger evacuation of the same coastline would ensue in advance of Hurricane Rita with 3 million people fleeing the approaching storm. Weather Bureau showing radar imagery as Hurricane Carla came onshore along the Texas/Louisiana coast in September 1961. Heavy rainfall occurred in several other states, especially in Kansas, where flash flooding severely damaged crops and drowned 5 people. On September 11, 1961, Hurricane Carla made landfall on the Texas coast between Port O'Connor and Port Lavaca, leaving a wake of devastation in her track. Throughout the state, Carla destroyed 1,915 homes, 568 farm buildings, and 415 other buildings. [15][17], Winds in Key West reached 30 mph (48 km/h), while much of Florida reported rainfall from the outer bands of Carla. It then continued swiftly northeastward across Ontario, Quebec, and Labrador, before the remnants dissipated over the Labrador Sea on September 17. However, the abrupt onrush of water resulted in about $75,000 in damage to boats at Wilmette Harbor. It made landfall in the Port O’Connor-Port Lavaca area of Texas as “one of the largest, most intense and destructive hurricanes ever to strike the United States Gulf coast,” according to the hurricane center located in New Orleans. For other storms of the same name, see. This window of time is different in different regions of the world. Only minor damage occurred, limited to roofs, glass, and downed tree limbs. [35], This article is about the Atlantic hurricane of 1961. The outbreak of 26 tornadoes by the storm was responsible for considerable damage, with one F4 tornado actually moving through downtown Galveston. [27] Heavy precipitation also fell in Missouri, especially in Brookfield, Lee's Summit, and Pleasant Hill. Early on September 8, the storm strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane while located just north of the Yucatán Peninsula. There were beds, refrigerators, stoves, boats, personal items, etc. [20], Then little-known newsman Dan Rather reported live from the weather bureau building in Galveston[21][22] during the storm, live on-site storm coverage that would be imitated by later reporters. There were 460 injuries according to the American Red Cross, though the Monthly Weather Review listed a slightly higher number, 465. Winds caused a local river to reach 1 foot (0.30 m) above flood stage. The Texas coast first began experiencing rough wave action three days before the hurricane’s landfall with increasing ferocity until the storm’s center, which brought a 6.7-meter (22 ft) storm surge, passed. Rather also alerted the public of the size of Carla in a way that "literally changed the way the world sees hurricanes", according to a fellow reporter. Carla was entered to move northward at 15 to 20 mph. Overall, Carla resulted in $325.74 million in losses and 43 fatalities. Local Satellite Page float: left; Broadcasting live at the Weather Bureau Office in Galveston, Rather asked a meteorologist to draw an outline of the Gulf of Mexico on a transparent sheet of plastic. The storm persistently produced winds of 35 to 50 mph (56 to 80 km/h), causing further agricultural damage. The remnants of Carla brought tropical storm force winds to some areas of Canada. On September 8, Carla's center took aim at the Texas coast. Thus, Carla is the second-wettest tropical cyclone in Illinois, behind only Hurricane Audrey in 1957. [3] However, a 2018 reanalysis concluded that Carla did not reach Category 5 intensity, and in fact only had maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (230 km/h), and this has been officially incorporated into HURDAT. The storm caused 34 fatalities in Texas. It was a scary feeling to stand on the ground and realize that the water had actually been that high. The entire Texas coastline endured hurricane force gusts during the hurricane’s landfall. [17], Carla and its remnants brought heavy rainfall and strong winds to portions of Oklahoma. After entering the Gulf of Mexico, the hurricane very steadily strengthened as it continued its slow northwest trek to the Texas coast. Archival film produced by the U.S. Various tracks of Hurricane Carla, 1961 Notice the tracks for Hurricane Carla above, published in a paper by Dr. Bob Sheets (who later became director of the National Hurricane Center). To put this into perspective, consider the wind field at landfall. Carla began as a tropical depression in the southwest Caribbean Sea on September 3rd, 1961. Several structures sustained impact during yet another F3 tornado in Fulbright. Aliquam vel justo id purus facilisis ultricies. Hurricane Carla, 1961 Hurricane Carla made landfall near Port O’Connor as a Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds near 125 mph and gusts estimated near … The largest hurricane was Alicia in 1983. Pp 111-113. Most of the impact occurred in Texas, where the storm made landfall as a large and strong Category 4 hurricane. The latest: Hurricane Laura has made landfall near Cameron, Louisiana, as a Category 4 storm. Mar. Additionally, the highest wind gust observations include 175 mph (282 km/h) in Port Lavaca, 160 mph (260 km/h) in Matagorda, and 150 mph (240 km/h) in Aransas Pass, Austwell, Edna, Port Aransas, and Victoria. Each one of them still had debris from Hurricane Carla hanging from the very tops. There were 34 fatalities and at least $300 million (1961 USD) in losses in Texas alone. [3], Shortly after becoming a hurricane on September 6, Carla curved northward in the northwestern Caribbean Sea. [30], Shortly after the storm, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, a lifelong resident of Texas, toured the devastation in the state and met with officials from 18 different counties, remarking that "as always, Texans are arising to a challenge... We have suffered hurricane, tornado, and floods, but we in Texas are a bold and brave people. [15] A breakdown of damage indicates $200 million incurred to property and $100 million to crops, mostly from unharvested rice and lesser impact to cotton and citrus. [8] It was later extended westward to include the entire coast of Texas, and eastward to Apalachicola, Florida. Photos taken from film of KTRK coverage of Hurricane Carla in 1961 Her path of devastation inland extended from Victoria to Dallas. It affected the states of Idaho, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and … A total of 11 tornadoes touched down in Louisiana, and eight more in Texas. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Additionally, 50,723 homes, 5,620 farm buildings, and 10,487 other buildings suffered damage. It moved almost due north after that, passing near the town of Cossinade before dissipating. The extratropical remnants of Carla moved rapidly northeastward and brought heavy rainfall to some areas of the Great Plains and Midwestern United States. Because the storm was a Category 4 hurricane at landfall, Carla produced strong winds, especially near its path. The depression moved northwestward for several days becoming a tropical storm on 5 September and a hurricane the day following. Late in the evening on August 17 in 1969, Hurricane Camille made landfall along the Mississippi Gulf Coast near Waveland, MS. Camille is one of only FOUR Category 5 hurricanes ever to make landfall in the continental United States (Atlantic Basin) - the others being the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane, which impacted the Florida Keys; Hurricane Andrew in 1992, which … Damage in Louisiana totaled to about $25 million. [11] Further, at least half of those people were from Texas. Shortly thereafter, the storm curved northward while approaching the Yucatán Channel. Hurricane Carla triggered a destructive and deadly outbreak of 21 tornadoes in Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and Michigan that occurred from September 10–13, 1961. The final tornado occurred during the late afternoon hours of September 13 in Latex. Rapidly moving northeastward, Carla's remnants reached the Labrador Sea, Canada and dissipated on September 17, 1961. Late on September 7, Carla entered the Gulf of Mexico while passing just northeast of the Yucatán Peninsula. gradually accelerating and moving Northeastward through Missouri. Interactive maps showing radar, forecast, high and low temperatures, precipitation, satellite, and cloud cover for your local city and other parts of the world. Winds and rain combined severely disrupted electrical and telephone services and caused $670,000 in damage, with $600,000 to property and $70,000 to crops. Mitigation and Preparation to Response and Recovery, 2013 Hurricane Webinar Series for Educators. [15], In southeastern Louisiana, abnormally high tides lashed the coast, though no beach erosion was reported. Winds of 57 mph (92 km/h) lashed Halifax in Nova Scotia, thus the Halifax Public Gardens closed for threat of falling trees and branches. PORT O'CONNOR, Texas — On Sept. 11, 1961, Hurricane Carla crashed into the Texas Coast at Port O’Connor. [13] However, it was overwhelmingly surpassed by Hurricane Beulah in 1967, which spawned at least 120 tornadoes. About 4,260 homes were damaged, with around 500 severely damaged or destroyed. Many highways were left impassable due to water inundation. A United States Navy task force composed of medical and construction work teams was also sent to the area. 1961: Hurricane Carla was the largest and most intense Gulf Coast hurricane in decades. The first live television broadcast of a hurricane from the location experiencing it was during Hurricane Carla by the famous Dan Rather. Hurricane Information For Waco, TX . Surface charts indicate that a low-level circulation was developing early on September 3. The death toll from the hurricane was 46 persons. [3], Occurring a year after Hurricane Donna, officials in the Florida Keys took precautions to brace for potential impact from the storm. [3] Initially, the center of circulation remained difficult to locate on surface charts due to lack of data.
A total of 11 tornadoes touched down in Louisiana, and eight more in Texas. A hurricane has the potential of … Hurricane Carla. Throughout the state, damage in other areas included 90 homes and buildings in Tulsa, 50 homes each in El Reno and Oklahoma City, and 10 homes in Pawnee. [12], Carla spawned 21 tornadoes, the largest hurricane-related tornado outbreak on record at the time. Throughout its path, 43 fatalities and about $325.74 million in damage were attributed to Carla. About 2–8 inches (51–203 mm) of rain fell in Grant, Tillman, Washita Counties. It weakened quickly inland and was reduced to a tropical storm on September 12. Hurricane Carla was a Category 1 hurricane as it briefly moved northward and then northwestward, skimming Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. Six hours later, the storm was downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane near Shiner, shortly before being downgraded to a tropical storm between Taylor and Coupland. On September 11, an F2 tornado near Bay City destroyed two radio towers and damaged several buildings. Additionally, 50,723 homes, 5,620 farm buildings, and 10,487 other buildings suffered damage. He then held the map over the black and white radar screen, which put the size of Carla into perspective, saying that Carla was the size of the Gulf of Mexico. Keep track of the latest information on tropical storms and hurricanes in the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific with the USA TODAY Hurricane Tracker Of course, no list of Texas hurricanes is complete without mentioning the greatest of them all, the Great Storm of 1900 that leveled Galveston and cost more than 6,000 lives. Streets and basements were reported to have flooded, while bridge approaches and a few small bridges were washed out. In Texas, about 2,900 buildings were destroyed and 10,000 others severely damaged. 14 Jan. 2010. [18] Of the 21 tornadoes spawned by Carla, eight of them in Texas caused significant impact. In Victoria, the highest sustained wind speed was 110 mph (180 km/h), while gusts reached 150 mph (240 km/h). [3], Occurring a year after Hurricane Donna, officials in the Florida Keys took precautions to brace for potential impact from the storm. In small towns along the coast of Texas, 90–100% of their populations evacuated, while 20% of people left the larger cities. GALVESTON, Tex. However, it was overwhelmingly surpassed by Hurricane Beulah in 1967, which spawned at least 115 tornadoes. With a peak amount of 8.52 inches (216 mm) in Haddam, Carla was the rainiest tropical cyclone in Kansas, until being surpassed by Hurricane Paine in 1986 as well as Tropical Storm Frances in 1998. Regardless, Carla is the wettest tropical cyclone in the history of Michigan. Hurricane Carla developed from a tropical depression that formed in the western Caribbean Sea on September 3, 1961. Larry Evans/Houston Chronicle In 1961 Hurricane Carla hit Texas as a Category 4 storm (after downgrading from Category 5), killing 43 people and … [26] The 11 tornadoes spawned by Carla in Louisiana destroyed 140 homes and 11 farm and other buildings, while causing major damage to 231 additional homes and 11 farm and other buildings. Sustained winds between 30 and 55 mph (48 and 89 km/h) and gusts up to 70 mph (110 km/h) were recorded in Oklahoma. Broadcasting live at the Weather Bureau Office in Galveston, Rather asked a meteorologist to draw an outline of the Gulf of Mexico on a transparent sheet of plastic. Additionally, 748 homes and 75 farm and other buildings suffered minor to moderate damage. Causes of death include 20 people drowning, eight from tornadoes, four electrocutions, and one heart attack. In Ontario, gusty winds caused power outages in the Clarkson–Port Credit area. A fifth fatality occurred after a car with one occupant was swept a. 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