Hurricane Kate (1985)

Hurricane Kate (1985)

Category 3 hurricane (SSHS)
Hurricane Kate near peak intensity on November 20
Formed	November 15, 1985
Dissipated	November 23, 1985
Highest winds	1-minute sustained: 120 mph (195 km/h)
Lowest pressure	954 mbar (hPa); 28.17 inHg
Fatalities	15
Damage	$700 million (1985 USD)
Areas affected	Cuba, Florida, Georgia
Part of the 1985 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Kate was the sixth hurricane to hit the United States during the 1985 Atlantic hurricane season, tying a record. Forming late in the season, it killed 15 people and caused $530 million (2005 USD) in damage on its long path through Cuba, Florida, and Georgia between November 18 and November 22, 1985. Kate is the latest-forming major hurricane on record in the Atlantic, and is the latest hurricane to strike the United States.

Meteorological history

Storm path

Before the formation of Hurricane Kate, there was a ridge located across the southeastern United States for much of the autumn of 1985, and concurrently a major trough persisted across the western portion of the country. As a result, November weather conditions across the Gulf of Mexico and western Atlantic Ocean were more typical of the pattern in late September, such as sea surface temperatures of 27 °C (81 °F). On November 13, a weak tropical wave, or elongated area of low pressure, began interacting with a trough to the northeast of the Lesser Antilles. It gradually organized, and on November 15 a Hurricane Hunters flight into the area indicated the development of a tropical cyclone; as gale force winds were already present, the system was upgraded directly to Tropical Storm Kate, about 240 miles (385 km) northeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

An anticyclone developed over the Florida Keys, providing Kate with the opportunity to strengthen. After drifting northwestward, Kate accelerated to the west over the southern Bahamas, becoming a hurricane on November 16 and a 110 mph (175 km/h) hurricane on November 19. It subsequently hit northern Cuba, where 200,000 people in Havana were evacuated. With the eyewall over land, Kate weakened to a 90 mph (155 km/h) hurricane before emerging into the Gulf of Mexico later that day.

Hurricane Kate maintained its organization while crossing northern Cuba, and quickly re-strengthened in the Gulf of Mexico. It rapidly intensified on November 20 to a 120 mph (195 km/h) major hurricane. An approaching frontal trough brought Kate to the northeast, where slightly cooler waters over the northern Gulf of Mexico weakened the hurricane. It hit Mexico Beach, Florida late on the November 21 as a 95 mph hurricane, and quickly weakened over land. After crossing Georgia, Kate approached very cold waters and increasing upper-level shear, causing the hurricane to become extratropical on November 23 while southeast of North Carolina.

Late formation

Kate was unusual, because it became a major hurricane in November, one of only seven storms to do so. Other storms that became major hurricanes in November include The Jamaica Hurricane of 1912, The Great Cuba Hurricane in 1932, Hurricane Greta in 1956, Hurricane Lenny in 1999, Hurricane Michelle in 2001, and Hurricane Paloma in 2008. Kate was also the latest-season major hurricane, having become a major hurricane on November 20. Kate was also one of the latest landfalls, as well as the strongest U.S. landfall in November, hitting with 105 mph winds.

Impact and records

Cuba

In preparation for the hurricane's arrival, 300,000 people evacuated low-lying coastal areas. Heavy flooding and 125 mph (200 km/h) gusts destroyed 4,382 houses and damaged 88,207 on Cuba's northern coastline. Downed trees and power lines were common along the coast and 10 people were killed in Cuba from the hurricane. Kate's winds and flooding resulted in significant crop damage, destroying significant amounts of the sugarcane and banana harvests. Over 3,600 square miles (9,300 square kilometers) of sugar cane were destroyed, while 155,000 short tons (136 million kilograms) of sugar cane were lost. [5] In all, damage totaled to $400 million (1985 USD, $710 million 2005 USD).

Following the storm's passage, the crop losses prompted the Cuban government to request for international aid. The affected population needed food for 60 days, over 10,000 metric tons (10 million kg) of flour, and over 1,200 tons of cooking oil. Countries around the world contributed over $17 million in either money or food.

Northern Gulf Coast

Damage after Hurricane Kate

Over 100,000 people were evacuated from the Florida Panhandle prior to Kate's arrival. Just 2 months after Hurricane Elena caused significant damage to the oyster industry, Hurricane Kate destroyed much of what little was left in Apalachicola Bay. Lack of production caused many oystermen to lose their jobs, and many fishermen before and after the storm were suffering due to lack of fish. In addition, severely eroded coastlines lost even more beach from a 10 foot (3 m) storm surge and strong waves.

Rainfall from Kate

Rainfall amounts along the coast ranged from a trace to a maximum of 5.8 inches (150 mm) in Panama City, Florida. Along the coastline, there was extensive road damage, with potholes up to 4 feet (1.2 m) in length along U.S. Route 98. [6] Kate's strong winds and rain damaged at least 600 houses and water craft, amounting to $300 million (1985 USD) in damage. A total of five people were killed in Florida.

Hurricane Kate passed just west of Tallahassee, but because it was becoming extratropical, damage was limited to downed trees and minor structural damage. [7] Flooding and power outages across 90% of the city forced a curfew, taking up to two weeks to clean up. A positive aspect of the storm was the economic boost from coastal evacuees. Restaurants, hotels, and stores were full from those taking refuge from the storm.

Records

Hurricane Kate was the latest hurricane recorded to strike the United States as a hurricane. This was re-evaluated as the earliest hurricane to come ashore in the U.S. from the 1925 Florida tropical storm, which was originally considered a hurricane but was downgraded in modern reanalysis of Atlantic tropical cyclones.

External links

• Monthly Weather Review
• Hurricane Kate (1985)
• Hurricane Kate Damage
• Hurricane Kate Track (Unisys)
• David Longshore. "Hurricane Kate." Encyclopedia of Hurricanes, Typhoons and Cyclones. David Longshore. New York: Facts on File, 1998, Pg; 208-209.

See also

• List of North Carolina hurricanes (1980–1999)
• List of Florida hurricanes (1975-1999)
• Other storms of the same name

Tropical cyclones of the 1985 Atlantic hurricane season
A B C D E 6 F G H I J K 13		Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale TD TS C1 C2 C3 C4 C5