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Hurricane Dennis (1981)

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This article is about the 1981 hurricane; for other storms of the same name, see Hurricane Dennis (disambiguation)
Hurricane Dennis
Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS/NWS)
Hurricane Dennis off the North Carolina coastline
FormedAugust 7, 1981
DissipatedAugust 22, 1981
Highest winds1-minute sustained: 80 mph (130 km/h)
Lowest pressure995 mbar (hPa); 29.38 inHg
FatalitiesNo fatalities reported
Damage$17 million (1981 USD)
Areas affectedWindward Islands, Cuba, Florida, Carolinas
Part of the 1981 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Dennis was the second most destructive storm of the 1981 Atlantic hurricane season. Dennis took 12 1/2 days to reach hurricane status, a record beaten by Hurricane Arlene in the 1987 Atlantic hurricane season.

The tropical wave that later would be Dennis, formed off the African coastline on August 5. By August 7 the wave reached tropical depression status as it headed westward. On the same day the storm reached tropical storm strength and was named Dennis, the 4th named storm of the 1981 season. As Dennis approached the Caribbean Sea, strong upper level winds degenerated the storm back into a tropical wave by August 11. On August 15 Dennis regained tropical storm status as it crossed Cuba and moved into the Straits of Florida. On the 18th and 19th of August, Dennis traversed the Florida peninsula as a weak tropical storm and later moved offshore. Dennis then skirted the Carolinas and briefly reached hurricane strength before being declared extratropical on August 22.

Dennis left $15 million (1981 USD, $34.4 million in 2007 USD) in damage to the agriculture to Florida, with minor rainfall and effects farther north up the coast.

Meteorological history

Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

Hurricane Dennis formed from a tropical system that was well organized after entering the Atlantic Ocean from Africa on August 5.[1] The system quickly intensified and became a tropical depression on August 7 as it headed westward. The depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Dennis about 12 hours later.[2] Dennis continued westward as a tropical storm for three days before entering an area of wind shear, which weakened the system.[1] Dennis was downgraded to a tropical depression on August 11, and after entering the Caribbean Sea, weakening into a tropical wave. The wave continued westward, passing to the south of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands before turning to the northeast towards Cuba. The wave made landfall in Jamaica before stalling near Cuba.

While it was stationary, the tropical wave began to come back together, strengthening into Tropical Depression Dennis on August 15.[1] The system quickly re-attained tropical storm status and crossed over Cuba. Slower, yet constant strengthening occurred, and Dennis began to form an eye on satillite photos. Dennis made landfall near Key West on August 18 and crossed across the state. During the day and the day after, Dennis crossed Florida and headed up the east coast. On August 21, Dennis turned away from the coast and strengthened into a hurricane, peaking at 80 mph (130 kilometres) that day. Dennis moved over colder waters and became extratropical on August 22.[1]

Dennis took almost 13 days to reach hurricane status, a then-record. The record beaten by Hurricane Arlene in the 1987 Atlantic hurricane season.[2][3][4]

Preparations and impact

As Dennis approached the Florida Keys, numerous watches and warnings were released on the system.[5] These included one hurricane watch from the Keys to Palm Beach. The rest were gale and tornado warnings for parts of the coastal states. Residents of the Florida Keys scrambled for last minute supplies at Dennis came close to landfall on August 17.[6] People also hurried away from the Myrtle Beach area, wanting to avoid the oncoming Tropical Storm Dennis.[7]

Total rainfall in the United States from Dennis

Rainfall in the state of Florida was beneficial, helping to cease a drought that was persistent through spring and early summer.[8] However, little rain fell in the Lake Okeechobee area, which needed considerable relief. Rains peaked around 20—25 inches (510—635 mm) in the Miami-Dade area, where at least 20 families had to be rescued by airboats and 4-wheel drive vehicles.[8][9]

There were major losses to commercial and residential buildings due to roof failures caused by Dennis.[8] However, heavier damage was sustained to the agriculture of Florida. due to prolonged water from Dennis. Damage was estimated at $15 million (1981 USD, $34 million in 2007 USD) in the Miami-Dade region alone. The standing water also caused health issues for local residents. There were two tornadoes reported in associated with Dennis, one on Plantation Key and one in northern Dade County. Minor damage was reported from both of the two tornadoes.[8]

Regions north of Florida sustained lighter effects. Rainfall peaked at around 10 inches (250 mm) in parts of North Carolina.[9] There were similar, but less extensive losses to agriculture to areas such as Georgia and South Carolina.[8] Flooding stretched from Georgia to extreme parts of Virginia, where localized flooding and beach erosion occurred.[8] $2 million (1981 USD, $4.54 million in 2007 USD) worth of damage was reported in the beach city of Myrtle Beach.[7]

See also

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References

  1. ^ a b c d National Hurricane Center (1981). "Hurricane Dennis Preliminary Report (Page 1)". Retrieved 2008-01-05.
  2. ^ a b National Hurricane Center (1981). "Hurricane Dennis Preliminary Report (Page 10)". Retrieved 2008-01-06.
  3. ^ Harrold P. Gerrish (1987-10-16). "Preliminary Report: Hurricane Arlene - Page 3". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-01-06. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  4. ^ Harrold P. Gerrish (1987-10-16). "Preliminary Report: Hurricane Arlene - Page 4". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-01-06. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  5. ^ National Hurricane Center (1981). "Hurricane Dennis Preliminary Report (Page 3)". Retrieved 2008-01-05.
  6. ^ Associated Press (1981-08-17). "Tropical Storm Dennis Hits Florida With Heavy Winds, Rain". Marysville Journal-Tribune. Retrieved 2008-01-06. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  7. ^ a b Associated Press (1981-08-21). "Hurricane Dennis heads out to sea". Marysville Journal-Tribune. Retrieved 2008-01-06. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  8. ^ a b c d e f National Hurricane Center (1981). "Hurricane Dennis Preliminary Report (Page 2)". Retrieved 2008-01-05.
  9. ^ a b David Roth (2008). "Rainfall data for Hurricane Dennis". Retrieved 2008-01-06.
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