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===Central America===
===Central America===


Early reports suggest severe damage in [[Honduras]] and [[Nicaragua]] after Felix made landfall as a Category 5 hurricane. In [[Puerto Cabezas]], nearly every structure sustained at least roof damage, and many buildings were destroyed.<ref>http://www.miamiherald.com/news/americas/story/224930.html</ref>
Early reports suggest severe damage in [[Honduras]] and [[Nicaragua]] after Felix made landfall as a Category 5 hurricane. In [[Puerto Cabezas]], nearly every structure sustained at least roof damage, and many buildings were destroyed.<ref>http://www.miamiherald.com/news/americas/story/224930.html</ref> Along the [[Mosquito Coast]], [[flood]]ing and [[mudslide]]s were reported, destroying many houses (mostly humble dwellings) and blocking highways. The Government of Nicaragua declared the northern Caribbean coast a [[disaster area]].<ref>http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-storms6sep06,1,1334146.story?track=rss</ref>


Nine people have been reported dead. Eight of the deaths have been in Nicaragua (including a drowning death on a boat, impact from a fallen tree and at least one indirect death caused by medical complications after birth<ref>http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-storms6sep06,1,1334146.story?track=rss</ref>) and one in Honduras (in a motor vehicle accident caused by heavy rain and landslides). However, at least 150 others are missing at sea, and communications are difficult to impossible in many areas.<ref>http://www.miamiherald.com/news/americas/story/224930.html</ref>
Nine people have been reported dead. Eight of the deaths have been in Nicaragua (including a drowning death on a boat, impact from a fallen tree and at least one indirect death caused by medical complications after birth<ref>http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-storms6sep06,1,1334146.story?track=rss</ref>) and one in Honduras (in a motor vehicle accident caused by heavy rain and landslides). However, at least 150 others are missing at sea, and communications are difficult to impossible in many areas.<ref>http://www.miamiherald.com/news/americas/story/224930.html</ref>

Revision as of 15:35, 5 September 2007

Template:Ongoing weather

For other storms of the same name, see Hurricane Felix (disambiguation)
Hurricane Felix
Category 5 major hurricane (SSHWS/NWS)
Hurricane Felix approaching Central America.
FormedAugust 31, 2007
DissipatedSeptember 5, 2007
Highest winds1-minute sustained: 165 mph (270 km/h)
Lowest pressure929 mbar (hPa); 27.43 inHg
Fatalities7 direct, 2 indirect
Areas affectedBarbados, Saint Vincent, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador
Part of the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Felix was the sixth named storm, second hurricane, and second Category 5 hurricane of the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season. Forming from a tropical wave on August 31, it passed through the southern Windward Islands on September 1 before strengthening to attain hurricane status. A day later on September 2, Felix rapidly strengthened into a major hurricane, and early on September 3 it was upgraded to Category 5 status; by 2100 UTC on September 3 the hurricane was downgraded to Category 4 status, but was re-upgraded by 1040 UTC to a Category 5 hurricane. Felix made landfall just south of the border between Nicaragua and Honduras in a region historically known as the Mosquito Coast. At least nine deaths have been blamed on Felix.

Storm history

Storm path

A tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa on August 24, tracking westward at around 14 mph (23 km/h) with no associated deep convection and a weak low-level inverted-V curvature.[1] Initially difficult to locate on satellites,[2] the wave axis tracked through a moist environment[3] and developed an area of scattered thunderstorms. By August 25 visible satellite imagery indicated broad cyclonic turning just north of the Intertropical Convergence Zone.[4] The wave continued to develop moderate to strong convection, and on August 27 a 1012 mbar low pressure area developed about 830 miles (1,340 km) west-southwest of Praia, Cape Verde.[5] For the next several days the system failed to organize significantly;[6] however, on August 30 the wave became better defined with more representation of the cyclonic turning into the low.[7] Convection increased early the next day,[8] and a Hurricane Hunters flight into the system reported the presence of a closed low-level circulation; accordingly, the National Hurricane Center initiated advisories on Tropical Depression Six at 2100 UTC on August 31 while it was located about 180 miles (295 km) east-southeast of the southern Windward Islands.[9]

Upon becoming a tropical cyclone, the depression was located to the south of a strong ridge, resulting in a west-northwest motion. The system maintained curved rainbands with expanding outflow, and with light wind shear and warm water temperatures the environment favored further development.[9] Its deep convection consolidated very near the center, and shortly after passing over the island of Grenada the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Felix early at around 0900 UTC on September 1.[10] Felix quickly strengthened as it developed a small inner core of convection with tightly-wound bands around the center,[11] and by late on September 1 an eye feature was observed on satellite imagery.[12] Based on reports from reconnaissance aircraft, the National Hurricane Center estimated that Felix attained hurricane status by early on September 2 while located about 155 miles (250 km) east-northeast of Bonaire.[13]

Hurricane Felix in the Eastern Carribean

Tracking through an area of extremely low wind shear and increasingly high oceanic heat content, Hurricane Felix quickly developed a well-defined eye, a symmetric cloud structure, and strong upper-level outflow.[14] Felix was upgraded to major hurricane status at around 1800 UTC on September 2 while located about 490 miles (790 km) southeast of Kingston, Jamaica.[15] Rapid strengthening continued, and later that day the hurricane attained Category 4 status on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale with the pressure dropping to 957 mbar; this corresponded to a falling rate of 3.4 mbar per hour, which the National Hurricane Center remarked as "one of the more rapid deepening rates we have observed." A Hurricane Hunters flight reported a stadium effect in the eye, and also reported the eye diameter shrank to 14 miles (22 km).[16] A subsequent Hurricane Hunters flight experienced flight level winds of 175 mph (280 km/h), with peak surface winds of 163 mph (263 km/h) reported in the southwest quadrant of the eyewall; surface winds of up to 189 mph (306 km/h) were found in its northeastern quadrant, although the National Hurricane Center reported the peak reading could have been contaminated due to graupel in the clouds. Based on the observations, it is estimated Felix attained winds of 165 mph (265 km/h) by 0000 UTC on September 3 while located about 390 miles (625 km) southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, making Felix a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. While investigating the hurricane, Hurricane Hunters encountered extreme turbulence and potentially dangerous graupel, which forced the flight to abort the mission.[17]

Continuing quickly westward, the eye of Felix diameter decreased to 12 miles (19 km), and the National Hurricane Center estimates the hurricane attained a minimum central pressure of 929 mbar about nine hours after it reached Category 5 status. Initially, Felix was predicted to track west-northwestward, striking Belize before crossing the Yucatán Peninsula;[18] however, its path remained nearly due westward. Subsequently, cloud tops near the center began to warm as the eye became less distinct,[19] and by 1800 UTC on September 3 Felix weakened to Category 4 status with winds of 145 mph (235 km/h).[20] On September 4, Felix had completed an eyewall replacement cycle and began strengthening again during the day.[21] Felix was upgraded to a Category 5 for the second time at 1040 UTC,[22] and made landfall in extreme north-eastern Nicaragua shortly thereafter with winds of 160 mph (260 km/h).[23]

Current storm information

The last tropical advisory has been issued on Felix, but heavy rainfall is still predicted from the remnant low.

Rainfall amounts of 8 to 15 inches (200 to 375 mm) are expected over much of Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador, with isolated amounts of up to 25 inches (625 mm) over mountainous terrain.

Preparations

Upon Felix's becoming a tropical cyclone, a tropical storm warning was issued for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Tobago, and Grenada and its dependencies; a tropical storm watch was also issued for the northeastern Venezuela coast from Cumaná to Pedernales, including Isla Margarita, as well as the ABC islands.[24] The National Emergency Management Agency of Tobago was fully activated, with 79 shelters opened on the island.[25] Coinciding with the upgrade of Felix to tropical storm status, the watch for the ABC islands was upgraded to a tropical storm warning.[26] A hurricane watch was added to the islands early on September 2,[27] where several tourists attempted to leave by plane prior to the arrival of the storm.[28] Early on September 2, the government of Jamaica issued a tropical storm watch for the island,[13] which was canceled as the hurricane passed far to its south.[20] Later on September 2, a tropical storm watch was issued for Grand Cayman.[29]

Hurricane Felix on 9/4/07 on the coast of Honduras/Nicaragua

At 0300 UTC on September 3, the government of Honduras issued a hurricane watch from El Limón to the Honduras/Nicaragua border,[30] which was upgraded to a hurricane warning six hours later; at the same time, a hurricane watch was extended westward to the Honduras/Guatemala border.[31] Officials ordered evacuations for citizens in low-lying areas near the coastline; by midday on September 3, around 300 tourists evacuated from the Bay Islands department, with an additional 400 preparing to leave by plane;[32] a total of 2,000 people were evacuated from coastal areas.[33] At 1500 UTC the government of Nicaragua issued a hurricane warning from Puerto Cabezas northward to the national border.[34]

A hurricane watch was issued for the Caribbean coast of Guatemala and the entire coastline of Belize at 1200 UTC on September 3 .[35]

Impact

Caribbean

Felix passing Aruba

At around 1200 UTC on September 1 a wind gust of 46 mph (74 km/h) was recorded on Barbados, and around the same time a gust of 44 mph (71 km/h) was observed in Saint Vincent.[36] The storm produced heavy rainfall across the Windward Islands. On Trinidad, heavy precipitation caused mudslides and overflown rivers which destroyed some bridges; moderate winds damaged several buildings on the island. Damage on neighboring Tobago was concentrated on its northern portion, where several mudslides resulted from rainfall;[37] monetary damage on Tobago was estimated at $250,000 (2007 TTD, $40,000 2007 USD).[38] Felix produced gusty winds on Grenada, which downed several power lines and destroyed the roofs of two houses; rough waves also broke several vessels from their anchors.[28] In St. Lucia, winds from the storm damaged the roof of a store in Castries, which collapsed and destroyed 12 vehicles.[37]

In the ABC islands, the passage of the hurricane resulted in gusty winds and heavy rainfall. However, little damage was reported in Bonaire; the precipitation has left several homes submerged under water in Curaçao. In Aruba, the winds damaged one house and briefly left a northern village without power.[32] Hurricane Felix produced strong winds and 10 foot (3 m) waves along the north coast of Venezuela, which left one person missing in Puerto Cabello.[39]

Central America

Early reports suggest severe damage in Honduras and Nicaragua after Felix made landfall as a Category 5 hurricane. In Puerto Cabezas, nearly every structure sustained at least roof damage, and many buildings were destroyed.[40] Along the Mosquito Coast, flooding and mudslides were reported, destroying many houses (mostly humble dwellings) and blocking highways. The Government of Nicaragua declared the northern Caribbean coast a disaster area.[41]

Nine people have been reported dead. Eight of the deaths have been in Nicaragua (including a drowning death on a boat, impact from a fallen tree and at least one indirect death caused by medical complications after birth[42]) and one in Honduras (in a motor vehicle accident caused by heavy rain and landslides). However, at least 150 others are missing at sea, and communications are difficult to impossible in many areas.[43]

See also

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References

  1. ^ Wallace (2007). "August 24 Tropical Weather Discussion". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  2. ^ Willis (2007). "August 24 Tropical Weather Discussion (2)". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  3. ^ Cangialosi (2007). "August 25 Tropical Weather Discussion". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  4. ^ Cangialosi (2007). "August 25 Tropical Weather Discussion (2)". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  5. ^ Formosa (2007). "August 27 Tropical Weather Discussion". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  6. ^ Mainelli (2007). "August 30 Tropical Weather Outlook". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  7. ^ Augierre (2007). "August 30 Tropical Weather Discussion". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  8. ^ Knabb (2007). "August 31 Tropical Weather Outlook". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  9. ^ a b Blake & Avila (2007). "Tropical Depression Six Discussion One". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  10. ^ Knabb (2007). "Tropical Storm Felix Discussion Three". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  11. ^ Blake & Avila (2007). "Tropical Storm Felix Discussion Four". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  12. ^ Blake & Avila (2007). "Tropical Storm Felix Discussion Five". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  13. ^ a b Beven (2007). "Hurricane Felix Public Advisory Five-A". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  14. ^ Pasch (2007). "Hurricane Felix Discussion Eight". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-09-02.
  15. ^ Pasch (2007). "Hurricane Felix Public Advisory Eight-A". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-09-02.
  16. ^ Pasch (2007). "Hurricane Felix Discussion Nine". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-09-02.
  17. ^ Franklin & Brown (2007). "Hurricane Felix Special Discussion Ten". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-09-02.
  18. ^ Knabb (2007). "Hurricane Felix Discussion Twelve". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-09-03.
  19. ^ Pasch (2007). "Hurricane Felix Discussion Thirteen". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-09-03.
  20. ^ a b Pasch (2007). "Hurricane Felix Public Advisory Thirteen-A". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-09-03.
  21. ^ Knabb (2007). "Hurricane Felix Discussion Sixteen". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-09-04.
  22. ^ Knabb (2007). "Hurricane Felix Tropical Cyclone Update". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-09-04.
  23. ^ Pasch (2007). "Hurricane Felix Public Advisory Sixteen-A". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-09-04.
  24. ^ Blake & Avila (2007). "Tropical Depression Six Public Advisory One". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  25. ^ Driselle Ramjohn (2007). "Storm Lashes Tobago". Trinidad & Tobago Express.
  26. ^ Knabb (2007). "Tropical Storm Felix Public Advisory Three". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  27. ^ Beven (2007). "Hurricane Felix Public Advisory Six". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  28. ^ a b Associated Press (2007). "Felix becomes Category 1 hurricane as it swirls toward Aruba". Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  29. ^ Pasch (2007). "Hurricane Felix Public Advisory Eight". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-09-02.
  30. ^ Franklin (2007). "Hurricane Felix Public Advisory Eleven". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-09-03.
  31. ^ Knabb (2007). "Hurricane Felix Public Advisory Twelve". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-09-03.
  32. ^ a b Associated Press (2007). "Hurricane Felix Aims for Central America". Retrieved 2007-09-03. Cite error: The named reference "ap93" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  33. ^ Associated Press (2007). "Tourists flee as Hurricane Felix nears Honduran Miskito Coast". Retrieved 2007-09-03.
  34. ^ Knabb (2007). "Hurricane Felix Public Advisory Thirteen". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-09-03.
  35. ^ Pasch (2007). "Hurricane Felix Public Advisory Twelve-A". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-09-03.
  36. ^ Blake & Avila (2007). "Tropical Storm Felix Public Advisory Three-A". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  37. ^ a b Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (2007-09-01). "TS Felix brings rain and damage". Retrieved 2007-09-02.
  38. ^ Jensen LaVende (2007-09-02). "Cars, shop swept away at Carenage". Trinidad & Tobago Express. Retrieved 2007-09-02.
  39. ^ Agence French-Presse (2007). "Maximum strength Hurricane Felix aims for Central America". Retrieved 2007-09-03.
  40. ^ http://www.miamiherald.com/news/americas/story/224930.html
  41. ^ http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-storms6sep06,1,1334146.story?track=rss
  42. ^ http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-storms6sep06,1,1334146.story?track=rss
  43. ^ http://www.miamiherald.com/news/americas/story/224930.html
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hurricane_Felix_%282007%29&diff=155854925&oldid=155854296

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