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Hurricane Martha (1969)
Encyclopedia
Hurricane Martha, one of the most southerly tropical storms recorded in the Caribbean, made landfall farther south than any tropical cyclone recorded in the Atlantic basin. The hurricane was the eighteenth tropical storm and eleventh hurricane of the 1969 Atlantic hurricane season. Martha, the last tropical cyclone
of the season, developed 99 miles (159 km) northwest of Colón
, Panama, during the morning of November 21. It remained stationary and deepened to a hurricane. Martha attained maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (150 km/h) on the morning of November 22. Subsequently, Martha weakened and drifted southward. On November 24, the tropical cyclone made landfall
in Veraguas Province
, Panama, as a strong tropical storm. The system weakened to a tropical depression and dissipated over land on November 25.
, and the Panama Canal
. It is estimated that Tropical Storm Martha, with winds of 50 mph (85 km/h), formed on November 21. The tropical storm remained stationary and rapidly deepened. Martha strengthened at an average rate of 10 mph (15 km/h) every six hours. Martha rapidly intensified to a hurricane on the date of formation. Operationally, Martha was not upgraded to a hurricane until the arrival of a reconnaissance flight, which offered confirmation that the system was a hurricane. On November 22, a reconnaissance flight indicated Martha deepened to a compact hurricane, and the tropical cyclone attained a maximum intensity of 90 mph (150 km/h). Operationally, reconnaissance aircraft measured a minimum central pressure of 980 mbar (28.95 inHg), but this value was corrected to 979 mbar (28.92 inHg) in the post-season analysis.
Subsequently, Martha slowly moved southward, and the hurricane steadily weakened. The minimum central pressure rose to 986 mbar (29.13 inHg). On November 23, the tropical cyclone diminished to a tropical storm, and a reconnaissance flight recorded a central pressure of 999 mbar (29.51 inHg). On November 24, Martha struck Panama with winds of 70 mph (110 km/h), and the last reconnaissance mission documented a pressure of 1000 mbar (29.54 inHg) before landfall. The eye
feature was 40 n mi (46 mi) wide, and it was described as poorly organized, although convection was increasing. The center rapidly dissipated as it moved ashore over Panama. On November 25, the system dissipated over Panama.
s were emphasized as the greatest threat. The National Hurricane Center stated that rainfall could exceed 10 inches (254 mm).
The effects of Martha resulted in five deaths, all of which occurred in Costa Rica. The nation incurred flooding from heavy rainfall, which caused significant destruction. The capital city of San Jose received flooding. In all, damages were estimated near $30,000,000 (1969 USD
).
Martha produced several records. It is the only Caribbean tropical cyclone of record to make landfall in Panama, although it is possible that other Panama tropical cyclones were not detected. The landfall in Panama represents the southernmost tropical cyclone landfall in the Atlantic basin. Few Atlantic tropical cyclones have developed farther south (9.5°N) than Martha, in 1965, 1926, 1990 and again in 2004; Martha formed near 10.3°N. Hurricane Ivan
also formed south of 10°N.
Tropical cyclone
A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a large low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. Tropical cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor...
of the season, developed 99 miles (159 km) northwest of Colón
Colón
Colón is a Spanish and Portuguese surname, comparable to the Italian and Portuguese Colombo . It may refer to:People:* Cristóbal Colón, the Spanish language name for the explorer Christopher Columbus...
, Panama, during the morning of November 21. It remained stationary and deepened to a hurricane. Martha attained maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (150 km/h) on the morning of November 22. Subsequently, Martha weakened and drifted southward. On November 24, the tropical cyclone made landfall
Landfall (meteorology)
Landfall is the event of a tropical cyclone or a waterspout coming onto land after being over water. When a waterspout makes landfall it is reclassified as a tornado, which can then cause damage inland...
in Veraguas Province
Veraguas Province
Veraguas is a province of Panama, located in the centre-west of the country. The capital is the city of Santiago de Veraguas. The province covers 10,677.2 km² and is divided into twelve districts.-History:...
, Panama, as a strong tropical storm. The system weakened to a tropical depression and dissipated over land on November 25.
Meteorological history
On November 20, the presence of an atmospheric circulation above the surface was detected in the vicinity of San Andrés, ColombiaSan Andrés (island)
San Andrés is a coral island among the Colombian islands in the Caribbean Sea; it is the largest island of the southern group of islands. Together with the nearby island of Providencia and some smaller islands of the southern group of the Colombian archipelago, San Andrés forms the department of...
, and the Panama Canal
Panama Canal
The Panama Canal is a ship canal in Panama that joins the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean and is a key conduit for international maritime trade. Built from 1904 to 1914, the canal has seen annual traffic rise from about 1,000 ships early on to 14,702 vessels measuring a total of 309.6...
. It is estimated that Tropical Storm Martha, with winds of 50 mph (85 km/h), formed on November 21. The tropical storm remained stationary and rapidly deepened. Martha strengthened at an average rate of 10 mph (15 km/h) every six hours. Martha rapidly intensified to a hurricane on the date of formation. Operationally, Martha was not upgraded to a hurricane until the arrival of a reconnaissance flight, which offered confirmation that the system was a hurricane. On November 22, a reconnaissance flight indicated Martha deepened to a compact hurricane, and the tropical cyclone attained a maximum intensity of 90 mph (150 km/h). Operationally, reconnaissance aircraft measured a minimum central pressure of 980 mbar (28.95 inHg), but this value was corrected to 979 mbar (28.92 inHg) in the post-season analysis.
Subsequently, Martha slowly moved southward, and the hurricane steadily weakened. The minimum central pressure rose to 986 mbar (29.13 inHg). On November 23, the tropical cyclone diminished to a tropical storm, and a reconnaissance flight recorded a central pressure of 999 mbar (29.51 inHg). On November 24, Martha struck Panama with winds of 70 mph (110 km/h), and the last reconnaissance mission documented a pressure of 1000 mbar (29.54 inHg) before landfall. The eye
Eye (cyclone)
The eye is a region of mostly calm weather found at the center of strong tropical cyclones. The eye of a storm is a roughly circular area and typically 30–65 km in diameter. It is surrounded by the eyewall, a ring of towering thunderstorms where the second most severe weather of a cyclone...
feature was 40 n mi (46 mi) wide, and it was described as poorly organized, although convection was increasing. The center rapidly dissipated as it moved ashore over Panama. On November 25, the system dissipated over Panama.
Preparations, Impact, and records
Residents were warned to expect tides five feet (60 in) above normal near the point of landfall. Later, this prediction was lowered to three feet (36 in) above normal and pertained to tides in the Gulf of Mosquitoes and Chiriqui Lagoon. Since Martha was a relatively weak tropical cyclone, flash floodFlash flood
A flash flood is a rapid flooding of geomorphic low-lying areas—washes, rivers, dry lakes and basins. It may be caused by heavy rain associated with a storm, hurricane, or tropical storm or meltwater from ice or snow flowing over ice sheets or snowfields...
s were emphasized as the greatest threat. The National Hurricane Center stated that rainfall could exceed 10 inches (254 mm).
The effects of Martha resulted in five deaths, all of which occurred in Costa Rica. The nation incurred flooding from heavy rainfall, which caused significant destruction. The capital city of San Jose received flooding. In all, damages were estimated near $30,000,000 (1969 USD
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
).
Martha produced several records. It is the only Caribbean tropical cyclone of record to make landfall in Panama, although it is possible that other Panama tropical cyclones were not detected. The landfall in Panama represents the southernmost tropical cyclone landfall in the Atlantic basin. Few Atlantic tropical cyclones have developed farther south (9.5°N) than Martha, in 1965, 1926, 1990 and again in 2004; Martha formed near 10.3°N. Hurricane Ivan
Hurricane Ivan
Hurricane Ivan was a large, long-lived, Cape Verde-type hurricane that caused widespread damage in the Caribbean and United States. The cyclone was the ninth named storm, the sixth hurricane and the fourth major hurricane of the active 2004 Atlantic hurricane season...
also formed south of 10°N.
See also
- Geography of PanamaGeography of PanamaPanama is a country located in the Central America region of North America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica. Panama is located on the narrow and low Isthmus of Panama. This S-shaped isthmus is situated between 7° and 10° north latitude...
- Hurricane Isidore (1990)
- Hurricane IvanHurricane IvanHurricane Ivan was a large, long-lived, Cape Verde-type hurricane that caused widespread damage in the Caribbean and United States. The cyclone was the ninth named storm, the sixth hurricane and the fourth major hurricane of the active 2004 Atlantic hurricane season...