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Tropical Storm Becky (1970)
Encyclopedia
Tropical Storm Becky was the second tropical cyclone
and named storm of the 1970 Atlantic hurricane season
. Becky formed from a tropical depression that was designated on July 19. The next day it organized over the Yucatan Channel
and became Tropical Storm Becky. Initially thought to have attained minimal hurricane status, Becky reached peak winds of 65 mph (100 km/h), but the storm began to deteriorate shortly thereafter. The storm made landfall on the Florida Panhandle
on July 22, and rapidly weakened over land. Overall, damage was related to heavy rainfall that caused flooding in Tallahassee, Florida
; 104 families suffered flood-related losses. Further north, the heavy rainfall led to rivers rising. Becky may have been partially responsible for spawning tornadoes that destroyed or damaged several houses.
near Panama
. The broad area of convection dominated the region between Swan Island
and western Cuba
by July 18. Some sources state that the area of convection was joined by a low-level vortex that entered the area, eventually forming a depression. Others believe that the origins of Becky can be tracked back to a tropical wave
that moved off the coast of Africa on July 9.
A tropical depression formed on July 19, 1970. As the depression moved through the Yucatan Channel
, the convective
cloud system became better organized. On July 20, in light of data from a Reconnaissance Aircraft
flight, the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Becky.
The storm moved roughly northward under the influence of the Bermuda High to the east and a low pressure area
over Mexico. Reports from a Reconnaissance flight indicated that Becky was disorganized, with a minimum barometric pressure of 1008 mbar (29.8 inHg). Although a fairly strong low-level circulation developed, there was insufficient warming of the center to produce a significant drop in barometric pressure at the surface
. Late on July 20, a ship reported a minimum pressure of about 1003 mbar (29.6 inHg), and another ship reported sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h), which would be Becky's peak intensity. A Reconnaissance flight and weather radar
s suggested the development of an eye feature
, and initially it was believed that the storm attained minimal hurricane status
. Later it was later confirmed that Becky remained a tropical storm, and the previously forming eye failed to persist.
On July 21, the storm deteriorated in organization as it continued northward. The lack of banding features indicated that by early on July 22, Becky was barely a tropical storm. The storm made landfall near Port St. Joe, Florida
shortly thereafter, and weakened rapidly as it moved inland; as a rainstorm, it progressed northward into Kentucky
.
. Similarly, a gale warning was posted for coastal areas of Alabama
and Florida. A hurricane watch was issued for locations in Mississippi
and Louisiana
. On July 22, a tornado watch
was posted for northern Florida. Tornado warnings were also issued, and a flash flood watch
was declared for parts of western North Carolina
. Gale warning
s were posted from Panama City, Florida
to St. Marks, Florida
, with the expectation of winds to 50 mph (80.5 km/h). Heavy rainfall of up to 8 inches (203.2 mm) was predicted, and tides of 2 to 4 ft (0.6096 to 1.2 m) forecast. Isolated tornadoes were possible as the storm made landfall.
Thousands of residents were evacuated from the Panhandle of Florida, including Santa Rosa Island
and Destin
, as well as other low-lying locations. Some residents evacuated to storm shelters that were set up in various cities along the coast. A store in Destin reported increased sales in hurricane-related supplies such as canned goods and flashlights. Florida Governor Claude Kirk ordered health units and law enforcement to operate on emergency alert. Small craft in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico were advised to remain in port until the high seas subsided.
received 8 inch (0.2032 m) of rainfall; due to the heavy precipitation, serious flooding occurred. At Anna Marie Island in Florida, heavy rainfall and squalls accompanied by winds of 56 miles per hour (90.1 km/h) were reported. In South Carolina, heavy precipitation led to rivers approaching flood stage
. Locally heavy rainfall caused rivers to rise in North Carolina, though they remained below flood stage. Along the Cape Fear River
, a boat ramp was washed out. Farther towards the north in Georgia
and Alabama
, the rainfall helped to relieve persistent drought conditions.
According to the Red Cross, 104 families in the Tallahassee region suffered flood-related losses, and two injuries were reported. There, winds gusted to 44 miles per hour (70.8 km/h). Flood waters were knee-deep around a county courthouse at Crawfordville, Florida
. In low-lying areas, flooding damaged homes, and to the southwest of Tallahassee, 4 feet (1.2 m) of water forced the evacuation of 15 homes by rowboat. Over 100 cars were stranded in the flooding. Due to precautionary measures, a few secondary roads were closed in the region.
Several tornado
es were reported. Near Panacea, Florida
, a tornado
destroyed a house and damaged two others. Another tornado in Emanuel County, Georgia
killed one person and demolished two homes. However, due to the conditions that spawned the tornadoes, they are not directly attributed to Becky.
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...
and named storm of the 1970 Atlantic hurricane season
1970 Atlantic hurricane season
The 1970 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, 1970, and lasted until November 30, 1970. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin...
. Becky formed from a tropical depression that was designated on July 19. The next day it organized over the Yucatan Channel
Yucatán Channel
The Yucatán Channel is a strait between Mexico and Cuba. It connects the Yucatán Basin of the Caribbean Sea with the Gulf of Mexico. The strait is across between Cape Catoche in Mexico and Cape San Antonio, Cuba and reaches a maximum depth of .-References:...
and became Tropical Storm Becky. Initially thought to have attained minimal hurricane status, Becky reached peak winds of 65 mph (100 km/h), but the storm began to deteriorate shortly thereafter. The storm made landfall on the Florida Panhandle
Florida Panhandle
The Florida Panhandle, an informal, unofficial term for the northwestern part of Florida, is a strip of land roughly 200 miles long and 50 to 100 miles wide , lying between Alabama on the north and the west, Georgia also on the north, and the Gulf of Mexico to the south. Its eastern boundary is...
on July 22, and rapidly weakened over land. Overall, damage was related to heavy rainfall that caused flooding in Tallahassee, Florida
Tallahassee, Florida
Tallahassee is the capital of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat and only incorporated municipality in Leon County, and is the 128th largest city in the United States. Tallahassee became the capital of Florida, then the Florida Territory, in 1824. In 2010, the population recorded by...
; 104 families suffered flood-related losses. Further north, the heavy rainfall led to rivers rising. Becky may have been partially responsible for spawning tornadoes that destroyed or damaged several houses.
Meteorological history
On July 16, 1970, a large disturbance separated from the Intertropical Convergence ZoneIntertropical Convergence Zone
The Intertropical Convergence Zone , known by sailors as The Doldrums, is the area encircling the earth near the equator where winds originating in the northern and southern hemispheres come together....
near Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
. The broad area of convection dominated the region between Swan Island
Swan Island
-Australia:* Little Swan Island, Tasmania, Australia* Swan Island , Australia* Swan Island , Australia-Falkland Islands:* Swan Islands, Falkland Islands* Weddell Island, formerly Swan Island, Falkland Islands-United Kingdom:...
and western Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
by July 18. Some sources state that the area of convection was joined by a low-level vortex that entered the area, eventually forming a depression. Others believe that the origins of Becky can be tracked back to a tropical wave
Tropical wave
Tropical waves, easterly waves, or tropical easterly waves, also known as African easterly waves in the Atlantic region, are a type of atmospheric trough, an elongated area of relatively low air pressure, oriented north to south, which move from east to west across the tropics causing areas of...
that moved off the coast of Africa on July 9.
A tropical depression formed on July 19, 1970. As the depression moved through the Yucatan Channel
Yucatán Channel
The Yucatán Channel is a strait between Mexico and Cuba. It connects the Yucatán Basin of the Caribbean Sea with the Gulf of Mexico. The strait is across between Cape Catoche in Mexico and Cape San Antonio, Cuba and reaches a maximum depth of .-References:...
, the convective
Atmospheric convection
Atmospheric convection is the result of a parcel-environment instability, or temperature difference, layer in the atmosphere. Different lapse rates within dry and moist air lead to instability. Mixing of air during the day which expands the height of the planetary boundary layer leads to...
cloud system became better organized. On July 20, in light of data from a Reconnaissance Aircraft
Reconnaissance aircraft
A reconnaissance aircraft is a manned military aircraft designed, or adapted, to carry out aerial reconnaissance.-History:The majority of World War I aircraft were reconnaissance designs...
flight, the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Becky.
The storm moved roughly northward under the influence of the Bermuda High to the east and a low pressure area
Low pressure area
A low-pressure area, or "low", is a region where the atmospheric pressure at sea level is below that of surrounding locations. Low-pressure systems form under areas of wind divergence which occur in upper levels of the troposphere. The formation process of a low-pressure area is known as...
over Mexico. Reports from a Reconnaissance flight indicated that Becky was disorganized, with a minimum barometric pressure of 1008 mbar (29.8 inHg). Although a fairly strong low-level circulation developed, there was insufficient warming of the center to produce a significant drop in barometric pressure at the surface
Surface weather analysis
Surface weather analysis is a special type of weather map that provides a view of weather elements over a geographical area at a specified time based on information from ground-based weather stations...
. Late on July 20, a ship reported a minimum pressure of about 1003 mbar (29.6 inHg), and another ship reported sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h), which would be Becky's peak intensity. A Reconnaissance flight and weather radar
Weather radar
Weather radar, also called weather surveillance radar and Doppler weather radar, is a type of radar used to locate precipitation, calculate its motion, estimate its type . Modern weather radars are mostly pulse-Doppler radars, capable of detecting the motion of rain droplets in addition to the...
s suggested the development of an eye feature
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...
, and initially it was believed that the storm attained minimal hurricane status
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
The Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale , or the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale , classifies hurricanes — Western Hemisphere tropical cyclones that exceed the intensities of tropical depressions and tropical storms — into five categories distinguished by the intensities of their sustained winds...
. Later it was later confirmed that Becky remained a tropical storm, and the previously forming eye failed to persist.
On July 21, the storm deteriorated in organization as it continued northward. The lack of banding features indicated that by early on July 22, Becky was barely a tropical storm. The storm made landfall near Port St. Joe, Florida
Port St. Joe, Florida
Port St. Joe is a city located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 98 and State Road 71 in Gulf County, Florida, United States. As of 2007, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 3,579. The population was 3,644 as of the 2000 census. Port St. Joe became the county seat of Gulf County...
shortly thereafter, and weakened rapidly as it moved inland; as a rainstorm, it progressed northward into Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
.
Preparations
Offshore, Shell Oil removed some workers and equipment from offshore platforms. A hurricane warning was issued from Fort Walton, Florida to Port St. Joe, FloridaPort St. Joe, Florida
Port St. Joe is a city located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 98 and State Road 71 in Gulf County, Florida, United States. As of 2007, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 3,579. The population was 3,644 as of the 2000 census. Port St. Joe became the county seat of Gulf County...
. Similarly, a gale warning was posted for coastal areas of Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
and Florida. A hurricane watch was issued for locations in Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
and Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
. On July 22, a tornado watch
Tornado watch
A tornado watch is issued when conditions are right for a tornado to form. Since any thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado is defined as severe, a tornado watch is also automatically a severe thunderstorm watch...
was posted for northern Florida. Tornado warnings were also issued, and a flash flood watch
Flash flood watch
A Flash flood watch is issued by the National Weather Service when conditions are favorable for flash flooding in flood-prone areas where grounds are already saturated from recent rains....
was declared for parts of western North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. Gale warning
Gale warning
A gale warning is a warning issued by weather services in maritime locations about the existence of winds of gale force or above or the imminent occurrence of gales at sea...
s were posted from Panama City, Florida
Panama City, Florida
-Personal income:The median income for a household in the city was $31,572, and the median income for a family was $40,890. Males had a median income of $30,401 versus $21,431 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,830...
to St. Marks, Florida
St. Marks, Florida
St. Marks is a city in Wakulla County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Tallahassee, Florida, Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 272 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 299 .-Geography:...
, with the expectation of winds to 50 mph (80.5 km/h). Heavy rainfall of up to 8 inches (203.2 mm) was predicted, and tides of 2 to 4 ft (0.6096 to 1.2 m) forecast. Isolated tornadoes were possible as the storm made landfall.
Thousands of residents were evacuated from the Panhandle of Florida, including Santa Rosa Island
Santa Rosa Island, Florida
Santa Rosa Island[p] is a 40-mile barrier island located in the U.S. state of Florida, thirty miles east of the Alabama state border...
and Destin
Destin, Florida
Destin is a city located in Okaloosa County, Florida. It is a principal city of the Fort Walton Beach-Crestview-Destin, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.Located on Florida's Emerald Coast, Destin is known for its white beaches and emerald green waters...
, as well as other low-lying locations. Some residents evacuated to storm shelters that were set up in various cities along the coast. A store in Destin reported increased sales in hurricane-related supplies such as canned goods and flashlights. Florida Governor Claude Kirk ordered health units and law enforcement to operate on emergency alert. Small craft in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico were advised to remain in port until the high seas subsided.
Impact
Upon making landfall, a barometric pressure of 1007 mb accompanied the storm. Along the coast of the Panhandle, gale-force winds and tides of 3 foot (0.9144 m) above-normal were reported. Tallahassee, FloridaTallahassee, Florida
Tallahassee is the capital of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat and only incorporated municipality in Leon County, and is the 128th largest city in the United States. Tallahassee became the capital of Florida, then the Florida Territory, in 1824. In 2010, the population recorded by...
received 8 inch (0.2032 m) of rainfall; due to the heavy precipitation, serious flooding occurred. At Anna Marie Island in Florida, heavy rainfall and squalls accompanied by winds of 56 miles per hour (90.1 km/h) were reported. In South Carolina, heavy precipitation led to rivers approaching flood stage
Flood stage
Flood stage is the level at which the surface of a river, creek, or other body of water has risen to a sufficient level to cause damage or affects use of man-made structures...
. Locally heavy rainfall caused rivers to rise in North Carolina, though they remained below flood stage. Along the Cape Fear River
Cape Fear River
The Cape Fear River is a long blackwater river in east central North Carolina in the United States. It flows into the Atlantic Ocean near Cape Fear, from which it takes its name. The overall water quality of the river is continuously measured and monitored by and conducted by the , , and the...
, a boat ramp was washed out. Farther towards the north in Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
and Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
, the rainfall helped to relieve persistent drought conditions.
According to the Red Cross, 104 families in the Tallahassee region suffered flood-related losses, and two injuries were reported. There, winds gusted to 44 miles per hour (70.8 km/h). Flood waters were knee-deep around a county courthouse at Crawfordville, Florida
Crawfordville, Florida
Crawfordville is an unincorporated community and county seat of Wakulla County, Florida, United States of America.It was named after Dr. John L. Crawford who lived in the community and was the town's doctor....
. In low-lying areas, flooding damaged homes, and to the southwest of Tallahassee, 4 feet (1.2 m) of water forced the evacuation of 15 homes by rowboat. Over 100 cars were stranded in the flooding. Due to precautionary measures, a few secondary roads were closed in the region.
Several tornado
Tornado
A tornado is a violent, dangerous, rotating column of air that is in contact with both the surface of the earth and a cumulonimbus cloud or, in rare cases, the base of a cumulus cloud. They are often referred to as a twister or a cyclone, although the word cyclone is used in meteorology in a wider...
es were reported. Near Panacea, Florida
Panacea, Florida
Panacea is a small unincorporated community in Wakulla County, Florida, United States of America. It is in the Tallahassee metro area. Its elevation is seven feet above sea level....
, a tornado
Tornado
A tornado is a violent, dangerous, rotating column of air that is in contact with both the surface of the earth and a cumulonimbus cloud or, in rare cases, the base of a cumulus cloud. They are often referred to as a twister or a cyclone, although the word cyclone is used in meteorology in a wider...
destroyed a house and damaged two others. Another tornado in Emanuel County, Georgia
Emanuel County, Georgia
Emanuel County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 21,837. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 22,469. The county seat is Swainsboro.-History:...
killed one person and demolished two homes. However, due to the conditions that spawned the tornadoes, they are not directly attributed to Becky.
See also
- List of Florida hurricanes
- List of wettest tropical cyclones in the United States
- List of tropical cyclones