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Tropical Storm Debby (1994)
Encyclopedia
Tropical Storm Debby, was the fourth named storm of the 1994 Atlantic hurricane season
. Debby lasted only two days, reaching peak winds of 70 mph before being sheared apart on September 11. Despite the short duration, however, the heavy rains and gusty winds from Debby managed to cause nine deaths.
that moved off the coast of Africa
on September 4. By September 6, satellite images indicated a vigorous tropical wave about midway between Africa and the Lesser Antilles, and temperatures of the cloud tops within the convection was already as low as -112° F (-80° C). Encountering northwesterly vertical wind shear, convection markedly decreased and weakened on the following day. Convection began to redevelop along the axis of the tropical wave on September 8, after the wind shear became westerly and decreased. Post-analysis indicate that the sixth tropical depression of the season developed on September 9 1200 UTC, although it was not operationally classified as Tropical Depression Six until almost 24 hours later. Early on September 10, it was suggested by satellite images that a surface circulation was developing east of Barbados
. Because of a developing surface circulation, a reconnaissance flight was sent to investigate the system, which reported winds between 60 and 70 mph (95 to 115 km/h), and 58 mph (93 km/h) winds at the surface. While passing over Martinique
a few hours later, winds were reported at 69 mph (111 km/h), and the system had become a tropical storm at that time in post-analysis, although not operationally recognized as such due to disorganization.
Finally, the National Hurricane Center initiated advisories on Tropical Depression Six at 0300 UTC on September 10. Six hours after advisories were initiated, the National Hurricane Center upgraded the tropical depression to Tropical Storm Debby, although it had already been a tropical storm for about nine hours. Simultaneously, Tropical Storm Debby had made landfall on St. Lucia with winds of 65 mph (100 km/h). After becoming a tropical storm, Debby rapidly intensified, and nearly reached hurricane status on September 10 at 0600 UTC. Approaching hurricane status, Tropical Storm Debby attained its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 1006 mbar (hPa; 29.71 inHg), which was twice as high as operationally observed at the time. Three hours after post-analysis indicated peak intensity, Tropical Depression Six was then upgraded to Tropical Storm Debby, operationally. It is possible that sustained winds associated with Tropical Storm Debby may fluctuated after passing the Windward Islands
, although it is estimated that sustained winds remained between 60 and 70 mph (95 to 115 km/h).
Increasing wind shear began to disrupt the circulation of Tropical Storm Debby on September 11, although strong winds were still being reported. With wind shear affecting the system, a well-defined center of circulation became unidentifiable, as noted by the crew of another reconnaissance flight at 0200 UTC. Due to lack of well-defined center of circulation, Tropical Storm Debby dissipated at 0600 UTC on that day, although the National Hurricane Center issued advisories until 1500 UTC. The remnants of Tropical Storm Debby continued westward, bringing heavy rains and gusty winds to Hispaniola
and the rest of the Caribbean
before dissipating over Mexico
on September 15.
to the Dominican Republic
and a tropical storm watch for Jamaica
. Because of Debby's close proximity to the Leeward Islands, heavy rain was expected for the Virgin Islands
and Puerto Rico
. After the storm struck the Windward Islands
and dissipated, forecasters predicted that the remnants of Debby might swing northward and enter either the Atlantic or continue westward and enter the Florida Straits.
with totals reaching as high as 7.2 in (183.8 mm) and winds gusts as high as 90 mph (145 km/h). In the Dominican Republic
, a weather station reported a 63 mph (101 km/h) gust although Debby had already been officially downgraded to a tropical wave when this reading took place.
In St. Lucia, Debby's heavy rains caused several landslides that killed four people and injured more than 600 others. The landslides blocked main roads and closed an airport and flooding was reported in Anse La Raye
. In Martinique, about 200,000 people were left without power and there was moderate tree damage. Debby's winds damaged much of the banana
crop in St. Lucia and Martinique
. Debby then brought 44 mph (71 km/h) winds to Puerto Rico
, and caused coastal damage that amounted to $50,000 (1994 USD; $ USD) and high seas left a ferry stranded. The remnants of Debby also caused isolated flooding in the Dominican Republic
. There were three fatalities (all from electrocutions).
In all, Debby killed nine people and left two missing. Five were unaccounted for and more than a hundred people had been left homeless. The damage total from Debby was $230 million (1994 USD; $ USD).
1994 Atlantic hurricane season
The 1994 Atlantic hurricane seasonofficially began June 1, 1994, and officially ended November 30, 1994. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin....
. Debby lasted only two days, reaching peak winds of 70 mph before being sheared apart on September 11. Despite the short duration, however, the heavy rains and gusty winds from Debby managed to cause nine deaths.
Meteorological history
The origins of Tropical Storm Debby were from a tropical waveTropical 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
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
on September 4. By September 6, satellite images indicated a vigorous tropical wave about midway between Africa and the Lesser Antilles, and temperatures of the cloud tops within the convection was already as low as -112° F (-80° C). Encountering northwesterly vertical wind shear, convection markedly decreased and weakened on the following day. Convection began to redevelop along the axis of the tropical wave on September 8, after the wind shear became westerly and decreased. Post-analysis indicate that the sixth tropical depression of the season developed on September 9 1200 UTC, although it was not operationally classified as Tropical Depression Six until almost 24 hours later. Early on September 10, it was suggested by satellite images that a surface circulation was developing east of Barbados
Barbados
Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles. It is in length and as much as in width, amounting to . It is situated in the western area of the North Atlantic and 100 kilometres east of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea; therein, it is about east of the islands of Saint...
. Because of a developing surface circulation, a reconnaissance flight was sent to investigate the system, which reported winds between 60 and 70 mph (95 to 115 km/h), and 58 mph (93 km/h) winds at the surface. While passing over Martinique
Martinique
Martinique is an island in the eastern Caribbean Sea, with a land area of . Like Guadeloupe, it is an overseas region of France, consisting of a single overseas department. To the northwest lies Dominica, to the south St Lucia, and to the southeast Barbados...
a few hours later, winds were reported at 69 mph (111 km/h), and the system had become a tropical storm at that time in post-analysis, although not operationally recognized as such due to disorganization.
Finally, the National Hurricane Center initiated advisories on Tropical Depression Six at 0300 UTC on September 10. Six hours after advisories were initiated, the National Hurricane Center upgraded the tropical depression to Tropical Storm Debby, although it had already been a tropical storm for about nine hours. Simultaneously, Tropical Storm Debby had made landfall on St. Lucia with winds of 65 mph (100 km/h). After becoming a tropical storm, Debby rapidly intensified, and nearly reached hurricane status on September 10 at 0600 UTC. Approaching hurricane status, Tropical Storm Debby attained its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 1006 mbar (hPa; 29.71 inHg), which was twice as high as operationally observed at the time. Three hours after post-analysis indicated peak intensity, Tropical Depression Six was then upgraded to Tropical Storm Debby, operationally. It is possible that sustained winds associated with Tropical Storm Debby may fluctuated after passing the Windward Islands
Windward Islands
The Windward Islands are the southern islands of the Lesser Antilles, within the West Indies.-Name and geography:The Windward Islands are called such because they were more windward to sailing ships arriving in the New World than the Leeward Islands, given that the prevailing trade winds in the...
, although it is estimated that sustained winds remained between 60 and 70 mph (95 to 115 km/h).
Increasing wind shear began to disrupt the circulation of Tropical Storm Debby on September 11, although strong winds were still being reported. With wind shear affecting the system, a well-defined center of circulation became unidentifiable, as noted by the crew of another reconnaissance flight at 0200 UTC. Due to lack of well-defined center of circulation, Tropical Storm Debby dissipated at 0600 UTC on that day, although the National Hurricane Center issued advisories until 1500 UTC. The remnants of Tropical Storm Debby continued westward, bringing heavy rains and gusty winds to Hispaniola
Hispaniola
Hispaniola is a major island in the Caribbean, containing the two sovereign states of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The island is located between the islands of Cuba to the west and Puerto Rico to the east, within the hurricane belt...
and the rest of the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
before dissipating over Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
on September 15.
Preparations
Officials issued tropical storm warnings from Puerto RicoPuerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
to the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
and a tropical storm watch for Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
. Because of Debby's close proximity to the Leeward Islands, heavy rain was expected for the Virgin Islands
Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands are the western island group of the Leeward Islands, which are the northern part of the Lesser Antilles, which form the border between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean...
and Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
. After the storm struck the Windward Islands
Windward Islands
The Windward Islands are the southern islands of the Lesser Antilles, within the West Indies.-Name and geography:The Windward Islands are called such because they were more windward to sailing ships arriving in the New World than the Leeward Islands, given that the prevailing trade winds in the...
and dissipated, forecasters predicted that the remnants of Debby might swing northward and enter either the Atlantic or continue westward and enter the Florida Straits.
Impact
Debby brought heavy rains to MartiniqueMartinique
Martinique is an island in the eastern Caribbean Sea, with a land area of . Like Guadeloupe, it is an overseas region of France, consisting of a single overseas department. To the northwest lies Dominica, to the south St Lucia, and to the southeast Barbados...
with totals reaching as high as 7.2 in (183.8 mm) and winds gusts as high as 90 mph (145 km/h). In the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
, a weather station reported a 63 mph (101 km/h) gust although Debby had already been officially downgraded to a tropical wave when this reading took place.
In St. Lucia, Debby's heavy rains caused several landslides that killed four people and injured more than 600 others. The landslides blocked main roads and closed an airport and flooding was reported in Anse La Raye
Anse La Raye
Anse la Raye is a town in Saint Lucia; it is located on the island's western side, near Marigot Bay. It is a picturesque place with fine examples of French and English colonial architecture....
. In Martinique, about 200,000 people were left without power and there was moderate tree damage. Debby's winds damaged much of the banana
Banana
Banana is the common name for herbaceous plants of the genus Musa and for the fruit they produce. Bananas come in a variety of sizes and colors when ripe, including yellow, purple, and red....
crop in St. Lucia and Martinique
Martinique
Martinique is an island in the eastern Caribbean Sea, with a land area of . Like Guadeloupe, it is an overseas region of France, consisting of a single overseas department. To the northwest lies Dominica, to the south St Lucia, and to the southeast Barbados...
. Debby then brought 44 mph (71 km/h) winds to Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
, and caused coastal damage that amounted to $50,000 (1994 USD; $ USD) and high seas left a ferry stranded. The remnants of Debby also caused isolated flooding in the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
. There were three fatalities (all from electrocutions).
In all, Debby killed nine people and left two missing. Five were unaccounted for and more than a hundred people had been left homeless. The damage total from Debby was $230 million (1994 USD; $ USD).
See also
- Tropical cycloneTropical cycloneA 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...
- List of Atlantic hurricanes
- Timeline of the 1994 Atlantic hurricane seasonTimeline of the 1994 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 1994 Atlantic hurricane season was a below-average Atlantic hurricane season that produced seven named tropical cyclones. The season officially began on June 1 and ended on November 30, dates which conventionally limit the period of each year when tropical cyclones tend to form in the Atlantic....