Tropical Storm Delia (1973)
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| Tropical storm (SSHWS/NWS) | |
 Track map of Tropical Storm Delia | |
| Formed | September 1, 1973 |
|---|---|
| Dissipated | September 7, 1973 |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 70 mph (110 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 986 mbar (hPa); 29.12 inHg |
| Fatalities | 2 direct, 3 indirect |
| Damage | $6 million (1973 USD) |
| Areas affected | Mexico and the Southern United States |
| Part of the 1973 Atlantic hurricane season | |
Tropical Storm Delia was the first tropical cyclone on record to make landfall in the same city twice.[1] Forming out of a tropical wave on September 1, Delia gradually strengthened into a tropical storm as it moved north by September 3. After reaching this strength, the storm turned more westward and further intensified, nearly attaining hurricane status the next day. The storm peaked with winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a barometric pressure of 986 mbar (hPa; 29.11 inHg). Several hours after reaching this intensity, Delia made landfall near Freeport, Texas; however, the storm began to execute a counterclockwise loop, resulting in the storm moving back over the Gulf of Mexico. On September 5, the storm made another landfall in Freeport before weakening to a depression. The remnants of Delia eventually dissipated early on September 7 over northern Mexico.
Due to the erratic movement of the storm along the Texas coastline, significant rainfall fell in areas near the center and in parts of Louisiana. This led to widespread flooding, especially of farmland, that left $6 million in damages. Additionally, five people were killed during the storm, two of which were caused by a direct result of Delia. Due to the relatively minimal damage caused by the storm, the name Delia was not retired; however, after male names were added to the list of Atlantic hurricane names, Delia was removed and has not been used to name a storm since.
Meteorological history
Tropical Storm Delia originated from a tropical wave that formed over the central Caribbean and tracked towards the west-northwest. Several days later, convective activity began to increase and the system became more organized. By August 31, a weak circulation formed over the Gulf of Honduras. This system tracked northward and further organized into a tropical depression just off the southeastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula on September 1. By September 3, the depression had intensified into a tropical storm, receiving the name Delia, and began tracking more towards the west. This upgrade followed a reconnaissance mission into the system that found sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h). A complex steering patter began to take place later on that day, resulting in the creation of a more hostile environment for tropical cyclones in the Gulf of Mexico.[1]
As Delia neared the Texas coastline, it managed to intensify into a strong tropical storm with winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and reconnaissance reported winds well in excess of hurricane-force in numerous squalls associated with the storm. The lowest pressure was recorded at 986 mbar (hPa; 29.11 inHg) but Delia was not classified a hurricane as it had not developed an eyewall around the center of circulation. Delia attained this intensity just before its first landfall in Freeport, Texas late on September 4. After executing a counterclockwise loop, the storm made its second landfall in Freeport again late on September 5. After moving inland, the storm quickly weakened, becoming a depression on September 6 before dissipating early the next day over northern Mexico.[1]
Preparations and impact
On September 3, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) issued a gale warning and hurricane watch for areas between Lake Charles, Louisiana and the mouth of the Mississippi. Later that day, they were extended westward to Palacios, Texas and eventually, warnings for areas east of Morgan City, Louisiana were canceled. Due to the unexpected loop taken by the storm, gale warnings were extended as far south as Baffin Bay, Texas. By September 6, the NHC discontinued all watches and warnings associated with the storm.[1] Around this time, the National Weather Service issued flood warnings and warned residents about the possibility of tornadoes with the weakening tropical storm.[2]
In Cameron, Louisiana, an estimated 6,000 residents were evacuated with memories of Hurricane Audrey, a storm that killed 575 in the city, still fresh.[3]
Due to the erratic track of the storm along the Texas coastline, widespread heavy rains fell in areas near the storm and in Louisiana. Tides up to 6 ft (1.8 m), in addition to rainfall up to 13.9 in (350 mm), caused significant flooding in the Galveston-Freeport area. Up to $3 million was reported in damages to homes due to the flooding. Throughout Louisiana, there was substantial flooding of farmland. Damages to crops amounted to $3 million. In addition to the flooding rains produced by Delia, eight tornadoes also touched down due to the storm, injuring four people. Five people were killed during Delia, two of which were directly related to the storm.[1] Two of the other deaths resulted from a car crash, triggered by slick roads, with the two occupants of a pickup truck being killed.[4] The fifth death resulted occurred while a man was boarding up his home and suffered a stress-induced heart attack.[1]
Due to the relatively minimal damage caused by the storm, the name Delia was not retired;[5] however, after male names were added to the list of Atlantic hurricane names, Delia was removed and has not been used to name a storm since.[6][7]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f Paul J. Herbert and Neil L. Frank (January 28, 1974). "Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1973" (PDF). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 27, 2009.
- ^ Associated Press (September 6, 1973). "Delia Brings Flood Warnings". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved September 27, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Associated Press (September 5, 1973). "Delia Throws Weak Punch At Galveston". The Evening Independent. Retrieved September 27, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Associated Press (September 5, 1973). "Tropical storm moves lazily on Texas coast". Eugene Register-Guard. Retrieved September 27, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ National Hurricane Center (April 22, 2009). "Retired Hurricane Names Since 1954". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved September 20, 2009.
- ^ National Hurricane Center (February 13, 2007). "Worldwide Tropical Cyclone Names". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved September 20, 2009.
- ^ Hurricane Specialists Unit (2009). "Easy to Read HURDAT 1851-2008". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 20, 2009.
External links
Tropical cyclones of the 1973 Atlantic hurricane season | ||
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