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Home , Hurricane Elena, Hurricane Gloria, Hurricane Juan, Hurricane Juan (1985)

1985 - October-November 1985. Category 1 hurricane--LA and Southeast U.S.–severe flooding; $1.5 (2.8) billion damage/costs; 63 deaths.

Hurricane Juan - October 1985 Weather.gov > Mobile/Pensacola > Hurricane Juan - October 1985

Hurricane Juan - October 31, 1985

On October 24th in the year 1985, a of low pressure, which would eventually turn into Juan, slowly formed over the central . One day later, the low pressure system strengthened into a tropical depression. On the morning of the 26th, Juan continued to steadily strengthen and became a tropical storm. At this time, Juan had many of the characteristics of a subtropical storm with the band of strongest winds well away from the center of Juan and rather erratic movement. By the afternoon of the 27th, Juan strengthened into a hurricane. Visible satellite imagery of Hurricane Juan on the afternoon of the 28th can be seen on the right. As Juan continued to approach the coast for its first , it executed an interesting pretzel-shaped track. Juan made landfall for the first time on the morning of the 29th near Morgan City, LA only to re-emerge into the Gulf of Mexico offshore Vermillion Bay on the 30th as a tropical storm. Juan became a little more organized as it skirted along the coast of Louisiana as it meandered toward the east and then to the northeast. Juan made its second landfall near Gulf Shores, AL midday on Halloween (October 31st). Juan finally turned north and accelerating through the Midwest and into southern . Juan will be known for its unusual track across the southeastern US and therefore its very heavy rainfall across Louisiana, , and . Juan dropped upwards of 10-12 inches of across the area as seen in the WPC rainfall graphic below. During Juan, some of the higher rainfall totals across our area were 12.23 inches in Fairhope, AL and 11.71 inches in Pensacola, FL. Some of the worst flooding actually occurred on the 29th (before landfall) when more than 5 inches fell across Mobile and Baldwin Counties in southwest Alabama.

Much of the damage across the region was due to a combination of storm and heavy rain. Topsoil loses were reported as heavy and some farmers estimated 50% of the soybean crop was lost in Juan. The crop, which took a hard hit during the month prior, sustained additional losses when the nuts (ready for harvest) floated away. The pecan crop, which took a hard hit during Hurricane Elena the month prior, sustained additional losses when the nuts (ready for harvest) floated away. Minor to moderate erosion due to occurred

Article written earlier this week by hurricane author Rick Schwartz

Remembering the of 1985

November 5, 2010, marks the 25th anniversary of the "Great Election Day Flood" of 1985. It ranks among the most destructive natural to affect West and northwestern Virginia. The event is an example of how severe weather indirectly related to a hurricane can pound the Mid-Atlantic region.

Hurricane Juan made landfall along the central Gulf Coast and tracked several hundred miles west of the Middle Atlantic states on October 31 and November 1. An offshoot developed over and moved through Virginia and on November 2. A more vigorous low pressure system traveled from Florida to western Maryland from November 3-5. It brought a deluge to part of the Mid-Atlantic region on November 4-5. Double digit rainfall pelted in some sections of and northwestern VIrginia, along with widespread areas of 5 to 10 inches of rain, which fell on previously saturated ground.

West Virginia experienced epic flooding. At least 40 people died. The reported:

"Along many and streams, flooding of 100 to 500 year flood level frequencies occurred. Records were established in the headwaters of the Monongahela and Potomac basins, as well as along the Greenbrier and Little Kanawha rivers. Records were also set on the Tygart, West Fork and Cheat rivers. The most heavily damaged towns were Parsons, Rowlesburg, Albright, Petersburg, Franklin and Moorefield.

"A total of 29 counties were included in a declaration. Floodwaters washed away entire towns, roads and bridges. Of the nearly 9,000 homes affected, 4,000 were completely destroyed. Total damage estimations were in excess of $577 million."

The Potomac crested at 54 feet in Paw Paw, West Virginia (flood stage 25 feet). It reached 34 feet in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia (flood stage 18 feet).

The Cheat, Tygart and West Fork rivers flowing north out of West Virginia into Pennsylvania spread abundant ruin. Flooding devastated the Pennsylvania counties of Somerset, Allegheny, Westmoreland, Washington, Fayette and Green.

In Virginia, the James, Roanoke and other rivers went on sprees. At Lynchburg, the James climbed to 35 feet (flood stage 18 feet), shattering the 28 foot crest wrought by in 1969. The river crested in Richmond at 30.8 feet, above a flood stage of 9 feet.

The Roanoke River at Roanoke crested at 23.4 feet, eclipsing the previous standard of 19.6 feet set by in 1972. About 3,000 homes and 100 businesses were damaged or destroyed.

In Rockingham County, located in northwestern Virginia, floodwaters inundated 4,000 homes and 350 farms and closed 95 percent of the primary and secondary roads.

When the downpours ended, 40 counties in Virginia were declared federal disaster areas.

Flooding wasn't only the result of heavy rain. Persistent generated the worst rise in many years along the Chesapeake Bay and some of its tidal tributaries.

"Along the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries in southern Maryland," wrote Joseph Moyer, the Maryland state climatologist, "strong easterly winds combined with storm tides reaching 4 to 6 feet above normal, accompanied by waves of 6 to 8 feet, resulted in extensive damage to piers and sea walls, as well as to buildings and roads. Considerable beach and soil erosion was reported. Water levels were reported as the highest since the Hurricane of August 1933."

"Juan Big Storm," Patrick Michaels, Virginia's state climatologist called it. Well, at least Juan's offshoot was one big storm.

Rick Schwartz, author of Hurricanes and the Middle Atlantic States [email protected]

Hurricane Gloria

Category 4 major hurricane (SSHWS/NWS)

Hurricane Gloria near peak intensity to the northeast of on September 24

Formed September 16, 1985

Dissipated October 2, 1985

(Extratropical after September 28)

Highest winds 1-minute sustained:145 mph (230 km/h)

Lowest pressure 919 mbar (hPa); 27.14 inHg

Fatalities 14 total

Damage $900 million (1985 USD)

Areas affected North Carolina, Mid-Atlantic states, , ,

1985 season

Hurricane Gloria was the first significant to strike the northeastern since Hurricane Agnes in 1972 and the first major storm to affect New York and Long Island directly since in 1960. It was a powerful that formed during the 1985 Atlantic hurricane season, originating from a on September 16 in the eastern . After remaining a weak tropical cyclone for several days, Gloria intensified into a hurricane on September 22 north of the Lesser Antilles. During that time, the storm had moved generally westward, although it turned to the northwest due to a weakening of the ridge. Gloria quickly intensified on September 24, and the next day reached peak winds of 145 mph (230 km/h). The hurricane weakened before striking the of North Carolina on September 27. Later that day, Gloria made two subsequent on Long Island and later western , before becoming extratropical on September 28 over New England. The remnants moved through Atlantic Canada, eventually dissipating on October 2. Before Gloria made landfall, the National Hurricane Center issued hurricane warnings at some point for the East Coast of the United States from to . Hundreds of thousands of people evacuated, and the hurricane was described as the "storm of the century". In general, Gloria's strongest winds remained east of the center, which largely spared locations from North Carolina to , and the passage at low reduced storm surge. Hurricane-force winds and gusts affected much of the path, which knocked down trees and power lines. This left over 4 million people without power, including the worst power outage in Connecticut history related to a natural disaster. The extended power outage on Long Island, affecting 1.5 million people at some point, caused the Long Island Lighting Company to be shut down and be replaced with a public company. Fallen trees caused six of the storm's fourteen deaths. In North Carolina, high waves damaged many homes along the Outer Banks and caused heavy beach erosion. High waves also damaged piers, boats, and docks throughout the Mid-Atlantic states. Flooding forced several highways to close, and in Pennsylvania, thousands were forced to evacuate their homes. The storm surge destroyed 48 homes on Long Island, while the winds damaged the roofs of many more. Widespread crop damage occurred, amounting to about $20 million (1985 USD)[nb 1]. Overall damage in the United States was estimated at $900 million, which was less than expected. In neighboring Canada, the remnants of Gloria caused minor power outages in , although confusion related to the storm's arrival led to the creation of the Canadian Hurricane Centre.

The information is based on material from Rick Schwartz book, Hurricanes and the Middle Atlantic States . http://www.midatlantichurricanes.com/

Facts about Hurricane Gloria of 1985: Hurricane Gloria tracked about 75 miles off the Mid-Atlantic coast on September 27, 1985. It was a Category 3 shortly before reaching the , NC, area, and remained a Category 2 until landfall in eastern Long Island. Gloria’s passed over Cape Hatteras, where a barometric reading of 27.98 inches was recorded. Sustained winds along the Outer Banks were generally 80 to 90 mph, with the winds at Hatteras near 100 mph. Hurricane-force gusts lashed most coastal sections from Virginia Beach to the north Jersey Shore and damaged many Mid- Atlantic boardwalks. Gloria is the last significant hurricane to hammer the entire Mid- Atlantic coast. The storm soaked the region from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the coast. The Washington-Baltimore metropolitan areas had three to five inches of rain. Annapolis, Md., recorded 7.18 inches, and Cambridge, Md., reported 7.00 inches.

Hurricane Elena - August-September 1985. (2.4) billion Category 3 major hurricane (SSHWS/NWS)

Hurricane Elena in the Gulf of Mexico from Space Shuttle Discovery on September 1, 1985

Formed August 28, 1985

Dissipated September 4, 1985

Highest winds 1-minute sustained:125 mph (205 km/h)

Lowest pressure 953 mbar (hPa); 28.14 inHg

Fatalities 9 total

Damage $1.3 billion (1985 USD)

Areas affected , United States (Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, , )

Part of the 1985 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Elena was an unpredictable and damaging tropical cyclone that affected eastern and central portions of the United States Gulf Coast in late August and early September 1985. Threatening popular tourist destinations during Labor Day weekend, Elena repeatedly deviated from its forecast path, triggering evacuations of unprecedented extent. The hurricane wrought havoc to property and the environment between southwestern Florida and eastern Louisiana, though lesser effects were felt well beyond those areas. Elena developed on August 28 near Cuba, and after traveling lengthwise across the island with little impact, it entered the Gulf of Mexico and continued to strengthen. Initially projected to strike the central Gulf Coast, the hurricane unexpectedly veered toward the east on August 30, then stalled just 50 mi (80 km) west of Cedar Key, Florida. Despite predictions that Elena would continue eastward across Florida, the cyclone remained nearly stationary for about 48 hours, causing damage all along the eastern gulf with high winds and waves, before slowly moving northwest and ultimately making landfall near Biloxi, Mississippi, on September 2 as a Category 3 major hurricane. The storm quickly weakened upon moving ashore and dissipated on September 4. The hurricane's unpredictable shifts in direction created what was considered the largest peacetime evacuation in the nation's history. Evacuations occurred in sequence to follow the storm's forecast positions, and many residents and tourists along portions of the Gulf Coast were forced to leave twice in a matter of days. Preparations were generally timely and efficient, though accommodations and resources at storm shelters were stretched thin, and many refugees tried to return home against officials' orders. About 1.25 million people fled the storm in Florida alone, contributing to a region-wide total of nearly 2 million evacuees. Tropical cyclone warnings and watches were continuously issued and adjusted, and forecasters stressed the storm's destructive potential for days. Elena's slow movement off western Florida resulted in severe beach erosion and damage to coastal buildings, roads, and seawalls, especially to those of old or inadequate construction. Destruction was greatest near the shore and on islands such as Cedar Key and , though tornadoes spawned by the hurricane swept through communities and mobile home parks well inland. The hurricane devastated the Apalachicola Bay shellfish industry, killing large quantities of , destroying their reefs, and leaving thousands of workers unemployed. Farther west, Dauphin Island in Alabama endured wind gusts as high as 130 mph (210 km/h) and a significant storm surge. The island sustained some of the most significant damage inflicted by Elena, including several hundred damaged or demolished homes. The rest of the state's coast also sustained considerable damage, and the inland pecan and soybean crops were severely diminished in Alabama and Mississippi. Over 13,000 homes were damaged in Mississippi, and 200 were destroyed. Cities close to the Alabama border—including Pascagoula—experienced widespread damage to residences, schools, and businesses, and the community of Gautier was effectively isolated from the outside world. Several apparent but unconfirmed tornadoes appear to have exacerbated the damage in the Gulfport area. Wind damage extended into portions of eastern Louisiana. Overall, nine people died as a result of the hurricane: two in due to drownings in rip currents, three in Florida, two in Louisiana, one in Arkansas, and one in a maritime accident in the Gulf of Mexico. Damage totaled about $1.3 billion,[1] and power outages from the storm affected 550,000 people. In Elena's wake, President declared parts of Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida federal disaster areas, making storm victims eligible for financial aid and temporary housing. The name Elena was later retired from the cyclical list of Atlantic hurricane names because of the storm's effects.

Delta Air Lines Flight 191

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Delta Air Lines Flight 191

CG render of N726DA

Accident summary

Date August 2, 1985

Type Pilot error/wind shear/Microburst

Site Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport,Texas

Passengers 152

Crew 11

Injuries 27

Fatalities 135 (1 on the ground)

Survivors 27

Aircraft type Lockheed L-1011-385-1 TriStar

Operator Delta Air Lines Tail number N726DA

Flight origin Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport

Stopover Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport

Destination Los Angeles International Airport

Delta Air Lines Flight 191 was an airline service from Fort Lauderdale, Florida's Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, bound for Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, California, by way of Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. On the afternoon of August 2, 1985, Delta Air Lines flight 191 crashed while on a routine approach to the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, killing 8 of 11 crew members and 126 of the 152 passengers on board and one person on the ground: a total of 135 deaths. This accident is one of the few commercial air crashes in which the meteorological phenomenon known as microburst-induced wind shear was a direct contributing factor.

A Delta Air Lines L-1011

The airplane used on that day was N726DA, a Lockheed L-1011-385-1 TriStar, a workhorse in Delta's fleet at the time. N726DA was six years old having been delivered to Delta in 1979. The flight was piloted by Captain Edward "Ed" Connors, First Officer Rudolph "Rudy" Price and Second Officer Nick Nassick.[1]

Crash

NTSB map indicating locations of passengers according to lack of injury, types of injuries, and deaths As the aircraft flew over Louisiana, a formed directly in its path. The aircraft began its descent procedures over Louisiana, heading over the planned descent route. Captain Connors then recognized the forming thunderstorm and took action to change the plane's heading to avoid the turbulent weather.

At Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, weather was also poor and an isolated thunderstorm developed near DFW. The Captain and copilot noticed the isolated storm ahead, but decided to proceed through it anyway, which resulted in the aircraft getting caught up in a microburst.

At about 1500 feet above ground level (460 m), First Officer Price mentioned to Captain Connors that he saw lightning in one of the clouds ahead.

At 800 feet (240 m) above ground level, the airspeed increased without crew intervention. Although the aircraft was supposed to land at 149 knots IAS (276 km/h), its airspeed instead increased to 173 knots IAS (320 km/h). Price tried to stabilize the aircraft's speed, but Connors had recognized the aircraft's speed increase as a sign of wind shear, and he warned Price to watch the speed. Connors told Price, "you're going to lose it all of a sudden, there it is." Suddenly, the airspeed dropped from 173 to 133 knots IAS (320 to 246 km/h), and Price pushed the throttles forward, giving temporary lift. The airspeed then suddenly dropped to 119 knots IAS (220 km/h); on the cockpit voice recording Connors can be heard saying "Hang on to the son of a bitch!" In addition to the sudden tailwind, the aircraft also experienced a downdraft of more than 30 feet per second. This downdraft would reverse itself several times over the final moments of the flight.

As Price struggled to maintain control of the aircraft through rapidly changing wind conditions, it was hit by a sudden sideward gust, causing a rapid roll to the right and an increase in the aircraft's angle of attack. Price attempted to regain control by pushing the aircraft's nose down to avoid a stall, but the severe wind conditions continued to force the airplane towards the ground. Its descent rate reached 5,000 feet per minute at 280 feet above ground level. Price pulled the aircraft's nose up forcefully just before impact as the captain called "TOGA" ("Take Off/Go Around"), reducing the airplane's descent rate to 10 feet per second at the initial touchdown.

Delta Flight 191 first struck the ground on a field about 6,300 feet north of the approach end of runway 17L and bounced back into the air. Then, while crossing State Highway 114, it came down again, with an engine striking a black 1971 Toyota Celica vehicle, killing its occupant, William Hodge Mayberry. The aircraft also struck a highway light pole near its wing root, igniting the wing fuel tank, before skidding onto the airfield in Irving, colliding with two 4-million US gallon (15,000 m³) water tanks and exploding into flames. Most of the survivors of Flight 191 were located in the rear, smoking section of the aircraft, which broke free from the main fuselage before the aircraft hit the water tanks. Authorities took most of the survivors to Parkland Memorial Hospital.[1]

Two of the passengers who initially survived the impact died more than 30 days after the accident. On the ground, an airline employee who assisted the rescue of the passengers became hospitalized overnight after feeling chest and arm pains.[2]

Delta Air Lines Flight 191 has the second highest death toll of any aviation accident involving a Lockheed L-1011 anywhere in the world after Saudia Flight 163.

[edit]Investigation

Numerous public safety agencies responded to the crash including the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport Department of Public Safety, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Irving Fire Department, the Irving Police Department and all available third watch personnel from the Dallas Police Department's Northwest Patrol Division.

After a long investigation, the National Transportation Safety Board deemed the cause of the crash to be attributable to pilot error, combined with extreme weather phenomena associated with microburst-induced wind shear.[2][3]

The NTSB attributed the accident to lack of the ability to detect microbursts aboard aircraft; the radar equipment aboard aircraft at the time was unable to detect wind changes, only . After the investigation, NASA researchers at Langley Research Center modified a Boeing 737-200 as a testbed for an on- board Doppler weather radar. The resultant airborne wind shear detection and alert system was installed on many commercial airliners in the United States after the FAA mandated that all commercial aircraft must have on-board windshear detection systems.[4]

[edit]Legacy

The crash of Delta Flight 191 was later the subject of a television movie called Fire and Rain.

The crash of Delta Flight 191 was also shown on an episode of When Weather Changed History on The Weather Channel and in a British air accident series known as Black Box (Deadly Weather) from Channel 4.

"Slammed to the Ground" of Mayday (Air Crash Investigation or Air Emergency) on Discovery Channel Canada and National Geographic dramatized the disaster.

The flight number "191" has been associated with numerous crashes and incidents over the years, including the deadliest crash in United States History. It has even prompted some airlines to discontinue the use of this number. See Flight 191 (disambiguation) for more information. ]Memorial

In 2010 (25 years after the incident) a memorial was installed at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport's Founders Plaza.[5]

Passengers

ƒ Don Estridge, known to the world as the father of the IBM PC, died aboard this flight along with his wife, Mary Ann,[6] two IBM summer interns, and six additional family members of IBM employees.[7]

Florida Freeze - January 1985.

Severe freeze central/northern FL; about $1.2 (2.2) billion damage to citrus Industry.