Hurricane Celia Research Paper

A tropical wave emerged into the Atlantic Ocean from the west coast of Africa on July 23. It moved rapidly western and reached the western Caribbean Sea by July 30.[8] On the following day, the system developed into a tropical depression near Grand Cayman. The depression tracked north-northwestward without significantly strengthening and struck crossed western Cuba on August 1.[1] Heavy rains on the island caused severe flooding, leading to five fatalities.[8] The depression entered the Gulf of Mexico and was upgraded to Tropical Storm Celia later on August 1.[1] Due to warm sea surface temperatures,[8] Celia rapidly intensified into a Category 3 hurricane on August 1.[1] Storm surge and swells lashed the west coast of Florida, especially the
The storm weakened further to a Category 1 hurricane on August 3. However, while approaching the Texas coastline later that day, Celia began to rapidly intensify again. At 1800 UTC on August 3, Celia attained its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 945 mbar (27.9 inHg).[1] In Louisiana, tides caused minor coastal flooding.[18] Late on August 3, Celia made landfall near Corpus Christi, Texas.[1] In Nueces County, wind gusts as high as 180 mph (290 km/h) were observed.[17] Severe damage occurred in the county, with 85% of Celia's total property losses caused in Corpus Christi alone. Approximately 90% of downtown buildings were damaged or destroyed, while about one-third of homes in the city suffered severe impact or were demolished.[17] Throughout the state, 8,950 homes were destroyed and damaged about 55,650 others. About 252 small businesses, 331 boats, and 310 farm buildings were either damaged or destroyed.[19] In Texas alone, Celia caused 15 deaths and $930 million in damage.[20] Celia weakened while moving further inland and dissipated over New Mexico on August
The depression moved generally westward and did not strengthen significantly. By August 11, it curved west-northwestward and degenerated into an open trough on August 12, while well east of the Lesser Antilles.[5] However, the remnants re-developed into a tropical depression about 95 mi (155 km) east-northeast of the Abaco Islands in the Bahamas at 12:00 UTC on August 15. Initially, the depression continued moving west-northwestward, before turning northward early the following day. Around 06:00 UTC on August 16, the system made landfall near Beaufort, North Carolina, with winds of 35 mph (55 km/h). After re-emerging into the Atlantic early on August 18, the depression moved northeastward and intensified into a tropical storm. The ship Hotel observed sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) around that time. At 18:00 UTC, the storm peaked with winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 992 mbar (29.3 inHg). Shortly thereafter, the cyclone became extratropical about 180 mi (290 km) east of Sable