A Short Summary | Hurricane David

Summary

Hurricane David (1979) was a powerful storm that rapidly intensified, reaching winds of 175 mph and making landfall in the Caribbean, Florida, and Georgia. Its unpredictable path led to devastating impacts, especially in Dominica, where 75% of the population became homeless, and significant crop damage occurred. With over 2,000 fatalities and $1.54 billion in damages, David remains one of the deadliest hurricanes of the 20th century. This storm was also notable for being the first male hurricane name retired, marking a new era of both male and female names in Atlantic hurricane history.

Takeaways

• 😀 Hurricane David, which occurred in 1979, began as a tropical depression southwest of the Cape Verde Islands on August 25th.
• 😀 By August 27th, David intensified into a hurricane, and by August 28th, it reached wind speeds of 150 mph, signaling rapid intensification.
• 😀 The hurricane peaked on August 30th, with winds reaching 175 mph and a pressure of 924 millibars.
• 😀 David made landfall near Santo Domingo, Puerto Rico, and later hit Eastern Cuba, Florida, and Georgia, causing significant damage.
• 😀 The hurricane caused 2,078 deaths and approximately 1.54 billion dollars in damage.
• 😀 One of the most devastating aspects of David's path was an unexpected northward shift, causing severe damage to Dominica, where residents were complacent.
• 😀 In Dominica, 75% of the population became homeless, and the capital, Roseau, suffered extensive damage, with 75% of crops destroyed.
• 😀 The Lesser Antilles were also severely impacted by crop damage, while the U.S. sustained localized wind damage due to the hurricane weakening.
• 😀 David was one of the rare Cape Verde hurricanes, which form in the Atlantic and are stronger due to favorable conditions in that region.
• 😀 David was the first hurricane to hit the Lesser Antilles since 1966, and it was one of only two Category 5 hurricanes to strike the Dominican Republic in the 20th century.
• 😀 Hurricane David was the deadliest storm since the 1930s and also the deadliest for Dominica since the 1834 Padre’s Hurricane.
• 😀 1979 was the first year to feature both male and female names in the Atlantic hurricane naming system, with David being the first male name to be retired.

Q & A

What was the starting point for Hurricane David's formation?

Hurricane David began as a tropical depression, spotted 1400 kilometers southwest of the Cape Verde Islands on August 25, 1979.

How quickly did Hurricane David intensify into a hurricane?

David became a hurricane by August 27, just two days after it was first spotted.

What were the peak wind speeds of Hurricane David?

At its peak, Hurricane David reached wind speeds of 175 mph, with a pressure minimum of 924 millibars.

What was the significance of David's landfall in the Caribbean?

David made landfall near Santo Domingo, Puerto Rico, and later struck Cuba and the Lesser Antilles. It was the first hurricane to strike the Lesser Antilles since 1966.

What was the unexpected change in Hurricane David's path?

The hurricane's path unexpectedly shifted northward, hitting Dominica with full force, which caused severe damage despite the country's previous complacency with lesser storms.

How much rainfall did Dominica experience due to Hurricane David?

Dominica saw around 10 inches of rain, contributing to the widespread flooding and destruction on the island.

What were the consequences for Dominica's population and infrastructure?

Seventy-five percent of Dominica's population became homeless, and the country's crops were almost entirely destroyed, with entire mountains laid bare by the storm.

How did the United States fare during Hurricane David?

While David weakened as it approached the United States, strong winds were localized, and around 400,000 people, including 300,000 in Florida, were evacuated. Damage was less severe but still significant.

Why was Hurricane David historically significant in terms of hurricane naming?

Hurricane David was the first male name to be used in the Atlantic hurricane naming system and was also the first male name to be retired, replaced by the name Danny.

How many deaths and how much damage were attributed to Hurricane David?

Hurricane David caused 2,078 deaths and approximately $1.54 billion in damages.

What made the damage from Hurricane David especially severe in Dominica?

The severity of the damage in Dominica was due to the storm's unexpected northward track, which brought the eye wall close to the island, causing it to experience extreme wind and rainfall.