Tropical Storm Debby (1994)
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| Tropical storm (SSHS) | ||
|---|---|---|
 Debby on September 9 |
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| Formed | September 9, 1994 | |
| Dissipated | September 11, 1994 | |
| Highest winds |
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| Lowest pressure | 1006 mbar (hPa) | |
| Damage | $230 million (1994 USD) [1] $311 million (2006 USD) |
|
| Fatalities | 9 direct , 2 missing | |
| Areas affected |
Leeward Islands, Dominican Republic | |
| Part of the 1994 Atlantic hurricane season |
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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.
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[edit] Storm history
A tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa on September 4 and moved across the central Atlantic without development. As the disturbance moved westward, Hurricane Hunter aircraft flew in the storm and reported winds between 50 to 60 knots (60 to 70 mph) and 50 knot winds at the surface. The data from the planes, satellite data and ship reports indicated that the disturbance had organized into Tropical Storm Debby on September 9. In post storm analysis, officials at the National Hurricane Center revealed that 18 hours before Debby was named, the storm had attained tropical depression status.[2]
Debby then moved westward where it encountered strong wind shear which prevented the storm from strengthening further. On September 10, Debby's winds fluctuated as it passed through the Leeward Islands. The following day, increasingly strong wind shear disrupted the storm's circulation and by 0200 UTC, the circulation was unidentifiable, causing Debby to be downgraded to a tropical wave. However, the remnants of Debby continued westward, bringing heavy rains and gusty winds to Hispanola and the rest of the Caribbean before dissipating over Mexico on September 15.[3]
[edit] Preparations
Officials issued tropical storm warnings from Puerto Rico 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. [4] After the storm struck the Leeward 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. [5]
[edit] Impact
Debby brought heavy rains to Martinique with totals reaching as high as 183.8 millimeters (7.2 inches) and winds gusts as high as 90 mph. In the Dominican Republic, a weather station reported a 54 knot (63 mph) gust although Debby had already been officially downgraded to a tropical wave when this reading took place. [6]
In St. Lucia, Debby's heavy rains caused several landslides that killed two people and injured twenty four 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 38 knot winds to Puerto Rico, and caused coastal damage that amounted to $50,000 dollars (1994 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).[3] [7] [8]
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, $294 million 2005 USD).
[edit] Lack of retirement
Because damage was not extreme, the name Debby was not retired, and was reused in the 2000 season.
[edit] Trivia
The world's first space-to-earth laser experiment was conducted on Tropical Storm Debby when NASA ground controllers and astronauts directed laser beams at the tropical storm from a Space Shuttle.[9]
