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{{Short description|Category 4 Atlantic hurricane in 1959}}
{{Short description|Category 4 Atlantic hurricane in 1959}}
{{For|storms with the similar name "Grace"|List of storms named Grace}}
<!-- Find a picture and remove the "nopic" from this template! -->
{{Infobox Hurricane
{{Infobox weather event
| Name=Hurricane Gracie
| image = Hurricane Gracie on radar scope in September 1959.jpg
⚫
| caption = Radar image of Hurricane Gracie taken by the United States Navy
| Type=hurricane
| Year=1959
| formed = September 20, 1959
⚫
| extratropical = September 30, 1959
| Basin=Atl
| Formed=September 20, 1959
| dissipated = October 2, 1959
}}{{Infobox weather event/NWS
⚫
| Dissipated=September 30, 1959
⚫
| winds = 120
| Image location=Hurricane Gracie on radar scope in September 1959.jpg
| pressure = 950
⚫
| Image name=Radar image of Hurricane Gracie taken by the United States Navy
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
⚫
| 1-min winds=120
| year = 1959
| Pressure=950
⚫
| fatalities = 22 direct
| Damages=14
| damage = 14000000
⚫
| Fatalities=22 direct
| areas = [[Bahamas]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], [[The Carolinas]], [[Virginia]], [[Northeastern United States]], [[Atlantic Canada]]
| Inflated=0
| refs =
| Areas=[[Bahamas]], [[South Carolina]], [[North Carolina]], [[Virginia]]
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer
| Hurricane season=[[1959 Atlantic hurricane season]]
| season = [[1959 Atlantic hurricane season]]
}}
}}


'''Hurricane Gracie''' was a major [[hurricane]] that formed in September 1959, the strongest during the [[1959 Atlantic hurricane season]] and the most intense to strike the [[United States]] since [[Hurricane Hazel]] in 1954.<ref name="NHC1">[[National Hurricane Center]]. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1959/gracie/prenhc/prelim01.gif Preliminary Report on Hurricane Gracie: September 22-October 1, 1959.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227010046/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1959/gracie/prenhc/prelim01.gif |date=February 27, 2008 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-07.</ref> The system was first noted as an area of thunderstorms east of the [[Lesser Antilles]] which moved just north of the [[Greater Antilles]], quickly intensifying into a hurricane on September 22. Gracie was a storm that was very difficult to forecast, with its movement unpredictable.<ref name="AH">Allan Huffman [http://raleighwx.easternuswx.com/gracie.html Hurricane Gracie.] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.is/20090509151512/http://raleighwx.easternuswx.com/gracie.html |date=May 9, 2009 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-07.</ref> After five days of erratic motion, Gracie became a major hurricane which struck [[South Carolina]], and weakened as it moved up the [[Appalachians]], bringing much needed rain to a drought-plagued region. Much of the destruction related with Gracie was centered on [[Beaufort, South Carolina]]. Gracie became an [[extratropical cyclone]] on September 30 while moving through the Eastern United States.
'''Hurricane Gracie''' was a major [[hurricane]] that formed in September 1959, the strongest during the [[1959 Atlantic hurricane season]] and the most intense to strike the United States since [[Hurricane Hazel]] in 1954.<ref name="NHC1">[[National Hurricane Center]]. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1959/gracie/prenhc/prelim01.gif Preliminary Report on Hurricane Gracie: September 22-October 1, 1959.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227010046/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1959/gracie/prenhc/prelim01.gif |date=February 27, 2008 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-07.</ref> The system was first noted as an area of thunderstorms east of the [[Lesser Antilles]] which moved just north of the [[Greater Antilles]], quickly intensifying into a hurricane on September 22. Gracie was a storm that was very difficult to forecast, with its movement unpredictable.<ref name="AH">Allan Huffman [http://raleighwx.easternuswx.com/gracie.html Hurricane Gracie.] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20090509151512/http://raleighwx.easternuswx.com/gracie.html |date=May 9, 2009 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-07.</ref> After five days of erratic motion, Gracie became a major hurricane which struck [[South Carolina]], and weakened as it moved up the [[Appalachians]], bringing much needed rain to a drought-plagued region. Much of the destruction related with Gracie was centered on [[Beaufort, South Carolina]]. Gracie became an [[extratropical cyclone]] on September 30 while moving through the Eastern United States.


==Meteorological history==
==Meteorological history==
{{storm path|Gracie 1959 track.png}}
{{storm path|Gracie 1959 track.png}}
An area of [[squall]]y weather was first noted a few hundred miles east of the Lesser Antilles on September 18.<ref>[[National Hurricane Center]]. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1959/gracie/prenhc/prelim03.gif San Juan Weather Bureau Weather Bulletin for Press Radio and Television 3 PM September 18 1959.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227010036/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1959/gracie/prenhc/prelim03.gif |date=2008-02-27 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-07.</ref> The convective area organized into a tropical depression near the north coast of [[Hispaniola]] on September 20. After moving west-northwestward for a day, it turned northeastward, where upper level winds were very favorable and steering currents were very weak. On September 22 Gracie was named as a tropical depression before it developed into Tropical Storm Gracie,<ref>[[National Hurricane Center]]. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1959/gracie/prenhc/prelim07.gif Miami Weather Bureau Advisory Number 1 Tropical Depression Gracie 1030 AM EST September 22 1959.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227010020/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1959/gracie/prenhc/prelim07.gif |date=2008-02-27 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-07.</ref> followed by reaching hurricane strength later that night. It turned to the east on September 25, and turned back west to west-northwest on September 27 as a stable anticyclone built in to its north.<ref name="AH"/><ref name="disc1">{{cite web|author=Weather Underground|year=2007|title=Hurricane Gracie|publisher=Wunderground.com|access-date=2007-11-08|url=http://www.wunderground.com/hurricane/at195908.asp|archive-date=2007-09-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070916213853/http://www.wunderground.com/hurricane/at195908.asp|url-status=live}}</ref>
An area of [[squall]]y weather was first noted a few hundred miles east of the Lesser Antilles on September 18.<ref>[[National Hurricane Center]]. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1959/gracie/prenhc/prelim03.gif San Juan Weather Bureau Weather Bulletin for Press Radio and Television 3 PM September 18 1959.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227010036/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1959/gracie/prenhc/prelim03.gif |date=2008-02-27 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-07.</ref> The convective area organized into a tropical depression near the north coast of [[Hispaniola]] on September 20. After moving west-northwestward for a day, it turned northeastward, where upper-level winds were very favorable and steering currents were very weak. On September 22 Gracie was named as a tropical depression before it developed into Tropical Storm Gracie,<ref>[[National Hurricane Center]]. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1959/gracie/prenhc/prelim07.gif Miami Weather Bureau Advisory Number 1 Tropical Depression Gracie 1030 AM EST September 22 1959.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227010020/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1959/gracie/prenhc/prelim07.gif |date=2008-02-27 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-07.</ref> followed by reaching hurricane strength later that night. It turned to the east on September 25, and turned back west to west-northwest on September 27 as a stable anticyclone built in to its north.<ref name="AH"/><ref name="disc1">{{cite web|author=Weather Underground|year=2007|title=Hurricane Gracie|publisher=Wunderground.com|access-date=2007-11-08|url=http://www.wunderground.com/hurricane/at195908.asp|archive-date=2007-09-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070916213853/http://www.wunderground.com/hurricane/at195908.asp|url-status=live}}</ref>


Gracie quickly strengthened and reached its peak of {{convert|140|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} winds on September 29, but cooler air and land interaction weakened it slightly to a 130&nbsp;mph (215&nbsp;km/h) [[Category 4 hurricane|Category 4]] major hurricane at the time of its landfall at 1625 [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]] over [[Saint Helena Sound|St. Helena Sound]] near the south end of [[Edisto, South Carolina|Edisto Island]] in [[South Carolina]].<ref name="Reanalysis 1956-1960">{{cite web|title=Reanalysis of 1956 to 1960 Atlantic hurricane seasons completed|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/news/20160720_pa_1956to1960Reanalysis.pdf|website=National Hurricane Center|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=4 November 2016|archive-date=11 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161211052703/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/news/20160720_pa_1956to1960Reanalysis.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[[National Hurricane Center]]. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1959/gracie/prenhc/prelim30.gif Local Statement from Weather Bureau Charleston South Carolina Hurricane Gracie 12 Noon EST September 29 1959.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227010038/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1959/gracie/prenhc/prelim30.gif |date=2008-02-27 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-07.</ref> After landfall, Gracie moved inland and north and became extratropical on September 30.<ref name="hurdat">{{cite web|title=Atlantic Hurricane Best Track Data 1851-2015|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/hurdat/hurdat2-1851-2015-070616.txt|website=National Hurricane Center|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=4 November 2016|archive-date=4 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161004150702/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/hurdat/hurdat2-1851-2015-070616.txt|url-status=live}}</ref>
Gracie quickly strengthened and reached its peak of {{convert|140|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} winds on September 29, but cooler air and land interaction weakened it slightly to a 130&nbsp;mph (215&nbsp;km/h) [[Category 4 hurricane|Category 4]] major hurricane at the time of its landfall at 1625 [[UTC]] over [[Saint Helena Sound|St. Helena Sound]] near the south end of [[Edisto, South Carolina|Edisto Island]] in [[South Carolina]].<ref name="Reanalysis 1956-1960">{{cite web|title=Reanalysis of 1956 to 1960 Atlantic hurricane seasons completed|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/news/20160720_pa_1956to1960Reanalysis.pdf|website=National Hurricane Center|access-date=4 November 2016|archive-date=11 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161211052703/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/news/20160720_pa_1956to1960Reanalysis.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[[National Hurricane Center]]. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1959/gracie/prenhc/prelim30.gif Local Statement from Weather Bureau Charleston South Carolina Hurricane Gracie 12 Noon EST September 29 1959.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227010038/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1959/gracie/prenhc/prelim30.gif |date=2008-02-27 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-07.</ref> After landfall, Gracie moved inland and north and became extratropical on September 30. Gracie's remnants persisted for several days as they slowly turned northeastward and then eastward. Gracie's remnants emerged into the Atlantic on October 2, before dissipating later that day.<ref name="hurdat">{{cite web|title=Atlantic Hurricane Best Track Data 1851-2015|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/hurdat/hurdat2-1851-2015-070616.txt|website=National Hurricane Center|access-date=4 November 2016|archive-date=4 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161004150702/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/hurdat/hurdat2-1851-2015-070616.txt|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Preparations==
==Preparations==
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===Georgia and South Carolina===
===Georgia and South Carolina===
[[Image:Gracie_1959_rainfall.gif|thumb|250 px|Gracie's [[Rainfall]] across the United States]]
[[File:Gracie_1959_rainfall.gif|thumb|250 px|Gracie's [[Rainfall]] across the United States]]
Storm surge flooding was minimal due to the storm's landfall near the time of low [[tide]].<ref name="NHC1"/> However, Charleston still recorded their highest tide since 1940.<ref>[[National Hurricane Center]]. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1959/gracie/prenhc/prelim31.gif Tide Statement Weather Bureau Office Charleston South Carolina 2:30 PM EST September 29 1959.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227010035/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1959/gracie/prenhc/prelim31.gif |date=2008-02-27 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-07.</ref> Along the coast of southern South Carolina, the storm tide was measured up to {{convert|11.9|ft|m}} above mean lower low water (the average level of the lowest low tide each day).<ref>D. Lee Harris. [http://www.csc.noaa.gov/hes/images/pdf/CHARACTERISTICS_STORM_SURGE.pdf U. S. Department of Commerce Weather Bureau Technical Paper No. 48: Characteristics of the Hurricane Storm Surge.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516215010/http://www.csc.noaa.gov/hes/images/pdf/CHARACTERISTICS_STORM_SURGE.pdf |date=2013-05-16 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-12.</ref> The [[United States Coast Guard]] vessel Bramble evacuated people stranded in Savannah and Charleston on September 30.<ref>[[United States Coast Guard]]. [http://www.uscg.mil/systems/gse/180%20histcontextno%20pics.html Historical Context and Statement of Significance Cactus, Mesquite, and Basswood Classes United States Coast Guard 180-foot Buoy Tenders (WLBs).] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920112830/http://www.uscg.mil/Systems/gse/180%20histcontextno%20pics.html |date=2008-09-20 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-12.</ref> Gracie killed 10&nbsp;people in [[South Carolina]] and [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], mainly due to wind and rain-induced automobile accidents, falling trees and electrocution by live wires. The Garden Club of South Carolina replaced numerous trees after the storm.<ref>South Carolina Department of Transportation. [http://www.scdot.org/ArtMan/publish/article_658.shtml State Highway Map Features Garden Club o South Carolina.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728031448/http://www.scdot.org/ArtMan/publish/article_658.shtml |date=2011-07-28 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-11.</ref> Wind damage was quite significant across [[South Carolina]], particularly the city of Beaufort, South Carolina, with many downed trees, telephone poles, and streetlights. Also, numerous windows were shattered and shingles were torn off of roofs. A number of creeks overflowed causing floodwaters that, in areas, were several feet deep. The opening of the Beaufort Center of the [[University of South Carolina]] was delayed due to Gracie.<ref>[[University of South Carolina]]. [http://www.sc.edu/bulletin/archives/2002-2003/Beaufort/Univ.html USC Beaufort.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108113739/http://www.sc.edu/bulletin/archives/2002-2003/Beaufort/Univ.html |date=2009-01-08 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-11.</ref> It would be 30&nbsp;years before another major hurricane struck South Carolina: [[Hurricane Hugo]] in September 1989.<ref name="hurdat"/>
[[Storm surge]] flooding was minimal due to the storm's landfall near the time of low [[tide]].<ref name="NHC1"/> However, Charleston still recorded their highest tide since 1940.<ref>[[National Hurricane Center]]. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1959/gracie/prenhc/prelim31.gif Tide Statement Weather Bureau Office Charleston South Carolina 2:30 PM EST September 29 1959.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227010035/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1959/gracie/prenhc/prelim31.gif |date=2008-02-27 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-07.</ref> Along the coast of southern South Carolina, the storm tide was measured up to {{convert|11.9|ft|m}} above mean lower low water (the average level of the lowest low tide each day).<ref>D. Lee Harris. [http://www.csc.noaa.gov/hes/images/pdf/CHARACTERISTICS_STORM_SURGE.pdf U. S. Department of Commerce Weather Bureau Technical Paper No. 48: Characteristics of the Hurricane Storm Surge.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516215010/http://www.csc.noaa.gov/hes/images/pdf/CHARACTERISTICS_STORM_SURGE.pdf |date=2013-05-16 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-12.</ref> The [[United States Coast Guard]] vessel Bramble evacuated people stranded in Savannah and Charleston on September 30.<ref>[[United States Coast Guard]]. [http://www.uscg.mil/systems/gse/180%20histcontextno%20pics.html Historical Context and Statement of Significance Cactus, Mesquite, and Basswood Classes United States Coast Guard 180-foot Buoy Tenders (WLBs).] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920112830/http://www.uscg.mil/Systems/gse/180%20histcontextno%20pics.html |date=2008-09-20 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-12.</ref> Gracie killed 10&nbsp;people in [[South Carolina]] and [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], mainly due to wind and rain-induced automobile accidents, falling trees and electrocution by live wires. The Garden Club of South Carolina replaced numerous trees after the storm.<ref>South Carolina Department of Transportation. [http://www.scdot.org/ArtMan/publish/article_658.shtml State Highway Map Features Garden Club o South Carolina.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728031448/http://www.scdot.org/ArtMan/publish/article_658.shtml |date=2011-07-28 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-11.</ref> Wind damage was quite significant across [[South Carolina]], particularly the city of Beaufort, South Carolina, with many downed trees, telephone poles, and streetlights. Also, numerous windows were shattered and shingles were torn off of roofs. A number of creeks overflowed causing floodwaters that, in areas, were several feet deep. The opening of the Beaufort Center of the [[University of South Carolina]] was delayed due to Gracie.<ref>[[University of South Carolina]]. [http://www.sc.edu/bulletin/archives/2002-2003/Beaufort/Univ.html USC Beaufort.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108113739/http://www.sc.edu/bulletin/archives/2002-2003/Beaufort/Univ.html |date=2009-01-08 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-11.</ref> It would be 30&nbsp;years before another major hurricane struck South Carolina: [[Hurricane Hugo]] in September 1989.<ref name="hurdat"/>


===Elsewhere in the United States===
===Elsewhere in the United States===
Heavy rains fell well ahead of the storm along an inverted trough extending north of the storm, causing {{convert|6.79|in|mm}} between the mornings of September 28 and September 29 at [[Norfolk, Virginia]].<ref>Daily Weather Maps. [http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/dwm/1959/19590929.djvu September 29, 1959.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223201113/http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/dwm/1959/19590929.djvu |date=February 23, 2012 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-12.</ref> The highest rainfall amount measured during the storm was {{convert|13.20|in|mm}} at Big Meadows.<ref>David M. Roth. [http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/gracie1959.html Hurricane Gracie Rainfall Page.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921133454/http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/gracie1959.html |date=2013-09-21 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-17.</ref> The storm spawned six tornadoes in all.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/tornado/1959/9/table |title=Archived copy |access-date=2020-07-07 |archive-date=2020-07-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706082934/http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/tornado/1959/9/table |url-status=live }}</ref> This included three F3 [[tornado]]es which accompanied the dissipating storm through [[Virginia]], killing 12 people and injuring 13 near [[Charlottesville, Virginia]]. Three F1 tornadoes had touched down in the Carolinas prior to those touching down.<ref>Virginia Department of Emergency Management. [http://www.vdem.state.va.us/newsroom/history/hurricane.cfm Virginia's Weather History: Virginia Hurricanes.] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100717010736/http://www.vdem.state.va.us/newsroom/history/hurricane.cfm |date=July 17, 2010 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-11.</ref> For the most part, rainfall from Gracie was beneficial as it moved up the Appalachians since the area had been in a drought preceding the [[cyclone]].<ref name="NHC2">[[National Hurricane Center]]. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1959/gracie/prenhc/prelim02.gif Hurricane Gracie Preliminary Storm Report, page 2.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227010040/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1959/gracie/prenhc/prelim02.gif |date=2008-02-27 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-07.</ref>
Heavy rains fell well ahead of the storm along an inverted trough extending north of the storm, causing {{convert|6.79|in|mm}} between the mornings of September 28 and September 29 at [[Norfolk, Virginia]].<ref>Daily Weather Maps. [http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/dwm/1959/19590929.djvu September 29, 1959.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223201113/http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/dwm/1959/19590929.djvu |date=February 23, 2012 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-12.</ref> The highest rainfall amount measured during the storm was {{convert|13.20|in|mm}} at Big Meadows.<ref>David M. Roth. [http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/gracie1959.html Hurricane Gracie Rainfall Page.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921133454/http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/gracie1959.html |date=2013-09-21 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-17.</ref> The storm spawned six tornadoes in all.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/tornado/1959/9/table |title=Tornado History Project: September, 1959 |access-date=2020-07-07 |archive-date=2020-07-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706082934/http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/tornado/1959/9/table |url-status=live }}</ref> This included three F3 [[tornado]]es which accompanied the dissipating storm through [[Virginia]], killing 12 people and injuring 13 near [[Charlottesville, Virginia]]. Three F1 tornadoes had touched down in the Carolinas prior to those touching down.<ref>Virginia Department of Emergency Management. [http://www.vdem.state.va.us/newsroom/history/hurricane.cfm Virginia's Weather History: Virginia Hurricanes.] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100717010736/http://www.vdem.state.va.us/newsroom/history/hurricane.cfm |date=July 17, 2010 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-11.</ref> For the most part, rainfall from Gracie was beneficial as it moved up the Appalachians since the area had been in a drought preceding the [[cyclone]].<ref name="NHC2">[[National Hurricane Center]]. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1959/gracie/prenhc/prelim02.gif Hurricane Gracie Preliminary Storm Report, page 2.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227010040/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1959/gracie/prenhc/prelim02.gif |date=2008-02-27 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-07.</ref>


==Long-term impact==
==Long-term impact==
[[Edisto Beach, South Carolina]] was changed forever by Gracie, due to human efforts to renourish the [[beach]] after its passage. Most of the shell hash beach currently at Edisto was placed there after Gracie. In order to expand the beach, an inland [[marsh]] was excavated and moved to the shoreline. This created highly desirable beach front property which led to new development along the coast seaward of Palmetto Boulevard, but also created an environmental catastrophe along the nearby ocean floor.<ref>Gered Lennon. [https://books.google.com/books?id=EpHzhOo5EzUC&pg=PA118&lpg=PA118&dq=hurricane+gracie+1959&source=web&ots=34hj2dLRTa&sig=hHuf_BjTl5bpLSwA942_IUnyPOM#PPA119,M1 Living With the South Carolina Coast.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803052546/https://books.google.com/books?id=EpHzhOo5EzUC&pg=PA118&lpg=PA118&dq=hurricane+gracie+1959&source=web&ots=34hj2dLRTa&sig=hHuf_BjTl5bpLSwA942_IUnyPOM#PPA119,M1 |date=2020-08-03 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-11.</ref> A species of [[isopod]] which grows in coastal estuaries, the Cyathura Polita, disappeared after the passage of this hurricane from the [[Ashepoo River]] in South Carolina.<ref>William D. Burbanck. [https://www.jstor.org/stable/1932259 The Disappearance of Cyathura Polita from the Ashepoo River, South Carolina, After Hurricane "Gracie" in 1959.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804045112/https://www.jstor.org/stable/1932259 |date=2020-08-04 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-11.</ref> The [[Kermadec petrel]], a bird, was swept to Lookout Mountain Sanctuary in [[Pennsylvania]] during Gracie, marking the first time it appeared in North America.<ref>[[University of New Mexico]]. [http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Wilson/v073n03/p0262-p0267.html Kermadec Petrel in Pennsylvania.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070818131621/http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Wilson/v073n03/p0262-p0267.html |date=2007-08-18 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-11.</ref>
[[Edisto Beach, South Carolina]] was changed forever by Gracie, due to human efforts to renourish the [[beach]] after its passage. Most of the shell hash beach currently at Edisto was placed there after Gracie. In order to expand the beach, an inland [[marsh]] was excavated and moved to the shoreline. This created highly desirable beach front property which led to new development along the coast seaward of Palmetto Boulevard, but also created an environmental catastrophe along the nearby ocean floor.<ref>Gered Lennon. [https://books.google.com/books?id=EpHzhOo5EzUC&dq=hurricane+gracie+1959&pg=PA119 Living With the South Carolina Coast.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803052546/https://books.google.com/books?id=EpHzhOo5EzUC&pg=PA118&lpg=PA118&dq=hurricane+gracie+1959&source=web&ots=34hj2dLRTa&sig=hHuf_BjTl5bpLSwA942_IUnyPOM#PPA119,M1 |date=2020-08-03 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-11.</ref> A species of [[isopod]] which grows in coastal estuaries, the Cyathura Polita, disappeared after the passage of this hurricane from the [[Ashepoo River]] in South Carolina.<ref>William D. Burbanck. [https://www.jstor.org/stable/1932259 The Disappearance of Cyathura Polita from the Ashepoo River, South Carolina, After Hurricane "Gracie" in 1959.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804045112/https://www.jstor.org/stable/1932259 |date=2020-08-04 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-11.</ref> The [[Kermadec petrel]], a bird, was swept to Lookout Mountain Sanctuary in [[Pennsylvania]] during Gracie, marking the first time it appeared in North America.<ref>[[University of New Mexico]]. [http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Wilson/v073n03/p0262-p0267.html Kermadec Petrel in Pennsylvania.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070818131621/http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Wilson/v073n03/p0262-p0267.html |date=2007-08-18 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-11.</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
{{Portal|Tropical cyclones}}
{{Portal|Tropical cyclones}}
* [[List of Atlantic hurricanes]]
* [[List of Category 4 Atlantic hurricanes]]
* [[List of tropical cyclones]]
* [[List of United States hurricanes]]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [https://archive.is/20070701111059/http://raleighwx.easternuswx.com/gracie.html Hurricane Gracie Information] ([https://archive.is/20070701111059/http://raleighwx.easternuswx.com/gracie.html archived])
* [https://archive.today/20070701111059/http://raleighwx.easternuswx.com/gracie.html Hurricane Gracie Information] ([https://archive.today/20070701111059/http://raleighwx.easternuswx.com/gracie.html archived])
{{Category 4 Atlantic hurricanes}}
{{Category 4 Atlantic hurricanes}}
{{1959 Atlantic hurricane season buttons}}
{{1959 Atlantic hurricane season buttons}}

Latest revision as of 20:40, 8 May 2024

For storms with the similar name "Grace", see List of storms named Grace.
Hurricane Gracie
Radar image of Hurricane Gracie taken by the United States Navy
Meteorological history
FormedSeptember 20, 1959
ExtratropicalSeptember 30, 1959
DissipatedOctober 2, 1959
Category 4 major hurricane
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds140 mph (220 km/h)
Lowest pressure950 mbar (hPa); 28.05 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities22 direct
Damage$14 million (1959 USD)
Areas affectedBahamas, Georgia, The Carolinas, Virginia, Northeastern United States, Atlantic Canada
IBTrACSEdit this at Wikidata
Part of the 1959 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Gracie was a major hurricane that formed in September 1959, the strongest during the 1959 Atlantic hurricane season and the most intense to strike the United States since Hurricane Hazel in 1954.[1] The system was first noted as an area of thunderstorms east of the Lesser Antilles which moved just north of the Greater Antilles, quickly intensifying into a hurricane on September 22. Gracie was a storm that was very difficult to forecast, with its movement unpredictable.[2] After five days of erratic motion, Gracie became a major hurricane which struck South Carolina, and weakened as it moved up the Appalachians, bringing much needed rain to a drought-plagued region. Much of the destruction related with Gracie was centered on Beaufort, South Carolina. Gracie became an extratropical cyclone on September 30 while moving through the Eastern United States.

Meteorological history

[edit]
Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

An area of squally weather was first noted a few hundred miles east of the Lesser Antilles on September 18.[3] The convective area organized into a tropical depression near the north coast of Hispaniola on September 20. After moving west-northwestward for a day, it turned northeastward, where upper-level winds were very favorable and steering currents were very weak. On September 22 Gracie was named as a tropical depression before it developed into Tropical Storm Gracie,[4] followed by reaching hurricane strength later that night. It turned to the east on September 25, and turned back west to west-northwest on September 27 as a stable anticyclone built in to its north.[2][5]

Gracie quickly strengthened and reached its peak of 140 mph (230 km/h) winds on September 29, but cooler air and land interaction weakened it slightly to a 130 mph (215 km/h) Category 4 major hurricane at the time of its landfall at 1625 UTC over St. Helena Sound near the south end of Edisto Island in South Carolina.[6][7] After landfall, Gracie moved inland and north and became extratropical on September 30. Gracie's remnants persisted for several days as they slowly turned northeastward and then eastward. Gracie's remnants emerged into the Atlantic on October 2, before dissipating later that day.[8]

Preparations

[edit]

A hurricane watch was issued for the coast of the United States from Savannah, Georgia to Wilmington, North Carolina at 1600 UTC on September 28, which were quickly updated to hurricane warnings by 1900 UTC the same day.[1] By 1900 UTC, gale warnings were in effect from Daytona Beach, Florida to Savannah, Georgia as well as from Wilmington to Morehead City, North Carolina.[9] At 1200 UTC on September 29, gale warnings were dropped south of Brunswick, Georgia.[10] At 2200 UTC, gale warnings were extended northward to Cape May, New Jersey, including Chesapeake Bay and Delaware Bay.[11] At 0400 UTC on September 30, all warnings south of Cape Hatteras were dropped, leaving gale warnings in effect from Cape Hatteras northward.[12] At 1000 UTC, small craft were advised to remain in port from Cape May northward to Block Island, Rhode Island.[13] By 1600 UTC, due to Gracie's continued weakening, all remaining gale warnings were downgraded to small craft warnings.[14]

Impact

[edit]

Georgia and South Carolina

[edit]
Gracie's Rainfall across the United States

Storm surge flooding was minimal due to the storm's landfall near the time of low tide.[1] However, Charleston still recorded their highest tide since 1940.[15] Along the coast of southern South Carolina, the storm tide was measured up to 11.9 feet (3.6 m) above mean lower low water (the average level of the lowest low tide each day).[16] The United States Coast Guard vessel Bramble evacuated people stranded in Savannah and Charleston on September 30.[17] Gracie killed 10 people in South Carolina and Georgia, mainly due to wind and rain-induced automobile accidents, falling trees and electrocution by live wires. The Garden Club of South Carolina replaced numerous trees after the storm.[18] Wind damage was quite significant across South Carolina, particularly the city of Beaufort, South Carolina, with many downed trees, telephone poles, and streetlights. Also, numerous windows were shattered and shingles were torn off of roofs. A number of creeks overflowed causing floodwaters that, in areas, were several feet deep. The opening of the Beaufort Center of the University of South Carolina was delayed due to Gracie.[19] It would be 30 years before another major hurricane struck South Carolina: Hurricane Hugo in September 1989.[8]

Elsewhere in the United States

[edit]

Heavy rains fell well ahead of the storm along an inverted trough extending north of the storm, causing 6.79 inches (172 mm) between the mornings of September 28 and September 29 at Norfolk, Virginia.[20] The highest rainfall amount measured during the storm was 13.20 inches (335 mm) at Big Meadows.[21] The storm spawned six tornadoes in all.[22] This included three F3 tornadoes which accompanied the dissipating storm through Virginia, killing 12 people and injuring 13 near Charlottesville, Virginia. Three F1 tornadoes had touched down in the Carolinas prior to those touching down.[23] For the most part, rainfall from Gracie was beneficial as it moved up the Appalachians since the area had been in a drought preceding the cyclone.[24]

Long-term impact

[edit]

Edisto Beach, South Carolina was changed forever by Gracie, due to human efforts to renourish the beach after its passage. Most of the shell hash beach currently at Edisto was placed there after Gracie. In order to expand the beach, an inland marsh was excavated and moved to the shoreline. This created highly desirable beach front property which led to new development along the coast seaward of Palmetto Boulevard, but also created an environmental catastrophe along the nearby ocean floor.[25] A species of isopod which grows in coastal estuaries, the Cyathura Polita, disappeared after the passage of this hurricane from the Ashepoo River in South Carolina.[26] The Kermadec petrel, a bird, was swept to Lookout Mountain Sanctuary in Pennsylvania during Gracie, marking the first time it appeared in North America.[27]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c National Hurricane Center. Preliminary Report on Hurricane Gracie: September 22-October 1, 1959. Archived February 27, 2008, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
  2. ^ a b Allan Huffman Hurricane Gracie. Archived May 9, 2009, at archive.today Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
  3. ^ National Hurricane Center. San Juan Weather Bureau Weather Bulletin for Press Radio and Television 3 PM September 18 1959. Archived 2008-02-27 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
  4. ^ National Hurricane Center. Miami Weather Bureau Advisory Number 1 Tropical Depression Gracie 1030 AM EST September 22 1959. Archived 2008-02-27 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
  5. ^ Weather Underground (2007). "Hurricane Gracie". Wunderground.com. Archived from the original on 2007-09-16. Retrieved 2007-11-08.
  6. ^ "Reanalysis of 1956 to 1960 Atlantic hurricane seasons completed" (PDF). National Hurricane Center. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 December 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  7. ^ National Hurricane Center. Local Statement from Weather Bureau Charleston South Carolina Hurricane Gracie 12 Noon EST September 29 1959. Archived 2008-02-27 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
  8. ^ a b "Atlantic Hurricane Best Track Data 1851-2015". National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on 4 October 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  9. ^ National Hurricane Center. Miami Weather Bureau Advisory Number 25A Hurricane Gracie 2 PM September 28 1959. Archived 2008-02-27 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
  10. ^ National Hurricane Center. Miami Weather Bureau Hurricane Gracie Bulletin For Press Radio and Television 7 AM September 29 1959. Archived 2008-02-27 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
  11. ^ National Hurricane Center. Miami Weather Bureau Advisory Number 30 Hurricane Gracie 5 PM September 29 1959. Archived 2008-02-27 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
  12. ^ National Hurricane Center. Miami Weather Bureau Advisory Number 31 Hurricane Gracie 11 PM September 29 1959. Archived 2008-02-27 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
  13. ^ National Hurricane Center. Washington Weather Bureau Advisory Number 32 Storm Gracie 5 AM September 30 1959. Archived 2008-02-27 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
  14. ^ National Hurricane Center. Washington Weather Bureau Advisory Number 33 Storm Gracie 11 AM September 30 1959. Archived 2008-02-27 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
  15. ^ National Hurricane Center. Tide Statement Weather Bureau Office Charleston South Carolina 2:30 PM EST September 29 1959. Archived 2008-02-27 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
  16. ^ D. Lee Harris. U. S. Department of Commerce Weather Bureau Technical Paper No. 48: Characteristics of the Hurricane Storm Surge. Archived 2013-05-16 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-01-12.
  17. ^ United States Coast Guard. Historical Context and Statement of Significance Cactus, Mesquite, and Basswood Classes United States Coast Guard 180-foot Buoy Tenders (WLBs). Archived 2008-09-20 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-01-12.
  18. ^ South Carolina Department of Transportation. State Highway Map Features Garden Club o South Carolina. Archived 2011-07-28 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-01-11.
  19. ^ University of South Carolina. USC Beaufort. Archived 2009-01-08 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-01-11.
  20. ^ Daily Weather Maps. September 29, 1959. Archived February 23, 2012, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-01-12.
  21. ^ David M. Roth. Hurricane Gracie Rainfall Page. Archived 2013-09-21 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-01-17.
  22. ^ "Tornado History Project: September, 1959". Archived from the original on 2020-07-06. Retrieved 2020-07-07.
  23. ^ Virginia Department of Emergency Management. Virginia's Weather History: Virginia Hurricanes. Archived July 17, 2010, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-01-11.
  24. ^ National Hurricane Center. Hurricane Gracie Preliminary Storm Report, page 2. Archived 2008-02-27 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
  25. ^ Gered Lennon. Living With the South Carolina Coast. Archived 2020-08-03 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-01-11.
  26. ^ William D. Burbanck. The Disappearance of Cyathura Polita from the Ashepoo River, South Carolina, After Hurricane "Gracie" in 1959. Archived 2020-08-04 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-01-11.
  27. ^ University of New Mexico. Kermadec Petrel in Pennsylvania. Archived 2007-08-18 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-01-11.
[edit]

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