Tropical Depression One (1979)
Atlantic tropical depression in 1979 / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Tropical Depression One brought severe flooding to Jamaica in June 1979. The second tropical cyclone of the Atlantic hurricane season, the depression developed from a tropical wave to the south of Grand Cayman on June 11. Tracking generally northward, the depression passed west of Jamaica. On June 12, the depression peaked with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h), never having reached tropical storm status. The following day, it made landfall in Cuba, where minimal impact was recorded. Early on June 14, the depression emerged into the western Atlantic Ocean and then moved parallel to the east coast of Florida for a few days. The depression made another landfall in South Carolina on June 16 and dissipated shortly thereafter.
Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | June 11, 1979 |
Dissipated | June 16, 1979 |
Tropical depression | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Highest winds | 35 mph (55 km/h) |
Lowest pressure | 1005 mbar (hPa); 29.68 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 41 |
Damage | $27 million (1979 USD) |
Areas affected | Bahamas, Cuba, East Coast of the United States, and Jamaica |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1979 Atlantic hurricane season |
The slow movement of the depression to the west of Jamaica resulted in torrential rainfall, peaking at 32 in (810 mm) in Friendship, a city in Westmoreland Parish. Throughout western Jamaica, about 1,000 homes were destroyed or severely damaged, while up to 40,000 people were left homeless. The city of New Market was submerged for at least six months. Crops, electricity, telephones, buildings, and railways also suffered damage during the disaster. There were 40 deaths and approximately $27 million (1979 USD) in damage. The depression also brought heavy precipitation to Cuba and the Bahamas, while farther north, light rainfall and rough seas plagued the East Coast of the United States. One individual in South Carolina went missing and was later presumed to have died after their boat was torn loose from its mooring.