Hurricane Anna 1961 facts for kids
| Category 2 Hurricane SSHWS | |
|---|---|
Hurricane Anna satellite image jpg
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| Formed | July 20 1961 |
| Dissipated | July 25 1961 |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 165 km/h (105 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 976 hPa (mbar); 28.82 inHg |
| Fatalities | 1 direct |
| Damage | $5.6 million (1961 USD) |
| Areas affected | Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, western Cuba, Yucatan Peninsula, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida Panhandle, Georgia |
| Part of the 1961 Atlantic hurricane season | |
Hurricane Anna was an important storm that hit parts of Central America and the Caribbean in July 1961. It was the very first tropical cyclone and the first hurricane of the 1961 Atlantic hurricane season. Anna started forming on July 20 from a weather disturbance near the Windward Islands.
Contents
What is a Hurricane?
A hurricane is a powerful type of storm that forms over warm ocean waters. It has strong winds that spin around a calm center called the "eye." Hurricanes are also known as typhoons or tropical cyclones in different parts of the world. They bring heavy rain, strong winds, and can cause a lot of damage.
How Hurricane Anna Formed
Hurricane Anna began as a tropical wave. This is a low-pressure area that moves across the ocean. This particular wave was located in the Intertropical Convergence Zone. This is a region near the equator where winds from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres meet. The warm ocean waters and moist air helped this wave grow stronger. By July 20, 1961, it had become a tropical storm, and soon after, a hurricane.
Anna's Journey and Strength
After forming, Hurricane Anna moved westward across the Atlantic Ocean. It quickly gained strength as it traveled. On July 21, Anna became a hurricane. Its winds reached about 90 miles per hour (145 km/h). This made it a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. This scale helps us understand how strong a hurricane is.
Anna passed near several islands in the Caribbean. It then moved towards Central America. The storm brought strong winds and heavy rainfall to areas in its path.
Impact and Damages
Hurricane Anna caused damage in several countries. These included Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, and western Cuba. It also affected the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. Later, it moved towards the United States, impacting Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, the Florida Panhandle, and Georgia.
The storm caused about $5.6 million in damages. This money would be worth much more today. Sadly, one person died because of Hurricane Anna. The heavy rains led to flooding in some areas. Strong winds also knocked down trees and damaged buildings.
Legacy of Hurricane Anna
Hurricane Anna was the first named storm of the 1961 hurricane season. It showed how important it is to be ready for these powerful weather events. Even though it was not the strongest hurricane, it still caused significant problems. Learning about storms like Anna helps us understand how to prepare for future hurricanes.
Related pages
- 1961 Atlantic hurricane season
