Hurricane Beulah facts for kids
| Category 5 major hurricane (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Hurricane Beulah in the Gulf of Mexico as a Category 5.
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| Formed | September 5, 1967 |
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| Dissipated | September 22, 1967 |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 160 mph (260 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 923 mbar (hPa); 27.26 inHg |
| Damage | $1.2 billion (1967 USD) |
| Areas affected | Greater Antilles, Yucatán Peninsula, Northeast Mexico, South Texas |
| Part of the 1967 Atlantic hurricane season | |
Hurricane Beulah was a very powerful storm in 1967. It started in the Caribbean Sea and grew stronger. Beulah hit the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico as a major hurricane. Then, it moved into the Gulf of Mexico. For a short time, it became a Category 5 hurricane, which is the strongest type. This made it the most powerful hurricane of the 1967 Atlantic hurricane season.
After weakening a bit, Beulah moved into Texas as a major hurricane. It caused a record-breaking 115 twisters across Texas. This was the most tornadoes ever created by a single tropical cyclone. Because Beulah moved very slowly over Texas, it caused a lot of flooding. The storm led to over $1 billion in damages (when measured in 2005 money). Sadly, 58 people lost their lives because of Hurricane Beulah.
Contents
What Was Hurricane Beulah?
Hurricane Beulah was a large and powerful storm. It formed in early September 1967. The hurricane lasted for about two weeks. It traveled across the Caribbean, through Mexico, and into the United States.
How Beulah Formed and Grew
Beulah started as a tropical wave. This is a disturbance in the atmosphere. It slowly became a tropical depression on September 5, 1967. As it moved west, it gained strength. By September 8, it was a hurricane.
Beulah's Path and Strength
The hurricane first hit the Lesser Antilles islands. These include places like Martinique and Saint Lucia. It caused some damage there. Beulah then moved into the Caribbean Sea. It became a very strong hurricane. On September 12, it hit the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. It was a major hurricane at this point.
After crossing the Yucatán, Beulah entered the Gulf of Mexico. Here, it became even stronger. For a short time, it reached Category 5 status. This means its winds were extremely fast. It was the strongest hurricane of the 1967 season.
Impact of Hurricane Beulah
Hurricane Beulah caused a lot of problems. It brought heavy rains, strong winds, and many tornadoes. Its slow movement made the flooding much worse.
Damage in Mexico
When Beulah hit the Yucatán Peninsula, it caused significant damage. Strong winds knocked down trees and buildings. Heavy rains led to local flooding. Many people had to leave their homes for safety.
Impact on Texas
Beulah weakened slightly before hitting Texas. It still came ashore as a major hurricane. The storm moved very slowly over the state. This caused huge amounts of rain to fall.
Record-Breaking Tornadoes
One of the most unusual things about Beulah was the number of tornadoes it created. It spawned 115 tornadoes across Texas. This set a new record for any tropical storm. These tornadoes caused extra damage to homes and businesses.
Widespread Flooding
The slow movement of Beulah led to massive flooding. Rivers overflowed their banks. Many towns and cities were underwater. Roads became impassable. This made it hard for rescue teams to help people. The flooding caused a lot of damage to crops and property.
Total Damages and Lives Lost
The total cost of the damage from Hurricane Beulah was very high. It was estimated to be over $1 billion (in 2005 money). This included damage to homes, farms, and public buildings. Sadly, 58 people died because of the storm. Most of these deaths were due to the severe flooding.
After the Storm
After Beulah, recovery efforts began. People worked to rebuild homes and communities. The hurricane's impact led to better ways of preparing for future storms.
Retirement of the Name
Because Hurricane Beulah was so destructive, its name was retired. This means no future hurricane will be named Beulah. This is a common practice for very deadly or costly storms.
Images for kids
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Radar images of Hurricane Beulah from 21:30 UTC on September 9 to 03:30 UTC on September 10, depicting its eyewall replacement cycle
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A composite satellite image on September 17 depicting Hurricanes Beulah (bottom), Doria (middle), and Chloe (top).
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NIMBUS satellite image of Hurricane Beulah over the Eastern Caribbean on September 9
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Rainfall from Hurricane Beulah in Puerto Rico
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Rainfall from Hurricane Beulah across Mexico and Texas
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Damage and Flooding in Brownsville, Texas from Hurricane Beulah.
See also
In Spanish: Huracán Beulah para niños
