Hurricane Edith (1971) facts for kids
Hurricane Edith was a very powerful storm that happened in 1971. It started as a small weather disturbance and grew into a huge hurricane in the Caribbean Sea. Edith became one of the strongest types of hurricanes, called a Category Five storm. It first hit land in Central America with very strong winds. Later, it moved across the Gulf of Mexico and hit Louisiana in the United States. Even though it caused a lot of damage and tornadoes, no one in the United States died from this storm. However, 35 people lost their lives in other countries.
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What Was Hurricane Edith?
Hurricane Edith was a major tropical cyclone that formed in September 1971. A tropical cyclone is a rotating storm system with strong winds and thunderstorms. Edith reached the highest level of strength, known as Category Five. This means its winds were incredibly fast, over 157 miles per hour (252 km/h).
How Did Edith Form?
Edith began as a simple weather disturbance on Sunday, September 5, 1971. It was located over the Atlantic Ocean, near the Caribbean Sea. As it moved, it gathered warmth and moisture from the ocean. This helped it quickly grow stronger. By Thursday, September 9, it had become a full-fledged hurricane.
Edith's Journey and Landfalls
After becoming a hurricane, Edith continued to gain power. It became a Category Five storm with winds of 160 miles per hour (257 km/h). Its first major landfall was in northern Central America. When a storm makes "landfall," it means the center of the storm crosses over land.
After hitting Central America, Edith weakened a bit but then moved into the Gulf of Mexico. It then made another landfall in western Louisiana on Thursday, September 16. At this point, its winds were around 105 miles per hour (169 km/h). This made it a strong Category One hurricane when it reached the United States.
Impact and Aftermath
When Hurricane Edith hit Louisiana, it caused a series of tornadoes. These tornadoes spun off from the main hurricane and caused damage in states along the Gulf Coast. Even with the strong winds and tornadoes, no deaths were reported in the United States. This was a positive outcome given the storm's power.
However, Hurricane Edith did cause a tragic loss of life in other areas. Thirty-five people died outside of the United States due to the storm. Edith showed how powerful hurricanes can be and the importance of preparing for them.
Images for kids
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Radar image of Edith at peak intensity
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Edith entering the Gulf of Honduras
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Rainfall from Edith
