Hurricane Flora - October 1963 - Killed Over 8000 People In 1963

Hurricane Flora Is Among The Deadliest Atlantic Hurricanes In Recorded History, With A Death Total Of Over 7,000.

 The seventh tropical storm and sixth hurricane of the 1963 Atlantic hurricane season, Flora developed from a disturbance in the Intertropical Convergence Zone on September 26 while located about 755 miles (1220 km) southwest of the Cape Verde islands. After remaining a weak depression for several days, it rapidly organized on September 29 to attain tropical storm status. Flora continued to quickly strengthen to reach Category 3 hurricane status before moving through the Windward Islands and passing over Tobago, and it reached peak winds of 140 mph (225 km/h) in the Caribbean Sea. It struck southwestern Haiti near peak intensity, turned to the west, and drifted over Cuba for four days before turning to the northeast. Flora passed through the Bahamas and accelerated northeastward, becoming an extratropical cyclone on October 12.
 
 While moving across southwestern Haiti, Hurricane Flora produced winds of up to 120 mph (190 km/h) near Derez, while the capital city of Port-au-Prince reported peak winds of 65 mph (102 km/h). Intense rainbands dropped torrential precipitation estimated at over 75 inches (1,900 mm) in Miragoane, with one location recording over 57 inches (1,400 mm) in three days. One location in the southwestern peninsula recorded 16 inches (422 mm) of precipitation in 12 hours. The storm surge on the southern coast is unknown, but estimated to exceed 12 feet. Flash floods from the hurricane washed out large sections of several towns, while mudslides buried some entire towns, resulting in many deaths. Heavy rainfall led to river flooding along the Grisse River, which crested at 14 feet (4.3 m) above normal. The flood waters created new channels and washed away entire banana plantations.
 
 In most areas, crops were entirely destroyed. The coffee crop was harvested prior to the arrival of the hurricane, though heavy rainfall and severe flooding ruined the crop for later years. Additionally, strong winds downed shading trees for the coffee crop in the southern peninsula. One official estimated it would require three years for the coffee crop to be replanted and regrown.
 
 Strong winds in southwestern Haiti from the hurricane damaged or destroyed hundreds of trees. The path of Flora over the area was best determined by the trajectory of fallen trees across the peninsula. The strong winds left entire villages roofless, with many buildings entirely destroyed. The combination of rough waves and strong winds destroyed three entire communities. Many of those who died in southwestern Haiti suffered from intense burns from strong winds.
 
 About 3,500 people were confirmed dead, with several thousands missing at one report five months after the hurricane. It is estimated the passage of Hurricane Flora killed around 5,000 people and caused between $125 million to $180 million in damage in Haiti (1963 USD).

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