Encyclopedia of Hurricanes, Typhoons, and Cyclones (Facts on File Science Library)

481 Pages·2007·8.14 MB·english

by  David Longshore

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF
Hurricanes, typhoons,
and cyclones
NEW EDITION
David longshore
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HURRICANES, TYPHOONS, AND CYCLONES, New Edition
Copyright © 2008, 2000, 1998 by David Longshore
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or
by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any
information storage or retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher.
For information contact:
Facts On File, Inc.
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Longshore, David.
Encyclopedia of hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones / David Longshore.—New ed.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN-13: 978-0-8160-6295-9
ISBN-10: 0-8160-6295-1
1. Hurricanes—Encyclopedias. 2. Typhoons—Encyclopedias.
3. Cyclones—Encyclopedias. I. Title.
QC944.L66 2008
551.5503—dc22
2007032336
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Text design by Annie O’Donnell
Illustrations by Bob Cronan
Photo research by Tobi Zausner, Ph.D.
Printed in the United States of America
VB MSRF 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
This book is printed on acid-free paper.
For the late Raymond Edward Moore, M.D.
Friend, Patron, and Survivor of the
Great New England Hurricane of 1938

C
ONTENTS
Acknowledgments
vii
Introduction
ix
A to Z Entries
1
Appendix A. Hurricane Safety Procedures
431
Appendix B. A Chronology of Hurricanes,
Typhoons, Cyclones, and Tropical Storms
432
Appendix C. Tracking a Tropical Cyclone
440
Appendix D. List of Named Hurricanes,
Typhoons, Cyclones, and Tropical Storms
441
Bibliography
448
Index
453

A
CKNOWLEDGMENTS
I am indebted to numerous people and scores of Community College; the New York Public Library;
fine institutions for their kind and invaluable con- the New York City Mayor’s Office of Emergency
tributions to the creation of this revised edition of Management (OEM); the New York City Depart-
the Encyclopedia of Hurricanes, Typhoons, and ment of Transportation (NYCDOT); Mr. John T.
Cyclones. Some gave their assistance as part of their Odermatt; Mr. James Peralta; Mr. Caryl Phillips; the
daily work, while others spent precious hours of their Saltmarsh Library at Pinkerton Academy; Ms. Linda
own conducting research, reading copy, and making Quick; Mr. Francis M. Reed; Mr. Andy Siegel; Mr.
the coffee. I am also appreciative of all the correspon- Richard J. Sheirer; Capt. Robert Simeral, USN (Ret.);
dence I received from the first edition’s readers, and the Savannah (Ga.) Public Library; the Truro (Mass.)
for their thoughtful suggestions and notes of enthu- Historical Society; the U.S. Department of Homeland
siasm. In many respects, these people and organiza- Security; Mr. Sebastian Windgassen; and the Zanger
tions operated not unlike the rain bands of a tropical family.
cyclone, all spinning inward together for the greater I would like to further extend a special note of
cohesiveness of the whole. appreciation to my editor, Mr. Frank Darmstadt, a
They are: Mr. and Mrs. John Alamo; Mr. true gentleman who skillfully and patiently guided
Thomas Alamo; Amherst College; Dr. George F. Bai- the creation of this work without encountering any
ley; Professor Christopher Bellavita; the Boston Pub- major storms and keeping us all off the reef. I would
lic Library; Capt. C. Raymond Calhoun, USN (Ret.); also like to recognize the tenacious efforts of the
Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Dee and family; the Dudley book’s photographic researcher, Tobi Zausner, Ph.D.,
Knox Library at the Naval Postgraduate School; Dr. for her discriminating eye and delicious scones; and
Kerry Emanual; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Enrione; Pro- Ms. Melissa Cullen-DuPont and Ms. Alana Braith-
fessor Fredric L. Cheyette; Señor Jorge Farinas; Mr. waite for their painstakingly detailed editorial assis-
Gregory James Flail; the Robert Frost Library at tance. Mr. Michael J. Alamo contributed a great deal
Amherst College; Dr. Jason Gonsky, M.D.; Mr. J. J. of original research to this project, as well as his
Haines; Mr. Christopher Hetherington; Ms. Jeanette enthusiastic support for its completion, and I will
Iafolla; Mr. Yuki Karakawa; the Los Angeles Public forever be indebted to his longtime kindness.
Library; Mr. Francis E. McCarton; Mr. James McCo- Spiraling inward toward the eye where the winds
nnell; Mr. and Mrs. Harry Maxon, IV; Metropolitan blow the strongest, special recognition must be given
College of New York (MCNY); the Museum of the to my beloved parents, to my sisters and brothers-
City of New York; the Miami (FL) Public Library; the in-law, and to my two nephews, for weathering with
Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS) incredible forbearance so many hurricanes, typhoons,
at the Naval Postgraduate School; Northern Essex and cyclones.
vii

I
NTRODUCTION
It has been a decade since the first edition of the region of the globe. Typhoon activity in the western
Encyclopedia of Hurricanes, Typhoons, and Cyclones North Pacific Ocean has also set new records: In
was published. During that time the science, history, 1998, Super Typhoon Zeb generated a pressure read-
and culture of tropical cyclones around the globe has ing of 25.75 inches (872 mb) as it blasted across the
remained ever evolving, providing the meteorological northern Pacific, while the 2002 season saw Cyclone
world with improved forecasting techniques, altered Zoe traverse the South Pacific Ocean with a frighten-
naming systems, new intensity and duration records, ingly low central pressure of 25.75 inches (879 mb).
and all-too-many fresh horrors. Since this work was We have even seen the formation of a mature stage
published, the naming lists for those tropical cyclones tropical cyclone in the very inactive South Atlantic
that tear across the western North Pacific Ocean Ocean: Caterina of March 2004.
every year, for example, were entirely changed in the Just as the study of tropical cyclones has evolved
year 2000. Instead of purely western male and female and changed, books like the Encyclopedia of Hurri-
names, they now feature identifiers that are unique canes, Typhoons, and Cyclones have changed with it.
to the countries and cultures most vulnerable to In addition to dozens of new scientific, historical, and
typhoon activity. Cambodia, for instance, submitted cultural entries, I have added to this revised edition
Sarika, which translates as “singing bird.” Typhoon new photographs, maps, and drawings that illustrate
Singing Bird . . . as a naming system, it certainly does the always freshening changes in the world of tropi-
catch the public’s attention. Since this work was cal cyclones. I have also retained the philosophical
published, 1992’s Hurricane Andrew was officially underpinnings of the first edition, and have sought
upgraded to a Category 5 hurricane; and in 2005, to preserve the strength of the prose found in the first
no fewer than 31 tropical systems originated in the edition. In large part, this is a book about the wind,
North Atlantic Ocean. Among them was the most and it can often prove an aesthetic and informational
destructive and deadly tropical cyclone witnessed in challenge to find new ways to describe the screeching
the United States during the last half a century, Hur- winds, the pelting rains, the rolling surges, and the
ricane Katrina. Hurricane Gilbert’s 17-year reign as sheer drama that remains one of nature’s most awe-
the most intense tropical cyclone yet observed in the some workings. I have further worked to correct any
North Atlantic basin was deposed by a late-season deficiencies or inaccuracies that might have occurred
Hurricane Wilma, which mounted an astonishingly in the previous edition, and remain grateful to those
low central barometric pressure reading of 26.05 readers who have shared their personal experiences,
inches (882 mb), while improvements in forecasting their views and opinions, to bring a renewed perspec-
and warning systems have made the various weather tive to this endeavor.
services’ landfall and intensity predictions that much As with the first edition, I have used a number of
more accurate and timely, thereby reducing economic sources—many more than could possibly be accom-
costs while enhancing life safety. In Australia in modated in the bibliography—to compile this revised
March 1999, Cyclone Vance generated the strongest edition. This was, in of itself, an enormous logistical
wind gust yet observed on that continent (166 MPH and research challenge, and there were many times
[267 km/h]); and in April 2006, Cyclone Monica pro- when I felt as though a metaphorical Category 5 hur-
duced a central pressure reading of 25.96 inches (879 ricane of paper and information was bearing down
mb) as it passed just to the north of the Australian on the project. I was determined to read every scrap
continent, the most intense cyclone yet seen in that of information, sift through every archive, relive
ix