Hurricane Camille Overview: Hurricane Camille was the third and most powerful tropical cyclone of the twentieth century. On August 5, 1969, the forecast recognized a typical tropical storm off the coast of Africa. The storm started on August 14, 1969 and continued through August 22, 1969. This storm took many by surprise when the winds began to kick in and destroy everything in sight. This storm started off as a tropical storm; yet, when the winds reached 97 km, they declared it a hurricane. In all, Hurricane Camille caused more than 200 deaths and billions of dollars was raised to repair damages. Causes: On August 13, 1969, Hurricane Camille made its first appearance in America, along the Mississippi Gulf near Waveland. It traveled west
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The rain caused a lot of damage in Cuba. Many people were left homeless and the rivers were flooded. “Initially, the Cuban government reported no casualties from the storm, however subsequent research indicated the hurricane killed five people in the country, and damage was estimated at $5 million (Science and society). Unfortunately, the winds began to pick up again when it reached the Gulf of Mexico waters. “Camille tracked north-northwestward across the Gulf of Mexico and became a Category 5 hurricane on August 16” (Hurricane Camille 1969). The hurricane continued to travel its northwesterly path and was subjected to hit Florida and Mississippi. “Early Saturday August 16, with Camille located about 420 miles south of Panama City, Florida, forecasters issued a hurricane watch for the Gulf coast from Biloxi, Mississippi, to St. Marks, Florida” (Pielke).. Luckily, Florida was not hit. However, the storm continued its intense northwest path to the Mississippi Gulf Coast on August 17, 1969. “The precise wind speed at landfall will never be known because all measuring instruments were destroyed during the hurricane’s impact (it is estimated that gusts reached 322 km/h [200 mph]).” (Science and Society).
The rain caused a lot of damage in Cuba. Many people were left homeless and the rivers were flooded. “Initially, the Cuban government reported no casualties from the storm, however subsequent research indicated the hurricane killed five people in the country, and damage was estimated at $5 million (Science and society). Unfortunately, the winds began to pick up again when it reached the Gulf of Mexico waters. “Camille tracked north-northwestward across the Gulf of Mexico and became a Category 5 hurricane on August 16” (Hurricane Camille 1969). The hurricane continued to travel its northwesterly path and was subjected to hit Florida and Mississippi. “Early Saturday August 16, with Camille located about 420 miles south of Panama City, Florida, forecasters issued a hurricane watch for the Gulf coast from Biloxi, Mississippi, to St. Marks, Florida” (Pielke).. Luckily, Florida was not hit. However, the storm continued its intense northwest path to the Mississippi Gulf Coast on August 17, 1969. “The precise wind speed at landfall will never be known because all measuring instruments were destroyed during the hurricane’s impact (it is estimated that gusts reached 322 km/h [200 mph]).” (Science and Society).