Misplaced Pages

Revision as of 02:07, 2 February 2013

Hurricane Janet

Category 5 major hurricane (SSHWS/NWS)
Surface weather analysis of Hurricane Janet near peak intensity on September 28, 1955
Formed	September 21, 1955
Dissipated	September 30, 1955
Highest winds	1-minute sustained: 175 mph (280 km/h)
Lowest pressure	≤ 914 mbar (hPa); 26.99 inHg
Fatalities	716+ direct
Damage	$53.8 million (1955 USD)
Areas affected	Barbados, Windward Islands, Belize, Yucatán Peninsula, Mainland Mexico
Part of the 1955 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Janet was the most powerful tropical cyclone of the 1955 Atlantic hurricane season and one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record. The eleventh tropical storm, ninth hurricane, and fifth major hurricane of the annual hurricane season, Janet formed from a tropical wave east of the Lesser Antilles on September 21, 1955. Moving toward the west across the Caribbean Sea, Janet fluctuated in intensity, but generally strengthened before reaching its peak intensity as a Category 5 hurricane with winds of 175 mph (280 km/h). The intense hurricane made landfall at that intensity near Chetumal, Mexico on September 28, weakening over the Yucatán Peninsula before moving into the Bay of Campeche, where it slightly strengthened before making its final landfall near Veracruz on September 29. Janet quickly weakened over Mexico's mountainous terrain, before dissipating on September 30.

In its early developmental stages near the Lesser Antilles, Janet caused significant damage to the island chain, resulting in 189 deaths on the Grenadines and Barbados, with $7.8 million in damages across the Lesser Antilles. While in the central Caribbean Sea, a reconnaissance aircraft which flew into the storm was lost; all eleven crew members perished. This was the only such loss which has occurred in association with an Atlantic hurricane. A Category 5 upon landfall on the Yucatán Peninsula, Janet caused severe devastation in areas on the peninsula and British Honduras. Only five buildings in Chetumal, Mexico remained intact after the storm. An estimated 500 deaths occurred in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. At Janet's second landfall near Veracruz, significant river flooding ensued, worsening effects caused by Hurricanes Gladys and Hilda earlier in the year. The floods left thousands of people stranded.

Janet's landfall as a Category 5 hurricane on the Yucatán Peninsula marked the first recorded instance that a storm of such intensity in the Atlantic basin made on a continental mainland, with all previous storms making landfall as Category 5 hurricanes on islands. Janet's minimum barometric pressure, recorded in Chetumal, was at the time the second lowest recorded pressure on land associated with a tropical cyclone in the Atlantic, behind the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane. A total of at least 716 deaths were attributed to Hurricane Janet, as well as $53.8 million in damages. The name Janet was later retired from the Atlantic list of tropical cyclone names due to its significance to the scientific research community.

Meteorological history

A weak tropical disturbance was first reported by the airlines Air France and Iberia east of the Lesser Antilles early on September 21. Although it was speculated that the disturbance originated from a tropical wave near Cape Verde, the Weather Bureau considered the system too weak to be detected due to a lack of reports from the islands. The disturbance organized, becoming a tropical storm by 1800 UTC while located 350 mi (565 km) east-southeast of Martinique, and as a result was tropical storm was named Janet by the Weather Bureau, the tenth named storm of the year. Upon classification, Janet quickly intensified as it moved to the west. By September 21 the storm system already attained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h). At the time gale force winds extended up to 75 mi (120 km/h) away from the center of Janet in its northern semicircle. The small hurricane continued to rapidly intensify as it moved westward across the Windward Islands. On September 22, Janet intensified from a tropical storm to a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) in just six hours, before stalling in intensification.

Shortly after 1700 UTC that day, the eye of Janet passed over Barbados. A reconnaissance flight into the hurricane discovered that the Hurricane Janet's eye measured only 20 mi (32 km) in diameter, with gale force winds extending 120 mi (190 km) away from the center of circulation. The flight also reported a minimum barometric pressure of 979 mbar (hPa; 28.91 inHg). After passing through the islands of Grenada and Carriacou the following morning, Janet entered an area of unfavorable conditions in the eastern Caribbean Sea. As a result, the hurricane became disorganized, with winds weakening to 90 mph (145 km/h) by 1200 UTC on September 23. Despite re-entering favorable conditions and thus strengthening the next day, a U.S. Navy reconnaissance plane that entered the hurricane early on September 24 reported a lack of organization, including an indiscernible center of circulation and weak rainbands. However, the hurricane continued to intensify in favorable conditions, regaining major hurricane strength by 1200 UTC on September 24 and subsequently Category 4 hurricane intensity by the next day.

Janet remained a small hurricane throughout its trek across the central Caribbean Sea, with gale force winds extending 125 mph (200 km/h) out from the storm's center, only slightly larger than while the hurricane was over the Windward Islands. Remaining a Category 4 hurricane as it moved erratically westward across the Caribbean, a reconnaissance flight mission during the night of September 25–26 indicated strong rainbands with frequent lightning strikes and a well-defined eye, evidence that the storm was once again rapidly intensifying. As it neared the Yucatán Peninsula, Janet began accelerating in forward speed on September 26. After the reconnaissance flight Snowcloud Five was lost while making a penetration into the hurricane's eye, another flight early on September 27 reported a minimum pressure of 938 mbar (hPa; 27.70 inHg), with winds in excess of 115 mph (185 km/h) "by a large and incalculable amount." The hurricane was estimated to have intensified to Category 5 hurricane intensity—the highest rating on the modern day Saffir–Simpson hurricane scale—at 1200 UTC on September 27, while in the western Caribbean Sea. Janet continued to intensify afterwards, eventually reaching its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 175 mph (280 km/h), with gale force winds having expanded to at least 250 mi (400 km) away from the center of the hurricane. Janet maintained peak intensity as it passed over the Swan Islands before making landfall in extreme northern British Honduras between Corozal Town and Chetumal, Mexico. In Chetumal, a barometer indicated a minimum barometric pressure of 914 mbar (hPa; 27.00 inHg) in the eye of Janet. At the time, this was the second lowest pressure ever recorded on land in a landfalling Atlantic hurricane, behind the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane, though Janet was later surpassed by hurricanes Dean and Gilbert, which also made landfall on the Yucatán Peninsula as Category 5 hurricanes.

Once over land, Janet considerably weakened to a Category 2 hurricane with winds of 105 mph (170 km/h), but quickly entered the Bay of Campeche by 1600 UTC on September 28 after crossing the Yucatán Peninsula with a forward speed of 21 mph (34 km/h). The weakened hurricane marginally intensified as it crossed the Bay of Campeche to a secondary peak intensity of 110 mph (175 km/h) with a minimum central pressure of 950 mbar (hPa; 28.06 inHg). Janet eventually made its final landfall 50 mi (80 km) north of Veracruz, Veracruz by 2200 UTC on September 29 as a Category 2 hurricane. After moving inland, the hurricane became quickly disorganized due to the highly mountainous terrain of Mexico, and as a result the Weather Bureau issued its last advisory on Janet. The weakening system degenerated to tropical storm strength by September 30, and later dissipated over central Mexico by 0600 UTC that day. Janet's remnant circulation contributed to the development of a disturbed area of weather off the western coast of Mexico that would subsequently develop into a tropical storm on October 1.

Preparations

Caribbean Islands

Upon Janet's formation east of the Windward Islands, the Weather Bureau office in San Juan, Puerto Rico advised small craft to remain in port and vessels in the path of the developing storm to exercise caution. After a reconnaissance flight reported much strong winds then initially suggested, hurricane warnings were issued at 1600 UTC on September 22 for the entirety of the Lesser Antilles from Saint Lucia to Grenada, including Barbados. Storm warnings were issued from Saint Lucia north to Dominica, and Grenada south to Tobago. All warnings in the Windward Antilles remained in affect until 1000 UTC the next day. Shortly after warnings were lowered in the Windward Islands, storm warnings were issued for the ABC islands and the Paraguaná Peninsula of Venezuela at 0200 UTC on September 23. After Janet passed north of the islands, all storm warnings were lifted on the morning of September 25. The Weather Bureau later warned interests in Jamaica, but did not issue any hurricane-related warnings for the island.

Yucatán Peninsula and Mexico

The Weather Bureau first began cautioning areas of Central America at 1600 UTC on September 26, advising people in areas of northeast Nicaragua and Honduras to take precautionary measures, along with all vessels and small craft in the Gulf of Honduras south to Cabo Gracias a Dios. After Janet began accelerating towards the west-northwest, advisories warned areas in British Honduras and Quintana Roo. Though no official warnings were issued for areas of Central America, advisories published by the Weather Bureau cautioned interests in the hurricane's path up until landfall. Evacuations took place in several coastal towns in Quintana Roo upon notification of the oncoming storm. People were evacuated to inland hillside shelters. After the hurricane moved through the Yucatán Peninsula and entered the Bay of Campeche, the Weather Bureau alerted areas in the storm's path on the western side of Mexico's Gulf Coast. At the time, Janet was expected to make landfall between Veracruz and Tuxpan. Areas were warned of the storm's potential flooding and coastal impacts. The Weather Bureau advised all small craft south of Port O'Connor, Texas to remain in port. Notifications of Janet to potentially affected areas were stopped after the hurricane made landfall.

Impact

During its existence, parts of the Lesser Antilles, ABC islands, and Central America were affected by Janet. At least $53.8 million in damages and 716 deaths were caused by the hurricane, mostly in Quintana Roo. The large number of deaths and damage caused by Janet helped make the 1955 Atlantic hurricane season the deadliest and costliest hurricane season documented since comprehensive record of such statistics began in 1942.

Lesser Antilles

As a small but rapidly intensifying hurricane, Janet passed south of Barbados on September 22, becoming the first hurricane to strike the island in 57 years, since the 1898 Windward Islands Hurricane. Maximum sustained winds on the south side of the island were estimated to be between 110–120 mph (180–190 km/h). The strong winds knocked out communication lines, preventing officials from accurately enumerating casualties on the island, though communications were still maintained by commercial cable companies and amateur radio. Electric power was later restored, allowing newspapers to publish information on the storm. Sugar cane, the island country's main source of revenue, was severely damaged, with losses estimated to be in excess of $1 million. Poorly constructed dwellings were blown apart by the strong winds. An estimated 8,100 homes were damaged by the hurricane. The destroyed buildings and trees blocked highways, and the Seawell Airport was forced to close. Heavy rains peaked at 4 in (100 mm) and a storm surge of 7 ft (2.1 m) swept away low-lying houses along the coast. An estimated 2,000 people were left homeless due to the hurricane. Property damage on Barbados was estimated to be $5 million, and at least 57 people were killed.

On September 23 Janet passed directly between Grenada and Carriacou in the Grenadines, killing another 122 people in the island chain. An airport on Grenada was covered in debris strewn by the strong winds caused by the hurricane. Eight people were killed in a small town adjacent to the airport. Strong winds were also reported to have destroyed docks and warehouses, and unroofed a hotel in St. George's, Grenada. Houses were also unroofed, and balconies of government offices in St.George's were torn off. All bridges in the island's interior regions were blown down, and spice crops sustained heavy damage. An estimated 75% of nutmeg plantations were destroyed, along with nearly all of the island's banana and cocoa crops. Three ships were also grounded in the local harbor. In The Carenage, the waterfront region of St. George's, debris was scattered and an 820 ft (250 m) pier collapsed. St. Vincent was leveled, and St. Lucia suffered significant coastal damage. Over $2.8 million in damages were estimated throughout the Grenadines. Further south, in Port of Spain, a church being used as a storm shelter collapsed, killing ten people.

Snowcloud Five

On September 26, the Hurricane Hunter P2V-3W Neptune aircraft Snowcloud Five, led by U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Groover B. Windham, was sent from Guantánamo Bay to investigate Janet, which was at the time a Category 4 hurricane south of Jamaica. Upon penetration of the hurricane's eyewall with an altitude of 700 mi (1,100 km), a final transmission was received from the reconnaissance flight before it presumably crashed in the Caribbean Sea. All 11 people on board, including nine crew members and two journalists were killed. Following the loss of the plane, an extensive search and rescue operation took place over a large area of the Caribbean Sea, with 3,000 personnel involved with the search, returning no results. The exact cause of the crash remains unknown, though it is speculated that the plane's altimeter gave an incorrect reading due to the low surrounding barometric pressure. Although four hurricane reconnaissance flights have been lost since operations began in 1943, Snowcloud Five remains the only known loss of a reconnaissance aircraft as a result of a hurricane in the Atlantic basin, with the other three occurring as a result of Pacific typhoons.

Yucatán Peninsula

As it approached the Yucatán Peninsula, Janet passed over the Swan Islands north of Honduras as a Category 5 hurricane on September 27. The hurricane caused rough seas, and strong winds uprooted trees and antennas. After gusts exceeded an estimated 100 mph (160 km/h), officials on the islands took shelter in a Navy seismograph building. Though no deaths were reported, Janet destroyed almost all buildings on the islands. The U.S. Weather Bureau and Civil Aeronautics Authority requested food and supplies for 82 people on the island after the storm passed.

Quintana Roo

After passing the Swan Islands, Janet made landfall on the Yucatán Peninsula between Corozal Town, British Honduras, and Chetumal, Mexico, at 1700 UTC on September 28. At the time, it had winds of 175 mph (280 km/h). Hurricane force winds were reported for two hours preceding the hurricane's landfall, with numerous pressure readings below 948 mbar (hPa; 28.00 inHg). Roads and crops on the peninsula sustained heavy damage due to Janet. In Xcalak, Quintana Roo, the strong winds from Janet flattened the port's infrastructure, and only one house remained intact after the storm's passage. 97 people were killed in Xcalak, comprising of more than a third of the port's population. Chetumal, Mexico was devastated, with only four buildings left standing. Storm surge pushed water to a depth of 6.5 feet (2 m), 1600 ft (490 m) inland, despite the peninsula protecting the city from the open ocean. The death toll in Chetumal remains uncertain; 120 bodies were recovered in the city but it is unknown how many were never found. An additional 10,000 people in the city were left homeless after the hurricane, and were forced to sleep in the open overnight. Much of Santa Elena, Belize was also flattened by the strong winds. Federal relief agencies previously providing service for areas affected by Hurricanes Gladys and Hilda earlier in the year in western areas of the Gulf Coast of Mexico were ordered to extend relief operations to the Yucatán Peninsula. In Quintana Roo, Hurricane Janet was estimated to have caused $40 million in damages and at least 500 deaths, the most of any region affected by Janet.

British Honduras

Making landfall over northern portions of the British Honduras, the colony's Corozal and Orange Walk districts, containing a population of 15,500 at the time, experienced the most severe devastation from Janet. Strong hurricane winds knocked down and damaged numerous trees across British Honduras, particularly in the Freshwater Creek Forest Preserve. There, an estimated 30% of all trees had been damaged, especially mahogany and sapodilla trees. Hurricane Janet also caused extensive damage to crops, with an estimated $2.631 million in damages. Fruit trees, maize, and sugar cane crops suffered the most damage. Sugar cane was expected to have a 20% decrease in yield due to the damage sustained after the storm. Pineapple crops and livestock experienced less significant losses. To a lesser extent, the hurricane also somewhat effected the Belize District and several of British Honduras' offshore cayes. Like in Corozal and Orange Walk Districts, corn, trees, and coconut experienced the most severe damage of any crop.

In Corozal Town, Belize, south of where Janet made landfall, 500 people were made homeless, and six people were killed. About 90% of all buildings in Corozal were destroyed. Communications with the small town were knocked out by the strong winds. Based on an average home cost of $2,000, it was estimated that property damage to homes in Corozal Town totalled to $800,000. Further south in Belize City, winds peaked at 60 mph (100 km/h), though no damage was reported. In the British Honduras, the hurricane's effects were less significant than in Quintana Roo, but in northern portions of the colony the storm killed 16 people and caused $5 million in damages.

Mainland Mexico

While in the Bay of Campeche, strong waves caused by Janet sunk the shrimp boat Celestino Arias after suffering engine failures. The stranded ship was heavily damaged by the hurricane's strong winds in the bay, which broke towing lines. All of the ship's crewmen, which had evacuated the boat after it sunk, were later rescued and brought back to Tampa, Florida.

Janet made another landfall in the Mexican state of Veracruz between the cities of Nautla and Veracruz as a Category 2 hurricane at 2200 UTC on September 29. In Natula, communications were cut by strong winds from the hurricane. The strong winds also caused the crash of a relief plane, causing five deaths. Heavy rains in the Tampico, Tamaulipas area added to floods caused by Hurricanes Gladys and Hilda earlier in the year. The resulting flood was reported by the Weather Bureau office in New Orleans to be one of the worst natural disasters in Mexican history. In Tampico, 16 in (410 mm) of rain was reported. The floods contributed to a localized typhoid fever and dysentery outbreak, causing over 1,000 people to evacuate out of the city. An additional 36,000 people were being cared for in concentration camps. Although located south of where Janet made landfall, strong storm surge inundated areas of Veracruz, including the city's main streets and port. Rail operations along a railroad stretching from Laredo, Texas to Mexico City were stopped, after having just reopened due to Hurricane Hilda.

Further inland, as Janet dissipated over the mountainous central Mexico, the storm dropped torrential rainfall over the Tamisi and Panuco River basins. The water levels in the Panuco River remained above flood stage for four weeks. In Tampico, the river flooded neighborhoods, forcing cables to be stretched along roads to prevent people from being swept away. Small boats were also sent to monitor streets. Tamazunchale was inundated by an overflowing Moctezuma River. The rains caused a landslide in Colonia San Rafael, killing 12 people. Heavy rains also impacted Guadalajara, which had previously not been affected by any tropical cyclones earlier in the year. In Maltarana, Jalisco, the Lerma and Duero Rivers overflowed, forcing 800 people in the town to evacuate. Further north, in Sonora, cotton crops damaged by Janet were estimated to amount to $12 million in damages. According to some sources, 800 people died from the floods, with thousands more being stranded in the city. Combined property damage in Mexico from Hurricanes Gladys, Hilda, and Janet was estimated to total to $200 million, nearly half of the government's 1955 national budget. Although there were no official damage or fatality estimates, at least 1,000 people were injured and another 100,000 people were made homeless on the Mexican mainland due to Janet.

Aftermath

Lesser Antilles

After Janet passed Barbados, the island was declared a state of emergency. Relief work on Barbados helped to clean up debris scattered by the strong winds on highways, and the local government made requests for food and construction materials. The extensive damaged caused by Janet on the island to low-income households led the passing of the 1955 Housing Act, which created the National Housing Authority (NHA) in 1956. The NHA was responsible for the acquisition of lands on which houses could be built with stronger and more permanent materials, which was thought to minimize maintenance costs and hurricane-related damage.

In Grenada, the island's governor issued an emergency order against the hoarding of food in the aftermath of Janet, due to the food and water shortage that resulted from Janet. A United States destroyer and a British frigate were sent to bring relief supplies to Grenada, and ships departing from Jamaica and Trinidad were redirected to the island to help send supplies. The British government later announced that it would send £50,000 (US$155,000) in relief to the Grenadines. The Crown Agents and Red Cross delivered relief supplies to Barbados and the Grenadines, which included aluminum roofing sheets and portable electric generators.

British Honduras and Mexico

Relief and reconstruction measures were enacted in the British Honduras beginning on September 30. The government also declared a state of emergency for Corozal, Orange Walk, and Belize administrative districts, including a ban on liquor sales. Temporary communication lines were rebuilt, which initially only allowed official communications with affected areas. Due to the severity of the damage in Corozal, an airstrip was built to help deliver relief to the city more efficiently. Due to the food shortage resulting from Janet, food depots in Corozal, Louisville, and Orange Walk Town were tasked with distributing food. The threat of disease as a result of the damage caused by Janet forced a widespread vaccination against typhoid fever in affected areas. The Jamaican government sent £20,000 (US$55,000) to the colony in relief funds, while the British government sent £40,000 (US$110,000) to affected areas in the British Honduras and other affected islands in the Caribbean. The United States sent the cargo ship USS Antares, which supplied the colony with various relief supplies.

A U.S. Navy relief plane was sent to Chetumal, Mexico, to deliver food and other relief supplies after Janet struck the region. Federal relief agencies previously providing service for areas affected by Hurricanes Gladys and Hilda earlier in the year in western areas of the Gulf Coast of Mexico were ordered to extend relief operations to the Yucatán Peninsula. However, after crossing the Bay of Campeche and making landfall near Veracruz, relief measures were once again implemented in the western Gulf Coast of Mexico. The Mexican Air Force, commercial and private planes, and helicopters were sent to bring relief supplies and airlift refugees. The United States initiated the largest relief campaign ever staged in Mexico at the time. Various government and relief agencies, including the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army, participated in the relief efforts. The United States Air Force and United States Army began a joint-relief operation to send relief supplies to the Tampico area, beginning with the deployment of a Curtiss C-46 Commando from the Harlingen Air Force Base on October 1. Ten other military transport aircraft from the United States Air Force were sent from Texas to provide food and clothing. Pan American World Airways sent a Boeing 314 from Miami, Florida to evacuate victims. Helicopters were sent from the USS Saipan to transfer food and medical supplies from the light aircraft carrier. Other ships also aided in delivering supplies, including the USS Siboney, which also sent helicopters to assist in relief efforts. By October 6, 1,500 people were estimated to have been rescued from the Tampico area, and at least 280,000 lb (130,000 kg) of food and clothing materials were estimated to have been sent by the US Air Force to the city. There, typhoid serum shots were administered as a precautionary measure.

Due to its large swath of destruction, the name Janet was retired by the Weather Bureau, becoming just the seventh Atlantic tropical cyclone to have its name retired, and the fourth to be retired in 1955. It is not expected to be used for another Atlantic hurricane.

See also

• List of Atlantic hurricanes
• List of Category 5 Atlantic hurricanes
• Hurricane Dean
• Hurricane Carmen
• Hurricane Keith

Notes

1. A major hurricane is a storm that ranks as Category 3 or higher on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane scale.
2. All damage totals are in 1955 United States dollars unless otherwise noted.
3. Conversions from British Pounds to United States Dollars were done using the currency converter here, with an exchange date of September 29, 1955.

References

1. Chris Landsea; Neal Dorst (ed.) (June 2, 2011). "A: Basic Definitions". Hurricane Research Division: Frequently Asked Questions. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. A3) What is a super-typhoon? What is a major hurricane ? What is an intense hurricane ?. Retrieved January 21, 2013. {{cite book}}: |author2= has generic name (help); |work= ignored (help); External link in |chapterurl= (help); Unknown parameter |chapterurl= ignored (|chapter-url= suggested) (help)
2. ^ "Atlantic hurricane best track (HURDAT version 2)" (Database). United States National Hurricane Center. April 5, 2023. Retrieved December 27, 2024. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
   • • Landsea, Chris (April 2022). "The revised Atlantic hurricane database (HURDAT2) - Chris Landsea – April 2022" (PDF). Hurricane Research Division – NOAA/AOML. Miami: Hurricane Research Division – via Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory.
3. ^ Dunn, Gordon E. (December 1, 1955). "Hurricanes of 1955" (PDF). Monthly Weather Review. 83 (12). Miami, Florida: Amiercan Meteorological Society: 315–326. doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1955)083<0315:HO>2.0.CO;2. Retrieved January 21, 2013. {{cite journal}}: More than one of |author= and |last= specified (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link)
4. ^ "Hurricane Janet Tenth of Season". The Lewiston Daily Sun. Miami, Florida. Associated Press. September 22, 1955. p. 10. Retrieved January 21, 2013.
5. ^ United States Department of Commerce (1955). "Bulletins and Advisories Issued by Weather Bureau Airport Station, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Weather Bureau Office, Miami, Florida, and Weather Bureau Office, New Orleans, Louisiana on Hurricane "Janet"" (PDF). United States Weather Bureau. Retrieved January 21, 2013.
6. Franklin, James L. (January 31, 2008). "Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Dean" (PDF). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved January 21, 2013.
7. ^ Longshore, David (2008). Encyclopedia of hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones (New ed. ed.). New York: Facts on File. p. 269. ISBN 978-0816062959. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); |edition= has extra text (help)
8. ^ SuperAdminEMDAT. "Search Details Disaster List". Emergency Events Database. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
9. ^ "Hurricane Force Wanes, 2000 on Isle Homeless". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Bridgetown, Barbados. Associated Press. September 24, 1955. p. 1. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
10. ^ "Thousands Homeless as Hurricane Janet Smashes Barbados". Sakatoon Star-Phoenix. Miami, Florida. Associated Press. September 23, 1955. p. 6. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
11. ^ "Janet's Winds Smash Island". The Milwaukee Journal. Bridgetown, Barbados. Associated Press. September 22, 1955. p. 2. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
12. "Damage High on Island as Hurricane Janet Hits". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Miami, Florida. Associated Press. September 23, 1955. p. 2. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
13. ^ "Over 100 Perish When Hurricane Janet Lashes Barbados; Losses Heavy". Ellensburg Daily Record. Bridgetown, Barbados. Associated Press. September 23, 1955. p. 1. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
14. ^ "Hurricane Janet Whirling Westward". Eugene Register-Guard. Miami, Florida. Associated Press. September 23, 1955. p. 2. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
15. "Hurricanes & Tropical Storms". The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency. 2010. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
16. "'Janet' Hits Barbados, Thousands Homeless". The Milwaukee Sentinel. Miami, Florida. Associated Press. September 22, 1955. p. 1. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
17. "Janet Sweeps Path of Death". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Miami, Florida. Associated Press. September 23, 1955. p. 1. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
18. "Palm-dotted isle in ruins". The Leader-Post. St. George's, Grenada. Reuters. September 26, 1955. p. 12. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
19. "Janet Leaves 108 Dead in West Indies". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Miami, Florida. Associated Press. September 23, 1955. p. 1. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
20. ^ "Storm Havoc in Barbados". The Glasgow Herald. Glasgow, Scotland. The Glasgow Herald. September 24, 1955. p. 5. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
21. ^ Cindy, Kligmore (2008). "Hurricane Janet". Grenada, St Vincent & the Grenadines Adventure Guide (2nd ed. ed.). Hunter Travel Guides. Retrieved September 24, 2013. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
22. "Rush Supplies to Stricken BWI Islands". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. Port of Spain, Trinidad. Reuters. September 27, 1955. p. 21. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
23. "Saint Vincent's history with tropical systems". Hurricanecity.com. Retrieved December 8, 2010.
24. NEMO Secretariat (September 20, 2005). "NEMO remembers Hurricane Janet". Saint Lucia National Emergency Management Organisation. Retrieved December 8, 2010.
25. ^ "The Lost Hurricane Hunters 4: September 26th, 1955". Wunderground. Retrieved January 21, 2013.
26. ^ Bill, Murray. "1955: Hurricane Janet and the Hurricane Hunters". The Alabama Weather Blog. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
27. Swanson, Bob (October 23, 2005). "Answers archive: Hurricane history and climatology". USA Today. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
28. "Hurricane Janet Blasts Swan Island, Points Toward Yucatan". Meriden Record. Miami, Florda. Associated Press. September 27, 1955. p. 17. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
29. "Janet's Winds Lash Coast of Mexico". Toledo Blade. Mexico City, Mexico. Associated Press. September 29, 1955. p. 1. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
30. Kennedy, Paul P. (September 28, 1955). "Hurricane Janet Rips Into Yucatan". New York Times. New York Times. p. 30. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
31. "Hurricane Janet Flattens Seaport; Uncounted Dead". The Telegraph-Herald. Mexico City, Mexico. Associated Press. September 27, 1955. p. 1. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
32. "Janet Dying But Toll in Life Heavy". The Times-News. Mexico City, Mexico. Associated Press. October 1, 1955. p. 1. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
33. ^ "Hurricane Bears Down on Mexico". Greensburg Daily Tribune. Mexico City, Mexico. United Press International. September 29, 1955. p. 16. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
34. ^ "Janet May Grow Larger; Death Toll 200 on Yucatan". St. Petersburg Times. Mexico City, Mexico. Associated Press. September 29, 1955. p. 14. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
35. ^ "Hurricane Janet : Progress report no. 1 (27th/28th September, 1955)". University of Florida Digitial Collections. November 11, 1955. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
36. "Death-Dealing Janet Roars on Mexico". The Rock Hill. Associated Press. September 27, 1955. p. 1. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
37. ^ "'Killer' Janet Slaps Yucatan". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. September 28, 1955. p. 15. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
38. "5 Dead, Town Razed". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Albuquerque, New Mexico. Associated Press. September 28, 1955. p. 1. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
39. "Janet Roaring Across Yucatan". Ocala Star-Banner. Miami, Florida. Associated Press. September 28, 1955. p. 9. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
40. "Hurricane Janet Hits Coast Near Vera Cruz; Storm's Toll About 400". Ellensburg Daily Record. Mexico City, Mexico. Associated Press. September 29, 2013. p. 1. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
41. "Janet Sinks Tampa Boat; Sailor Saved". St. Petersburg Times. Tampa. Florida. September 30, 1955. p. 1. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
42. ^ "Mexico Flooded as Mountains Repulse Janet". The Free Lance-Star. Mexico City. Associated Press. September 30, 1955. p. 1. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
43. ^ "Janet Kills 17 More Before Blowing Out". St. Petersburg Times. Mexico City, Mexico. Associated Press. October 2, 1955. p. 7A. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
44. "Deluge Floods Coastal Areas". The Spokesman-Review. Mexico City, Mexcio. Associated Press. September 30, 1955. p. 12. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
45. "'Janet' Blowing Out; 400 Dead". The Milwuakee Sentinel. Mexico City, Mexico. Associated Pres. September 29, 1955. p. 7. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
46. ^ "Mexico Coast Faces New Flood Threat". The Portsmouth Times. Mexico City, Mexico. Associated Press. September 30, 1955. p. 1,4. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
47. "Floods Delay Reports of Janet's Mexico Toll". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Mexico City, Mexico. Associated Press. September 30, 1955. p. 8. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
48. ^ Erickson, Ralph Loren. "Preventative Medicine in Military Operations Other Than War" (PDF). Historic Perspective on the Principles of Military Preventive Medicine. U.S. Army Medical Department. p. 89. Retrieved January 31, 2013.
49. "Hurricane in Mexico Takes Terrible Toll". The Dispatch. Mexico City, Mexico. Associated Press. October 1, 1955. p. 1. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
50. ^ "Record Floods Sweep Tampico". Toledo Blade`. Mexico City, Mexico. Associated Press. October 4, 1955. p. 2. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
51. "Mexican Floods Still Grow". The Robesonian. Mexico City. Associated Press. October 3, 1955. p. 5. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
52. ^ Rutledge, Jack (October 6, 1955). "US Aid To Mexico As Rains Continue Floods". The Robesonian. Mexico City, Mexico. Associated Press. p. 23. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
53. "New Floods in Mexico". St. Joseph News-Press. Mexico City, Mexico. Associated Press. September 30, 1955. p. 15. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
54. "Record-Breaking Mexican Floods Are Rising Fast". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Tampico, Mexico. Associated Press. October 3, 1955. p. 1. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
55. "Janet Poses Threat for Venezuela". The Times-News. Miami, Florida. Associated Press. September 24, 1955. p. 1. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
56. Watson, Mark R. (2001). "The Work of the Barbadian Housing Authority: 1955–1973". Low-cost housing in Barbados : evolution or social revolution? (1. ed. ed.). Kingston: University of the West Indies Press. p. 90. ISBN 978-9766400484. Retrieved January 24, 2013. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
57. "Hurricane Aid Rushed to Grenada". The Leader-Post. Port of Spain, Trinidad. Reuters. September 27, 1955. p. 1. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
58. "Hurricane Kills 350 and Roars on Into Mexico". Evening Times. September 29, 1955. p. 5. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
59. ^ "More Deaths in Storm". The Glasgow Herald. September 30, 1955. p. 7. Retrieved January 31, 2013.
60. "Janet Has Been Here". The Victoria Advocate. October 5, 1955. p. 1. Retrieved Februrary 1, 2013. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
61. "Aid Rushed To Victims of Janet's Fury". The Telegraph-Herald. Mexico City, Mexico. Associated Press. September 30, 1955. p. 6. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
62. "Tampico Toll 326". The Leader-Post. Mexico City, Mexico. Associated Press. October 6, 1955. p. 1. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
63. "Eastern Mexico Battles Floods". Ocala Star-Banner. Mexico City, Mexico. Associated Press. October 3, 1955. p. 7. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
64. "Rising Waters Push Tampico Toll to 326". The Portsmouth Times. Mexico City, Mexico. Associated Press. October 6, 1955. p. 1,11. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
65. National Hurricane Center (April 13, 2012). "Tropical Cyclone Naming History and Retired Names". United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved January 31, 2013.

v t e Tropical cyclones of the 1955 Atlantic hurricane season
	1Alice TSBrenda 4Connie 2Diane 2Edith TSFive 2Flora 1Gladys 4Ione 3Hilda 5Janet TSEleven TSTwelve 2Katie
Category

• 1955 Atlantic hurricane season
• 1955 in Mexico
• 1955 meteorology
• Category 5 Atlantic hurricanes
• Natural disasters in the Windward Islands
• Hurricanes in the Windward Islands
• Hurricanes in Barbados
• Hurricanes in Saint Lucia
• Hurricanes in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Hurricanes in Grenada
• Hurricanes in Belize
• Atlantic hurricanes in Mexico
• Retired Atlantic hurricanes