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⚫ {{Short description|Category 4 Atlantic hurricane in 1959}}
<!-- Find a picture and remove the "nopic" from this template! -->
{{For|storms with the similar name "Grace"|List of storms named Grace}}
{{Infobox Hurricane {{Infobox weather event
| Name=Hurricane Gracie
| image = Hurricane Gracie on radar scope in September 1959.jpg
| Type=hurricane
| caption = Radar image of Hurricane Gracie taken by the United States Navy
⚫ | Year=1959
| formed = September 20, 1959
| Basin=Atl
| Formed=], ] | extratropical = September 30, 1959
| Dissipated=], ] | dissipated = October 2, 1959
}}{{Infobox weather event/NWS
| 1-min winds=120 | winds = 120
| Pressure=950
| pressure = 950
| Damages=90
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
⚫ | Fatalities=22 direct
⚫ | year = 1959
| Inflated=0
⚫ | fatalities = 22 direct
| Areas=], ], ], ]
| damage = 14000000
⚫ | Hurricane season=]
| areas = ], ], ], ], ], ]
| refs =
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer
⚫ | season = ]
}} }}
⚫ '''Hurricane Gracie''' was a major ] that formed in September 1959, the strongest during the ] and the most intense to strike the ] since ].<ref name="NHC1">National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on ].</ref> The system was first noted as an area of thunderstorms east of the ] which moved just north of the ], quickly intensifying into a hurricane on ]. Gracie was a storm that was very difficult to forecast, with its movement unpredictable.<ref name="AH">Allan Huffman Retrieved on ].</ref> After five days of looping, Gracie became a major hurricane which struck ], and weakened as it moved up the ], bringing much needed rain to a drought-plagued region. Much of the destruction related with Gracie was centered on ]. Gracie became an ] on ] while moving through the Eastern United States.


⚫ '''Hurricane Gracie''' was a major ] that formed in September 1959, the strongest during the ] and the most intense to strike the United States since ] in 1954.<ref name="NHC1">]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227010046/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1959/gracie/prenhc/prelim01.gif |date=February 27, 2008 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-07.</ref> The system was first noted as an area of thunderstorms east of the ] which moved just north of the ], quickly intensifying into a hurricane on September 22. Gracie was a storm that was very difficult to forecast, with its movement unpredictable.<ref name="AH">Allan Huffman {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20090509151512/http://raleighwx.easternuswx.com/gracie.html |date=May 9, 2009 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-07.</ref> After five days of erratic motion, Gracie became a major hurricane which struck ], and weakened as it moved up the ], bringing much needed rain to a drought-plagued region. Much of the destruction related with Gracie was centered on ]. Gracie became an ] on September 30 while moving through the Eastern United States.
⚫ ==Storm history==

⚫ ==Meteorological history==
{{storm path|Gracie 1959 track.png}} {{storm path|Gracie 1959 track.png}}
An area of ]y weather was first noted a few hundred miles east of the Lesser Antilles on ].<ref>]. Retrieved on ].</ref> The convective area organized into a tropical depression near the north coast of ] on ]. After moving west-northwestward for a day, it turned northeastward, where upper level winds were very favorable and steering currents were very weak. On ] Gracie was named as a tropical depression before it developed into a tropical storm,<ref>]. Retrieved on ].</ref> followed by reaching hurricane strength later that night. It turned to the east on ], and turned back west on ]. Then, with a firm anticyclone in place and set steering currents, it moved steadily west-northwestward.<ref name="AH">Allan Huffman Retrieved on ].</ref><ref name="disc1">{{cite web|author=Weather Underground|year=2007|title=Hurricane Gracie|publisher=Wunderground.com|accessdate=2007-11-08|url=http://www.wunderground.com/hurricane/at195908.asp}}</ref> An area of ]y weather was first noted a few hundred miles east of the Lesser Antilles on September 18.<ref>]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227010036/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1959/gracie/prenhc/prelim03.gif |date=2008-02-27 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-07.</ref> The convective area organized into a tropical depression near the north coast of ] on September 20. After moving west-northwestward for a day, it turned northeastward, where upper-level winds were very favorable and steering currents were very weak. On September 22 Gracie was named as a tropical depression before it developed into Tropical Storm Gracie,<ref>]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227010020/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1959/gracie/prenhc/prelim07.gif |date=2008-02-27 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-07.</ref> followed by reaching hurricane strength later that night. It turned to the east on September 25, and turned back west to west-northwest on September 27 as a stable anticyclone built in to its north.<ref name="AH"/><ref name="disc1">{{cite web|author=Weather Underground|year=2007|title=Hurricane Gracie|publisher=Wunderground.com|access-date=2007-11-08|url=http://www.wunderground.com/hurricane/at195908.asp|archive-date=2007-09-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070916213853/http://www.wunderground.com/hurricane/at195908.asp|url-status=live}}</ref>


Gracie quickly strengthened and reached its peak of 140&nbsp;mph (225&nbsp;km/h) winds on ], but cooler air and land interaction weakened it to a 120&nbsp;mph (195&nbsp;km/h) ] major hurricane at the time of its landfall at 11:25 a.m. over St. Helena Sound near the south end of Edisto Island.<ref>]. Retrieved on ].</ref> After landfall, Gracie moved inland and north and became extratropical on ]. Gracie quickly strengthened and reached its peak of {{convert|140|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} winds on September 29, but cooler air and land interaction weakened it slightly to a 130&nbsp;mph (215&nbsp;km/h) ] major hurricane at the time of its landfall at 1625 ] over ] near the south end of ] in ].<ref name="Reanalysis 1956-1960">{{cite web|title=Reanalysis of 1956 to 1960 Atlantic hurricane seasons completed|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/news/20160720_pa_1956to1960Reanalysis.pdf|website=National Hurricane Center|access-date=4 November 2016|archive-date=11 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161211052703/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/news/20160720_pa_1956to1960Reanalysis.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227010038/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1959/gracie/prenhc/prelim30.gif |date=2008-02-27 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-07.</ref> After landfall, Gracie moved inland and north and became extratropical on September 30. Gracie's remnants persisted for several days as they slowly turned northeastward and then eastward. Gracie's remnants emerged into the Atlantic on October 2, before dissipating later that day.<ref name="hurdat">{{cite web|title=Atlantic Hurricane Best Track Data 1851-2015|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/hurdat/hurdat2-1851-2015-070616.txt|website=National Hurricane Center|access-date=4 November 2016|archive-date=4 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161004150702/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/hurdat/hurdat2-1851-2015-070616.txt|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Preparations== ==Preparations==
Small craft warnings were raised for the Florida east coast southward through the ] up the west coast to ] by 10 a.m. on ].<ref>]. Retrieved on ].</ref> On the afternoon of ], small craft warnings were extended northward to ].<ref>]. Retrieved on ].</ref> Small craft were advised to not venture far from port on the morning of ] along the Georgia and South Carolina coasts. Late on the morning of ], small craft warnings were dropped for the Florida west coast, Florida Keys, and coastline south of ].<ref>]. Retrieved on ].</ref> On the morning of ], small craft warnings were dropped. Small craft were advised to remain in port from ] northward through the South Carolina coast. Small craft were advised to remain near port south of ] along the North Carolina coast.<ref>]. Retrieved on ].</ref> On the morning of ], small craft along the northeast Florida and Georgia coasts were advised to remain in port, while small vessels were recommended to remain near port along the coasts of the Carolinas.<ref>]. Retrieved on ].</ref> By the morning of ], small craft were advised to remain near port from northeast Florida northward through the Carolinas.<ref>]. Retrieved on ].</ref> By the afternoon of ], with Gracie on a definite west-northeast track, small craft were advised to stay in port from the central Florida coast northward through Georgia, with the advice being extended northward through the Carolinas by 8 p.m.<ref>]. Retrieved on ].</ref> A hurricane watch was issued for the coast of the United States from ] to ] at 11 a.m. on ], which were quickly updated to hurricane warnings by 2 p.m. the same day.<ref name="NHC1"/> By 2 p.m., gale warnings were in effect from ] to Savannah, Georgia as well as from Wilmington to ].<ref>]. Retrieved on ].</ref> At 7 a.m. on ], gale warnings were dropped south of ].<ref>]. Retrieved on ].</ref> At 5 p.m., gale warnings were extended northward to ], including ] and ].<ref>]. Retrieved on ].</ref> At 11 p.m., all warnings south of Cape Hatteras were dropped, leaving gale warnings in effect from Cape Hatteras northward.<ref>]. Retrieved on ].</ref> At 5 a.m. on ], small craft were advised to remain in port from Cape May northward to ].<ref>]. Retrieved on ].</ref> By 11 a.m., due to Gracie's continued weakening, all remaining gale warnings were downgraded to small craft warnings.<ref>]. Retrieved on ].</ref> At 5 p.m., small craft warnings were extended northward, in effect from Cape Hatteras to Block Island.<ref>]. Retrieved on ].</ref> All warnings were dropped by 11 p.m. as winds, even in gusts, fell to under 30&nbsp;mph (50&nbsp;km/h)<ref>]. Retrieved on ].</ref> A hurricane watch was issued for the coast of the United States from ] to ] at 1600 UTC on September 28, which were quickly updated to hurricane warnings by 1900 UTC the same day.<ref name="NHC1"/> By 1900 UTC, gale warnings were in effect from ] to Savannah, Georgia as well as from Wilmington to ].<ref>]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227010041/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1959/gracie/prenhc/prelim22.gif |date=2008-02-27 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-07.</ref> At 1200 UTC on September 29, gale warnings were dropped south of ].<ref>]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227010026/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1959/gracie/prenhc/prelim28.gif |date=2008-02-27 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-07.</ref> At 2200 UTC, gale warnings were extended northward to ], including ] and ].<ref>]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227010023/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1959/gracie/prenhc/prelim32.gif |date=2008-02-27 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-07.</ref> At 0400 UTC on September 30, all warnings south of Cape Hatteras were dropped, leaving gale warnings in effect from Cape Hatteras northward.<ref>]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227010018/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1959/gracie/prenhc/prelim34.gif |date=2008-02-27 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-07.</ref> At 1000 UTC, small craft were advised to remain in port from Cape May northward to ].<ref>]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227010047/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1959/gracie/prenhc/prelim35.gif |date=2008-02-27 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-07.</ref> By 1600 UTC, due to Gracie's continued weakening, all remaining gale warnings were downgraded to small craft warnings.<ref>]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227010021/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1959/gracie/prenhc/prelim37.gif |date=2008-02-27 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-07.</ref>


==Impact== ==Impact==
Storm surge flooding was minimal due to the storm's landfall near the time of low tide.<ref name="NHC1"/> However, Charleston still recorded their highest tide since 1940.<ref>]. Retrieved on ].</ref> The storm spawned seven tornadoes in all.<ref>Tom Grazulis and Bill McCaul. Retrieved on ].</ref> A few of the ]es which accompanied the dissipating storm through ] killed twelve people near ]. Other tornadoes touched down in the Carolinas and Pennsylvania.<ref>Virginia Department of Emergency Management. Retrieved on ].</ref> Gracie also killed 10 people in ] and ], mainly due to wind and rain-induced automobile accidents, falling trees and electrocution by live wires. Wind damage was quite significant across ], particularly the city of Beaufort, South Carolina, with many downed trees, telephone poles, and streetlights. Also, numerous windows were shattered and shingles were torn off of roofs. A number of creeks overflowed causing floodwaters that, in areas, were several feet deep. For the most part, rainfall from Gracie was beneficial as it moved up the Appalachians since the area had been in a drought preceding the ].<ref name="NHC2">]. Retrieved on ].</ref> It would be 30 years before another major hurricane stuck South Carolina; ] in September 1989.


===Georgia and South Carolina===
==Long term impact==
] across the United States]]
⚫ Edisto Beach was changed forever by Gracie, due to human efforts to renourish the beach. Most of the shell hash beach currently at Edisto was placed there after Gracie. In order to renourish the beach, marsh inland was excavated and moved to the shoreline. This created highly desirable beach front property which led to new development along the coast seaward of Palmetto Boulevard, but led to an environmental catastrophe along the nearby ocean floor.<ref>Gered Lennon. Retrieved on ].</ref> A species of ] which grows in coastal estuaries, the Cyathura Polita, disappeared after the passage of this hurricane from the ] in South Carolina.<ref>]. Retrieved on ].</ref> The ], a bird, was swept to Lookout Mountain Sanctuary in ] during Gracie, marking the first time its first known appearance in North America.<ref>]. Retrieved on ].</ref>
] flooding was minimal due to the storm's landfall near the time of low ].<ref name="NHC1"/> However, Charleston still recorded their highest tide since 1940.<ref>]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227010035/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1959/gracie/prenhc/prelim31.gif |date=2008-02-27 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-07.</ref> Along the coast of southern South Carolina, the storm tide was measured up to {{convert|11.9|ft|m}} above mean lower low water (the average level of the lowest low tide each day).<ref>D. Lee Harris. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516215010/http://www.csc.noaa.gov/hes/images/pdf/CHARACTERISTICS_STORM_SURGE.pdf |date=2013-05-16 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-12.</ref> The ] vessel Bramble evacuated people stranded in Savannah and Charleston on September 30.<ref>]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920112830/http://www.uscg.mil/Systems/gse/180%20histcontextno%20pics.html |date=2008-09-20 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-12.</ref> Gracie killed 10&nbsp;people in ] and ], mainly due to wind and rain-induced automobile accidents, falling trees and electrocution by live wires. The Garden Club of South Carolina replaced numerous trees after the storm.<ref>South Carolina Department of Transportation. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728031448/http://www.scdot.org/ArtMan/publish/article_658.shtml |date=2011-07-28 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-11.</ref> Wind damage was quite significant across ], particularly the city of Beaufort, South Carolina, with many downed trees, telephone poles, and streetlights. Also, numerous windows were shattered and shingles were torn off of roofs. A number of creeks overflowed causing floodwaters that, in areas, were several feet deep. The opening of the Beaufort Center of the ] was delayed due to Gracie.<ref>]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108113739/http://www.sc.edu/bulletin/archives/2002-2003/Beaufort/Univ.html |date=2009-01-08 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-11.</ref> It would be 30&nbsp;years before another major hurricane struck South Carolina: ] in September 1989.<ref name="hurdat"/>


===Elsewhere in the United States===
==Retirement==
Heavy rains fell well ahead of the storm along an inverted trough extending north of the storm, causing {{convert|6.79|in|mm}} between the mornings of September 28 and September 29 at ].<ref>Daily Weather Maps. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223201113/http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/dwm/1959/19590929.djvu |date=February 23, 2012 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-12.</ref> The highest rainfall amount measured during the storm was {{convert|13.20|in|mm}} at Big Meadows.<ref>David M. Roth. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921133454/http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/gracie1959.html |date=2013-09-21 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-17.</ref> The storm spawned six tornadoes in all.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/tornado/1959/9/table |title=Tornado History Project: September, 1959 |access-date=2020-07-07 |archive-date=2020-07-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706082934/http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/tornado/1959/9/table |url-status=live }}</ref> This included three F3 ]es which accompanied the dissipating storm through ], killing 12 people and injuring 13 near ]. Three F1 tornadoes had touched down in the Carolinas prior to those touching down.<ref>Virginia Department of Emergency Management. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100717010736/http://www.vdem.state.va.us/newsroom/history/hurricane.cfm |date=July 17, 2010 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-11.</ref> For the most part, rainfall from Gracie was beneficial as it moved up the Appalachians since the area had been in a drought preceding the ].<ref name="NHC2">]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227010040/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1959/gracie/prenhc/prelim02.gif |date=2008-02-27 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-07.</ref>
{{seealso|List of retired Atlantic hurricane names}}
The name Gracie was retired and will never be used for an ] again; this was before the formal lists were created, so it was not replaced with any particular name.


== See also == ==Long-term impact==
⚫ ] was changed forever by Gracie, due to human efforts to renourish the ] after its passage. Most of the shell hash beach currently at Edisto was placed there after Gracie. In order to expand the beach, an inland ] was excavated and moved to the shoreline. This created highly desirable beach front property which led to new development along the coast seaward of Palmetto Boulevard, but also created an environmental catastrophe along the nearby ocean floor.<ref>Gered Lennon. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803052546/https://books.google.com/books?id=EpHzhOo5EzUC&pg=PA118&lpg=PA118&dq=hurricane+gracie+1959&source=web&ots=34hj2dLRTa&sig=hHuf_BjTl5bpLSwA942_IUnyPOM#PPA119,M1 |date=2020-08-03 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-11.</ref> A species of ] which grows in coastal estuaries, the Cyathura Polita, disappeared after the passage of this hurricane from the ] in South Carolina.<ref>William D. Burbanck. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804045112/https://www.jstor.org/stable/1932259 |date=2020-08-04 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-11.</ref> The ], a bird, was swept to Lookout Mountain Sanctuary in ] during Gracie, marking the first time it appeared in North America.<ref>]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070818131621/http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Wilson/v073n03/p0262-p0267.html |date=2007-08-18 }} Retrieved on 2008-01-11.</ref>
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==See also==
{{Portal|Tropical cyclones}}
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==References==
{{Reflist}}


== References == ==External links==
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⚫ {{Category 4 Atlantic hurricanes}}

== External links ==
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⚫ {{Retired Atlantic hurricanes}}
{{1959 Atlantic hurricane season buttons}} {{1959 Atlantic hurricane season buttons}}

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Latest revision as of 19:50, 23 December 2024

Category 4 Atlantic hurricane in 1959 For storms with the similar name "Grace", see List of storms named Grace.
Hurricane Gracie
Radar image of Hurricane Gracie taken by the United States Navy
Meteorological history
FormedSeptember 20, 1959
ExtratropicalSeptember 30, 1959
DissipatedOctober 2, 1959
Category 4 major hurricane
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds140 mph (220 km/h)
Lowest pressure950 mbar (hPa); 28.05 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities22 direct
Damage$14 million (1959 USD)
Areas affectedBahamas, Georgia, The Carolinas, Virginia, Northeastern United States, Atlantic Canada
IBTrACSEdit this at Wikidata
Part of the 1959 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Gracie was a major hurricane that formed in September 1959, the strongest during the 1959 Atlantic hurricane season and the most intense to strike the United States since Hurricane Hazel in 1954. The system was first noted as an area of thunderstorms east of the Lesser Antilles which moved just north of the Greater Antilles, quickly intensifying into a hurricane on September 22. Gracie was a storm that was very difficult to forecast, with its movement unpredictable. After five days of erratic motion, Gracie became a major hurricane which struck South Carolina, and weakened as it moved up the Appalachians, bringing much needed rain to a drought-plagued region. Much of the destruction related with Gracie was centered on Beaufort, South Carolina. Gracie became an extratropical cyclone on September 30 while moving through the Eastern United States.

Meteorological history

Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key Saffir–Simpson scale   Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown Storm type circle Tropical cyclone square Subtropical cyclone triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

An area of squally weather was first noted a few hundred miles east of the Lesser Antilles on September 18. The convective area organized into a tropical depression near the north coast of Hispaniola on September 20. After moving west-northwestward for a day, it turned northeastward, where upper-level winds were very favorable and steering currents were very weak. On September 22 Gracie was named as a tropical depression before it developed into Tropical Storm Gracie, followed by reaching hurricane strength later that night. It turned to the east on September 25, and turned back west to west-northwest on September 27 as a stable anticyclone built in to its north.

Gracie quickly strengthened and reached its peak of 140 mph (230 km/h) winds on September 29, but cooler air and land interaction weakened it slightly to a 130 mph (215 km/h) Category 4 major hurricane at the time of its landfall at 1625 UTC over St. Helena Sound near the south end of Edisto Island in South Carolina. After landfall, Gracie moved inland and north and became extratropical on September 30. Gracie's remnants persisted for several days as they slowly turned northeastward and then eastward. Gracie's remnants emerged into the Atlantic on October 2, before dissipating later that day.

Preparations

A hurricane watch was issued for the coast of the United States from Savannah, Georgia to Wilmington, North Carolina at 1600 UTC on September 28, which were quickly updated to hurricane warnings by 1900 UTC the same day. By 1900 UTC, gale warnings were in effect from Daytona Beach, Florida to Savannah, Georgia as well as from Wilmington to Morehead City, North Carolina. At 1200 UTC on September 29, gale warnings were dropped south of Brunswick, Georgia. At 2200 UTC, gale warnings were extended northward to Cape May, New Jersey, including Chesapeake Bay and Delaware Bay. At 0400 UTC on September 30, all warnings south of Cape Hatteras were dropped, leaving gale warnings in effect from Cape Hatteras northward. At 1000 UTC, small craft were advised to remain in port from Cape May northward to Block Island, Rhode Island. By 1600 UTC, due to Gracie's continued weakening, all remaining gale warnings were downgraded to small craft warnings.

Impact

Georgia and South Carolina

Gracie's Rainfall across the United States

Storm surge flooding was minimal due to the storm's landfall near the time of low tide. However, Charleston still recorded their highest tide since 1940. Along the coast of southern South Carolina, the storm tide was measured up to 11.9 feet (3.6 m) above mean lower low water (the average level of the lowest low tide each day). The United States Coast Guard vessel Bramble evacuated people stranded in Savannah and Charleston on September 30. Gracie killed 10 people in South Carolina and Georgia, mainly due to wind and rain-induced automobile accidents, falling trees and electrocution by live wires. The Garden Club of South Carolina replaced numerous trees after the storm. Wind damage was quite significant across South Carolina, particularly the city of Beaufort, South Carolina, with many downed trees, telephone poles, and streetlights. Also, numerous windows were shattered and shingles were torn off of roofs. A number of creeks overflowed causing floodwaters that, in areas, were several feet deep. The opening of the Beaufort Center of the University of South Carolina was delayed due to Gracie. It would be 30 years before another major hurricane struck South Carolina: Hurricane Hugo in September 1989.

Elsewhere in the United States

Heavy rains fell well ahead of the storm along an inverted trough extending north of the storm, causing 6.79 inches (172 mm) between the mornings of September 28 and September 29 at Norfolk, Virginia. The highest rainfall amount measured during the storm was 13.20 inches (335 mm) at Big Meadows. The storm spawned six tornadoes in all. This included three F3 tornadoes which accompanied the dissipating storm through Virginia, killing 12 people and injuring 13 near Charlottesville, Virginia. Three F1 tornadoes had touched down in the Carolinas prior to those touching down. For the most part, rainfall from Gracie was beneficial as it moved up the Appalachians since the area had been in a drought preceding the cyclone.

Long-term impact

Edisto Beach, South Carolina was changed forever by Gracie, due to human efforts to renourish the beach after its passage. Most of the shell hash beach currently at Edisto was placed there after Gracie. In order to expand the beach, an inland marsh was excavated and moved to the shoreline. This created highly desirable beach front property which led to new development along the coast seaward of Palmetto Boulevard, but also created an environmental catastrophe along the nearby ocean floor. A species of isopod which grows in coastal estuaries, the Cyathura Polita, disappeared after the passage of this hurricane from the Ashepoo River in South Carolina. The Kermadec petrel, a bird, was swept to Lookout Mountain Sanctuary in Pennsylvania during Gracie, marking the first time it appeared in North America.

See also

References

  1. ^ National Hurricane Center. Preliminary Report on Hurricane Gracie: September 22-October 1, 1959. Archived February 27, 2008, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
  2. ^ Allan Huffman Hurricane Gracie. Archived May 9, 2009, at archive.today Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
  3. National Hurricane Center. San Juan Weather Bureau Weather Bulletin for Press Radio and Television 3 PM September 18 1959. Archived 2008-02-27 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
  4. National Hurricane Center. Miami Weather Bureau Advisory Number 1 Tropical Depression Gracie 1030 AM EST September 22 1959. Archived 2008-02-27 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
  5. Weather Underground (2007). "Hurricane Gracie". Wunderground.com. Archived from the original on 2007-09-16. Retrieved 2007-11-08.
  6. "Reanalysis of 1956 to 1960 Atlantic hurricane seasons completed" (PDF). National Hurricane Center. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 December 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  7. National Hurricane Center. Local Statement from Weather Bureau Charleston South Carolina Hurricane Gracie 12 Noon EST September 29 1959. Archived 2008-02-27 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
  8. ^ "Atlantic Hurricane Best Track Data 1851-2015". National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on 4 October 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  9. National Hurricane Center. Miami Weather Bureau Advisory Number 25A Hurricane Gracie 2 PM September 28 1959. Archived 2008-02-27 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
  10. National Hurricane Center. Miami Weather Bureau Hurricane Gracie Bulletin For Press Radio and Television 7 AM September 29 1959. Archived 2008-02-27 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
  11. National Hurricane Center. Miami Weather Bureau Advisory Number 30 Hurricane Gracie 5 PM September 29 1959. Archived 2008-02-27 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
  12. National Hurricane Center. Miami Weather Bureau Advisory Number 31 Hurricane Gracie 11 PM September 29 1959. Archived 2008-02-27 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
  13. National Hurricane Center. Washington Weather Bureau Advisory Number 32 Storm Gracie 5 AM September 30 1959. Archived 2008-02-27 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
  14. National Hurricane Center. Washington Weather Bureau Advisory Number 33 Storm Gracie 11 AM September 30 1959. Archived 2008-02-27 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
  15. National Hurricane Center. Tide Statement Weather Bureau Office Charleston South Carolina 2:30 PM EST September 29 1959. Archived 2008-02-27 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
  16. D. Lee Harris. U. S. Department of Commerce Weather Bureau Technical Paper No. 48: Characteristics of the Hurricane Storm Surge. Archived 2013-05-16 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-01-12.
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  22. "Tornado History Project: September, 1959". Archived from the original on 2020-07-06. Retrieved 2020-07-07.
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  25. Gered Lennon. Living With the South Carolina Coast. Archived 2020-08-03 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-01-11.
  26. William D. Burbanck. The Disappearance of Cyathura Polita from the Ashepoo River, South Carolina, After Hurricane "Gracie" in 1959. Archived 2020-08-04 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-01-11.
  27. University of New Mexico. Kermadec Petrel in Pennsylvania. Archived 2007-08-18 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-01-11.

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Category 4 Atlantic hurricanes
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Tropical cyclones of the 1959 Atlantic hurricane season
TSArlene TSBeulah 1Escuminac Hurricane 1Cindy 1Debra TSEdith 1Flora 4Gracie 3Hannah TSIrene 1Judith

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