Hurricane Greta-Olivia
Encyclopedia
Hurricane Greta–Olivia was a Category 4 hurricane that crossed over Central America
, changing names upon reaching the Eastern Pacific during the 1978 Atlantic hurricane season
and 1978 Pacific hurricane season
. Striking Honduras on the fourth anniversary of Hurricane Fifi, the Greta threatened to reproduce the devastating effects of the catastrophic storm. However, damage and loss of life was significantly less than feared. Upon regaining tropical storm status in the eastern Pacific basin, Greta became one of the handful of tropical cyclones to achieve this feat and the first since Hurricane Fifi regenerated into Orlene in 1974.
near Dakar, Senegal on September 7. It moved westward, remaining disorganized until an increase of convection occurred on the 10th. The wave continued to organize as it passed through the Lesser Antilles
, and based on ship and land reports, the wave was upgraded to a tropical depression on September 13 while 75 miles west-northwest of Trinidad
. Though located in a climatologically unfavorable area, the depression intensified, and reached tropical storm status on the 14th.
A strong trough ahead of Greta prevented significant strengthening as it moved westward across the Caribbean Sea
. However, warm water temperatures allowed it to steadily intensify to reach hurricane status on September 16 while south of Jamaica
. The trough weakened considerably on the 17th, and enabled Greta to quickly intensify as it approached the Honduras
coastline. The unique topography of the coastline allowed for Greta to reach peak winds of 135 mph near land.
Hurricane Greta made its Honduras landfall on September 18 at Category 4 status. Rather than continuing westward, the center ricocheted off the coast, and spared the Honduran mainland from its eyewall. Moving west-northwestward through the Gulf of Honduras
, land interaction weakened the hurricane. On September 19, Hurricane Greta made landfall on the Stann Creek District
in southern Belize
, and weakened rapidly to a tropical depression over land. A high pressure system to its north forced it to the southwest, where, upon reaching the Eastern Pacific, its circulation remained intact.
The depression moved into the Eastern Pacific from the Chiapas
province of southeast Mexico
. It moved to the southwest, and was renamed Tropical Storm Olivia on September 20. It remained nearly stationary, and slowly looped back to the north. Olivia reached hurricane status on the 22nd, but weakened just offshore of Mexico to a tropical storm. The storm turned to the northeast, and hit Oaxaca
late on the 22nd, and dissipated the next day over land.
in 1974
. However, Greta failed to produce the devastating river floods. In addition, because Greta was a compact storm that remained offshore, damage was reduced to a minimal.
Hurricane Greta was a rare Atlantic Ocean to Eastern Pacific cross-over storm. It was one of only six known storms to move from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
and the islands of the southeast Caribbean, they received some moderate rainfall, but much of the convection was located to the north.
In Honduras, meteorologists estimated that upwards of 15 in (381 mm) of rain fell in mountainous regions, likely triggering flash flooding and landslides. Initial press reports following Greta's passage stated that hundreds of poorly constructed huts along the coastline were destroyed. Many villages were isolated and communication with them was severely hampered. In Puerto Lempira, roughly 1,500 of the town's 7,000 residents sought refuge in five large structures during the storm. Throughout twelve communities along the coastline, military officials reported that 656 homes were destroyed, of which 278 were in Punta Potuca.
As said earlier, Greta did not produce the severe river flooding that Fifi caused. Minor flooding was observed in Honduras
, and what little damage that occurred there was in the extreme northeast portion of the country. In Belize
, tides were 6 feet above normal in some locations, with damage estimated at $25 million (1978 USD) due to the direct hit. Improved warnings by the governments of Honduras
, Belize
, and their neighbors reduced the death toll to five, with one person death in Honduras and four casualties (with three missing) in Belize.
Damage estimates for Mexico from Olivia is unknown.
Although the National Hurricane Center does not consider it retired, the World Meteorological Organization
listed Greta as under its retired hurricane name list.
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
, changing names upon reaching the Eastern Pacific during the 1978 Atlantic hurricane season
1978 Atlantic hurricane season
The 1978 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, 1978, and lasted until November 30, 1978. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin...
and 1978 Pacific hurricane season
1978 Pacific hurricane season
The 1978 Pacific hurricane season officially began May 15, 1978, in the eastern Pacific, June 1, 1978 in the central Pacific, and officially ended 30 November 1978. These dates conventionally delimit the period of time when tropical cyclones form in the eastern north Pacific Ocean.Activity this...
. Striking Honduras on the fourth anniversary of Hurricane Fifi, the Greta threatened to reproduce the devastating effects of the catastrophic storm. However, damage and loss of life was significantly less than feared. Upon regaining tropical storm status in the eastern Pacific basin, Greta became one of the handful of tropical cyclones to achieve this feat and the first since Hurricane Fifi regenerated into Orlene in 1974.
Meteorological history
A tropical wave exited the coast of AfricaAfrica
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
near Dakar, Senegal on September 7. It moved westward, remaining disorganized until an increase of convection occurred on the 10th. The wave continued to organize as it passed through the Lesser Antilles
Lesser Antilles
The Lesser Antilles are a long, partly volcanic island arc in the Western Hemisphere. Most of its islands form the eastern boundary of the Caribbean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean, with the remainder located in the southern Caribbean just north of South America...
, and based on ship and land reports, the wave was upgraded to a tropical depression on September 13 while 75 miles west-northwest of Trinidad
Trinidad
Trinidad is the larger and more populous of the two major islands and numerous landforms which make up the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago. It is the southernmost island in the Caribbean and lies just off the northeastern coast of Venezuela. With an area of it is also the fifth largest in...
. Though located in a climatologically unfavorable area, the depression intensified, and reached tropical storm status on the 14th.
A strong trough ahead of Greta prevented significant strengthening as it moved westward across the Caribbean Sea
Caribbean Sea
The Caribbean Sea is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean located in the tropics of the Western hemisphere. It is bounded by Mexico and Central America to the west and southwest, to the north by the Greater Antilles, and to the east by the Lesser Antilles....
. However, warm water temperatures allowed it to steadily intensify to reach hurricane status on September 16 while south of Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
. The trough weakened considerably on the 17th, and enabled Greta to quickly intensify as it approached the Honduras
Honduras
Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
coastline. The unique topography of the coastline allowed for Greta to reach peak winds of 135 mph near land.
Hurricane Greta made its Honduras landfall on September 18 at Category 4 status. Rather than continuing westward, the center ricocheted off the coast, and spared the Honduran mainland from its eyewall. Moving west-northwestward through the Gulf of Honduras
Gulf of Honduras
The Gulf or Bay of Honduras is a large inlet of the Caribbean Sea, indenting the coasts of Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. From north to south, it runs for approximately 200 km from Dangriga, Belize, to La Ceiba, Honduras....
, land interaction weakened the hurricane. On September 19, Hurricane Greta made landfall on the Stann Creek District
Stann Creek District
Stann Creek District is a district in the south east region of Belize. According to the 2010 census, the district had a population of 32,166 people...
in southern Belize
Belize
Belize is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official...
, and weakened rapidly to a tropical depression over land. A high pressure system to its north forced it to the southwest, where, upon reaching the Eastern Pacific, its circulation remained intact.
The depression moved into the Eastern Pacific from the Chiapas
Chiapas
Chiapas officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Chiapas is one of the 31 states that, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 118 municipalities and its capital city is Tuxtla Gutierrez. Other important cites in Chiapas include San Cristóbal de las...
province of southeast Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. It moved to the southwest, and was renamed Tropical Storm Olivia on September 20. It remained nearly stationary, and slowly looped back to the north. Olivia reached hurricane status on the 22nd, but weakened just offshore of Mexico to a tropical storm. The storm turned to the northeast, and hit Oaxaca
Oaxaca
Oaxaca , , officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Oaxaca is one of the 31 states which, along with the Federal District, comprise the 32 federative entities of Mexico. It is divided into 571 municipalities; of which 418 are governed by the system of customs and traditions...
late on the 22nd, and dissipated the next day over land.
Comparisons to other storms
Based on its strength and westward track through the western Caribbean Sea, Greta was feared to repeat the devastating effects of Hurricane FifiHurricane Fifi
Hurricane Fifi was a catastrophic tropical cyclone that killed between 3,000 and 10,000 people in Honduras in September 1974, ranking it as the fourth deadliest Atlantic hurricane on record. Originating from a strong tropical wave on September 14, the system steadily tracked...
in 1974
1974 Atlantic hurricane season
The 1974 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, 1974, and lasted until November 30, 1974. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin...
. However, Greta failed to produce the devastating river floods. In addition, because Greta was a compact storm that remained offshore, damage was reduced to a minimal.
Hurricane Greta was a rare Atlantic Ocean to Eastern Pacific cross-over storm. It was one of only six known storms to move from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
Impact
While passing through the Lesser AntillesLesser Antilles
The Lesser Antilles are a long, partly volcanic island arc in the Western Hemisphere. Most of its islands form the eastern boundary of the Caribbean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean, with the remainder located in the southern Caribbean just north of South America...
and the islands of the southeast Caribbean, they received some moderate rainfall, but much of the convection was located to the north.
In Honduras, meteorologists estimated that upwards of 15 in (381 mm) of rain fell in mountainous regions, likely triggering flash flooding and landslides. Initial press reports following Greta's passage stated that hundreds of poorly constructed huts along the coastline were destroyed. Many villages were isolated and communication with them was severely hampered. In Puerto Lempira, roughly 1,500 of the town's 7,000 residents sought refuge in five large structures during the storm. Throughout twelve communities along the coastline, military officials reported that 656 homes were destroyed, of which 278 were in Punta Potuca.
As said earlier, Greta did not produce the severe river flooding that Fifi caused. Minor flooding was observed in Honduras
Honduras
Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
, and what little damage that occurred there was in the extreme northeast portion of the country. In Belize
Belize
Belize is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official...
, tides were 6 feet above normal in some locations, with damage estimated at $25 million (1978 USD) due to the direct hit. Improved warnings by the governments of Honduras
Honduras
Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
, Belize
Belize
Belize is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official...
, and their neighbors reduced the death toll to five, with one person death in Honduras and four casualties (with three missing) in Belize.
Damage estimates for Mexico from Olivia is unknown.
Although the National Hurricane Center does not consider it retired, the World Meteorological Organization
World Meteorological Organization
The World Meteorological Organization is an intergovernmental organization with a membership of 189 Member States and Territories. It originated from the International Meteorological Organization , which was founded in 1873...
listed Greta as under its retired hurricane name list.
See also
- Other storms named Greta
- Other storms named Olivia
- List of Atlantic–Pacific crossover hurricanes