Hurricane Otto (2010)
Encyclopedia
Hurricane Otto was a moderate Category 1 storm that caused widespread damage in portions of the northeastern Caribbean
islands. Otto originated as a subtropical cyclone
north of Puerto Rico
on October 6, and transitioned
into a tropical storm the next day, the fifteenth of the season. Steadily tracking northeastward, Otto strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson scale on October 8, with winds peaking at 85 mph (140 km/h). The storm subsequently entered a weakening trend due to incompatible surroundings, and became extratropical
west of the Azores
on October 10. Additionally, Otto was the first Atlantic tropical cyclone on record to have transitioned from a subtropical storm since Tropical Storm Laura
in 2008
.
The storm dropped heavy rainfall in the northern Leeward Islands
, the Virgin Islands
, and Puerto Rico
for several days, triggering widespread flooding and several mudslides
. Subsequently re-curving toward the northeast, Otto proceeded across the open Atlantic, and no further landmasses were affected. Overall, damage estimates as a result of the storm have amounted to over $22 million (2010 USD
).
. The disturbance drifted generally west-northwestward, and strong wind shear
eventually caused the westernmost wave to dissipate. Albeit weak, the remaining surface trough
persisted and stalled in the extreme eastern Caribbean Sea
for several days as a nearby upper-level low
retrograded to its north. By October 5, the trough drifted northward into a more favorable environment over the Virgin Islands
, allowing a surface low to form. The low became well-defined and produced a large band
of cloudiness and thunderstorm
s over the northeastern Caribbean. Surface pressure
s in association with the low began to drop over the next day, and it acquired a more prominent subtropical structure
: the storm sustained a notably larger maximum wind radius
than those of purely tropical cyclones. Additional observations also revealed an entanglement of the mean low and the upper-level low near its southwestern periphery, confirming the hybrid nature of the system. It was therefore designated Subtropical Depression Seventeen on October 6, located 265 mi (425 km) to the north-northwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico
.
The depression slowly proceeded northwestward, between the contiguous upper low and a large ridge
over the central Atlantic Ocean. An area of lighter wind shear
lying ahead, as well as an anticipated weakening of the upper low, led the NHC to introduce the possibility of tropical cyclogenesis
. Subsequent satellite observation
showed a significant increase in organization; convective banding cumulatively wrapped around the broad inner-core wind field, and winds gusted to 65 mph (110 km/h). Moments later, the formation of Subtropical Storm Otto
was issued about 215 mi (345 km) northeast of Grand Turk
. Although satellite imagery continued to display a classical subtropical cyclone, with the storm surface and the upper low nearly collocated, data obtained during a Hurricane Hunters
flight revealed a weak warm core strengthening within the mid levels of the circulation—a feature present at the upper levels of tropical cyclones. As well, a contraction of the large wind field reaffirmed that Otto was entering the final stages of its tropical transition. Struggling to produce much convection, the storm briefly weakened overnight, though weakening shear and considerably warmer sea surface temperatures permitted a small amount of convection to reignite on the morning of October 7. Several hours later, temperatures associated with forecast model
s indicated that the warm core within the circulation had ascended to the upper levels of the cyclone. As a result, a burst of deep convection with extreme cloud top temperatures of approximately −112° F (−80° C) occurred over the center. Having shed the last of its subtropical characteristics, Otto became a warm-core system and was operationally declared tropical at 1200 UTC
.
Later that day, Otto came under the increasing influence of a large deep-layer trough
off the US East Coast
. As conditions aloft remained conducive, convection symmetrically deepened near the center of circulation early on October 8. Steadily increasing in organization, Otto gradually developed a large, well-defined central dense overcast; furthermore, there were indications of the formation of a mid-level eyewall
. Based on these features, the storm was upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane south of Bermuda
, with winds set at 75 mph (120 km/h).
With little vertical wind shear aloft, further intensification ensued as the newly formed hurricane continued to track over favorable sea surface temperatures. At 0300 UTC October 9, microwave imagery
showed the indistinct eyewall was open at all levels, signifying a reach of peak strength of winds estimated at 85 mph (140 km/h). Upon peaking in intensity, Otto had become fully embedded within the deep-layered flow to its southwest. Speeding toward the northeast, the storm entered an area of progressively cooler waters as upper-level conditions quickly turned adverse. In response, storm cloud patterns gradually decreased in organization and convective cloud tops warmed significantly; central convection became fairly disheveled, causing the storm to come unraveled rapidly. Otto was reduced to a tropical storm shortly thereafter, sustaining maximum winds of less than 70 mph (110 km/h). Convection further diminished due to intensified shear conditions and a perpetual lack of tropical moisture, leading specialists to conclude the storm was entering an extratropical transition
. In addition, cool, dry air slowly began wrapping around the inner-core of the cyclone; within hours, the system barely retained its weak warm core and eventually developed frontal cloud bands
. With this, Otto was confirmed post-tropical as of October 10, and the NHC discontinued advisories on the storm. The remnant extratropical cyclone
decelerated near the Azores
, where it eventually degenerated into a remnant low and completely dissipated to the west of Morocco
early on October 18.
, the Virgin Islands
, and Puerto Rico
. Localized flooding and rough sea conditions caused extensive road damage, infrastructure failures, and some beach erosion along coastlines. During the passage of the storm, numerous residents were left without water and power, and a state of emergency
was declared for several Caribbean
nations. Schools, businesses and some government offices across all of the Virgin Islands
and Saint Kitts and Nevis
were closed until storm conditions abated. The weather system ultimately accounted for substantial monetary losses throughout these areas, pinned at over $22 million (2010 USD). In addition, Otto was widely regarded to be one of the wettest storms in recent local history, repeatedly shattering various precipitation records.
, downpours triggered torrential flooding along the island's easternmost coast from October 5 through October 6. In Dennery Quarter, flash flood
s affected about 500 households; among them, 400 had their houses flooded or severely damaged. Several residences had to be evacuated, and some people were trapped in their homes. Residents also suffered from the absence of drinking water, lack of electricity, and the inability to prepare meals due to the loss of kitchen equipment and other utensils. In response, the area was declared a disaster zone
; a total of EC$
500,000 ($185,185 USD) was approved to assist flood victims, as well as an additional US$44,194 allocated from the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
.
Intermittent torrents battered Saint Kitts and Nevis
for at least four days; a total of up to 10.99 inches (279 mm) of precipitation was recorded during that time. Several homeowners reported significant flooding, and a number of persons had to be rescued from their homes. Gusty winds generated rough sea conditions along coastal regions, resulting in some beach erosion and the collapse of a sidewalk section. Rains and associated floods topped a number of culverts and bridges, washed out the sides of some roadways, and damage to some utility lines, followed by significant disruptions to electricity services. The exact amount of damage to the territory remains unknown, however.
In the U.S. Virgin Islands
, heavy rainfall resulted in flooding of some local roads. Due to the flooding, officials opened shelters on all three islands on October 6. In Saint Croix
, a roadway section leading into Enfield Green collapsed during the night, temporarily cutting the south-side neighborhood off to vehicle traffic until a makeshift roadway was created the next day. On the island's North Shore in La Vallée, flooding and landslides created some issues for low-lying areas. Initially, the roads remained passable; however, as rain continued throughout the next day, floods, mudslides, and asphalt
erosion in Saint Thomas
and Saint John
prompted authorities to issue the closure of several roads. Rainfall associated with Otto shattered numerous records across the US Virgin Islands, with a maximum total of 21.52 in (547 mm) reported in Red Hook, Saint Tomas
. Preliminary damage estimates were placed at $2 million.
In the British Virgin Islands
, a flash flood
warning was in effect during the presence of Otto from October 6 to 8. Torrential floods across the islands overturned several cars, and caused extensive damage to utility lines and drainage pipes; dozens of people in Tortola
—specifically in Road Town
—were temporarily left without power and water. In total, an estimated 24.98 inches (634 mm) of rain was recorded, and the government declared a state of emergency for the entire territory.
Throughout the British Virgin Islands, floods following the storm were regarded as the worst in the history of the islands. In total, damage across the islands was preliminarily estimated at US$10.5 million, considerably higher than losses ensured by Hurricane Earl
earlier in the year. Additionally, Otto was held responsible for substantial increases in damage to road network across Sint Maartin initially induced by Earl, amounting to over NAƒ1.5 million ($837,988 USD). On the other side of the island
, torrents and associated floods were accountable for similar damages; monetary losses in Saint Martin were estimated at €
800,000 ($1.12 million USD).
on October 5, persisting for up to five days in some areas. The greatest amount of rainfall during the six-day period of October 3 to 8 was registered at Rio Portugues in Ponce
, with 17.86 inches (453.6 mm) recorded. Due to the rainfall, the Government of Puerto Rico
issued the closure of more than 40 roads, and an additional 19 streets were partially secured. Subsequent widespread flooding affected at least 295 roads, 14 of which suffered significant damage. In all, damage to road infrastructure was preliminarily estimated at US$6.5 million. In addition, the municipality of Ponce reported copious losses in agriculture, later estimated at US$1.5 million.
Following the overflow of the Arecibo River
on October 7, a neighborhood in Utuado
was cut off from surrounding communities after gushing waters severely damaged its main road. Shortly thereafter, a landslide lugged a utility pole along the road, making it impossible for larger vehicles—including ambulances—to access the site. Landslides trapped fourteen families in the municipality of Ponce
; a residence alongside a road suffered significant damage and had to be evacuated. In Cayey
, a district was isolated from neighboring areas due to the collapse of a bridge. In the area, burst riverbanks triggered floods across local streets, which trapped dozens of families in their homes. Severe flooding contaminated water supplies, leaving an estimated 45,000 people without drinking water in the wake of the storm. In response, the government declared a state of emergency
for the entire island. Authorities opened 120 shelters, and several flood victims had to be rescued.
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
islands. Otto originated as a subtropical cyclone
Subtropical cyclone
A subtropical cyclone is a weather system that has some characteristics of a tropical and an extratropical cyclone. As early as the 1950s, meteorologists were unclear whether they should be characterized as tropical or extratropical cyclones. They were officially recognized by the National...
north of Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
on October 6, and transitioned
Tropical cyclogenesis
Tropical cyclogenesis is the term that describes the development and strengthening of a tropical cyclone in the atmosphere. The mechanisms through which tropical cyclogenesis occurs are distinctly different from those through which mid-latitude cyclogenesis occurs...
into a tropical storm the next day, the fifteenth of the season. Steadily tracking northeastward, Otto strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson scale on October 8, with winds peaking at 85 mph (140 km/h). The storm subsequently entered a weakening trend due to incompatible surroundings, and became extratropical
Extratropical cyclone
Extratropical cyclones, sometimes called mid-latitude cyclones or wave cyclones, are a group of cyclones defined as synoptic scale low pressure weather systems that occur in the middle latitudes of the Earth having neither tropical nor polar characteristics, and are connected with fronts and...
west of the Azores
Azores
The Archipelago of the Azores is composed of nine volcanic islands situated in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, and is located about west from Lisbon and about east from the east coast of North America. The islands, and their economic exclusion zone, form the Autonomous Region of the...
on October 10. Additionally, Otto was the first Atlantic tropical cyclone on record to have transitioned from a subtropical storm since Tropical Storm Laura
Tropical Storm Laura (2008)
Tropical Storm Laura was a short lived tropical cyclone that developed over the north-central Atlantic Ocean in late September during the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season. The 12th named storm of the season, Laura formed out of a large extratropical area of low pressure located about 1015 miles ...
in 2008
2008 Atlantic hurricane season
The 2008 Atlantic hurricane season was a very active hurricane season with sixteen named storms formed, including eight that became hurricanes and five that became major hurricanes. The season officially started on June 1 and ended on November 30. These dates conventionally delimit the period of...
.
The storm dropped heavy rainfall in the northern Leeward Islands
Leeward Islands
The Leeward Islands are a group of islands in the West Indies. They are the northern islands of the Lesser Antilles chain. As a group they start east of Puerto Rico and reach southward to Dominica. They are situated where the northeastern Caribbean Sea meets the western Atlantic Ocean...
, the Virgin Islands
Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands are the western island group of the Leeward Islands, which are the northern part of the Lesser Antilles, which form the border between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean...
, and Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
for several days, triggering widespread flooding and several mudslides
Landslide
A landslide or landslip is a geological phenomenon which includes a wide range of ground movement, such as rockfalls, deep failure of slopes and shallow debris flows, which can occur in offshore, coastal and onshore environments...
. Subsequently re-curving toward the northeast, Otto proceeded across the open Atlantic, and no further landmasses were affected. Overall, damage estimates as a result of the storm have amounted to over $22 million (2010 USD
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
).
Meteorological history
In late September, a large area of disturbed weather associated with two tropical waves formed just to the east of 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...
. The disturbance drifted generally west-northwestward, and strong wind shear
Wind shear
Wind shear, sometimes referred to as windshear or wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed and direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere...
eventually caused the westernmost wave to dissipate. Albeit weak, the remaining surface trough
Trough (meteorology)
A trough is an elongated region of relatively low atmospheric pressure, often associated with fronts.Unlike fronts, there is not a universal symbol for a trough on a weather chart. The weather charts in some countries or regions mark troughs by a line. In the United States, a trough may be marked...
persisted and stalled in the extreme eastern 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....
for several days as a nearby upper-level low
Cold-core low
A cold-core low, also known as a cold low or cold-core cyclone, is a cyclone aloft which has an associated cold pool of air residing at high altitude within the Earth's troposphere. It is a low pressure system which strengthens with height in accordance with the thermal wind relationship. These...
retrograded to its north. By October 5, the trough drifted northward into a more favorable environment over the Virgin Islands
Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands are the western island group of the Leeward Islands, which are the northern part of the Lesser Antilles, which form the border between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean...
, allowing a surface low to form. The low became well-defined and produced a large band
Rainband
A rainband is a cloud and precipitation structure associated with an area of rainfall which is significantly elongated. Rainbands can be stratiform or convective, and are generated by differences in temperature. When noted on weather radar imagery, this precipitation elongation is referred to as...
of cloudiness and thunderstorm
Atmospheric convection
Atmospheric convection is the result of a parcel-environment instability, or temperature difference, layer in the atmosphere. Different lapse rates within dry and moist air lead to instability. Mixing of air during the day which expands the height of the planetary boundary layer leads to...
s over the northeastern Caribbean. Surface pressure
Surface pressure
Surface pressure is the atmospheric pressure at a location on Earth's surface. It is directly proportional to the mass of air over that location....
s in association with the low began to drop over the next day, and it acquired a more prominent subtropical structure
Subtropical cyclone
A subtropical cyclone is a weather system that has some characteristics of a tropical and an extratropical cyclone. As early as the 1950s, meteorologists were unclear whether they should be characterized as tropical or extratropical cyclones. They were officially recognized by the National...
: the storm sustained a notably larger maximum wind radius
Radius of maximum wind
The radius of maximum wind is the distance between the center of a cyclone and its band of strongest winds. It is a parameter in atmospheric dynamics and tropical cyclone forecasting. The highest rainfall rates occur near the RMW of tropical cyclones. The extent of a cyclone's storm surge and...
than those of purely tropical cyclones. Additional observations also revealed an entanglement of the mean low and the upper-level low near its southwestern periphery, confirming the hybrid nature of the system. It was therefore designated Subtropical Depression Seventeen on October 6, located 265 mi (425 km) to the north-northwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
.
The depression slowly proceeded northwestward, between the contiguous upper low and a large ridge
Ridge (meteorology)
A ridge is an elongated region of relatively high atmospheric pressure, the opposite of a trough....
over the central Atlantic Ocean. An area of lighter wind shear
Wind shear
Wind shear, sometimes referred to as windshear or wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed and direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere...
lying ahead, as well as an anticipated weakening of the upper low, led the NHC to introduce the possibility of tropical cyclogenesis
Tropical cyclogenesis
Tropical cyclogenesis is the term that describes the development and strengthening of a tropical cyclone in the atmosphere. The mechanisms through which tropical cyclogenesis occurs are distinctly different from those through which mid-latitude cyclogenesis occurs...
. Subsequent satellite observation
Satellite imagery
Satellite imagery consists of photographs of Earth or other planets made by means of artificial satellites.- History :The first images from space were taken on sub-orbital flights. The U.S-launched V-2 flight on October 24, 1946 took one image every 1.5 seconds...
showed a significant increase in organization; convective banding cumulatively wrapped around the broad inner-core wind field, and winds gusted to 65 mph (110 km/h). Moments later, the formation of Subtropical Storm Otto
Otto
Otto is a given name of Germanic origin meaning wealthy.-Given name:*Otto , mayor of the palace of Austrasia briefly in the mid-seventh century*Otto I, Duke of Saxony*the Ottonian dynasty...
was issued about 215 mi (345 km) northeast of Grand Turk
Grand Turk Island
Grand Turk Island is an island in the Turks and Caicos Islands. It is the largest island in the Turks Islands with . It contains the territory's capital, Cockburn Town and the JAGS McCartney International Airport...
. Although satellite imagery continued to display a classical subtropical cyclone, with the storm surface and the upper low nearly collocated, data obtained during a Hurricane Hunters
Hurricane Hunters
The Hurricane Hunters are aircraft that fly into tropical cyclones in the North Atlantic Ocean and Northeastern Pacific Ocean for the specific purpose of directly measuring weather data in and around those storms. In the United States, the Air Force, Navy, and NOAA units have all participated in...
flight revealed a weak warm core strengthening within the mid levels of the circulation—a feature present at the upper levels of tropical cyclones. As well, a contraction of the large wind field reaffirmed that Otto was entering the final stages of its tropical transition. Struggling to produce much convection, the storm briefly weakened overnight, though weakening shear and considerably warmer sea surface temperatures permitted a small amount of convection to reignite on the morning of October 7. Several hours later, temperatures associated with forecast model
Numerical weather prediction
Numerical weather prediction uses mathematical models of the atmosphere and oceans to predict the weather based on current weather conditions. Though first attempted in the 1920s, it was not until the advent of computer simulation in the 1950s that numerical weather predictions produced realistic...
s indicated that the warm core within the circulation had ascended to the upper levels of the cyclone. As a result, a burst of deep convection with extreme cloud top temperatures of approximately −112° F (−80° C) occurred over the center. Having shed the last of its subtropical characteristics, Otto became a warm-core system and was operationally declared tropical at 1200 UTC
Coordinated Universal Time
Coordinated Universal Time is the primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time. It is one of several closely related successors to Greenwich Mean Time. Computer servers, online services and other entities that rely on having a universally accepted time use UTC for that purpose...
.
Later that day, Otto came under the increasing influence of a large deep-layer trough
Trough (meteorology)
A trough is an elongated region of relatively low atmospheric pressure, often associated with fronts.Unlike fronts, there is not a universal symbol for a trough on a weather chart. The weather charts in some countries or regions mark troughs by a line. In the United States, a trough may be marked...
off the US East Coast
East Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
. As conditions aloft remained conducive, convection symmetrically deepened near the center of circulation early on October 8. Steadily increasing in organization, Otto gradually developed a large, well-defined central dense overcast; furthermore, there were indications of the formation of a mid-level eyewall
Eye (cyclone)
The eye is a region of mostly calm weather found at the center of strong tropical cyclones. The eye of a storm is a roughly circular area and typically 30–65 km in diameter. It is surrounded by the eyewall, a ring of towering thunderstorms where the second most severe weather of a cyclone...
. Based on these features, the storm was upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane south of Bermuda
Bermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
, with winds set at 75 mph (120 km/h).
With little vertical wind shear aloft, further intensification ensued as the newly formed hurricane continued to track over favorable sea surface temperatures. At 0300 UTC October 9, microwave imagery
Special Sensor Microwave/Imager
The special sensor microwave/imager is a seven-channel, four-frequency, linearly polarized passive microwave radiometer system. It is flown on board the United States Air Force Defense Meteorological Satellite Program Block 5D-2 satellites. The instrument measures surface/atmospheric microwave...
showed the indistinct eyewall was open at all levels, signifying a reach of peak strength of winds estimated at 85 mph (140 km/h). Upon peaking in intensity, Otto had become fully embedded within the deep-layered flow to its southwest. Speeding toward the northeast, the storm entered an area of progressively cooler waters as upper-level conditions quickly turned adverse. In response, storm cloud patterns gradually decreased in organization and convective cloud tops warmed significantly; central convection became fairly disheveled, causing the storm to come unraveled rapidly. Otto was reduced to a tropical storm shortly thereafter, sustaining maximum winds of less than 70 mph (110 km/h). Convection further diminished due to intensified shear conditions and a perpetual lack of tropical moisture, leading specialists to conclude the storm was entering an extratropical transition
Extratropical cyclone
Extratropical cyclones, sometimes called mid-latitude cyclones or wave cyclones, are a group of cyclones defined as synoptic scale low pressure weather systems that occur in the middle latitudes of the Earth having neither tropical nor polar characteristics, and are connected with fronts and...
. In addition, cool, dry air slowly began wrapping around the inner-core of the cyclone; within hours, the system barely retained its weak warm core and eventually developed frontal cloud bands
Weather front
A weather front is a boundary separating two masses of air of different densities, and is the principal cause of meteorological phenomena. In surface weather analyses, fronts are depicted using various colored lines and symbols, depending on the type of front...
. With this, Otto was confirmed post-tropical as of October 10, and the NHC discontinued advisories on the storm. The remnant extratropical cyclone
Extratropical cyclone
Extratropical cyclones, sometimes called mid-latitude cyclones or wave cyclones, are a group of cyclones defined as synoptic scale low pressure weather systems that occur in the middle latitudes of the Earth having neither tropical nor polar characteristics, and are connected with fronts and...
decelerated near the Azores
Azores
The Archipelago of the Azores is composed of nine volcanic islands situated in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, and is located about west from Lisbon and about east from the east coast of North America. The islands, and their economic exclusion zone, form the Autonomous Region of the...
, where it eventually degenerated into a remnant low and completely dissipated to the west of Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
early on October 18.
Preparations and impact
Otto and its precursor disturbance produced days of prolonged rainfall and gusty winds across the northern Leeward IslandsLeeward Islands
The Leeward Islands are a group of islands in the West Indies. They are the northern islands of the Lesser Antilles chain. As a group they start east of Puerto Rico and reach southward to Dominica. They are situated where the northeastern Caribbean Sea meets the western Atlantic Ocean...
, the Virgin Islands
Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands are the western island group of the Leeward Islands, which are the northern part of the Lesser Antilles, which form the border between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean...
, and Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
. Localized flooding and rough sea conditions caused extensive road damage, infrastructure failures, and some beach erosion along coastlines. During the passage of the storm, numerous residents were left without water and power, and a state of emergency
State of emergency
A state of emergency is a governmental declaration that may suspend some normal functions of the executive, legislative and judicial powers, alert citizens to change their normal behaviours, or order government agencies to implement emergency preparedness plans. It can also be used as a rationale...
was declared for several Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
nations. Schools, businesses and some government offices across all of the Virgin Islands
Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands are the western island group of the Leeward Islands, which are the northern part of the Lesser Antilles, which form the border between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean...
and Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Kitts and Nevis
The Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis , located in the Leeward Islands, is a federal two-island nation in the West Indies. It is the smallest sovereign state in the Americas, in both area and population....
were closed until storm conditions abated. The weather system ultimately accounted for substantial monetary losses throughout these areas, pinned at over $22 million (2010 USD). In addition, Otto was widely regarded to be one of the wettest storms in recent local history, repeatedly shattering various precipitation records.
Leeward Islands
In Saint LuciaSaint Lucia
Saint Lucia is an island country in the eastern Caribbean Sea on the boundary with the Atlantic Ocean. Part of the Lesser Antilles, it is located north/northeast of the island of Saint Vincent, northwest of Barbados and south of Martinique. It covers a land area of 620 km2 and has an...
, downpours triggered torrential flooding along the island's easternmost coast from October 5 through October 6. In Dennery Quarter, flash flood
Flash flood
A flash flood is a rapid flooding of geomorphic low-lying areas—washes, rivers, dry lakes and basins. It may be caused by heavy rain associated with a storm, hurricane, or tropical storm or meltwater from ice or snow flowing over ice sheets or snowfields...
s affected about 500 households; among them, 400 had their houses flooded or severely damaged. Several residences had to be evacuated, and some people were trapped in their homes. Residents also suffered from the absence of drinking water, lack of electricity, and the inability to prepare meals due to the loss of kitchen equipment and other utensils. In response, the area was declared a disaster zone
Disaster area
A disaster area is a region or a locale heavily damaged by either natural hazards, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, tsunamis, floods, earthquakes, technological hazards including nuclear and radiation accidents, or sociological hazards like riots, terrorism or war. The population living there often...
; a total of EC$
East Caribbean dollar
The East Caribbean dollar is the currency of eight of the nine members of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States...
500,000 ($185,185 USD) was approved to assist flood victims, as well as an additional US$44,194 allocated from the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is a humanitarian institution that is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement along with the ICRC and 186 distinct National Societies...
.
Intermittent torrents battered Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Kitts and Nevis
The Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis , located in the Leeward Islands, is a federal two-island nation in the West Indies. It is the smallest sovereign state in the Americas, in both area and population....
for at least four days; a total of up to 10.99 inches (279 mm) of precipitation was recorded during that time. Several homeowners reported significant flooding, and a number of persons had to be rescued from their homes. Gusty winds generated rough sea conditions along coastal regions, resulting in some beach erosion and the collapse of a sidewalk section. Rains and associated floods topped a number of culverts and bridges, washed out the sides of some roadways, and damage to some utility lines, followed by significant disruptions to electricity services. The exact amount of damage to the territory remains unknown, however.
In the U.S. Virgin Islands
United States Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands of the United States are a group of islands in the Caribbean that are an insular area of the United States. The islands are geographically part of the Virgin Islands archipelago and are located in the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles.The U.S...
, heavy rainfall resulted in flooding of some local roads. Due to the flooding, officials opened shelters on all three islands on October 6. In Saint Croix
Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Saint Croix is an island in the Caribbean Sea, and a county and constituent district of the United States Virgin Islands , an unincorporated territory of the United States. Formerly the Danish West Indies, they were sold to the United States by Denmark in the Treaty of the Danish West Indies of...
, a roadway section leading into Enfield Green collapsed during the night, temporarily cutting the south-side neighborhood off to vehicle traffic until a makeshift roadway was created the next day. On the island's North Shore in La Vallée, flooding and landslides created some issues for low-lying areas. Initially, the roads remained passable; however, as rain continued throughout the next day, floods, mudslides, and asphalt
Asphalt concrete
Asphalt concrete is a composite material commonly used in construction projects such as road surfaces, airports and parking lots. It consists of asphalt and mineral aggregate mixed together, then laid down in layers and compacted...
erosion in Saint Thomas
Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Saint Thomas is an island in the Caribbean Sea and with the islands of Saint John, Saint Croix, and Water Island a county and constituent district of the United States Virgin Islands , an unincorporated territory of the United States. Located on the island is the territorial capital and port of...
and Saint John
Saint John, U.S. Virgin Islands
Saint John is an island in the Caribbean Sea and a constituent district of the United States Virgin Islands , an unincorporated territory of the United States. St...
prompted authorities to issue the closure of several roads. Rainfall associated with Otto shattered numerous records across the US Virgin Islands, with a maximum total of 21.52 in (547 mm) reported in Red Hook, Saint Tomas
Red Hook, United States Virgin Islands
Red Hook is an area located on the east side of Saint Thomas, one of the United States Virgin Islands. Referred to as Red Hook, the east end features an unofficial "town" of red-tiled roof homes and businesses dotting a rolling coastline that overlooks Pillsbury Sound and the island of St. John in...
. Preliminary damage estimates were placed at $2 million.
In the British Virgin Islands
British Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands, often called the British Virgin Islands , is a British overseas territory and overseas territory of the European Union, located in the Caribbean to the east of Puerto Rico. The islands make up part of the Virgin Islands archipelago, the remaining islands constituting the U.S...
, a flash flood
Flash flood
A flash flood is a rapid flooding of geomorphic low-lying areas—washes, rivers, dry lakes and basins. It may be caused by heavy rain associated with a storm, hurricane, or tropical storm or meltwater from ice or snow flowing over ice sheets or snowfields...
warning was in effect during the presence of Otto from October 6 to 8. Torrential floods across the islands overturned several cars, and caused extensive damage to utility lines and drainage pipes; dozens of people in Tortola
Tortola
Tortola is the largest and most populated of the British Virgin Islands, a group of islands that form part of the archipelago of the Virgin Islands. Local tradition recounts that Christopher Columbus named it Tortola, meaning "land of the Turtle Dove". Columbus named the island Santa Ana...
—specifically in Road Town
Road Town
-See also:* Government House, the official residence of the Governor of the British Virgin Islands located in Road Town-External links:*****...
—were temporarily left without power and water. In total, an estimated 24.98 inches (634 mm) of rain was recorded, and the government declared a state of emergency for the entire territory.
Throughout the British Virgin Islands, floods following the storm were regarded as the worst in the history of the islands. In total, damage across the islands was preliminarily estimated at US$10.5 million, considerably higher than losses ensured by Hurricane Earl
Hurricane Earl (2010)
Hurricane Earl was a long-lived, powerful tropical cyclone which became the first major hurricane to threaten New England since Hurricane Bob in 1991. The fifth named storm of the 2010 season, Earl developed out of a tropical wave roughly west of the Cape Verde Islands on August 25...
earlier in the year. Additionally, Otto was held responsible for substantial increases in damage to road network across Sint Maartin initially induced by Earl, amounting to over NAƒ1.5 million ($837,988 USD). On the other side of the island
Saint Martin
Saint Martin is an island in the northeast Caribbean, approximately east of Puerto Rico. The 87 km2 island is divided roughly 60/40 between France and the Kingdom of the Netherlands ; however, the Dutch side has the larger population. It is one of the smallest sea islands divided between...
, torrents and associated floods were accountable for similar damages; monetary losses in Saint Martin were estimated at €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
800,000 ($1.12 million USD).
Puerto Rico
Rain began to pour across several parts of Puerto RicoPuerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
on October 5, persisting for up to five days in some areas. The greatest amount of rainfall during the six-day period of October 3 to 8 was registered at Rio Portugues in Ponce
Ponce, Puerto Rico
Ponce is both a city and a municipality in the southern part of Puerto Rico. The city is the seat of the municipal government.The city of Ponce, the fourth most populated in Puerto Rico, and the most populated outside of the San Juan metropolitan area, is named for Juan Ponce de León y Loayza, the...
, with 17.86 inches (453.6 mm) recorded. Due to the rainfall, the Government of Puerto Rico
Government of Puerto Rico
The Government of Puerto Rico is a republican form of government subject to U.S. jurisdiction and sovereignty. Its current powers are all delegated by the United States Congress and lack full protection under the United States Constitution...
issued the closure of more than 40 roads, and an additional 19 streets were partially secured. Subsequent widespread flooding affected at least 295 roads, 14 of which suffered significant damage. In all, damage to road infrastructure was preliminarily estimated at US$6.5 million. In addition, the municipality of Ponce reported copious losses in agriculture, later estimated at US$1.5 million.
Following the overflow of the Arecibo River
Río Grande de Arecibo
The Río Grande de Arecibo is a river of Puerto Rico. The headwaters lie in the mountains to the south of Adjuntas. From there it flows north until it reaches the Atlantic Ocean near Arecibo. The tributaries lie along the side of the Cerro de Punta and the Utuado pluton...
on October 7, a neighborhood in Utuado
Utuado, Puerto Rico
Utuado is a municipality of Puerto Rico located in the central-western mountainous region of the island known as La Cordillera Central. It is located north of Adjuntas and Ponce; south of Hatillo and Arecibo; east of Lares; and west of Ciales and Jayuya. In land area it is the third-largest...
was cut off from surrounding communities after gushing waters severely damaged its main road. Shortly thereafter, a landslide lugged a utility pole along the road, making it impossible for larger vehicles—including ambulances—to access the site. Landslides trapped fourteen families in the municipality of Ponce
Ponce, Puerto Rico
Ponce is both a city and a municipality in the southern part of Puerto Rico. The city is the seat of the municipal government.The city of Ponce, the fourth most populated in Puerto Rico, and the most populated outside of the San Juan metropolitan area, is named for Juan Ponce de León y Loayza, the...
; a residence alongside a road suffered significant damage and had to be evacuated. In Cayey
Cayey, Puerto Rico
Cayey is a mountain town in central Puerto Rico located on the Central Mountain range, north of Salinas and Guayama; south of Cidra and Caguas; east of Aibonito and Salinas; and west of San Lorenzo Cayey is spread over 21 wards and Cayey Pueblo...
, a district was isolated from neighboring areas due to the collapse of a bridge. In the area, burst riverbanks triggered floods across local streets, which trapped dozens of families in their homes. Severe flooding contaminated water supplies, leaving an estimated 45,000 people without drinking water in the wake of the storm. In response, the government declared a state of emergency
State of emergency
A state of emergency is a governmental declaration that may suspend some normal functions of the executive, legislative and judicial powers, alert citizens to change their normal behaviours, or order government agencies to implement emergency preparedness plans. It can also be used as a rationale...
for the entire island. Authorities opened 120 shelters, and several flood victims had to be rescued.
See also
- 2010 Atlantic hurricane season2010 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 2010 Atlantic hurricane season was the third most active Atlantic hurricane season on record, tying with the 1887 Atlantic hurricane season, 1995 Atlantic hurricane season and the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season. It had the most number of named storms since the 2005 season and also ties with the...
- Tropical cyclogenesisTropical cyclogenesisTropical cyclogenesis is the term that describes the development and strengthening of a tropical cyclone in the atmosphere. The mechanisms through which tropical cyclogenesis occurs are distinctly different from those through which mid-latitude cyclogenesis occurs...
External links
- The NHC's Advisory Archive for Otto
- The NHC's Tropical Cyclone Report for Otto