Effects of Hurricane Dennis in Mississippi

The Effects of Hurricane Dennis in Mississippi were mostly minor and included one indirect death. On June 29, 2005, a tropical wave emerged off the west coast of Africa. Gradually, the system organized on July 2 and formed a broad low pressure area. The system continued to develop, and became a tropical depression on July 4. Tracking westward, it became a tropical storm on July 5 and a hurricane on July 7. Dennis rapidly intensified to attain Category 4 status on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale before making landfall on Cuba. The hurricane weakened to Category 1 status before re-emerging in the Gulf of Mexico and intensifying to Category 4 strength. Dennis made landfall on the Florida Panhandle on July 10 as a Category 3 hurricane, then tracked over southeast Alabama and entered Mississippi as a tropical depression.[1]

Hurricane Dennis
Tropical storm (SSHWS/NWS)
Hurricane Dennis a few hours before landfall on July 10
Winds1-minute sustained: 50 mph (85 km/h)
Gusts: 65 mph (100 km/h)
Pressure990 mbar (hPa); 29.23 inHg
Fatalities1
Damage$2.6 million (2005 USD)
Areas affectedEastern Mississippi
Part of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season

Dennis lightly affected Mississippi, dropping between 1–5 inches (25–125 mm) of rainfall and producing wind gusts up to 59 mph (95 km/h), causing several hundred trees to uproot or snap and damaging a total of 21 homes and businesses. Over 40 structures were flooded, forcing 200 people to leave their homes. One indirect death occurred from a traffic accident in Jasper County due to wet roads. During the height of the storm, 24,000 customers were without power. In all, Hurricane Dennis caused $2.6 million (2005 USD) in damage across the state.[2]

Preparations
Hurricane Dennis intensifying offshore in the Gulf of Mexico

At 2100 UTC on July 8 a hurricane watch was put into effect for coastal areas from the Steinhatchee River, Florida to the mouth of the Pearl River. At 0900 UTC on July 9, the hurricane watch was upgraded to a hurricane warning. The hurricane warning was soon downgraded to a tropical storm warning as Dennis moved inland, and by 0300 UTC on July 10 all advisories were discontinued.[1]

In anticipation of Hurricane Dennis, 190,000 people were ordered to evacuate, though many opted not to.[3] Jackson County issued a mandatory evacuation for its residents, while Hancock County called for a voluntary evacuation. Governor Haley Barbour issued a state of emergency, and 600 National Guard soldiers were on standby. Harrison County issued a mandatory evacuation for residents living in low-lying areas, and ordered the closing of its casinos. Also, the Red Cross provided 60 mobile canteens capable of serving 30,000 hot meals to staging areas in Hattiesburg and Jackson. 32 law officials were sent to Hattiesburg to assist with traffic control near the intersection with I-59 and U.S. Route 49. Additionally, a horse park in Starkville was caring for over 50 horses belonging to residents who were forced to evacuate and had no other location for them.[4]

Impact and aftermath

In Mississippi, damage was not as severe as previously anticipated.[5] As Dennis impacted the state, storm tide of 2 ft (0.61 m)–4 ft (1.2 m) above normal was reported.[1] Rainfall from the hurricane averaged between 1–5 inches (25–125 mm),[6][2] and minimum barometric pressure of 994.2 mb was reported near Pascagoula.[1] Wind gusts peaked at 59 mph (95 km/h) causing several hundred trees to uproot or snap, damaging a total of 21 homes and businesses.[2]

In Southaven, 40 homes were flooded and 200 were left homeless as a result of the heavy rainfall.[7] A church undergoing construction in Calhoun County was damaged, and a street light in Lee County was snapped. Also, a fallen tree damaged a house in Itawamba County.[8] One indirect fatality occurred in Jasper County from an automobile accident due to wet roads.[2] An estimated 24,000 customers lost electric power during the storm.[9] After the storm, several fires were sparked due to downed electrical wires.[10] In all, the weakening Hurricane Dennis left $2.6 million (2005 USD) in damage.[2]

Although impact was mostly minor, President George W. Bush initially declared 38 counties in Mississippi federal disaster areas, making them eligible for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In the city of Meridian, over 300 people sought shelter. More than 885 people took shelter in Jackson County, and 1,000 people were in shelters in neighboring Harrison County.[10] On July 15, three additional counties became eligible for federal assistance, bringing the number of declared disaster areas to 41.[11]

See also

References
  1. Jack Beven (2005). "Hurricane Dennis tropical cyclone report" (PDF). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-04-06.
  2. National Climatic Data Center (2005). "Event report for Hurricane Dennis". Archived from the original on 2009-06-16. Retrieved 2008-04-06.
  3. The Herald Tribune (2005). "Gulf Coast residents brace for Hurricane Dennis". Retrieved 2008-04-06.
  4. Daily Journal (2005). "Thousands flee as Hurricane Dennis sets sights on Gulf Coast". Retrieved 2008-04-06.
  5. Jermaine Jackson (2005). "Oxford escapes major hurricane damage". Daily Mississippian. Archived from the original on 2009-06-11. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
  6. David Roth (2005). "Rainfall Summary for Hurricane Dennis". Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved 2008-04-06.
  7. Unearth Mississippi (2005). "DeSoto County hit with flooding after heavy rains (The Biloxi Sun Herald)". Archived from the original on December 23, 2007. Retrieved 2008-04-06.
  8. National Climatic Data Center (2005). "Event report for Hurricane Dennis (2)". Archived from the original on 2011-05-20. Retrieved 2008-04-06.
  9. David Royse (2005). "Gulf Coast avoids widespread damage from Dennis". SignOnSandDiego.com. Archived from the original on 2012-09-10. Retrieved 2008-04-06.
  10. CAIN BURDEAU (2005). "Dennis spares Mississippi coast; no major damage inland". Daily Journal. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
  11. FEMA (2005). "Three Additional Mississippi Counties To Receive FEMA Funding For Emergency Protective Costs During Hurricane Dennis". Archived from the original on 2008-10-26. Retrieved 2008-05-07.

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