1965 Atlantic hurricane season
| 1965 Atlantic hurricane season | |
|---|---|
Season summary map
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| Seasonal boundaries | |
| First system formed | June 11, 1965 |
| Last system dissipated | October 19, 1965 |
| Strongest storm | |
| Name | Betsy |
| • Maximum winds | 155 mph (250 km/h) (1-minute sustained) |
| • Lowest pressure | 941 mbar (hPa; 27.79 inHg) |
| Seasonal statistics | |
| Total depressions | 6 |
| Total storms | 6 |
| Hurricanes | 4 |
| Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+) |
1 |
| Total fatalities | 81 |
| Total damage | $1.45 billion (1965 USD) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | June 11 – June 15 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min) 1003 mbar (hPa) |
| Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
  |
|
| Duration | August 21 – August 25 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 90 mph (150 km/h) (1-min) |
| Category 4 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
  |
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| Duration | August 27 – September 12 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 155 mph (250 km/h) (1-min) 941 mbar (hPa) |
| Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
.JPG)  |
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| Duration | September 16 – October 1 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 100 mph (155 km/h) (1-min) 974 mbar (hPa) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
.jpg)  |
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| Duration | September 24 – September 30 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min) 1001 mbar (hPa) |
| Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
 |
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| Duration | October 12 – October 18 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min) 977 mbar (hPa) |
The 1965 Atlantic hurricane season was the first to use the modern-day bounds for an Atlantic hurricane season, which are June 1 to November 30. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. It was one of the least active seasons on record, with only 6 tropical cyclones developing and reaching tropical storm intensity. Four of the storms strengthened into hurricanes. One system reached major hurricane intensity – Category 3 or higher on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane scale. The first system, an unnamed tropical storm, developed during the month of June in the Pacific Ocean, while located south of Guatemala. The storm moved northward across Central America, but caused no known impact in the region. It struck the Florida Panhandle and caused minor impact across much of the Southern United States. Tropical cyclogenesis halted for over two months, until Anna formed on August 21. The storm remained well away from land in the far North Atlantic Ocean and caused no impact.
Hurricane Betsy was the strongest and most devastating storm of the season. Extensive damage from Betsy was reported in The Bahamas, Florida, and Louisiana, particularly the New Orleans area. It was the first hurricane in the history of the United States to result in at least $1 billion (1965 USD) in losses. Hurricane Carol meandered in the eastern Atlantic for over two weeks from mid-September to very early October. Impact on land from Carol was minimal. In late September, Tropical Storm Debbie developed in the northwestern Caribbean Sea and moved slowly across the region, before later reaching the Gulf of Mexico. The storm dissipated just offshore of Louisiana, which resulted in only minor impact along the Gulf Coast of the United States. The final tropical cyclone, Hurricane Elena, formed on October 12. Elena remained at sea for nearly a week and caused no damage on land. Collectively, the storms of the 1965 Atlantic hurricane season caused 76 fatalities and $1.45 billion in damage, almost entirely due to Hurricane Betsy.
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Wikipedia