Part 5: Tropical Cyclone Facts

By Sar Perlman — August 2003

More of this Feature • Hurricane Prediction • Crystal Ball, Tuning In • Nature’s Fury • On The Web • Tropical Cyclone Facts
Related Resources • Feature Index

Tropical Cyclone Facts
Strongest: From the best track database, both Hurricane Camille (1969) and Hurricane Allen (1980) had winds estimated at 190 mph. But measurements of such winds are inherently going to be suspect, as instruments often are completely destroyed or damaged at these speeds.

Deadliest: The death toll in the infamous Bangladesh Cyclone of 1970 has had several estimates, some wildly speculative, but it seems certain that at least 300,000 people died from the associated storm tide in the low-lying deltas.

Costliest: The largest damage caused by a tropical cyclone as estimated by monetary amounts has been Hurricane Andrew (1992), as it struck the Bahamas, Florida, and Louisiana. Total damage: $26.5 billion.

Lowest Pressure: Hurricane Gilbert’s 888-mb maximum low pressure (estimated from flight-level data) in mid-September 1988 is the most intense for the Atlantic basin.

Highest Storm Surge: In 1899 the Bathurst Bay Hurricane produced a 42-foot surge in Bathurst Bay, Australia.

Longest Lasting: Hurricane/Typhoon John lasted 31 days as it traveled both the Northeast and Northwest Pacific basins during August and September 1994.

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