 Dennis shortly before peak intensity while approaching the Florida panhandle on July 10 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | July 4, 2005 |
| Remnant low | July 13, 2005 |
| Dissipated | July 18, 2005 |
| Category 4 major hurricane | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
| Highest winds | 150 mph (240 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 930 mbar (hPa); 27.46 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 88 |
| Damage | $3.98 billion (2005 USD) |
| Areas affected |
|
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season | |
| History
Other wikis | |
Hurricane Dennis was briefly the strongest Atlantic hurricane ever to form before August. A deadly and destructive tropical cyclone, Dennis was the fourth named storm of the record-breaking 2005 Atlantic hurricane season. It originated on July 4 near the Windward Islands from a tropical wave. Dennis intensified into a hurricane on July 6 as it moved across the Caribbean Sea. Two days later, it became a strong Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson scale before striking Cuba twice on July 8. After weakening over land, Dennis re-intensified in the Gulf of Mexico, attaining its lowest barometric pressure of 930 mbar (27 inHg) on July 10. That day, Dennis weakened slightly before making a final landfall on Santa Rosa Island, Florida as a Category 3 hurricane. Six days later, Dennis's record intensity was surpassed by Hurricane Emily. After moving through the central United States, the circulation associated with former Hurricane Dennis dissipated on July 18 over Ontario.
In the Caribbean, the outer bands of Hurricane Dennis brought tropical storm-force winds and heavy rain to parts of Haiti, resulting in floods and landslides. A total of 3,058 homes were damaged and 929 were destroyed. Hundreds of livestock were killed, causing significant harm to Haiti's agricultural industry. The storm resulted in 56 fatalities and caused approximately $50 million in damages. Additionally, Dennis brought torrential rain to Jamaica, with the heaviest amounting to 24.54 in (623 mm) in Mavis Bank. This severely affected Jamaica's agriculture industry, resulting in the loss of nearly 160,000 livestock and leaving around 100,000 customers without electricity. However, the storm only killed one person in Jamaica but resulted in over $34.5 million in damages. In Cuba, rainfall peaked at 43.0 in (1,092 mm). Approximately 120,000 houses were damaged and 15,000 homes were destroyed. Nationwide, 2.5 million people lost access to water while 70% of the water sources in Granma Province were contaminated. Its agricultural industry was also affected, with almost 27,000 hectares (67,000 acres) of agricultural land being destroyed in the provinces of Cienfuegos and Granma. The impact led to 16 fatalities and caused an estimated $1.4 billion in damage to the country.
The impact of Hurricane Dennis on the United States was also significant, resulting in $2.5 billion in damages and 16 fatalities. More than 1 million people lost power, with a power worker killed while restoring electricity in Alabama. In Florida, the hurricane brought hurricane-force winds to the Florida Panhandle, with wind gusts reaching up to 121 mph (195 km/h) and 8.70 in (221 mm) of rain fell near Bristol. Additionally, storm surges ranging between 6 to 9 ft (1.8 to 2.7 m) were reported, with the greatest flooding along the Apalachee Bay, well east of the landfall. The estimated damages in Florida amounted to $1.5 billion, and the hurricane killed 14 people. Additionally, Dennis brought hurricane-force winds and heavy rain to Alabama, with a storm surge ranging from 3–6.5 ft (0.91–1.98 m) and recorded rainfall of up to 12.80 in (325 mm) in Camden. In neighboring Georgia, the storm killed one person due to drowning. Dennis spawned ten tornadoes in the United States, all of them weak.
Dennis's passage led to the retirement of its name due to its effects. In Haiti, the Civil Protection Department released 5 million gourdes in emergency funds, while various countries and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) assisted in relief efforts. In nearby Jamaica, officials repaired infrastructure damaged by the storm, with assistance from NGOs and other countries. In Cuba, Dennis caused widespread damage and food insecurity. Medical teams and cleanup teams helped restore power, and the government distributed 220,000 tons of food and repaired over 7,000 roofs. American President George W. Bush declared a federal disaster area for parts of Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi due to storm damage. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) opened recovery centers and distributed public and private funds toward rebuilding. Florida received $118 million from the Federal Highway Administration and $220 million from public and individual funds. The American Red Cross provided meals, food, water, and housing assistance.