&sq=&lang=&file=File:Dorasep51964nimbus.png) Satellite image of Dora on September 5 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | August 28, 1964 |
| Extratropical | September 13, 1964 |
| Dissipated | September 15, 1964 |
| Category 4 major hurricane | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
| Highest winds | 130 mph (215 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 942 mbar (hPa); 27.82 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 5 total |
| Damage | $280 million (1964 USD) |
| Areas affected | Bahamas, East Coast of the United States (especially Florida), Atlantic Canada |
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1964 Atlantic hurricane season | |
Hurricane Dora was the first tropical cyclone on record to make landfall over the Atlantic coast of North Florida at hurricane intensity. The sixth tropical storm and second hurricane of the 1964 season, Dora developed from a tropical wave near the coast of Senegal on August 28. The depression intensified into Tropical Storm Dora late on August 31. It then curved northwestward and continued to strengthen. By late on September 2, Dora became a Category 1 hurricane. Intensification slowed somewhat, with Dora becoming a Category 2 hurricane on September 4 and then a Category 3 hurricane on next day. Deepening further, the storm briefly peaked as a Category 4 with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 km/h) on September 6. Dora soon weakened to a Category 3 hurricane and then a Category 2 hurricane while curving westward early the following day.
Dora maintained Category 2 intensity over the next few days, except for several hours on September 9. While approaching the northeast coast of Florida, Dora's motion became erratic, making a few cyclonic loops. Early on September 10, the hurricane made landfall near St. Augustine, Florida, with winds of 110 mph (175 km/h). Dora quickly weakened to tropical storm intensity over land on September 11 and then briefly drifted over southwestern Georgia, until turning northeastward later the next day. Upon merging with a cold front, Dora became extratropical cyclone over coastal South Carolina on September 13. Early on September 14, the extratropical storm emerged into the Atlantic Ocean over the Outer Banks of North Carolina and accelerated, striking Newfoundland on September 15 before being absorbed by another extratropical system.
Along the First Coast of Florida, tides reached up to 10 ft (3 m) above mean sea level. Strong winds lashed the region, with sustained wind of 125 mph (200 km/h) observed in St. Augustine. In Jacksonville, approximately 156,000 customers lost power, while about 19% of phones in Duval County were out of service. Much of the damage in the Jacksonville area occurred to older buildings and those located in coastal areas. Additionally, sections of the city experienced wind-induced river flooding in the vicinity of the St. Johns River. Heavy rainfall damaged many unharvested crops and inundated numerous roads and bridges, isolated some communities for several days. Throughout Florida, Dora demolished 74 dwellings and damaged 9,374 others, while 14 mobile homes were destroyed and 218 others suffered severe impact. About 50 farm buildings and 423 small businesses suffered major damage or destruction. Three deaths and at least $230 million in damage occurred. In Georgia, the storm damaged about 1,135 homes and obliterated 5 others. Additionally, 18 trailers suffered major impact, while 43 small businesses were destroyed or experienced severe damage. The state reported one death and at least $9 million in damage. Dora impacted a few other states the East Coast of the United States, but to a much lesser degree. One death occurred in Virginia. Overall, Dora caused $280 million in damage, which is equivalent to $2.6 billion in 2022 USD, and five deaths.