Hurricane Carla

Hurricane Carla was the most intense tropical cyclone to make landfall in Texas in the 20th century.^[1] The third named storm of the 1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Carla developed from an area of squally weather in the southwestern Caribbean Sea on September 3.^[1] As a tropical depression, it strengthened while heading northwest. The system was upgraded to a tropical storm on September 5 and reached hurricane intensity on September 6. On September 7, Carla entered the Gulf of Mexico, passing northeast of the Yucatán Peninsula. On the morning of September 11, Carla became a category 4 hurricane.^[2] Carla made landfall at 2 p.m. on September 11 near Port O'Connor, Texas as a category 4 hurricane with a peak intensity of 145 mph (125 knots). Traveling inland, the storm was reduced to a tropical storm on September 12 and transitioned into an extratropical cyclone on September 13, while centered over southern Oklahoma. Carla's remnants reached the Labrador Sea, Canada and dissipated on September 18, 1961.

FormedSeptember 3, 1961

ExtratropicalSeptember 13, 1961

DissipatedSeptember 18, 1961

Highestwinds145 mph (230 km/h)

Quick facts Meteorological history, Formed ...

Hurricane Carla
Meteorological history
Satellite image of Hurricane Carla on September 10.
Formed	September 3, 1961
Extratropical	September 13, 1961
Dissipated	September 18, 1961
Category 4 major hurricane
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds	145 mph (230 km/h)
Lowest pressure	927 mbar (hPa); 27.37 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities	43 direct
Damage	$326 million (1961 USD)
Areas affected	Yucatán Peninsula, Texas, Central United States, Great Lakes region, Canada
IBTrACS
Part of the 1961 Atlantic hurricane season

Close

While crossing the Yucatán Channel, the outer bands of Carla brought high winds and local flooding in western Cuba and the Yucatán Peninsula. In Texas, wind gusts as high as 170 mph (270 km/h) were observed in Port Lavaca. Tornadoes spawned in the state, including an F4 tornado near Galveston, Texas, resulting in 60 buildings destroyed, eight deaths and 200 injuries.

Throughout the state, Carla destroyed 1,915 homes, 568 farm buildings, and 415 other buildings. Additionally, 50,723 homes, 5,620 farm buildings, and 10,487 other buildings suffered damage. There were 34 fatalities and at least $300 million in losses in Texas. Several tornadoes also touched down in Louisiana, causing the destruction of 140 homes and 11 farms and other buildings, and major damage to 231 additional homes and 11 farm and other buildings. Minor to moderate damage was also reported to 748 homes and 75 farms and other buildings. Six deaths and $25 million in losses in Louisiana were attributed to Carla. Heavy rainfall occurred in several other states, especially in Kansas, where flash flooding severely damaged crops and drowned five people. Overall, Carla resulted in $325.74 million in losses and 43 fatalities.

Meteorological history

As early as September 1, a tropical disturbance – an area of convective activity – was observed tracking westward across the Caribbean Sea within the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). Around that time, an anticyclone was situated over the western Caribbean Sea at the upper-tropospheric levels. Surface charts indicate that a low-level circulation was developing early on September 3.^[3] Thus, it is estimated that a tropical depression – a tropical cyclone with sustained winds of less than 39 mph (63 km/h) – developed about 175 miles (282 km) northwest of Barranquilla, Colombia at 1200 UTC.^[4] Initially, the center of circulation remained difficult to locate on surface charts due to lack of data. At San Andrés, winds shifted west at about 12 mph (19 km/h), while the barometric pressure dropped to 1,007 mbar (29.7 inHg). The Weather Bureau Office in Miami, Florida issued its first bulletin at 1600 UTC on September 4, while the depression was centered about 250 miles (400 km) east-southeast of Cabo Gracias a Dios, Nicaragua.^[3]

The storm is estimated to have strengthened into a 40 mph (64 km/h) tropical storm by 1800 UTC on the September 4.^[5] Operationally, the system was not considered a tropical storm until 1200 UTC the following day, at which point it was given the name Carla.^[4] A reconnaissance aircraft flight on September 5 found that Carla was continuing to intensify, with a central pressure of 998 mbar (29.5 inHg) and winds rising to 50 mph (80 km/h).^[5] Radar indicated that the system was an unusually large tropical cyclone, with convective bands extending about 520 miles (840 km) outward from the center. Around 0000 UTC on September 6, Carla passed near Swan Island, which reported a barometric pressure of about 995 mbar (29.4 inHg) and wind gusts of 60 mph (97 km/h) from the southwest.^[6] Aircraft reconnaissance that day found that the storm had deepened substantially, with the barometric pressure falling to 982 mbar (29.0 inHg), and Carla is estimated to have reached hurricane intensity by 0600 UTC.^[5]

The hurricane remained relatively steady for much of the next day, with the pressure measured by aircraft around 0700 UTC remaining near 982 mbar (29.0 inHg). However, Carla began strengthening again late in the day, reaching Category 2 strength by 1800 UTC.^[5] Shortly thereafter, the hurricane crossed the Yucatán Channel and entered the Gulf of Mexico, where a strong high-pressure area forced Carla to resume its original northwesterly course.^[7]

Carla continued to strengthen, and by 1200 UTC on September 8 the storm had strengthened into a Category 3 major hurricane. Carla was a large hurricane, with a radius of maximum winds 40 miles (64 km) wide. The storm strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane at 0600 UTC on September 10, while approaching the Gulf Coast of the United States, and reached its peak intensity early on the 11th, with winds of 145 mph (233 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 927 mbar (27.4 inHg) being reported at 0700 UTC. Operationally, Carla was considered to have had peak winds of 175 mph (282 km/h), making it a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale, the highest classification. However, a reanalysis of the storm in 2018 concluded that Carla never reached category 5 intensity.^[5]

At 2000 UTC on September 11, Carla made landfall on the northeastern tip of Matagorda Island, Texas with winds of 145 mph (233 km/h). The winds were estimated using the pressure-wind relationship for a storm of its size and latitude, factoring in the lowest reported pressure of 931 mbar (27.5 inHg) and Carla's near-average radius of maximum winds of 20 nautical miles (37 km). Carla rapidly weakened inland, and fell below hurricane strength by 1200 UTC on September 12. Late on that day, the storm curved just east of due north. After reaching Oklahoma on September 13, Carla transitioned into an extratropical cyclone while located over east-central Oklahoma. The extratropical remnants of Carla moved rapidly northeastward and brought heavy rainfall to some areas of the Great Plains and Midwestern United States. By September 14, the remnants moved over Lake Huron as an extratropical depression. On September 16, Carla's remnants briefly regained gale-force winds before dissipating shortly after midnight on September 18.^[5]

Preparations

Occurring a year after Hurricane Donna, officials in the Florida Keys took precautions to brace for potential impact from the storm. The United States Navy flew their planes out of Key West, while Coast Guardsmen evacuated Alligator Reef Light, American Shoal Light, and Sombrero Key Light. Ships docked at Key West sailed out to sea to ride out the squalls. On the morning of September 7, a hurricane watch was issued from the entire coast of Louisiana eastward to Apalachicola, Florida.^[8] On September 8, a hurricane watch was issued along the southwest coast of the state from Vermilion Bay westward.^[9] It was later extended westward to include the entire coast of Texas, and eastward to Apalachicola, Florida.^[10] A portion of the hurricane watch from Aransas Pass, Texas to Grand Isle, Louisiana was upgraded to a hurricane warning at 1600 UTC on September 9.^[11]

An estimated 500,000 people fled the coasts of Texas and Louisiana, making it the largest evacuation in the history of the United States, at the time.^[12] In Louisiana, the number of evacuees was estimated to be at least 50,000 by state civil defense officials, and as high as 80,000 by the Red Cross. Coastal parishes in the state, "galvanized... by the memory of [hurricane] Audrey," began ordering evacuations as early as Friday, September 8. Officials estimated that communities in Cameron Parish had evacuation rates between 99 and 100%, and the parish government relocated to Lake Charles.^[13] In small towns along the coast of Texas, 90–100% of their populations evacuated, while 20% of people left the larger cities. Many in Galveston stayed due to protection from the Galveston Seawall.^[14] Public shelters in both states were administered by the American Red Cross, which opened shelters as far inland as Dallas and Fort Worth. Most official shelters were schools, though other public buildings such as churches and theaters were also used. Many shelters, including most schools, were racially segregated but others were not.^[13]

Impact

Carla spawned 26 tornadoes, the largest hurricane-related tornado outbreak on record at the time. However, it was overwhelmingly surpassed by Hurricane Beulah in 1967, which spawned at least 120 tornadoes.^[15] Throughout its path, 43 fatalities and about $325.74 million in damage were attributed to Carla. Most of the impact occurred in Texas, where the storm made landfall as a large and strong Category 4 hurricane.^[16]^[17]^[18]

Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico

In Cuba, broadcasts reported severe flooding near Pinar del Río, and in Los Colomas and Punta de Cartas.^[7] Offshore Honduras on Swan Island, a rainfall amount of 3.89 inches (99 mm) was reported along with wind gusts up to 60 mph (97 km/h).^[6] In Mexico, there were no reports of hurricane-force winds on Cozumel, but winds may have reached hurricane-force in remote areas on the northeast tip of the Yucatán Peninsula. Damage to offshore Oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico was estimated at $5 million.^[18]

United States

Texas

Abnormally high tides and storm surge was reported along the coast of Texas, reaching 10–12 feet (3.0–3.7 m) above mean sea level in a large area of the open coast to the right of the track. The highest storm surges were recorded in Matagorda Bay, where water reached over 20 feet (6.1 m) above sea level. The highest reported water level was 22 feet (6.7 m) at Port Lavaca, based on a high-water mark left inside of a house on the eastern side of Lavaca Bay. Elsewhere, tide levels reached 16.3 feet (5.0 m) at Port Houston, 9 feet (2.7 m) at Galveston, and 6.5 feet (2.0 m) at Corpus Christi.^[19] Making landfall as a category 4 hurricane, Carla produced powerful winds along its path. The strongest sustained wind observations during the storm were two "fastest-mile" reports of 145 mph (233 km/h) at Matagorda and Port Lavaca. Gusts in Matagorda reached 160 mph (260 km/h). The anemometer in Port Lavaca blew away after a gust to 153 mph (246 km/h), and wind gusts afterwards were visually estimated to have reached over 175 mph (282 km/h).^[20] An Alcoa plant in Point Comfort reported a wind gust over 120 mph (190 km/h) before the instrument failed, and an industrial plant in Victoria recorded a maximum gust of 104 mph (167 km/h). Further inland, the Weather Bureau offices in Houston, Austin, and Dallas reported maximum gusts of 77 mph (124 km/h), 68 mph (109 km/h), and 50 mph (80 km/h), respectively.^[21] Carla also produced heavy rainfall in Texas, peaking at 17.48 inches (444 mm) in Bay City.^[14] Carla spawned at least 11 tornadoes in Texas.^[22]

Tidal flooding caused by Hurricane Carla

Throughout Texas, Carla destroyed 1,915 homes and 983 other buildings, and caused damage to another 50,723 homes and 16,107 other buildings. The storm flooded over 1,700,000 acres (690,000 ha) of land, with surge reaching 10 miles inland in some areas.^[1] An estimated 1.5 million board-feet of lumber was damaged by the hurricane.^[23] The US Army Corps of Engineers estimated damage in Texas at more than $408 million dollars, including $60.9 million dollars in agricultural losses, $12.3 million in damage to transportation infrastructure, and nearly $10 million in damage to utilities. It was also estimated that over $30 million in damage was prevented by flood control projects, mainly the Galveston seawall. 34 people were killed in Texas, including 22 who drowned, 8 who were killed by a tornado in Galveston, and 4 who died from electrocution by downed power lines.^[21] There were over 460 injuries in Texas, according to the American Red Cross.^[16]

The most significant property damage occurred between Port Arthur and Corpus Christi. At least 75% of Port O'Connor was destroyed. Matagorda Island Air Force Base suffered $18 million in damage.^[24] High water and wave action washed away highway 87 between Sabine and High Island. Most of the Bolivar peninsula flooded, as well as areas of Galveston below 9 ft (2.7 m) in elevation. Despite being partially protected by levees, most of Texas City was inundated. Damage in Galveston county was estimated to be nearly $84.5 million. Further down the coast, storm surge flooded most of Port Aransas as well as the North Beach area of Corpus Christi. Flooding in the Brownsville area was mainly limited to beach fronts.^[21] Flooding caused $2 million in damage at two Dow Chemical plants near Freeport.^[25]

In Victoria, high winds destroyed trailers, tore roofs off buildings, and blew out storefront windows. One school was badly damaged by high winds and water intrusion. About 4,260 homes in the city were damaged, with around 500 severely damaged or destroyed. 43 businesses and 26 public buildings were also significantly impacted. Damage in the city reached $10 million.^[26]^[27] In Edna, winds blew away the roof of a school sheltering 200 people. Further inland, the storm caused $5000 in damage to the grounds of the Texas State Capitol. Four buildings were unroofed in San Marcos.^[28] Of the 21 tornadoes spawned by Carla, eight of them in Texas caused significant impact. On September 11, an F2 tornado near Bay City destroyed two radio towers and damaged several buildings. An F3 tornado injured three people and caused the destruction of one house and impacted three others in Jacksonville, resulting in $25,000 in damage. Another F3 tornado in Channelview, located east of Houston, injured 22 people, destroyed 18 homes and six commercial buildings, damaged 40 additional homes, and caused $200,000 in damage. In the early morning of September 12, a violent F4 tornado moved across Galveston Island along a 1-mile long, 100-yard-wide path (it crossed into Galveston Bay as well), severely damaging 200 buildings, of which 60-75 were destroyed,^[29] and causing eight deaths and 200 injuries. This was the first of only two known violent tornadoes ever spawned by a hurricane with the other one happening during Hurricane Hilda in 1964. A few hours later, an F3 tornado in the area destroyed six houses and extensive, but lesser, damage. In Hardin, another F3 tornado damaged six homes. Several structures sustained impact during yet another F3 tornado in Fulbright. The final tornado occurred during the late afternoon of September 13 in Latex. It caused F2 damage, two injuries, and resulted in $2,500 in losses after damaging two houses and three garages.^[30]

Louisiana

In southeastern Louisiana, abnormally high tides lashed the coast, though no beach erosion was reported. Rainfall was heavy, peaking at 13.9 inches (350 mm) in Many. Other observed precipitation totals include 5.6 inches (140 mm) in Baton Rouge, 5.57 inches (141 mm) in Morgan City, 4.25 inches (108 mm) in Shreveport, 3.16 inches (80 mm) in New Orleans, 2.25 inches (57 mm) in Lafayette, 2.19 inches (56 mm) in Alexandria, 2.1 inches (53 mm) in Jonesboro and West Monroe, and 1.37 inches (35 mm) in Lake Charles.^[31] In the western portions of Louisiana, sustained winds peaked at 44 mph (71 km/h) and gusts reached 55 mph (89 km/h). Only minor damage occurred, limited to roofs, glass, and downed tree limbs. Winds caused a local river to reach 1 foot (0.30 m) above flood stage.^[32] The 11 tornadoes spawned by Carla in Louisiana destroyed 140 homes and 11 farm and other buildings, while causing major damage to 231 additional homes and 11 farm and other buildings. Additionally, 748 homes and 75 farm and other buildings suffered minor to moderate damage. Six fatalities and 199 injuries occurred, mostly related to the tornadoes. Damage in Louisiana totaled to about $25 million. A breakdown of losses include $6 million to agriculture, $5 million to buildings, $4 million to boats and beach property, $3 million to roads and bridges, and $2 million in miscellaneous damage.^[18]

Oklahoma

Carla's remnants brought heavy rainfall and strong winds to portions of eastern Oklahoma. About 2–8 inches (51–203 mm) of rain fell in Grant, Tillman, Washita Counties. Heavier amounts of at least 5 inches (130 mm) fell in Atoka and Pushmataha County.^[17] Precipitation in the state peaked at 7.68 inches (195 mm) in Kingfisher.^[33] More than 140 city blocks were flooded with up to 6 feet (1.8 m) in residential areas of Kingfisher and up to 3 feet (0.91 m) in business areas. 225 homes and buildings in the city suffered water damage. Throughout the state, damage in other areas included 90 homes and buildings in Tulsa, 50 homes each in El Reno and Oklahoma City, and 10 homes in Pawnee. Additionally, water inundation washed out several bridges and highways in northeastern parts of the state, leaving roads impassable. Sustained winds between 30 and 55 mph (48 and 89 km/h) and gusts up to 70 mph (110 km/h) were recorded in Oklahoma. Winds injured two people due to airborne debris. Winds and rain combined severely disrupted electrical and telephone services and caused $670,000 in damage, with $600,000 to property and $70,000 to crops.^[17]

Illinois

The storm dropped precipitation amounts of 7 inches (180 mm) throughout northwestern Illinois, with a peak of 8.18 inches (208 mm) in Mount Carroll. Thus, Carla is the second-wettest tropical cyclone in Illinois, behind only Hurricane Audrey in 1957.^[33] Additionally, up to 6.29 inches (160 mm) fell in 24 hours. Severe local flooding occurred, especially in the northern portions of the state. Heavy property and agricultural damage occurred. Streets and basements were reported to have flooded, while bridge approaches and a few small bridges were washed out. Precipitation of 2.5–3.5 inches (64–89 mm) in Chicago flooded about 60 viaducts and 1,000 basements. After the Chicago River rose 5 feet (1.5 m), the lock gate to Lake Michigan was opened to release excess water. However, the abrupt onrush of water resulted in about $75,000 in damage to boats at Wilmette Harbor.^[16]^[18]

Elsewhere in the United States

Winds in Key West reached 30 mph (48 km/h), while much of Florida reported rainfall from the outer bands of Carla.^[34] In Kansas, 4 to 7 inches (100 to 180 mm) of rain in only 6 hours caused flash flooding. With a peak amount of 8.52 inches (216 mm) in Haddam, Carla was the rainiest tropical cyclone in Kansas, until being surpassed by Hurricane Paine in 1986 as well as Tropical Storm Frances in 1998.^[33] Severe crop damage occurred, especially in areas of Chautauqua and Shawnee Counties and to the south of the Kansas River. Many highways were left impassable due to water inundation. A family of 4 drowned after their car was swept off a road near Waverly. A fifth fatality occurred after a car with one occupant was swept into a tributary of the Marmaton River near Fort Scott. The storm persistently produced winds of 35 to 50 mph (56 to 80 km/h), causing further agricultural damage.^[16]

In Nebraska, rainfall peaked at 5.68 inches (144 mm) in Hubbrell, making Carla the rainiest tropical cyclone in the state.^[33] Heavy precipitation also fell in Missouri, especially in Brookfield, Lee's Summit, and Pleasant Hill. The maximum rainfall total in Missouri was 9.34 inches (237 mm) in Concordia.^[33] One fatality was reported in Missouri, though the cause of death is unknown. Rainfall in Iowa peaked at 9.03 inches (229 mm) near Chariton, making Carla the rainiest tropical cyclone in the state.^[33] Up to 8 inches (200 mm) of rain fell in a 12-hour period in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, mostly between Cheboygan and Grand Rapids.^[16] However, the Weather Prediction Center indicated precipitation amounts of 6.07 inches (154 mm) in Boyne Falls. Regardless, Carla is the 2nd wettest tropical cyclone in the history of Michigan, behind Beryl in 2024.^[33] Despite, the rainfall, flooding in Michigan was relatively minimal, limited to a washed out dam in Traverse City.^[16] Precipitation in Wisconsin reached 7.58 inches (193 mm) in Brodhead, causing Carla to rank as the wettest tropical cyclone in the state.^[33] Precipitation peaks in other states include 4.44 inches (113 mm) in Alabama, 5.48 inches (139 mm) in Arkansas, 6.37 inches (162 mm) in Mississippi,^[35] and 3.6 inches (91 mm) in Indiana.^[33]

Elsewhere

The remnants of Carla brought tropical storm force winds to some areas of Canada. In Ontario, gusty winds caused power outages in the Clarkson–Port Credit area. Electrical services were are disrupted in New Brunswick, due to winds up to 80 mph (130 km/h) in Saint John. Winds of 57 mph (92 km/h) lashed Halifax in Nova Scotia, thus the Halifax Public Gardens closed for threat of falling trees and branches.^[36]

Aftermath

Shortly after the storm, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, a lifelong resident of Texas, toured the devastation in the state and met with officials from 18 different counties, remarking that "as always, Texans are arising to a challenge... We have suffered hurricane, tornado, and floods, but we in Texas are a bold and brave people."^[37] After his report to President John F. Kennedy and Congress, $55 million was approved in aid for Texas, though Kennedy later requested an additional $65 million.^[38] President Kennedy issued a disaster declaration for Texas, allowing all jurisdictions in the state to apply for public assistance.^[39] The president also declared 6 parishes in Louisiana a disaster area.^[38] Helicopters deployed 88 United States Marines to Galveston to patrol devastated areas. A United States Navy task force composed of medical and construction work teams was also sent to the area. Members of the United States National Guard assisted refugees in returning to their homes and worked to prevent looting.^[40]

Then little-known newsman Dan Rather reported live from the weather bureau building in Galveston^[41]^[42] during the storm, live on-site storm coverage that would be imitated by later reporters. This marked the first live television broadcast of a hurricane. Rather also alerted the public of the size of Carla in a way that "literally changed the way the world sees hurricanes", according to a fellow reporter. Broadcasting live at the Weather Bureau Office in Galveston, Rather asked a meteorologist to outline the Gulf of Mexico on a transparent sheet of plastic. He then held the map over the black and white radar screen, which put the size of Carla into perspective, saying that Carla was the size of the Gulf of Mexico. CBS was so impressed with Rather's work that he was offered the position of correspondent.^[43]

Owing to the hurricane's intensity and destruction, the name Carla was retired after this season, and will never again be used for an Atlantic hurricane.^[44] The name was replaced with Carol for the 1965 season.^[45]