Hurricane Bret

Hurricane Bret

Bret originated from a tropical wave that moved off the west coast of Africa on August 5. By August 20, the storm began to track northward and underwent rapid intensification. On August 22, Bret attained its peak intensity with winds of 145 miles per hour and a barometric pressure of 944 mbar. The storm weakened to a Category 3 hurricane and made landfall on Padre Island, Texas. It degenerated further into a tropical depression by the evening of August 23. The remnants of Bret persisted over the northern mountains of Mexico until August 26, at which time they dissipated. Seven people were killed in relation to the storm, four in Texas and three in Mexico.

About Hurricane Bret in brief

Summary Hurricane BretHurricane Bret was the first of five Category 4 hurricanes that developed during the 1999 Atlantic hurricane season. Bret originated from a tropical wave that moved off the west coast of Africa on August 5. By August 20, the storm began to track northward and underwent rapid intensification. On August 22, Bret attained its peak intensity with winds of 145 miles per hour and a barometric pressure of 944 mbar. The storm weakened to a Category 3 hurricane and made landfall on Padre Island, Texas. It degenerated further into a tropical depression by the evening of August 23. The remnants of Bret persisted over the northern mountains of Mexico until August 26, at which time they dissipated. Seven people were killed in relation to the storm, four in Texas and three in Mexico. In all, the hurricane caused USD 15 million in damage, leaving roughly 150 people homeless and causing thousands of homes to be damaged or destroyed. It is the first major hurricane to form in the Gulf of Mexico since Hurricane Alicia, 16 years ago. It was also the first tropical cyclone since Hurricane Jerry in 1989 to make landfall in Texas at hurricane intensity. The hurricane produced a maximum storm surge of 8. 8 ft at Matagorda Island,Texas.

Heavy rains produced by Bret peaked at 13. 18 in in Texas, and were estimated over 14 in in Mexico on August 18 in the Yucatán Peninsula. It also caused $15 million in damage in the affected regions, causing roughly 150 people to be homeless and damaging hundreds of homes in the affected areas. It became a tropical storm on August 19, and a tropical cyclone on September 1. It dissipated over northern Mexico on September 1, leaving behind a large area of heavy rain and high winds. It has been estimated that the storm caused more than $10 million in damage in Mexico and the United Southeastern United States. The National Hurricane Center issued hurricane watches, and later warnings for areas near the Texas–Mexico border. Several major roads leading to barrier island towns were shut down to prevent residents from crossing bridges during the hurricane. In nearby Mexico, roughly 7,000 people left coastal areas in advance of the storm. Numerous shelters were opened throughout the region and prisons were evacuated. Several days before the storm’s arrival, the NHC issued hurricane warnings and watches for parts of the Texas coast. The NHC also issued a hurricane warning for portions of the Mexican coast.