Hurricane Agnes 1972 Facts: Things That You Probably Did Not Know

A hurricane is a type of intense storm system characterized by low pressure, strong winds, and spiraling inward toward the eye of the storm.

Hurricanes are especially dangerous because of the risk of storm surge, which is an abnormal rise in sea level. It can occur as a result of a tropical cyclone's storm surge or on the coast of a continent affected by a cyclone.

Hurricane Agnes was the first tropical cyclone to be officially named in the Atlantic hurricane season of 1972. Hurricane Belle occurred in August 1976.

Meteorological History

The track of Hurricane Agnes was along the East Coast.

It hit some areas very hard. In June 1972, a tropical depression formed, which then evolved into Tropical Storm Agnes. In the open Atlantic by mid-June, the satellite signature of the storm had become disorganized while upper-level winds were very strong near the Caribbean Sea. In late June, while south of Cape Cod, Agnes developed into a Category 1 hurricane.

It all started in Florida, later drifted northward, and strengthened into a strong hurricane before becoming extratropical on June 24. The storm began to accelerate as it recurved over the Canadian Maritimes, and on June 25, Agnes made landfall in the central region of Pennsylvania as an extratropical storm. It dissipated over the northern mid-Atlantic Ocean late on June 26. Between July 1 and July 3, the weather became calmer as the hurricane dissipated, leaving behind heavy rain and flood damage.

Preparations

There were no specific preparations made except the warning given to the localities residing in the areas where the gale would hit, as it would cause heavy flooding and extreme weather conditions.

The National Weather Service warned that there was a risk of gale-force winds and strong hurricanes in the southern region of Florida. The track of the hurricane is believed to follow the Dry Tortugas from the Key West region of Florida on June 17. A day later, a second hurricane warning was issued covering the region from Cedar Key to Pensacola.

In the main region of the Florida Keys, the warning was passed on to the residents residing near the Clearwater region from the beach of Fort Myers. It then became more effective and the residents of St Marks in the city of Panama were also warned on June 18. These warnings were later dismissed on June 19. All the warnings of gales and hurricanes near the western region of Florida's coast were no longer in effect.

Impact

The impact of Hurricane Agnes caused around $2.1-3.1 billion in damage.

It affected almost 15 regions, including the region of Washington, D.C. Around 3,351 properties deteriorated, and more than 110,000 million residential properties were damaged. Among 128 people who died, 119 were reported in the United States.

Farmhouses, big corporate sectors, and railway roads were also badly affected. An approximated 5,842 small businesses suffered majorly, along with thousands of mobile homes.

Aftermath

There were 128 casualties due to Hurricane Agnes in 1972.

There was also widespread flooding across the East Coast states, including Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, and Virginia. The damage caused by the hurricane included millions of dollars worth of loss. Bad weather conditions and heavy flooding near the Penn Central Railroad caused around a $20 million loss.

In 1972, Tioga Reservoir was built considering the aftermath conditions of Hurricane Agnes, while Allegheny Reservoir was also filled with floodwater. The construction of a levee system is also a consequence of the aftermath condition.

FAQs

What was the worst hurricane of 1972?

The worst of Hurricane Agnes in 1972 was the property damage of 3.1 billion dollars and 128 deaths.

How big was Hurricane Agnes?

The highest sustained wind recorded during Hurricane Agnes was 85 mph (137 kph).

What was the worst hurricane in history?

Hurricane Galveston of 1900 is believed to be the worst hurricane that hit the United States with heavy flooding.

What was the track of Hurricane Agnes in 1972?

It started near the Caribbean Sea, covering the Florida coast, Pennsylvania, Virginia, New York, Ontario, Iceland, and Ireland.

What category was Hurricane Agnes in 1972?

Hurricane Agnes in 1972 was Category 1.

Where did Hurricane Agnes make landfall in 1972?

The first landfall made by Hurricane Agnes was on June 19, 1972, when it hit Cape San Blas, Florida. The evening news of the flood stage and heavy rainfall spread in the nearby areas.

What town was evacuated from Hurricane Agnes in 1972?

People of Watsontown in Northumberland County were known to evacuate due to the devastating flooding. Around 25,000 tourists were evacuated from Florida after the weather conditions became normal.

How many people died from Hurricane Agnes in 1972?

As per the estimation, 128 people died during Hurricane Agnes in 1972.

When did Hurricane Agnes hit the US in 1972?

Hurricane Agnes formed on June 14, 1972, and dissipated on July 6, 1972.