Hurricane Hattie

For a few days toward the end of October 1961, a low-pressure area persisted in the western Caribbean Sea, north of the Panama Canal Zone. After being classified, Hattie moved steadily northward, passing very near or over San Andres Island. A station on the island recorded a pressure of and sustained winds of , which indicated that Hattie had reached hurricane status. Initially, forecasters at the Miami Weather Bureau predicted the storm to turn northward again. Late on October 29, the center of the hurricane passed about southwest of Grand Cayman, at which time the interaction between Hattie and the ridge to its north produced squally winds of around across Florida. Early on October 30, the Hurricane Hunters confirmed the increase in intensity, reporting winds of . Hattie maintained much of its intensity as it continued toward the coast of British Honduras. After moving through several small islands offshore, the hurricane made landfall a short distance south of Belize City on October 31, with an eyewall of about in diameter. ==Preparations==

Upon initiating advisories on Hattie, the Miami Weather Bureau noted the potential for heavy rainfall and flash flooding in the southwestern Caribbean. The advisories recommended for small vessels to remain at harbor across the region. Hurricane Hattie first posed a threat to the Yucatán Peninsula and British Honduras on October 30 when it turned toward the area. Most people in the capital, Belize City, were evacuated or moved to shelters, and a school was operated as a refuge. A hospital in the city was evacuated, and over 75% of the population of Stann Creek fled to safer locations. After Hattie made landfall, officials in Mexico ordered the closure of ports along the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. ==Impact==

Despite predictions for heavy rainfall in the southwestern Caribbean, the hurricane's movement was more northerly than expected, resulting in less precipitation along the Central American coast than anticipated. Overall, Hattie resulted in one death, fifteen injuries, and $300,000 in damage (1961 USD) in San Andrés. The hurricane was the fourth on record to strike the island, and of the four was the only to approach from the south. Later, Hattie impacted various countries in Central America with flash floods, causing 11 deaths in Guatemala and one fatality in Honduras. The capital experienced high waves and a 10 ft (3m) storm tide along its waterfront that reached the third story of some buildings. A trained observer estimated winds of over , and winds in the territory were unofficially estimated as strong as . High winds caused a power outage, and majority of the city was destroyed or severely damaged, as was nearby Stann Creek. Damage throughout the territory totaled $60 million (1961 USD), more than 100 of the fatalities were in Belize City, including 36 who evacuated to a British administration building that was later destroyed in the storm. The government of British Honduras considered Hurricane Hattie more damaging than a hurricane in 1931 that killed 2,000 people; the lower death toll of Hattie was due to advance warning. ==Aftermath==

ed in 1962 to mark the hurricane|alt=A rectangular postage stamp, denoting that the stamp is of the British Honduras and costs ten cents. In the center there is a picture of the terminal to Stanley Field Airport, with the words 'HURRICANE HATTIE' printed over it. At the bottom of the stamp reads 'Postage & Revenue'. After Hattie struck, officials in Belize City declared martial law. Doctors provided typhoid vaccinations to 12,000 residents in two days to prevent the spread of the disease. Due to the high death toll, officials ordered mass cremations to stop additional disease from spreading. At the city's police station, workers provided fresh water and rice to storm victims. In December 1961, barracks were erected near a Red Cross Hospital to house the homeless in the camp. The site was named Hattieville and became a proper city, with utilities installed in the subsequent decade. The British government sent flights of aid to the territory containing food, clothing, and medical supplies. and the Mexican government sent three flights with food and medicine to the territory. Two American destroyers arrived in the country by November2, reporting the need for assistance. The United States government allocated about $300,000 in assistance through the International Development Association. In 1962, Jimmy Cliff released his breakthrough single, "Hurricane Hattie". By Hattie's one year anniversary, private and public workers repaired and rebuilt buildings affected by the storm. New hotels were constructed, and many stores were reopened. Prime Minister George Cadle Price successfully appealed for assistance from the British government, which ultimately provided £20 million in loans. In the days after the storm, the government announced plans to relocate the capital of British Honduras farther inland on higher ground. Work on the new capital, Belmopan, was completed in 1970. On the 44th anniversary of the hurricane in 2005, the government of Belize unveiled a monument in Belize City to recognize the victims of the hurricane. Due to the destruction and loss of life attributed to the hurricane, the name Hattie was retired by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) following the season, and will never again be used for an Atlantic hurricane. The name was replaced with Holly for the 1965 season. ==See also==