Hurricane Lenny
Template:Short description Template:Redirect-distinguish Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox weather eventTemplate:Infobox weather event/NWSTemplate:Infobox weather event/EffectsTemplate:Infobox weather event/Footer Hurricane Lenny was the strongest November Atlantic hurricane since the 1932 Cuba hurricane. It was the sixteenth tropical cyclone, twelfth named storm, eighth hurricane, and record-breaking fifth Category 4 hurricane in the 1999 Atlantic hurricane season. Lenny formed on November 13 in the western Caribbean Sea at around 18:00 UTC and went on to form and maintain an unusual and unprecedented easterly track for its entire duration, which gave it the common nickname, "Wrong Way Lenny". It attained hurricane status south of Jamaica on November 15 and passed south of Hispaniola and Puerto Rico over the next few days. Lenny rapidly intensified over the northeastern Caribbean on November 17, attaining peak winds of Template:Convert about Template:Convert south of Saint Croix in the United States Virgin Islands. It gradually weakened while moving through the Leeward Islands, eventually dissipating on November 23 over the open Atlantic Ocean.
Before moving through the Lesser Antilles, Lenny produced rough surf that killed two people in northern Colombia. Strong winds and rainfall resulted in heavy crop damage in southeastern Puerto Rico. Despite the hurricane's passage near Saint Croix at peak intensity, damage on the small island was only described as "moderate", although there was widespread flooding and erosion. Damage in the United States territories totaled about $330 million. The highest precipitation total was Template:Convert at the police station on the French side of Saint Martin. On the island, the hurricane killed three people and destroyed more than 200 properties. In nearby Antigua and Barbuda, the hurricane killed one person; torrential rainfall there contaminated the local water supply. Significant storm damage occurred as far south as Grenada, where high surf isolated towns from the capital city.
Meteorological historyEdit
Template:Storm path Hurricane Lenny began as a low-pressure area that was first observed in the southwestern Caribbean Sea on November 8. It developed an area of convection but remained poorly defined for the next few days. Thunderstorms spread across the region, producing heavy rainfall in portions of Mexico and Central America. On November 13, the system became better organized; a Hurricane Hunters flight later that day discovered a surface circulation and winds of about Template:Convert. The data indicated the development of Tropical Depression Sixteen at 1800 UTC, about Template:Convert south of the Cayman Islands.<ref name="tcr">Template:Cite report</ref> The depression's convection was fairly disorganized, and the National Hurricane Center (NHC) did not anticipate any strengthening for three days.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> For much of its existence, the tropical cyclone maintained a track from west to east across the Caribbean Sea, which was unprecedented in the Atlantic hurricane database, earning it the nicknames "Left-Hand Lenny" and "Wrong Way Lenny". The path resulted from its movement along the southern end of a trough over the western Atlantic Ocean.<ref name="tcr"/>
After its formation, the depression gradually became better organized;<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> the NHC upgraded it to Tropical Storm Lenny on November 14,<ref name="tcr"/> based on reports from the Hurricane Hunters. When it was first upgraded to a tropical storm, the cyclone already had winds of Template:Convert and a developing eye feature.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> At 0000 UTC on November 15, Lenny attained hurricane status about Template:Convert southwest of Kingston, Jamaica.<ref name="tcr"/> The quick intensification was unexpected and occurred after a large area of convection blossomed over the center. At the same time, Lenny developed an anticyclone aloft, which provided favorable conditions for the hurricane's development.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> After moving east-southeastward during its initial development stages, the hurricane turned more to the east on November 15. The Hurricane Hunters reported winds of Template:Convert, which indicated that Lenny had become a Category 2 on the Saffir-Simpson scale.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> However, the cloud pattern subsequently became less organized as the eye disappeared, and Lenny's winds weakened to Template:Convert while the hurricane passed south of Hispaniola.<ref name="tcr"/> The NHC noted the deterioration could have been due to a disruption of the storm's small inner core by "subtle environmental changes". After the sudden weakening,<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> the Hurricane Hunters reported that the eye had reformed and the hurricane's winds had reached Template:Convert. At the time, a ridge was expected to build to Lenny's east and turn the storm northeastward into Puerto Rico 24 hours later.<ref name="d12">Template:Cite report</ref>
Beginning on November 16, Hurricane Lenny underwent a 24-hour period of rapid deepening, reaching major hurricane status about Template:Convert south of the Mona Passage.<ref name="tcr"/> It developed well-defined banding features, good outflow, and a circular eye that was visible from the radar in San Juan, Puerto Rico.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> The hurricane continued to become better organized, with an eye Template:Convert in diameter surrounded by a closed eyewall.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> Around 1200 UTC on November 17, Lenny intensified into a Category 4 hurricane while approaching the islands of the northeastern Caribbean. It was the fifth storm of such intensity in the year, setting the record for most Category 4 hurricanes in a season.<ref name="tcr"/> The hurricane then made its closest approach to Puerto Rico, passing about Template:Convert southeast of Maunabo.<ref name="srh">Template:Cite report</ref> Shortly thereafter, Lenny attained peak winds of Template:Convert while passing Template:Convert south of the island of Saint Croix in the United States Virgin Islands.<ref name="tcr"/> This made it the fourth-strongest hurricane on record to form during the month of November.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> Hurricane Hunters reported Lenny's peak winds in the southeastern portion of the hurricane; the group also reported a minimum pressure of 933 mbar, a drop of 34 mbar in 24 hours. In addition, a dropsonde recorded winds of Template:Convert while descending to the surface, the highest dropsonde wind speed recording in a hurricane at the time.<ref name="tcr"/>
Around the time it peaked in intensity, Lenny's forward speed decreased in response to light steering currents between two ridges. Despite favorable conditions for strengthening, the hurricane weakened as it turned to an eastward drift, possibly due to the upwelling of cooler waters. Late on November 18, Lenny's eye moved over Saint Martin with winds of Template:Convert. After continued weakening, the hurricane struck Anguilla and Saint Barthélemy the next day. It turned southeastward while still drifting, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds to the islands across the northeastern Caribbean.<ref name="tcr"/> Late on November 19, Lenny weakened to tropical storm intensity after increased wind shear exposed the cyclone's center from the deepest convection.<ref name="tcr"/><ref>Template:Cite report</ref> Early on November 20, the storm made landfall on Anguilla,<ref name="tcr"/> although by then the center had become difficult to locate.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> Later that day, the cyclone exited the Caribbean,<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> continuing its southeast track. On November 21, Lenny turned to the northeast and weakened to a tropical depression.<ref name="tcr"/> The deep convection was located at least Template:Convert east of the increasingly elongated center.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> Lenny turned to the east for the final time early on November 22, dissipating on the next day about Template:Convert east of the Lesser Antilles.<ref name="tcr"/>
PreparationsEdit
Early in Lenny's existence, a tropical storm warning and hurricane watch were issued for Jamaica. Later, a hurricane watch was issued for the southern coast of Hispaniola, and a tropical storm warning was also issued for the Dominican Republic.<ref name="tcr"/> Haitian officials declared a state of alert in three southern provinces and allocated about $1 million (1999 USD) in hurricane funds.<ref name="afp1116"/> Residents in flood-prone areas were advised to evacuate in southern Haiti and in the neighboring Dominican Republic.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="ppg"/>
A hurricane watch was issued for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands late on November 15, which was upgraded to a hurricane warning six hours later.<ref name="tcr"/> By that time, Lenny was projected to move over Puerto Rico.<ref name="d12"/> After Lenny made its closest approach to the island, the hurricane warning was downgraded to a tropical storm warning on November 17, which was discontinued the following day along with the advisories in the Virgin Islands.<ref name="tcr"/> In Puerto Rico, the media maintained continuous coverage on the hurricane based on statements and warnings from the San Juan National Weather Service office. Based on the coverage, the public was well informed of the hurricane's threat to the island. Before the storm and as a result of its impact, around 4,700 people evacuated to 191 shelters. This included 1,190 residents in Ponce who evacuated to 27 schools, as well as 584 people in western Puerto Rico.<ref name="is"/> Officials closed all schools, banned the sale of alcohol, and ordered a freeze on the price of emergency supplies.<ref name="BBC article">Template:Cite news</ref> The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) activated six medical assistance teams, three medical support teams, and two advance medical assessment units. The agency stored five days' worth of food in schools in the U.S. Virgin Islands.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Before the hurricane's arrival, U.S. Virgin Islands governor Charles Wesley Turnbull declared a state of emergency.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In St. Croix, 309 people rode out the storm in shelters.<ref name="srh"/> Officials opened eight shelters in the British Virgin Islands.<ref name="is"/> There, airlines and hotels assisted in evacuating tourists from the area.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Governments across the eastern Caribbean issued hurricane warnings as far south as Montserrat.<ref name="tcr"/> In Anguilla, residents near the coast were advised to evacuate. Schools closed ahead of the storm, and the ferry between the island and Saint Martin was halted and moved to a safe location. In Saint Kitts and Nevis, the National Emergency Management Agency was activated on November 16. Officials there advised residents living near ghauts to evacuate, and one shelter was located in each district of the country. In addition, stores were open for longer hours to allow people to stock up on supplies.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Most businesses and schools were closed in Antigua and Barbuda during the storm, while in Dominica, the airport was closed.<ref name="ifrc1118">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Further south, there was little warning for the hurricane in Grenada, and most people left their boats in the water.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
ImpactEdit
| County/Region | Deaths | Damage | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colombia | 2 | unknown | ||
| Antigua and Barbuda | 1 | $51.3 million | ||
| Guadeloupe | 5 | $100 million | ||
| Dominica | 0 | $21.5 million | ||
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | 0 | $41.4 million | ||
| Saint Martin | 3 | $69 million | citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
| Martinique | 1 | unknown | ||
| Saint Lucia | 0 | $6.6 million | <ref name="TCR"/> | |
| Puerto Rico | 0 | $105 million | ||
| U.S Virgin Islands | 0 | $225 million | ||
| British Virgin Islands | 0 | $5.6 million | ||
| Others | 5 | |||
| Total | 17 | ~$785.8 million |
Across the eastern Caribbean, Hurricane Lenny damaged vital infrastructure, including roads and piers in the tourism-dependent islands. Most of the islands' tourism areas were on western-facing beaches, many of which were unprepared for the high waves and winds produced by Lenny.<ref name="lennyspo">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Central CaribbeanEdit
Early in its existence, Lenny produced large waves and high tides along the Guajira Peninsula in Colombia,<ref name="tcr"/> sinking two boats and flooding 1,200 houses. There were also reports of flooded businesses and damaged crops. In the country, strong winds on the storm's fringe killed a man by striking him with a beam. Although there were initial reports of nine people missing,<ref name="afp1116">Template:Cite news</ref> only two were counted in the death toll for mainland Colombia.<ref name="tcr"/> Two sailors were killed offshore when their yacht was lost in the southern Caribbean Sea.<ref name="tcr"/>
Along the ABC Islands off the north coast of Venezuela, the hurricane produced Template:Convert waves along the southwest coastlines.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The waves caused heavy beach erosion and coastal damage to properties and boats.<ref name="naa">Template:Cite report</ref>
In Jamaica, the hurricane dropped heavy rainfall but left little damage. Rains in the Dominican Republic caused flooding in the country's southwest portion.<ref name="ppg">Template:Cite news</ref> Flooding around Les Cayes in southwestern Haiti destroyed 60 percent of the rice, corn, and banana plantations, while high waves wrecked several houses in Cavaellon.<ref name="BBC article"/>
Hurricane Lenny was originally forecast to strike Puerto Rico, although it remained south of the island.<ref name="tcr"/> Beginning on November 17, Lenny affected Puerto Rico with gusty winds and heavy rainfall. Rainfall in the days prior to Lenny's approach left areas susceptible to flooding, which caused many rivers in the northeastern portion of the island to overflow their banks following the storm. Such flooding forced towns to evacuate along the rivers, and also resulted in the closure of secondary and primary highways. The heavy rains also caused mudslides and rockslides.<ref name="srh"/> The peak rainfall on the island was Template:Convert in Jayuya in central Puerto Rico.<ref name="hpc">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Tides in San Juan were about Template:Convert above normal. There, high seas washed a Template:Convert freighter ashore. Winds in the Puerto Rican mainland were not significant, gusting to Template:Convert in Ceiba. The storm left 22,000 people without power and 103,000 people without water.<ref name="srh"/> Because of the heavy rainfall, about 200 farmers in southeastern Puerto Rico sustained about $19 million in crop damage (1999 USD). In the affected region, the heavy rainfall destroyed 80 percent of the vegetables and 50 percent of the plantains. Damage throughout the island totaled $105 million (1999 USD).<ref name="ncdc">Template:Cite reportTemplate:Dead link</ref>
Virgin IslandsEdit
After passing southeast of Puerto Rico, Hurricane Lenny struck St. Croix in the United States Virgin Islands, although its strongest winds remained southeast of the island. There, gusts reached Template:Convert, while sustained winds officially peaked around Template:Convert. Strong winds damaged the roofs of many houses in eastern St. Croix<ref name="tcr"/> and knocked down trees and power lines. The winds left severe damage to vegetation after fruits and vegetables were blown away. Rainfall peaked at Template:Convert,<ref name="hpc"/> which caused widespread flooding of many properties in the island's western portion. In Frederiksted, the hurricane produced a storm surge of Template:Convert<ref name="tcr"/> along with high waves that washed out roads and damaged coastal structures. There was also severe beach erosion in western St. Croix; high waves dumped Template:Convert of sand onto coastal roads about Template:Convert inland,<ref name="srh"/> and also washed several boats ashore.<ref name="tcr"/> The National Weather Service described the damage as "moderate".<ref name="srh"/>
Elsewhere in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Lenny produced a storm surge of about Template:Convert in St. Thomas.<ref name="tcr"/> Sustained winds on the island reached Template:Convert at the Cyril E. King Airport, with gusts to Template:Convert. On nearby St. John, wind gusts reached Template:Convert,<ref name="srh"/> and sustained hurricane-force winds of Template:Convert were reported on Maria Hill.<ref name="tcr"/> Rains were not as heavy as on St. Croix; the maximum amounts were Template:Convert on St. Thomas and Template:Convert on St. John. Both islands reported beach erosion along their southern coastlines.<ref name="srh"/> Damage on St. Thomas was minimal, limited to minor flooding and mudslides. The Virgin Islands National Park in St. John reported over $1.6 million in damage (1999 USD).<ref name="ncdc"/> In Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the hurricane left about $330 million in damage (1999 USD), but caused no deaths.<ref name="tcr"/>
In Virgin Gorda in the nearby British Virgin Islands, the hurricane produced sustained winds of Template:Convert, with gusts to Template:Convert. Rainfall amounted to around Template:Convert<ref name="tcr"/> and caused a mudslide near Coxheath. High waves eroded a portion of Sir Francis Drake Highway, and the high winds destroyed the roof of an apartment.<ref name="is">Template:Cite news</ref> Property damage in the British Virgin Islands totaled $5.6 million (1999 USD); however, the damage combined with the loss of tourism and productivity yielded a loss of $22 million to the islands' economy, or 3.1 percent of the gross domestic product.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Northern Leeward IslandsEdit
AnguillaEdit
The eye of Lenny moved over Anguilla, an island located east of the British Virgin Islands.<ref name="tcr"/> Localized flooding was reported,<ref name="rw1118"/> including in the capital, The Valley, where waters reportedly reached a depth of Template:Convert.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The hurricane struck only a month after Hurricane Jose had affected the region, causing significant beach erosion along Anguilla's coastline.<ref name="despoils">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Damage from Lenny amounted to $65.8 million.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Saint Barthélémy and Saint MartinEdit
Template:Wettest tropical cyclones on Saint Martin/Sint Maarten On Saint Barthélemy, the hurricane produced record-breaking precipitation of around Template:Convert. Waves reached Template:Convert on the island's western portion.<ref name="tcr"/> The highest precipitation related to the storm occurred at the police station on the French side of Saint Martin, where a total of Template:Convert was recorded.<ref name="hpc"/> This included a record 24-hour total of Template:Convert. Total damage was extensive but not as extreme or catastrophic as Hurricane Luis in 1995.
The Dutch AntillesEdit
The SSS Islands, which include Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten, were in the path of Hurricane Lenny on November 18 through 19.<ref name="tcr"/> On Saba, there was an unofficial wind gust of Template:Convert before the instrument blew away. The island sustained damage to several buildings, including airport facilities.<ref name="tcr"/> On the Dutch side of the island of Saint Martin, rainfall peaked at Template:Convert in Philipsburg.<ref name="tcr"/> The rains resulted in mudslides and flooding and were the primary form of impact on the island. For 36 hours, the island experienced tropical storm conditions, and there were three times when the winds surpassed hurricane force. Sustained winds on the island peaked at Template:Convert at the Princess Juliana International Airport;<ref name="naa"/> these were the highest sustained winds observed on land.<ref name="tcr"/> The airport also reported a wind gust of Template:Convert.<ref name="naa"/> As a result, the three SSS Islands sustained power and telephone outages.<ref name="r1119">Template:Cite news</ref> There was widespread destruction of the roofs of houses across the island,<ref name="ontw"/> and over 200 houses were destroyed.<ref name="ifrc1122">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Damage was estimated at $69 million,<ref name="ontw">Template:Cite report</ref> and there were three deaths on the Dutch side of St. Martin.<ref name="naa"/> Two of these deaths were from flying debris, and the other was due to a collapsed roadway.<ref name="tcr"/>
Due to the hurricane's unusual track from the west, it produced unparalleled waves of Template:Convert along the western coast of St. Martin,<ref name="naa"/> which damaged or destroyed many boats.<ref name="tcr"/> During its passage, Lenny left widespread damage to the infrastructure, including to the airport, harbor, resorts, power utilities, schools, and hospitals.<ref name="ontw"/>
Antigua and BarbudaEdit
While passing over Antigua, Hurricane Lenny dropped Template:Convert of rain at the V. C. Bird International Airport, while locations in the southern portion recorded over Template:Convert.<ref name="tcr"/> The rainfall caused severe flooding in Antigua, resulting in landslides in the northwestern and southern portion of the island.<ref name="lennyspo"/> Flooding washed out major roadways, including one bridge.<ref name="rw1130"/> Along the coast, the storm caused severe beach erosion. About 65 percent of Barbuda experienced flooding due to the rainfall and the island's flat topography. The flooding contaminated the water storage facilities and all private wells.<ref name="lennyspo"/> About 95 percent of the crops in Barbuda were destroyed.<ref name="garypadgett">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Damage in the country of Antigua and Barbuda totaled $51.3 million,<ref name="lennyspo"/> and there was one death.<ref name="usaid">Template:Cite report</ref>
Saint Kitts, Nevis and MontserratEdit
The hurricane's waves reached Template:Convert along the coasts of Saint Kitts and Nevis, washing up to Template:Convert inland. Several businesses were flooded, and some beach erosion was reported.<ref name="rw1118"/> The hurricane destroyed 46 homes and damaged 332 others to varying degree.<ref name="usaid"/> Home damage forced four families to evacuate.<ref name="rw1118">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Heavy rains caused mudslides on Saint Kitts,<ref name="tcr"/> and heavy damage occurred in Old Road Town.<ref name="pan">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Damage in the country amounted to $41.4 million.<ref name="rw1130"/> In Montserrat, damage was reported along its western coastline.<ref name="rw1118"/> After high waves capsized a boat, a crew of three required rescue.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
GuadeloupeEdit
Template:Wettest tropical cyclones in Guadeloupe Guadeloupe received record precipitation amounts in some areas, generally ranging from Template:Convert. On Basse-Terre, the western island of Guadeloupe, the hurricane produced a significant wave height of Template:Convert, with estimates as high as Template:Convert. There were five deaths, especially from drowning and electrocution in Guadeloupe and damage in the island totaled at least $100 million.<ref name="tcr"/>
Although there were no tropical-storm sustained wind recorded as the storm didn't really impacted the islands unlike previous hurricanes such as Luis, Marilyn and Georges, the extent of damage was globally heavier due to the unusual high waves in the western portion of the island and the very slow-moving storm that generated unrelated flooding inland in Grande-Terre for a 48 hour-period.
DominicaEdit
In Dominica, high waves damaged the island's western coastal highway, leaving the most heavily traveled road temporarily closed.<ref name="lennyspo"/> Road closures cut off links between towns on the island.<ref name="rw1118"/> The hurricane destroyed at least 50 homes,<ref name="ifrc1119"/> including 3 that were washed away by the waves.<ref name="ifrc1118"/> Hotels along the island's west coast sustained heavy damage, and across the nation the hurricane's impact was worse than that from Hurricane Luis four years prior.<ref name="ifrc1119"/> Damage on the island totaled $21.5 million.<ref name="lennyspo"/>
Windward IslandsEdit
Rainfall of around Template:Convert reached as far south as Martinique, where one person was killed.<ref name="hpc"/> Further south, high waves in Saint Lucia washed away beaches, a seawall, and coastal walkways.<ref name="lennyspo"/> At least 40 houses were damaged along the coast, which left several families homeless.<ref name="r1119"/> Damage in the country totaled $6.6 million.<ref name="lennyspo"/> In Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the hurricane washed away four buildings and damaged five others.<ref name="rw1118"/> About 50 people were left homeless in the country.<ref name="ifrc1122"/>
In western Grenada, high waves affected much of the coastline,<ref name="lennyspo"/> destroying 21 small boats and causing significant beach erosion.<ref name="tcr"/><ref name="lennyspo"/> The waves covered the entire Grand Anse Beach in Saint George Parish. The erosion heavily impacted tourist areas and also threatened the foundation of the runway at the Maurice Bishop International Airport. Storm damage cut off the towns in western Grenada from the capital city of Saint George's. The cut-off roads resulted in an island-wide fuel shortage.<ref name="lennyspo"/> In Saint John Parish, the storm knocked out the water and power supply and forced several families to evacuate their damaged houses.<ref name="ifrc1119"/> The small island Carriacou, located north of Grenada, sustained damage to the road to its primary airport.<ref name="lennyspo"/> At least 10 homes were destroyed in the country,<ref name="tcr"/> and damage totaled $94.6 million; this represented 27 percent of the island's gross domestic product.<ref name="lennyspo"/> Effects from the storm reached as far south as Trinidad and Tobago.<ref name="lennyspo"/> In the country, storm surge caused damage to boats and coastal structures, while beach erosion was reported in Tobago.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref>
AftermathEdit
Following heavy damage to the coral reef around Curaçao, workers placed reef balls to assist in replenishing the damaged structure.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In Puerto Rico, workers quickly responded to power and water outages. Similarly on Saint Croix, power systems were quickly restored.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On November 23, U.S. President Bill Clinton declared the U.S. Virgin Islands a disaster area. This allocated federal funding for loans to public and private entities and provided 75 percent of the cost of debris removal.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> By December 10, nearly 3,000 residents had applied for assistance, mostly on St. Croix. In response, the federal government provided about $480,000 to the affected people.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The United States Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance provided $185,000, mostly directed toward the United Nations Development Programme, for aid to other islands in the eastern Caribbean. Other agencies, including the Caribbean Development Bank, the United Kingdom's Department for International Development, and the European Union, provided $1.1 million in assistance.<ref name="lennyspo"/>
In response to the damage on Saint Martin, officials in the Netherlands Antilles issued an appeal to the European Parliament for assistance from the international community.<ref name="ontw"/> Due to their small population and area, the small islands of the eastern Caribbean required international funding to repair the damage from the hurricane and return to normal. In Antigua and Barbuda, officials worked quickly to repair roads and clean Barbuda's water system.<ref name="lennyspo"/> However, 20,000 people in Antigua remained without water for a week after the hurricane, and the stagnant water caused an increase in mosquitoes.<ref name="rw1130">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The government of Dominica provided 42 families with temporary shelters. With a loan from the Caribbean Development Bank, the government worked to complete a sea wall along a highway south of its capital Roseau. The Saint Lucian government provided housing to 70 families. In Grenada, workers repaired the road system to allow fuel transportation across the island and began to reclaim land near its airport to mitigate erosion.<ref name="lennyspo"/> Regions in Antigua and Grenada were declared disaster areas.<ref name="usaid"/><ref name="rw1120">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Across the eastern Caribbean, local Red Cross offices provided food and shelter to affected citizens.<ref name="ifrc1119">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> High damage to tourist areas caused a short term suspension of cruise ship arrivals. A damaged hotel in Nevis left 800 people unemployed due to its closure.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
RetirementEdit
Due to its effects, the name Lenny was retired by the World Meteorological Organization in the spring of 2000, and will never again be used for an Atlantic hurricane.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The name was replaced with Lee in the 2005 season.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
See alsoEdit
- List of Category 4 Atlantic hurricanes
- List of South America hurricanes
- Timeline of the 1999 Atlantic hurricane season
- Hurricane Klaus (1990) – A Category 1 hurricane that impacted similar areas
- Hurricane Omar (2008) – A Category 4 hurricane that impacted similar areas
- Hurricane Paloma (2008) – Another intense Category 4 hurricane that struck Cuba
NotesEdit
External linksEdit
- National Hurricane Center Preliminary Report on Lenny
- Hurricane Lenny's trajectory
- Hydrometeorological Prediction Center Rainfall Report on Lenny
Template:Retired Atlantic hurricanesTemplate:Category 4 Atlantic hurricanesTemplate:1999 Atlantic hurricane season buttons Template:Authority control