Editing Hurricane Frederic

{{Short description|Category 4 Atlantic hurricane in 1979}}
{{Other storms|List of storms named Frederic}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2015}}
{{Infobox weather event
| image = Frederic 1979-09-12 1600Z.png
| caption = Frederic shortly after peak intensity near landfall on [[Dauphin Island]] on September 12
| formed = {{start date|1979|08|29}}
| dissipated = {{end date|1979|09|15}}
}}{{Infobox weather event/NWS
| winds = 115
| pressure = 943
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| year = 1979
| fatalities = 12
| damage = 1770000000
| areas = {{flatlist|
*[[Leeward Islands]]
*[[Virgin Islands]]
*[[Puerto Rico]]
*[[Hispaniola]]
*[[Cuba]]
*[[East Coast of the United States]]
*[[Atlantic Canada]]
}}
| refs = 
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer
| season = [[1979 Atlantic hurricane season]]
}}

'''Hurricane Frederic''', known in Latin America as '''Federico''',<ref>{{cite web | url=https://repositorio.cepal.org/entities/publication/caf3f483-cb4e-4ee2-b2bc-15445376c992 | title=República Dominicana: Repercusiones de los huracanes David y Federico sobre la economía y las condiciones sociales: Nota de la Secretaría | date=1979 }}</ref> was an intense and damaging [[tropical cyclone]] that carved a path of destruction from the [[Lesser Antilles]] to [[Quebec]], in particular devastating areas of the [[United States Gulf Coast]]. Though only five were killed directly, the [[United States dollar|US]]$1.77&nbsp;billion (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US-GDP|1.77|1979|fmt=c|r=1}} billion in {{Inflation-year|US-GDP}}) in damage accrued by Frederic made it the [[Atlantic hurricane|Atlantic basin]]'s [[List of costliest Atlantic hurricanes|costliest]] tropical cyclone on record at the time. Prior to its final [[landfall]], the threat that Frederic imposed on areas of the U.S. Gulf Coast triggered a mass exodus from the region larger than any other evacuation in the past. While the storm primarily impacted the [[U.S. state]]s of [[Mississippi]] and [[Alabama]], lesser effects were felt throughout the [[Greater Antilles|Greater]] and Lesser Antilles, as well as inland North America.

Frederic was the thirteenth tropical cyclone, sixth named storm, third hurricane, and second major hurricane of the [[1979 Atlantic hurricane season]]. It developed from a [[tropical depression]] south of the [[Cape Verde Islands]] on August&nbsp;28.{{#tag:ref|For consistency, [[Coordinated Universal Time]]&nbsp;<small>(UTC)</small> is used for all references of time as the cyclone existed in multiple [[time zone]]s throughout its existence.|group="nb"|name="UTC"}} Tracking at a steady clip westward, the primitive cyclone reached [[tropical storm]] intensity the next day. Favorable conditions in the open Atlantic allowed for Frederic to reach hurricane intensity on September&nbsp;1. However, [[outflow (meteorology)|outflow]] from nearby [[Hurricane David]] began to inhibit further intensification and would continue to do so for roughly a week, weakening Frederic as it tracked across the Greater Antilles. The tropical cyclone nearly dissipated over [[Cuba]] before redeveloping on September&nbsp;9 near the [[Isla de la Juventud|Isle of Youth]]. From then on, Frederic moved northwestward, intensifying to its peak intensity in the [[Gulf of Mexico]] with winds of {{convert|130|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} on September&nbsp;12, shortly before making landfall at [[Dauphin Island, Alabama]] just below the state line between Alabama and Mississippi. Over the United States, Frederic weakened for a final time before becoming [[extratropical]] in [[Pennsylvania]] on September&nbsp;14 and dissipating the next day.

Damage estimates vary due to inadequate reporting of private insurance claims as well as lack of hard data on uninsured damage; Frederic is believed to have inflicted $5 million (1979 USD) in both Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with an additional $1.7 billion in damage on the mainland United States. [[Federal Emergency Management Agency|FEMA]], which had been established only three months before Frederic hit, was the focal point for nearly $250&nbsp;million in federal aid for recovery, $188&nbsp;million of which went to Alabama (1979 USD). In southern Alabama, the landscape was changed for years, with thousands of tall pine trees tilted and leaning northwest.<ref name="SA"/>

==Meteorological history==
{{storm path|Frederic 1979 track.png}}
The precursor to Hurricane Frederic emerged as a loosely defined [[tropical wave]] off the west coast of Africa late on August&nbsp;27. The following day, satellite images indicated that the tropical wave had become more defined, and was beginning to show signs of [[cyclonic rotation]]. At 0600&nbsp;[[UTC]] on August&nbsp;29, the [[National Hurricane Center]]&nbsp;<small>(NHC)</small> classified the system as a [[tropical depression]] based on observational data from ships nearby in conjunction with satellite images.<ref name=MWR>{{cite journal|author1=Hebert, Paul J. |title=Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1979 |journal=Monthly Weather Review |date=March 26, 1980 |volume=108 |issue=7 |pages=973–990 |doi=10.1175/1520-0493(1980)108<0973:AHSO>2.0.CO;2 |url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/1979.pdf |access-date=27 June 2014 |publisher=American Meteorological Society |location=Miami, Florida |bibcode=1980MWRv..108..973H |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110104020243/http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/1979.pdf |archive-date=January 4, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>{{Atlantic hurricane best track}} Upon [[tropical cyclogenesis|developing]] into a tropical cyclone, the depression moved at an unusually rapid pace westward, gradually curving towards the west-northwest and slowly intensifying in ideal conditions. At 1200&nbsp;UTC on August&nbsp;30,{{Atlantic hurricane best track}} the tropical depression was upgraded to [[tropical storm]] status and thus [[tropical cyclone naming|named]] ''Frederic''.<ref name=MWR /> Intensification continued after the storm's upgrade, and early on September&nbsp;1, Frederic developed an [[eye (cyclone)|eye]], prompting the NHC to further upgrade the tropical cyclone to hurricane status at 0600&nbsp;UTC that day.<ref name=MWR />{{Atlantic hurricane best track}}

Frederic only maintained hurricane intensity for roughly eighteen hours over the open waters of the Atlantic on September&nbsp;1 before [[outflow (meteorology)|outflow]] from nearby [[Hurricane David]] began to adversely affect the tropical cyclone.<ref name=MWR />{{Atlantic hurricane best track}} At 0000&nbsp;UTC on September&nbsp;2, Frederic weakened back to tropical storm strength while it was still well east of the [[Lesser Antilles]]. This weakening phase continued as Frederic began to assume a more westerly track and slow in forward motion.<ref name=MWR /> On September&nbsp;4, Frederic tracked over the [[Virgin Islands]] before making [[landfall]] on [[Puerto Rico]] later that day with [[maximum sustained wind]]s of {{convert|50|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.{{Atlantic hurricane best track}} Frederic's interaction with Puerto Rico greatly disrupted the low-level circulation contained within the tropical cyclone, enhancing the weakening effects of Hurricane David's outflow. After passing over the island, the tropical storm briefly took a southwest course before curving into [[Hispaniola]] on September&nbsp;6, inducing additional disruption within Frederic. At 1800&nbsp;UTC that day, Frederic was downgraded to tropical depression status north of [[Haiti]].<ref name=MWR /> Frederic remained a tropical depression for two days as it tracked into and then parallel to the southern coast of [[Cuba]] beginning on September&nbsp;7.{{Atlantic hurricane best track}} During this time, Hurricane David had tracked far into the [[Northeastern United States]], and as a result its inhibiting effects of intensification ceased.<ref name=MWR /> At 0000&nbsp;UTC on September&nbsp;9,{{Atlantic hurricane best track}} Frederic regained tropical storm intensity while located roughly {{convert|100|mi|km|abbr=on}}/h) east of the [[Isla de la Juventud|Isle of Youth]]. The following day, the cyclone tracked over western Cuba as it gradually curved towards the northwest.{{Atlantic hurricane best track}}

Favorable conditions, marked by very warm [[sea surface temperature]]s as high as 86&nbsp;°F&nbsp;(30&nbsp;°C) and the presence of a large [[anticyclone]] over the system, allowed Frederic to strengthen to hurricane status for a second time while just northwest of Cuba, despite proximity to land.<ref name=MWR /> Frederic took a northwesterly course throughout its trek across the [[Gulf of Mexico]] in early September, intensifying in a highly conducive environment.<ref name=MWR /> By 1800&nbsp;UTC on September&nbsp;10, the hurricane became stronger than it had ever been over the central Atlantic. At 0000&nbsp;UTC on September&nbsp;12, Frederic attained [[Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale|major hurricane]] status over the eastern [[Gulf of Mexico]], and twelve hours later reached peak intensity with a minimum [[barometric pressure]] of 943&nbsp;[[bar (unit)|mbar]] ([[pascal (unit)|hPa]]; 27.85&nbsp;[[inches of mercury|inHg]]) and sustained winds of {{convert|130|mph|km/h|abbr=on}},{{#tag:ref|A major hurricane is a storm that ranks as Category&nbsp;3 or higher on the [[Saffir–Simpson hurricane scale]].<ref name=MajorHurricane>{{cite book|author=Goldenburg, Stan |chapter=A3) What is a super-typhoon? What is a major hurricane? What is an intense hurricane? |type=FAQ |title=Frequently Asked Questions |url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/tcfaq/tcfaqHED.html |chapter-url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/tcfaq/A3.html |date=June 1, 2014 |publisher=United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory |access-date=27 June 2014 |version=4.7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060615212545/http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/tcfaq/tcfaqHED.html |archive-date=June 15, 2006 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>|group="nb"}} making the cyclone a Category&nbsp;4 hurricane on the [[Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale]].{{Atlantic hurricane best track}} Moving gradually faster in the Gulf of Mexico,<ref name=MWR /> Frederic eventually made two landfalls&nbsp;– one on [[Dauphin Island, Alabama|Dauphin Island]] and the other near the border between [[Alabama]] and [[Mississippi]]&nbsp;– with a virtually unchanged intensity.{{Atlantic hurricane best track}}<ref name=USLandfalls>{{cite book|author=Landsea, Chris |chapter=E23) What is the complete list of continental U.S. landfalling hurricanes? |type=FAQ |title=Frequently Asked Questions |url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/tcfaq/tcfaqHED.html |chapter-url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/tcfaq/E23.html |date=June 1, 2014 |publisher=United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory |access-date=27 June 2014 |version=4.7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060615212545/http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/tcfaq/tcfaqHED.html |archive-date=June 15, 2006 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Tracking rapidly northward, Frederic began to weaken due to land interaction, and was downgraded to tropical storm status while it was near [[Meridian, Mississippi]] on September&nbsp;13.<ref name=MWR /> At around the same time, the cyclone began to curve northeastward,{{Atlantic hurricane best track}} eventually merging with an [[extratropical cyclone]] in southwestern [[Pennsylvania]] by 1800&nbsp;UTC on September&nbsp;14. These extratropical remnants proceeded to track through the [[Mid-Atlantic states]] and [[New England]] before they were last officially documented by the NHC in [[New Brunswick]] on September&nbsp;15.<ref name=MWR />{{Atlantic hurricane best track}} However, the [[Canadian Hurricane Centre]] still considered the cyclone active up until the storm entered the [[Labrador Sea]] on September&nbsp;16.<ref name=Canada>{{cite web|author1=Environment Canada|title=1979-Frederic|url=http://www.ec.gc.ca/hurricane/default.asp?lang=En&n=F05FBB0C-1|website=Canadian Storm Impact Summaries|publisher=Government of Canada|access-date=27 June 2014|date=September 14, 2010}}</ref>
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<!--[[File:Tropical Storm Frederic 2 Sep 1979 1846z.png|thumb|Frederic as a tropical storm east of the Lesser Antilles on September&nbsp;2|alt=Black and white satellite image of a poorly defined but compact mass of clouds, with country borders artificially highlighted in black.]]-->

==Preparations==
[[File:Fredericevacpic.JPG|thumb|Evacuation out of the Mobile area]]
The first [[tropical cyclone watches and warnings]] issued in association with Frederic were on September&nbsp;3, when the National Hurricane Center issued a [[Hurricane force wind warning|hurricane warning]] and [[gale warning]] for several islands of the [[Lesser Antilles]] stretching from [[Dominica]] to the northern [[Leeward Islands]].<ref name=IslandsDazed>{{cite news|author1=Wilson, Steve|title=Islands Dazed By David Now Await Hurricane Frederic|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19790903&id=QP0jAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pWcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6927,1372891|access-date=27 June 2014|work=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|agency=Associated Press|date=September 3, 1979|location=Sarasota, Florida|page=4A|issue=335|volume=54}}</ref> Residents of [[Charlotte Amalie, United States Virgin Islands|Charlotte Amalie]] in the [[United States Virgin Islands]] were urged by governor [[Juan Francisco Luis]] to move to 24&nbsp;emergency shelters.<ref name=FredericSlows /> Luis also mobilized a company of the [[Virgin Islands National Guard]] to expedite evacuations and protect emptied residences and other buildings from looting.<ref name=DowngradedFrederic /> Further south in [[Dominica]], [[Melville Hall Airport]] was forced to close due to the presence of gale-force winds, delaying relief efforts following Hurricane David.<ref name=Hampers>{{cite news|title=Frederic hampers rescue work|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1346&dat=19790903&id=nrAwAAAAIBAJ&sjid=D_sDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2030,1160178|access-date=27 June 2014|work=The Ledger|agency=The New York Times|issue=315|volume=73|date=September 3, 1979|location=Lakeland, Florida|page=1A}}</ref>

Despite having weakened to a tropical storm by the time Frederic moved over the Virgin Islands, the National Hurricane Center issued a [[hurricane watch]] for Puerto Rico on September&nbsp;4.<ref name=PoorCousin /> As precautionary measures, the [[Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport]] and schools closed for the duration of the storm.<ref name=DowngradedFrederic /> Hundreds of residents were ordered to evacuate from [[Toa Baja, Puerto Rico|Toa Baja]] for the second time in just four days due to the threat of flooding rivers.<ref name=MoreRain>{{cite news|title=Frederic Brings More Rain|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1873&dat=19790905&id=PXgpAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DtIEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3965,1613381|access-date=27 June 2014|work=Daytona Beach Morning Journal|agency=Associated Press|issue=213|volume=54|date=September 5, 1979|location=Daytona Beach, Florida|page=2A}}</ref> In [[Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico|Trujillo Alto]], a dike was relieved in order to mitigate potential flooding.<ref name=HeadsPR>{{cite news|title=Tropical Storm Frederic heads to Puerto Rico|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=799&dat=19790904&id=t6NPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=tlEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5322,6738807|access-date=27 June 2014|work=The Byran Times|agency=United Press International|issue=208|volume=31|date=September 4, 1979|location=Bryan, Ohio|page=1}}</ref> After its track across Puerto Rico, gale warnings were issued for portions of the [[Dominican Republic]] and [[Haiti]], as well as the [[Turks and Caicos Islands]].<ref name=FredericDumps>{{cite news|title=Frederic dumps heavy rains on islands, loses strength|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1346&dat=19790906&id=oLAwAAAAIBAJ&sjid=D_sDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3460,2144521|access-date=27 June 2014|work=The Ledger|agency=Associated Press|issue=318|volume=73|date=September 6, 1979|location=Lakeland, Florida|page=13A}}</ref>  No watches or warnings were issued by the NHC for any areas while Frederic was classified as a tropical depression over the Greater Antilles.<ref name=Prelim5>{{cite report|author1=National Hurricane Center|title=Hurricane Frederic Watches & Warnings|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1979-prelim/frederic/prelim05.gif|website=Hurricane Frederic Preliminary Report|publisher=United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|access-date=27 June 2014|location=Miami, Florida|page=5|format=GIF}}</ref> However, small craft warnings were posted for some coastal regions off of [[Miami, Florida]] due to strong winds caused by the nearby tropical cyclone.<ref name=SFlaThreaten>{{cite news|title=Frederic Could Threaten South Florida|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19790909&id=Rv0jAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pWcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6130,3778092|access-date=27 June 2014|work=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|agency=United Press International|issue=341|volume=54|date=September 9, 1979|location=Sarasota, Florida|page=A1}}</ref>

After Frederic reattained hurricane status in the Gulf of Mexico on September&nbsp;10, a gale warning were issued for the [[Dry Tortugas]]; this was the first NHC warning issued in association with the newly developed tropical cyclone.{{Atlantic hurricane best track}}<ref name=Prelim5 /> Not long after, a hurricane watch was issued for coastal areas extending from [[Panama City, Florida]] to [[Vermilion Bay (Louisiana)|Vermilion Bay]] in [[Louisiana]].<ref name=Prelim5 /> Although forecasts showed that Frederic posed no threat to [[Sarasota, Florida]], the city readied barrels of water if distribution was necessitated to [[Sarasota County, Florida|Sarasota County]]'s 58&nbsp;emergency shelters. Municipality managers were asked to place their respective emergency personnel on standby.<ref name=FL-Alerted>{{cite news|author1=Dietz, John|title=Florida Alerted As Frederic Hits Hurricane Force|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19790911&id=SP0jAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pWcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5399,5205309|access-date=28 June 2014|work=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|issue=343|volume=54|date=September 11, 1979|location=Sarasota, Florida|page=1A}}</ref> In [[Key West, Florida]], city workers had shortened workdays while the storm moved close by.<ref name=OR-Again>{{cite news|title=Frederic Becomes A Hurricane Again|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2519&dat=19790911&id=8-NhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=cncNAAAAIBAJ&pg=1499,1471828|access-date=28 June 2014|work=Observer-Reporter|agency=Associated Press|issue=79214|volume=172|date=September 11, 1979|location=Washington, Pennsylvania|page=D4}}</ref>
 
Up to 500,000 were evacuated from the U.S. Gulf Coast in anticipation of Frederic's arrival.{{citation needed|date=March 2015}}
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==Impact==
===Lesser Antilles and Puerto Rico===
Effects from Frederic were first felt on the outward facing Leeward Islands. In [[Antigua]], the threat of widespread [[power outage]]s forced the insular government to shut down power.<ref name=GuadeloulpeSmall /><ref name=PoorCousin>{{cite news|title='Poor Cousin' Moves On|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1964&dat=19790904&id=of0sAAAAIBAJ&sjid=os0FAAAAIBAJ&pg=1188,1858170|access-date=27 June 2014|work=The Palm Beach Post|agency=Post Wire Services|issue=147|volume=71|date=September 4, 1979|location=West Palm Beach, Florida|page=1}}{{Dead link|date=December 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> A peak gust of {{convert|62|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} was documented on the island as a result of the storm.<ref name=MWR /> These strong winds also unroofed some buildings.<ref name=DowngradedFrederic /> Strong winds and rain were felt in [[Guadeloupe]], [[Barbuda]], and a number of other islands, but no damaging effects from the passing tropical cyclone occurred in those locations.<ref name=GuadeloulpeSmall>{{cite news|title=Hurricane Frederic Hits Guadeloupe, Small Islands|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2519&dat=19790904&id=7eNhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=cncNAAAAIBAJ&pg=3735,203102|access-date=27 June 2014|work=Observer-Reporter|agency=Associated Press|date=September 4, 1979|location=Washington, Pennsylvania|page=A2|volume=172|issue=79208}}</ref>

In [[St. Maarten]], these strong winds toppled a [[radio antenna]].<ref name=FredericSlows>{{cite news|title=Frederic slows to a tropical storm|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=888&dat=19790904&id=MFBSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=dHwDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4276,2840765|access-date=27 June 2014|work=St. Petersburg Times|agency=United Press International|issue=42|volume=96|date=September 4, 1979|location=St. Petersburg, Florida|page=6A}}</ref> Flowing floodwaters washed away plentiful food crops in the island.<ref name=DowngradedFrederic /> Some homes were damaged and others destroyed on the adjacent [[Sint Maarten]].<ref name=MoreRain /> Off of the island, seven Japanese people were killed after their fishing boat sank during the storm.<ref name=MWR />

Power outages knocked out electricity to half of [[Tortola]] in the [[British Virgin Islands]] and downed telephone lines. Rainfall and downed trees blocked several roads.<ref name=StormFrederic>{{cite news|title=Storm Frederic hits Virgin Islands|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2206&dat=19790904&id=8tUzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=W-sFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5560,751053|access-date=27 June 2014|work=The Miami News|date=September 4, 1979|location=Miami, Florida|page=4A}}{{Dead link|date=December 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Offshore, the [[yacht]] ''Princess'' blew out into sea, prompting a coast guard rescue of the ship and its crew.<ref name=DowngradedFrederic>{{cite news|title=Downgraded Frederic Perils Puerto Rico With High Water|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19790905&id=Qv0jAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pWcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5958,2053271|access-date=27 June 2014|work=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|agency=United Press International|issue=337|volume=54|date=September 5, 1979|location=Sarasota, Florida|page=8A}}</ref>

As a tropical storm,{{Atlantic hurricane best track}} Frederic dropped heavy rain across the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Despite having weakened from its prior hurricane intensity, the storm still brought [[gale]]-force winds coupled with gusts as strong as {{convert|70|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} to the area.<ref name=MWR /> Three apartments in the same apartment complex on [[Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands|St. Thomas]] were unroofed, displacing roughly 50&nbsp;families.<ref name=SD>{{cite journal|author1=National Climatic Data Center |title=Storm Data&nbsp;– September&nbsp;1979 |journal=Storm Data |date=September 1979 |volume=21 |issue=9 |url=http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-CD82AB9C-C403-4DB2-80D6-FC496D3F06A0.pdf |access-date=27 June 2014 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6QeIZAYAh?url=http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-CD82AB9C-C403-4DB2-80D6-FC496D3F06A0.pdf |archive-date=June 27, 2014 |publisher=United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |location=Asheville, North Carolina |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Electricity was deliberately cut during the late night hours to prevent the spread of power outages.<ref name=HeadsPR /> The entirety of the U.S. Virgin Islands reported numerous felled trees and downed utility lines as a result of the strong winds. Wind damage on nearby Puerto Rico was of only minor extent and much less severe than in the Virgin Islands.<ref name=SD /> However, torrential precipitation accounted for most of the damage, as the passage of Hurricane David less than a week earlier saturated soils, priming the area for floods induced by the passage of Frederic. Rainfall peaked at around {{convert|10|in|mm|abbr=on}} in 12&nbsp;hours in Puerto Rico and {{convert|24.04|in|mm|abbr=on}} in 30&nbsp;hours in [[St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands|St. Croix]].<ref name=MWR /><ref name=TCRain>{{cite book|title=Tropical Cyclone Point Maxima|publisher=United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service|chapter=Hurricane Frederic&nbsp;– September 3–14, 1979|url=http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/frederic1979.html|author=Roth, David M|author2=Hydrometeorological Prediction Center|access-date=27 June 2014}}</ref> 
[[File:Frederic 1979 Puerto Rico rainfall.gif|thumb|Rainfall totals in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands|alt=Contoured map showing rainfall totals in increments of {{convert|2|in|mm|abbr=off|sp=us|spell=in}}.]]

All rivers in southeastern Puerto Rico swelled and produce significant flooding in adjacent floodplains. The [[discharge (hydrology)|discharge]] of the [[Santiago River (Puerto Rico)|Rio Santiago]] near [[Naguabo, Puerto Rico|Naguabo]] reached [[return period|100-year levels]]. These floods partially inundated several cities, submerged crops, and damaged numerous roads. Major arterial roads to and from [[Ponce, Puerto Rico|Ponce]] were blocked by floodwater and landslide debris. Some portions of [[Puerto Rico Highway 3|Puerto Rico Highway&nbsp;3]] were submerged by water from both the torrential rain and wave action. Damage from Frederic in Puerto Rico reached at least US$5&nbsp;million, though western Puerto Rico sustained minimal damage from the storm. In St. Thomas, four small homes were destroyed by flooding, and an additional 50 sustained at least partial damage. One [[waterspout]] was reported off the coast, but did no damage. Normally dry [[Gut (coastal geography)|coastal guts]] in St. Croix filled with floodwater from Frederic, damaging homes and other buildings in five communities on St. Croix. Culverts, bridges, and heavy [[beach erosion]] resulted from rough surf off the coast of the island. The floods generated various sewage problems.<ref name=SD />  Damage in Virgin Islands also reached at least US$5&nbsp;million, similar to Puerto Rico.<ref name=SD />

===Hispaniola and Cuba===
Heavy rains buffeted the islands of [[Hispaniola]] and Cuba for several days as Frederic, albeit disorganized,<ref name=SoaksHispaniola>{{cite news|title=Frederic soaks Hispaniola|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1291&dat=19790906&id=XxdUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Po0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4985,839541|access-date=27 June 2014|work=Boca Raton News|agency=Associated Press|issue=238|volume=24|date=September 6, 1979|location=Boca Raton, Florida|page=3A}}</ref> tracked over the [[Greater Antilles]]. As with Puerto Rico and the Lesser Antilles, precipitation damage was exacerbated by the recent passage of Hurricane David. In [[Guantánamo]] on Cuba's eastern Atlantic coast, at least {{convert|6.88|in|mm|abbr=on}} of rainfall was reported. Frederic continued to produce strong winds even as a weak tropical depression south of Cuba, as sustained winds of {{convert|46|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} were clocked in [[Santa Cruz del Sur]] on September&nbsp;7. However, damage from Frederic in Hispaniola and eastern Cuba remained minimal.<ref name=MWR />

Frederic's landfall on western Cuba as a redeveloped tropical cyclone was much more significant than its first Cuban landfall. Sustained winds peaked at {{convert|52|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} in [[Bahía Honda, Cuba]] on September&nbsp;10.<ref name=MWR /> Despite recent renovations at [[José Martí International Airport]], the lack of a proper drainage system allowed rainfall to inundate the airport, stranding several heads of state that were scheduled to hold a [[summit (meeting)|summit]] and disrupting air traffic to and from the airport for an entire week.<ref name=Grandiose>{{cite news|author1=Walker, John R.|title=Cuba: First grandiose plans, now grubby reality|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1946&dat=19790924&id=nFsxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=eaQFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4293,2905241|access-date=27 June 2014|agency=Southam News|date=September 24, 1979|location=Montreal, Quebec|page=9|volume=202}}</ref> Heavy precipitation triggered numerous landslides, causing severe damage to infrastructure and over 250&nbsp;dwellings. Areas at risk for additional landslide activity were declared inhospitable, resulting in the evacuation of 1,200&nbsp;people.<ref name=Eval>{{cite web|author1=National Centre For Seismological Research|title=Evaluating Risks From Natural Disasters: Cuba|url=http://tcdc2.undp.org/GSSDAcademy/SIE/Docs/Vol12/2Cuba.pdf|publisher=Global South-South Development Academy|access-date=27 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402115154/http://tcdc2.undp.org/GSSDAcademy/SIE/Docs/Vol12/2Cuba.pdf|archive-date=April 2, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Rainfall estimates in Cuba peaked at {{convert|5|in|mm|abbr=on}}.<ref name=FloridaBraces>{{cite news|title=Florida braces for big storm|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2194&dat=19790910&id=PqMyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zu4FAAAAIBAJ&pg=1138,4624199|access-date=28 June 2014|work=Ottawa Citizen|agency=United Press International|date=September 10, 1979|location=Ottawa, Ontario|page=50}}</ref> A lack of damage reports was evident from western Cuba following Frederic's landfall, though damage estimates were high.<ref name=MWR />

===United States===
[[File:Fredericbrpic.JPG|right|thumb|The [[Dauphin Island Bridge]] was destroyed by Hurricane Frederic, making it only reachable by boat.]]
Storm surge damage was reported along 80&nbsp;miles of coastline from [[Mississippi]] to Florida, with tides {{convert|8|to|12|ft|m}} above the normal level being observed. Five deaths were directly attributed to Frederic in the United States, four of which occurred inland: a person swept from a boat near [[Pensacola, Florida|Pensacola]] was the only casualty along the coast.<ref name=MWR /> In total, Frederic was responsible for $1.7&nbsp;billion in damages.<ref>{{cite report |archive-date=January 27, 2018 |url-status=live |date=January 12, 2018 |title=Costliest U.S. tropical cyclones tables update |access-date=January 12, 2018 |url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/news/UpdatedCostliest.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127083930/https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/news/UpdatedCostliest.pdf |publisher=United States National Hurricane Center }}</ref> This made Frederic the costliest hurricane in the history of the United States at the time; the figure was not surpassed until [[Hurricane Alicia]] in 1983.<ref name="ushfrederic"/> Frederic also dumped heavy rainfall across much of the eastern United States. Over a dozen tornadoes were also reported in Frederic's wake. However, these had minimal impact.<ref name="nhc3">{{cite web |author=National Hurricane Center |year=1979 |title= NHC Preliminary Report&nbsp;— Hurricane Frederic (1979) Page 3|access-date=October 12, 2006|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1979-prelim/frederic/prelim03.gif}}</ref>

====Florida====
As Frederic was strengthening in the Gulf of Mexico, strong winds were reported in the [[Florida Keys]]. A station on the Dry Tortugas recorded a {{convert|58|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} wind gust on September&nbsp;10; this was stronger than any other Florida wind gust measurement in association with Frederic. A station in Key West, Florida clocked at {{convert|43|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} wind gust, coupled with sustained winds of {{convert|29|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name=MWR /> Tides in the Dry Tortugas peaked at {{convert|15|ft|m|abbr=on}}, roughly {{convert|12|ft|m|abbr=on}} above normal.<ref name=FL-Alerted /><ref name=Gainsadded>{{cite news|title=Hurricane gains added strength|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2194&dat=19790911&id=3K4yAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0u4FAAAAIBAJ&pg=2524,446417|access-date=28 June 2014|work=The Citizen|agency=United Press International|date=September 11, 1979|location=Ottawa, Ontario|page=82}}</ref> Rainfall from the extremities of the hurricane reached [[South Florida]],<ref name=KeysWatch>{{cite news|title=Frederic hurricane again; Keys told to keep watch|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1346&dat=19790911&id=pLAwAAAAIBAJ&sjid=D_sDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6339,4139815|access-date=28 June 2014|work=The Ledger|agency=Associated Press|issue=323|volume=73|date=September 11, 1979|location=Lakeland, Florida|pages=1A, 7A}}</ref> with some rainfall totals exceeding {{convert|7|in|mm|abbr=on}}.<ref name=TCRain />

====Alabama====
Frederic made landfall at [[Dauphin Island, Alabama]] and continued across to a point on the Alabama/Mississippi state line near [[Bayou La Batre, Alabama]].<ref name="Dauphin Island landfall">{{cite web|author=NOAA|title=Frederic path & landfall|url=http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/frederic1979.html|access-date=2 September 2017}}</ref>
Near-total property damage occurred along the Alabama coastline between [[Fort Morgan, Alabama|Fort Morgan]] and [[Gulf Shores, Alabama|Gulf Shores]], the latter seeing 80% of its buildings completely destroyed. The causeway linking [[Dauphin Island]] to the mainland was swept away in many areas.<ref name="ushfrederic">{{cite web|author=United States Hurricanes|title=Hurricane Frederic 1979|access-date=October 12, 2006|url=http://www.geocities.com/hurricanene/hurricanefrederic.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061230170734/http://www.geocities.com/hurricanene/hurricanefrederic.htm|archive-date=2006-12-30}}</ref>  Alabama's second-largest city (at that time),  [[Mobile, Alabama]] suffered extensive damage as well. Wind damage was also severe, especially across southern Alabama. Hurricane-force gusts were felt as far inland as [[Choctaw County, Alabama|Choctaw County]]. Structural failure was widespread in the immediate landfall area with industrial, residential and governmental buildings as well as hospitals suffering heavy damage. Nearly 90% of the Mobile area lost electricity, and the historic City Hall experienced heavy roof damage. Many small beach houses were completely destroyed by high winds before the storm surge could add any effects.<ref name="ushfrederic"/><ref name="nwsbirmingham">{{cite web|author=NOAA |date=March 22, 2006 |title=National Weather Service Forecast Office (Birmingham, AL) - Top 10 Weather Events in the 21st Century For Alabama |access-date= October 8, 2006 |url= http://www.srh.noaa.gov/bmx/significant_events/climate/top10.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080303052752/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/bmx/significant_events/climate/top10.php |archive-date=March 3, 2008}}</ref> Tree damage with broken limbs was extensive, leaving thousands of tall pine trees all tilted, leaning in the direction of the wind.<ref name="SA">{{cite web |title= Prepare for Homegrown Hurricanes |url= http://www.southalabama.edu/departments/publicrelations/pressreleases/053116hurricanes.html |website= southalabama.edu |date= May 31, 2016 |access-date= 2018-01-26 }}</ref> 11 Alabama counties were declared disaster areas.

====Mississippi====
About {{convert|8|to|12|in}} of rain fell in [[Jackson County, Mississippi]] around Biloxi and Pascagoula. 16 Mississippi counties were declared disaster areas; the most in the United States. Hurricane-force winds were felt as far northward as [[Meridian, Mississippi]].<ref name="Frederic in Mississippi">{{cite web |author= WKRG.com |title= Frederic in Mississippi |url= http://wkrg.com/2015/06/03/hurricane-frederic-in-1979 |access-date= September 2, 2017 |archive-date= September 3, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170903032444/http://wkrg.com/2015/06/03/hurricane-frederic-in-1979/ |url-status= dead }}</ref>

===Canada===
Frederic dropped heavy rain across Canada as an extratropical storm, peaking at {{convert|137|mm|in|abbr=on}} near [[Ottawa|Ottawa, Ontario]]. Record precipitation was recorded at the [[J. S. Marshall Radar Observatory]] in [[Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec]], which documented {{convert|77|mm|in|abbr=on}} of rain on September&nbsp;15. Rainfall spread as far northeast as the eastern coast of [[Labrador]]. Flooding occurred in eastern Ontario and portions of the [[Niagara Peninsula]], as noted in [[Cornwall, Ontario|Cornwall]]. In [[Toronto]], the rains led to a seven-car [[traffic collision]] and a separate car accident that injured two. Flooding also took place in southern [[Quebec]], with floodwater submerging streets, basements, and underground parking lots in [[Montreal]]. Damage from southern Quebec reached [[Canadian dollar|C$]]8.238&nbsp;million (US$7.095&nbsp;million).<ref name=Canada />

==Aftermath==
[[File:Fred1979aftmth.JPG|right|thumb|Damage after Hurricane Frederic in [[Gulf Shores, Alabama]].]]
Eleven counties in Alabama, 16 in Mississippi, and five in Florida were declared eligible for disaster aid.

In retrospect, Frederic has been credited with spurring redevelopment in Mobile and the surrounding Gulf Coast region. For example, in testimony before Congress
in 1992, Robert Sheets (then the director of the [[National Hurricane Center]]), described the economic aftermath of Frederic:

<blockquote>Prior to Hurricane Frederic, there was one [[Condominium (housing)|condominium complex]] on [[Gulf Shores, Alabama]]. Most of the homes were single, individual homes built behind the sand dunes. Today, where there used to be one condominium, there are now at least 104 complexes&nbsp;– not units, complexes&nbsp;– on Gulf Shores, Alabama.</blockquote>

===Retirement===
{{See also|List of retired Atlantic hurricane names}}
Because of extensive destruction caused by the hurricane, the name ''Frederic'' was retired by the [[World Meteorological Organization]] in the spring of 1980, and it will not be used again to name a tropical system in the North Atlantic.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tropical Cyclone Naming History and Retired Names|url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutnames_history.shtml|publisher=National Hurricane Center|location=Miami, Florida|access-date=April 4, 2024}}</ref> It was replaced with ''Fabian'' for the [[1985 Atlantic hurricane season|1985 season]].<ref>{{cite report|url=https://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/Publications/NatHurricaneOpsPlans/HOPs-1985.PDF|page=3{{hyphen}}7|publisher=[[NOAA]] Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research|location=Washington, D.C.|title=National Hurricane Operations Plan|date=May 1985|access-date=April 4, 2024}}</ref>

==In popular culture==
"The New War," the first [[Mack Bolan]] novel after [[Don Pendleton]] turned over [[The Executioner (book series)|Executioner]] series to Gold Eagle, is set during Hurricane Frederic with the storm's devastation having a major effect on the story.<ref>{{cite book|title=The New War|year=1981|publisher=Gold Eagle|isbn=978-0373610396|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/mackbolannewwar00pend}}</ref>

[[The Abyss]], a novel by [[Orson Scott Card]], made into a 1989 film, directed and written by [[James Cameron]] features Hurricane Frederick, although those events take place 10 years later.

The Elementals, the 1981 novel by [[Michael McDowell (author)|Michael McDowell]], references Hurricane Frederic in its conclusion.

==See also==
{{Portal|Tropical cyclones}}
*[[List of Category 4 Atlantic hurricanes]]
*[[List of wettest tropical cyclones by country#Cuba|List of wettest tropical cyclones in Cuba]]
*[[Hurricane Baker (1950)]] – struck the Virgin Islands before degenerating into a tropical depression over Hispaniola; redeveloped into a Category&nbsp;2 hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico and struck Alabama
*[[Hurricane Eloise]] (1975) – A Category&nbsp;3 hurricane that produced torrential rainfall in the Greater Antilles prior to a destructive landfall on the Florida panhandle
*[[Hurricane Elena]] (1985) – A Category&nbsp;3 that took an erratic path in the Gulf of Mexico before its Mississippi landfall, resulting in severe and at times catastrophic effects across the U.S. Gulf Coast, particularly in Florida
*[[Hurricane Georges]] (1998) – A Category&nbsp;4 hurricane that caused widespread damage across much of the Greater and Lesser Antilles before its final landfall in the U.S. Gulf Coast, where it did additional damage

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=nb}}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Hurricane Frederic}}
* [http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/noaa_documents/video/NOAA_16mm/QC9452F74H871979.mov Radar loop of Hurricane Frederic]
* [http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/noaa_documents/video/NOAA_16mm/QC9452F74H8711979.mov Satellite loop of David, Elena, Frederic, and Gloria]
* [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1979-prelim/frederic/ NHC archive of Hurricane Frederic]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20021008001254/http://www.geocities.com/hurricanene/hurricanefrederic.htm Hurricane Frederic] from the [https://web.archive.org/web/20091026062323/http://geocities.com/hurricanene/index.html United States Hurricanes] website.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040925220342/http://www.fema.gov/regions/iv/1999/r4_37.shtm 20th Anniversary of Hurricane Frederic] from [[Federal Emergency Management Agency|FEMA]] website
* [http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/hurricane-impacts/ Hurricane Impacts on the Coastal Environment] from the [[United States Geological Survey|USGS]] website
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060210150750/http://www.ns.ec.gc.ca/weather/hurricane/storm79.html#frederic Frederic's path] from [[Environment Canada]] website
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050404213119/http://imars.marine.usf.edu/atlas/HurrStor.html Observations over the NE Gulf of Mexico between June and October 1979] from a [[University of South Florida]] website
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20030518070749/http://uanews.ua.edu/feb00/hurricane021700.htm Magazine Tells of Hurricane Frederic] from the [[University of Alabama]] website [https://web.archive.org/web/20160604124935/http://uanews.ua.edu/2000/02/magazine-tells-of-hurricane-frederic/ New link]
* {{Internet Archive short film|id=gov.archives.arc.6323|name=Hurricane Frederic Picking Up The Pieces (September 29, 1979)}}

{{Retired Atlantic hurricanes}}
{{Category 4 Atlantic hurricanes}}
{{1979 Atlantic hurricane season buttons}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Frederic}}
[[Category:1979 Atlantic hurricane season]]
[[Category:Category 4 Atlantic hurricanes]]
[[Category:Cape Verde hurricanes|Frederic]]
[[Category:Retired Atlantic hurricanes]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in the Leeward Islands|Frederic]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Antigua and Barbuda|Frederic]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Guadeloupe|Frederic]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Montserrat|Frederic]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Saint Kitts and Nevis|Frederic]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Sint Eustatius|Frederic]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Anguilla|Frederic]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Saint Martin (island)|Frederic]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Saba (island)|Frederic]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in the British Virgin Islands|Frederic]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in the United States Virgin Islands|Frederic]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Puerto Rico|Frederic]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Alabama]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Mississippi]]
[[Category:1979 natural disasters in the United States]]
[[Category:1979 in the Caribbean]]
[[Category:History of British Antigua and Barbuda]]
[[Category:1979 in Saint Kitts and Nevis]]