Wikipedia:Today's featured article/March 27, 2012



Hurricane Eloise was the most destructive tropical cyclone of the 1975 Atlantic hurricane season. Eloise formed as a tropical depression on September 13 to the east of the Virgin Islands. The depression tracked westward as it intensified into a tropical storm, and after passing north Puerto Rico, Eloise briefly attained hurricane intensity. However, the storm quickly weakened back into a tropical storm upon making landfall over Hispaniola. After eventually striking the northern Yucatan Peninsula, the cyclone entered the Gulf of Mexico and became a Category 3 hurricane on September 23. Eloise made landfall along the Florida Panhandle west of Panama City before moving inland across Alabama and eventually dissipating on September 24. The storm produced torrential rainfall throughout Puerto Rico and Hispaniola, causing extensive flooding, over 40 deaths, and severe damage. Thousands in these areas were left homeless. As Eloise progressed westward, it affected Cuba, though to a lesser extent. Upon making landfall in Florida, Eloise generated winds reportedly gusting to 155 mph (249 km/h). Hundreds of buildings were demolished by the powerful winds and strong storm surge. Torrential rains along the entire East Coast of the United States created an unprecedented and far-reaching flooding event, especially into the Mid-Atlantic States. The storm killed 80 people along its entire track, and due to its severe impacts, the name "Eloise" was retired from the list of Atlantic tropical cyclone names. (more...)

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