Laserfiche WebLink
BRET: Category IV Hurricane with maximum sustained winds of I40mph. Bret <br />was the first major hurricane to make landfall in south Texas in 19 years. Bret developed <br />over the southwest Gulf°of Mexico in the Bay of Campeche. As Bret became a tropical <br />stornr, the system slowly moved west for 24 hours. As Bret moved north, it was clear <br />that rapid intensification was occurring. Every new satellite picture provided a more <br />organized system. Approximately 400 miles southwest of Brownsville, Texas, Bret <br />became a Category IV hurricane, the 'hurricane moved over an area of very warm Gulf <br />waters which allowed rapid intensification. <br />As Bret moved closer to Texas, evacuations were ordered for most of the east coast of <br />Texas, Evacuations and sheltering were conducted for Catcgory IV or V landfall event_ <br />Bret could have been a catastrophic event for arca5 such as Corpus Cristi, Houston, <br />Brownsville, ctc. however, two significant events occurred when Bret started moving <br />west-northwest, First, the hurricane weakened to Category III status with winds of <br />I I5mph. Second, the hurricane made landfall over a sparsely populated area which is <br />protected environmental lands. As Bret made landfall over Padre Island. flooding and <br />storm surge was strong but, very little wind doge was reported due to the lack of <br />residents or businesses in the hurricane wind field Heavy rains from the outer hands of <br />the storm did create flooding along the east coast of Texas incl tropical storm force winds <br />caused power outages and tree damage, Statistical information on Bret iv as follows: <br />Economic I)arnage F'stiimatc $61 i tllhirll <br />Severe housing Damage 100 <br />Power t)lrtage-East Coast <br />Injuries 111 <br />Fatalities (t <br />Stoml Surge $ Diet <br />Bret made landfall over Padre Island and continued to move west-northwest over south <br />Texas. Most of the heavy rains associated with the outer hands flooded areas to the north <br />ol'the center of circulation. Although some areas of Texas did flood, Hurricane Bret <br />brought trltich needed rain to drought al'C S 111 f:i:iil.lal Gild Iu]Itiitiil Texas. As .Bret moved <br />over south-central Texas, it dissipated and continued to provide rnoisticre to Mexico and <br />New Mexico. The duration of this hurricane was six days. August IS to August 23. <br />40 <br />