Hurricane Carla

Preparations

Occurring a year after Hurricane Donna, officials in the Florida Keys took precautions to brace for potential impact from the storm. The United States Navy flew their planes out of Key West, while Coast Guardsmen evacuated Alligator Reef Light, American Shoal Light, and Sombrero Key Light. Ships docked at Key West sailed out to sea to ride out the squalls. On the morning of September 7, a hurricane watch was issued from the entire coast of Louisiana eastward to Apalachicola, Florida. On September 8, a hurricane watch was issued along the southwest coast of the state from Vermilion Bay westward. It was later extended westward to include the entire coast of Texas, and eastward to Apalachicola, Florida. A portion of the hurricane watch from Aransas Pass, Texas to Grand Isle, Louisiana was upgraded to a hurricane warning at 1600 UTC on September 9.

An estimated 500,000 people fled the coasts of Texas and Louisiana, making it the largest evacuation in the history of the United States at the time. In Louisiana, the number of evacuees was estimated to be at least 50,000 by state civil defense officials, and as high as 80,000 by the Red Cross. Coastal parishes in the state, "galvanized... by the memory of [hurricane] Audrey," began ordering evacuations as early as Friday, September 8. Evacuation orders were given out over radio, television, loudspeaker, and by police going door-to-door to warn residents. 95% of Plaquemines Parish evacuated, as did nearly all of Grand Isle. Officials estimated that communities in Cameron Parish had evacuation rates between 99 and 100%, and the parish government relocated to Lake Charles. In small towns along the coast of Texas, 90–100% of their populations evacuated, while 20% of people left the larger cities. Many in Galveston stayed due to protection from the Galveston Seawall. Public shelters in both states were administered by the American Red Cross, which opened shelters as far inland as Dallas and Fort Worth. Most official shelters were schools, though other public buildings such as churches and theaters were also used. Many people also sought refuge in "unauthorized shelters" not officially administered by the Red Cross. In Galveston, about 1200 people sought shelter at the courthouse, and some were injured when the building was struck by a tornado. Some shelters, mainly schools, were racially segregated.

As heavy rains began to impact areas of Missouri and Kansas, officials began evacuating low-lying areas. In Kansas City, the Red Cross set up shelters and residents near local lakes and creeks were evacuated. Local businesses began sandbagging in anticipation of further flooding. Missouri Governor John M. Dalton ordered the 110th Engineers combat battalion to assist in the efforts.

Impact

Throughout its path, 46 fatalities and about $470 million in damage were attributed to Carla. Most of the impact occurred in Texas, where the storm made landfall as a large and strong Category 4 hurricane.

Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico

In Cuba, broadcasts reported severe flooding near Pinar del Río, Los Colomas, and Punta de Cartas. Offshore Honduras on Swan Island, a rainfall amount of 3.89 inches (99 mm) was reported along with wind gusts up to 60 mph (97 km/h). In Mexico, winds may have reached hurricane-force in remote areas on the northeast tip of the Yucatán Peninsula. Damage to offshore Oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico was estimated at $5 million.

United States

Texas

Abnormally high tides and storm surge occurred along the entire coast of Texas, reaching 10–12 feet (3.0–3.7 m) above mean sea level in a large area of the open coast to the right of the track. The storm flooded over 1,700,000 acres (690,000 ha) of land, with surge reaching 10 miles inland in some areas. The highest storm surge was recorded in Matagorda Bay, where water reached over 20 feet (6.1 m) above sea level. The highest recorded water level was 22 feet (6.7 m) at Port Lavaca, based on a high-water mark left inside of a house on the eastern side of Lavaca Bay. Elsewhere, tides reached 16.3 feet (5.0 m) at Port Houston, 9 feet (2.7 m) at Galveston, and 6.5 feet (2.0 m) at Corpus Christi. Carla also produced powerful winds along its path. The highest sustained wind observations during the storm were two reports of 140 mph (230 km/h) winds at Matagorda and Port Lavaca. Gusts in Matagorda reached 160 mph (260 km/h), and the anemometer in Port Lavaca blew away after a gust to 153 mph (246 km/h); wind gusts afterwards were visually estimated to have reached over 175 mph (282 km/h). An Alcoa plant in Point Comfort reported a wind gust over 120 mph (190 km/h) before the instrument failed, and an industrial plant in Victoria recorded a maximum gust of 104 mph (167 km/h). Further inland, the Weather Bureau offices in Houston, Austin, and Dallas reported maximum gusts of 77 mph (124 km/h), 68 mph (109 km/h), and 50 mph (80 km/h), respectively. Carla also produced heavy rainfall in Texas, peaking at 17.48 inches (444 mm) in Bay City, while Galveston, Wharton, Liberty, and Dickinson all reported rainfall totals over 1 foot (300 mm). Carla spawned at least 11 tornadoes in Texas.

Throughout Texas, Carla destroyed 1,915 homes and 983 other buildings, and caused damage to another 50,723 homes and 16,107 other buildings. An estimated 1.5 million board-feet of lumber was damaged by the hurricane. Rice and citrus crops in the state were substantially damaged. About 166,000 customers lost telephone service. The US Army Corps of Engineers estimated damage in Texas at more than $408 million dollars, including $60.9 million dollars in agricultural losses, $12.3 million in damage to transportation infrastructure, and nearly $10 million in damage to utilities. It was also estimated that over $30 million in damage was prevented by flood control projects, mainly the Galveston seawall. 34 people were killed in Texas, including 22 who drowned, 8 who were killed by a tornado in Galveston, and 4 who died from electrocution by downed power lines. There were over 460 injuries in Texas, according to the American Red Cross.

The most significant property damage occurred between Port Arthur and Corpus Christi. At least 75% of Port O'Connor was destroyed. Matagorda Island Air Force Base suffered $18 million in damage. Flooding caused $2 million in damage at two Dow Chemical plants near Freeport. High water and wave action washed away highway 87 between Sabine and High Island. The storm was costliest in Galveston county, where damage was estimated to be nearly $84.5 million. Most of the Bolivar peninsula flooded, as well as areas of Galveston below 9 ft (2.7 m) in elevation. Galveston was also struck by multiple tornadoes, including an F4 that damaged over 200 buildings, destroying at least 60, and killed 8 people. Despite being partially protected by levees, most of Texas City was inundated. Further down the coast, storm surge flooded most of Port Aransas as well as the North Beach area of Corpus Christi. Flooding in the Brownsville area was mainly limited to beach fronts.

Carla's winds continued to cause damage as the storm moved inland. In Victoria, high winds destroyed trailers, tore roofs off buildings, and blew out storefront windows. One school was badly damaged by high winds and water intrusion. About 4,260 homes in the city were damaged, with around 500 severely damaged or destroyed. 43 businesses and 26 public buildings were also significantly impacted. Damage in the city reached $10 million. In Edna, winds blew away the roof of a school sheltering 200 people. Further inland, the storm caused an estimated $5,000 in damage to the grounds of the Texas State Capitol. Four buildings were unroofed in San Marcos. The storm brought strong winds and high waves to Lewisville Lake, damaging a barge and causing a boathouse to collapse. A church in Denton suffered severe roof and wall damage. Several tornadoes also touched down as the storm moved inland, including significant tornadoes in Fulbright, Jacksonville, and Hardin.

Louisiana

In southeastern Louisiana, abnormally high tides lashed the coast, though no beach erosion was reported. Cameron Parish reported a high tide 7 ft (2.1 m) above normal, causing water to enter some stores. The highest reported wind in the state was a gust to 60 mph (97 km/h) in Cameron. In Lake Charles, sustained winds peaked at 44 mph (71 km/h) and gusts reached 55 mph (89 km/h). The winds caused minor damage, limited to roofs, glass, and downed tree limbs. Winds caused a local river to reach 1 foot (0.30 m) above flood stage. Rainfall was heavy, peaking at 13.9 inches (350 mm) in Many. The 11 tornadoes spawned by Carla in Louisiana destroyed 140 homes and 11 farm and other buildings, while causing damage to 979 additional homes and 86 farm and other buildings. Six fatalities and 199 injuries occurred, mostly related to the tornadoes. Damage in Louisiana totaled to about $25 million. A breakdown of losses include $6 million to agriculture, $5 million to buildings, $4 million to boats and beach property, $3 million to roads and bridges, and $2 million in miscellaneous damage.

Central US

Oklahoma

Carla's remnants brought heavy rainfall and strong winds to portions of eastern Oklahoma. About 2–8 inches (51–203 mm) of rain fell in Grant, Tillman, Washita Counties. Heavier amounts of at least 5 inches (130 mm) fell in Atoka and Pushmataha counties. Precipitation in the state peaked at 7.68 inches (195 mm) in Kingfisher. More than 140 city blocks were flooded with up to 6 feet (1.8 m) of water in residential areas of Kingfisher and up to 3 feet (0.91 m) in business areas. 225 homes and buildings in the city suffered water damage. Elsewhere in the state, there was damage to 90 homes and buildings in Tulsa, 50 homes each in El Reno and Oklahoma City, and 10 homes in Pawnee. Additionally, water inundation washed out several bridges and highways in northeastern parts of the state, leaving roads impassable. Sustained winds between 30 and 55 mph (48 and 89 km/h) and gusts up to 70 mph (110 km/h) were recorded in Oklahoma, and flying debris injured two people. Winds and rain combined severely disrupted electrical and telephone services and caused $670,000 in damage, with $600,000 to property and $70,000 to crops.

Kansas and Missouri

In Kansas, rain totals of 4 to 7 inches (100 to 180 mm) over only 6 hours caused flash flooding. With a peak amount of 8.52 inches (216 mm) in Haddam, Carla was the rainiest tropical cyclone in Kansas at the time, though it was later surpassed by Hurricane Paine in 1986 and Tropical Storm Frances in 1998. Severe crop damage occurred, especially in areas of Chautauqua and Shawnee Counties and to the south of the Kansas River. Many highways were left impassable due to water inundation. A family of 4 drowned after their car was swept off a road near Waverly. A fifth fatality occurred after a car with one occupant was swept into a tributary of the Marmaton River near Fort Scott. The storm persistently produced winds of 35 to 50 mph (56 to 80 km/h), causing further agricultural damage. Heavy precipitation also fell in Missouri, especially in Brookfield, Lee's Summit, and Pleasant Hill. The maximum rainfall total in Missouri was 9.34 inches (237 mm) in Concordia. One fatality was reported in Missouri. The Blue River saw record flooding in both states. The Army Corps of Engineers Kansas City District estimated flood damage in Kansas and Missouri to be $36 million, with $8 million of damage in Kansas and $28 million in Missouri. Water covered an estimated 850,000 acres in the two states.

Illinois

The storm dropped precipitation amounts of over 7 inches (180 mm) throughout northwestern Illinois, with a peak of 8.18 inches (208 mm) in Mount Carroll. Additionally, up to 6.29 inches (160 mm) fell in 24 hours. Severe local flooding occurred, especially in the northern portions of the state. Heavy property and agricultural damage occurred. Streets and basements were reported to have flooded, while bridge approaches and a few small bridges were washed out. Precipitation of 2.5–3.5 inches (64–89 mm) in Chicago flooded about 60 viaducts and 1,000 basements. After the Chicago River rose 5 feet (1.5 m), the lock gate to Lake Michigan was opened to release excess water. The abrupt onrush of water resulted in about $75,000 in damage to boats at Wilmette Harbor.

Elsewhere in the United States

Winds in Key West reached 30 mph (48 km/h), while much of Florida reported rainfall from the outer bands of Carla.

Carla set records for rainfall associated with a tropical cyclone in Iowa and Wisconsin. Rainfall in Iowa peaked at 9.03 inches (229 mm) near Chariton, while rainfall in Wisconsin reached 7.58 inches (193 mm) in Brodhead, making Carla the wettest tropical cyclone in both states. Up to 8 inches (200 mm) of rain fell in a 12-hour period in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, mostly between Cheboygan and Grand Rapids. However, the maximum amount actually recorded was 6.07 inches (154 mm) in Boyne Falls. Despite the rainfall, flooding in Michigan was relatively minor, limited to a washed out dam in Traverse City. Carla also spawned an F2 tornado in the state, which damaged a few homes. Damage in the state was estimated to be at least $55,000. Precipitation peaks in other states include 4.44 inches (113 mm) in Alabama, 5.48 inches (139 mm) in Arkansas, 6.37 inches (162 mm) in Mississippi, 5.68 inches (144 mm) in Nebraska, and 3.6 inches (91 mm) in Indiana.

Elsewhere

The remnants of Carla brought tropical storm force winds to some areas of Canada. In Ontario, gusty winds caused power outages in the Clarkson–Port Credit area. Winds up to 80 mph (130 km/h) disrupted electrical service in Saint John, New Brunswick. Winds of 57 mph (92 km/h) lashed Halifax in Nova Scotia and the Halifax Public Gardens closed for threat of falling trees and branches.

Tornado Outbreak

Carla and its remnants caused a significant tornado outbreak, spawning at least 21 tornadoes in Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, and Michigan. The outbreak featured 14 significant tornadoes, including an F4, one of only two violent tornadoes to be spawned by a tropical cyclone.

September 10 event

September 11 event

September 12 event

September 13 event

Aftermath

In the aftermath of the hurricane, there were many injuries due to snakebites, as flooding washed thousands of snakes inland from swamps and bayous. Entomologists in Texas noted a pronounced increase in outbreaks of insects just after the passage of the storm. Infestations of southern pine beetles occurred in areas of Galveston county where trees had been damaged by Carla and other storms. Carla contributed to a small decline in overall industrial output in the United States in September 1961, reversing 6 months of consecutive growth. In Texas alone, total insurance payouts from Carla reached $65 million

Shortly after the hurricane, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, a lifelong resident of Texas, toured the devastation in the state and met with officials from 18 different counties, remarking that "as always, Texans are arising to a challenge... We have suffered hurricane, tornado, and floods, but we in Texas are a bold and brave people." On September 16, President John F. Kennedy issued a disaster declaration for Texas, allowing all jurisdictions in the state to apply for public assistance. The president also declared 6 parishes in Louisiana a disaster area. On September 21, President Kennedy requested Congress appropriate $55 million for relief from Carla and other disasters, which was eventually included in a supplemental appropriations bill passed on September 30. This included $15 million in direct disaster relief funds, $30 million for additional loans by the Small Business Administration (SBA), and $5 million each to the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Army Corps of Engineers for emergency conservation efforts and repairing waterways, respectively. Helicopters deployed 88 United States Marines to Galveston to patrol devastated areas. A United States Navy task force composed of medical and construction work teams was also sent to the area. Members of the United States National Guard assisted refugees in returning to their homes and worked to prevent looting. In Galveston, guardsmen shot one suspected looter and arrested 8 others. The Texas Health Department offered typhoid shots to everyone in Jefferson and Galveston counties and shipped out 400 kits of snakebite antivenom to deal with health concerns in the aftermath of the storm. The Farmers Home Administration offered emergency loans to farmers in 30 counties, with over $2.5 million in applications by November 1961. The USDA supplied over 1,800,000 lb (820,000 kg) of surplus food to Louisiana and Texas. The SBA and Federal Housing Administration offered loans to property owners affected by Carla, with the former approving over $6.27 million in loans by November 1961.

After flooding on the Blue River associated with Carla, the US Army Corps of Engineers studied flood mitigation plans for the Kansas City area. A flood control plan was developed by 1968 and authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1970. However, due to disagreements between the Corps of Engineers and local communities, work on the project did not begin until 1979 and was not completed until 2016.

Then little-known newsman Dan Rather reported live from the weather bureau building in Galveston during the storm, live on-site storm coverage that would be imitated by later reporters. This marked the first live television broadcast of a hurricane. Rather also alerted the public of the size of Carla in a way that "literally changed the way the world sees hurricanes", according to a fellow reporter. Broadcasting live at the Weather Bureau Office in Galveston, Rather asked a meteorologist to outline the Gulf of Mexico on a transparent sheet of plastic. He then held the map over the black and white radar screen, which put the size of Carla into perspective, saying that Carla was the size of the Gulf of Mexico. CBS was so impressed with Rather's work that he was offered the position of correspondent.

Owing to the hurricane's intensity and destruction, the name Carla was retired after the season, and will never again be used for an Atlantic hurricane.