Hurricane Lili
{{Short description|Category 4 Atlantic hurricane in 2002}}
{{Other hurricanes|List of storms named Lili|the Atlantic hurricane in 2002}}
{{Infobox weather event
| image = Lili 2002-10-02 1645Z (cropped).jpg
| caption = Lili near peak intensity in the Gulf of Mexico on October 2
| formed = September 21, 2002
| dissipated = October 4, 2002
}}{{Infobox weather event/NWS
| winds = 125
| pressure = 938
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| year = 2002
| fatalities = 15 (13 direct, 2 indirect)
| damage = 1160000000
| areas = Windward Islands, Haiti, Jamaica, Cuba, Yucatan Peninsula, Cayman Islands, Louisiana
| refs =
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer
| season = 2002 Atlantic hurricane season
}}
Hurricane Lili was the second costliest, deadliest, and most intense hurricane of the 2002 Atlantic hurricane season, only surpassed by Hurricane Isidore, which affected the same areas around a week before Lili. Lili was the twelfth named storm, fourth hurricane, and second major hurricane of the 2002 Atlantic hurricane season. The storm developed from a tropical disturbance in the open Atlantic on September 21. It continued westward, affecting the Lesser Antilles as a tropical storm, then entered the Caribbean. As it moved west, the storm dissipated while being affected by wind shear south of Cuba, and regenerated when the vertical wind shear weakened. It turned to the northwest and strengthened up to category 2 strength on October 1. Lili made two landfalls in western Cuba later that day, and then entered the Gulf of Mexico. The hurricane rapidly strengthened on October 2, reaching Category 4 strength that afternoon. It weakened rapidly thereafter, and hit Louisiana as a Category 1 hurricane on October 3. It moved inland and dissipated on October 6.
Lili caused extensive damage through the Caribbean, particularly to crops and poorly built homes. Mudslides were common on the more mountainous islands, particularly Haiti and Jamaica.{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|title=Lili killed 4 in Haiti;deaths unreported for a week|work=USA Today|access-date=2008-03-23|url=https://www.usatoday.com/weather/news/2002/2002-10-05-lili-haiti.htm|date=2002-10-05|archive-date=2008-05-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080522185424/http://www.usatoday.com/weather/news/2002/2002-10-05-lili-haiti.htm|url-status=live}} In the United States, the storm cut off the production of oil within the Gulf of Mexico, and caused severe damage in parts of Louisiana. Lili was also responsible for severe damage to the barrier islands and marshes in the southern portion of the state. Total damage amounted to $925 million (2002 USD), and the storm killed 15 people during its existence.{{cite report|work=National Hurricane Center/National Climatic Data Center |author=Blake, Eric S |author2=Landsea, Christopher W |author3=Gibney, Ethan J |archive-date=October 31, 2012 |url-status=live |date=August 2011 |title=Costliest U.S. Hurricanes 1900 - 2010 (unadjusted): Table 3a: The 30 costliest mainland United States tropical cyclones, 1900-2010, (not adjusted for inflation) |type=NOAA Technical Memorandum NWS NHC-6 |access-date=November 27, 2012 |url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/nws-nhc-6.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121031181741/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/nws-nhc-6.pdf |publisher=United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service |page=11 }}
Meteorological history
{{storm path|Lili 2002 path.png|colors=new}}
A tropical wave moved off the west coast of Africa on September 16. A low level center of circulation developed from a tropical disturbance spawned by this tropical wave midway between the African coast and the Caribbean on September 20. The next day, the system gained sufficient organization to become a tropical depression.{{Cite web|author=Miles Lawrence|title=National Hurricane Center Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=National Hurricane Center|year=2002|access-date=2015-05-26|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/AL132002_Lili.pdf|archive-date=2016-03-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304043136/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/AL132002_Lili.pdf|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|author1=Lixion Avila|author2=Eric Blake|title=National Hurricane Center Public Advisory #1|publisher=National Hurricane Center|year=2002|access-date=2008-03-22|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public.001.html|archive-date=2015-10-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002082738/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public.001.html|url-status=live}} The depression moved westward in excess of {{convert|20|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, and reached tropical storm strength-becoming Tropical Storm Lili as it passed through the Windward Islands.{{Cite web|author=Stacey Stewart|title=National Hurricane Center Public Advisory #9A|publisher=National Hurricane Center|year=2002|access-date=2008-03-22|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public_a.009.html|archive-date=2016-03-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306140952/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public_a.009.html|url-status=live}} The cyclone continued to intensify as it moved west through the Caribbean Sea, reaching an initial peak strength of {{convert|70|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} on the morning of September 24.{{Cite web|author=Stacey Stewart|access-date=2008-03-22|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public.013.html|title=National Hurricane Center Public Advisory #13|publisher=National Hurricane Center|year=2002|archive-date=2016-03-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306134913/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public.013.html|url-status=live}} This was immediately followed by an abrupt weakening, and the storm's maximum sustained winds dropped to {{convert|40|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} later that day.{{Cite web|author1=Brian Jarvinen|author2=Robert Molleda|title=National Hurricane Center Public Advisory #15|publisher=National Hurricane Center|year=2002|access-date=2008-03-22|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public.015.html|archive-date=2016-03-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306121555/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public.015.html|url-status=live}} The sudden weakening was attributed to strong southerly vertical shear.{{Cite web|author1=Brian Jarvinen|author2=Robert Molleda|title=National Hurricane Center Forecast Discussion #15|publisher=National Hurricane Center|year=2002|access-date=2008-03-22|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/dis/al132002.discus.015.html|archive-date=2016-03-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303223325/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/dis/al132002.discus.015.html|url-status=live}} The system degenerated into an open tropical wave the next morning, and remained in that state for nearly two days.
File:Hurricane Lili over the Gulf of Mexico from the ISS.jpg (ISS) on October 2]]
Lili regenerated near Jamaica on the evening of September 26 and gradually turned more to the west-northwest while strengthening. The system became a hurricane on September 30, just after passing through the Cayman Islands.{{Cite web|author=James Franklin|title=National Hurricane Center Public Advisory #36|publisher=National Hurricane Center|year=2002|access-date=2008-03-22|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public.036.html|archive-date=2015-12-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151217185143/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public.036.html|url-status=live}} The storm continued on its course while continuing to intensify, and made landfall twice the next day, on the Isle of Youth and near Pinar del Río as a Category 2 hurricane.{{Cite web|author=Jack Beven|title=National Hurricane Center Public Advisory #40A|publisher=National Hurricane Center|year=2002|access-date=2008-03-22|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public_a.040.html|archive-date=2016-03-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303211109/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public_a.040.html|url-status=live}} Lili emerged over the Gulf of Mexico later that day, having lost little strength during its overland passage.{{Cite web|author=Jack Beven|title=National Hurricane Center Public Advisory #41|publisher=National Hurricane Center|year=2002|access-date=2008-03-22|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public.041.html|archive-date=2016-03-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303204610/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public.041.html|url-status=live}}
The system turned to the northwest and sped up, becoming a major hurricane on October 2 while {{convert|365|mi|km}} south-southeast of New Orleans.{{Cite web|author=Jack Beven|title=National Hurricane Center Public Advisory #44|publisher=National Hurricane Center|year=2002|access-date=2008-03-22|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public.044.html|archive-date=2016-03-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303212324/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public.044.html|url-status=live}} This intensification continued, aided by warm sea surface temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico and good outflow.{{Cite web|author=Jack Beven|title=National Hurricane Center Forecast Discussion #44|publisher=National Hurricane Center|year=2002|access-date=2008-03-22|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/dis/al132002.discus.044.html|archive-date=2016-03-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303171549/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/dis/al132002.discus.044.html|url-status=live}} The system reached its peak strength of category 4 intensity, with winds of {{convert|145|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, during that afternoon.{{Cite web|author=Jack Beven|title=National Hurricane Center Public Advisory #45|publisher=National Hurricane Center|year=2002|access-date=2008-03-22|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public.045.html|archive-date=2016-03-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303170251/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public.045.html|url-status=live}}
This strength was not maintained for long. The storm began to quickly weaken in the early morning hours of October 3,{{Cite web|author=Richard Pasch|title=National Hurricane Center Public Advisory #48|publisher=National Hurricane Center|year=2002|access-date=2008-03-22|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public.048.html|archive-date=2016-03-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303214152/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public.048.html|url-status=live}} and this rapid weakening continued until the hurricane's final landfall near Intracoastal City, Louisiana, due to a combination of vertical wind shear, cool waters just offshore Louisiana,Chris Cappella. [https://www.usatoday.com/weather/news/2002/2002-10-04-lili-weakened.htm Scientists don't yet know why Lili suddenly collapsed.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811092154/http://www.usatoday.com/weather/news/2002/2002-10-04-lili-weakened.htm |date=2011-08-11 }} Retrieved on 2008-05-08. and slowly encroaching dry air within its southwest quadrant.Adele Marie Babin. [http://etd.lsu.edu/docs/available/etd-11082004-100236/unrestricted/Babin_thesis.pdf Characteristics of Hurricane Lili'S Intensity Changes.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303205249/http://etd.lsu.edu/docs/available/etd-11082004-100236/unrestricted/Babin_thesis.pdf |date=2016-03-03 }} Retrieved on 2008-05-08. By the time of landfall, maximum sustained winds had dropped to {{convert|90|mph|km/h|abbr=on|round=5}}.{{Cite web|author=Lixion Avila|title=National Hurricane Center Public Advisory #49|publisher=National Hurricane Center|year=2002|access-date=2008-03-22|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public.049.html|archive-date=2016-03-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303184148/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public.049.html|url-status=live}} The weakening was accompanied by a collapse of the inner eyewall before landfall. The system continued inland, curving to the north-northeast, and dissipated when absorbed by an extratropical low near the Arkansas/Tennessee border on October 6.
Preparations
File:Lili2002sep30NHCforecast.GIF track forecast of Lili from September 30]]
Tropical storm watches were issued in parts of the Lesser Antilles on September 22. These were upgraded to warnings the next afternoon, and all advisories were dropped late on September 23 once the storm had passed. Over the next week, the islands of Hispaniola, Jamaica, Cuba, the Caymans, and the Yucatán Peninsula were all under advisories of some kind at different times. Hurricane and tropical storm watches were issued for the Gulf Coast on October 1, and were upgraded to warnings the next morning. They were discontinued after the storm moved past the following day.{{Cite web|author=Lixion Avila|title=National Hurricane Center Public Advisory #49B|publisher=National Hurricane Center|year=2002|access-date=2008-03-27|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public_b.049.html|archive-date=2016-03-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303184421/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public_b.049.html|url-status=live}}
File:Lili2002strikeprobabilities.gif
Preparations in most of the Lesser Antilles were minimal as the storm only hit as a tropical storm. Two hundred people evacuated their homes in advance of the storm on the islands of St. Vincent and Grenadine. In Jamaica, all schools and universities were closed in advance of the storm, and 17 public shelters were opened on the island.{{Cite web|author=Horace Helps|title=News: Caribbean: Tropical Storm Lili — September 2002, Hurricane Lili belts Caymans, 4 dead in Jamaica|publisher=Relief Web|year=2002|access-date=2008-04-06|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/ACOS-64BEV8?OpenDocument&query=hurricane%20lili|archive-date=2024-06-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240616082736/https://reliefweb.int/report/cayman-islands/hurricane-lili-belts-caymans-4-dead-jamaica?OpenDocument=&query=hurricane%20lili|url-status=live}}
Preparations were extensive in Cuba. Military officials at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp prepared for the possibility of evacuating their Al Qaeda and Taliban prisoners.{{cite news|agency=Reuters|title=United States to move Cuba base detainees if storm nears|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=2008-03-27|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/sep/25/1|location=London|date=2002-09-25|archive-date=2024-06-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240616082727/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/sep/25/1|url-status=live}} A total of 130,000 Cuban citizens, mainly in western portions of the island, evacuated their homes prior to the storm.{{cite news|agency=Associated Press |title=Gulf Coast under Lili watch |newspaper=The St. Petersburg Times |year=2002 |access-date=2008-03-27 |url=http://www.sptimes.com/2002/10/02/Weather/Gulf_Coast_under_Lili.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231014611/http://www.sptimes.com/2002/10/02/Weather/Gulf_Coast_under_Lili.shtml |archive-date=2010-12-31 }}
Significant action was taken along the Gulf Coast as the threat the storm posed, predicted to come ashore at Category Four strength, became more urgent. Over a half million people evacuated their homes in Texas and Louisiana, including everyone in Iberia Parish.{{cite news|author=Jeffrey Gettleman|title=Thousands Seek Safety as Hurricane Nears Gulf Coast|work=The New York Times|access-date=2008-03-27|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D01EFDA1E38F930A35753C1A9649C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=1|date=2002-10-03|archive-date=2024-06-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240616082728/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/03/us/thousands-seek-safety-as-hurricane-nears-gulf-coast.html|url-status=live}} A total of 200,000 people evacuated in Louisiana.{{cite news|author=Cable News Network |title=Red Cross shelters thousands from the storm |publisher=Cable News Network |access-date=2008-03-27 |url=http://archives.cnn.com/2002/WEATHER/10/03/lili.states/index.html |date=2002-10-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080405105201/http://archives.cnn.com/2002/WEATHER/10/03/lili.states/index.html |archive-date=2008-04-05 }} At least 2,000 volunteers staffed 115 Red Cross shelters in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, and Alabama.{{Cite web |author=Bonnie Gillespie |title=Team Louisiana Weathers Hurricane Lili |year=2002 |publisher=The Red Cross |access-date=2008-04-03 |url=http://www.redcross.org/news/ds/hurricanes/021008lili.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080313110129/http://www.redcross.org/news/ds/hurricanes/021008lili.html |archive-date=2008-03-13 |url-status=dead }} More than 20,000 people stayed in those shelters. The Red Cross also sent over 160,000 meals to the area. A total of 3,000 prison inmates in Texas were evacuated to safer inland locations. The launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis was delayed for five days when the Kennedy Space Center was threatened by the storm, the first time a launch in Florida had been delayed because of weather in Houston.{{cite magazine |author=Cohen |first=David |date=2002-10-02 |title=Hurricane Lili closes shuttle Mission Control |url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn2873-hurricane-lili-closes-shuttle-mission-control.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140824205936/http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn2873-hurricane-lili-closes-shuttle-mission-control.html |archive-date=2014-08-24 |access-date=2012-04-21 |magazine=New Scientist}} Stores across the warning area were very busy in advance of the storm. In New Iberia, Louisiana, hardware stores ran out of stock,{{Cite web|author=KXAS|title=Hurricane Lili Makes Landfall Into Louisiana Coast|publisher=National Broadcasting Company|year=2002|access-date=2008-03-28|url=http://www.nbc5i.com/news/1698445/detail.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021016113739/http://www.nbc5i.com/news/1698445/detail.html|archive-date=2002-10-16|url-status=dead}} and businesses in Lafayette, Louisiana reported similar shortages.{{cite news|author=Mike Brassfield |title=Hurricane Lili runs out of steam |newspaper=The St. Petersburg Times |year=2002 |access-date=2008-03-28 |url=http://www.sptimes.com/2002/10/04/Worldandnation/Hurricane_Lili_runs_o.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523072130/http://www.sptimes.com/2002/10/04/Worldandnation/Hurricane_Lili_runs_o.shtml |archive-date=2011-05-23 }}
Collegiate activities were also affected by the storm. Southern University canceled four days of classes because of Lili,{{Cite web|author=Gabrielle Maple|title=Back to Back|publisher=The Southern Digest|year=2002|access-date=2008-03-27|url=http://media.www.southerndigest.com/media/storage/paper950/news/2002/10/08/News/Back-To.Back-2233030.shtml|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20070607060016/http://media.www.southerndigest.com/media/storage/paper950/news/2002/10/08/News/Back-To.Back-2233030.shtml|archive-date=2007-06-07}} and 20 Texas A&M University Galveston, Texas students evacuated to the school's College Station location.{{Cite web|author=Jeremy Osborne|title=Texas Task Force Sent to Galveston|publisher=The Batt|year=2002|access-date=2008-03-27|url=http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2002/10/03/FrontPage/Texas.Task.Force.Sent.To.Galveston-515455.shtml|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130816082216/http://www.thebatt.com/2.8500/texas-task-force-sent-to-galveston-1.1212064%23.Ug3hCX3LfK4|archive-date=2013-08-16}} The University of South Alabama canceled two athletic events in advance of the storm.{{Cite web|author=Jeff Roper |title=Hurricane Lili cancels two games |publisher=The Vanguard |year=2002 |access-date=2008-03-27 |url=http://media.www.usavanguard.com/media/storage/paper973/news/2002/10/07/Sports/Hurricane.Lili.Cancels.Two.Games-2618639.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202034504/http://media.www.usavanguard.com/media/storage/paper973/news/2002/10/07/Sports/Hurricane.Lili.Cancels.Two.Games-2618639.shtml |archive-date=2016-02-02 }}
Impact
| class="wikitable" style="float:right;margin:0 0 1em 1em;"
|+ Death toll by area |
| State/country
! Deaths |
|---|
| Saint Lucia
| 4 |
| Jamaica
| 4 |
| Haiti
| 4 |
| Cuba
| 1 |
| United States
| 2 |
| Total
! 15 |
File:Lili 2002-10-03 1900Z.jpg on October 3]]
Hurricane Lili was both the second deadliest and the second costliest hurricane of the 2002 Atlantic hurricane season (Isidore killed 22 people and damaged $1.28 billion worth of property).{{Cite web |author1=Lixion Avila |author2=Jack Beven |author3=James Franklin |author4=Miles Lawrence |author5=Richard Pasch |author6=Stacey Stewart |title=Summary of Tropical Cyclone Activity of 2002 |publisher=National Hurricane Center |year=2002 |access-date=2008-04-02 |url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/tws/MIATWSAT_nov.html |archive-date=2016-03-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303212019/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/tws/MIATWSAT_nov.html |url-status=live }} A total of 13 people died in the Caribbean Islands, and 2 more were killed in the United States. Severe damage to crops and livestock occurred through the Lesser Antilles, and damage to buildings and other infrastructure was reported in other Caribbean nations and the United States.
=Lesser Antilles=
Lili affected the islands as a tropical storm. Winds in the area were generally below hurricane force, although some gusts exceeded {{convert|74|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. Rainfall of up to {{convert|4|in|mm}} caused deadly mudslides.{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|title=Lili leaves trail of destruction in Eastern Caribbean|newspaper=Jamaica Observer|year=2002|access-date=2008-04-02|url=http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/32586_Lili-leaves-trail-of-destruction-in-Eastern-Caribbean|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304042835/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/32586_Lili-leaves-trail-of-destruction-in-Eastern-Caribbean|archive-date=2016-03-04}} The winds, combined with poor construction, tore the roofs off numerous homes and businesses. The majority of the damage was dealt to primarily to the banana crop.
St. Lucia lost at least 75 percent of its banana crop, and hundreds of homes were damaged by the strong winds. Near total loss of electricity, water, and telephone services occurred, and utility systems were heavily damaged. Four people were killed on the island, and total damage was estimated at $20 million (2002 USD)
Over 400 homes were damaged in Barbados, and nearly 50 trees were downed by the high gusts. Similar to in St. Lucia, there was significant damage to the nation's banana crop.{{Cite web|author=Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency|title=Situation Reports:Caribbean:Tropical Storm Lili|publisher=Relief Web|year=2002|access-date=2008-04-04|url=http://reliefweb.int/node/110549|archive-date=2011-05-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520081737/http://www.reliefweb.int/node/110549|url-status=live}} Extensive loss of electricity and telephone service also occurred. Damage totaled at nearly $200,000 (2002 USD).
Grenada also experienced moderate damage. A total of 14 homes' roofs
were damaged, and one was completely destroyed. The island Medical Centre's roof was also damaged, and 12 landslides were reported. There was also mild damage to infrastructure, particularly in St. Patrick's Parish; three bridges were damaged or destroyed, along with seven utility poles and a water main. The entire island was without power at some point, but it was quickly restored in the southern part of the island where damage to the poles themselves was less significant.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines were heavily damaged, especially compared to other islands in the area. Several hundred homes and two schools were damaged, and the Rose Hall Police Station's roof was lost. Still, the majority of damage was dealt to the agricultural industry. In all, damage to the islands totaled $40 million (2002 USD).
=Haiti=
{{Wettest tropical cyclones in Haiti}}
Lili passed offshore of Haiti as a weakening tropical storm. The storm's major impact was extremely heavy rainfall, in excess of {{convert|16|in|mm}} near the settlement of Camp-Perrin, Haiti.{{Cite web|author=Organization for the Rehabilitation of the Environment|title=Hurricane Lili Was Accompanied by Torrential Rains As it Passed Over Haiti|publisher=Organization for the Rehabilitation of the Environment|year=2002|access-date=2008-04-05|url=http://www.oreworld.org/flood/flood.htm|archive-date=2016-03-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308200901/http://oreworld.org/flood/flood.htm|url-status=live}} This caused the Ravine du Sud River to overflow, and submerge buildings in the town. Two people died in the mudslides these rains triggered, and two more drowned in the flooding around Camp-Perrin.{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|title=Lili killed 4 in Haiti; deaths unreported for a week|work=USA Today|access-date=2008-04-05|url=https://www.usatoday.com/weather/news/2002/2002-10-05-lili-haiti.htm|date=2002-10-05|archive-date=2008-05-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080522185424/http://www.usatoday.com/weather/news/2002/2002-10-05-lili-haiti.htm|url-status=live}} The floods also seriously damaged crops and infrastructure; over 1700 homes were damaged and 240 were destroyed. Haiti was affected dramatically and many towns and villages submerged into rivers exceeding their bankfull discharge
=Jamaica=
Lili affected Jamaica as a strengthening tropical storm. Wind gusts in excess of {{convert|70|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} and rainfall over {{convert|2|ft|m}} resulted in damage to homes, crops, and utility systems.
Extremely heavy rainfall inundated the island. Cedar Valley recorded the most rainfall, with {{convert|23.1|in|mm}} measured. This led to prolific flooding that triggered mudslides across the island and killed four people. These floods decimated the island's sugar cane crop, one of the island's principal exports. The resultant flooding caused widespread problems with the infrastructure of the island. All of the island's hospitals had flood damage, and three were also dealt structural damage by the strong winds.{{Cite web|author=Pan American Health Organization|title=Hurricane Lili in the Caribbean|publisher=World Health Organization|year=2002|access-date=2008-04-06|url=http://www.paho.org/English/DD/PED/lili-hur.htm|archive-date=2005-04-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050416022342/https://www.paho.org/English/DD/PED/lili-hur.htm|url-status=live}} The flooding caused latrines and other sewage sources to overflow into the intake sources for the water supply, leading to fear of disease.
=Cuba=
File:Lili2002overcuba.jpg on October 1]]
Lili made landfall as a category two hurricane twice in Cuba, on the Isle of Youth and in the Pinar del Río Province, on October 1. Wind gusts up to {{convert|112|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} and rainfall amounts reaching {{convert|6|in|mm}} in some places caused damage to homes, businesses and crops. One person was killed.{{Cite web|author=International Federation of the Red Cross|title=Press Releases: Caribbean: Tropical Storm Isidore — September 2002, Cuban community left reeling by Isidore and Lili|publisher=Relief Web|year=2002|access-date=2008-04-06|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/ACOS-64D86L?OpenDocument&query=hurricane%20lili|archive-date=2024-06-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240616082729/https://reliefweb.int/report/cuba/cuban-community-left-reeling-isidore-and-lili?OpenDocument=&query=hurricane%20lili|url-status=live}}
Damage to buildings and other infrastructure was significant. The most severely affected provinces were Pinar del Río and La Habana. A total of 48,000 homes were damaged, 16,000 of them lost their roofs. The province Sancti Spiritus was not affected as severely, as only 945 homes were damaged, with 500 losing their roofs. The provinces in Eastern Cuba, including Guantanamo, suffered similar damage.{{Cite web|author=International Federation of the Red Cross|title=Situation Reports: Caribbean: Tropical Storm Isidore — September 2002, Caribbean: Hurricane Lili Information Bulletin No. 03/02|publisher=Relief Web|year=2002|access-date=2008-04-06|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/OCHA-64C2L6?OpenDocument&query=hurricane%20lili|archive-date=2024-06-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240616082730/https://reliefweb.int/report/cayman-islands/caribbean-hurricane-lili-information-bulletin-n-3?OpenDocument=&query=hurricane%20lili|url-status=live}} Electricity outages for whole towns lasted weeks in parts of the western provinces. This led to loss of running water due to unpowered pumps, and deliveries of fresh water had to be made to remote villages. The tobacco and rice crops were badly depleted, but it was difficult to differentiate how much damage was caused by Lili, since Isidore had struck the region just a week earlier.{{Cite web|author=Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs|title=Caribbean — Tropical Storm Lili OCHA Situation Report No. 8|publisher=Relief Web|year=2002|access-date=2008-04-06|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/ACOS-64C9GJ?OpenDocument&query=hurricane%20lili|archive-date=2024-06-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240616082730/https://reliefweb.int/report/cuba/caribbean-tropical-storm-lili-ocha-situation-report-no-8?OpenDocument=&query=hurricane%20lili|url-status=live}}
=Louisiana=
File:Lili2002rainfilledwhite.gif
Lili made landfall on the morning of October 3 near Intracoastal City, as a weakening category one hurricane. Wind gusts reaching {{convert|120|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, coupled with over {{convert|6|in|mm}} of rainfall and a storm surge of {{convert|12|ft|m}} caused over $790 million (2002 USD) in damage to Louisiana. A total of 237,000 people lost power, and oil rigs offshore were shut down for up to a week. Crops were badly affected, particularly the sugar cane, damage totaled nearly $175 million (2002 USD). No direct deaths were reported as early warnings and the compact nature of the storm circumvented major loss of life.{{Cite web|author1=Kent Kuyper |author2=Marty Mayeaux |author3=Montra Lockwood |author4=Donovan Landreneau |author5=Joe Rua |author6=Lance Escude |author7=Roger Erickson |title=Lili '02 |publisher=NWS WFO Lake Charles, Louisiana |year=2002 |access-date=2008-04-08 |url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lch/tropical/lili/lili_rpt.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021226160502/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lch/tropical/lili/lili_rpt.htm |archive-date=2002-12-26 |url-status=dead }}
Vermillion Parish, the point of landfall, was hardest hit. Wind gusts in excess of {{convert|120|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, along with a storm surge of {{convert|12|ft|m}} dealt major damage to nearly 4000 homes. The worst storm surge flooding occurred in Intracoastal City, destroying 20 buildings owned by a helicopter company. One person died after the storm, and 20 were hospitalized for carbon monoxide poisoning.
File:Lili2002coastalflooding.jpg associated with Lili]]
Acadia Parish was also hard hit, recording wind gusts exceeding {{convert|110|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, and 5 tornadoes touched down in the parish.{{Cite web|author=National Weather Service Forecast Office, Lake Charles, Louisiana |title=LILI |publisher=National Weather Service |year=2002 |access-date=2008-04-08 |url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lch/tropical/lili/lili_psh.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030417141302/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lch/tropical/lili/lili_psh.htm |archive-date=2003-04-17 |url-status=dead }} Thousands of homes were damaged with over 2,500 suffering severe damage. Power across the parish was knocked out, 2 people were injured and one was killed after the storm. Schools in the parish also sustained $1.6 million (2002 USD) in damage.
=Mississippi=
Lili's outer rainbands dumped large amounts of rain and brought tropical storm force wind gusts to Mississippi.{{Cite web|author=National Weather Service Forecast Office, New Orleans, Louisiana |title=Post Tropical Cyclone Report...Hurricane Lili |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |year=2002 |access-date=2008-04-12 |url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/data/NEW/PSH/newpshnew.1.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021016193841/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/data/NEW/PSH/newpshnew.1.txt |archive-date=2002-10-16 |url-status=dead }} Pascagoula, Mississippi, recorded wind gusts of {{convert|41|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, and Picayune, Mississippi, received {{convert|4.14|in|mm}} of rainfall. Minor power outages occurred, mainly in southern Mississippi, and combined with the flooding of roads and buildings caused $30 million (2002 USD) in damage. No deaths occurred in Mississippi.
=Other areas in the United States=
Hurricane Lili's remnants brought heavy rainfall, peaking at four inches in Arkansas, to the Southeast, before dissipating near the Arkansas-Tennessee border. Lili's remnants also caused minimal rainfall in the Lower Tennessee Valley. No major damage was reported.
Aftermath
File:Lili2002disasterdeclarationmap.jpg
President Bush declared Louisiana a federal disaster area after the storm, making it eligible for assistance.{{cite news|author=Mike Brassfield |title=Hurricane Lili Runs Out of Steam |newspaper=St. Petersburg Times |year=2002 |access-date=2008-04-09 |url=http://www.sptimes.com/2002/10/04/Worldandnation/Hurricane_Lili_runs_o.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523072130/http://www.sptimes.com/2002/10/04/Worldandnation/Hurricane_Lili_runs_o.shtml |archive-date=2011-05-23 }} FEMA set up three locations to apply in Mississippi and Louisiana. Applications began pouring in, 153,000 by the time of the deadline.{{Cite web|author=Federal Emergency Management Agency |title=Louisiana Aid Deadline Looms, 153,000 Have Applied |publisher=Federal Emergency Management Agency |year=2002 |access-date=2008-04-10 |url=http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=2751 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071031095054/http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=2751 |archive-date=2007-10-31 }}{{Cite web|author=The New Orleans Channel |title=Federal Emergency Management Agency Fans Out After Storms |publisher=WDSU |year=2002 |access-date=2008-04-08 |url=http://www.wdsu.com/news/1706286/detail.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716093102/http://www.wdsu.com/news/1706286/detail.html |archive-date=2011-07-16 }} Over $311 million in aid was granted to Louisiana.{{Cite web|author=Federal Emergency Management Agency |title=Lili Recovery at More Than a Quarter Billion Dollars |publisher=Federal Emergency Management Agency |year=2002 |access-date=2008-04-10 |url=http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=2762 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071031024844/http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=2762 |archive-date=2007-10-31 }} A total of $50 million of that money was in the form of low interest loans, and not actual grants.
Over 1,000 power workers from eight different states went to the worst hit areas to help restore power.{{Cite web|author=WTVY|title=Hurricane Lili Aid|publisher=WTVY|year=2002|access-date=2008-04-09|url=http://www.wtvynews4.com/home/headlines/110161.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130209174410/http://www.wtvynews4.com/home/headlines/110161.html|archive-date=2013-02-09}}{{Cite web|author=Melissa Simas|title=Utility Workers on Ready for Storm Damage|publisher=KAIT|year=2002|access-date=2008-04-08|url=http://www.kait8.com/Global/story.asp?S=959699&nav=0jshBbXu|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151228214634/http://www.kait8.com/Global/story.asp?S=959699&nav=0jshBbXu|archive-date=2015-12-28|url-status=dead}} Seven states sent tree trimmers to help clear debris from power lines and roads to speed the recovery process.{{Cite web|author=Cleco Corporation|title=Cleco Power|publisher=Cleco Corporation|year=2002|access-date=2008-04-10|url=http://www.cmsgis.com/main/services/featuredclients.htm|archive-date=2016-03-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303172035/http://www.cmsgis.com/main/services/featuredclients.htm|url-status=live}} In addition, FEMA gave SLEMCO, the state's power company, an $8.6 million grant, which paid for 75% of the damage to the electrical grid there.{{Cite web|author=Federal Emergency Management Agency |title=SWLA Electric Corp To Receive $8.6 million Federal Emergency Management Agency Public Assistance Grant |publisher=Federal Emergency Management Agency |year=2002 |access-date=2008-04-10 |url=http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=2765 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071031024840/http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=2765 |archive-date=2007-10-31 }} It took up to four weeks to restore power to all customers.{{Cite web|author=Storm Work |title=Helping Customers and Communities |publisher=Storm Work |year=2002 |access-date=2008-04-10 |url=http://www.asplundh.com/treemagpdfs/Holiday%202002%20PDF%20Files/Holiday%20Issue%202002%20Storm%20Work%20Pgs%202-3.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050307093119/http://www.asplundh.com/treemagpdfs/Holiday%202002%20PDF%20Files/Holiday%20Issue%202002%20Storm%20Work%20Pgs%202-3.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=2005-03-07 }}
Hurricane Lili caused great environmental damage to the marshes and barrier islands in Louisiana. Huge fish kills were observed in marshes near the landfall point, and in the Atchafalaya Swamp. The barrier islands to the east of the landfall point, those subjected to the highest surge, were severely eroded. Sand was also deposited behind them into the brackish marshes, burying vegetation. The freshwater marshes were severely damaged by the wind and surge, some of them completely destroyed. The severe erosion created new waterways connecting inland bodies of water with the Gulf of Mexico, which eventually led to further erosion of inland lagoons.{{Cite web|author=Gaye Farris|title=USGS scientists monitor coastal damage from Hurricane Lili|publisher=USGS|year=2002|access-date=2008-04-10|url=http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2002-10/usgs-usm101102.php|archive-date=2016-03-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060008/http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2002-10/usgs-usm101102.php|url-status=live}}
=Retirement=
{{See also|List of retired Atlantic hurricane names}}
Due to the widespread and heavy damage caused by the hurricane, the World Meteorological Organization retired the name Lili in the spring of 2004. It was replaced with Laura for the 2008 season.{{cite report|url=https://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/Publications/NatHurricaneOpsPlans/HOPs-P12-2004.pdf|page=3{{hyphen}}9|publisher=NOAA Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research|location=Washington, D.C.|title=National Hurricane Operations Plan|date=May 2004|access-date=April 10, 2024|archive-date=June 16, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240616082727/https://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/Publications/NatHurricaneOpsPlans/HOPs-P12-2004.pdf|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/tcfaq/B3.html |title=Subject: B3) What names have been retired in the Atlantic and East Pacific basin? |publisher=Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory Hurricane Research Division |work=FAQ: Hurricanes, Typhoons, and Tropical Cyclones |author1=Gary Padgett |author2=Jack Beven |author3=James Lewis Free |access-date=April 10, 2024 |date=December 6, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090506155042/http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/tcfaq/B3.html |archive-date=May 6, 2009 |url-status=dead }}
See also
{{Portal|Tropical cyclones}}
{{Commons category|Hurricane Lili}}
- Tropical cyclones in 2002
- Timeline of the 2002 Atlantic hurricane season
- List of Cuba hurricanes
- List of Category 4 Atlantic hurricanes
- Hurricane Barry (2019) – Struck a similar area
- Hurricane Ida (2021) – Caused catastrophic impacts in Louisiana
References
{{Reflist|2}}
External links
- {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970203012128/http://www.redcross.org/news/disaster/96/hcane.html|date=February 3, 1997|title=Hurricane Lili}} - American Red Cross
{{Retired Atlantic hurricanes}}
{{Category 4 Atlantic hurricanes}}
{{2002 Atlantic hurricane season buttons}}
{{Good article}}