Tropical Storm Debbie (1965)

{{storm path|Debbie 1965 track.png}}

A low-pressure area developed into a weak tropical depression on September 24 off the north coast of Honduras in the western Caribbean Sea. It was initially disorganized, without a well-developed circulation. On September 25, while still a tropical depression, the system was named Debbie.{{cite web|author=Arnold L. Sugg, Miami Weather Bureau|date=1965-09-25|title=Tropical Depression Advisory Number 1 Debbie|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2011-10-20|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1965/debbie/public/tcp2516z.gif|format=GIF}} Without intensifying further, the depression crossed the northeastern Yucatán Peninsula on September 26. The next day, the depression turned toward the north in the central Gulf of Mexico before beginning a northeast motion.{{cite journal|author=Arnold L. Sugg|journal=Monthly Weather Review|title=The Hurricane Season of 1965|date=March 1966|volume=94|number=3|page=183|doi=10.1175/1520-0493(1966)094<0183:THSO>2.3.CO;2|bibcode=1966MWRv...94..183S|access-date=2011-10-19 |url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/094/mwr-094-03-0183.pdf}} On September 28, Debbie intensified into a tropical storm, attaining peak winds of 50 mph (85 km/h).{{Atlantic hurricane best track}} This occurred after the storm developed two distinct spiral rainbands.{{cite web|author=W. Clyde Connor|date=1965-10-06|title=Tropical Storm Debbie... Gulf of Mexico|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2011-10-20 |url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1965/debbie/preloc/new1006b.gif|format=GIF}}

As Debbie approached the northern Gulf Coast, it failed to intensify, despite warm sea surface temperatures, abundant moisture, and an anticyclone aloft. In addition, the storm never developed good outflow, partially due to stable air related to Tropical Storm Hazel in the eastern Pacific Ocean. After maintaining peak winds for about 12 hours, Debbie weakened due to cooler, drier air, deteriorating to a tropical depression on September 29. That day, it turned to the northwest, passing just east of the Mississippi Delta. On September 30, the circulation of Debbie dissipated just offshore Mississippi.{{Atlantic hurricane best track}} Its remnants made landfall, accelerated northeastward, and were eventually absorbed by an extratropical cyclone.{{cite web|author=David M. Roth|publisher=Hydrometeorological Prediction Center|access-date=2011-10-20|title=Tropical Storm Debbie - September 26-October 1, 1965 |date=2009-04-12|url=http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/debbie1965.html}}

File:Debbie_1965_rainfall.png

The precursor to Debbie produced heavy rainfall across the western Caribbean Sea. Swan Island off the north coast of Honduras reported {{convert|5.43|in|mm|abbr=on}} in a 24-hour period. In Belize City, Belize, the storm produced high tides and {{convert|1.04|in|mm|abbr=on}} of rainfall. Grand Cayman reported light rains for two days.{{cite web|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2011-10-20|title=Summary 2|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1965/debbie/sfcdat/summary2.gif|format=GIF}} The government of Cuba advised residents to restrict boating activities around the country. Similarly, the Weather Bureau issued a small craft warning for the Dry Tortugas and for the Florida Keys through Key Largo.{{cite news|author=Staff writer|newspaper=Star-News|agency=United Press International|date=1965-09-26|title=S. Florida Keys on Debbie Alert|access-date=2011-10-20|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XUhkAAAAIBAJ&sjid=WHQNAAAAIBAJ&pg=2480,4643669&dq=cuba&hl=en}}

Before Debbie dissipated, local Weather Bureau offices issued a gale warning and a hurricane watch from the mouth of the Mississippi River to Cedar Key, Florida. Small boat owners throughout the region were advised to remain at port.{{cite web|author=Connor, New Orleans Weather Bureau|date=1965-09-28|title=New Orleans Weather Bureau: Tropical Storm Debbie Bulletin for Press Radio and TV 8 AM CST September 28, 1965|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2011-10-20|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1965/debbie/local/hls2814z.gif|format=GIF}} The threat of the storm prompted the evacuation of oil platforms, as well as thousands of residents in low-lying areas of St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana.{{cite news|author=Staff writer|date=1965-09-28|title=Destination Debbie: Florida Panhandle|newspaper=The Evening Independent|agency=Associated Press|access-date=2011-10-20|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IlVQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=jlcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5010,4398145&dq=tropical+debbie&hl=en}} Along the northern Gulf Coast, no gale force winds were reported inland, although oil rigs and ships off the southeast Louisiana coast reported such winds. Debbie produced above-normal tides that generally ranged upwards to {{convert|4|ft|m|abbr=on}} above normal; however, New Orleans reported a storm tide of {{convert|6|ft|m|abbr=on}}. The tides resulted in flooding along highways in southeastern Louisiana, closing several roads. The storm affected areas that were severely damaged by Hurricane Betsy earlier in September.{{cite news|author=Staff writer|date=1965-09-28|title=Debbie Dallying, Carol Convoluting|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|agency=Associated Press|access-date=2011-10-20|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zHVPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7wQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2821,2966118&dq=tropical+debbie&hl=en}}

Despite being a weak storm, Debbie dropped heavy rainfall along the coast, peaking at {{convert|17.2|in|mm|abbr=on}} in Mobile, Alabama. Of the total, {{convert|15|in|mm|abbr=on}} fell in 15 hours, which broke the daily rainfall record in the city. The rains resulted in {{convert|6|ft|m|abbr=on}} of flooding that closed several businesses and roads,{{cite news|author=Staff writer|agency=United Press International|date=1965-10-01|title=Debbie Floods Mobile|access-date=2011-10-20|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=F_QuAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qWUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6136,1944&dq=tropical+debbie&hl=en}} causing the worst traffic jam on record in the city. Hundreds of cars were flooded, and more than 200 people had to leave their inundated homes.{{cite news|author=Staff writer|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=The Morning Record|title=15 Inches Rain in 15 Hours for Mobile|date=1965-10-01|access-date=2011-10-20|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=R6dIAAAAIBAJ&sjid=MQENAAAAIBAJ&pg=3953,4007850&dq=tropical+debbie&hl=en}} Damage in the city was estimated at $25 million, which was the only significant damage from the storm. Rainfall extended from Louisiana to the east coast of Florida, and as far north as North Carolina. In eastern Georgia near Brunswick, the storm dropped more than {{convert|9|in|mm|abbr=on}} of precipitation, causing flooding in airfields and along canals.{{cite news|author=Staff writer|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=Ocala Star-Banner|date=1965-09-30|title=Debbie Breaks Up Near Biloxi|access-date=2011-10-20|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zHVPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7wQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2821,2966118&dq=tropical+debbie&hl=en}}

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• Other storms of the same name

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Debbie (1965)

Debbie (1965)