Ураган Лили: Путь из Африки в Европу (1996)

Category 3 Atlantic hurricane in 1996

Hurricane Lili was a relatively long lived hurricane of the 1996 Atlantic hurricane season that affected countries from Central America to the United Kingdom. Lili formed on October 14 from a tropical wave, which emerged from the coast of west Africa on October 4. After the storm formed, further strengthening of Lili was gradual, first to tropical storm status on October 16 and then to hurricane status on October 17. The next day, Lili struck Cuba and moved across the central portion of the island, the first hurricane to hit the country since Hurricane Kate in 1985. After emerging into the Atlantic Ocean, the hurricane accelerated northeastward, briefly peaking as a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir Simpson Hurricane Scale near the Bahamas. For almost an entire week, Hurricane Lili oscillated in intensity while fluctuating several times in forward speed. About two weeks passed before Lili transitioned into an extratropical storm north of the Azores on October 27, which subsequently moved across Ireland and Great Britain. Early in its duration, Lili caused flooding in Central America that left thousands homeless and killed 14 people. Damage was heaviest in Cuba, mostly due to the hurricane's heavy rainfall which totaled 29.41 in (747 mm). The hurricane affected 11 Cuban provinces, damaging 92,542 houses and destroying another 6,369. The rains heavily damaged the sugar cane and banana crops, and overall damage in the country was estimated at $362 million (1996 USD). After 269,995 people were evacuated in advance of Lili, there were no deaths in the country. In nearby Florida, one person died after being swept into a drain during the storm's heavy rains. Moisture from Lili also fueled a storm that struck the northeastern United States, which contributed indirectly to a death when a man in Maine tried driving across a flooded roadway. Damage in the Bahamas was not severe, limited to some damaged roofs and downed trees. When the remnants of Lili struck Ireland and the United Kingdom, it produced strong winds and high seas that damaged hundreds of houses, causing $300 million in damage (1996 USD) and six deaths.

On October 4, a tropical wave exited the west coast of Africa with a large associated circulation. Unfavorable wind shear prevented any development, and the wave continued westward, entering the Caribbean Sea on October 11. Two days later, the wave axis encountered a pre existing low pressure area in the southwest Caribbean. It quickly developed a well defined circulation, becoming a tropical depression on October 14 off the east coast of Nicaragua. Due to an upper level low in the Gulf of Mexico, the system tracked to the northwest, brushing Central America in its path. The depression developed banding features as the pressure gradually dropped, and intensified into Tropical Storm Lili at around 0600 UTC on October 16. During this time, the storm executed a small cyclonic loop while a few hundred miles north of the Swan Islands. By early on October 17, Lili had attained hurricane status while it was turning to the north.

Lili killed 22 people throughout its lifetime. Fourteen deaths were reported in Central America, and six in the United Kingdom. Ultimately, 269,995 people evacuated due to the storm, along with over 270,000 livestock. Officials also closed classes and sent workers home in areas along the projected path, Before Lili, the last hurricane to strike Cuba was Hurricane Kate in 1985. The country was already experiencing economic difficulties when the storm struck, following the collapse of the Soviet Union in a crisis known as the Special Period. Crossing through Cuba, Hurricane Lili produced strong winds, High waves struck the southern coast of Cuba, estimated at over 20 ft (7 m). While crossing Cuba, Lili primarily caused damage from its heavy rainfall and not from the winds. Nationwide, Lili damaged 92,542 houses and destroyed another 6,369, along with 32 schools. and seven injuries.

Tropical cyclone forecast models correctly anticipated that Lili would pass southeast of Florida, despite a potential landfall within 24 hours had the storm maintained its previous track. The National Hurricane Center issued a tropical storm warning for the Florida Keys but not for the Miami metropolitan area. Wind gusts in the Florida Keys reached at Sand Key Light. One person died in Palm Beach County when a farm worker was swept into a canal drainage pipe. High waves from the hurricane affected the northern coast of Puerto Rico, causing minor flooding.

A hurricane watch was issued for the northwestern Bahamas on October 17, which was upgraded to a warning and expanded to cover the central Bahamas on the next day. A tropical storm warning was later issued for the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands. While moving through the Bahamas, Lili produced in 10–minute sustained winds on San Salvador Island. On Great Exuma island, there was an estimated 15 feet (5 m) storm tide, On Long Island, the storm damaged crops and a few houses. The remnants of Lili also dropped about of rainfall, which alleviated drought conditions. The Red Cross provided $1.6 million to the country, and various departments of the United Nations provided $80,000. and Italy sent about $526,000 worth of medical supplies. The Canadian Red Cross donated a water purification unit, and the Spanish Red Cross sent blankets and cots. The German Red Cross also sent mattresses and blankets. The American Red Cross sent 9.5 tons of food. There were early difficulties in transporting the relief supplies due to fuel shortages. Due to storm damage, 66,881 people resided in shelters until their houses were rebuilt, or until they moved elsewhere. By March 1997, most people had returned to their homes, although some did so without a roof. There was a threat for water borne diseases due to stagnant waters, although no such outbreaks occurred. Following two small private U. S. planes being shot down in Cuban airspace in February 1996, United States President Bill Clinton banned charter flights between the two nations. After the storm, the ban was lifted to allow the Caritas charity to fly a plane with supplies to Cuba. Some Cuban Americans in South Florida donated to help the affected Cuban victims, but others did not for fear it would assist the regime of President Fidel Castro. The plane landed on October 26 with 36.5 tons of supplies, carrying about 30 tons of food The rejected aid was sent to the Dominican Republic or back to Miami. Catholic Relief Services later sent $252,000 worth of medicine, and sent a second flight of aid in January 1997 with 43 tons of rice, cooking oil, and flour.