Hurricanes of the Gulf of Mexico

by Keim, Barry D.

• ISBN13: 9780807134924
• ISBN10: 0807134929
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2009-08-31
• Publisher: Louisiana State Univ Pr

Summary

In this definitive guide, climatologists Barry D. Keim and Robert A. Muller examine Gulf hurricanes-from the 1800s to the present and from Key West, Florida, to Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula-providing an extraordinary compilation and interpretation of an entire region's hurricane and tropical storm history. para; In addition to reporting each hurricane's origin, oceanic and atmospheric influences, seasonality, track, intensity, size, point of landfall, storm surge, and impact on life, property, and the environment; they describe the unique features of the Gulf that influence the development of hurricanes and identify areas of the coastline that are more or less vulnerable because of physical environment, socioeconomic environment, or both. They also assess predicted hurricane activity for coming years in light of competing climate theories as well as cyclical patterns over the past century, showing that despite 105 years of tremendous technological advances, hurricanes remain ultimately rather unpredictable. para; An epilogue brings the story up to date with a summary of the destructive 2008 hurricane season, including storms Dolly, Gustav, and Ike. Plentiful maps, charts, tables, graphs, and photos, along with anecdotal observations and an informative text, make Hurricanes of the Gulf of Mexico a captivating and useful volume for Gulf residents, storm trackers, or anyone with a fascination for the weather.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. ix
Acknowledgments	p. xv
The Galveston Hurricane of 1900	p. 1
Hurricane Katrina	p. 16
Counting Tropical Storms and Hurricanes over the Gulf of Mexico	p. 45
Hurricane Basics	p. 56
Memorable Gulf Hurricanes	p. 68
Hurricane Histories	p. 107
Environmental and Socioeconomic Impacts	p. 164
The Future	p. 181
Epilogue Another Disastrous Season: 2008	p. 188
Sources and Suggested Readings	p. 199
Illustration Credits	p. 203
Index	p. 207
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