Tropical Storm Cindy (1993)

Infobox Hurricane
Name=Tropical Storm Cindy
Type=tropical storm
Year=1993
Basin=Atl
Image location= TS Cindy (1993).jpg


Formed=August 14
Dissipated=August 17
1-min winds=40
Pressure= 1007
Da

Inflated=
Fatalities= 4
Areas= Martinique, Dominican Republic
Hurricane season=1993 Atlantic hurricane season

Tropical Storm Cindy was the fourth tropical cyclone and third named storm of the 1993 Atlantic hurricane season, Cindy originated from a tropical wave that moved off the coast of Africa on August 8. After several days, a low-level low pressure system developed and organized into a tropical depression on August 14. Attaining tropical storm status later that day, the cyclone reached a peak intensity of 1007 mb with winds of convert|45|mph|km/h|abbr=on|lk=on. Cindy dropped moderate to heavy rainfall over portions of the Caribbean—specifically the Dominican Republic and Martinique—which killed four people due to flooding. A specific damage total is unknown.

Meteorological history

On August 8, 1993, a tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa and tracked west-northwestward across the Atlantic for several days. A U.S. Air Force Reserve aircraft investigated the disturbance on August 13, finding a poorly-organized surface circulation. Another aircraft investigation the next day revealed that the low-level circulation had developed sufficient convection to be designated as a tropical depression at about 1200 UTC.cite web|author=Richard Pasch and Edward Rappaport|title=Annual Summaries: Atlantic hurricane season of 1993|year=1993|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2008-05-25|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/1993.pdf] Under the steering currents of a low- to mid-level flow, the depression continued west-northwestward, slowing slightly as it did so. At 1800 UTC on August 14 it was upgraded to Tropical Storm "Cindy" while situated over Martinique.Cite web|author=Max Mayfield|title=Tropical Storm Cindy Preliminary Report|year=1993|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-05-26|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1993/cindy/prenhc/prelim01.gif] At the time, tropical storm-force winds extended for about convert|60|mi|km|abbr=on|lk=on away from the center. Although the storm contained an outflow pattern aloft, little intensification occurred, and Cindy reached peak winds of convert|45|mph|km/h|abbr=on|lk=on at 1200 UTC on August 16, south of the Dominican Republic. The circulation was disrupted as it passed near Hispaniola, weakening the storm. At 2100 UTC that same day, it was downgraded to a tropical depression and the poorly-defined center moved over Dominican Republic. Rapid disorganization occurred, and Tropical Depression Cindy dissipated by August 17. The cyclone's remnants, however, spread over the Bahamas the next day.

Preparations and impact

By August 14, tropical storm warnings were in effect for portions of the Lesser Antilles, and for the U.S and British Virgin Islands.Cite web|author=Mayfield|title=Tropical Storm Cindy Public Advisory Number 2A|year=1993|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-05-26|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1993/cindy/public/paal0493.002] The next day, a tropical storm warning was issued for Puerto Rico,cite web|author=Lawrence|title=Tropical Storm Cindy Public Advisory Number 4A|year=1993|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-05-26|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1993/cindy/public/paal0493.004] and a similar advisory was eventually placed into effect for portions of the Dominican Republic.cite web|author=Rappaport|title=Tropical Storm Cindy Public Advisory Number 7A|year=1993|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-05-26|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1993/cindy/public/pal0493.007] Several hundred residents of flood-prone areas of Puerto Rice were evacuated.Cite web|author=Max Mayfield|title=Tropical Storm Cindy Preiminary Report Page 2|year=1993|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-05-27|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1993/cindy/prenhc/prelim02.gif] Several thousand people prepared for the storm by stocking up on bottled water and canned goods and filling up gas tanks. The Santo Domingo International Airport suspended operations as the storm approached.Cite web|author=Associated Press|title=Cindy tramples on Dominican Republic|year=1993|publisher="The Kingston Gleaner"|accessdate=2008-05-27|url=http://thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
]

Although Cindy was a weak storm, rainfall amounts of convert|12|in|mm|abbr=on|lk=on were reported on the island of Martinique, while convert|3|in|mm|abbr=on–convert|4|in|mm|abbr=on fell elsewhere over the Dominican Republic and in various locations. The Dominican civil defense director, Eugenio Cabral, reported scattered flooding, although no major damage.Cite web|author=Associated Press|title=A tropical storm loses steam after washing over the Dominican Republic, but a hurricane threatens Hawaii.|year=1993|publisher="The Syracuse Post-Standard"|accessdate=2008-05-27|url=http://thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] The storm did, however, cause moderate to severe flooding in some places, killing two people and leaving two missing in the Dominican Republic and killing two in Martinique. Although a specific damage amount is unknown, estimates of millions of dollars in damage to houses, roads and seawalls were reported.

ee also

*Other tropical storms named Cindy

References

External links

* [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1993/cindy/prenhc/prelim01.gifStorm history information]
* [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1993/cindy/prenhc/prelim02.gifDamage]

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