Hurricane Edith (1971)

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Hurricane Edith (1971) was the strongest storm of the season. It formed from a tropical wave on September 5 and became a tropical storm by September 7 near Curaçao. Edith exploded in strength and became a Category 5 hurricane with 160 mph winds and a central pressure of 943 mb by September 9, just off the coast of Nicaragua.

Edith made landfall near Cabo Gracias a Dios as a Category 5 hurricane. It quickly weakened over the mountains of Central America, moved into the Gulf of Honduras as a tropical storm, and struck Belize City as a strong hurricane. It crossed the Yucatán Peninsula, entered the Gulf of Mexico, and then restrengthened to a hurricane again. It made its final landfall in Louisiana on September 16 near Cameron with winds of 105 mph, and it dissipated over Georgia on September 18.

Overall, Edith caused about $25.4 million in damage (1971 USD) and 37 direct fatalities. It affected many areas, including the Lesser Antilles, northern Venezuela, Nicaragua, Honduras, Belize, the Yucatán, northeastern Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina.

Impact highlights:
- Aruba: 2 people died; strong winds and rain.
- Central America: near Cape Gracias a Dios, many homes were destroyed and thousands were left homeless.
- Belize and the region: wind damage and flooding.
- United States: a tornado outbreak across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida with 16 tornadoes, including a strong one in Baton Rouge. Louisiana saw heavy flooding and major crop damage; Texas experienced coastal flooding and a severe hailstorm that damaged crops.
- Louisiana and nearby states also faced high tides and winds that damaged boats, stored crops, and infrastructure.

Ahead of Edith, officials evacuated thousands in Belize and along parts of the Gulf Coast, and several oil facilities took precautions.