Storms of 1961

Betsy | Carla

Hurricane Betsy formed in the eastern tropical Atlantic. The first advisory was issued by the San Juan Weather Bureau on September 2 for a tropical storm. Betsy remained at sea during its life span from September 2 to September 12 and there were no reports of damage to vessels along its path.

The first indication of intensification and a closed circulation in the eastern Caribbean was on September 3. By September 4, the circulation had increased to depression intensity and rose to storm intensity on the same day. During the next several days, Carla continued a slow but remarkably steady intensification, reaching hurricane force on the morning of September 6. The New Orleans Hurricane Centre described Carla as one of the largest, most intense, and destructive hurricanes ever to strike the United States Gulf Coast.

Total damage in Texas was estimated at $300 million . 46 fatalities in the United States were attributed to Carla.