The Atlantic hurricane season runs from 1st June to 30th Novemberevery year, with the season’s peak typically occurring from mid-August to late October. This period is when sea surface temperatures are at their warmest, which provides the energy needed to fuel powerful tropical storms and hurricanes.
Cape Verde hurricanes refer to a specific type of tropical cyclone that forms near the Cape Verde Islands, a volcanic archipelago off the coast of West Africa. The location of Cape Verde plays a pivotal role in the genesis of these hurricanes. The islands lie in a region where tropical waves, disturbances that move westward from the African continent, frequently move into the Atlantic Ocean. Under favourable conditions, these waves can develop into organized tropical depressions, storms, or hurricanes as they progress across the warm waters of the Atlantic.
Why Cape Verde Hurricanes Can Be So Powerful
The tropical waves that form near Cape Verde have an extensive expanse of open ocean over which to develop. As these waves move westward, they encounter a variety of factors that can help them intensify:
- Warm Sea Surface Temperatures: For hurricanes to strengthen, ocean temperatures need to be at least 26.5°C (80°F). The Atlantic waters, especially during the peak hurricane season, often exceed this temperature, providing the storms abundant energy.
- Low Wind Shear: Wind shear, which refers to the variation of wind speed and direction with altitude, can disrupt hurricane formation. Low wind shear keeps the storm’s structure intact, promoting intensification.
- Moist Air: Cape Verde hurricanes also thrive when the air is humid, reducing the chances of dry air or desert dust interfering with their formation.
These factors contribute to the long track these storms can take across the Atlantic, giving them the potential to grow into powerful hurricanes before making landfall in the Caribbean, North America, or even, in rare instances, near the Cape Verde Islands themselves.
Hurricane Fred (2015) - Formation and Path
Hurricane Fred was an extraordinary and significant storm due to its direct impact on the Cape Verde Islands, a rare occurrence in the history of Atlantic hurricanes. It formed as a tropical depression on August 30, 2015, south of the Cape Verde Islands, rapidly intensifying into a tropical storm and eventually reaching hurricane status as it approached the islands. When it made its closest approach to the islands, it was classified as a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, with maximum sustained winds of around 85 mph (140 km/h).
Hurricane Fred was an extraordinary and significant storm due to its direct impact on the Cape Verde Islands, a rare occurrence in the history of Atlantic hurricanes. It formed as a tropical depression on August 30, 2015, south of the Cape Verde Islands, rapidly intensifying into a tropical storm and eventually reaching hurricane status as it approached the islands. When it made its closest approach to the islands, it was classified as a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, with maximum sustained winds of around 85 mph (140 km/h).
Why Hurricane Fred Was So Catastrophic
While Hurricane Fred was not a major hurricane by global standards, its impact on the Cape Verde Islands was devastating for several reasons:
- Proximity and Direct Hit: Fred made a direct hit on the northern Cape Verde Islands, which had not occurred in decades. Typically, Cape Verde hurricanes form in the region but head westward, sparing the islands themselves. The direct impact exposed the islands to significant winds, heavy rains, and storm surges.
- Weak Infrastructure: The islands, particularly the northern ones like Boa Vista and São Nicolau, were not built to withstand hurricanes. The high winds and flooding severely damaged infrastructure such as housing, roads, and utilities. Cape Verde, while better prepared for tropical storms, was not fully prepared for a direct hurricane hit. Fred’s winds uprooted trees, tore roofs off homes, and caused significant damage to power lines and communication systems.
- Flooding and Agricultural Losses: One of the most significant impacts of Hurricane Fred was the flooding it caused, both from heavy rains and storm surges. Cape Verde’s agricultural sector, a vital part of its economy, suffered heavily. The floodwaters destroyed crops, and the disruption in supply chains caused food shortages in some areas. Agriculture and fisheries were among the hardest-hit sectors.
- Limited Evacuation and Preparedness: Though the islands have some preparedness for tropical weather, hurricanes are infrequent in the region. Many residents were caught off guard by the storm’s intensity, leading to higher-than-expected levels of property damage and displacement of people.
Impact and Aftermath
Fred caused around $2.5 million (USD) in damages, a significant amount for a relatively small and developing island nation like Cape Verde. It left thousands without power and displaced hundreds of people. Thankfully, no direct fatalities were reported, though the destruction of homes and the agricultural devastation left long-lasting scars on the islands’ economy, highlighting the enduring impact of such natural disasters.
Historical Cape Verde Hurricanes: Before and After Fred
While Hurricane Fred stands out for its direct impact on the Cape Verde Islands, other notable hurricanes and tropical storms originating from the region have had significant impacts elsewhere. Let’s examine six critical storms before and after Fred, and compare their damage to Fred’s, noting the percentage of destruction.
Hurricane Debbie (1961)
- Category: 1
- Peak Winds: 90 mph (145 km/h)
- Damage: Hurricane Debbie formed near Cape Verde and passed directly over the islands, causing widespread damage to crops and infrastructure. While it was weaker than other Cape Verde-originating hurricanes, it was the last significant hurricane to impact the islands directly before Fred. Regarding overall destruction, Debbie caused approximately 75% of the damage caused by Fred, adjusted for inflation and differences in infrastructure at the time.
Hurricane Ivan (2004)
- Category: 5
- Peak Winds: 165 mph (270 km/h)
- Damage: Originating as a Cape Verde-type hurricane, Ivan became one of the most intense Atlantic hurricanes on record. Though it did not impact the Cape Verde Islands directly, it wreaked havoc on the Caribbean and the southern United States, causing over $26 billion in damages. Comparatively, Ivan’s overall destruction was thousands of times more severe than Fred’s, but Ivan’s damage in Cape Verde was negligible relative to Fred’s impact on Cape Verde.
Hurricane Irma (2017)
- Category: 5
- Peak Winds: 180 mph (285 km/h)
- Damage: Irma was a catastrophic hurricane caused by a tropical wave near Cape Verde. Like Ivan, it did not impact the Cape Verde Islands but instead caused severe damage in the Caribbean, especially to islands like Barbuda and Saint Martin. Its total destruction far surpassed Fred’s economic impact, but relative to Fred’s direct impact on Cape Verde, Irma caused 0% destruction to the islands.
Tropical Storm Erika (2015)
- Category: Tropical Storm
- Peak Winds: 50 mph (85 km/h)
- Damage: Erika was a tropical storm that formed in the Cape Verde region but remained relatively weak throughout its life cycle. It caused significant damage in Dominica, with torrential rains and flooding causing millions in damages. Compared to Fred, Erika’s impact was about 40% in terms of economic destruction, though it affected different areas and infrastructure than Fred.
Hurricane Maria (2017)
- Category: 5
- Peak Winds: 175 mph (280 km/h)
- Damage: Another Cape Verde-type hurricane, Maria, caused catastrophic damage to Puerto Rico and other islands in the Caribbean. Though it did not affect the Cape Verde Islands directly, its financial and humanitarian impact was astronomical, with over $91 billion in damages. For Cape Verde itself, Maria caused 0% destruction, but it remains one of the most powerful hurricanes to have originated from this region.
Hurricane Lorenzo (2019)
- Category: 5
- Peak Winds: 160 mph (255 km/h)
- Damage: Lorenzo was a powerful and far-reaching hurricane that formed near the Cape Verde Islands and became the easternmost Category 5 hurricane ever recorded. Though it did not cause significant damage to Cape Verde, it impacted the Azores and parts of Western Europe. In terms of damage in Cape Verde, Lorenzo caused around 10% of Fred’s damage, as the storm mostly avoided the islands.
Comparing Damage and Intensity
- Hurricane Fred (2015): $2.5 million in damages (100% benchmark for Cape Verde’s direct destruction)
- Hurricane Debbie (1961): 75% of Fred’s damage (adjusted for inflation)
- Hurricane Ivan (2004): 0% direct impact on Cape Verde, but globally catastrophic
- Hurricane Irma (2017): 0% direct impact on Cape Verde, but globally catastrophic
- Tropical Storm Erika (2015): 40% of Fred’s damage (in other regions)
- Hurricane Maria (2017): 0% direct impact on Cape Verde, but globally catastrophic
- Hurricane Lorenzo (2019): 10% of Fred’s damage
The Cape Verde hurricanes are a notable subset of Atlantic storms that form near the Cape Verde Islands but typically go on to threaten.