CUBA:  EFFECTS OF HURRICANE MICHELLE

Hurricane Michelle, a category-4 hurricane, made landfall on November 3, 2001

• Sustained wind speed of about 130 mph
• Storm surge about 13-18 feet
• Terrain below 10 ft was likely flooded.
• Shrubs, trees, crops and small dwellings in its path were likely destroyed.
• Luis, Felix & Opal (1995) were all category – 4 hurricanes.

Plantation crops in harvest stage as Michelle struck:

• Effects confined to agricultural areas
• Damage to citrus crop included fallen fruit and uprooted trees. Cuban press reports indicate 90,000 tons damage in Jaguey Grande/Mantazas. 
• Sugarcane crop: Significant lodging, will also affect next year’s crop
• Key Coffee Areas - La Habana, Holguin, Gramma, Guantanamo. Areas east of La Habana in path of Michelle likely suffered significant damage to both beans and plants (lodging/uprooting).

Crop areas and villages along coastal areas were likely inundated.

Worst hit town was Jaguey Grande in Mantazas

800, 000 people were evacuated. Five were reportedly killed.

Imagery:

Special Report--Impact of Hurricane Michelle on Cuba
Map of Cuba
AVHRR image showing track of Hurricane Michelle
National Center for Environmental Prediction image showing tack and wind intensity of Hurricane Michelle.
AVHRR Image Showing Turbid Water off Coastal Cuba
Effect of Michelle on citrus crop is significant.

For more information, contact Rao Achutuni with the Production Estimates and Crop Assessment Division on (202) 720-0888.