It is hard to believe that 1964 was 60 years ago. The year 1960 was revolutionary concerning Meteorology as the first weather satellites where launched. These new satellites could detect developing storms they proved pivotal in hurricane forecasting. In 1964 the satellites had become more advanced and could detect winds in tropical systems more accurately. Since then satellites have become more advanced.

1964 was a destructive year for the USA concerning hurricanes. 4 destructive hurricanes would strike the US and 3 of those made landfall in the US state of Florida. The 1964 season was above average due to 2 main factors. The first factor was the 1960's was still part of the first active phase 1925-1969 with positive Atlantic Osculation. Also 1964 was enhanced by a La Nina.

The 4 hurricanes to make landfall in the USA was Cleo, Dora, Hilda, and Isbell. Cleo, Dora, and Isbell made landfalls in Florida. Cleo also impacted other countries besides the USA. In this thread I'm going to be focusing on Isbell the 4th and final destructive hurricane from the year 1964.

In early October a cold front swept through the United States. The cold front's tail ended up in the Northwest Caribbean. as the cold front moved south the tail started to produce thunderstorms. These thunderstorms begin to separate themselves from the cold front. On October 7th Weather satellites detected a weak area of low pressure. The weak area of low pressure started to slowly move northward. On October 8th the low pressure system became better organized due to light wind shear, a moist environment (as the cold front had moved on), and very warm waters. Later that evening the National Hurricane Center confirmed that a tropical depression had developed. They being to suspect a tropical storm would soon form. However, they also suspected the depression would not strengthen for 24-36 hours due to being near land as the depression was near Honduras.

On October 10th the slow moving depression moved away from Honduras and started to tap into the favorable atmosphere. Winds had increased to 40 mph and it was named Tropical Storm Isbell. Isbell started to slowly move north and become better organized. On October the 11th Isbell begin to rapidly strengthen. The pressure based on Hurricane Flights the pressure went from 1005 to 979 millibars. The winds increased from 50 mph to 90 mph. With winds of 90 mph Isbell was now a high end category 1 hurricane. Advisories stated that Isbell was likely to increase in strength.

Isbell struck the western tip of Cuba as a high end category 1 hurricane. Due to the flatness of the land Isbell did not weaken instead winds increased to 100 mph making Isbell a category 2 hurricane. High Pressure started to pull Isbell to the Northeast. It became clear that the hurricane would strike Florida. The Weather Bureau later named the Weather Service started issuing bulletins on Isbell.

Isbell continued to strengthen becoming a high end category 2 hurricane with winds up to 110 mph. On October 14th Isbell reached its peak of 115 mph with a pressure of 964 millibars. This made Isbell a category 3 major hurricane. Later that evening Isbell weakened back down to a category 2 hurricane. Isbell made landfall in Southwest Florida as a high end category 2 hurricane with winds 105-110 mph. On October the 15th Isbell emerged off the east coast of Florida as a hurricane. Then the storm accelerated to North Carolina. However, due to a new cold front colder air entered Isbell and the hurricane begin to weaken. It eventually struck North Carolina as a very strong tropical storm with winds up to 70 mph on October the 16th.

Isbell was a destructive hurricane. In Cuba the hurricane caused 2 deaths and $9 million in damages. In Florida Isbell caused a dangerous storm surge, winds over 100 mph, and a tornado outbreak. A total of 10 tornadoes touched down in Florida from Isbell. In Florida 5 people died, and $24 million dollars of damage was done. In North Carolina flooding from Isbell amounted to $1 million in damages.

Overall, Isbell kiled 7 people and caused $34 million dollars worth of damage. Thus, Isbell was the 4th and final destructive hurricane of the 1964 season. Most of the damage and deaths occurred in the State of Florida. A state that had been battered by Cleo In August, and Dora in September. Despite the damage and destruction Isbell was not retired.

In conclusion, Isbell was a destructive hurricane. While it was not as costly as Cleo, Dora, or Hilda it was still destructive. In my opinion the name should have been retired along with Cleo, Dora, and Hilda. One reason Isbell may not have been retired is due to getting overshadowed by the other 3 destructive hurricanes. Cleo killed 220 people and caused $198.5 million in damages, Dora caused $280 million damages, Hilda killed 38 people and caused $130 million in damages. Therefore, that may have been why this name was not retired. However, it was still a potent storm and was the 4th hurricane to strike the USA, and 3rd hurricane to strike the state of Florida 60 years ago.