Hurricane Charley

Hurricane Charley was a powerful and destructive tropical cyclone that struck the Caribbean and the Southeastern United States in August 2004. It was the third named storm, the second hurricane, and the second major hurricane of the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season.

Meteorological History

Hurricane Charley originated from a tropical wave that moved off the coast of Africa on August 4, 2004. The wave traveled westward across the Atlantic Ocean, and by August 9, it had developed into a tropical depression while located southeast of Barbados. The system continued to strengthen, becoming a tropical storm on August 10 and receiving the name Charley.

Charley rapidly intensified as it moved through the Caribbean Sea, reaching hurricane status on August 11. The storm continued to strengthen, becoming a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale by August 12. Charley made its first landfall in Cuba as a Category 3 hurricane, causing significant damage.

Impact

Cuba

In Cuba, Hurricane Charley caused widespread destruction, particularly in the provinces of Pinar del Río and Havana. The hurricane's strong winds and heavy rains led to extensive damage to infrastructure, homes, and agriculture. The Cuban government reported several fatalities and numerous injuries.

United States

Hurricane Charley made landfall in the United States on August 13, 2004, near Cayo Costa, Florida, as a Category 4 hurricane. It was the strongest hurricane to hit the United States since Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Charley caused severe damage in Southwest Florida, particularly in the cities of Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte.

The hurricane's path continued through Central Florida, affecting areas such as Orlando and Daytona Beach. Charley caused widespread power outages, structural damage, and flooding. The storm resulted in numerous fatalities and injuries, as well as significant economic losses.

Aftermath

The aftermath of Hurricane Charley saw extensive recovery and rebuilding efforts in both Cuba and the United States. In Florida, federal and state agencies, along with non-profit organizations, provided aid and assistance to the affected communities. The storm highlighted the importance of hurricane preparedness and led to improvements in emergency response and infrastructure resilience.

Retirement

Due to the significant impact and loss of life caused by Hurricane Charley, the name "Charley" was retired from the list of Atlantic hurricane names by the World Meteorological Organization in the spring of 2005. It was replaced with the name "Colin" for the 2010 season.

See Also

• 2004 Atlantic hurricane season
• List of retired Atlantic hurricane names
• Hurricane Andrew
• Hurricane Katrina