Preparations and Impact
As Dennis approached the Florida Keys, numerous watches and warnings were released on the system. These included one hurricane watch from the Keys to Palm Beach. The rest were gale and tornado warnings for parts of the coastal states. Residents of the Florida Keys scrambled for last minute supplies at Dennis came close to landfall on August 17. People also hurried away from the Myrtle Beach area, wanting to avoid the oncoming Tropical Storm Dennis.
Rainfall in the state of Florida was beneficial, helping to cease a drought that was persistent through spring and early summer. However, little rain fell in the Lake Okeechobee area, which needed considerable relief. Rains peaked around 20—25 inches (510–635 mm) in the Miami-Dade area, where at least 20 families had to be rescued by airboats and 4-wheel drive vehicles.
There were major losses to commercial and residential buildings due to roof failures caused by Dennis. However, heavier damage was sustained to the agriculture of Florida. due to prolonged water from Dennis. Damage was estimated at $15 million (1981 USD, $34 million in 2007 USD) in the Miami-Dade region alone. The standing water also caused health issues for local residents. There were two tornadoes reported in associated with Dennis, one on Plantation Key and one in northern Dade County. Minor damage was reported from both of the two tornadoes.
Regions north of Florida sustained lighter effects. Rainfall peaked at around 10 inches (250 mm) in parts of North Carolina. There were similar, but less extensive losses to agriculture to areas such as Georgia and South Carolina. Flooding stretched from Georgia to extreme parts of Virginia, where localized flooding and beach erosion occurred. $2 million (1981 USD, $4.54 million in 2007 USD) worth of damage was reported in the beach city of Myrtle Beach.
Read more about this topic: Hurricane Dennis (1981)
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