The year 1963 was early in the satellite era in meteorology. Weather satellites where first successfully launched in 1960. The 1963 hurricane season was one of the destructive hurricane seasons in the modern era 1950-Present. Here is the 1963 hurricane season summary.

The 1963 season was average to slightly above average. In the 1960's an average season would have 9-10 named storms, 5 or 6 becoming hurricanes, and 2 becoming major hurricanes (category 3, 4 and 5). The 1963 season had 10 named storms, 7 becoming hurricanes, and 3 became major hurricanes.

The El Nino which contributed to a below average 1962 season was still around for most of the 1963 hurricane season. However, the EL Nino started to weaken during the peak of the hurricane season August-October. Looking back on past charts and data the water temperatures were warmer than the previous year. In addition, the atmosphere was more moist compared to the previous year. There was less wind shear due to the weakening El Nino. Indeed, several storms developed in the Gulf, Caribbean, and far Atlantic. Basically, all the developmental zones had a tropical system develop in them at some point during the season.

The 1963 season was very deadly and destructive. In fact, it would be the trend of 5 destructive seasons in a row. As the 1964, 1965, 1966, and 1967 seasons were also very destructive. Here is a list of the tropical storms and hurricanes of 1963

Note: * Means the hurricane was a major hurricane.

Tropical Storm One. This unnamed storm was not known at the time. However, the reanalysis project showed an unnamed storm developed around the Gulf Stream. Eventually this tropical storm peaked as a 60 mph storm before making landfall in Virginia. Severe flooding was reported.

*Hurricane Arlene. Arlene was the first tropical system to develop in the far Atlantic for the 1963 season. Due to some hostile winds the tropical storm did not strengthen for a few days. Eventually Arlene moved into a favorable environment and started to strengthen. Arlene would strike Bermuda as a high end category 2 hurricane. After, striking Bermuda Arlene would strengthen into a 115 mph category 3 hurricane. The storm would eventually move over cooler waters. In Bermuda Arlene caused $300,000 dollars of wind damage.

*Hurricane Beulah. Beulah was another hurricane that developed in the far Atlantic. It was named Beulah and steadily strengthened. Eventually Beulah peaked as a 120 mph category 3 hurricane. The hurricane stayed out to sea and no impacts where reported.

Hurricane Four. This Hurricane was confirmed in post season analysis except it was thought have peaked as a 70 mph tropical storm. However, in the analysis project it was discovered it actually briefly achieved hurricane status. This hurricane originated from a low on the Gulf Stream. It reached its peak in the Central Atlantic. Hurricane Four did not impact any land.

Tropical Storm Cindy. Cindy developed in the Gulf of Mexico. It originated from a tropical low. It was named Tropical Storm Cindy. Cindy being close to land kept the storm from becoming a hurricane. Instead Cindy peaked as a 65 mph tropical storm. Still, Cindy caused severe flooding in Texas where the storm made landfall. Overall, Cindy caused $12.5 million in damages and 3 deaths.

Hurricane Debra. Debra formed in the far Atlantic from a tropical wave. The wave became a tropical storm and was named Debra. Debra became a hurricane in the open waters of the Atlantic and did not impact any land.

Hurricane Edith. Edith formed from a tropical wave and quickly intensified. Edith peaked as a category 2 hurricane before its landfall in St. Lucia. Strong wind shear weakened Edith to a tropical storm after landfall. However, the wind shear lessend and Edith became a hurricane again before its second landfall in the Dominican Republic as a category 1 hurricane. Edith caused 7 deaths and $48 million in damages.

*Hurricane Flora. Flora emerged from a tropical wave and quickly strengthened, becoming a tropical storm and a hurricane. Flora quickly strengthened into a major hurricane before striking Guadeloupe. Once in the Caribbean Flora strengthened into a high end category 4 with peak winds at 150 mph. The hurricane struck Haiti at peak intensity. The mountainous terrain over Haiti weakened Flora to a category 2 when it emerged back in the Caribbean. Over the Caribbean Flora strengthened into a 120 mph hurricane before striking Cuba. Flora's final landfalls would occur in the Bahamas as a category 1 and 2 hurricane.

Flora was one of the deadliest hurricanes in the modern era. Overall Flora caused 7,200 deaths, most of those where in Haiti. In Haiti alone the hurricane killed over 6,000 people. It is believed that Flora also caused $825 million dollars worth of damage in its path of destruction.

Hurricane Ginny. Ginny developed over the Gulf Stream. Due to being over the Gulf Stream Ginny intensified into a category 1 hurricane. For several Days Ginny made several loops at one time it threatened the east coast of the United States. After making another loop Ginny reached a peak of 110 mph making Ginny a high end category 2 hurricane. Eventually Ginny would make landfall in Canada. In Canada Ginny caused $400,000-$500,000 in damages.

Tropical Storm Helena. Helena formed in the Caribbean and eventually drifted over Guadeloupe as a tropical Storm. Helena added insult to injury to Guadeloupe as it had been impacted by the powerful hurricane Flora. Helena flooding rains caused 5 deaths and $500,000 in damages.

The 1963 season was 60 years ago and it was very destructive. Most of the deaths and damage occurred from Hurricane Flora. During the 1963 season thousands of people perished and lots of destruction was done. Flora would be one of the deadliest hurricanes until it was passed 11 years later by 1974's Hurricane Fifi, which caused 8,200 deaths in Honduras. In 1998 Hurricane Mitch would claim 16,000 deaths with 11,000-12,000 of those occurring in Honduras. Still, Flora still ranks one of the top 10 deadliest hurricanes 60 years later. It should be no surprise that the name Flora would be retired the following year.

Allways fascinating to see how these storms played out, especially in those early satellite days. Hurricane Flora was truly a beast; the devastation it caused was absolutely heartbreaking. It's a stark reminder that mother nature's fury is unpredictable and often unrelenting. The 60s were an intense period for hurricanes. It's crazy that even with the advancement in tech since '63, nature's fury still poses such a massive challenge. Makes you realize how vital it is to take hurricane warnings seriously, even today. And yes, good riddance to the name Flora! 

Indeed, it was so heartbreaking when I read the effects Flora caused when I was in college studying. 11 years later Fifi killed 8,200 people. In my life time as I'm from the 80's the most deadly hurricane I remember tracking was Mitch in 1998. Mitch in 1998 killed 16,000 people 11,000-12,000 of those deaths occurred in Honduras. Its really sad because technology was decent in the 60's and 70's. In 1998 it was real good.

I think the problem was Haiti, and Honduras (Fifi and Mitch) the governments were very corrupt. Haiti and Honduras were under brutal dictatorships at that time. Their governments did not issue life saving warnings. Also aid that was supposed to go to the people the dictators put in their back pocket which made things worse. Add to that lack of nutrition and healthcare and its no wonder a tragedy occurred in those places.