The 1960's gave Meteorologist a new tool and that was weather satellites. These new satellites where valuable in detecting developing tropical systems. The 1970's gave us more advanced satellites. In addition, the modern computer models where used in the 1970's. These new computer models gave meteorologist new data on potential tropical storm or hurricane forecasts. Since then the models have become even more advanced.

1974 was an average season. It was average due to a La Nina. In the 1970's the cooling phase in the Atlantic was active. The cooling phase lasted from 1970-1994 as the Atlantic Osculation was negative. Had this been in the active phase 1974 would have been a much more active season. Hurricane Carmen was one of 2 destructive hurricanes from the year 1974 the other one was Hurricane Fifi.

A tropical wave (low) moved off the coast of Africa in late August. In post season analysis it was determined the tropical wave moved off of Africa around August 25th. Due to strong wind shear the wave did not develop for the next few days. On August 28th satellites detected the wave was becoming better organized. New computer models which had just come out showed the wave becoming a hurricane. On August 29th the National Hurricane Center determined a tropical depression had developed. Due to warm waters and a more favorable environment the depression was expected to strengthen.

On August 30th satellite data indicated winds had increased to 40-45 mph. Hurricane Hunters found surface winds at 40 mph. The depression was named Tropical Storm Carmen. Carmen steadily strengthened in the Eastern Caribbean. On September the 1st south of Jamaica Carmen became a category 1 hurricane with winds up to 80 mph. As Carmen moved away from Jamaica it begin to rapidly strengthen.

On September 2nd winds increased from 85 mph to 110 mph making Carmen a high end category 2 hurricane. Flights showed the pressure had started to rapidly drop. Later that night Carmen strengthened into a 120 mph category 3 hurricane. This made Carmen a major hurricane. Strengthening was expected until landfall. Strengthening resumed on September the 3rd and Carmen became a category 4 hurricane. In addition, the storm's speed decreased dramatically. However, Carmen was still far enough away from land for it to disrupt its core, and Carmen was still over very warm waters. On the 4th Carmen became a high end category 4 hurricane with winds 150 mph and a low pressure of 928 millibars. This would be the hurricanes peak strength. On the 4th Carmen made landfall in the Yucatan area of Mexico at peak strength.

On the 5th based on data from post analysis Carmen entered the Gulf of Mexico barely moving as a 65 mph tropical storm. Computer Models started to show a potential Louisiana strike. The National Hurricane Center started issuing bulletins that Carmen could restrengthen and posed a threat to Louisiana, Mississippi, and potentially Alabama. Early morning of the 6th Carmen became a hurricane once again and started to restrengthen as expected. On the 7th Carmen became a category 2 and by nightfall it had become a major hurricane again. Carmen's movement also increased.

Carmen going over the warm loop in the Gulf strengthened into a 135 mph hurricane. Thus Carmen was once again a category 4 hurricane. However, Carmen started to undergo an eyewall replacement cycle and on the 8th/9th would make landfall in western Louisiana as a 125 mph category 3 hurricane. Carmen produced a high storm surge, dangerous winds, and flooding. On September the 10th Carmen lost all tropical characteristics and transitioned into a non tropical low.

In Mexico Carmen caused 3 deaths and $20 million in damages. In Louisiana Carmen caused 5 deaths and about $150 million in damages. Most people in Louisiana was killed by the hurricane storm surge which was estimated to be 10 feet or greater. Most of the damage came from high winds and flooding.

Overall, Carmen killed 8 people and caused $170 million in damages between Mexico and the USA. The storm struck both countries as a major hurricane category 4 in Mexico and category 3 in Louisiana. Due to the severe impacts in both countries the name Carmen was retired from the naming lists the following year.

In conclusion, Carmen was the first of 2 destructive hurricanes from the year 1974. It should be noted that Carmen was the strongest of the 11 named storms from 1974. The hurricane also had the highest ACE with an ACE value of 25.60. However, Carmen was not the deadliest hurricane of 1974 not even close. It has been nearly 50 years ago since Carmen came ashore. Since then the storm has kind of been forgotten about. That is mostly due to more destructive hurricanes to strike Louisiana since then mainly: Andrew, which made landfall in Florida as a category 5 hurricane, Katrina, Rita, which also struck Texas, Gustav, Nate, Laura, and recently Ida.