Portal:Tropical cyclones/Featured article/Hurricane Bob (1985)

Bob nearing South Carolina landfall as a hurricane

Hurricane Bob was a minimal hurricane that affected the southeast United States in July, 1985. The second tropical storm and first hurricane of the 1985 Atlantic hurricane season, Bob developed from a tropical wave on July 21 in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Afterwards, Bob began moving eastward, finally striking southwestern Florida as a minimal tropical storm. Bob then turned to the north, and quickly intensified to attain hurricane status on July 24. The next day, it made landfall near Beaufort, South Carolina, becoming one of a record-tying six hurricanes to hit the United States in a hurricane season, something that had not happened since 1916. Bob quickly weakened over land, and was absorbed by a frontal trough over eastern West Virginia on July 26.

Throughout its path, Bob caused $20 million in damage (1985 USD, $37.6 million 2006 USD) and five indirect deaths from traffic fatalities. In Florida, the storm produced heavy rainfall, including over 20 inches (500 mm) in Everglades City. Along most of its path, the rainfall was beneficial due to lower than normal rainfall throughout the year. Damage was minimal in South Carolina where the hurricane made landfall. In Virginia, the storm spawned three tornadoes, one of which destroyed two houses.

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