HURRICANE ELENA
Hurricane Elena was an Atlantic hurricane that produced heavy damage along the Gulf Coast of the United States in August and September of the 1985 Atlantic hurricane season. The fifth tropical storm, fourth hurricane, and first major hurricane of the season, Elena developed near Cuba from a tropical wave. It quickly strengthened, reaching peak winds of 125 mph (200 km/h) after stalling in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. Elena turned to the west-northwest, and ultimately made landfall near Biloxi, Mississippi as a Category 3 hurricane. The storm quickly dissipated over land.

Elena's unusual path through the Gulf of Mexico, which included a loop, prompted many to evacuate from the coastline. Due to its powerful winds, Elena caused $2.7 billion in damage (2005 USD), primarily in property damage. The hurricane caused extensive beach erosion in Florida, while powerful waves damaged the oyster crop. Hurricane Elena was responsible for no direct deaths, though four people were indirectly killed due to the storm.
Peak intensity
Wind damage was most severe along coastal and bayfront regions where wind fetch was long and unobstructed. Towns on the east side of the eye wall had the most intense damage from wind. These areas include Dauphin Island, AL, and the area between Pascagoula and Ocean Springs, MS. Wind speed/damage correlation revealed that maximum wind speeds in these areas were most likely between 100 and 120 mph. Residences generally had roof damage, roof loss to exterior wall loss. Several mobile homes, even with frame anchors, had rolled or disintegrated. Several shopping centers along Route 90 in Pascagoula had masonry wall failures and roofs collapsed.


Wind damage decreased rapidly away from the coastal areas. Minor wind damage such as loss of roof shingles, cladding and tree impact damage occurred west and north of Pass Christian, MI and east and north of Gulf Shores, AL. Wind speed/ damage correlation revealed maximum wind speeds were less than 100 mph along coastal areas and less than 80 mph inland.
NEWSPAPER ARTICLES
The Forecast.
Elena part 1
Elena part 2
Homes burglarized during hurricane
Cedar Key has storm filled history
Drought washed away
Hurricane Elena part 1
Hurricane Elena part 2
TV keeps an eye on approaching storm
Beaches erode from hurricane
Residents urged to stay in shelters
Tornadoes
Cedar Key just doesn't look the same
Food is a problem at some shelters
I found myself asking for divine intervention
And on the second day
Panhandle residents return home
Shelters were prepared,but not for the long haul
Tornadoes tear through county,flip couple in car
Tornadoes hit Mississippi shelters
Northeast
North beaches
South beaches
And an opportunity to begin
Lessons to be learned
Several roads closed as waterways overflow
Elena's mixed curse
NEWSPAPER PHOTOS
Mobile homes in Leesburg
Rough seas
Sailboat ablaze
Man tries to secure his boat
Flooded coffee pot blvd.
Cars being pulled to saftey
The Sterling Center office building
Flooded street
Gulf Blvd in St. Petersburg Beach
Korman's Landing
1600 Block of Indians Rocks Beach
A giant tree uprooted by the storm
Moored boats sit amid debris from broken dock
A house on 16th Avenue in Indian Rocks Beach
Flooded house
Waves of Tampa Bay crash into homes
North Readington Beach
Pass-A-Grill Beach
Workers start the clean up
Search for victims of accident
The Beach Hwy in Gulfport Miss.
Treasure Island's Sunset Beach
Building in Indian Rocks Beach
Pinellas' Belleair Beach
Shore Acres in St. Petersburg
OTHER SITES ON ELENA
For three days over the 1985 Labor Day weekend,
Hurricane Elena August 28-September 4, 1985
Remembering Hurricane Elena 20 years later
Hurricane tracking plotter
HURRICANE ELENA DAMAGE SURVEY: SEPTEMBER 2, 1985
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