1975 Atlantic hurricane season

1975 Atlantic hurricane season
Season summary map
Seasonal boundaries
First system formedJune 24, 1975
Last system dissipatedDecember 13, 1975
Strongest storm
NameGladys
 • Maximum winds140 mph (220 km/h)
(1-minute sustained)
 • Lowest pressure939 mbar (hPa; 27.73 inHg)
Seasonal statistics
Total depressions23
Total storms9
Hurricanes6
Major hurricanes
(Cat. 3+)
3
Total fatalities87 total
Total damage$564.7 million (1975 USD)
Related articles

The 1975 Atlantic hurricane season featured the first tropical storm to be upgraded to hurricane status using only satellite imagery. In terms of activity, the 1975 season was near average, with nine named storms forming, of which six became hurricanes. Three of those six became major hurricanes, which are Category 3 intensity or higher on the Saffir–Simpson scale. The season officially began on June 1 and lasted until November 30. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic Ocean.

The first system, Tropical Depression One, developed on June 24. Tropical Storm Amy, which formed a few days later, caused minor beach erosion and coastal flooding from North Carolina to New Jersey in July, and killed one person when a ship capsized offshore North Carolina. Hurricane Blanche brought strong winds to portions of Atlantic Canada, leaving about $6.2 million (1975 USD) in damage. Hurricane Caroline brought high tides and flooding to northeastern Mexico and Texas, with two drownings in the latter. In late August, Doris became the first tropical storm to be upgraded to a hurricane based solely on satellite imagery.

The most significant storm of the season was Hurricane Eloise, a Category 3 hurricane that struck the Florida Panhandle at peak intensity, after bringing severe flooding to the Caribbean. Eloise caused 80 fatalities, including 34 in Puerto Rico, 7 in Dominican Republic, 18 in Haiti, and 21 in the United States, with 4 in Florida. The hurricane left about $560 million in damage in the United States. Hurricane Gladys, a Category 4 hurricane, was the most intense tropical cyclone of the season, but left little impact on land. Two tropical depressions also caused damage and fatalities. Collectively, the tropical cyclones of this season resulted in 87 deaths and about $564.7 million in damage.