Path of Hurricane Camille
Hurricane Camille formed in the Gulf of Mexico on August 14, 1969. It rapidly intensified and made landfall on the Gulf Coast of the U.S. near Waveland, Mississippi on August 17. The hurricane then moved northward across the Southeastern U.S. and eventually dissipated over the Atlantic Ocean on August 22.
Category of Hurricane Camille
At its peak intensity, Camille was a Category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 190 mph (305 km/h). It was one of only three Category 5 hurricanes to ever hit the U.S., along with the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane in the Florida Keys and Hurricane Andrew in 1992.
Damage by Camille
Hurricane Camille caused significant damage and loss of life along the Gulf Coast. In Mississippi, storm surge of up to 24 feet (7.3 meters) inundated coastal communities and caused widespread destruction. In Louisiana, the storm caused significant flooding and wind damage.
Overall, the hurricane caused 256 deaths and over $1.4 billion (1969 USD) in damage. It remains one of the costliest and deadliest hurricanes in U.S. history.
Despite its devastation, Camille also led to improvements in hurricane forecasting and preparedness. It spurred the development of the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which is still used today to categorize hurricanes based on their wind speed.
In conclusion, Camille was a catastrophic Category 5 hurricane that caused significant damage and loss of life along the Gulf Coast of the U.S. in 1969. Its impact led to improvements in hurricane forecasting and preparedness that continue to benefit communities today.