View source for Hurricane Luis

{{Short description|Category 4 Atlantic hurricane in 1995}}
{{Other storms|List of storms named Luis|the 1995 Atlantic hurricane}}
{{Infobox weather event
| image = Luis 1995-09-03 1646Z.png
| caption = Luis near peak intensity east of the [[Lesser Antilles]] on September 3
| formed = August 28, 1995
| extratropical = September 11, 1995
| dissipated = September 12, 1995
}}{{Infobox weather event/NWS
| winds = 130 <!--Per official TCR, 120 kt was a faulty error made by us because a different TCR from NHC listed it incorrectly as 140 mph-->
| pressure = 935
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| year = 1995
| fatalities = 19 total
| damage = 3300000000
| areas = [[Leeward Islands]] ([[Antigua and Barbuda]], [[Guadeloupe]], [[Dominica]], [[St. Kitts and Nevis]], [[Sint Eustatius]], [[Saba (island)|Saba]], [[St. Barthelemy]], [[Saint Martin (island)|St. Martin]] and [[Anguilla]]), [[Virgin Islands]], [[Puerto Rico]], [[Bermuda]], parts of the [[Northeastern United States|Northeastern USA]], [[Newfoundland (island)|Newfoundland]]
| refs = 
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer
| season = [[1995 Atlantic hurricane season]]
}}

'''Hurricane Luis''' was a long lived and powerful [[tropical cyclone]] that was the strongest hurricane to make landfall and the third-most intense [[Tropical cyclone#Hurricane or typhoon|hurricane]] recorded during the [[1995 Atlantic hurricane season]]. The storm, along with [[Hurricane Humberto (1995)|Humberto]], [[Hurricane Iris (1995)|Iris]], and [[1995 Atlantic hurricane season#Tropical Storm Karen|Karen]], was one of four simultaneous tropical systems in the [[Atlantic|Atlantic basin]].

The system formed from a [[tropical wave]], south of [[Cape Verde]] islands west of [[Africa]], on August 28, and attained tropical storm status on August 29. The storm reached hurricane status on August 31 and later developed into a {{convert|140|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} Category 4 hurricane.<ref name="TCR"/> Luis affected the [[Leeward Islands]] at this strength from September 4 to September 6. By the time Luis made landfall on Newfoundland, it had weakened down to a Category 1 hurricane and then became extratropical on September 11.

Luis caused extensive damage to [[Antigua]], [[St. Barthelemy]], the island of [[Saint Martin (island)|St. Martin]] and [[Anguilla]] as it affected [[Bermuda]]. The storm accounted for 19 confirmed deaths, left nearly 20,000 homeless (mostly in Anguilla, Barbuda, and St. Martin), and affected more than 70,000 people. Total damage was estimated at $3.3 billion (1995 USD) across the affected areas.

Earlier Category 4 storms that impacted the [[Leeward Islands]] in the 20th century include [[Hurricane Dog (1950)|Hurricane Dog]] in [[1950 Atlantic hurricane season|1950]], [[Hurricane David]] in [[1979 Atlantic hurricane season|1979]], and [[Hurricane Hugo]] in [[1989 Atlantic hurricane season|1989]]. Luis was the second of three [[tropical cyclone]]s to affect [[Guadeloupe]] in a short period; [[Hurricane Iris (1995)|Hurricane Iris]] had hit a week before, and [[Hurricane Marilyn]] only 10 days after. After Hurricane Luis, the [[Leeward Islands]] were struck the following years by numerous hurricanes: [[Hurricane Bertha (1996)|Hurricane Bertha]] and [[Hurricane Hortense|Hortense]] in 1996, [[Hurricane Erika (1997)|Erika]] in 1997, [[Hurricane Georges|Georges]] in 1998, [[Hurricane Jose (1999)|Jose]] and [[Hurricane Lenny|Lenny]] in 1999, and [[Hurricane Debby (2000)|Debby]] in 2000.

==Meteorological history==
{{Main|Meteorological history of Hurricane Luis}}
{{Storm path|Luis 1995 track.png}}
On August 26, 1995, an area of disturbed weather associated with a [[tropical wave]] emerged over the eastern [[Atlantic Ocean]], between the western coast of Africa and the [[Cape Verde]] Islands. A low-level circulation center formed and moved westward until it developed a weak [[surface weather analysis|surface low]] on August 27, and at around 1200 UTC on August 27, the [[National Hurricane Center]] (NHC) designated the system as Tropical Depression Thirteen. 36 hours later, on August 29, the NHC upgraded the system to Tropical Storm Luis. Although [[Convection (meteorology)|convective activity]] fluctuated over the next two days as the result of a nearby [[wind shear]], the storm continued to intensify as pressure rose. When the wind shear relented, an [[Eye (cyclone)|eye]] began to form, and the system attained hurricane status on August 31. It was classified as a Category 3 major hurricane 18 hours later.<ref name="TCR">{{cite web|author=Miles B. Lawrence|title=Hurricane Luis Preliminary Report|date=January 8, 1996|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2016-11-29|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/AL131995_Luis.pdf}}</ref>
[[File:Tropical Storm Luis on August 29.jpg|Tropical Storms Karen (left) and Luis (right) on August&nbsp;29|thumb|right]]

As it tracked north-northwestward, Hurricane Luis continued to strengthen, and became a Category 4 hurricane on the [[Saffir–Simpson scale]] on September 2. As it turned further westward, the cyclone maintained a rectilinear slow motion, and the intensity was confirmed by a [[Hurricane Hunters|reconnaissance flight]] on September 3. At the time of the flight, Luis was located approximately {{convert|540|mi|km}} east of the [[Lesser Antilles]]. The storm began to accelerate slightly as it moved along a [[subtropical ridge]], due to the absorption of [[1995 Atlantic hurricane season#Tropical Storm Karen|Tropical Storm Karen]] by the stronger [[Hurricane Iris (1995)|Iris]].<ref name="TCR"/>

By the time that it approached the Lesser Antilles on September 4, Luis had sustained a wind field measuring from {{convert|345|to|365|mi|km}} in diameter. On the morning of September 5, the islands of [[Dominica]] and [[Guadeloupe]], which experienced hurricane-force winds on the northeastern coast of [[Grande-Terre, Guadeloupe|Grande-Terre]] and [[La Désirade]], had been relatively spared by the storm. The eyewall of the hurricane, however, skimmed [[Antigua]] and directly passed over [[Barbuda]] as it slowly weakened. During this time, the storm proceeded slowly northwestward, causing moderate damage to [[Montserrat]], [[Saint Kitts and Nevis]], [[Sint Eustatius]], and [[Saba (island)|Saba]]. Later, Luis moved along [[St. Barthelemy]], [[Saint Martin (island)|St. Martin]], and ultimately crossed [[Anguilla]], where the most powerful winds within the eyewall were estimated to have reached {{convert|135|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, and its central pressure had dropped from {{convert|945|to|942|mbar|inHg|lk=on|abbr=on}}.<ref name="TCR"/>

Luis maintained its Category 4 intensity until September 7, when it was situated approximately {{convert|150|mi|km|abbr=on}} north of [[Puerto Rico]]. After seven consecutive days as a major hurricane with [[maximum sustained wind]]s of at least {{convert|115|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} beginning on September 1, the storm gradually re-curved over the northern Atlantic as a Category 2 hurricane, its wind speed dropping to {{convert|110|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|author=Lixion Avila|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=September 9, 1995|access-date=May 16, 2009|title=Hurricane Luis Discussion Number 48|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1995/luis/tropdisc/nal1395.048}}</ref> On September 9, the center of the storm passed {{convert|200|mi|km}} to the west of [[Bermuda]], causing minor damage.<ref name="TCR" /> Later that day, the storm began to accelerate as it traveled northeast, ahead of a strong trough located to the northwest of Luis.<ref>{{cite web|author=Edward Rappaport|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=September 9, 1995|title=Hurricane Luis Discussion Number 50|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1995/luis/tropdisc/nal1395.050}}</ref> On the afternoon of September 10, Luis began to undergo an extratropical transition as it rapidly approached the Canadian coastline.<ref name="CHC">{{cite web|author=Staff Writer |publisher=Canadian Hurricane Centre |date=September 18, 2003 |access-date=May 16, 2009 |title=Canadian Hurricane Centre Summary for 1995&nbsp;- Luis |url=http://www.atl.ec.gc.ca/weather/hurricane/storm95.html#luis |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061025150435/http://www.atl.ec.gc.ca/weather/hurricane/storm95.html |archive-date=October 25, 2006 }}</ref> Due to the rapid movement of the storm, significant weakening did not occur until Luis was at an unusually high latitude. The NHC reported that the central pressure of the storm decreased to {{convert|961|mbar|inHg|abbr=on}}, and sustained winds did not exceed {{convert|90|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name="TCR"/><ref>{{cite web |author=Max Mayfield |publisher= National Hurricane Center |date=September 10, 1995 |access-date=May 16, 2009 |title= Hurricane Luis Discussion Number 53 |url= http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1995/luis/tropdisc/nal1395.053}}</ref>

Luis maintained this intensity until September 11, when it reached the [[Avalon Peninsula]] in eastern [[Newfoundland]],<ref name="TCR"/><ref>{{cite web |author=Staff Writer |publisher= Canadian Hurricane Centre |date= September 14, 2010 |access-date=November 14, 2010|title=1995- Luis|url=http://www.ec.gc.ca/Hurricane/default.asp?lang=En&n=03C70EF1-1}}</ref> where cold, dry air became entrenched in its circulation, and the system began to merge with the approaching trough. The NHC issued their final advisory on Hurricane Luis at 0900 UTC on September 11, 1995. The hurricane sped at nearly {{convert|65|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} to the northeast before transitioning into an extratropical cyclone.<ref name="TCR"/><ref>{{cite web|author=Richard Pasch|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=September 11, 1995|access-date=May 16, 2009|title=Hurricane Luis Discussion Number 56|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1995/luis/tropdisc/nal1395.056}}</ref> The extratropical remains persisted for 30 more hours over the North Atlantic Ocean before being absorbed by the trough near the southern coast of [[Greenland]] late on September 12.<ref name="TCR"/>

==Preparations==
[[File:Hurricane Luis on September 6 1995.png|thumb|right|Hurricane Luis on September 6 to the north of the [[Leeward Islands]]]]
Three days before passing over the northern Lesser Antilles, Luis became a Category 4 hurricane and was forecasted to avoid areas well to the north, following the path set by [[Hurricane Humberto (1995)|Humberto]] and Karen. However, as Karen neared Iris, it was weakened and absorbed by the stronger storm. This, and the nearby subtropical ridge, ended up steering Luis to the west.

===Caribbean===
Due to its slow motion, Luis allowed local officials ample time to prepare. Before the storm's arrival, a total of 17 [[tropical cyclone watches and warnings]] were declared in several areas throughout the [[Caribbean]]. Over the course of September 3, Antigua, Barbuda, Nevis, St. Kitts, St. Martin, Saba, St. Eustatius, Dominica, Guadeloupe, and St. Barthelemy were placed under hurricane watch. At 0000 UTC on September 4, this was upgraded to a hurricane warning for the region from Antigua to St. Martin, and a tropical storm warning for Dominica and Guadeloupe. Six hours later, the [[British Virgin Islands|British]] and [[United States Virgin Islands]], as well as [[Puerto Rico]], were placed under hurricane watch. By 2100 UTC, those regions had been upgraded to warning, as well as St. Barthelemy, St. Martin, and Dominica, with [[Saint Lucia]] and [[Martinique]] under a tropical storm warning.<ref name="TCR"/>

At 1200 UTC on September 5, the tropical storm warning for St. Lucia was discontinued, and nine hours later, Dominica was downgraded to a tropical storm warning. Throughout September 6–8, all warnings were either downgraded or discontinued. Bermuda was placed under tropical storm watch at 2100 UTC on September 7. This watch was upgraded to a warning at 1500 UTC the next day, and discontinued at 0900 UTC on the 10th.<ref name="TCR"/>

===Canada===
The [[Canadian Hurricane Centre]] began issuing advisories on the morning of September 8, about 48 hours before Luis' entry into the center's coverage area, as the storm's trajectory began to curve east of [[Florida]]. The Maritimes center of the [[Meteorological Service of Canada]] issued warnings for the affected areas as early as September 9, 36 hours before the arrival of the storm.<ref name=CCPO>{{cite web|title=Hurricane Luis (August 26 to September 12, 1995)|url=http://www.ec.gc.ca/ouragans-hurricanes/default.asp?lang=en&n=64F88A79-1|author=Canadian Hurricane Centre|publisher=[[Environment and Climate Change Canada|ECCC]]|date=January 15, 2014|access-date=April 22, 2019|author-link = Canadian Hurricane Centre}}</ref>

== Impact ==
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin:0 0 0.5em 1em; float:right;"
|+'''Impact by country or region'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
! County/Region || Deaths || Damage || Source
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Antigua and Barbuda]] || 3 || $350&nbsp;million || <ref name="TCR"/>
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Guadeloupe]] || 1 || $50&nbsp;million || <ref name="TCR"/><ref name="EMDAT">{{cite web|publisher=Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters|year=2011|access-date=August 15, 2011|title=International Disaster Database|url=http://www.emdat.be/database|archive-date=September 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160906135830/http://www.emdat.be/database|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Dominica]] || 2 || $47&nbsp;million || <ref name="TCR"/><ref name="DominicaReliefWeb3">{{cite web|work=United Nations Department of Humanitarian Affairs|publisher=ReliefWeb|date=September 19, 1995|access-date=August 15, 2011|title=Dominica - Hurricane Situation Report No.3 |url=http://reliefweb.int/node/33475}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Montserrat]] || 0 || $20&nbsp;million || <ref name="EMDAT"/>
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Saint Kitts and Nevis]] || 0 || $197&nbsp;million || <ref name="TCR"/>
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Saint Martin (island)|Saint Martin]] || 1 || >$350&nbsp;million || <ref name="TCR"/>
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Sint Maarten]] || 8 || $1.8&nbsp;billion || <ref name="TCR"/>
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Puerto Rico]] || 2 || $200&nbsp;million || <ref name="TCR"/><ref name="EMDAT"/>
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[United States]] || 1 || $1.9&nbsp;million || <ref name=NCDC1/><ref name=NCDC2/>
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Virgin Islands]] || 0 || $300&nbsp;million || <ref name="EMDAT"/>
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Newfoundland (island)|Newfoundland]] || 1 || $0.5&nbsp;million || <ref name="TCR"/>
|- style="text-align:center;"
! Total || 19 || ~$3.3&nbsp;billion || 
|}

=== Lesser Antilles ===
{{More citations needed section|date=December 2024}}

==== Antigua and Barbuda ====
As a result of a direct hit from the Category 4 hurricane, [[Barbuda]] experienced {{convert|135|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} and over {{convert|10|in|cm}} of rain, contributing to very extensive damage. According to [[Lester Bird]], the [[prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda]], most houses were damaged or eradicated at 70% in Barbuda,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://anumetservice.wordpress.com/2015/09/05/20th-anniversary-of-hurricane-luis/|title=20th Anniversary of Hurricane Luis|date=5 September 2015|website=Anumetservice.wordpress.com|access-date=30 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912011401/https://anumetservice.wordpress.com/2015/09/05/20th-anniversary-of-hurricane-luis/|archive-date=12 September 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> and nearly 45% of the residences on Antigua were damaged or destroyed by the hurricane as it passed near {{convert|30|mi|km}} to the north of the island.<ref name="TCR"/> Across the islands, numerous inhabitants experienced power outages and disrupted water systems. The storm ultimately accounted for three deaths, and injured 165 locals. 32,000 inhabitants on both islands were greatly affected, with 1,700 forced to take shelter, and approximately 3,000 left homeless. A United States station on Antigua lost its wind recording equipment when gusts reached {{convert|146|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} and minimum pressure at {{convert|971|mbar|inHg|abbr=on}}, while an amateur radio reported an unconfirmed gust of {{convert|175|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} in Barbuda. Throughout the country, the total damage from the storm was estimated at $350 million, or 60% of the country's [[Gross Domestic Product]] (GDP), with most of the damage on Barbuda.<ref name="caribbean">[http://wwwnotes.reliefweb.int/w/RWB.NSF/480fa8736b88bbc3c12564f6004c8ad5/7624d5bf35490a98c125658a003861bb?OpenDocument Caribbean - Hurricane Luis Sep 1995 UN DHA Situation Reports] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927183329/http://wwwnotes.reliefweb.int/w/RWB.NSF/480fa8736b88bbc3c12564f6004c8ad5/7624d5bf35490a98c125658a003861bb?OpenDocument |date=2007-09-27 }}</ref>

==== Guadeloupe ====
Luis caused some damage as it passed near {{convert|65|mi|km}} north of [[Guadeloupe]], predominantly to [[Grande-Terre, Guadeloupe|Grande-Terre]]. Hurricane-force conditions resulted in moderate damage to homes and roofs, uprooted trees, and severe beach erosion.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}} The [[Basse-Terre]] region, meanwhile, received minor damage, except to banana crops that were damaged at nearly 90%, and sugar cane crops on the north at nearly 20%. Overall, {{convert|5|to|11|in|cm}} of rain were recorded in the islands, while the mountain regions recorded up to {{convert|20|in|cm}}. The highest rainfall within the 48-hour period was in [[La Grande Soufrière]], where {{convert|22.91|in|cm}} of rain damaged the west coast roads and washed away houses.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.brgm.fr/Rapport?code=RR-38790-FR|title = Rapports publics &#124; BRGM}}</ref>

The meteorological office in [[Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport|Raizet]] recorded sustained winds of {{convert|48|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, with gusts that reached near {{convert|65|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. The office also reported a fall in minimal pressure to {{convert|994|mbar|inHg|abbr=on}} between 3 and 4am on September 5, and a total of {{convert|178|mm|in}} of rain across the whole period. Only [[La Désirade|Desirade]], the easternmost island, recorded hurricane-force winds of {{convert|75|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, and a sustained gust at {{convert|89|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} between 3 and 4am on September 5,<ref name="TCR"/> with a {{convert|992|mbar|inHg|abbr=on}} pressure. The storm claimed the life of a 19-year-old French tourist, who had been dragged away by vigorous waves on a pier in eastern [[Saint-François, Guadeloupe|Saint-François]]. The total damage was estimated at 250 million [[francs]] ($50 million [[USD]]), mostly for the crops and roads.<ref name="community.seattletimes.nwsource.com">{{cite news| url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19950907/2140120/hurricane-luis-kills-at-least-13-people----puerto-rico-hit-storm-may-spare-east-coast | work=The Seattle Times | title=Hurricane Luis Kills At Least 13 People -- Puerto Rico Hit, Storm May Spare East Coast | date=September 7, 1995}}</ref>
{{Wettest tropical cyclones in Guadeloupe|align=right}}

==== Saint Barthélemy ====
The islands suffered extensive damages from {{convert|135|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} winds as the hurricane passed at least {{convert|20|mi|km}} north of Saint Barthelemy. The main weather station recorded wind gust at {{convert|100|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} before the anemometer broke, while other stations suggest wind speeds of {{convert|125|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} and gusts of up to {{convert|155|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name="TCR"/> This difference in measurement may be due to local effects produced by mountainous terrain on the island and the aircraft sampling winds at a level above the region of maximum winds. Additionally, minimal recorded pressure was at {{convert|948|mbar|inHg|abbr=on}} as the storm made its closest approach and stayed below {{convert|1000|mbar|inHg|abbr=on}} for at least 24 hours.<ref name="AHSof1995">{{Cite journal|title=Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1995|journal=Monthly Weather Review|volume=126|issue=5|pages=1124|author1=Miles B. Lawrence |author2=Max B. Mayfield |author3=Lixion A. Avila |author4=Richard J. Pasch |author5=Edward N. Rappaport |date=May 1998|doi=10.1175/1520-0493(1998)126<1124:AHSO>2.0.CO;2|bibcode=1998MWRv..126.1124L|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/1999.pdf}}</ref>

==== Saint Martin ====
The eyewall of Luis passed {{convert|15|to|20|mi|km}} northeast of the island of [[Saint Martin (island)|Saint Martin]], causing extensive and catastrophic damage to 60% of the area, particularly on the Dutch side. A total of {{convert|6.5|in|cm|abbr=on}} of rain was recorded on the island's territory over a period of 48 hours, and the storm spawned several [[Fujita scale|F3]] tornadoes.

===== French Collectivity =====
In [[Grand Case, Saint Martin|Grand Case]] Bay, rough sea conditions and strong winds were responsible for the damage or destruction of 90% of homes. Other towns, such as the [[Quartier-d'Orleans|French Quarter]] and [[Marigot, Saint Martin|Marigot]], also reported extensive damage to homes and vegetation. At least 50% of houses in the [[Collectivity of Saint Martin]] were damaged, leaving between 950 and 2,000 residents homeless.

The meteorological office at the [[Grand Case-Espérance Airport]] estimated some wind gusts of over {{convert|130|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, while an unofficial [[anemometer]] in the port of Marigot recorded wind gusts at {{convert|126|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} before the instrument was toppled. One person was reported dead, and, due to lack of insurances, the preliminary cost of Luis on the French Collectivity was 2 billion francs (€300 million, or US$350 million) worth of damage.

===== Sint Maarten =====
The southern part of the island, the [[Kingdom of the Netherlands|Dutch]]-owned [[Sint Maarten]], received more catastrophic damage than the northern [[France|French]] end. The strongest winds came onshore on the Dutch side, and the capital city of [[Philipsburg, Sint Maarten|Philipsburg]] was at least 70% decimated by the storm. Flooding from Luis affected the [[Great Salt Pond, Sint Maarten|Great Salt Pond]], which deluged several streets.

Of the 70% of residences that were damaged in the storm, nearly 15% became uninhabitable, including businesses, churches, the main airport terminal, some schools, and four hotels. Over 5,000 [[Haiti|Haitian]]s living in the Dutch quarter were left homeless, while some towns on the island spent nearly three months without water and power. Of the 1,500 boats sheltered in [[Simpson Bay Lagoon]], nearly 1,300—or 85%—were sunken or run aground. The official death toll in Sint Maarten was eight, with the possibility of more deaths by drowning in the lagoon.

[[Princess Juliana Airport]] recorded sustained winds of {{convert|87|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, with maximum gusts of up to {{convert|114|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. The barometric pressure fell, at its lowest, between {{convert|963|and|964|mbar|inHg|abbr=on}}. Tropical storm-force winds brushed the island for approximately 21 hours, while hurricane-force sustained winds lasted up to eight hours as the hurricane passed with minimal forward speed between {{convert|7|and|9|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. Total damages on the Dutch side were catastrophic, totaling around US$1.8 billion,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gfdrr.org/gfdrr/node/645 |title=Global DL-DAT: Hurricane Louis Sint Maarten 1995 &#124; GFDRR |access-date=2012-07-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130414215657/http://www.gfdrr.org/gfdrr/node/645 |archive-date=2013-04-14 }}</ref> and Luis was the most devastating hurricane to hit the islands since [[Hurricane Donna]] in 1960.
{{Wettest tropical cyclones on Saint Martin/Sint Maarten}}

==== Anguilla ====
The eye of the hurricane passed over the northeastern tip of Anguilla. Although its geographic placement means that the island likely would have sustained worse damage than St. Martin, the total scale of damage is still unknown. Luis was the worst hurricane the island suffered since [[Hurricane Donna]] in 1960.{{cn|date=February 2021}}

==== St. Kitts and Nevis ====
The eye of Luis passed nearly {{convert|50|mi|km}} northeast of [[Saint Kitts and Nevis]], causing severe beach erosion,<ref name="unesco.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.unesco.org/csi/act/cosalc/hur9b.htm|title=Effects of the 1995 hurricanes on the islands from Anguilla to Dominica continued|publisher=[[UNESCO]]|access-date=October 17, 2011}}</ref> moderate damage to residences, and leaving at least 2,000 residents homeless. The storm further damaged local vegetation and some of the road infrastructure, with problems essentially arising from the poor water system on the islands. Total damage ultimately reached $197 million.

==== Dominica ====
Tropical storm-force winds of roughly {{convert|40|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} affected Dominica from the morning to afternoon of September 5. The lowest pressure recorded was between {{convert|1003|and|1005|mbar|abbr=on}}. As the eye of Luis passed nearly {{convert|125|mi|km}} north, the majority of the damage experienced in Dominica was inflicted upon banana crops that had already been damaged from the earlier hit by Iris. While overall damages were fairly minor, beach erosion was common, and Luis disrupted several beach hotels and coastal roads.<ref name="unesco.org"/> Rough waves on the northeastern and western coast affected towns such as [[Marigot, Dominica|Marigot]], [[Roseau]], and [[Portsmouth, Dominica|Portsmouth]], leaving about 1,000 residents homeless. Ultimately, a fisherman was confirmed dead due to rough sea conditions.<ref>[http://wwwnotes.reliefweb.int/w/RWB.NSF/480fa8736b88bbc3c12564f6004c8ad5/6d83c4613d1eb2bdc125653e005194a2?OpenDocument Dominica - Hurricane Situation Report] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927184247/http://wwwnotes.reliefweb.int/w/RWB.NSF/480fa8736b88bbc3c12564f6004c8ad5/6d83c4613d1eb2bdc125653e005194a2?OpenDocument |date=2007-09-27 }}</ref> Property damage from Luis alone was estimated at $47 million, while the combined effects of Luis, Iris, and [[Hurricane Marilyn]], which struck ten days later, totaled $184 million.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}

=== Puerto Rico ===
Luis passed at {{convert|120|mi|km}} northeast of [[Puerto Rico]], causing minor damages in the east.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1995/09/06/hurricane-luis-spares-puerto-rico/ | work=Chicago Tribune | title=Hurricane Luis Spares Puerto Rico | date=September 6, 1995}}</ref> Two deaths were additionally reported on the island as a consequence of rushing to prepare for the arrival of the storm.<ref name="community.seattletimes.nwsource.com"/>

=== Bermuda ===
[[File:Luis 1995-09-09 1445Z.gif|left|upright|thumb|Luis, west of Bermuda]] 
Bermuda reported sustained winds of up to {{convert|46|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. Offshore, the storm produced waves approaching {{convert|100|ft|m}} in height. In total, little to no damage was reported on the island.<ref name="TCR"/>

=== Eastern United States and offshore ===
Rough seas from the storm affected the [[East Coast of the United States]], resulting in some [[beach erosion]] and damage to two waterfront structures on [[Fire Island]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Rob Speyer |title=Luis Lashed Fire Island's Homes, Shore |date=September 11, 1995 |newspaper=NY Daily News |access-date=2009-05-06 |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/1995/09/11/1995-09-11_luis_lashes_fire_island_s_ho.html |location=New York |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090802204400/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/1995/09/11/1995-09-11_luis_lashes_fire_island_s_ho.html |archive-date=August 2, 2009 }}</ref> High waves, in combination with high tide, caused significant beach erosion and [[coastal flooding]]. On September 7, rip currents produced by Luis caused the death of one person near [[Corncake Inlet, North Carolina|Corncake Inlet]], [[North Carolina]].<ref>{{cite web|publisher=National Climatic Data Center|year=1995|access-date=May 14, 2009|title=North Carolina Event Report|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~220253|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520000317/http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~220253|archive-date=2011-05-20|url-status=dead}}</ref> In [[Brunswick County, North Carolina]], eight homes were washed away by waves, and {{convert|40|ft|m}} of the beach was lost. In nearby [[Hyde County, North Carolina|Hyde]], [[Carteret County, North Carolina|Carteret]], and [[Onslow County, North Carolina|Onslow]] counties, waves of up to {{convert|17|ft|m}} washed out {{convert|33|ft|m}} of the Triple S Pier in [[Atlantic Beach, North Carolina|Atlantic Beach]], effectively destroying it. Total losses in North Carolina amounted to $1.9 million.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=National Climatic Data Center|year=1995|access-date=May 14, 2009|title=North Carolina Event Report|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~220255}}{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|publisher=National Climatic Data Center|year=1995|access-date=May 14, 2009|title=North Carolina Event Report|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~220254}}{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|publisher=National Climatic Data Center|year=1995|access-date=May 14, 2009|title=North Carolina Event Report|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~220912}}{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In [[New York (state)|New York]], rough seas undermined and destroyed one home, and led to the death of one person who was swimming in the high waves.<ref name=NCDC1>{{cite web|publisher=National Climatic Data Center|year=1995|access-date=May 14, 2009|title=New York Event Report|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~219829}}{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name=NCDC2>{{cite web |publisher= National Climatic Data Center |year= 1995 |access-date= May 14, 2009 |title= New York Event Report |url= http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~218821 }}{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

=== Atlantic Canada ===
[[File:Hurricane Luis- Canada.gif|right|thumb|Hurricane Luis making landfall in Canada]]
On September 11, a [[rogue wave]] triggered by Luis slammed the ''[[Queen Elizabeth 2]]'' [[ocean liner]] when it was about {{convert|200|nmi}} south of eastern Newfoundland.<ref name=CHC/><ref>{{cite news |author=Staff Writer |date=September 16, 1995 |title=Luxury Liner Hit by 95-Foot Wave in Atlantic |agency=Reuters |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=RM&p_theme=rm&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB4E38C4C358C08&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |url-status=dead |access-date=2009-05-06 |archive-date=2012-10-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018200641/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=RM&p_theme=rm&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB4E38C4C358C08&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM }}</ref> A nearby Canadian buoy recorded a {{convert|98|ft|m |adj=mid|wave}} at roughly the same time.<ref name="TCR"/> Although the ship did not sustain any significant damage, its arrival in New York was delayed considerably.<ref>{{cite news |author= Robert McFadden |title=Tropical Storm Delays the Arrival of the QE2 |date= September 12, 1995 |work= The New York Times |access-date= October 17, 2011 |url= https://www.nytimes.com/1995/09/12/nyregion/tropical-storm-delays-the-arrival-of-the-qe2.html}}</ref>

Throughout eastern Newfoundland, the system dropped {{convert|2.4|to|4.7|in|mm}} of rain at its landfall as a Category 1.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://resources.yesican-science.ca/trek/hurricane/hurricanes_stats.html |title=Hurricanes...Statistics |access-date=2011-07-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928055316/http://resources.yesican-science.ca/trek/hurricane/hurricanes_stats.html |archive-date=2011-09-28 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Northwesterly winds there gusted to {{cvt|81|mph|km/h}}.<ref name="CHC"/> The storm caused minor damage to the large province, with flooding costing an estimated $500,000 in damages.<ref>{{cite web |author= Joyce Macpherson |work= Water Resources Atlas of Newfoundland |year=1998 |access-date= May 14, 2009 |title= Flood Risk Zones |url= http://www.heritage.nf.ca/environment/floods.html}}</ref> One storm-related death was reported in Canada.<ref name="TCR"/>
{{clear}}

==Aftermath==
===Antigua, Barbuda, Dominica and St. Kitts and Nevis===
Several bodies of the [[United Nations]] contributed financially to the rebuilding of areas affected by Hurricane Luis. The [[United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs|Office for the Coordination of Human Affairs]] provided $50,000 in emergency funds to the nation of [[Antigua and Barbuda]], as well as the [[Netherlands Antilles]], while the [[United Nations Development Programme]] provided an additional $50,000 to Barbados and the Netherlands Antilles. The [[United Nations Children's Fund|Children's Fund]] additionally provided a cash grant of $20,000 to all affected islands, and the [[United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization|Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization]] contributed $20,000 to Antigua and Barbuda, $15,000 to Dominica, and $5,000 to St. Kitts and Nevis for the purposes of rebuilding schools. The [[Organization of American States]], meanwhile, provided an emergency cash grant of $250,000 to Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and St. Kitts and Nevis.<ref name="Relief information">{{cite web|author=Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs|publisher=ReliefWeb|date=September 29, 1995|access-date=May 14, 2009|title=OCHA Situation Reports 1-10|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/ACOS-64DCKM?OpenDocument&emid=ACOS-635NQD}}</ref>

The [[Government of the Bahamas]] provided $50,000 to affected areas, while the [[Government of Canada]] donated $149,253 to the [[Pan American Health Organization]] and $44,760 to the impacted region. They were joined by a $150,000 donation from the [[Government of Japan]] and $15,873 from the [[Government of Spain]]. Antigua and Barbuda received $37,593 from the [[Government of Australia]], $200,000 from the [[Government of France]], and $32,942 from the [[Government of New Zealand]]. The [[Government of Germany]] provided $52,817 in emergency funds to St. Kitts and Nevis, while the [[Government of the Netherlands]] contributed $15.2 million in emergency and recovery funds to the Netherlands Antilles. The [[Government of Norway]] provided $50,000 in cash assistance to Antigua and Barbuda and St. Kitts and Nevis.<ref name="Relief information" />

While most of the support was entirely financial, given in emergency and recovery funds, the [[European Community Humanitarian Aid Office]] provided relief goods, such as plastic sheeting, water containers, blankets, and basic medical supplies worth $1.2 million. The [[Government of Jamaica]] deployed military recovery teams to affected regions to assist with rehabilitation and cleanup efforts.<ref name="Relief information" />

===Saint Martin===
The degree of devastation left by Hurricane Luis on Saint Martin left the island inaccessible by air or sea for two days.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Selsky |first1=Andrew |title=Hurricane Luis Devastates St. Maarten, Death Toll Overall At 19 |url=https://apnews.com/article/178be85e40e1e07789fa004e78e3674f |access-date=February 15, 2021 |work=AP News |agency=Associated Press |date=September 8, 1995}}</ref> The storm left up to 2,000 citizens homeless, and rendered the island largely without electricity, running water, or telephone service. When transportation resumed, tourists scrambled for a charter flight out of [[Princess Juliana International Airport]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Hurricane Luis Leaves St. Martin Short of Water, Food |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-09-11-mn-44622-story.html |access-date=February 15, 2021 |work=Los Angeles Times |agency=Reuters |date=September 11, 1995}}</ref> Both the Netherlands and France sent soldiers and police officers to their respective sides of the island, but eyewitnesses and residents reported that the authorities did little to intercede in the widespread looting that followed the hurricane.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sack |first1=Kevin |title=St. Maarten Is Left Smashed and Looted After Luis |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/09/08/world/st-maarten-is-left-smashed-and-looted-after-luis.html |access-date=February 15, 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=September 8, 1995}}</ref>

Aside from high winds and seeds, Saint Martin was affected by a substantial difference in wind speed forecasts measured at the sea-level airport, and those measured in homes throughout the island hillsides. Sea-level readings showed {{convert|86|mph|km/h}} sustained winds and gusts of up to {{convert|114|mph|km/h}},<ref name="AHSof1995"/> while hillside measurements showed gusts between {{convert|170|and|200|mph|km/h}}. A sailor that had been sheltered in the lagoon recorded a record {{convert|115|mph|km/h}} wind gust, and a minimal pressure reading to {{convert|965|mbar|inHg|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oceancruisingclub.org/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=478|title=Hurricane Luis: The View from Afloat|author=Malcolm Page|date=June 1, 1996|publisher=[[Ocean Cruising Club]]|access-date=October 17, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419155027/http://www.oceancruisingclub.org/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=478|archive-date=April 19, 2012}}</ref>

==Records and retirement==
{{See also|List of retired Atlantic hurricane names}}

Shortly before becoming [[Extratropical cyclone|extratropical]], Hurricane Luis was moving at {{convert|65|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, becoming one of the fastest-moving Atlantic hurricanes in recorded history.{{Atlantic hurricane best track}} With a hurricane force-wind field expanding over {{convert|130|mi|km}} from the center, Luis had the largest radius of hurricane-force winds measured for an Atlantic hurricane until [[Hurricane Lorenzo (2019)|Lorenzo]] in 2019.<ref name="HForceRecord">{{cite tweet|user=philklotzbach|first=Philip|last=Klotzbach|title=Hurricane Lorenzo's wind field continues to grow. The average hurricane-force wind radii is now 107.5 nautical miles - the largest Atlantic hurricane (as defined by 4-quadrant average (NW, SW, NE, SE) hurricane-force wind radii) since Luis in 1995.|url=https://twitter.com/philklotzbach/status/1179243886583136257|website=[[Twitter]]|access-date=2 October 2019|date=1 October 2019|number=1179243886583136257}}</ref> It was also one of the most intense extratropical cyclones by wind speed. While extratropical cyclones usually only have wind speeds ranging from {{convert|45|to|80|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, Luis achieved major hurricane-force winds south of Newfoundland.<ref name="TCR"/> This would not occur again until [[Hurricane Fiona]] in 2022.

On September 11, a {{convert|98|ft|m|adj=on}} wave struck an ocean liner as a result of Luis. This wave is the largest ever officially recorded,<ref>{{cite web|author=Staff Writer|publisher=The Canadian Atlas|year=2004|access-date=May 14, 2009|title=Extremes of Weather: Horrifying hurricanes|url=http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas/themes.aspx?id=weather&sub=weather_phenomena_hurricanes&lang=En|archive-date=August 2, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090802074317/http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas/themes.aspx?id=weather&sub=weather_phenomena_hurricanes&lang=En|url-status=dead}}</ref> although [[Hurricane Ivan]] may have produced a wave of up to {{convert|130|ft|m}} high off the coast of [[Mexico]] in [[2004 Atlantic hurricane season|2004]].<ref>{{cite news|title=The ten-storey Mexican wave|date=June 15, 2005|access-date=May 14, 2009|author=Staff Writer|newspaper=The Times|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0%2C%2C11069-1654539%2C00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050617004752/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0%2C%2C11069-1654539%2C00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 17, 2005|location=London}}</ref>

Due to the severe damage and loss of life caused by the storm in the Leeward Islands, the name ''Luis'' was [[List of retired Atlantic hurricanes|retired]] in the spring of 1996 by the [[World Meteorological Organization]], and will never be used for another Atlantic tropical cyclone. It was replaced with ''Lorenzo'' for the [[2001 Atlantic hurricane season]].<ref name="NHOP 01">{{cite report|url=https://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/Publications/NatHurricaneOpsPlans/NHOP-FCM-P12-2001.pdf|page=3{{hyphen}}7|publisher=[[NOAA]] Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research|location=Washington, D.C.|title=National Hurricane Operations Plan|date=May 2001|access-date=January 19, 2024}}</ref><ref name="names worldwide">{{cite web|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/names.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19971210185319/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/names.html|archive-date=December 10, 1997|last1=Maher|first1=Brian|last2=Beven|first2=Jack|title=World-wide Tropical Cyclone Names|date=August 10, 1997|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=November 17, 2011}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Commons category}}
{{Portal|Tropical cyclones}}
* [[Timeline of the 1995 Atlantic hurricane season]]
* [[List of Bermuda hurricanes]]
* [[List of Canada hurricanes]]
* [[List of Category 4 Atlantic hurricanes]]
* [[Hurricane Hortense]] (1996)
* [[Hurricane Earl (2010)]]
* [[Hurricane Igor]] (2010)
* [[Hurricane Jose (2017)]]
* [[Hurricane Fiona]] (2022)

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061025150435/http://www.atl.ec.gc.ca/weather/hurricane/storm95.html Canadian Hurricane Center]

{{Retired Atlantic hurricanes}}
{{Category 4 Atlantic hurricanes}}
{{1995 Atlantic hurricane season buttons}}

[[Category:1995 Atlantic hurricane season|Luis]]
[[Category:Category 4 Atlantic hurricanes|Luis]]
[[Category:Cape Verde hurricanes|Luis]]
[[Category:Retired Atlantic hurricanes|Luis]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in the Leeward Islands|Luis]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Guadeloupe|Luis]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Îles des Saintes|Luis]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Dominica|Luis]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Antigua and Barbuda|Luis]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Montserrat|Luis]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Saint Kitts and Nevis|Luis]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Sint Eustatius|Luis]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Saba (island)|Luis]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Saint Martin (island)|Luis]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Saint Barthélemy|Luis]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Anguilla|Luis]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in the British Virgin Islands|Luis]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in the United States Virgin Islands|Luis]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Puerto Rico|Luis]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Bermuda|Luis]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Canada|Luis]]
[[Category:1995 in the Caribbean]]
[[Category:1995 in Antigua and Barbuda]]
[[Category:1995 in Guadeloupe]]
[[Category:History of the Collectivity of Saint Martin]]
[[Category:1995 in Canada]]
[[Category:1995 meteorology]]
[[Category:1995 natural disasters]]
[[Category:Natural disasters in Anguilla|Luis]]
[[Category:Natural disasters in Saint Barthélemy|Luis]]
[[Category:Rogue wave incidents|Luis]]
[[Category:1995 natural disasters in the United States]]