View source for Hurricane Marilyn

{{Short description|Category 3 Atlantic hurricane in 1995}}
{{other hurricanes|List of storms named Marilyn}}
{{Infobox weather event
| image = Marilyn 1995-09-16 1915Z.png
| caption = Marilyn at peak intensity while north of [[Puerto Rico]] on September 16
| formed = September 12, 1995
| extratropical = September 22, 1995
| dissipated = September 30, 1995
}}{{Infobox weather event/NWS
| winds = 100
| pressure = 949
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| year = 1995
| fatalities = 13 total
| damage = 2500000000
| areas = [[Leeward Islands]], [[Barbados]], [[Martinique]], [[Dominica]], [[Guadeloupe]], [[U.S. Virgin Islands]], [[Puerto Rico]], [[Bermuda]]
| refs = 
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer
| season = [[1995 Atlantic hurricane season]]
}}
'''Hurricane Marilyn'''  was the most powerful hurricane to strike the [[Virgin Islands]] since [[Hurricane Hugo]] of [[1989 Atlantic hurricane season|1989]], and the third such [[tropical cyclone]] in roughly a two-week time span to strike or impact the [[Leeward Islands]], the others being [[Hurricane Iris (1995)|Hurricane Iris]] and the much more powerful and destructive [[Hurricane Luis]]. The thirteenth [[Tropical cyclone naming|named storm]], seventh [[hurricane]] and third [[major hurricane]] of the extremely active [[1995 Atlantic hurricane season]], Marilyn formed on September 12 as a tropical depression from a [[tropical wave]] that moved off the coast of [[Africa]] on September 7. After formation, the storm quickly became a tropical storm, and steadily intensified into a hurricane by the time it struck the [[Lesser Antilles]] on September 14 at Category&nbsp;1 strength. Entering the northeastern [[Caribbean Sea]], [[rapid intensification]] ensued and it peaked on September 16 north of [[Puerto Rico]] as a Category&nbsp;3 hurricane shortly after it had impacted the [[U.S. Virgin Islands]]. A [[Hurricane Hunter]] [[reconnaissance]] flight reported [[hail]], which is unusual for tropical cyclones. After heading north past [[Bermuda]], Marilyn weakened and became [[extratropical]] on September 22. The remnant circulation wandered the [[Atlantic Ocean]] from September 23 – October 1, just south of [[Nova Scotia]].

Marilyn is responsible for a total of thirteen deaths,<ref name="deaths1">{{cite web| author=NOAA| year=2007| title=Billion Dollar U.S. Weather Disaster| publisher=NOAA| access-date=2007-02-18| url=http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/data/papers/200686ams1.2nlfree.pdf| archive-date=2006-11-22| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061122215547/http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/data/papers/200686ams1.2nlfree.pdf| url-status=dead}}</ref> most due to drowning on boats or offshore.
Eleven thousand people were left [[homeless]] on the island of [[Saint Thomas, United States Virgin Islands|St. Thomas]], and estimated damages were set at $2&nbsp;billion (1995&nbsp;USD)<ref name="deaths1"/> in the [[United States Virgin Islands|USVI]]. The same area would be struck by [[Hurricane Bertha (1996)|Hurricane Bertha]] the next year, while still repairing from Hurricanes Luis and Marilyn,<ref name="Bertha">[http://www.emergency.com/fedbrtha.htm Hurricane Bertha Update] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061221103904/http://www.emergency.com/fedbrtha.htm |date=2006-12-21 }}</ref> then successively hit by [[Hurricane Hortense|Hortense]], [[Hurricane Erika (1997)|Erika]], [[Hurricane Georges|Georges]], [[Hurricane Jose (1999)|Jose]], [[Hurricane Lenny|Lenny]] and [[Hurricane Debby (2000)|Debby]].

==Meteorological history==
{{storm path|Marilyn 1995 track.png}}
Marilyn's origins were from a tropical wave that formed off the [[Africa]]n coast on September 7. Large, low-level winds were included in the wave's circulation, but little convection existed.<ref name="TCR">{{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/AL151995_Marilyn.pdf|title=Hurricane Marilyn: September 12 – 22, 1995|type=Preliminary Report|author=Rappaport, Edward N|date=January 17, 1996|author2=National Hurricane Center|publisher=United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service|access-date=November 29, 2016|archive-date=October 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002012905/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/AL151995_Marilyn.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The system continued west for a few days at about {{convert|19|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} next to an anticyclonic aloft. On September 12, satellite pictures viewed the disorganized wave and declared it Tropical Depression Fifteen, after convection had increased. Tropical Depression Fifteen strengthened rapidly, becoming Tropical Storm Marilyn six hours later. One day after being named, Marilyn was upgraded to hurricane status, while turning on a more northwesterly track.<ref name="TCR"/><ref name="Discussion3">{{cite web|author=Pasch, Richard|date=1995-09-13|title=Tropical Storm Marilyn Discussion 3|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2011-01-08|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1995/marilyn/tropdisc/nal1595.003|archive-date=2012-10-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022112227/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1995/marilyn/tropdisc/nal1595.003|url-status=live}}</ref>

For the next few days, Marilyn's track took it towards the west-northwest and to the northwest, due to a weakness in the subtropical ridge. Marilyn was a [[Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale|Category 1]] hurricane; it passed {{convert|52|mi|km|abbr=on}} north of [[Barbados]] and [[Martinique]].<ref name="TCR"/> Marilyn passed over [[Dominica]], and just [[Îles des Saintes]] and southwest of [[Guadeloupe]] on September 14, bringing heavy rains and strong winds with it. Marilyn continued on its northwesterly track, making landfall in the [[U.S. Virgin Islands]] on September 15, packing winds of {{convert|110|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}, a strong Category&nbsp;2 strength hurricane. The eyewall, east-southeast of the center of Marilyn, passed over [[Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands|Saint Thomas]] later that day. After passing over [[Puerto Rico]], Marilyn entered back into the Atlantic Ocean on September 16.<ref name="TCR"/>
[[File:Hurricane marilyn 1995 goes ir 2.gif|185px|thumb|right|Hurricane Marilyn near [[Puerto Rico]]]]
A low had formed near Marilyn, which may have enhanced outflow from the system. An eye formed in the center of Marilyn, and the storm reached a peak intensity of 949 [[millibars]] and winds of {{convert|115|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, a lower-end Category&nbsp;3 hurricane. At this time, Marilyn was predicted to peak in wind speeds of {{convert|120|–|125|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Discussion18">{{cite web|author=Avila, Lixion|date=1995-09-16|title=Hurricane Marilyn Discussion 18|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2011-01-08|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1995/marilyn/tropdisc/nal1595.018|archive-date=2012-10-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022112233/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1995/marilyn/tropdisc/nal1595.018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Discussion19">{{cite web|author=Rappaport, Edward|date=1995-09-16|title=Hurricane Marilyn Discussion 19|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2011-01-08|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1995/marilyn/tropdisc/nal1595.019|archive-date=2012-10-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022112241/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1995/marilyn/tropdisc/nal1595.019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Forecast18">{{cite web| author=Avila, Lixion| date=1995-09-16| title=Hurricane Marilyn Forecast/Advisory 18| publisher=National Hurricane Center| access-date=2011-01-08| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1995/marilyn/marine/mal1595.018| archive-date=2012-10-22| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022112248/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1995/marilyn/marine/mal1595.018| url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Forecast19">{{cite web| author=Rappaport, Edward| date=1995-09-16| title=Hurricane Marilyn Forecast/Advisory 19| publisher=National Hurricane Center| access-date=2011-01-08| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1995/marilyn/marine/mal1595.019| archive-date=2012-10-22| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022112253/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1995/marilyn/marine/mal1595.019| url-status=live}}</ref> Reconnaissance data found a concentric pair of eyewall wind maxima. Marilyn started weakening rapidly, falling from peak-level winds of {{convert|141|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} down to {{convert|102|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name="TCR"/> The central pressure also rose up 20 [[Bar (unit)|mbar]]s in only 10&nbsp;hours. This rapid weakening was caused by westerly shear and dry air entrained in the system, a decaying eyewall, and especially cool waters upwelled from the previous powerful storm, [[Hurricane Luis]]. As Marilyn weakened to Category 1 hurricane status and moved north-northwest, it passed about {{convert|174|mi|km|abbr=on}} west of [[Bermuda]] on September 19. As Marilyn encountered more westerly shear, it weakened to below hurricane status and made its extratropical transition on September 20, centered in the northeastern Atlantic.<ref name="TCR"/> The remnant circulation continued to erratically move through the central Atlantic Ocean for another 10&nbsp;days before being absorbed by a frontal low on September 30.

A Hurricane Hunter reconnaissance flight reported hail, which is unusual for tropical cyclones.<ref name="TCR"/>

==Preparations==
[[File:HurricaneMaryln091595.JPG|right|thumb|190px|Hurricane Marilyn on crossing the [[Virgin Islands]] on September 15, 1995.]]

Seventeen watches and/or warnings were issued in association with Marilyn.<ref name="TCR"/> The first two were a tropical storm watch and a tropical storm warning issued on [[Barbados]], [[Saint Vincent (island)|St. Vincent]], Grenadines, St. Lucia and Grenada on September 12 at 2200 [[UTC]]. Five hours later, a tropical storm watch was issued for [[Trinidad]] and [[Tobago]]. A tropical storm warning was issued for [[St. Lucia]], St. Vincent, [[Grenadines]], [[Grenada]] and Tobago at 900 [[UTC]] September 13.<ref name="Discussion4">{{cite web| author=Miles B. Lawrence| date=1995-09-13| title=Tropical Storm Marilyn Discussion 4| publisher=National Hurricane Center| access-date=2007-02-17| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1995/marilyn/tropdisc/nal1595.004| archive-date=2012-10-22| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022112258/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1995/marilyn/tropdisc/nal1595.004| url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Public4">{{cite web| author=Miles B. Lawrence| date=1995-09-13| title=Tropical Storm Marilyn Public Advisory 4| publisher=National Hurricane Center| access-date=2007-02-17| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1995/marilyn/public/pal1595.004| archive-date=2012-10-22| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022112303/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1995/marilyn/public/pal1595.004| url-status=live}}</ref> At 2100 [[UTC]], a Hurricane Warning was issued for [[Barbados]], St. Vincent, [[Grenadines]], [[St. Lucia]] and a hurricane watch for [[Dominica]].<ref name="TCR"/><ref name="Discussion5">{{cite web| author=Miles B. Lawrence| date=1995-09-13| title=Tropical Storm Marilyn Discussion 5| publisher=National Hurricane Center| access-date=2007-02-17| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1995/marilyn/tropdisc/nal1595.005| archive-date=2012-10-22| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022112314/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1995/marilyn/tropdisc/nal1595.005| url-status=live}}</ref> A hurricane watch as released for Martinique on September 14. The 2100 [[UTC]] September 13 was extended for the Grenadines through St. Martin, except Guadeloupe, St. Barthelemy and French portion of St. Martin. At 1500 [[UTC]], Puerto Rico was put under a Hurricane Watch.<ref name="TCR"/><ref name="Discussion9">{{cite web| author=Edward N. Rappaport| date=1995-09-14| title=Hurricane Marilyn Discussion 9| publisher=National Hurricane Center| access-date=2007-02-17| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1995/marilyn/tropdisc/nal1595.009| archive-date=2012-10-22| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022122517/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1995/marilyn/tropdisc/nal1595.009| url-status=live}}</ref> At 1700 [[UTC]], Guadeloupe, [[St. Barthelemy]], and French portion of [[Saint Martin (island)|St. Martin]] were put under a hurricane watch. Four hours later, [[Puerto Rico]], U.S. and [[British Virgin Islands]], and Guadeloupe were put under a hurricane warning.<ref name="TCR"/>

Throughout the night, several watches and warnings were discontinued. At 1500 [[UTC]] September 15, [[Dominican Republic]] from [[Cabrera, María Trinidad Sánchez|Cabrera]] to [[Cabo Engano]] were put under a hurricane watch as Marilyn approached. During the night of September 16, all currently active watches and warnings were discontinued. At around the same time, a new Hurricane watch was released for [[Turks and Caicos]] and [[Mayaguana]], [[Acklins]], and the [[Crooked Island, Bahamas|Crooked Islands]] of the southeastern [[Bahamas]].<ref name="Forecast19"/><ref name="Forecast20">{{
cite web| author=B. Max Mayfield| date=1995-09-17| title=Hurricane Marilyn Forecast/Advisory 20| publisher=National Hurricane Center| access-date=2007-02-18| url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1995/marilyn/marine/mal1595.020}}</ref><ref name="Forecast21">{{cite web| author=Edward N. Rappaport| date=1995-09-17| title=Hurricane Marilyn Forecast/Advisory 21| publisher=National Hurricane Center| access-date=2007-02-18| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1995/marilyn/marine/mal1595.021| archive-date=2012-10-22| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022122538/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1995/marilyn/marine/mal1595.021| url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Discussion17">{{cite web| author=Edward N. Rappaport| date=1995-09-16| title=Hurricane Marilyn Discussion 17| publisher=National Hurricane Center| access-date=2007-02-17| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1995/marilyn/tropdisc/nal1595.017| archive-date=2012-10-22| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022122544/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1995/marilyn/tropdisc/nal1595.017| url-status=live}}</ref> This warning was discontinued within 48&nbsp;hours. At 1500 [[UTC]] September 18, [[Bermuda]] came under a Tropical Storm Watch, which was upgraded to a warning in six hours. The warning was discontinued on September 19.<ref name="TCR"/><ref name="Discussion23">{{cite web| author=Richard J. Pasch| date=1995-09-17| title=Hurricane Marilyn Discussion 23| publisher=National Hurricane Center| access-date=2007-02-18| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1995/marilyn/tropdisc/nal1595.023| archive-date=2012-10-22| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022122548/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1995/marilyn/tropdisc/nal1595.023| url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Discussion25">{{cite web| author=Edward N. Rappaport| date=1995-09-18| title=Hurricane Marilyn Discussion 25| publisher=National Hurricane Center| access-date=2007-02-18| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1995/marilyn/tropdisc/nal1595.025| archive-date=2012-10-22| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022122640/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1995/marilyn/tropdisc/nal1595.025| url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Discussion26">{{cite web| author=Edward N. Rappaport| date=1995-09-18| title=Hurricane Marilyn Discussion 26| publisher=National Hurricane Center| access-date=2007-02-17| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1995/marilyn/tropdisc/nal1595.026| archive-date=2012-10-22| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022122647/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1995/marilyn/tropdisc/nal1595.026| url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Discussion27">{{cite web| author=Edward N. Rappaport| date=1995-09-18| title=Hurricane Marilyn Discussion 27| publisher=National Hurricane Center| access-date=2007-02-17| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1995/marilyn/tropdisc/nal1595.027| archive-date=2012-10-22| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022122653/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1995/marilyn/tropdisc/nal1595.027| url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Public31A">{{cite web| author=B. Max Mayfield| date=1995-09-20| title=Hurricane Marilyn Public Advisory 31A| publisher=National Hurricane Center| access-date=2007-02-17| url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1995/marilyn/public/paal1595.031
}}</ref>

The 250,000 residents of [[Barbados]] spent the night of September 13 in shelters.<ref name="News2">{{cite web| author=Syracuse Herald-Journal| date=1995-09-14| title=Hurricane Marilyn sweeps past Barbados| publisher=Syracuse Herald-Journal| access-date=2007-02-17| url=http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?img=27643435&firstvisit=true&currentResult=5&currentPage=40}}{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</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;"
| [[Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands|St. Thomas]] || 5 || $1.5&nbsp;billion || <ref name="TCR"/> 
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[St. Croix]] || 1 || $350&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;"
| [[Saint John, U.S. Virgin Islands|St. John]] || 1 || $150&nbsp;million || <ref name="TCR"/><ref name="EMDAT"/>
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Puerto Rico]] || 1 || $300&nbsp;million || <ref name="EMDAT"/>
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Unknown || 5 || || <ref name="deaths1"/>
|- style="text-align:center;"
! Total || 13 || ~$2.3&nbsp;billion ||
|}

Marilyn caused about $2.3&nbsp;billion and 13&nbsp;deaths throughout the United States Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The exact figure for damages in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico is not available, although the American Insurance Services Group set the combined damage at $875&nbsp;million. Aside from high winds and seas, one possible explanation for the storm's heavy damage may have been complacency on the part of local island populations. Marilyn struck a mere 10{{nbh}}days after [[Hurricane Luis|Luis]], a more powerful [[Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale|Category 4]] hurricane initially predicted to pass very close to St. Thomas. This prediction prompted locals to be particularly thorough in their pre-storm preparations; however, Luis passed further away from the island and caused relatively moderate damage. Virgin Islanders questioned the accuracy of the National Hurricane Center wind advisories, as Hurricane Marilyn caused significant damage for a mere "category 2" storm. Damage on St. Thomas was remiscent of the damage seen on St. Croix in 1989, when Hurricane Hugo, a category 4 storm, caused catastrophic damage. Because St. Thomas is a very hilly island, it is possible that sustained winds on exposed hills (some of which have elevations that are thousands of feet above sea level) were significantly stronger than the sea-level wind speed estimates given by the hurricane center in its main advisory. Residents also reported tornado vortices in certain neighborhoods.<ref name="TCR"/>

===Martinique===
Rainfalls in [[Martinique]] peaked at {{convert|9.06|in|mm|abbr=on}} in Morne Rouge, {{convert|8.94|in|mm|abbr=on}} in Ajoupa Bouillon, {{convert|6.4|in|mm|abbr=on}} in Saint Pierre, ranging as low as {{convert|6|in|mm|abbr=on}} in Ducos. The highest wind [[gust (wind)|gust]] reported was {{convert|80|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} in Trinite, the location of the only recorded sustained winds in Martinique, which was {{convert|58|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name="TCR"/>

===Guadeloupe===
{{Wettest tropical cyclones in Guadeloupe|align=left}}
Hurricane Marilyn moved directly across [[Îles des Saintes]] and the southern part of [[Basse-Terre Island]] in the night of September 14–15, 1995,<ref name="TCR"/> bringing the highest known rainfall totals to the island from a tropical cyclone.
Rainfalls over 12-hours in [[Guadeloupe]] were up to {{convert|20|in|mm|abbr=on}} in Saint-Claude, {{convert|19.09|in|mm|abbr=on}} in Guillard-Basse-Terre and {{convert|17.63|in|mm|abbr=on}} in Gaba. The highest wind gust reported in Guadeloupe was {{convert|84|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} in Marie-Galante. The next ones were near {{convert|52|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} in Raizet with maximal wind gust at {{convert|68|and|61|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} in Desirade.<ref name="TCR"/> 
Minimal pressure recorded at {{convert|989|mbar|inHg|abbr=on}} in Basse-Terre.

Damage was moderate in the south, due to the massive amount of rainfall. Marilyn was one of the three hurricanes that affected the region in 1995, after [[Hurricane Iris (1995)|Iris]] and Luis; the total estimated damage was near 500 million francs.

===U.S. Virgin Islands===
[[File:Marilyn-Damage-1.jpg|right|thumb|190px|Marilyn damage in St. Thomas]]
[[File:Marilyn-Damage-2.jpg|right|thumb|190px|Beached sailboat on St. Thomas used as a billboard]]
The highest wind speed left by Marilyn after passing over the island of [[Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands|St. Croix]] was {{convert|100|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}. The highest rainfalls reported were {{convert|11.67|in|mm|abbr=on}} in Annually, {{convert|9.96|in|mm|abbr=on}} in Red Hook Bay and {{convert|5.25|in|mm|abbr=on}} in Granard.<ref name="TCR"/> The highest storm surge reported was {{convert|6.6|ft|m|abbr=on}} in [[Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands|St. Thomas]] and {{convert|6.0|ft|m|abbr=on}} in [[Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands|St. Croix]]. According to NOAA, The storm surge in the U.S. Virgin Islands reached 6 to {{convert|7|ft|m|abbr=on}}, with an isolated storm tide of {{convert|11.7|ft|m|abbr=on}} reported on St. Croix. In St. Croix and St. Thomas, rainfall totals reached about 10&nbsp;in.

The highest reported gusts were {{convert|129|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} in a Noncommissioned Automated Surface Observing System and {{convert|95|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} gusts in Sailboat Puffin at Green Cay. The highest sustained winds were {{convert|105|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} in a Noncommissioned [[Automated Surface Observing System]].<ref name="TCR"/>
Marilyn was directly responsible for seven deaths, most due to drowning on boats or offshore. Ten thousand people were left homeless on St. Thomas, and most buildings sustained some damage.<ref name="TCR"/>

The island of St. Thomas was the hardest hit by the storm, where about 80% of the homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed, including the hospital and the water desalination plant; five people were killed. Storm surge in the [[Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands|Charlotte Amalie]] harbor beached the [[United States Coast Guard#Cutters|USCGC]] ''Point Ledge'' and damaged many smaller boats.<ref name="Coast Guard">{{cite web
 |author=U.S. Coast Guard 
 |year=2007 
 |title=United States Coast Guard Chronology 
 |publisher=U.S. Military 
 |access-date=2006-05-16 
 |url=http://www.uscg.mil/history/Chronology_Sep.asp
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080519093611/http://www.uscg.mil/history/Chronology_Sep.asp
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=2008-05-19
}}</ref> Elsewhere in the territory, there was moderate to severe damage on [[Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands|St. Croix]] and [[Saint John, U.S. Virgin Islands|St. John]]. The [[Federal Emergency Management Agency]] (FEMA) estimated $1&nbsp;billion in losses, while an economic research group in the U.S. Virgin Islands set the damage toll at $3&nbsp;billion. Additionally, losses on St. Thomas were about $1.5&nbsp;billion<ref name="TCR"/> and for a total of $2&nbsp;billion in the three U.S. Virgin Islands.
[[File:Marilyn1995filledrainblk.gif|thumb|right|250px|Marilyn Rainfall]]

===Puerto Rico===
The highest rainfalls reported in Puerto Rico from Hurricane Marilyn were {{convert|5.6|in|mm|abbr=on}} in Naguabo, {{convert|5.5|in|mm|abbr=on}} in Luquillo Pico Del Este (Luquillo Pico Of the East), {{convert|2.52|in|mm|abbr=on}} at Luis Muñoz International Airport, and {{convert|2.45|in|mm|abbr=on}} at [[Roosevelt Roads Naval Station]].<ref name="TCR"/> The highest gusts reported were {{convert|125|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} in Culebra, {{convert|60|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} at [[Roosevelt Roads Naval Station]] and {{convert|50|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} at a non-commissioned [[Automated Surface Observing System]]. The highest recorded sustained winds was {{convert|41|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} at Roosevelt Roads Naval Station.<ref name="TCR"/> Marilyn passed over the islands of [[Vieques, Puerto Rico|Vieques]] and [[Culebra, Puerto Rico|Culebra]], where it caused much damage.

There were reports of extensive flash flooding across northern and eastern [[Puerto Rico]], and 12,000&nbsp;people were forced to ride out the storm in shelters. One person was killed in Culebra.<ref name="TCR"/> President [[Bill Clinton]] declared Puerto Rico a [[federal disaster area]], making it available to federal aid.<ref name="News1"/>

100&nbsp;homes on Culebra Island, {{convert|20|mi|km}} east of Puerto Rico, were destroyed by Marilyn. Another two hundred homes on the island were damaged.<ref name="News3">{{cite web| author=Jeff Nelson| date=1995-09-18| title=Marilyn| publisher=The Capital| access-date=2007-02-19| url=http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?img=25873555&firstvisit=true&currentResult=2&currentPage=20}}{{Dead link|date=August 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>

===Antigua===
The highest reported gust in [[Antigua]] was {{convert|50|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}. The Antigua Meteorological Service reported that the island had extensive flooding and damage to banana trees. The other damage reported was from the wind.<ref name="TCR"/><ref name="MWR">{{cite web
| author=Lawrence, Miles / Rappaport, Edward / Mayfield, Max / Pasch, Richard / Avila, Lixion
| date=1996-09-03
| title=Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1995
| publisher=American Meteorological Society
| access-date=2007-02-19
| url=https://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/mwr_pdf/1995.pdf
| archive-date=2006-10-14
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061014075511/http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd//hurdat/mwr_pdf/1995.pdf
| url-status=live
}}</ref>

===Other areas===
[[Bermuda]] reported sustained winds of 45&nbsp;mph and a highest gust of {{convert|60|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}. [[Antigua]] reported sustained winds of just {{convert|35|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}, tropical depression-strength. In [[St. Maarten]], sustained winds were {{convert|42.5|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} and the peak gust was {{convert|61|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}. Rainfalls in [[St. Maarten]] peaked at {{convert|3.35|in|mm|abbr=on}} in an unknown location.<ref name="TCR"/> ''[[The New York Times]]'' reported that the [[British Virgin Islands]] had little to no damage from Marilyn.<ref name="TCR"/><ref name="MWR"/> The highest gust in [[Saint-Barthelemy]] was {{convert|59|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} and the highest sustained winds of {{convert|45|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} was reported.<ref name="TCR"/>

==Aftermath==

===Puerto Rico===
Relief supplies in the wake of Hurricane Marilyn were sent to [[Puerto Rico]] and the [[U.S. Virgin Islands]]. Officials of FEMA set up camps on the islands to give out food, water and shelter supplies.<ref name="Aftermath1">{{Cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/US/Newsbriefs/9509/9-21/am/index.html?eref=sitesearch |title=Relief effort not yet helping hurricane victims |access-date=2007-02-18 |archive-date=2012-11-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104201105/http://www.cnn.com/US/Newsbriefs/9509/9-21/am/index.html?eref=sitesearch |url-status=live }}</ref>

===U.S. Virgin Islands===
[[File:Hurricane Marilyn-13650.jpg|thumb|right|200px|FEMA distributed food, water, clothing in the U.S. Virgin Islands.]]
[[President of the United States]] [[Bill Clinton]] declared the U.S. Virgin Islands a [[federal disaster area]], making it available to federal aid. However, the National Guard did not appear on St. Thomas until two days following the hurricane, and FEMA did not appear until three days following. In the meantime, significant looting, particularly of grocery stores, prevented an orderly distribution of food and water.
<ref name="News1">{{cite web
| author=Gherke, Donna
| date=1995-09-17
| title=Marilyn slams St. Thomas;Likely to miss Florida
| publisher=The Miami Herald
| access-date=2007-02-17
| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1995/marilyn/news/mh0917p2.gif
| archive-date=2007-10-26
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071026210823/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1995/marilyn/news/mh0917p2.gif
| url-status=live
}}</ref> Five supply distribution sites were being operated by the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA). More than 2,100&nbsp;federal agency personnel had been deployed to help out with the cleanup from Hurricane Marilyn. Four contracts were quickly accepted for immediate building repairs. [[Diving team]]s were sent to check for harbor damage and [[United States Navy]] Seabees started working on repairing public buildings. Military and security forces included about 500&nbsp;Army, Air Force, and Navy personnel, 500&nbsp;National Guardsmen, and 500 federal law enforcement personnel. The airport in St. Thomas was open for flight using a mobile control tower. The St. Thomas hospital was open, but was running on generators.<ref name="Aftermath2">{{Cite web |url=http://www.colorado.edu/hazards/research/qr/qr82.html |title=Early Relief Efforts |access-date=2007-02-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070713104221/http://www.colorado.edu/hazards/research/qr/qr82.html |archive-date=2007-07-13 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The first FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers opened on September&nbsp;23 on [[St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands|St. Thomas]]. A reported indicated that by October&nbsp;11, 1500&nbsp;loans were granted for home repair, mostly for under $2500. More than 19,000&nbsp;disaster housing applications were filed, with over 2800 being accepted. About 5000&nbsp;of 15,000&nbsp;assigned inspections were completed. Over 7800&nbsp;applications for Individual and Family Grants had been received and, of the 4,000&nbsp;SBA loan applications filed, 43 had been approved for a total of $744,100 – an average loan of $17,300.<ref name="Aftermath2"/>

===Retirement===
{{See also|List of retired Atlantic hurricane names}}
Due to the destruction caused by the hurricane, the name ''Marilyn'' was retired in the spring of 1996 by the [[World Meteorological Organization]], and will never again be used for a North Atlantic tropical storm. It was replaced with ''[[Hurricane Michelle|Michelle]]'' for the [[2001 Atlantic hurricane season|2001 season]].<ref>{{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|location=Miami, Florida|access-date=April 9, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{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=April 9, 2024}}</ref> <!-- DO NOT ADD "MICHELLE WAS LATER RETIRED AFTER THE 2001 ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON AND REPLACED WITH ''MELISSA'' FOR THE 2007 SEASON." IT HAS BEEN DEEMED IRRELEVANT! AND DO NOT REMOVE THE NOTE! -->

==See also==
{{Portal|Tropical cyclones}}
* [[List of storms named Marilyn|Other storms of the same name]]
* [[Timeline of the 1995 Atlantic hurricane season]]
* [[Tropical cyclones in 1995]]

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

==External links==
* [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/AL151995_Marilyn.pdf NHC Marilyn Report]
* [https://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/Storm_pages/marilyn1995/ NOAA storm data on Hurricane Marilyn]
* [https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/marilyn1995.html HPC page on Hurricane Marilyn]
* [http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/assessments/pdfs/marilyn.pdf NWS Service Assessment]
* [http://www.weather.unisys.com/hurricane/atlantic/1995/MARILYN/track.gif Marilyn path by UNISYS] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060302051633/http://weather.unisys.com/hurricane/atlantic/1995/MARILYN/track.gif |date=2006-03-02 }}

{{Retired Atlantic hurricanes}}
{{1995 Atlantic hurricane season buttons}}
{{Category 3 Atlantic hurricanes}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1995 Atlantic hurricane season|Marilyn]]
[[Category:Category 3 Atlantic hurricanes|Marilyn (1995)]]
[[Category:Retired Atlantic hurricanes|Marilyn]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in the Leeward Islands|Marilyn]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in the Windward Islands|Marilyn]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Martinique|Marilyn]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Dominica|Marilyn]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Guadeloupe|Marilyn]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Îles des Saintes|Marilyn]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Montserrat|Marilyn]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Saint Kitts and Nevis|Marilyn]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Sint Eustatius|Marilyn]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Saba (island)|Marilyn]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Saint Martin (island)|Marilyn]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Saint Barthélemy|Marilyn]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Anguilla|Marilyn]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in the United States Virgin Islands|Marilyn]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in the British Virgin Islands|Marilyn]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Puerto Rico|Marilyn]]
[[Category:Natural disasters in Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands|Marilyn]]
[[Category:1995 in the Caribbean]]
[[Category:1995 natural disasters]]
[[Category:Natural disasters in the United States Virgin Islands]]
[[Category:1995 meteorology|Marilyn]]
[[Category:1995 in Guadeloupe|Marilyn)]]
[[Category:1995 in the United States Virgin Islands|Marilyn]]