tropical storm alma named storm develop atlantic hurricane season short lived tropical cyclone rare landfall storm formed august east windward_islands advisories issued day alma peak intensity subsequently alma moved unusually pace mph mph southeastern caribbean_sea causing numerous watches gale warnings issued caribbean alma moved quickly trinidad continued westward storms cross northeastern venezuela storm dissipated august high terrain venezuela storm left heavy damage trinidad amounting million usd making destructive cyclone 20th century island time alma damaged buildings leaving people homeless storm wrecked acres crop fields deaths trinidad including struck flying debris alma responsible plane crash offshore venezuela killing people board heavy rainfall meteorological history disturbance associated left coast africa august reporting mid level winds mph weak circulation formed august area thunderstorms disturbance moved slowly westward atlantic_ocean developing tropical depression utc august north latitude latitude remain lifetime august depression intensified tropical storm alma east trinidad indicated hurricane hunters flight reporting winds mph flight reported circular eye diameter report eye storm center alma elongated causing gale force winds extend north extending miles south august hurricane_hunters reported gusts mph storm weakened initial peak alma continued westward mph national_hurricane_center nhc director noted unusually rapid tropical cyclone time location alma able maintain low latitude movement west strong subtropical ridge unusually lower latitude expected august august storm landfall trinidad winds mph southernmost landfall island storm storm moved trinidad hours circulation disrupted storm crossed second final landfall venezuela storms record high mountains venezuela took toll storm circulation causing alma downgraded tropical depression august utc day circulation passed near convection rapidly diminished presence satellite imagery faded nhc noted potential redevelopment reached open waters late august nhc issued final advisory circulation dissipated near border venezuela colombia remnants alma continued westward reaching pacific_ocean intensify hurricane preparations impact aftermath alma landfall gale warnings hurricane watch issued trinidad barbados alma progressed westward gale warnings issued venezuela peninsula abc islands initially trinidad weather service anticipated alma strike storm approached trajectory trinidad apparent moving trinidad alma produced sustained winds mph gusts reached mph rainfall reached inch storm passage strong winds downed trees power lines damaged buildings including hundreds households inside left people homeless widespread damage agriculture sugar amounting acres damaged fields storm damaged highways country damaged schools hospitals winds debris roof house struck woman killing indirect death island injuries damage island estimated million usd alma considered destructive storm trinidad 20th century according american embassy country storm local red_cross chapter provided meals clothing thousands storm victims government allocated million relief work coordinated established following damaging hurricane flora helped rebuild damage houses clear roads assist affected farmers sent usd assistance country ambassador sent formal request washington oil company sent usd donation country red_cross moving windward_islands alma produced strong wind gusts outer rainbands alma spread venezuela center trinidad utc august rains caused vickers crash airport aircraft struck summit people aboard died impact pilot survived days dying severe brain damage venezuela alma produced landslides heavy rainfall
Tropical Storm Alma (1974)