Hurricane Alma (1970)

Hurricane Alma was the first tropical cyclone and first hurricane of the 1970 Atlantic hurricane season. Alma developed from a tropical disturbance in the northwestern Caribbean Sea on May 17, 1970. It intensified into a tropical storm later that day and then rapidly strengthened into a hurricane on May 18. Alma reached its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 966 mbar (28.53 inHg).

The hurricane moved northward, impacting western Cuba on May 19 as a Category 3 hurricane. Significant damage occurred in Cuba, including widespread flooding and destruction of crops. After crossing Cuba, Alma weakened and entered the Gulf of Mexico. It continued to weaken as it approached the Florida coast.

Alma made landfall near Apalachicola, Florida, on May 20 as a tropical storm with winds of 60 mph (95 km/h). It quickly weakened further as it moved inland, becoming a tropical depression. Alma continued to track northeastward across the Southeastern United States, bringing heavy rainfall and localized flooding to parts of Georgia and the Carolinas. The storm eventually dissipated over North Carolina on May 21.

Although Alma was a powerful hurricane, its impact in the United States was relatively minor due to its weakening before landfall. However, the storm caused significant damage in Cuba. Overall, damages were estimated at several million dollars. There were a few reported deaths associated with Alma, primarily in Cuba.