Hurricane Rebecca

Hurricane Rebecca was a Category 5 hurricane that caused nearly 100 deaths in South Texas in October 2019. In all, 97 people were killed and $5.3 billion (2019 USD) in damages.

On October 8, the NHC began to develop a tropical wav east of Belize. While development was limited over the next 72 hours, more favorable conditions allowed the wave to form into Tropical Depression Eighteen on October 12. More development occurred, and Eighteen strengthened into Tropical Storm Rebecca. Rebecca then weakened back into Eighteen due to dry air on the 15th.

After the air became more moist, Eighteen strengthened back into Tropical Storm Rebecca. Favorable conditions allowed rapid intensification, and Rebecca became a Category 2 hurricane on October 20th with 105 mph winds and a pressure reading of 973 mbar.

Rebecca then became a Category 3 major hurricane and then weakened hours later due to an eyewall replacement cycle. Rebecca then strengthened again after an eyewall replacement cycle was complete. Rebecca was classified as a Category 4 hurricane with 140 mph winds and a pressure reading of 947 mbar. Rebecca underwent a period of quick intensification, becoming a high-end Category 4 hurricane with a pressure reading of 932 mbar on October 26. Southeast of Texas, Rebecca became a Category 5 hurricane with 160 mph winds and a pressure reading of 929 mbar. Brief weakening occurred due to an eyewall replacement cycle, but re-intensified quickly after weakening and back to Category 5 status.

On October 27, Rebecca made a Category 5 hurricane landfall southeast of San Antonio. Once inland, Rebecca began to rapidly weaken. Flash flooding killed 97 people and caused $5.3 billion (2019 USD) in damages. Rebecca became a remnant low on October 29 right after crossing into New Mexico. On October 31, Rebecca dissipated after killing 97 and causing $5.3 billion (2019 USD) in damages. Rebecca was retired and replaced with Rosa for the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season after all of the damage and death Rebecca caused. Rebecca will not be used in another Atlantic hurricane again.