The 1970 Atlantic hurricane season was the first year in which reconnaissance aircraft flew into all four quadrants of a tropical cyclone. The season officially began on June 1 and lasted until November 30. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. The season was fairly average, with 14 tropical storms forming, of which seven were hurricanes. Two of those seven became major hurricanes, which are Category 3 or higher on the Saffir–Simpson scale. The first system, Hurricane Alma, developed on May 17. The storm killed eight people, seven from flooding in Cuba and one from a lightning strike in Florida. In July, Tropical Storm Becky brought minor flooding to Florida and other parts of the Southern United States, leaving one death and about $500,000 (1970 USD) in damage. The most significant storm of the season was Hurricane Celia, a Category 4 hurricane that slammed South Texas in early August. Celia resulted in about $930 million in damage and was the costliest hurricane in Texas until Alicia in 1983. There were 28 fatalities, with four in Cuba, eight in Florida, and sixteen in Texas. Later that month, Tropical Storm Dorothy caused severe flooding in Martinique, which left up to 51 deaths and $34 million in damage. One death occurred in Mexico as a result of Hurricane Ella after a house collapsed. In October, Tropical Depression Fifteen brought a devastating flood to Puerto Rico. At least 22 fatalities and $65.5 million in damage occurred. Collectively, the storms of this season left at least $1.03 billion in damage and 115 deaths. Season summary The Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, though activity began slightly earlier with Hurricane Alma forming on May 17. Although 21 tropical depressions developed, only fourteen of them reached tropical storm intensity. However, this was well-above the 1950–2000 average of 9.6 named storms per season. Seven of these reached hurricane status, slightly above the 1950–2000 average of 5.9. Furthermore, two storms reached major hurricane status, near the average 1950–2000 average of 2.3. Collectively, the cyclones of this season caused at least 115 deaths and over $1.03 billion in damage. The Atlantic hurricane season officially ended on November 30, though the final tropical cyclone became extratropical on December 1. Tropical cyclogenesis began in May, with Alma developing on May 17. No tropical cyclone activity occurred in June. Three