 Because the storm rapidly weakened before landfall , a potential " worst @-@ case scenario " was avoided . In Louisiana , the western edge of the storm produced light rainfall and hurricane @-@ force winds , though no damage occurred in that state . Offshore of Mississippi , rough seas inundated Horn Island and split Ship Island . Tropical storm force winds in the southern portion of the state littered broken glass , trees , and signs across streets in Pascagoula , as well as down power lines , which caused some residents to lose electricity . In Alabama , winds damaged beach cottages in cities along the Gulf Coast , and damaged crops in five counties in the southern portion of the state . Although large amounts of precipitation fell in the extreme western portions of the state , no flooding occurred in Florida . A lightning strike to a power station near Tallahassee caused a briefly city @-@ wide blackout . The storm spawned four tornadoes in Florida , one of which destroyed 25 homes . Outside the Gulf Coast of the United States , rain fell in other states , but no damage is known to have occurred . Overall , Ethel caused 1 fatality and $ 1 @.@ 5 million ( 1960 USD ) in damage . 
