Jump to content

1896 Atlantic hurricane season

This is a good article. Click here for more information.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

1896 Atlantic hurricane season
Season summary map
Seasonal boundaries
First system formedJuly 4, 1896
Last system dissipatedNovember 29, 1896
Strongest storm
NameTwo
• Maximum winds115 mph (185 km/h)
(1-minute sustained)
• Lowest pressure956mbar(hPa;28.23inHg)
Seasonal statistics
Total storms7
Hurricanes6
Major hurricanes
(Cat. 3+)		2
Total fatalities286
Total damage$10 million (1896USD)
Related article
Atlantic hurricane seasons
1894,1895,1896,1897,1898

The1896 Atlantic hurricane seasonwas fairly inactive but produced one of the costliest hurricanes ever to strike the United States until that point, along with several other destructivetropical cyclones.The season began in early July with a hurricane in theGulf of Mexicoand ended in late November with a slow-moving tropical storm over theLesser Antilles.Of the season's seven documented systems, six are believed to have become hurricanes, and two intensified into major hurricanes—the equivalence of Category 3 or greater on the modern-daySaffir–Simpson scale.All but one of the systems directly affected land to some degree; Hurricane "Six" remained over open water and only posed a threat to shipping lanes. In addition, a possible storm was identified off the coast ofNorth Carolinaon August 28–29, but modernreanalysis effortshave found insufficient evidence to classify it as a tropical cyclone.[1]Tropical systems in the 1896 season killed at least 286 people and inflicted more than $10 million (1896USD) in damage.

The first hurricane made landfall in theFlorida Panhandleon July 7, causing wind damage andcoastal floodinginPensacola,and destroying boats at port. No activity was observed until late August when a hurricane triggered widespread river flooding inPuerto Rico.After moving north, this storm struck easternNew England.Hurricane "Three" avoided land, but its outer periphery generated gusty winds in theOuter Banksof North Carolina. On September 29, fast-movingHurricane "Four"became one of the costliest United States hurricanes on record at the time after swampingFlorida'sCedar Keyswith a largestorm surgeand subsequently causing extensive devastation in the eastern United States. The hurricane caused 202 deaths and more than $9 million in damage across eight states, plusWashington, D.C.,and theGreat Lakes.About two weeks later,Hurricane "Five"roughly paralleled the U.S. East Coast, causing substantial coastal flooding and destruction of beachfront property. Little is known about the season's sixth hurricane which never affected land. Torrential rainfall associated with the final tropical storm of the season triggered deadly flooding onMontserrat,where nearly 50 people drowned and many more lost their homes.

Timeline

[edit]
1896 East Coast hurricane1896 Cedar Keys hurricaneSaffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale

Systems

[edit]

Hurricane One

[edit]
Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS)
DurationJuly 4 – July 9
Peak intensity100 mph (155 km/h)(1-min);

The first documented tropical cyclone of the 1896 season has unclear origins. Although its official track in theNational Hurricane Center'sAtlantic hurricane databaseshows a northwestward path over Cuba,[2]contemporaryUnited States Weather Bureaumaps indicated formation in the westernGulf of Mexico,[3]and news reports discussed an eastward motion of the storm. Additionally, no severe weather was observed in Cuba during the month of July.[1]In any event, the storm likely intensified into a hurricane on July 5, and around midday on July 7, it made landfall on theFlorida Panhandleeast ofPensacola,at Category 2 intensity.[2]Upon moving ashore, the hurricane produced powerful winds as high as 100 mph (160 km/h).[1]The storm rapidly weakened as it moved inland, and after tracking north for five days, its remnants dissipated nearBaffin Bayon July 12.[2]

Widespread damage was reported in Pensacola and along the coast, with watercraft suffering the greatest losses. In the city's harbor, the storm sank nine fishing boats, damaged twobarquesand abrig,and wrecked numerous smaller vessels. The winds damaged chimneys, signs, awnings, overhead wires, and some buildings throughout the city. About 35 house were unroofed,[4]along with several stores, a hotel, and a church. Fallen trees rendered streets impassable,[5]and railroads near the shore were washed out.[6]Total damage in the city was estimated at $100,000.[4]As the storm moved inland, gusty winds and heavy rainfall extended into parts ofAlabama,Georgia,the Carolinas,and southernVirginia.[1]Precipitation peaked at 12.0 inches (300 mm) inGreenwood, South Carolina.[7]On the morning of July 8,rainbandson the storm's eastern side spawned atornadoinHalifax County, North Carolina,that killed one person and destroyed several houses. Several more tornadoes developed in Virginia later in the day, causing five injuries and scattered damage.[4][8]

Hurricane Two

[edit]
Category 3 hurricane (SSHWS)
DurationAugust 30 – September 10
Peak intensity115 mph (185 km/h)(1-min);
956mbar(hPa)

Hurricane San Ramón of 1896

On August 30, a tropical storm materialized east of theLesser Antilles,on a northwestward course.[9]The next night, it made landfall on the southern coast ofPuerto Ricoas a Category 2 hurricane, accompanied by severe rain and wind.[1][10]The storm passed just north ofHispaniolaandCubaover the next several days,[1]delivering tropical storm-force winds to the islands.[10]On the evening of September 6, while nearthe Bahamas,a steamship crossed the center of the hurricane and recorded a barometric pressure of 28.24inHg(956mbar).[11]This corresponds tomaximum sustained windsof 115 mph (185 km/h), or a Category 3 major hurricane, which represents storm's peak intensity.[10]The ship suffered extensive damage and lost one crew member when he fell overboard.[1]Tracking generally northward, the storm weakened to minimal hurricane intensity before making landfall over easternMassachusettson September 10, with 80 mph (130 km/h) maximum sustained winds extending to aradiusof 35 mi (55 km) from the center.[2][10]Sustained hurricane-force winds were observed in bothRhode Islandand Massachusetts as the storm moved ashore.[12]The system transitioned into anextratropical cycloneshortly thereafter.[2]

Several rivers in Puerto Rico overflowed, leading to extensive flooding. Five homes were destroyed along the coast ofJuana Díaz,and strong winds caused isolated Fujita-scale F1 damage.[1][10]Later, the storm generated damaging winds along theNortheastern United Statescoast fromNew Jerseyto easternNew England,wreaking havoc on beachfront property and small craft.[13]Highstorm tidesinundated streets, wharves, and cellars along the coast, while farther inland, high winds damaged crops and stripped orchards of their fruit.[14]Wind gusts reached 80 mph (130 km/h) atPoint Judith, Rhode Island,where five vessels were destroyed, and 75 mph (121 km/h) onBlock Island.[1]InProvidence,the storm brought down communications wires and lodged numerous yachts against the coast.[15]To the north, foursloopssank inDorchester Bay.[1]InBoston,the storm caused minor wind damage, mostly limited to chimneys, fences, and signs.[16]On September 14, a stricken Italianbarquecalled theMonte Taborgrounded out on a sandbar off Cape Cod after encountering the hurricane several days earlier. Seven of the ship's crew members made it safely to shore, but inexplicably, three others—including the captain—committed suicide upon running aground.[17]

Hurricane Three

[edit]
Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS)
DurationSeptember 18 – September 28
Peak intensity100 mph (155 km/h)(1-min);

An unusually large storm formed east of theLesser Antillesby September 18. It tracked northwestward, and on September 22, falling air pressure was observed atHavana, Cuba,some 500 mi (800 km) southwest of the storm's center. Several ships encountered the hurricane in theGulf Streamon September 23, with one of them suffering damage to her sails. The hurricanerecurvedto the northeast far from theEast Coast of the United States,but still produced northeasterly wind gusts as high as 58 mph (93 km/h) atKitty Hawk, North Carolina,and 51 mph (82 km/h) atCape Hatteras,roughly 300 mi (480 km) northwest of the hurricane. Although its intensity and path are not certain,[1]the Atlantic hurricane database tracks the storm until dissipation south ofIcelandon September 28.[2]

Hurricane Four

[edit]
Category 3 hurricane (SSHWS)
DurationSeptember 22 – September 30
Peak intensity125 mph (205 km/h)(1-min);
960mbar(hPa)

The Cedar Keys Hurricane of 1896

Main article:1896 Cedar Keys hurricane

The most destructive tropical cyclone of the season, and one of the costliest hurricanes ever to strike the United States at the time,[18]passed through theLeeward Islandsas a tropical storm on September 22, and moved westward Through Caribbean Sea south of Hisponiola and Jamaica. Intensifying into a Category 3 major hurricane, the storm moved through theYucatán Channelon September 28, then accelerated toward the north-northeast.[2]In the early morning on September 29,[8]the hurricane struckFlorida'sCedar Keysand moved inland acrossLevy County.The small but intense hurricane sped northward through northern Florida and southernGeorgia;its rapid movement allowed it to maintain much of its severity over land.[19]Extremely high winds accompanied the hurricane to the east of its track through theMid-Atlantic states,and a band of heavy rain fell to its west from northernNorth Carolinato southernPennsylvania.[13]While becoming extratropical, the storm struckWashington, D.C.,late on September 29, and after crossing centralPennsylvania,it dissipated near theSouthern TierofNew York.[2]Its remnants merged with anotherlow pressure areaover theGreat Lakes.[20]

The Cedar Keys were struck by a devastating 10.5 ft (3.2 m)storm surgethat undermined buildings, washed out the connecting railroad to the mainland, and fully submerged the smaller, outlying islands where 31 people were killed.[21][22]Strong winds destroyed many of thered cedar treesthat played an important role in the economy of the region,[23]and several cedar mills were severely damaged or destroyed.[24]In interior Florida, the hurricane devastated many communities, leaving thousands of people homeless.[25][26]Few homes or businesses were left standing in the hardest-hit areas.[27]In northern Florida and southern Georgia, the hurricane razed millions of acres of pine forests, which crippled the localturpentineindustry.[28]InSavannah, Georgia,a 45-minute onslaught of fierce winds unroofed thousands of structures and left parks in a state of disarray.[29][30]Damage to shipping and shoreline settlements in theSea Islandswas extensive.[31]

As the hurricane continued northward, cities and agricultural districts alike suffered extensive damage inVirginia.[32]Flash flooding in theShenandoah Valleyculminated in the failure of anearthen damupstream fromStaunton,unleashing a torrent of water that swept homes from their foundations and ravaged the town's business district.[33]InWashington, D.C.,thousands of trees were uprooted or snapped, communications were severed, and localized streaks of violent gusts damaged many public and private buildings.[34]Many trees, some of historical significance, were blown down on theWhite Housegrounds.[31]InPennsylvania,flooding rains and powerful wind gusts produced widespread destruction, washing out railroads in western areas while demolishing hundreds of barns in and aroundLancaster County.[35][36]The storm demolished a 5,390 ft (1,640 m) bridge over theSusquehanna River,[36]while theGettysburg Battlefieldlost hundreds of trees, a few of which landed on historical monuments.[37]Damaging winds brought down trees and powerlines throughout theNortheastern United States,and the hurricane's extratropical remnants wrought havoc on shipping in theGreat Lakes.[38]Along the storm's path, it caused at least 202 deaths,[39]and wrought more than $9.6 million in damage.[40]

Hurricane Five

[edit]
Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS)
DurationOctober 7 – October 13
Peak intensity100 mph (155 km/h)(1-min);

The East Coast Hurricane of 1896

Main article:1896 East Coast hurricane

This cyclone was first noted in the southernGulf of Mexicoas a weak tropical storm on October 7. It tracked toward the east-northeast and madelandfallin a sparsely populated region ofSouthwest Floridaaround 00:02UTCon October 9. After crossing theFlorida Peninsula,it turned more northeastward and gradually intensified.[2]The unusually slow-moving hurricane attained its peak intensity early on October 11, with estimated maximum sustained winds of 100 mph (155 km/h). Shortly thereafter, it made its closest approach toCape Hatteras, North Carolina,passing roughly 115 mi (185 km) to the southeast.[2]For several days, the hurricane brushed the coast fromVirginiato southernNew Englandwith hurricane-force wind gusts.[1]The storm became extratropical by 00:00 UTC on October 14, and struck the coast of centralNova Scotiabefore dissipating on October 16.[2]

The storm had generally minor effects in Florida, mostly limited to coastal flooding in northeastern portions of the state.[41]TheMid-Atlanticcoastline experienced floodingstorm tidesthat inundated and greatly eroded Cobb's Island, part of theVirginia Barrier Islands.Hotels and cottages there were extensively damaged.[32]The storm claimed about 50acres(20ha) of Cobb's Island, reducing its size by two-thirds; subsequently, the inhabitants abandoned the island and its use as a resort ended.[42]Along theJersey Shore,low-lying railroads were flooded, boardwalks were destroyed, and many beach houses sustained damage.[41][43]The hurricane did $200,000 in damage to coastal installations onNew York'sConey Island.[44]To the north, wind gusts as high as 80 mph (130 km/h) affected eastern New England, where shipping interests were heavily impacted by the storm.[1]Three sailors died when a schooner went aground along the coast ofDelaware,[45]and another was tossed overboard while battling rough seas offshore.[44]Overall damage amounted to $500,000.[43]

Hurricane Six

[edit]
Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS)
DurationOctober 26 – November 9
Peak intensity100 mph (155 km/h)(1-min);

Little is known about the sixth storm of the season, which was first observed near9°N44°W/ 9°N 44°W/9; -44on October 17, and intensified into a moderate hurricane as it roamed the open Atlantic for two weeks. It was last noted near36°N35°W/ 36°N 35°W/36; -35on November 9.[2]On October 28, a ship was damaged by a severe squall or possibletornado,accompanied by frequent thunder and lightning, about 800 mi (1,300 km) to the northwest of the storm's estimated track. This incident may have been related to the hurricane if it were exceptionally large, and represents the only extant observation of the storm that modern reanalysis efforts were able to uncover.[10]

Tropical Storm Seven

[edit]
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
DurationNovember 27 – November 29
Peak intensity60 mph (95 km/h)(1-min);

The final documented system of 1896 formed over the far southernWindward Islandson November 27. As the storm slowly tracked northward, torrential rainfall and strong winds overspreadTrinidad,Saint Vincent,andBarbados.[1]Several days of rainfall overMontserratculminated in a "cloud burst" late on November 28,[46]with improving conditions reported by the next morning.[1]The storm remained below hurricane intensity and was last noted on November 29, just over 100 mi (160 km) northeast ofAnguilla.[2]In the affected islands, heavy precipitation gave rise to flash flooding along mountain streams and in valleys, destroying crops and property. Cotton, coffee, and sugar plantations sustained significant damage.[1]

On Montserrat, one plantation recorded at least 21.15 in (537 mm) of rain in 21 hours, though the rain gauge overflowed between each of the three observations, preventing an accurate total from being obtained. It was speculated that several feet of rain may have locally fallen on certain hillsides, as evidenced by landslides that swept away trees, boulders, and large volumes of earth.[47]Thirty-one people drowned inPlymouthafter their homes were swept into the sea.[46]Roadways were washed out in many places and the torrents reportedly washed out all but one bridge on the island.[1]In total, 46 people drowned in the floods, while many others were left homeless.Secretary of State for the ColoniesJoseph Chamberlainestimated monetary damage at£10,000 ($49,000).[46]The destruction was compounded by a series of earthquakes that began during the storm's passage.[1]A ship called the shipGrecian,bound from Trinidad toLondon, England,grounded out on a rocky section of Montserrat's coastline. Twenty-nine out of the 30 crew members died in the wreck; the sole survivor was thefirst mate,who reached solid ground by clutching to a piece of floating debris, and walking inland several miles.[47]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]

Specific

[edit]
  1. ^abcdefghijklmnopqrPartagás, José Fernández (1995)."A Reconstruction of Historical Tropical Cyclone Frequency in the Atlantic from Documentary and other Historical Sources: Year 1896"(PDF).National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.RetrievedFebruary 14,2017.
  2. ^abcdefghijklmHurricane Research Division (June 16, 2016)."Atlantic hurricane best track (HURDAT version 2)".National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.RetrievedFebruary 14,2017.
  3. ^Moore, Willis L. (July 1896)."Tracks of centers of low areas"(PDF).Monthly Weather Review.24(7). American Meteorological Society.Bibcode:1896MWRv...24Z...1..doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1896)247[c1:CITOCO]2.0.CO;2.RetrievedFebruary 16,2017.
  4. ^abcHenry, A. J. (July 1896)."Local storms"(PDF).Monthly Weather Review.24(7). American Meteorological Society: 230–231.Bibcode:1896MWRv...24..230H.doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1896)24[230:LS]2.0.CO;2.RetrievedFebruary 16,2017.
  5. ^"Big storm at Pensacola".The Tennessean.July 10, 1896. p. 8.RetrievedFebruary 16,2017– viaNewspapers.com.Open access icon
  6. ^"Storm at Pensacola".The Coosa River News.July 17, 1896. p. 3.RetrievedFebruary 16,2017– viaNewspapers.com.Open access icon
  7. ^United States Army Corps of Engineers (1945).Storm total rainfall in the United States.War Department. p. SA 3–4.
  8. ^abBarnes, p. 77
  9. ^Orlando Férez (1970)."Notes on the Tropical Cyclones of Puerto Rico"(PDF).San Juan, Puerto Rico National Weather Service.RetrievedFebruary 26,2017.
  10. ^abcdefHurricane Research Division (May 2015)."Documentation of Atlantic Tropical Cyclones Changes in HURDAT".National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.RetrievedFebruary 14,2017.
  11. ^"Barogram near a hurricane center"(PDF).Monthly Weather Review.24(9). American Meteorological Society: 336. September 1896.Bibcode:1896MWRv...24..336..doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1896)24[336a:BNAHC]2.0.CO;2.RetrievedFebruary 16,2017.
  12. ^Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (July 2016)."Continental United States Hurricane Impacts/Landfalls 1851-2015".National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.RetrievedFebruary 26,2017.
  13. ^abHenry, A. J. (September 1896)."Local storms"(PDF).Monthly Weather Review.24(9). American Meteorological Society: 316–317.Bibcode:1896MWRv...24..316H.doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1896)24[316:LS]2.0.CO;2.RetrievedFebruary 16,2017.
  14. ^"New England's storm".Star Tribune.September 11, 1896. p. 2.RetrievedFebruary 16,2017– viaNewspapers.com.Open access icon
  15. ^"Blowing a hurricane".The Evening Review.September 10, 1896. p. 2.RetrievedFebruary 16,2017– viaNewspapers.com.Open access icon
  16. ^"Historical Report Database".Harvard Forest.Harvard University.2001. Archived fromthe originalon October 26, 2016.RetrievedFebruary 16,2017.
  17. ^Snow, pp. 237–238
  18. ^Schwartz, p. 101
  19. ^Barnes, p. 78
  20. ^"The storm in Florida".Democrat and Chronicle.October 1, 1896. p. 1.RetrievedFebruary 1,2017– viaNewspapers.com.Open access icon
  21. ^National Weather Service Tampa Bay Area."Hurricane of 1896 Strikes with a Fury: Fact Sheet"(PDF).National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.RetrievedJanuary 29,2017.
  22. ^Oickle, pp. 59–61
  23. ^Oickle, p. 97
  24. ^Oickle, p. 53
  25. ^Oickle, p. 65
  26. ^"The cyclone".Marietta Daily Letter.October 5, 1896. p. 1.RetrievedFebruary 11,2017– viaNewspapers.com.Open access icon
  27. ^"Worse than dead by far".The Semi-Weekly Times-Democrat.October 6, 1896. p. 9.RetrievedFebruary 2,2017– viaNewspapers.com.Open access icon
  28. ^Oickle, p. 66
  29. ^Henry, A. J. (October 1896)."Notes Concerning the West India Hurricane of September 29–30, 1896"(PDF).Monthly Weather Review.24(10). American Meteorological Society: 322–323.Bibcode:1896MWRv...24..368H.doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1896)24[368b:NCTWIH]2.0.CO;2.RetrievedJanuary 29,2017.
  30. ^"Eleven fatalities: summing up the results of the great tornado at Savannah".The Salt Lake Herald.October 1, 1896. p. 1.RetrievedJanuary 29,2017– viaNewspapers.com.Open access icon
  31. ^ab"Many lives lost".The Algona Republican.October 7, 1896. p. 3.RetrievedFebruary 3,2017– viaNewspapers.com.Open access icon
  32. ^abRoth, David M."Virginia Hurricane History: Late Nineteenth Century".Weather Prediction Center.RetrievedFebruary 2,2017.
  33. ^Schwartz, p. 103
  34. ^Hazen, H. A. (September 1896)."The Wind-rush of September 29, 1896"(PDF).Monthly Weather Review.24(9). American Meteorological Society: 368–369.Bibcode:1896MWRv...24..322H.doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1896)24[322:TWOS]2.0.CO;2.RetrievedFebruary 3,2017.
  35. ^"Terrible sweep of the hurricane".The Wilkes-Barre Record.October 1, 1896. p. 1.RetrievedFebruary 7,2017– viaNewspapers.com.Open access icon
  36. ^abSchwartz, p. 105
  37. ^"National Park Service Discovers Bullets in Downed Witness Tree on Culp's Hill".Gettysburg Daily. August 10, 2011.RetrievedFebruary 11,2017.
  38. ^"Ruin in its path".The Chicago Daily Tribune.October 1, 1896. p. 7.RetrievedJanuary 31,2017– viaNewspapers.com.Open access icon
  39. ^
    View expanded list of sources
  40. ^
    View expanded list of sources
  41. ^ab"Big storm on the coast".The Wilkes-Barre Record.October 12, 1896. p. 1.RetrievedFebruary 14,2017– viaNewspapers.com.Open access icon
  42. ^"Virginia affairs".The Baltimore Sun.October 20, 1896. p. 7.RetrievedFebruary 3,2017– viaNewspapers.com.Open access icon
  43. ^abHenry, A. J. (November 1896)."Local Storms"(PDF).Monthly Weather Review.24(11). American Meteorological Society: 398–399.Bibcode:1896MWRv...24..398H.doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1896)24[398:LS]2.0.CO;2.RetrievedFebruary 14,2017.
  44. ^ab"Wrecks on the ocean".Chicago Daily Tribute.October 13, 1896. p. 5.RetrievedFebruary 15,2017– viaNewspapers.com.Open access icon
  45. ^Schwartz, p. 108
  46. ^abc"The floods in Montserrat".The Times.January 13, 1897.RetrievedFebruary 15,2017– viaNewspapers.com.Open access icon
  47. ^ab"Disasters in Montserrat".The Guardian.December 28, 1896. p. 6.RetrievedFebruary 15,2017– viaNewspapers.com.Open access icon

Works cited

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to1896 Atlantic hurricane season.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1896_Atlantic_hurricane_season&oldid=1241496012"