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1917 Nueva Gerona hurricane

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1917 Nueva Gerona hurricane
Surface weather analysisof the hurricane over western Cuba on September 25
Meteorological history
FormedSeptember 20, 1917(September 20, 1917)
DissipatedSeptember 30, 1917(September 30, 1917)
Category 4 major hurricane
1-minute sustained(SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds150 mph (240 km/h)
Lowest pressure928mbar(hPa); 27.40inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities≥44 total
Damage$2.17 million (1917USD)
Areas affectedAntilles(particularlyJamaicaandCuba),Southeastern United States(especiallyFlorida)
IBTrACSEdit this at Wikidata
Part of the1917 Atlantic hurricane season

The1917 Nueva Gerona hurricane[1]was the most intensetropical cycloneto strike theFlorida PanhandleuntilHurricane Opalin1995.The eighth tropical cyclone and fourth tropical storm of theseason,this system was identified as a tropical storm east of theLesser Antilleson September 20. After crossing the Lesser Antilles, the system entered theCaribbean Seaand achieved hurricane intensity on September 21. After becoming aCategory2 hurricane, the stormstruckthe northern coast ofJamaicaon September 23. Early on September 25, the cyclone reached Category 4 status and attainedmaximum sustained windsof 150 mph (240 km/h) soon thereafter. Later that day, the hurricane madelandfallin easternPinar del Río Province,Cuba.The system entered theGulf of Mexicoshortly thereafter and weakened slightly. Recurving to the northeast, the hurricane briefly threatenedLouisianabefore turning towardFlorida.Early on September 29, the hurricane made landfall nearFort Walton Beach, Florida,with winds of 115 mph (185 km/h). Once over land, the cyclone rapidly weakened and transitioned into anextratropical cyclonebefore dissipating on September 30.

Some islands in the Lesser Antilles experienced strong winds and heavy rainfall, includingDominica,Guadeloupe,andSaint Lucia.In Jamaica, the hurricane caused significant damage tobananaandcoconutplantations. Communications from Holland Bay were disrupted when the station was demolished. The greatest damages were reported from the northern half of the island. Nine deaths occurred in the city ofPort Antonio.InNueva Gerona,Cuba, strong winds destroyed well-constructed buildings and all but 10 homes. TheIsla de la Juventudoverall experienced about $2 million (1917USD) in damage and there were at least 20 fatalities. Orchards and crops were destroyed on the Pinar del Río Province. In Louisiana andMississippi,impact was generally limited to damaged crops and timber stands. Ten deaths from drowning were reported in Louisiana. Farther east inMobile, Alabama,portions of roofs, trees, and other debris littered streets. Communications were severed inPensacola, Florida.Several small watercraft washed ashore, and numerous wharves, docks, and boat storages suffered impact. Total damages were estimated near $170,000 in Pensacola area. Five deaths were reported in Florida, all of them inCrestview.The storm and its remnants also produced rainfall in Georgia,North Carolina,andSouth Carolina.

Meteorological history

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Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
Unknown
Storm type
triangleExtratropical cyclone,remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

An opentroughoflow pressure,possibly atropical wave,[2]developed into a tropical storm about 160 miles (260 km) east-northeast ofBarbadosat 00:00UTCon September 20. Steadily intensifying, the storm moved west-northwestward and crossed the Lesser Antilles between the islands ofSaint LuciaandMartiniqueseveral hours later. Upon entering theCaribbean Seaon September 21, the system intensified quicker, becoming aCategory1 hurricane on the modern-daySaffir–Simpson hurricane wind scalelater that day. While passing south of theTiburon Peninsulaon the following day, the storm strengthened into a Category 2 hurricane. Later on September 23, the hurricane struck the northern coast of Jamaica, before re-emerging into the Caribbean Sea. Around 06:00 UTC on September 24, it intensified into a Category 3 hurricane while moving northwestward. Around that time, it struckCayman Brac.Early on September 25, the storm achieved Category 4 status.[3]

At 12:00 UTC on September 25, the hurricane attained its minimum barometric pressure of 928 mbar (27.4 inHg), an estimate made by Ramón Perez of the Instituto de Meteorología de la República de Cuba. Using a pressure-wind relationship, researchers at theNational Hurricane Centerestimated peakmaximum sustained windsat 150 mph (240 km/h).[2]Shortly after peak intensity, the cyclone brushedIsla de la Juventud.By 18:00 UTC on September 25, the hurricane madelandfallat the same intensity in the eastern part ofPinar del Río ProvinceinCuba.The system entered theGulf of Mexicolater on September 25. The storm fell toCategory3 intensity early on September 27. It briefly tracked generally northward and approached southeastern Louisiana before re-curving northeastward late the next day. At 02:00 UTC on September 29, the hurricane made landfall nearFort Walton Beach, Florida,with winds of 115 mph (185 km/h). Once over land, the system rapidly weakened to a tropical storm within 12 hours. Early on September 30, it transitioned into anextratropical cycloneoverGeorgiaafter merging with afrontal system.About six hours later, the remnants of the hurricane dissipated.[3]

The minimum atmospheric pressure of 928 mbar (27.4 inHg) established the cyclone as the third most intense landfalling Cuban hurricane. Deeper pressures of 921 and 915 mbar (27.2 and 27.0 inHg) were measured in the1924and1932hurricanes, respectively.[4]The cyclone (949 mbar, 28.0 inHg) was also the most intense tropical cyclone in theFlorida PanhandleuntilHurricane Opal(942 mbar, 27.8 inHg). At the time, it was tied with an1882 storm,which also had a central pressure of 949 mbar (28.0 inHg) at landfall in northwest Florida.[5]

Preparations and impact

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Caribbean

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On September 21, the United StatesWeather Bureauissued advisories because of strong swells in theLeeward Islands,indicating the presence of a tropical disturbance.[6]

The system produced heavyprecipitationand strong winds in the eastern Caribbean islands.[2]In Jamaica, the hurricane caused significant damages tobananaandcoconutplantations. Communications from Holland Bay were disrupted when the station was demolished.[7]The greatest damages were reported from the northern half of the island.[6]AtPort Antonio,the custom house was destroyed, while a hotel was severely damaged. Nine deaths occurred in the city.[8]InNueva Gerona,Cuba, severe winds destroyed well constructed buildings, devastating the town.[6]Only ten homes remained standing.[9]At a large plantation, every building but the house was destroyed. Nearly all of the chickens on the property were killed during the storm.[10]ThroughoutIsla de la Juventud,damage reached approximately $2 million. The island's food supply was also ruined.[9]Offshore, a number of ships capsized or went missing, resulting in "many" deaths.[11]There were at least 20 fatalities on the island,[12]while other accounts state that there were hundreds killed.[13]Orchards and crops were destroyed on the Pinar del Río Province.[6]A relief committed issued an appeal for aid to then-Cuban presidentMario García Menocaland Americans.[9]At the Burnside Hotel, among few buildings were demolished, a soup kitchen was opened to feed storm victims.[10]

United States

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Rainfall totals (in inches) in the United States

On September 23,northeast storm warningswere issued for theFloridacoast fromWest Palm BeachtoBoca Grande.[6]On September 25, the Weather Bureau advised marine traffic to remain alert in the Gulf of Mexico, noting that the intensity of the storm was unknown.[14]Later, hurricane warnings were issued fromApalachicola, Florida,toMobile, Alabama,on September 25. Warnings were also released fromPascagoula, Mississippi,toNew Orleans, Louisiana,on September 26. The warnings were briefly discontinued because of track uncertainties, but they were re-issued when the cyclone began to curve northeast. On September 27 and September 28, scheduled vessel trips were cancelled in New Orleans, Louisiana. Marine traffic resumed after the storm passed east of the city. The storm struck the Gulf Coast later than anticipated because of slow forward motion.[6]

In Louisiana,rain bandsproduced 6.40 in (163 mm) of rain inBurrwood.[6]The Louisville and Nashville Railroad sent trains on alternate routes because of eroded tracks near Lake Catherine. The effects of the cyclone also damaged crops and timber stands inLouisianaandMississippi.[15]Thestorm surgeassociated with the hurricane moved several structures from their foundations inBuras, Louisiana.[6]There, the storm was blamed for the death of an 8-year-old boy.[2]Nine additional fatalities occurred nearHoumaafter the fishing barkWannawas wrecked.[16]InBiloxi,warnings prevented considerable loss of shrimp boats.[15]Street cars and other traffic were practically suspended inGulfport.[17]

In Alabama, more than 5 in (130 mm) of rain was measured inMontgomery,[15]prompting flood advisories for the lowerAlabama Riverwatershed.[6]At Camp Sheridan, aUnited States ArmyWorld War Itraining camp, the streets were inundated with at least a few inches of water.[16]InMobile,trees and telephone and telegraph wires were downed,[15][17]cutting off communications. Roofs were detached and the galleries of houses were torn away. Police stopped the streets cars were operating and shut off the electricity.[17]No boats from the area were lost, and waterfront damage was negligible.[15]

The hurricane severed communication fromPensacola, Florida,though reports eventually indicated that the wireless radio plant was not destroyed.[15]Several small watercraft washed ashore, including theUSS Quincy,and numerous wharves, docks, and boat storages received damage.[6]Total damages reached about $170,000 in the vicinity of Pensacola.[6]Near the city, a portion of theLouisville and Nashville Railroadwas 8 ft (2.4 m) underwater, while several of their bridges washed away.[16]AtValparaiso,tides reached 7.5 ft (2.3 m) above normal.[18]Significant destruction of timber occurred inOkaloosaandSanta Rosacounties, and crops, structures, and livestock were affected.[6]Strong winds occurred along the southwest coast of Florida, and a wind gust of 44 mph (71 km/h) was reported inJacksonville.[6]A total of five people were killed inCrestview.[6]

The storm and its remnants also produced rainfall inGeorgia,North Carolina,andSouth Carolina.[19]

See also

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References

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  1. ^Christopher W. Landsea; David Glenn; William Bredemeyer; Michael Chenoweth; Ryan Ellis; John Gamache; Cary Mock; Ramon Perez; Ricardo Prieto; Jorge Sanchez-Sesma; Donna Thomas; Lenworth Woolcock (September 5, 2007)."A Reanalysis of the 1911–20 Atlantic Hurricane Database"(PDF).National Hurricane Center.RetrievedFebruary 22,2010.
  2. ^abcdChristopher W. Landsea; et al. (December 2012).Documentation of Atlantic Tropical Cyclones Changes in HURDAT.Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory(Report). Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.RetrievedJuly 11,2014.
  3. ^ab"Atlantic hurricane best track (HURDAT version 2)"(Database). United StatesNational Hurricane Center.April 5, 2023.RetrievedNovember 12,2024.Public DomainThis article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.
  4. ^Jose F. Partagas (1993).Impact on Hurricane History of a Revised Lowest Pressure at Havana (Cuba) During the October 11, 1846 Hurricane(PDF)(Report). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.RetrievedMay 11,2016.
  5. ^Chronological List of All Hurricanes: 1851 – 2012.Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory(Report). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 2013.RetrievedMay 11,2016.
  6. ^abcdefghijklmnHenry C. Frankenfield (October 1, 1917).Section III. – Forecasts(PDF).Weather Bureau(Report). Washington, D.C.: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.RetrievedMay 11,2016.
  7. ^"Storm News Received From the Various Districts".The Daily Gleaner.1917.
  8. ^"Hurricane Kills Nine".The Pantagraph.Kingston, Jamaica. September 25, 1917. p. 1.RetrievedMay 12,2016– via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  9. ^abc"Hurricane Damage Isles of Pines".The New York Times.Havana, Cuba. September 29, 1917. p. 3.RetrievedMay 12,2016– via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  10. ^ab"Brinnier's Place Wrecked by Storm".Daily Freeman.October 5, 1917. p. 1.RetrievedMay 18,2016– via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  11. ^"Hurricane Sweeps Isles of Pines".The Topeka Capital-Journal.Havana, Cuba. September 29, 1917. p. 1.RetrievedMay 12,2016– via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  12. ^"Tropical Storm on Southern Coast".Havana, Cuba: La Plata Republican. October 5, 1917. p. 3.RetrievedMay 18,2016– via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  13. ^"Gale Hits Isle Pines".The Salina Evening Journal.October 6, 1917. p. 1.RetrievedMay 18,2016– via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  14. ^"Storm Sweeps Over Jamaica".The Ogden Standard.1917.
  15. ^abcdef"Reports Indicate Slight Life Loss".The Galveston Daily News.1917.
  16. ^abc"Pensacola Gets Cut Off by Gale; 3 States in Path Hurricane".The Daily Free Press.United Press International.September 29, 1917. p. 1.RetrievedMay 18,2016– via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  17. ^abc"Gulf States Hit by Hurricane".The Evening Star.New Orleans, Louisiana. September 29, 1917. p. 2.RetrievedMay 18,2016– via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  18. ^Jay Barnes (2007).Florida's Hurricane History.University of North Carolina Press.p.99.ISBN978-0-8078-3068-0.RetrievedMay 18,2016.florida's hurricane history.
  19. ^R. W. Schoner; S. Molansky (July 1956).Report No. 3 Rainfall Associated With Hurricanes(PDF).United States Hydrographic Office(Report). Washington, D.C.:National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.RetrievedMay 11,2016.
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