Wikipedia

1894 Atlantic hurricane season

The 1894 Atlantic hurricane season ran through the summer and the first half of fall in 1894. The 1894 season was a fairly inactive one, with seven storms forming, five of which became hurricanes.

1894 Atlantic hurricane season
Season summary map
Seasonal boundaries
First system formedJune 6, 1894
Last system dissipatedOctober 29, 1894
Strongest storm
NameSix
 • Maximum winds130 mph (215 km/h)
(1-minute sustained)
 • Lowest pressure931 mbar (hPa; 27.49 inHg)
Seasonal statistics
Total storms7
Hurricanes5
Major hurricanes
(Cat. 3+)		4
Total fatalities>200 direct
Total damageAt least $1 million (1894 USD)
Related article
Atlantic hurricane seasons
1892, 1893, 1894, 1895, 1896

Timeline

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1894 Greater Antilles hurricaneSaffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale

Systems

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Tropical Storm One

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Tropical storm (SSHWS)
  
DurationJune 6 – June 9
Peak intensity40 mph (65 km/h) (1-min);

According to reanalysis by José Fernández-Partagás and Henry F. Diaz in 1996, this system may have formed as early as June 4. However, Fernández-Partagás and Diaz elected to retain Simón Sarasola's 1928 narrative on this cyclone, indicating development about halfway between Cuba and Jamaica early on June 6.[1] The cyclone remained weak, peaking with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (64 km/h) as it headed generally west-northwestward. Late on June 9, the storm was last noted near northeastern tip of the Yucatán Peninsula.[2] Flooding occurred in Cuba between Havana and Oriente Province, with the worst impacts in Santa Clara.[1] Climate researcher Michael Chenoweth proposed the exclusion of this storm from HURDAT, arguing that ship records instead were more likely related to a tropical wave and strong high-pressure system.[3]

Tropical Storm Two

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Tropical storm (SSHWS)
  
DurationAugust 5 – August 9
Peak intensity60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min);

Observations from the eastern Gulf of Mexico during the early hours of August 4 "indicated the presence of a cyclonic whirl", as noted by the Monthly Weather Review. However, due to conflicting reports,[1] the official track for this storm begins in the central Gulf of Mexico at 06:00 UTC on August 5. The cyclone moved northeastward and strengthened to reach sustained winds of 60 mph (97 km/h) about 24 hours later. By August 7, the system curved north-northwestward and made landfall near Orange Beach, Alabama, at the same intensity around 18:00 UTC. It turned to the west-northwest after moving inland, and dissipated late on August 9 over Louisiana.[2] Chenoweth extends the track back to August 3, with the storm forming over the northwestern Caribbean instead. The storm strikes the Yucatán Peninsula and then moves northward over the Gulf of Mexico, eventually following a similar path to that listed in HURDAT.[3]

In the Gulf of Mexico, the schooner Violin was demasted during the storm and towed to shore by another schooner, the Henry Southers.[4] Additionally, the ship Catherine wrecked at the reef of Santa Rosa Island and the crew required rescuing.[5] The storm produced sustained winds up to 52 mph (84 km/h) at Pensacola, Florida, while heavy rains fell in areas along the Gulf Coast.[1] Precipitation generated by the storm flooded several homes in Pensacola and winds downed a number of fences and trees.[5]

Hurricane Three

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Category 3 hurricane (SSHWS)
  
DurationAugust 30 – September 9
Peak intensity115 mph (185 km/h) (1-min);
948 mbar (hPa)

A tropical storm was first observed on August 30 near 14°N 38°W / 14°N 38°W / 14; -38, which is approximately 700 mi (1,125 km) west-southwest of Cape Verde.[1][verification needed] The system slowed intensified while moving generally west-northwestward and then northwestward by September 1. Early on the following day, the storm strengthened into a hurricane. Around 18:00 UTC on September 3, the cyclone intensified into a Category 2 hurricane on the modern-day Saffir–Simpson scale and soon turned north-northwestward. The hurricane re-curved again by early on September 6 and reached Category 3 hurricane intensity later that day, peaking with winds of 115 mph (185 km/h).[2] Several steamships encountered the hurricane on September 8 and September 9, including the Othello, which observed a barometric pressure of 948 mbar (28.0 inHg),[1][verification needed] the lowest known pressure in relation to the storm.[2] Additionally, the schooner Origin became caught in the storm, which damaged several parts of the ship and threw one person overboard, who drowned.[6] The hurricane weakened and lost tropical characteristics as it accelerated northeastward, transitioning into an extratropical cyclone about 500 mi (805 km) southeast of Greenland late on September 9.[2]

In his 2014 study, Chenoweth proposed a mostly similar path to that listed in HURDAT, other than slightly farther west and east at certain points. The study also adds a tropical depression stage on August 30 and August 31.[3]

Hurricane Four

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Category 3 hurricane (SSHWS)
DurationSeptember 18 – October 1
Peak intensity120 mph (195 km/h) (1-min);
975 mbar (hPa)
Main article: 1894 Greater Antilles hurricane

This system was first observed well east of the Lesser Antilles on September 18. Gradually intensifying as it headed west-northwestward, the cyclone became a hurricane on September 19 and a major hurricane on the next day while passing near Martinique. After entering the Caribbean, the storm peaked with winds of 120 mph (190 km/h) on September 21, but weakened to a Category 2 hurricane before striking the Dominican Republic on September 22. The system weakened to a Category 1 hurricane before reaching the Gulf of Gonâve, but briefly became a Category 2 hurricane again before striking Cuba near Santiago de Cuba on September 23. Moving west-northwestward along or near the south coast of Cuba, the hurricane turned northward over Matanzas Province on September 24 and briefly weakened to a tropical storm.[2]

The cyclone re-intensified into a hurricane over the Straits of Florida on September 25 and struck Florida on Key West and later near Punta Rassa. After turning north-northeastward and weakening to a tropical storm, the system re-attained hurricane status shortly before entering the Atlantic on September 26. The hurricane struck near Port Royal, South Carolina, early on September 27. Thereafter, the cyclone curved east-northeastward and weakened to a tropical storm over southeastern North Carolina early on September 28. Briefly re-emerging into the Atlantic, the cyclone made its final landfall near Atlantic Beach. After again emerging into the Atlantic, the storm became a hurricane on September 29. However, the cyclone weakened back to a tropical storm on September 30 and was last noted on October 1 east of New England.[2] Chenoweth's study made little adjustments to the track of this storm, although it became extratropical on September 30. Additionally, Chenoweth proposed that the cyclone became a major hurricane as it approached and then struck Florida.[3]

On September 20, as the storm passed through the Lesser Antilles, it produced heavy rains and high winds over several islands. On Martinique, high winds and continuous, torrential rains impacted the island. Despite the intensity of the storm, there were no reports of damage in the Lesser Antilles. In Hispaniola, more than 500 homes and two churches were destroyed; numerous other structures sustained damage, mainly having their roofs blown off. The cyclone produced heavy rainfall in Florida, including 13.78 inches (350.01 mm) over a 54-hour period at Tampa; at Titusville, 7.72 inches (196.09 mm) fell in two days. Jacksonville registered a storm total of 11.11 inches (282.19 mm).[7][not specific enough to verify] In southeast Florida, a bridge on the Lake Worth Lagoon was swept away[8] and thousands of dead fish beached at Jupiter,[9] but otherwise only gale-force winds and occurred and damage was insignificant.[10] The ship Jella was stranded at Hillsboro Inlet and the Emily II sank off Key West with a loss of all her crew. Many wine caskets and other debris were found on the beaches between the New River and the Lake Worth Lagoon.[11] In all, the cyclone was responsible for an estimated 200 deaths.

Hurricane Five

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Category 3 hurricane (SSHWS)
DurationOctober 1 – October 10
Peak intensity120 mph (195 km/h) (1-min);
955 mbar (hPa)

The Florida Panhandle Hurricane of 1894
Due to falling atmospheric pressures in the southwestern Caribbean and surrounding land seas,[1]: 20  the official track for this cyclone begins on October 1. A minimal tropical storm, the system moved northwestward and intensified into a hurricane on October 3 while passing northeast of Honduras. Late on the October 5, the cyclone passed about 45 mi (70 km) west of Cabo San Antonio, Cuba, as it entered the Gulf of Mexico. The hurricane then strengthened, peaking with winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) on October 6. Around midday on October 7, the cyclone turned northward, before curving northeastward late on October 8. Around 03:00 UTC the next day, the system struck near Panama City, Florida;[2] a 2003 reanalysis estimated a barometric pressure of 955 mbar (28.2 inHg) at landfall.[12] The hurricane weakened quickly as it moved inland, deteriorating to a tropical storm over South Carolina on October 9. However, the storm emerged into the Atlantic early on the following day and soon re-strengthened into a hurricane. At 15:00 UTC on October 10, the system made landfall near Bellport, New York, with winds of 85 mph (140 km/h), shortly before striking Connecticut and weakening to a tropical storm. Becoming extratropical over Maine late on October 10, the storm's remnants continued northeastward into Atlantic Canada before dissipating over Labrador on October 12.[2]

In the 2014 study by Chenoweth, he proposed a very similar track shown in HURDAT. However, the storm instead formed near the coast of Colombia on September 26 and initially moved very slowly northwestward.[3]

The hurricane dropped heavy rains over western Cuba, flooding towns such as Guara, Pinar del Río, San Cristóbal.[13] Storm surge impacted Louisiana and Mississippi, submerging land south of Pointe à la Hache in the former,[14] while washing away a 1,000 ft (300 m) section of railroad and wrecking vessels on Horn Island in the latter.[15][16] Winds caused some damage, especially in Mississippi City, Mississippi, where several outbuildings and a church were destroyed.[17] In Florida, extensive impact occurred, with the Weather Bureau noting that "Every city and town between Jacksonville and Pensacola was damaged more or less. [...] This storm was the most violent one which has passed near Jacksonville during the past 23 years." Unpicked cotton, oranges, pecan, and sugarcane also suffered extensive losses across this section of the state.[18] Seventeen people died in Florida including two at Apalachicola and fifteen at Sand Island, near St. George Island, where three vessels were wrecked.[19][20] At least $100,000 in damage occurred in Florida.[21] The storm impacted much of the rest of the East Coast of the United States, especially New Jersey and New York. In the former, one person died in Englewood after a chimney fell inside a home.[22] The New York City area suffered extensively, with Long Island City alone reporting about $100,000 in damage.[23] Winds generated by the storm toppled a seven-story building under construction onto a tenement, killing 10 people and seriously injuring 15 others.[24]

Hurricane Six

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Category 4 hurricane (SSHWS)
  
DurationOctober 11 – October 20
Peak intensity130 mph (215 km/h) (1-min);
931 mbar (hPa)

Although atmospheric pressures began to fall near Trinidad on October 10, the presence of a cyclone could not be confirmed until the following day.[1]: 25  Located approximately 215 mi (345 km) east of Trinidad, the tropical storm moved northwestward and strengthened into a hurricane late on October 11. During the following day, the storm passed near Barbados and then struck Saint Lucia at Category 2 intensity. The hurricane crossed through the western Virgin Islands early on October 14 before re-emerging into the Atlantic. Curving northward, the cyclone intensified significantly on October 16,[2] with the ship Herschel observing a barometric pressure of 931 mbar (27.5 inHg).[1]: 26  Consequently, the storm is estimated to have peaked as a Category 4 hurricane with winds of 130 mph (215 km/h). On October 17, the system began weakening and turning to the northeast, passing southeast of Bermuda. The storm was last noted on October 20, with the track ending approximately 460 mi (740 km) southeast of Sable Island.[2]

The hurricane severely damaged or destroyed 360 homes on Barbados, while several vessels went missing. As a result, one person died due to exposure and seventeen people remained unaccounted for one week after the storm.[25] On St. Lucia, the Vieux Fort District reportedly extensive damage to property, including the destruction of a church and many factories. Cocoa and sugar crops were reportedly completely lost due to the fields being flooded, while landslides blocked numerous roads. Two deaths occurred after the Norwegian brig Lhadnor went ashore at Dennery.[1]: 25  The storm produced sustained winds up to 40 mph (65 km/h) and barometric pressures as low as 997 mbar (29.4 inHg) on Bermuda,[26] as well as rough seas.[1]: 26 

Hurricane Seven

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Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS)
  
DurationOctober 21 – October 29
Peak intensity110 mph (175 km/h) (1-min);
955 mbar (hPa)

Based on observations and reanalysis by Fernández-Partagás and Diaz,[1]: 27  the track for this storm about 265 mi (425 km) northeast of the Lesser Antilles on October 21. Moving generally west-northwestward, the tropical storm is estimated to have intensified into a hurricane two days later. After briefly stalling east of the Bahamas on October 25, the hurricane turned northeastward. The system then moved about 50 mi (80 km) northwest of Bermuda late the following day as a Category 2 hurricane. Slightly further strengthening occurred as the storm passed southeast and then east of Atlantic Canada. Early on October 29, the hurricane peaked with winds of 110 mph (175 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 955 mbar (28.2 inHg),[2] based on observations from the ship Maryland.[12] Several hours later, however, the storm transitioned into an extratropical cyclone, which continued northeastward until dissipating east of Ireland on October 31.[2]

The storm produced winds as far west as the east coast of Florida, while Nassau, Bahamas, observed a barometric pressure slightly less than 1006 mbar (29.7 inHg).[1]: 28  On Bermuda, sustained winds briefly reached 81 mph (130 km/h), toppling telephone pole and large, old trees. Recently planted crops sustained significant damage.[27]: 6  Additionally, abnormally high tides generated by the cyclone left at least one road nearly impassible.[1]: 28 

Other storms

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Chenoweth proposed two storms not currently listed in HURDAT. The first of the two developed on September 9 over the Gulf of Honduras. Moving northwestward, the system struck central British Honduras (present-day Belize) as a tropical storm before dissipating the next day over Guatemala. Later, Chenoweth's other proposed cyclone formed over the open Atlantic about 650 mi (1,045 km) northeast of the Lesser Antilles on November 30. The storm reached hurricane status as it tracked generally east-northeastward and later northeastward. Early on December 8, the system crossed the far eastern Azores shortly before transitioning into an extratropical cyclone.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Fernández-Partagás, José (1996). A Reconstruction of Historical Tropical Cyclone Frequency in the Atlantic from Documentary and other Historical Sources: Year 1894 (PDF) (Report). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Atlantic hurricane best track (HURDAT version 2)" (Database). United States National Hurricane Center. April 5, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2024.   This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Chenoweth, Michael (December 2014). "A New Compilation of North Atlantic Tropical Cyclones, 1851–98". Journal of Climate. 27 (12). American Meteorological Society. Bibcode:2014JCli...27.8674C. doi:10.1175/JCLI-D-13-00771.1. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  4. ^ "British Schooner Disabled". Eufaula Times and News. Eufaula, Alabama. August 9, 1894. p. 1. Retrieved July 3, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.  
  5. ^ a b "Storm at Pensacola". The Daily Picayune. New Orleans, Louisiana. August 9, 1894. p. 11. Retrieved July 3, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.  
  6. ^ "Mail and Shipping Intelligence". The Times. London, United Kingdom. October 10, 1894. p. 11. Retrieved July 3, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.  
  7. ^ Observed Rainfall in Florida, Monthly Totals from Beginning of Records to 31 December 1947. Tallahassee, Florida: Division of Water Survey and Research, State of Florida, State Board of Conservation. 1948.
  8. ^ "We Sometimes Think That". Tropical Sun. Juno, Florida. October 4, 1894. p. 2.
  9. ^ "Jupiter Jottings". Tropical Sun. Juno, Florida. October 4, 1894. p. 1.
  10. ^ "Lantana". Tropical Sun. Juno, Florida. October 4, 1894. p. 1.
  11. ^ "Storm Pick-ups". Tropical Sun. Juno, Florida. October 4, 1894. p. 1.
  12. ^ a b Landsea, Christopher W.; et al. (May 2015). Documentation of Atlantic Tropical Cyclones Changes in HURDAT. Hurricane Research Division (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  13. ^ "Heavy Rains and Floods in Cuba". Decatur Daily Republican. Decatur, Illinois. October 6, 1894. p. 4. Retrieved June 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.  
  14. ^ "Pointe à la Hache". The Daily Picayune. New Orleans, Louisiana. October 9, 1894. p. 2. Retrieved June 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.  
  15. ^ "Ocean Springs". The Daily Picayune. New Orleans, Louisiana. October 9, 1894. p. 2. Retrieved June 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.  
  16. ^ "Scranton". The Daily Picayune. New Orleans, Louisiana. October 9, 1894. p. 2. Retrieved June 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.  
  17. ^ "Mississippi City". The Daily Picayune. New Orleans, Louisiana. October 9, 1894. p. 2. Retrieved June 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.  
  18. ^ Barnes, Jay (2007). Florida's Hurricane History. University of North Carolina Press. p. 76. ISBN 978-0807858097.
  19. ^ "Echoes of the Storm". The Daily News. Pensacola, Florida. October 12, 1894. p. 1. Retrieved July 13, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.  
  20. ^ "Damages By The Storm". Alexandria Gazette and Virginia Advertiser. October 12, 1894. p. 2. Retrieved July 13, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.  
  21. ^ "Report of the Florida Weather Service for the Year 1894" (PDF). Climatological Data. Weather Bureau Jacksonville, Florida: 1. September 1895. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 10, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  22. ^ "Killed in Her Bed". Paterson Daily Press. October 10, 1894. p. 1. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  23. ^ "Great Loss of Property in Long Island City". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. October 10, 1894. p. 12. Retrieved June 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.  
  24. ^ "Death Dealing Storm". Paterson Daily Press. October 10, 1894. p. 1. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  25. ^ "Survivors of the Gale". St. Croix Avis. Christiansted, United States Virgin Islands. November 7, 1894. p. 3. Retrieved June 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.  
  26. ^ 1894 Storm 6 (.XLS). Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (Report). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  27. ^ Guishard, Mark; Dodgson, James (August 17, 2021). Hurricanes - General Information for Bermuda (PDF) (Report). Bermuda Weather Service. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
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