1893 New York hurricane
 Map of the hurricane on August 24 over New York City | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | August 15, 1893 |
| Dissipated | August 25, 1893 |
| Category 3 major hurricane | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
| Highest winds | 115 mph (185 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 952 mbar (hPa); 28.11 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | At least 34 |
| Areas affected | Eastern United States |
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1893 Atlantic hurricane season | |
The 1893 New York hurricane, also known as the Midnight Storm,
The storm inflicted severe damage with storm tides as high as 30 ft (9 m). Trees were brought down, houses were demolished, and Hog Island was largely washed away by the cyclone. Several areas suffered extensive effects from the hurricane, and at least 34 sailors lost their lives. The storm is regarded as one of the most severe hurricanes to strike the city.
Meteorological history
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
The system was first classified as a tropical storm while situated in the central Atlantic Ocean on August 15, 1893. It steadily intensified as it tracked generally toward the west and attained hurricane force. Gradually curving northwestward, the storm continued to gain power and, on August 18, it achieved wind speeds corresponding to
Less than a day later, the storm deteriorated to Category 2 strength.
Impact
Winds from the storm exceeded 50 mph (80 km/h) at Atlantic City and New York, initially blowing from the northeast before shifting southwesterly.[4] The hurricane wrought severe destruction,[6] described by The New York Times on August 25 as "a mighty war of winds and a great tumbling of chimneys" and 3.82 inches (97 mm) of rain falling from 8:00 PM Wednesday to 8:00 AM Thursday.[7] A 30 ft (9 m) storm surge struck the shore, demolishing structures as large as an elevated railway.[6] The storm has been cited as an example of a noteworthy New York City tropical cyclone.[8] The cyclone is known for largely destroying Hog Island, a developed resort island along the southern Long Island coast, which had been as long as about 1 mi (1.6 km) in the 1870s.[9]
The worst of the damage was reportedly confined to a 50 mi (80 km) area surrounding New York City. In a 12-hour period, 3.82 in (97 mm) of precipitation fell, breaking the daily rainfall record. Hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses accompanied the severe impact. Low-lying areas of the city, particularly those near the coast, were flooded. Roofs and chimneys were ripped off buildings and windows were broken in many homes and businesses. In Central Park, "More than a hundred noble trees were torn up by the roots, and branches were twisted off everywhere."[7] The park was devastated and thousands of dead birds fell to the ground after being washed out of, or drowned in, their nests. Groups of children gathered the birds and picked them up, with the apparent intention of selling them to restaurants.[7] The storm took the lives of 34 sailors as vessels were blown ashore and men swept overboard. The tugboat Panther, towing two coal barges, was wrecked; 17 crew members perished and three lived.[7]
High winds brought down telegraph wires and left the city almost entirely cut off from communication with outside locations. At Coney Island, the storm completely destroyed many buildings, walkways, piers, and beach resorts. Brighton Beach was hit particularly hard. The raging seas swept inland, washing out tracks of the Marine Railway.[7] Bathing houses were moved a great distance by the cyclone. Near the Sheepshead Bay, Emmons Avenue was heavily damaged. Further to the east, at Greenport, numerous yachts were wrecked and scattered. Corn crops on land were ruined and fruit trees lost their fruits.[7]
At Brooklyn, still an independent city from New York, houses were dismantled and uprooted trees blocked streets. Damage was widespread throughout the area and flood waters reached waist-high levels. The storm was the most severe in years at Jersey City, New Jersey, despite the fact that its damage was moderate. Trees were blown down and cellars filled with water there and in nearby areas, such as Hoboken.[7]
See also
- 1893 Atlantic hurricane season
- Sea Islands Hurricane
- 1821 Norfolk and Long Island hurricane
- Hurricane Gloria
- Hurricane Irene
- Hurricane Sandy
References
- ^ "Chronological List of All Hurricanes which Affected the Continental United States: 1851-2007" (txt). United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
- ^ a b c d e National Hurricane Center (2009). "Easy-to-read HURDAT 1851-2008". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved January 30, 2010.
- ^ Jack Williams (May 17, 2000). "Hurricane scale invented to communicate storm danger". USA Today. Retrieved February 3, 2010.
- ^ a b c "1893 Monthly Weather Review" (PDF). National Weather Bureau. 1894. Retrieved January 30, 2010.
- ^ "NOAA Revisits Historic Hurricanes". Hurricane Research Division. Archived from the original on 28 April 2010. Retrieved April 16, 2010.
- ^ a b Aaron Naparstek (September 4, 2005). "Storm Tracker". New York magazine. Retrieved February 3, 2010.
- ^ Newspapers.com
. Alt URL - ^ Robert Roy Britt (June 1, 2005). "History Reveals Hurricane Threat to New York City". Robert Roy Britt. Retrieved February 3, 2010.
- ^ Norimitsu Onishi (March 18, 1997). "Queens Spit Tried to Be a Resort but Sank in a Hurricane". The New York Times. Retrieved February 3, 2010.
