1896 East Coast hurricane
Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | October 7, 1896 |
Dissipated | October 13, 1896 |
Category 2 hurricane | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Highest winds | 100 mph (155 km/h) |
Lowest pressure | 960 mbar (hPa); 28.35 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 4 |
Damage | $500,000 (1896 USD) |
Areas affected | Florida • U.S. East Coast • the Maritimes |
Part of the 1896 Atlantic hurricane season |
The 1896 East Coast hurricane was a slow-moving tropical cyclone that battered the East Coast of the United States from Florida to New England in mid-October 1896. The fifth tropical cyclone of the 1896 Atlantic hurricane season, it formed on October 7 in the southern Gulf of Mexico, and caused minor damage in Florida while crossing the state two days later. From October 10 through 13, the hurricane drifted northeastward along the coast, reaching its peak intensity as the equivalence of a Category 2 hurricane on the modern-day Saffir–Simpson scale. The hurricane subjected many areas along the East Coast to days of high seas and damaging northeasterly winds, which halted shipping operations.
The
Meteorological history
The fifth documented tropical cyclone of the 1896 season was first noted in the southern
The unusually slow-moving hurricane attained its peak intensity early on October 11, with estimated
Impact
The relatively weak storm caused little damage upon landfall in Florida, though some coastal flooding occurred near Punta Gorda. An apparent tornado north of the storm's track destroyed a home and an outbuilding.[2][5] Northeasterly gales and high tides affected northeastern portions of the state, including Fernandina, where lumber docks were flooded and parts of the Florida Central and Peninsular Railroad were washed out. Street flooding also plagued St. Augustine, but no major damage was reported there.[6]
Strong northerly gales affected the
Along the coast of Delaware near Cape Henlopen, the schooner Luther A. Roby was driven aground and broken up by the pounding surf. Three crew members died in the wreck, and five others safely reached shore with the help of rescue workers.[11] Offshore, the steamship Baron Innerdale was damaged in the storm, and one of the crew members was swept overboard.[12]
The worst effects were observed along the Northeastern shoreline from New Jersey to New England. In these areas, coastal flooding and persistent gales inflicted an estimated $500,000 in damage to beachfront property. Many small houses, seawalls, wharves, and piers were damaged or destroyed.[5][11] Wind gusts along the Jersey Shore reached 75 mph (120 km/h), which unroofed buildings and blew summer cottages off their foundations.[13] Homes and businesses in Asbury Park were bombarded by the debris from a half-mile stretch of boardwalk that was torn apart.[11] Thousands of spectators lined the shoreline there to watch the enormous waves.[13] One of the premier hotels in Sea Isle City was demolished,[11] along with numerous cottages.[13] The storm heavily flooded streets in the city and damaged yachts along the coast.[6] Just south of Sea Isle City, the steamer Spartan went ashore after her captain spent 30 hours fighting the storm at the wheel.[12] In Atlantic City, one amusement pier was heavily damaged by an impact from the dislodged wreckage of a previously sunk schooner,[14] while another was broken up by the surf.[11] Winds in Atlantic City gusted to 55 mph (90 km/h), and floodwaters surrounded some cottages, forcing residents to leave their homes by boat. The railway to Ocean City was washed out, leaving the community temporarily isolated. Railroad tracks were also submerged to the south at Cape May.[6] Farther inland, the winds brought down some few trees and overhead wires.[15] In Millville, high tides caused the Maurice River to overflow and destroy crops in bordering fields.[16]
See also
- List of United States hurricanes by area:
- Florida • North Carolina • Delaware • New Jersey • New York • New England
- List of Canada hurricanes
- Tropical cyclone rainfall climatology
References
- Specific
- ^ a b c d e f Hurricane Research Division (June 16, 2016). "Atlantic hurricane best track (HURDAT version 2)". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
- ^ a b Barnes, pp. 78–79
- ^ a b c d Partagás, 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. pp. 51–53. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
- ^ Hurricane Research Division (May 2015). "Documentation of Atlantic Tropical Cyclones Changes in HURDAT". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
- ^ . Retrieved February 14, 2017.
- ^
- . Retrieved February 15, 2017.
- ^ a b c d Roth, David M. "Virginia Hurricane History: Late Nineteenth Century". Weather Prediction Center. Retrieved February 2, 2017.
- Newspapers.com.
- ^
- ^ a b c d e Schwartz, p. 108
- ^
- ^
- ^
- ^ Onishi, Norimitsu (March 18, 1997). "Queens Spit tried to be a resort but sank in a hurricane". The New York Times. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
- General
- Barnes, Jay (2007). Florida's Hurricane History. University of North Carolina Press. ISBN 978-0807858097.
- Schwartz, Rick (2007). Hurricanes and the Middle Atlantic States. Blue Diamond Books. ISBN 978-0978628000.