1928 Fort Pierce hurricane

Add links
This is a good article. Click here for more information.
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

1928 Fort Pierce hurricane
Surface weather analysis of the storm on August 8
Meteorological history
FormedAugust 3, 1928 (1928-08-03)
ExtratropicalAugust 11, 1928
DissipatedAugust 14, 1928 (1928-08-15)
Category 2 hurricane
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds105 mph (165 km/h)
Lowest pressure971 mbar (hPa); 28.67 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities2
Damage$235,000 (1982 USD)
Areas affectedThe Bahamas, Cuba, Southeastern United States
IBTrACSEdit this at Wikidata
Part of the 1928 Atlantic hurricane season

The 1928 Fort Pierce hurricane devastated areas of

extratropical storm later that day. The extratropical remnants progressed outwards into the Atlantic Ocean
before entirely dissipating by August 14.

In its early developmental stages north of the Greater Antilles, the storm caused minor damage to shipping in The Bahamas and generated rough seas offshore Cuba. At its first landfall on Fort Pierce, the hurricane caused extensive property damage, particularly in coastal regions, where numerous homes were unroofed.

Mid-Atlantic states. Overall, the hurricane caused $235,000 in damages, primarily in Florida,[nb 1]
and two deaths.

Meteorological history

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
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

A tropical disturbance was first identified north of the

Category 1 hurricane at 1200 UTC.[2]

The hurricane continued to intensify, and attained

Mid-Atlantic states,[2] before exiting into the Atlantic Ocean near the Virginia Capes.[3] The storm system progressed eastward across the ocean before dissipating at 1800 UTC on August 14.[2]

Preparations and impact

Black and white contoured map showing rainfall amounts as contours, in 3 in (76 mm) increments from 3 to 15 in (76 to 381 mm).
Rainfall totals in the United States

The Bahamas and Cuba

Passing through The Bahamas on August 6–7, the tropical storm caused minor damage on the islands. Due to the rough seas, ships were taken to Nassau Harbor to ride out the storm.[4] The storm passed without any disruption of shipping services.[5] However, the flying boat Topsy Fish, containing two people, became lost over Bahamian waters on August 8. The plane and crew were later found north of Andros Island by a Miami relief plane and a boat from Nassau three days later.[6] Cuba, located south of the storm throughout its duration, reported minimal effects from the hurricane, other than a lowering of barometric pressures as reported by José Carlos Millás, then-chief of the Cuban National Observatory.[7] However, occasional thunderstorm activity fueled by the hurricane dropped rainfall over the island, and the storm generated heavy seas at the Cuban coast.[8]

Florida

Upon notification that a newly formed tropical cyclone was approaching the Florida coast, the

Daytona, Florida were upgraded to hurricane warnings on August 7, in accordance with the storm's upgrade to hurricane intensity. After moving inland, hurricane warnings were lowered, but emergency warnings for the storm's potential effects were posted for the interior of the Florida peninsula north of 28°N the following day. Northwest storm warnings were issued in Tampa, while northeast storm warnings were issued from Tampa north to Apalachicola, Florida. All warnings were eventually lowered following the storm's dissipation.[3]

Approaching the Floridian coast as an intensifying hurricane, the storm initially turned away from the

State Road 4 were covered in debris strewn by strong winds.[17] Damage to the state's road systems was estimated at $100,000 by the former Florida State Highway Commission.[3] Bridges were also badly damaged, with some needing replacement.[16]

Alongside the heavy rainfall, strong winds were reported.[1] Large live oak trees were uprooted,[16] especially in Osceola, Brevard, Orange, and Marion counties in Florida.[3] Initial estimates of property damage in several cities on Florida's mid-eastern coast reached $5 million, though this was later drastically scaled down.[1] In Sebastian, winds were estimated at 100 mph (160 km/h).[18] Due to the high winds, rail service on the Florida East Coast Railway was halted 3 mi (4.8 km) north of Jupiter after winds became unsuitable for continued travel. Portions of the railway were also flooded in water.[17] The train station in Fort Pierce was later unroofed.[19] Many of the state's coastal beaches suffered from window damage and damage to vegetation caused by strong winds. An estimated 75% of structures in Fort Pierce and 50% of structures in Vera were estimated to have been damaged by the strong winds, particularly in the form of torn roofs.[17] A report suggested that damage from those two cities reached at least $1 million.[20] The strong winds also hampered telephone and telegraph networks across the state, with losses as a result in excess of $1,000.[3] Power transmission lines belonging to the Florida Power & Light Company were downed, causing a widespread power outage along the coast from Titusville to West Palm Beach. Thus, services requiring electric power were postponed until power was later restored. In Stuart, failure of the electric pumps led to loss of telecommunications and the local water supply. In Melbourne, additional power lines were downed, and buildings experienced awning damage.[17] Portions of Central Florida also saw considerable damage.[21] In Winter Haven, winds were reported to have reached 75 mph (121 km/h), before power was cut.[10] A hotel in the city collapsed, and numerous houses were unroofed.[22] Property damage in Kissimmee and Haines City was severe, with many collapsed buildings. In Haines City, a large garage collapsed, destroying automobiles parked within. Nearby in Lakeland, there was less damage, though winds estimated at 50 mph (80 km/h) tore signs and awnings.[21] Effects of the storm in Tampa were comparatively less, though a lack of communications between the city and other locations led to speculation that Tampa had been severely hit.[20] At nearby Clearwater, Florida, boats were run aground at the harbor, causing some damage.[23] Similar conditions were felt in Ocala, though in some suburban areas trees were felled by the strong winds. Bus service in the area was delayed due to debris covering roadways.[24]

Elsewhere in the United States

Upon the hurricane's second landfall on the

orthographic lift from the Appalachian Mountains, the rainfall caused numerous reports of flood damage across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states. For any given 50,000 sq mi (130,000 km2) area of land affected by the storm, the maximum average rainfall was 6.4 in (160 mm).[12] In southern and central Georgia, flood warnings were issued due to the potential for flood impacts late on August 10. In Macon, Georgia, 8.5 in (220 mm) of rain was recorded in a 16-hour period. The Ocmulgee River, which runs through Macon, began to rise past flood stage as a result, causing the lower areas of the city to be inundated. Trees were also downed due to strong winds. Portions of the Central of Georgia Railway were washed out, forcing trains to be redirected. In Thomasville, Georgia, highways leading to Florida were rendered impassable due to blocking debris. In Valdosta, Georgia, a torn roof cut through several power lines, causing electrical disruptions in the city.[25] Similar impacts were felt in Augusta, Georgia, where strong winds toppled trees, damaged cottages, and severed telecommunication lines. Five people there were injured.[26] In addition, a tornado occurred nearby, damaging houses and flattening trees.[27]

Further east in the

Carolinas, five people were killed in the Piedmont region due to floods caused by the passing storm.[28] Torrential rainfall in the area resulted in disruption of power, communications, and traffic. Precipitation in those two states peaked at 9 in (230 mm) in western North Carolina.[12] In South Carolina, the heavy rainfall forced the issuance of flood warnings on the rising Santee River and its tributaries.[29] The Broad and Congaree Rivers in South Carolina later set high water level records due in part to the saturated soils caused by the storm.[15] The storm reached Virginia by August 12, resulting in additional flooding. A weather station in Richmond, Virginia recorded a minimum barometric pressure of 1,000 mbar (1,000 hPa; 30 inHg).[29] There, the James and Rivanna Rivers exceeded their respective flood stages, washing out peripheral crops.[30] Offshore the Mid-Atlantic states, over 100 people were rescued after rough waves swept them away.[31] Moderate gales associated with the storm were reported as far north as New York.[1]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ All damage totals are in 1928 United States dollars unless otherwise noted.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Landsea, Chris; et al. "Documentation of Atlantic Tropical Cyclones Changes in HURDAT". United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "Atlantic hurricane best track (HURDAT version 2)" (Database). United States National Hurricane Center. April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2024. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. ^
    doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1928)56<411:WIHOA>2.0.CO;2
    . Retrieved March 21, 2013.
  4. ^ "Storm Curves Away; Florida to Miss Blow". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Miami, Florida. Associated Press. August 6, 1928. p. 1. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
  5. ^ "No Damage Reported". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Nassau, Bahamas. Associated Press. August 6, 1928. p. 2. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
  6. ^ "Lost Men Found". San Jose News. Miami, Florida. Associated Press. August 11, 1928. p. 7. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
  7. ^ "Cuba Escapes Storm". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Havana, Cuba. Associated Press. August 6, 1928. p. 2. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
  8. ^ "Heavy Sea on Cuban Coast". The Evening Independent. Havana, Cuba. Associated Press. August 8, 1928. p. 12. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
  9. ^ "Gale Strikes Florida, Then Turns to Sea". The Evening Independent. Miami, Florida. Associated Press. August 7, 1928. p. 1. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
  10. ^ a b c "Hurricane Sweeps to Gulf". Rochester Evening Journal and the Post Express. Jacksonville, Florida. Associated Press. August 9, 1928. p. 2. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
  11. ^ "Hurricane Batters Florida". San Jose News. Jacksonville, Florida. United Press International. August 8, 1928. p. 1. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
  12. ^ a b c Schoner, R.W.; Molansky, S. "Rainfall Associated With Hurricanes (And Other Tropical Disturbances)" (PDF). United States Weather Bureau's National Hurricane Research Project. p. 84. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
  13. ^ a b "Water Over State Roads". The Evening Independent. Miami, Florida. Associated Press. August 9, 1928. p. 1. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
  14. ^ "Florida in Grip of Gale". Lewiston Evening Journal. Melbourne, Florida. Associated Press. August 8, 1928. p. 9. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
  15. ^
    ISBN 9780807830680. Retrieved March 24, 2013. 1928.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link
    )
  16. ^
    ISBN 0912747080
    . Retrieved March 21, 2013.
  17. ^ a b c d "Estimate Damage at $5,000,000; Houses Down". The Evening Independent. Jacksonville, Florida. Associated Press. August 8, 1928. p. 1. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
  18. ^ "Heavy Damage in Hurricane". Rochester Evening Journal and the Port Express. Jacksonville, Florida. Associated Press. August 8, 1928. p. 1. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
  19. ^ "Station Roof Carried Away". The Evening Independent. New Smyrna, Florida. Associated Press. August 8, 1928. p. 12. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
  20. ^ a b "Storm Causes Big Damage on Florida Coast". The Daily Times. Jacksonville, Florida. August 9, 1928. p. 1. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
  21. ^ a b "Roofs Off at Kissimmee". The Evening Independent. Tampa, Florida. Associated Press. August 9, 1928. p. 1. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
  22. ^ "Tampa Isolated by Florida Storm". Painesville Telegraph. Jacksonville, Florida. Associated Press. August 9, 1928. p. 1. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
  23. ^ "Clearwater Not in Storm Area". The Evening Independent. Clearwater, Florida. Associated Press. August 9, 1928. p. 6. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
  24. ^ "Hits South of Ocala". The Evening Independent. Ocala, Florida. Associated Press. August 9, 1928. pp. 1, 10. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
  25. ^ "Floods Sweep Over Georgia". The Pittsburgh Press. Atlanta, Georgia. United Press. August 11, 1928. p. 1. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
  26. ^ "Elements Take Heavy Toll In Life, Property". The Washington Reporter. Washington, D.C. United Press. August 11, 1928. p. 2. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
  27. ^ "Macon Is Warned Of Floods As Storm Sweeps Georgia; Tornado Lashes Augusta". The Atlanta Constitution. Atlanta, Georgia. August 11, 1928. p. 1. Retrieved August 31, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. Free access icon
  28. ^ "5 Are Dead in Hurricane". The Milwaukee Journal. Atlanta, Georgia. Associated Press. August 12, 1928. p. 4. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
  29. ^ a b "Storm Continues Across Caribbean". The Miami News. August 12, 1928. p. 1. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
  30. doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1928)56<332:RAF>2.0.CO;2
    . Retrieved March 24, 2013.
  31. ^ "Much Damage Is Caused By Severe Storms In East". The Telegraph-Herald. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. August 13, 1928. p. 1. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1928_Fort_Pierce_hurricane&oldid=1217697059"