1930 San Zenón hurricane

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1930 Dominican Republic hurricane
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Hurricane Two
Hurricane San Zenón
Surface weather analysis of the hurricane just before landfall in the Dominican Republic on September 3
Meteorological history
FormedAugust 29, 1930 (1930-08-29)
DissipatedSeptember 17, 1930 (1930-09-18)
Category 4 major hurricane
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds155 mph (250 km/h)
Lowest pressure933 mbar (hPa); 27.55 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities2,000–8,000
Damage$50 million (1930 USD)
Areas affectedDominican Republic, Haiti, Cuba, Florida, North Carolina
IBTrACSEdit this at Wikidata
Part of the 1930 Atlantic hurricane season

The 1930 Dominican Republic hurricane, also known as Hurricane San Zenón, was a small but intense and deadly

Saffir-Simpson Scale. Later, it also struck Cuba and the U.S. states of Florida and North Carolina
, with less severe effects.

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

The system is estimated to have formed on August 29 about halfway between the Lesser Antilles and the

National Weather Bureau issued storm warnings for the southern coasts of Puerto Rico and Hispaniola.[2]

After passing over or near Dominica, the hurricane entered the

landfall near Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic with a minimum central pressure of 933 mbar (27.6 inHg). As it was still intensifying up until landfall, the peak winds were estimated at 155 mph (249 km/h), although it is possible it attained Category 5 status.[1] The worst of the hurricane occurred in a 2-mile (3.2 km) diameter of its landfall location.[2]

The mountainous terrain of Hispaniola rapidly weakened the hurricane, and by about 12 hours after moving ashore the winds decreased to tropical storm status. It quickly emerged into the Windward Passage and moved westward to the south of the Cuban coastline. On September 6 the storm crossed western Cuba before recurving northeastward into the Gulf of Mexico with winds of 40 mph (64 km/h). It strengthened slightly, moving ashore near Tampa, Florida, with 45 mph (72 km/h) winds. While crossing the state, it weakened to tropical depression status, although it re-intensified after moving into the western Atlantic Ocean. By September 12, it again attained hurricane status to the southeast of the Carolinas. After brushing the Outer Banks of North Carolina with winds of 70 mph (110 km/h), the hurricane turned eastward and reached a secondary peak intensity of 100 mph (160 km/h) to the north of Bermuda. It gradually weakened, deteriorating to tropical storm status on September 16 and dissipating the next day to the west of the Azores. The remnants merged with a system that later affected the Azores and Ireland.[1]

Impact

Winds of 80 to 100 mph (130 to 160 km/h) were reported on Dominica, with winds of hurricane-force winds reported across the Lesser Antilles.[2] The hurricane wrecked crops across the island and destroyed every ship at the harbor, killing two people.[4] Rough seas also occurred along the coast of Saint Kitts, and a ship recorded a pressure of 969 mbar (28.6 inHg) near the island.[5]

In southern Puerto Rico, the winds reached less than hurricane force,[1] which caused minor to moderate damage to plantations. Rainfall across the island was dispersed unusually; the maximum amount on the island was over 6 in (150 mm) in Cabo Rojo on the southwestern portion of the island, while the minimum amount was under 1 in (25 mm) at a location in the center of the southern coastline. Rainfall reached over 2 in (51 mm) along the northern coast, with totals varying from 1 to 4 in (25 to 102 mm) in the mountainous interior. The precipitation was considered generally beneficial, due to previously dry conditions across the island.[2]

On September 3 the storm was a Category 4 when it struck the

Pan-American Airways anemometer before it was blown away. Similarly, another observation in the capital city recorded winds of 100 mph (160 km/h) before the roof it was on was damaged.[2] It was estimated as among the strongest hurricanes on record to strike the country.[1] Three entire districts of the city were almost completely destroyed, and an Associated Press report indicated "there was [scarcely] a wreck of a wall left standing".[8] Overall, the hurricane leveled about half of the entire city.[9] Due to its small nature, villagers 75 mi (121 km) from the landfall location had no knowledge of the storm. Heavy rainfall from the storm flooded the Ozama River and increased its flow to 15 mph (24 km/h), which prevented boats from traversing the river.[10] The passage of the hurricane caused severe damage estimated at $15–$50 million, with the storm considered a major disaster in the area. The Red Cross estimated 2,000 people died in the city, with an additional 8,000 injured.[2] Historians estimate the hurricane left between 2,000 and 8,000 killed.[11]

Minor effects were reported away from the coast; the mountainous terrain of

National Weather Bureau to issue storm warnings from Southport, North Carolina through the Virginia Capes. The strongest winds remained offshore, with minor damage reported along the Outer Banks. On Cape Lookout, the hurricane downed 12 small-frame buildings and damaged the city's Coast Guard headquarters. Power outages were also reported, leaving some areas on the Outer Banks isolated from communication to the outside world.[10]

Aftermath

Destruction after the 1930 Dominican Republic Hurricane

Relief work in the

Red Cross office in Washington, D.C., sent US$15,000 (equivalent to US$270,000 in 2023) in aid a day after the hurricane struck.[8]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Chris Landsea; et al. (2010). "Documentation of Atlantic Tropical Cyclones Changes in HURDAT". Hurricane Research Division. Archived from the original on 28 June 2011. Retrieved 2011-07-31.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h F. Eugene Hartwell (1930). "The Santo Domingo Hurricane of September 1 to 5, 1930" (PDF). Weather Bureau Office in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Retrieved 2007-04-04.
  3. ^ "STEAMER OUTRIDES STOrm's FULL FURY; Caught in Vortex of Hurricane, Coamo Tilts Perilously as Gale Strips Decks". The New York Times. 5 September 1930.
  4. ^ Staff Writer (1930-09-06). "Two Dead in Dominica". The Milwaukee Journal. Associated Press. Retrieved 2011-07-31.[permanent dead link]
  5. ^ "First Caribbean Hurricane of the Season Reported". The Daily Gleaner. Vol. 96, no. 175. Kingston, Jamaica. The Daily Gleaner. 1930-09-02. p. 1 – via NewspaperArchive.com.
  6. ^ "Atlantic hurricane best track (HURDAT version 2)" (Database). United States National Hurricane Center. April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2024. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  7. ISBN 978-1-4067-4641-9
    .
  8. ^ a b c d "Santo Doming Leveled by Hurricane; Believe 900 Dead, Injured in Hurricane". Ironwood Daily Globe. Vol. 11, no. 245. Ironwood, Michigan. Associated Press. 1930-09-04. p. 1. Retrieved 2019-07-03 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Storm Dead at 300". Marshfield News-Herald. Vol. 10, no. 145. Marshfield, Wisconsin. Associated Press. 1930-09-04. Retrieved 2019-07-03 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ a b c d Various (1930). "Appendices to the Santo Domingo Hurricane of September 1 to 5, 1930" (PDF). Weather Bureau Office. Retrieved 2007-04-12.
  11. NOAA. Archived
    from the original on 26 May 2007. Retrieved 2007-04-12.

External links
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