1941 Texas hurricane
Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | September 16, 1941 |
Extratropical | September 24, 1941 |
Dissipated | September 27, 1941 |
Category 3 major hurricane | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Highest winds | 125 mph (205 km/h) |
Lowest pressure | 942 mbar (hPa); 27.82 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 7 direct |
Damage | $7.5 million (1941 USD) |
Areas affected | Texas, Midwestern United States, eastern Canada |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1941 Atlantic hurricane season |
The 1941 Texas hurricane, the second storm of the
Meteorological history
In the middle of September, disturbed atmospheric conditions from a
Over the next three days, the intensifying storm executed a gradual
Preparations
In advance of the storm, advisories and warnings were widely distributed by press, radio, telegraph and telephone. About 25,000 residents evacuated their homes; some small towns along the coast were described as "deserted".
Impact
Overall damage from the storm totaled approximately $7 million, of which about $4 million can be attributed to the destruction of crops, notably rice and cotton.[2] The hurricane affected the southern Louisiana region one week before the Louisiana Maneuvers, a series of military exercises held during August and September 1941. The exercise was designed to test US troop training, logistics, doctrine, and commanders and is considered a prelude to World War II. The rainfall triggered flooding and swelled rivers, and army vehicles became stuck in the mud as a result.[7] Hundreds of military aircraft were forced to move inland for shelter.[5]
Winds along the coast of Texas reached 100 mph (160 km/h) at numerous points near the hurricane's center. A report from Galveston explained, "There was little characteristic sky appearance prior to the advent of the storm, the sky being mostly clear until lower clouds appeared suddenly between 6 and 7 a. m. C. S. T., on the 22d with altocumulus and alto-stratus overcast showing through breaks occasionally during the day. By late afternoon of the 22d the sky became completely overcast with low clouds of bad weather which predominated throughout the remainder of the storm."[2] Tides at the city, already slightly above-normal due to a previous storm, rose to a crest of 7 ft (2.1 m) on September 23, flooding large portions of Galveston Island. A local airport was flooded with 1 to 3 ft (0.30 to 0.91 m) of tidewater.[2]
As the hurricane moved inland, the city of Houston was hit especially hard. Three people in the area died and several others were injured.[8][9] Winds blew at up to 77 mph (124 km/h), catching many off-guard after a previous forecast that deemed the region was safe. Some sections of the city were left without power. The winds destroyed poorly built structures and damaged others, and some streets were flooded. An athletic stadium was demolished by the storm, and glass windows were shattered in downtown stores. A preliminary estimate placed the damage in Houston at $500,000. In the aftermath of the storm, fifteen truckloads of shattered glass were removed.[10]
After spreading across the United States, the remnants moved through Ontario and Quebec, producing hurricane-force wind gusts and 40 ft (12 m) waves along Lake Ontario. Throughout the lake, 55 vessels sunk due to the storm, resulting in tens of thousands of dollars in damage. High winds caused power outages and structural damage, as well as destroyed wheat fields across Ontario. In Toronto, the storm killed three people and injured others.[11]
See also
References
- ^ National Hurricane Center; Hurricane Research Division; Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (March 2014). "Atlantic hurricane best track (HURDAT) Meta Data". United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office of Oceanic & Atmospheric Research. Retrieved March 15, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f Howard C. Sumner (1942). "North Atlantic Tropical Disturbances of 1941" (PDF). Weather Bureau. Retrieved October 23, 2009.
- ^ a b c d e "Atlantic hurricane best track (HURDAT version 2)" (Database). United States National Hurricane Center. April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2024. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ Landsea, Chris; Anderson, Craig; Bredemeyer, William; et al. (January 2022). Continental United States Hurricanes (Detailed Description). Re-Analysis Project (Report). Miami, Florida: Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, Hurricane Research Division. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
- ^ a b "Gulf Storm Is Headed For Texas". The Evening Independent. September 22, 1941. Retrieved October 23, 2009.
- ^ "Hurricane Poised To Hit Texas". The Evening Independent. September 23, 1941. Retrieved October 23, 2009.
- ^ Velmer Lenora Smith. "World War II — Louisiana Maneuvers". Beauregard Parish Library. Archived from the original on April 12, 2010. Retrieved October 25, 2009.
- ^ "Hurricane Hits Houston In Twist". The New York Times. September 25, 1941. Retrieved October 23, 2009.
- ^ "Hurricane Races North Raging Thru Texas". Ludington Daily News. September 24, 1941. Retrieved October 24, 2009.
- ^ "Damage In Millions As Hurricane Hits Texas". The Evening Independent. September 24, 1941. Retrieved October 23, 2009.
- ^ Canadian Hurricane Centre (September 14, 2009). "1941-2". Retrieved July 29, 2011.