1944 Great Atlantic hurricane
United States East Coast (especially New England), Atlantic Canada | |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1944 Atlantic hurricane season |
The 1944 Great Atlantic hurricane was a destructive and powerful
Its precursor was first identified well east of the
Meteorological history
The origins of the 1944 hurricane can be traced back to a
After formation, the tropical cyclone gradually intensified as it slowly moved west-northwestward, reaching the threshold for hurricane intensity at 06:00 UTC on September 10 while north of the
The hurricane began to gradually weaken after reaching peak intensity on September 13.
Preparations
Upon being designated a tropical cyclone, the Weather Bureau began advising extreme caution to shipping within the expected path of the hurricane.[4] Precaution was also urged in the eastern Bahamas.[5] The first hurricane warning issued by the Weather Bureau in association with the storm was for the northern Bahamas on September 12. In Miami, Florida, the American Red Cross began preparing its resources for a potential regional calamity; however, the Weather Bureau did not necessarily anticipate the storm striking Miami.[6] Royal Air Force aircraft stationed in Nassau were flown to Miami in order to avoid the storm.[7] Although tropical cyclone naming was not in practice at the time,[8] the Weather Bureau in Miami, Florida, began naming the system the "Great Atlantic hurricane" in their public advisories on September 12 to better convey the life-threatening risks associated with the powerful hurricane.[2] The following day, storm warnings were issued for areas from the United States East Coast from Savannah, Georgia to Cape Hatteras. Small craft in offshore areas further south were advised to remain in port.[9] As Morehead City, North Carolina was forecast to be submerged under several feet of water, the city's entire population was evacuated; other resort locales along the coast of North Carolina were also evacuated. Similarly, the 3000–4000 personnel constituting Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point were evacuated inland; U.S. Army and Navy aircraft were also sent inland.[10]
As the hurricane was passing near the Outer Banks, hurricane warnings were extended as far north as Portland, Maine, and storm warnings were issued as far north as Eastport, Maine.[11] Precautions across New England and Mid-Atlantic states began in earnest once the storm began tracking northwards. Sixty buses were readied in Ocean City, Maryland to evacuate the seaside resort's permanent and tourist residents.[12] The 3,000 residents of Fire Island, one of the barrier islands off of Long Island, were ordered to evacuate the islet. Nearby, the Brooklyn Red Cross Chapter began readying for possible relief work, stocking five mobile canteens with emergency rations.[13] The United States First Naval District were directed to have personnel and rescue craft on standby to respond to emergencies. The Massachusetts State Police began relaying Weather Bureau bulletins to local public services via telecommunications. Personnel on duty were called back to barracks for later deployment in relief operations.[11] The Massachusetts National Guard were ordered to standby and prepare for potential assistance of regional emergency services.[14] Other Massachusetts state agencies were also allocating resources to aid in relief operations.[11]
Impact
North Carolina
The hurricane passed east of North Carolina on the morning of September 14; while stronger winds prevailed offshore, parts of the North Carolina coast experienced Category 2 hurricane conditions according to the Atlantic hurricane reanalysis project.[15]: 72 The peak sustained winds in the state were estimated by the project to have reached approximately 105 mph (165 km/h), with the high winds punctuated by higher gusts. The highest reported wind speeds in the state occurred at Hatteras, where 5-minute sustained winds peaked at an estimated 85 mph (135 km/h).[1] With the eye remaining mostly offshore, the resulting impacts of the hurricane in the state were limited to areas east of the 77th meridian west.[15]: 72 [16] The hurricane inflicted about $1 million in crop damage and $450,000 in property damage in North Carolina, with wind-related impacts accounting for most of the damage toll.[16] More than 600 buildings were damaged in the central and northern coastal areas of the state, of which 108 were destroyed.[17] The Weather Bureau enumerated 3,279 damaged buildings and 389 destroyed buildings across the state.[2]: 189 Telecommunications were also disrupted throughout the North Carolina coast between Morehead City and the state border with Virginia.[18]: 1 One person was killed and 28 were injured statewide.[2]: 185
The
Winds of around 75 mph (120 km/h) brought down power and telephone lines in the
Virginia
The passing hurricane brought Category 2 hurricane conditions to eastern Virginia.[1] Five-minute sustained winds at Cape Henry topped out at 86 mph (139 km/h) while one-minute sustained winds topped out at 128 mph (206 km/h), though the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory assessed that the latter value was not in concordance with other observations or may have been "atypical of the circulation of the hurricane".[1] A wind measurement of 134 mph (216 km/h) at Cape Henry nonetheless set a record for the region as the strongest winds measured within both the region and for the state of Virginia overall.[24] Gusts at Cape Henry may have reached as high as 150 mph (240 km/h).[25] A $5 million damage toll inflicted upon crops and a $1 million damage toll inflicted upon property comprised the $6 million damage toll resulting from the hurricane's impacts in Virginia.[26] The hurricane damaged 2,132 buildings and destroyed another 31 according to the Weather Bureau.[2]: 189
The
New Jersey Shore
The hurricane was infamous for the amount of damage it caused along the New Jersey coastline. The shore towns on
In Atlantic City the hurricane's storm surge forced water into the lobbies of many of the resorts' famous hotels. The Atlantic City boardwalk suffered major damage along with the Boardwalk Hall Auditorium Organ and the city's famous ocean piers. Both the famed Steel Pier and Heinz Pier were partially destroyed by the hurricane with only the Steel Pier getting rebuilt. Ocean City and Cape May also lost many homes in the storm with Ocean City's boardwalk suffering significant damage. Larry Savadove devotes a whole chapter in his book Great Storms of the Jersey Shore to the hurricane and the imprint and lore it left on the Jersey Shore.[citation needed]
-
Swimming Pool at Belvedere
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What’s Left of theBoardwalk
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What’s Left of the Steamship pier
New England
Rain totals of around 7 inches (180 mm) occurred in the Hartford, Connecticut area, and the city of Bridgeport saw the greatest official total at 10.7 inches (270 mm). Tobacco and fruit damage in Connecticut totaled to about $2 million (1944 USD), with similar overall damage costs occurring in Rhode Island. More than $5 million (1944 USD) in damage which occurred on Cape Cod can be attributed to lost boats, as well as fallen trees and utility damage.[28] A total of 28 people died throughout New England as a result of the storm. In Bath, Maine, a 10-year-old boy was electrocuted when he came into contact with downed wires. In Augusta, Maine, a 40-year-old woman was run over by a bicyclist who was blinded by heavy rains. 4.34 inches of rain fell during the storm at Bates College. Many tree limbs were downed by high winds during the storm, and in Androscoggin County, Maine, 40% of the apple crop was destroyed.[29]
Hey Bonnie Hall, the mansion built by Russell Warren for the DeWolf family in Bristol, Rhode Island, was damaged beyond repair and demolished later in 1944.[30]
USS Warrington and other ships
The storm was also responsible for sinking the Navy destroyer
In addition to Warrington, the Coast Guard cutters
See also
References
- ^ Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 1944 - Storm 7 - 2013 Revision. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
- ^
- ^ a b c d e "Atlantic hurricane best track (HURDAT version 2)" (Database). United States National Hurricane Center. April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2024. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "Hurricane Is Brewing In The South Atlantic". The Anniston Star. Vol. 82, no. 224. Anniston, Alabama. United Press. September 10, 1944. p. 1. Retrieved June 19, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Hurricane Warning Posted In Bahamas". Statesville Daily Record. Vol. 14, no. 216. Statesville, North Carolina. United Press. September 11, 1944. p. 2. Retrieved June 19, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Storm Moving Toward Miami, But May Turn". Blytheville Courier News. Vol. 41, no. 150. Blytheville, Arkansas. United Press. September 12, 1944. p. 1. Retrieved June 22, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Hurricane Moves Closer To Coast, May Hit Carolinas". Dunkirk Evening Observer. Vol. 194, no. 62. Dunkirk, New York. United Press. September 13, 1944. p. 1. Retrieved June 22, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Landsea, Christopher W; Dorst, Neal M (June 1, 2014). "Subject: Tropical Cyclone Names: B1) How are tropical cyclones named?". Tropical Cyclone Frequently Asked Question. United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Hurricane Research Division. Archived from the original on March 29, 2015. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
- ^ "Violent Hurricane Is Headed For Carolinas But It Shows A Slight Tendency To Swerve". The Bee. No. 16, 757. Danville, Virginia. Associated Press. September 13, 1944. p. 1. Retrieved June 22, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "North Carolina Lashed". The Berkshire Evening Eagle. Vol. 53, no. 93. Pittsfield, Massachusetts. United Press. September 14, 1944. p. 1. Retrieved June 22, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "Storm Expected In This Region At 1 To 3 A. M." Fitchburg Sentinel. Vol. 72, no. 110. Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Associated Press. September 14, 1944. pp. 1, 12. Retrieved June 22, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Killer Hurricane Lashes Carolina Amid Heavy Rain". The Odgen Standard-Examiner. Vol. 75, no. 85. Odgen City, Utah. United Press. September 14, 1944. pp. 1–2. Retrieved June 22, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "Long Island Prepares For Hurricane". Brooklyn Eagle. Vol. 103, no. 252. Brooklyn, New York. Brooklyn Eagle. September 14, 1944. pp. 1, 5. Retrieved June 22, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "All City Services Alerted At Noon To Meet Disaster". Fitchburg Sentinel. Vol. 72, no. 110. Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Fitchburg Sentinel. September 14, 1944. pp. 1, 12. Retrieved June 22, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ ISBN 9781469606521. Retrieved June 14, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b Kichline, H. E. (September 1944). "North Carolina Section" (PDF). Climatological Data. 47 (9). Raleigh, North Carolina: United States Weather Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 8, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022 – via National Centers for Environmental Information.
- ^ Baker, Simon (August 1978). "Appendix V: Coastal Hurricanes of the 20th Century". Storms, People and Property In Coastal North Carolina (PDF). Raleigh, North Carolina: University of North Carolina Sea Grant. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
- ^ a b Howland, Ralph (September 15, 1944). "Fringe Of Storm Hits N.C. Coast". Durham Morning Herald. Durham, North Carolina. Associated Press. pp. 1–2. Retrieved June 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Two N.C. Villages Virtually Destroyed By Great Hurricane". Durham Morning Herald. Durham, North Carolina. Associated Press. September 18, 1944. p. 1. Retrieved June 16, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Manteo Flooded". The Evening Telegram. Vol. 35, no. 283. Associated Press. September 16, 1944. pp. 1, 7. Retrieved June 15, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "Unprecedented Fury". The Evening Telegram. Vol. 35, no. 282. Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Associated Press. September 15, 1944. pp. 1, 9. Retrieved June 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "$25,000 Damages In Elizabeth City $10,000 In Edenton". The Evening Telegram. Vol. 35, no. 282. Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Associated Press. September 15, 1944. p. 1. Retrieved June 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d "One Death, Much Damage Reported In Storm Area". The News and Observer. Vol. 159, no. 78. Raleigh, North Carolina. September 16, 1944. p. 2. Retrieved June 15, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Roth, David M. (March 1, 2007). "Early Twentieth Century". Virginia Hurricane History. Weather Prediction Center. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
- ^ "The Hurricane History of Central and Eastern Virginia" (PDF). National Weather Service Wakefield, VA. October 19, 2017. p. 2. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
- ^ Hibbard, F. N. (September 1944). "Virginia Section" (PDF). Climatological Data. 54 (9). Richmond, Virginia: United States Weather Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022 – via National Centers for Environmental Information.
- ^ "Norfolk and Virginia Beach Hit Hardest as Hurricane Lashes Capes, Veers to North". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Vol. 94, no. 259. Richmond, Virginia. September 15, 1944. p. 7. Retrieved July 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "1944- Great Atlantic Hurricane". Hurricanes: Science and Society. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
- ^ Cotterly, Wayne. "Great Atlantic Hurricane of 1944". Archived from the original on September 14, 2017. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
- ^ Meredith, Mark (September 8, 2020). "Hey Bonnie Hall". House Tree. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
- ^ Rothovius, Andrew (September 13, 1984). "The great Atlantic hurricane". The Peterborough Transcript. pp. 4, 6.
- ^ Thiesen, William H. (June 11, 2018). "The Long Blue Line: Jackson's battle with the rogue waves of '44". U.S. Coast Guard. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
- ^ YMS-409
- ^ YAG-17
Further reading
- Hairr, John (2008). The Great Hurricanes of North Carolina. Charleston, SC: History Press. pp. 105–124. ISBN 978-1-59629-391-5.
- Savadove, Larry (1997). Great Storms of the Jersey Shore. West Creek, NJ: Down the Shore Publishing. pp. 53–96. ISBN 978-0-945582-51-9.