1949 Florida hurricane
Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | August 23, 1949 |
Extratropical | August 29, 1949 |
Dissipated | August 31, 1949 |
Category 4 major hurricane | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Highest winds | 130 mph (215 km/h) |
Lowest pressure | 954 mbar (hPa); 28.17 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 2 direct, 1 indirect |
Damage | $52 million (1949 USD) |
Areas affected | |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1949 Atlantic hurricane season |
The 1949 Florida hurricane, also known as the Delray Beach hurricane, caused significant damage in the southern portions of the state late in the month of August. The second recorded tropical cyclone of the annual hurricane season, the system originated from a tropical wave near the northern Leeward Islands on August 23. Already a tropical storm upon initial observations, the cyclone curved west-northwestward and intensified, becoming a hurricane on August 25. Rapid intensification ensued as the storm approached the central Bahamas early on August 26, with the storm reaching Category 4 hurricane strength later that day and peaking with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (210 km/h) shortly after striking Andros. Late on August 26, the storm made landfall near Lake Worth, Florida, at the same intensity. The cyclone initially weakened quickly after moving inland, falling to Category 1 status early the next day. Shortly thereafter, the system curved northward over the Nature Coast and entered Georgia on August 28, where it weakened to a tropical storm. The storm then accelerated northeastward and became extratropical over New England by August 29. The remnants traversed Atlantic Canada and much of the Atlantic Ocean before dissipating near Ireland on September 1.
The hurricane produced strong winds in the Bahamas, including a wind gust of 120 mph (190 km/h) on Bimini. A wide expanse of the east coast of Florida, stretching from Miami Beach to St. Augustine, observed hurricane-force winds, while much of the state recorded winds of at least 50 mph (80 km/h). Closer to the location of landfall, the Lake Worth Inlet observed a sustained wind speeds of 127 mph (204 km/h). Palm Beach County was one of the worst impacted areas, with 65 homes destroyed and 13,283 others damaged to some degree. Just to the north, Martin County also received extensive impact, with severe damage inflicted to about 40% of homes and commercial buildings in Stuart, where winds gusted to 160 mph (260 km/h) prior to the worst conditions. The storm generated the most severe impacts observed on Lake Okeechobee since the 1928 Okeechobee hurricane, but unlike the latter storm, did not manage to breach the local levees. Overall, the hurricane damaged about 18,000 homes, while roughly 1,000 other structures suffered severe damage or destruction in Florida. About $45 million in damage occurred in the state, which included $20 million in damage to crops, $18 million to property, $4 million electrical and communications, and $500,000 to road infrastructure.
Damage throughout the United States totaled about $52.35 million and three deaths occurred, two in Florida and one in Georgia.[nb 1]
Meteorological history
At 06:00 UTC on August 23, a moderate tropical storm developed about 200 mi (320 km) east of Sint Maarten.[1] (Operationally, the system was treated as an easterly wave until it moved through the Bahamas a few days later.[2] The system likely originated near the Cape Verde islands,[3] but was first observed near the Leeward Islands.[4]) The cyclone steadily tracked west-northwestward and intensified over the succeeding three days. At 12:00 UTC on August 24, while situated north of San Juan, Puerto Rico, the tropical storm strengthened to a minimal hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (121 km/h). Subsequently, it organized rapidly, and was "well developed" when it passed near Nassau on the morning of August 26—at that time bearing winds of 115 mph (185 km/h), equivalent to a major hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson scale.[nb 2][1][2]
Later on August 26, the storm strengthened further over the Gulf Stream, and its eye made landfall on the city of Lake Worth, Florida, at 23:00 UTC. At that time, the storm was equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane with winds of 130 mph (210 km/h).[1][6] Nearby, an airport in West Palm Beach registered calm conditions and a barometric pressure of 28.17 inHg (954 mb).[2] (Prior to reanalysis, the system was designated as a Category 3 hurricane, based on the minimum central pressure reading, which corresponded to Category 3 on the Saffir–Simpson scale.[7] However, modern analysis applies Saffir–Simpson rankings based on maximum sustained wind speeds.[8]) Because the eye was first encountered in Delray Beach, a short distance southward of the landfall location, the storm earned the moniker Delray Beach hurricane.[4][3]
Once inland over
Preparations and impact
On August 25, the northern Bahamas were advised to initiate hurricane precautions, and a
The cities of
The Bahamas
In the Bahamas, the cyclone produced 120 mph (190 km/h) wind gusts on Bimini.[2] Damages in the Bahamas are unknown.
Coastal South Florida
In West Palm Beach, peak gusts of 125 mph (201 km/h) were recorded before the anemometer blew away.[3] A maximum sustained wind of 153 mph (246 km/h) was reported from the Jupiter Inlet Light prior to the loss of the anemometer; although conditions were slightly more severe after the reading, reliable estimates are unavailable,[2] and the highest observed reading was recorded above the standard elevation of 10 m (33 ft). Nevertheless, the observation from Jupiter marked the highest officially registered wind speed in Florida during the storm.[4] The strongest sustained wind speed at standard height was 127 mph (204 km/h) at the Lake Worth Inlet.[4]
In
Communications were mostly disrupted in
In West Palm Beach, cars were overturned in the interior of a dealership as winds shattered windows.[11] At the Palm Beach International Airport, some hangars collapsed, causing 16 planes to be destroyed and 5 others be affected. Additionally, 15 C-46s suffered damage. Almost $1 million in damage occurred at the airport alone. Nearby, several warehouses which stored cars experienced roof cave-ins, crushing a number of vehicles. Several homes near the airport were deroofed.[25] A shelter was deroofed, forcing the Red Cross and National Guard to evacuate about 60 people. Another shelter suffered wind and water damage, resulting in about 200 people moving to a different part of the building.[26] A 196 ft (60 m) radio tower owned by WJNO fell into the Intracostal Water. Nearby, storm surge flooded a hotel lobby with 6 in (150 mm) of water, while winds damaged its glass dome.[14] Approximately 2,000 homes out of about 7,000 in the city were damaged. It was estimated that the hurricane caused more than $4 million in damage in West Palm Beach.[21] In Riviera Beach, two stores were destroyed, while about 50 businesses and 500 homes sustained damage.[24]
Throughout Palm Beach County, the storm destroyed 65 homes and damaged 13,283 others.[12]
Lake Okeechobee
The hurricane was one of the most severe on record over Lake Okeechobee,[27] and the strongest on record there since September 1928.[15] Sustained winds at Belle Glade peaked at 100 mph (160 km/h) and wind gusts reached 140 mph (230 km/h) before the anemometer blew away.[4][14] A number of power lines and trees were downed, while the WSWN radio station tower fell. At the state prison, the roof of an implement shed collapsed, destroying about $50,000 worth of equipment.[14] Additionally, two barns were demolished and the dining hall, dormitories, and a parking garage were inflicted damage.[24] Damage in the city was estimated at more than $1 million.[19] Tides reached 12 ft (144 in) above normal at Belle Glade and Clewiston and the Lake Okeechobee area was lashed with winds of at least 122 mph (196 km/h) for about seven hours,[3][19] but the Herbert Hoover Dike remained intact, protecting the area from severe flooding. Minimal erosion occurred in some locales.[3] Significant damage was reported in Pahokee and communications were knocked out completely.[14]
Treasure Coast
Strongest landfalling tropical cyclones in the U.S. state of Florida† as of 2023 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rank | Hurricane | Season | Wind speed | ||
mph | km/h | ||||
1 | "Labor Day" | 1935 | 185 | 295 | |
2 | Andrew | 1992 | 165 | 270 | |
3 | Michael | 2018 | 160 | 260 | |
4 | "Florida Keys" | 1919 | 150 | 240 | |
Charley | 2004 | ||||
Ian | 2022 | ||||
7 | "Miami" | 1926 | 145 | 230 | |
"Okeechobee" | 1928 | ||||
Donna | 1960 | ||||
10 | "Homestead" | 1945 | 130 | 215 | |
"Fort Lauderdale" | 1947 | ||||
"Florida" | 1948 | ||||
"Florida" | 1949 | ||||
King | 1950 | ||||
Irma | 2017 | ||||
Source: HURDAT,[1] Hurricane Research Division,[6] NHC[28] | |||||
†Strength refers to maximum sustained wind speed upon striking land. |
In the
Central Florida and beyond
A total of 50 homes in Manatee County were damaged by the storm.[12] Numerous Central Florida communities also reported severe damage from the winds.[3] The observation station at Archbold Biological Station reported peak wind gusts of 110 mph (180 km/h); the town of Sebring reported 125 mph (201 km/h) gusts, which caused damage to trees and severe structural damage to buildings. Estimations of property damage reached $100,000 in the town, and local citrus groves estimated losses near $2 million. Buildings received considerable damage in the Lake Placid area, and telegraph, telephone, rail, and bus services were disrupted.[32] Throughout Highlands County, a total of 14 homes were destroyed and 165 others received damage.[12] At the Weather Bureau office in Lakeland, the anemometer recorded sustained winds of 61 mph (98 km/h) and gusts reaching 75 mph (121 km/h).[15] Nearly the entire city lost electricity and telephone service experienced significant interruptions. A number of electrical poles and wires fell, while fallen palm and oak trees blocked at least a dozen streets. At the Munn Park Historic District, winds shattered at least six storefront plate glass windows, uprooted hundreds of trees, and detached large advertising billboards from their anchors. A brick building housing six storage units was nearly destroyed. Throughout Lakeland, hundreds of homes were partially or completely deroofed.[33] In Orlando, the executive airport (then known as Orlando Air Force Base) observed sustained winds of 55 mph (89 km/h) and gusts up to 84 mph (135 km/h).[15] Property damage in the city was generally light, though signs, trees, and power lines fell, causing some power outages.[34] Several streets were blocked by falling trees, but most obstructions of the roads were quickly cleared. At Orlando Air Force Base, the storm felled about 25 trees and left some roof damage to buildings with tar-paper roofs.[35] Wind gusts of 75 mph (121 km/h) affected Clermont.[3] Fifty homes in Lake County experienced some degree of damage.[12]
In Alabama, a strong thunderstorm on the fringes of the hurricane damaged several airplanes, interrupted electrical services, and injured four people in Birmingham.[36] Flooding affected Georgia and the Carolinas, although the rains alleviated drought conditions in Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, and New England.[11] In Georgia, a young boy was electrocuted by a downed power line near Savannah.[36] Charleston, South Carolina, reported a wind gust of 80 mph (130 km/h), and power lines were damaged. In Maryland, damage was minimal, although trees were prostrated and electrical services were down.[37] Throughout the United States, the hurricane caused two deaths and about $52.35 million in damage.[4]
See also
- 1928 Okeechobee hurricane – Another Category 4 hurricane that struck Palm Beach County
- 1933 Treasure Coast hurricane – Struck northernmost Palm Beach County as a Category 3
- List of Florida hurricanes
Notes
- ^ All monetary values are in 1949 United States dollars unless otherwise noted.
- Saffir–Simpson hurricane scale.[5]
References
- ^ a b c d e f "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.
- ^ a b c d e f g Zoch 1949.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Barnes 1998, p. 183.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Christopher W. Landsea; et al. Documentation of Atlantic Tropical Cyclones Changes in HURDAT: 1949 Storm Two. Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (Report). Miami: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
- ^ Goldenburg, Stan (June 1, 2018). "A3) What is a super-typhoon? What is a major hurricane? What is an intense hurricane?". Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). 4.11. Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ Jarrell, Mayfield & Hebert 1992, p. 4.
- ^ Landsea, Glenn & Bredemeyer 2007.
- ^ "Hurricane Due to Hit Florida this Afternoon". Moberly Monitor-Index. Associated Press. August 26, 1949. Retrieved July 5, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d Barnes 1998, p. 184.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "18,000 Homes Hit in 22-County Part Of State Raked By Storm". The Palm Beach Post. Associated Press. August 30, 1949. p. 1. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
- ^ a b Barnes 1998, p. 185.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Hurricane Roundup". Fort Lauderdale News. Associated Press. August 27, 1949. p. 5. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e Norton 1949, p. 128.
- ^ a b "Hurricane Clouds Lift As 'Big Blow' Moves Northward". Fort Lauderdale News. August 27, 1949. p. 1. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
- ^ "Hurricane". Fort Lauderdale News. August 27, 1949. p. 6. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
- ^ Lawson E. Parker (August 27, 1949). "Wind-Driven Dirty Ocean Lashes Coast". Fort Lauderdale News. p. 1. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Towns Lashed by Hurricane Report Millions in Damage". The Palm Beach Post. August 28, 1949. p. 9. Retrieved February 28, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Fred Van Pelt (August 28, 1949). "All Agencies Aid Storm Victims". The Palm Beach Post. p. 10. Retrieved February 28, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Towns Lashed by Hurricane Report Millions in Damage". The Palm Beach Post. August 28, 1949. p. 1. Retrieved February 28, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Scattered Debris Marks Palm Beach". The Palm Beach Post. August 28, 1949. p. 10. Retrieved February 28, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Lake Worth Reports Damage is Less Than in 1947 Storm". The Palm Beach Post. August 28, 1949. p. 10. Retrieved February 28, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d "Incomplete Reports Place State's Hurricane Devastation At Millions of Dollars". The Miami News. August 28, 1949. p. 2A. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
- ^ "Airport Damage Nears $1 Million". The Palm Beach Post. August 28, 1949. p. 10. Retrieved March 1, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Hundreds Homeless In Wake of Blow; Destruction Heavy". Fort Lauderdale News. Associated Press. August 27, 1949. p. 1. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
- ^ Schloemer 1954, p. 3.
- ^ John L. Beven II; Robbie Berg; Andrew Hagen (April 19, 2019). Hurricane Michael (PDF) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
- ^ "Tropical Gale Cuts Wide Swath of Destruction Across Florida". Moberly Monitor-Index. Associated Press. August 27, 1949. p. 1. Retrieved August 30, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Bush, Neal & Longo 2004, p. 204.
- ^ "150 MPH Winds Hammer Inland; Rich Crops Periled". Intelligencer Journal. 27 August 1949. p. 1. Retrieved August 30, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Fred E. Lohrer (15 October 2004). "Hurricanes at Archbold Biological Station, 1948 & 1949". Archbold Biological Station. Archived from the original on 6 February 2009. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
- ^ "Lakeland Hard Hit". News-Press. August 28, 1949. p. 5. Retrieved January 30, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Fringe of Storm Felt Here". Orlando Evening Star. August 27, 1949. p. 1. Retrieved January 29, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Fringe of Storm Felt Here". Orlando Evening Star. August 27, 1949. p. 2. Retrieved January 29, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "40 Planes Wrecked". The News Journal. August 29, 1949. p. 4. Retrieved January 28, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Big Hurricane Blows Itself Out". The Maryville Daily Forum. Associated Press. August 29, 1949. p. 1. Retrieved August 30, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
Source
- Barnes, Jay (1998). Florida's Hurricane History (1st ed.). ISBN 0-8078-2443-7 – via Internet Archive.
- Bush, David M.; Neal, William J.; Longo, Norma J.; et al. (2004). Pilkey, Orrin H.; Neal, William J. (eds.). Living with Florida's Atlantic Beaches: Coastal Hazards from Amelia Island to Key West. Living with the Shore. ISBN 978-0-822-33289-3.
- Duedall, Iver W.; Williams, John M. (2002) [1997]. Florida Hurricanes and Tropical Storms, 1871–2001 (2nd ed.). ISBN 0-8130-2494-3– via Internet Archive.
- Jarrell, Jeremy D.; Hebert, Paul J.; Mayfield, Max (1992) [1984]. Hurricane Experience Levels of Coastal County Populations from Texas to Maine (PDF) (Technical report). NOAA Technical Memorandum. Coral Gables, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. p. 4. NWS-NHC 46. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 October 2008. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
- (PDF) from the original on 1 November 2008. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
- Norton, Grady (August 1949). Written at Miami. "Hurricane of August, 1949". Special Weather Summary. Climatological Data. Florida. 53 (8). Chattanooga, Tennessee: National Climatic Data Center (published 1949): 128.
- Schloemer, Robert W. (March 1954). Analysis and Synthesis of Hurricane Wind Patterns over Lake Okeechobee, Florida (PDF) (Technical report). Hydrometeorological Report. Washington, D.C.: United States Weather Bureau (published May 1954). p. 3. 31. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
- Schoner, R. W.; Molansky, S. (July 1956). "Storms in the south Atlantic coastal region". Storm of August 23–9, 1949 (PDF) (Technical report). National Hurricane Research Project. Washington, D.C.: United States Weather Bureau. pp. 214–5. 3, Rainfall Associated with Hurricanes – via Weather Prediction Center.
- Zoch, Richmond T. (December 1949). "North Atlantic Hurricanes and Tropical Disturbances of 1949" (PDF). . Retrieved 19 March 2020.