September 1948 Florida hurricane

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Hurricane Eight (Easy)
Radar image of the hurricane on September 21, 1948
Meteorological history
FormedSeptember 18, 1948 (1948-09-18)
ExtratropicalSeptember 24
DissipatedSeptember 26, 1948 (1948-09-27)
Category 4 major hurricane
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds130 mph (215 km/h)
Lowest pressure≤940 mbar (hPa); ≤27.76 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities13 direct
Damage$14 million (1948 USD)
Areas affectedCayman Islands, Cuba, and Florida
IBTrACSEdit this at Wikidata
Part of the 1948 Atlantic hurricane season

The September 1948 Florida hurricane (

Havana. Over 700 buildings were destroyed. Ten deaths occurred and damage totaled at least $2 million (1948 USD),[nb 2]
while other sources estimate "several million dollars."

After emerging into the

Key West since the 1919 Florida Keys hurricane. Throughout the state, 1,200 homes were severely damaged or destroyed, while 40 businesses were demolished and 237 suffered impact. Throughout Florida, there were three fatalities and approximately $12 million (1948 USD) in damage, over half of which was inflicted on crops. The storm rapidly weakened while crossing the state and emerged into the Atlantic Ocean as only a Category 1 hurricane later on September 22. Slight fluctuations in intensity occurred before the hurricane became extratropical early on September 24, while located northwest of Bermuda
.

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

Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale early on September 19 while passing near Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.[3] Later that day, the storm strengthened into a Category 2 hurricane and then a Category 3 hurricane only six hours after. The hurricane turned northward on September 20 and made landfall on the Zapata Peninsula of Cuba with winds of 125 mph (205 km/h) at 22:00 UTC. With the storm continuing to move northward, it made another landfall in Cuba at 01:00 UTC the following day near Güines, Mayabeque Province. Emerging into the Straits of Florida early on September 21, the hurricane weakened somewhat to a minimal Category 3 hurricane while moving across Cuba.[5]

The hurricane restrengthened slightly on September 21, before making landfall near

Newfoundland on September 26.[5]

Preparations and impact

Key West, Florida

Offshore Grand Cayman, the British steamer Lochmonar, with 72 people aboard, encountered the hurricane on September 19. The ship ran aground in seas that were "as rough as hell".[7] They were safely rescued by a United States Coast Guard tugboat on September 20.[8]

Strong winds were reported on Cuba, with sustained winds up to 90 mph (140 km/h) observed in

Havana. Damage was particularly severe in that city and Matanzas.[4] Almost 700 buildings were destroyed.[9] Damage on the island totaled "several million dollars",[4] with some sources reporting at least $2 million.[9] There were ten deaths and at least 200 injuries in Cuba.[4][10]

In preparation for the storm, the

Key West since 1919.[10] About 3–5 in (76–127 mm) of rain fell on the Florida Keys.[4]

Flooding and damage along Caroline Street in Key West

In

neighborhood of Coconut Grove, docking facilities, piers, and houseboats were severely damaged. Strong winds downed palm trees, which littered the streets of Lummus Park. The road to the Haulover Bridge in Miami Beach was washed away.[6] Additionally, heavy rainfall caused flooding, with 10 to 11 in (250 to 280 mm) of precipitation in some areas. Around Lake Okeechobee, an average of 8 in (200 mm) of rainfall was observed. Clewiston was inundated with 2 to 3 ft (0.61 to 0.91 m) of water, while LaBelle was submerged for several days. Pasture lands were flooded, drowning some cattle and prompting a massive evacuation of herds to higher ground. Widespread damage to crops, particularly citrus and tropical fruits, was also reported along east coast of Florida as far north as the Indian River.[4]

Throughout Florida, a total of 39 homes were destroyed, while 1,161 others were severely damaged. Further, 40 buildings were demolished and 237 suffered impact. Three deaths were reported in Florida. Additionally, there were 45 injuries requiring hospitalization. Overall, damage in the state totaled about $12 million, with $5 million inflicted to property, $6.5 million to crops, $300,000  to electrical services, and $200,000 to roadway infrastructure, including bridges.[4]

See also

Notes

  1. Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale.[2]
  2. ^ All damage figures are in 1948 USD, unless otherwise noted

References

  1. ^ a b Chronological List of All Hurricanes: 1851 - 2013. Hurricane Research Division (Report). Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory. 2014. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
  2. ^ Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. National Hurricane Center (Report). Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. May 23, 2013. Retrieved May 22, 2014.
  3. ^ a b "Documentation of Atlantic Tropical Cyclones Changes in HURDAT". aoml.noaa.gov.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i Howard C. Sumner (December 1948). VIII. Florida hurricane of September 18–25 (PDF). Weather Bureau (Report). Washington, D.C.: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved May 22, 2014.
  5. ^ a b c d "Atlantic hurricane best track (HURDAT version 2)" (Database). United States National Hurricane Center. May 11, 2024. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  6. ^
    ISBN 978-0807830680
    . Retrieved May 22, 2014. 1948 florida hurricane.
  7. ^ "Hurricane Hits Ship". Barrier Miner. New York City, New York: National Library of Australia. September 20, 1948. Retrieved May 22, 2014.
  8. ^ "Tug Reaches Stricken Ship". The Camden News. Miami, Florida. September 20, 1948. Retrieved May 22, 2014.
  9. ^ a b "Hurricane Misses Miami". Barrier Mine. New York City, New York: National Library of Australia. September 23, 1948. Retrieved May 22, 2014.
  10. ^ a b c d "Storm Damage at U.S. Naval Base in Florida". The Canberra Times. New York City, New York: National Library of Australia. September 23, 1948. Retrieved May 22, 2014.
  11. ^ a b "Hurricane Headed For Miami". The Northern Miner. Miami, Florida. September 21, 1948. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  12. ^ "2 dead in hurricane". Australian Associated Press. Miami, Florida: National Library of Australia. The Courier-Mail. September 22, 1948. Retrieved May 22, 2014.
  13. ^ Severe Local Storms For September 1948 (PDF). Weather Bureau (Report). Washington, D.C.: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 1948. p. 217. Retrieved May 22, 2014.
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