| 1894 Atlantic hurricane season | |
|---|---|
 Season summary map | |
| Seasonal boundaries | |
| First system formed | June 6, 1894 |
| Last system dissipated | October 29, 1894 |
| Strongest storm | |
| Name | Six |
| • Maximum winds | 130 mph (215 km/h) (1-minute sustained) |
| • Lowest pressure | 931mbar (hPa; 27.49inHg) |
| Seasonal statistics | |
| Total storms | 7 |
| Hurricanes | 5 |
| Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+) | 4 |
| Total fatalities | >269 |
| Total damage | At least $5.29 million (1894USD) |
| Related article | |
| Atlantic hurricane seasons 1892,1893,1894,1895,1896 | |
The1894 Atlantic hurricane season included four major hurricanes,[nb 1] one of the highest totals in the second half of the 19th century and behind onlythe previous year. Additionally, the season featured a total of seventropical storms, five of which strengthened into a hurricane. However, in the absence of modern satellite and other remote-sensing technologies, only storms that affected populated land areas or encountered ships at sea were recorded, so the actual total could be higher. An undercount bias of zero to six tropical cyclones per year between 1851 and 1885 and zero to four per year between 1886 and 1910 has been estimated.[2]
Meteorologists José Fernández-Partagás and Henry F. Diaz added one new storm, the first cyclone, to the Atlantic hurricane database (HURDAT) as part of their 1996 reanalysis. Later, theAtlantic hurricane reanalysis project upgraded the fourth system to major hurricane status but did not increase or decrease the overall number of cyclones. A study by climate researcher Michael Chenoweth, published in 2014, concluded that eight cyclones formed in the Atlantic in 1894, recommending the removal of the cyclone first documented by Fernández-Partagás and Diaz and the addition of two new systems. However, the proposals suggested in Chenoweth's study have yet to be included in HURDAT.
The first storm of the season existed over the northwesternCaribbean Sea by June 6. Passing between Cuba and Jamaica, the cyclone dropped heavy rain in the former before dissipating three days later. One person drowned after being swept overboard due to rough seas generated by the third system. In the second half of September, the fourth storm of the season caused at least 227 deaths and more than $5.09 million (1894 USD) in damage across theLesser Antilles,Greater Antilles, and theEast Coast of the United States.[nb 2] The following system primarily impacted theEastern United States in early October, inflicting more than $200,000 in damage and at least 28 fatalities. That same month, the season's most intense cyclone, the sixth system, which peaked as a Category 4 hurricane on the present-daySaffir–Simpson scale, killed at least 13 people in the Lesser Antilles. By October 29, the seventh and final storm transitioned into anextratropical cyclone well east ofAtlantic Canada. Collectively, the cyclones of the 1894 season caused more than $5.29 million in damage and more than 269 deaths.
The Atlantic hurricane database (HURDAT) officially recognizes that seven tropical cyclones formed during the 1894 season, five of which strengthened into a hurricane. Four of those intensified into a major hurricane, one of the most recorded during a season in the second half of the nineteenth century, tied with1886 and behind onlythe previous season, which had five.[1] Meteorologists José Fernández-Partagás and Henry F. Diaz added a new storm, the first system, during their reanalysis of the season in 1996. Although the Atlantic hurricane reanalysis project did not add or remove any storms, it upgraded the fourth cyclone to major hurricane status in accordance with a 2003 study led by meteorologist Emery R. Boose.[3] However, a more recent reanalysis by climate researcher Michael Chenoweth, published in 2014, adds two storms and removes one – the first system – for a net gain of one cyclone; Chenoweth's study utilizes a more extensive collection of newspapers and ship logs, as well as late 19th century weather maps for the first time, in comparison to previous reanalysis projects.[4] The proposals by Chenoweth have yet to be incorporated into HURDAT, however.[5]
The first storm of the season existed over the northwestern Caribbean Sea by June 6. After passing betweenCuba andJamaica, the cyclone continued generally westward until dissipating three days later. Notropical cyclogenesis has been confirmed to have occurred again for nearly two months, with a tropical storm appearing over the centralGulf of Mexico by August 5. One other system existed that month, being first observed on August 30 west of theCabo Verde Islands. Only one cyclone is known to have formed in September. October was the most active month, featuring three systems, all of which became hurricanes. Additionally, the sixth cyclone became the season's most intense, peaking on October 16 as a Category 4 hurricane on the present-daySaffir–Simpson scale withmaximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 km/h) and a minimumatmospheric pressure of 931 mbar (27.5 inHg). By October 29, the seventh and final storm transitioned into an extratropical cyclone well east ofAtlantic Canada.[5] Collectively, the cyclones of the 1894 season caused more than $5.29 million in damage and over 269 deaths.[6]
The season's activity was reflected with anaccumulated cyclone energy (ACE) rating of 135, the fourth highest total of the decade. ACE is a metric used to express the energy used by a tropical cyclone during its lifetime. Therefore, a storm with a longer duration will have higher values of ACE. It is only calculated at six-hour increments in which specific tropical and subtropical systems are either at or above sustained wind speeds of 39 mph (63 km/h), which is the threshold for tropical storm intensity. Thus, tropical depressions are not included here.[1]
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
 | |
| Duration | June 6 – June 9 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 40 mph (65 km/h)(1-min); |
According to reanalysis by José Fernández-Partagás and Henry F. Diaz in 1996, this system may have formed as early as June 4. However, Fernández-Partagás and Diaz elected to retain Simón Sarasola's 1928 narrative on this cyclone, indicating development about halfway betweenCuba andJamaica early on June 6.[7] The cyclone remained weak, peaking with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) as it headed generally west-northwestward. Late on June 9, the storm was last noted near northeastern tip of theYucatán Peninsula.[5] Flooding occurred in Cuba betweenHavana andOriente Province, with the worst impacts inSanta Clara.[7] Climate researcher Michael Chenoweth proposed the exclusion of this storm from HURDAT, arguing that ship records instead were more likely related to a tropical wave and strong high-pressure system.[4]
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | August 5 – August 9 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 60 mph (95 km/h)(1-min); |
Observations from the easternGulf of Mexico during the early hours of August 4 "indicated the presence of a cyclonic whirl", as noted by theMonthly Weather Review.[7] However, due to conflicting reports,[8] the official track for this storm begins in the central Gulf of Mexico at 06:00 UTC on August 5. The cyclone moved northeastward and strengthened to reach sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) about 24 hours later. By August 7, the system curved north-northwestward and madelandfall nearOrange Beach, Alabama, at the same intensity around 18:00 UTC. It turned to the west-northwest after moving inland, and dissipated late on August 9 overLouisiana.[5]
Chenoweth extends the track back to August 3, with the storm forming over the northwestern Caribbean instead. The storm strikes the Yucatán Peninsula and then moves northward over the Gulf of Mexico, eventually following a similar path to that listed in HURDAT.[4] In the Gulf of Mexico, the schoonerViolin was dismasted during the storm and towed to shore by another schooner, theHenry Southers.[9] Additionally, the shipCatherine wrecked at the reef ofSanta Rosa Island and the crew required rescuing.[10] The storm produced sustained winds up to 52 mph (84 km/h) atPensacola, Florida, while heavy rains fell in areas along theGulf Coast.[11] Precipitation generated by the storm flooded several homes in Pensacola and winds downed a number of fences and trees.[10]
| Category 3 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
 | |
| Duration | August 30 – September 9 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 115 mph (185 km/h)(1-min); 948 mbar (hPa) |
A tropical storm was first observed on August 30 near14°N38°W / 14°N 38°W /14; -38, which is approximately 700 mi (1,125 km) west-southwest ofCape Verde.[12] The system slowly intensified while moving generally west-northwestward and then northwestward by September 1. Early on the following day, the storm strengthened into a hurricane. Around 18:00 UTC on September 3, the cyclone intensified into a Category 2 hurricane on the modern-daySaffir–Simpson scale and soon turned north-northwestward. The hurricane re-curved again by early on September 6 and reached Category 3 hurricane intensity later that day, peaking with winds of 115 mph (185 km/h).[5] Several steamships encountered the hurricane on September 8 and September 9, including theOthello, which observed a barometric pressure of 948 mbar (28.0 inHg),[12] the lowest known pressure in relation to the storm.[5] Additionally, the schoonerOrigin became caught in the storm, which damaged several parts of the ship and threw one person overboard, who drowned.[13] The hurricane weakened and lost tropical characteristics as it accelerated northeastward, transitioning into an extratropical cyclone about 500 mi (805 km) southeast ofGreenland late on September 9.[5]
In his 2014 study, Chenoweth proposed a mostly similar path to that listed in HURDAT, other than slightly farther west and east at certain points. The study also adds a tropical depression stage on August 30 and August 31.[4]
| Category 3 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | September 18 – October 1 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 120 mph (195 km/h)(1-min); 975 mbar (hPa) |
This system was first observed well east of theLesser Antilles on September 18. Gradually intensifying as it headed west-northwestward, the cyclone became a hurricane on September 19 and a major hurricane on the next day while passing nearMartinique. After entering the Caribbean, the storm peaked with winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) on September 21, but weakened to a Category 2 hurricane before striking theDominican Republic on September 22. The system weakened to a Category 1 hurricane before reaching theGulf of Gonâve, but briefly became a Category 2 hurricane again before striking Cuba nearSantiago de Cuba on September 23. Moving west-northwestward along or near the south coast of Cuba, the hurricane turned northward overMatanzas Province on September 24 and briefly weakened to a tropical storm.[5]
The cyclone re-intensified into a hurricane over theStraits of Florida on September 25. It then struckKey West, Florida, and later nearPunta Rassa, the latter at its secondary peak of 105 mph (165 km/h). After turning north-northeastward and weakening to a tropical storm, the system re-attained hurricane statusshortly before entering the Atlantic on September 26. The hurricane struck nearPort Royal, South Carolina, early on September 27. Thereafter, the cyclone curved east-northeastward and weakened to a tropical storm over southeasternNorth Carolina early on September 28. Briefly re-emerging into the Atlantic, the cyclone made its final landfall nearAtlantic Beach. After again emerging into the Atlantic, the storm became a hurricane on September 29. However, the cyclone weakened back to a tropical storm on September 30 and was last noted on October 1 east of New England.[5] Chenoweth's study made little adjustments to the track of this storm, although it became extratropical on September 30. Additionally, Chenoweth proposed that the cyclone became a major hurricane as it approached and then struck Florida.[4]
Squalls and rough seas in the Lesser Antilles capsized many vessels, causing 10 fatalities on Saint Kitts and another three on Antigua. The hurricane also damaged agriculture, communications, trees, and roads in the region.[14] Numerous structures on Hispaniola suffered some degree of damage, with 500 homes and two churches destroyed.[15] In Cuba, flooding occurred across much of the island, especially inSagua La Grande after theSagua la Grande River overflowed, with floodwaters reaching 8 ft (2.4 m) above ground in a hotel.[16] The storm destroyed roughly 70 homes and substantially damaged 200 others, rendering about 3,000 families homeless.[17] Approximately 200 people died in Cuba as a result of the storm,[18] while damage in the country totaled about $4 million.[17] Rough seas capsized or destroyed several vessels offshore Florida, causing 14 deaths.[19] Winds damaged a number of structures in the state, especially inJacksonville andTampa,[20][21] while storm surge and abnormally high tides entered several buildings inSt. Augustine. Damage throughout Florida totaled about $1 million.[20] Adverse conditions produced by the storm caused some impacts farther north, including approximately $18,000 in damage when the schoonerBenjamin F. Lee wrecked atCape Romain, South Carolina,[22] and more than $75,000 in damage inNew York.[23]
| Category 3 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | October 1 – October 10 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 120 mph (195 km/h)(1-min); 955 mbar (hPa) |
Due to falling atmospheric pressures in the southwestern Caribbean and surrounding land seas,[24] the official track for this cyclone begins on October 1. A minimal tropical storm, the system moved northwestward and intensified into a hurricane on October 3 while passing northeast of Honduras. Late on the October 5, the cyclone passed about 45 mi (70 km) west ofCabo San Antonio, Cuba, as it entered the Gulf of Mexico. The hurricane then strengthened, peaking with winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) on October 6. Around midday on October 7, the cyclone turned northward, before curving northeastward late on October 8. Around 03:00 UTC the next day, the system struck nearPanama City, Florida;[5] a 2003 reanalysis estimated a barometric pressure of 955 mbar (28.2 inHg) at landfall.[3] The hurricane weakened quickly as it moved inland, deteriorating to a tropical storm overSouth Carolina on October 9. However, the storm emerged into the Atlantic early on the following day and soon re-strengthened into a hurricane. At 15:00 UTC on October 10, the system made landfall nearBellport, New York, with winds of 85 mph (140 km/h), shortly before strikingConnecticut and weakening to a tropical storm. Becoming extratropical overMaine late on October 10, the storm's remnants continued northeastward intoAtlantic Canada before dissipating overLabrador on October 12.[5]
In the 2014 study by Chenoweth, he proposed a very similar track shown in HURDAT. However, the storm instead formed near the coast ofColombia on September 26 and initially moved very slowly northwestward.[4] The hurricane dropped heavy rains over western Cuba, flooding towns such as Guara,Pinar del Río,San Cristóbal.[25] Storm surge impacted Louisiana andMississippi, submerging land south ofPointe à la Hache in the former,[26] while washing away a 1,000 ft (300 m) section ofrailroad and wrecking vessels onHorn Island in the latter.[27][28] Winds caused some damage, especially inMississippi City, Mississippi, where several outbuildings and a church were destroyed.[29] In Florida, extensive impact occurred, with the Weather Bureau noting that "Every city and town between Jacksonville and Pensacola was damaged more or less. [...] This storm was the most violent one which has passed near Jacksonville during the past 23 years." Unpicked cotton, oranges, pecan, and sugarcane also suffered extensive losses across this section of the state.[30] Seventeen people died in Florida, including two atApalachicola and fifteen at Sand Island, nearSt. George Island, where three vessels were wrecked.[31][32] At least $100,000 in damage occurred in Florida.[33] The storm impacted much of the rest of the East Coast of the United States, especially New Jersey and New York. In the former, one person died inEnglewood after a chimney fell inside a home.[34] TheNew York City area suffered extensively, withLong Island City alone reporting about $100,000 in damage.[35] Winds generated by the storm toppled a seven-story building under construction onto atenement, killing 10 people and seriously injuring 15 others.[36]
| Category 4 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
 | |
| Duration | October 11 – October 20 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 130 mph (215 km/h)(1-min); 931 mbar (hPa) |
Although atmospheric pressures began to fall nearTrinidad on October 10, the presence of a cyclone could not be confirmed until the following day.[37] Located approximately 215 mi (345 km) east of Trinidad, the tropical storm moved northwestward and strengthened into a hurricane late on October 11. During the following day, the storm passed nearBarbados and then struckSaint Lucia at Category 2 intensity. The hurricane crossed through the westernVirgin Islands early on October 14 before re-emerging into the Atlantic. Curving northward, the cyclone intensified significantly on October 16,[5] with the shipHerschel observing a barometric pressure of 931 mbar (27.5 inHg).[38] Consequently, the storm is estimated to have peaked as a Category 4 hurricane with winds of 130 mph (215 km/h). On October 17, the system began weakening and turning to the northeast, passing southeast of Bermuda. The storm was last noted on October 20, with the track ending approximately 460 mi (740 km) southeast ofSable Island.[5]
Chenoweth proposed few significant changes from HURDAT, aside from a 12-hour tropical depression stage on October 11. Additionally, his study indicates that the cyclone weakened to a tropical storm on October 13, but re-intensified into a hurricane late on October 15.[4] The hurricane severely damaged or destroyed 360 homes on Barbados, while several vessels went missing. As a result, one person died due to exposure and seventeen people remained unaccounted for one week after the storm.[39] On St. Lucia, theVieux Fort District reported extensive damage to property, including the destruction of a church and many factories. Cocoa and sugar crops were reportedly completely lost due to the fields being flooded, while landslides blocked numerous roads.[37] Twelve deaths occurred on Saint Lucia, nine due to ships capsizing atDennery and three others because of a landslide burying a home near Malgretoute.[40] The storm produced sustained winds up to 40 mph (65 km/h) and barometric pressures as low as 997 mbar (29.4 inHg) on Bermuda,[41] as well as rough seas.[38]
| Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
 | |
| Duration | October 21 – October 29 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 110 mph (175 km/h)(1-min); 955 mbar (hPa) |
Based on observations and reanalysis by Fernández-Partagás and Diaz,[42] the track for this storm commenced about 265 mi (425 km) northeast of the Lesser Antilles on October 21. Moving generally west-northwestward, the tropical storm is estimated to have intensified into a hurricane two days later. After briefly stalling east of the Bahamas on October 25, the hurricane turned northeastward. The system then moved about 50 mi (80 km) northwest of Bermuda late the following day as a Category 2 hurricane. Slightly further strengthening occurred as the storm passed southeast and then east of Atlantic Canada. Early on October 29, the hurricane peaked with winds of 110 mph (175 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 955 mbar (28.2 inHg),[5] based on observations from the shipMaryland.[3] Several hours later, however, the storm transitioned into an extratropical cyclone, which continued northeastward until dissipating west ofIreland on October 31.[5]
Chenoweth's study proposed few changes to this cyclone. Slight adjustments were proposed to the track and to the timing of intensification into a hurricane and extratropical transition, the latter of which occurred late on October 28.[4] The storm produced winds as far west as the east coast of Florida, whileNassau, Bahamas, observed a barometric pressure slightly less than 1006 mbar (29.7 inHg).[43] On Bermuda, sustained winds briefly reached 81 mph (130 km/h), toppling telephone poles and large, old trees. Recently planted crops sustained significant damage.[44]: 6 Additionally, abnormally high tides generated by the cyclone left at least one road nearly impassible.[43]
Chenoweth proposed two storms not currently listed in HURDAT. The first of the two developed on September 9 over theGulf of Honduras. Moving northwestward, the system struck centralBritish Honduras (present-dayBelize) as a tropical storm before dissipating the next day overGuatemala. Later, Chenoweth's other proposed cyclone formed over the open Atlantic about 650 mi (1,045 km) northeast of the Lesser Antilles on November 30. The storm reached hurricane status as it tracked generally east-northeastward and later northeastward. Early on December 8, the system crossed the far easternAzores shortly before transitioning into an extratropical cyclone.[4] In the Azores, the storm partially demolished thebreakwater inPonta Delgada and substantially damaged a floating dock. A few vessels also suffered some degree of damage, with the loss of a brig.[45]
This is a table of all of the known storms that have formed in the 1894 Atlantic hurricane season. It includes their duration, landfall, damages, and death totals. Deaths in parentheses are additional and indirect (an example of an indirect death would be a traffic accident), but were still related to that storm. Damage and deaths include totals while the storm was extratropical, a wave, or a low, and all of the damage figures are in 1894 USD.
| Saffir–Simpson scale | ||||||
| TD | TS | C1 | C2 | C3 | C4 | C5 |
| Storm name | Dates active | Stormcategory at peak intensity | Max 1-min wind mph (km/h) | Min. press. (mbar) | Areas affected | Damage (US$) | Deaths | Ref(s). | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| One | June 6–9 | Tropical storm | 40 (65) | Unknown | Jamaica,Cuba,Mexico | Unknown | None | |||
| Two | August 5–9 | Tropical storm | 60 (95) | Unknown | Gulf Coast of the United States (Alabama) | Unknown | None | |||
| Three | August 30 – September 9 | Category 3 hurricane | 115 (185) | 948 | None | Unknown | 1 | [13] | ||
| Four | September 18 – October 1 | Category 3 hurricane | 120 (195) | 975 | Lesser Antilles,Greater Antilles (Dominican Republic andCuba), East Coast of the United States (Florida) | $5.09 million | 227 | [17][20][23][22] [14][18][19] | ||
| Five | October 1–10 | Category 3 hurricane | 120 (195) | 955 | Cuba, Gulf Coast of the United States (Florida) | >$200,000 | 28 | [31][32][33][34][35][36] | ||
| Six | October 11–20 | Category 4 hurricane | 130 (215) | 931 | Lesser Antilles (Saint Lucia),Bermuda | Unknown | 13 | [39][40] | ||
| Seven | October 21–29 | Category 2 hurricane | 110 (175) | 955 | Bahamas, Florida, Bermuda | Unknown | None | |||
| Season aggregates | ||||||||||
| 7 systems | June 12 – October 29 | 130 (215) | 948 | >$5.29 million | 269 | |||||
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.
