_weather_map%2c_July_21%2c_1909.jpg) Surface weather analysis of the hurricane making landfall in Texas at peak intensity on July 21 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | July 13, 1909 |
| Dissipated | July 22, 1909 |
| Category 3 major hurricane | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
| Highest winds | 115 mph (185 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 959mbar (hPa); 28.32 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 41 total |
| Damage | $2 million (1909USD) |
| Areas affected | Jamaica,Cuba,Louisiana andTexas |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the1909 Atlantic hurricane season | |
The1909 Velasco hurricane was an intensetropical cyclone that devastated areas of theTexas coast in July 1909. The fourth tropical storm, second hurricane, and firstmajor hurricane of the season, it formed from an area of disturbed weather east of theLeeward Islands on July 13, 1909. Remaining weak for much of its early existence, the system began to intensify after nearingJamaica. Curving towards the northwest, it reached hurricane strength on July 18 near the western tip ofCuba. Intensification stalled as it moved westwards across theGulf of Mexico, but resumed as the hurricane approached the Texas coast. The storm intensified to a major hurricane on July 21 and subsequently reached its peak intensity with winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) prior to making landfall nearVelasco, Texas. Once over land, the system began to quickly weaken, and dissipated near theRio Grande on July 22.
The hurricane caused 41 deaths and $2 million in damages,[nb 1] all of which were in Texas. Strong waves caused several offshore shipping incidents, andstorm surge inundated areas of the Texas coast, though damage inGalveston was mostly mitigated by theGalveston Seawall. In Velasco, only eight buildings remained intact after the hurricane. Strong winds forced train closures and destroyed and downed various infrastructure. Heavy rains further inland peaked at 8.5 in (220 mm) inHallettsville.
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depressionAtropical depression was first noted at 1200 UTC on July 13, northeast ofGrenada in theWindward Islands, with winds of 35 mph (55 km/h),[1] though whether it had aclosed circulation at the time remains unclear.[2][3] Nonetheless, the system remained a weak tropical depression for much of its early existence as it moved to the west-northwest through the easternCaribbean Sea.Weather reports throughout the Caribbean during this time were sparse and according to José Partagás, a former meteorologist at theNational Hurricane Center, the system still may have not formed a closed circulation. This meant that the low was not classifiable, though the lack of data also meant that there was no evidence to support this claim and the system was kept as a tropical depression inHURDAT, the Atlantic Hurricane Database.[2] However, once the depression was located south ofJamaica, it began to slowly strengthen and curve more towards the northwest, reaching tropical storm intensity by 0000 UTC on July 17.[1] At the time, the system was expected to makelandfall on theYucatán Peninsula. Ships in the vicinity of the storm reported strong breezes associated with lowbarometric pressure.[3] Despite predictions, the system curved from its initial west-northwest movement and more towards the northwest, towards the central Gulf of Mexico. The tropical storm continued to intensify, attaining hurricane strength as a Category 1 hurricane on theSaffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale at 1800 UTC on July 18 after skirting past theGuanahacabibes Peninsula.[1]
Once in the Gulf of Mexico, intensification substantially lessened as the storm maintained its Category 1 intensity throughout July 19 and July 20.[1] The hurricane curved in the gulf back to a more westerly direction, while moving at about 10 mph (15 km/h).[4] A minimum pressure reading of 985 mbar (hPa; 29.09 inHg) was reported offshore south ofLouisiana by the shipS.S. Paraguay at 1800 UTC on July 20.[4] Strengthening resumed late on July 20th as the hurricane tracked almost parallel to the Louisiana coastline towards Texas. On July 21st, the storm attained its peak intensity as a modern-dayCategory 3 major hurricane, with sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a barometric pressure of 959 mbar (hPa; 28.32 inHg).[1] Later the same day, the hurricane made landfall at this intensity almost directly overVelasco, Texas, with maximum wind speeds stretching 22 mi (35 km) from the hurricane's center. Over the following 24 hours, the system rapidly weakened over land and lost tropical characteristics near theRio Grande during the afternoon of July 22.[2][1]
As the hurricane approached Texas, theWeather Bureau issuedhurricane warnings for potentially affected areas beginning on July 18. Ships andports were also continuously notified on the oncoming storm, which helped to keep offshore shipping accidents to a minimum.[4] Inland, as a precautionary measure, rail operations along the coast were halted for a duration of the storm's passage.[5]
At its landfall in Velasco, the hurricane caused a wide swath of damage along the Texas coast and areas further inland. Despite previously issued warnings, rough seas produced by the hurricane still caused several ship accidents. Strong waves forced several ships nearGalveston to either become grounded or sunk. Thederrick bargeMiller and other craft were grounded along Galveston'sWest Bay.[6] A largedredge was swept into theGalveston Causeway, snappingtelegraph cables that ran along the length of the causeway.[7] TheMiriam was sunken by a submerged log, while theschoonerEd Gibbs was broken into pieces nearLa Porte. ThesteamboatEl Siglo (The Century) remained stranded offshore for twelve hours in winds estimated at 90 mph (145 km/h).[6] Off ofMobile, Alabama, the high waves prevented ships from entering thePort of Mobile.[8] Closer to the coast, the hurricane produced astorm surge of 10 ft (3.0 m) in Galveston and Velasco.[2] However, due to theGalveston Seawall, much of the potential storm surge-related damage in Galveston was mitigated, though the seawall forced spray to rise 60 ft (18 m) in the air. Areas outside the seawall on the Galveston beach, including twofishing piers andpavilions were destroyed.[9] On Galveston's Tarpon Pier, ten members of afishing party perished after the pier collapsed,[10] though six were rescued by theyachtMayflower.[11] In western areas of Galveston, where there was no seawall, inland areas were inundated under 7 ft (2.1 m) of water.[12] However, Galveston's primary streets were submerged to a lesser extent, under 2 ft (0.61 m) of water.[13] In Velasco, the tide was reported to have been 3 ft (0.91 m) higher than during the1900 Galveston hurricane,[4] which inundated the city under 4 ft (1.2 m) of water.[14] Areas ofSabine Pass were also inundated by the high waves, and theSouthern Pacific Railroad was submerged in water.[15]
In Velasco, where the hurricane made landfall, only eight buildings remained intact after the storm's passage.Quintana,Columbus, andColumbia were also heavily affected, with all houses experiencing some form of severe damage. InAustin, homes were unroofed, and the storm was considered as the worst hurricane to affect Austin at the time.[6] Heavy rains caused large amounts ofdriftwood to float down theColorado River. In Austin, the driftwood struck the newly constructedCongress Avenue Bridge, carrying away 200 ft (61 m) oftrestle and resulting in $10,000 in damages.[16] Other cities also reported severely damaged homes and businesses. Galveston suffered minor damage, with reports of chimney damage and broken windows.[9] Three sections of the Galveston Causeway were blown down by the strong winds.[17] As a result,tug boats were forced to carry people andcargo to and from Galveston along West Bay.[7] TheWestern Union Telegraph Company reportedly lost all direct communication with Galveston for a temporary period of time. Other telegraph companies inDallas andChicago also lost communications with the city.[17] Property damage in Galveston was estimated at $100,000.[10] Strong winds and gusts from the storm were reported as far inland asEagle Pass. The winds uprooted trees and extensively damaged various crops, as well as downedpower lines.[6] In the Galveston Jetty, Rosenburg, andBrazoria, strong winds blewtrains off of theirtracks.Train stations andtrain depots along the coast also experienced considerable damage, with some depots being completely leveled.Maize fields which had been previously burned bywildfires caused by an ongoing drought inKingsville were swept down, whilecotton crops withstood the hurricane well.Oil derricks nearMarkham were blown down, andwater wells were stripped of their machinery.[18] InAlvin,barns andwindmills were destroyed.Richmond also reported destroyed barns, as well as downedchimneys. Sixprisoners escaped from the city's localjail after windows were blown in.[18]Rice mills were downed in Eagle Pass.[6]
Damage was comparatively light inLouisiana. Heavy rains and storm surge inundatedmarshes, resulting in hundreds of reportedcattle drownings.Cotton crops fromGrand Chenier, Louisiana to Sabine Pass was destroyed by the rains and wind. Two deaths in Louisiana were reported inCameron Parish, Louisiana.[19]
Further inland, the hurricane produced heavy rainfall in many areas, peaking at 8.5 in (220 mm) inHallettsville, Texas, with rainfall totals of at least 3 in (76 mm) common in along the hurricane's track.[20]Boerne,Fredericksbrug, andColumbia all set monthly records for 24‑hour rainfall totals on July 21 and 22, with all three cities reporting totals of 5 in (130 mm) or greater. While the heavy rains caused damage in areas, it provided beneficialdrought relief in other regions.[6]
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.
Tropical cyclones of the1909 Atlantic hurricane season | ||
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