| 1935 Atlantic hurricane season | |
|---|---|
 Season summary map | |
| Seasonal boundaries | |
| First system formed | May 15, 1935 |
| Last system dissipated | November 14, 1935 |
| Strongest storm | |
| Name | Three (Tied as third-most intense hurricane in the Atlantic basin) |
| • Maximum winds | 185 mph (295 km/h) (1-minute sustained) |
| • Lowest pressure | 892mbar (hPa; 26.34inHg) |
| Seasonal statistics | |
| Total depressions | 10 |
| Total storms | 8 |
| Hurricanes | 5 |
| Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+) | 3 |
| Total fatalities | 2,761 total |
| Total damage | > $136 million (1935USD) |
| Related articles | |
| Atlantic hurricane seasons 1933,1934,1935,1936,1937 | |
The1935 Atlantic hurricane season was a near-normalhurricane season. Altogether, tentropical cyclones developed, eight of which intensified into tropical storms. Five of those tropical storms strengthened into hurricanes, while three of those reached major hurricane intensity.[nb 1][2] The season ran from June 1 through November 15, 1935.
There were five notable systems in 1935. A weakening late-August hurricane sank numerous ships off the coast ofNewfoundland, causing 50 fatalities. In early September, theLabor Day hurricane madelandfall inFlorida twice, the first time as a Category 5 hurricane on the modern daySaffir–Simpson scale, the first Category 5 U.S. landfall on record, resulting in about 490 deaths and $100 million (1935 USD) in damage along its path.[nb 2] It was the most intense Atlantic hurricane on record in terms ofbarometric pressure, a record later surpassed byHurricane Gilbert in 1988 andHurricane Wilma in 2005[3] as well as the strongest at landfall by1-minute sustained winds, a record equalled byHurricane Dorian in 2019[4] andHurricane Melissa in 2025. It is also one of only fourCategory 5 hurricanes on record to strike thecontiguous United States, along withHurricane Camille (1969),Hurricane Andrew (1992), andHurricane Michael (2018).[5]
Late in September, theCuba hurricane struckthe country as a Category 3 and later theBahamas as a Category 4. The hurricane caused 52 fatalities and roughly $14.5 million in damage. TheJérémie hurricane caused significant impacts in Cuba,Haiti,Honduras, andJamaica in the month of October. Overall, the storm was attributed to about 2,150 deaths and $16 million in damage, with more than 2,000 fatalities in Haiti alone. TheYankee hurricane struck the Bahamas and Florida in early November. The system resulted in 19 deaths, while damage totaled roughly $5.5 million. Collectively, the tropical cyclones of the 1935 Atlantic hurricane season caused roughly $136 million in damage and 2,761 fatalities.
The season's activity was reflected with anaccumulated cyclone energy (ACE) rating of 106 units,[6] slightly higher than the 1931–1943 average of 91.2.[7] 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 high 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.[6]
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | May 15 – May 18 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 60 mph (95 km/h)(1-min); 1003 mbar (hPa) |
Historical weather maps and ship data indicate that alow-pressure area developed into a tropical depression about 105 mi (170 km) south ofPunta Cana,Dominican Republic, at 00:00 UTC on May 15.[2] The depression moved north-northwestward and madelandfall inSanto Domingo Este, Dominican Republic, about 12 hours later. After emerging into the Atlantic Ocean near theTurks and Caicos Islands, the cyclone intensified and became a tropical storm around 12:00 UTC on May 16. The storm then began to curve northeastward and accelerate.[8] On May 18, the Dutch shipMagdala observed sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and abarometric pressure of 1,003 mbar (29.6 inHg), marking the storm's peak intensity. The system was absorbed by a frontal boundary by 00:00 UTC on May 19,[2] about 860 mi (1,385 km) east-southeast ofBermuda.[8]
| Category 4 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | August 16 – August 25 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 130 mph (215 km/h)(1-min); < 955 mbar (hPa) |
Data from ships and nearbyWindward Islands indicate that a tropical depression formed approximately 275 mi (445 km) southeast ofBarbados around 06:00 UTC on August 16.[2][8] The depression tracked north-northwestward and intensified into a tropical storm around 00:00 UTC on August 18, while situated between the islands ofAntigua andBarbuda. Continuing north-northwestward, the cyclone intensified into a hurricane while north of theLesser Antilles at 00:00 UTC on August 19. Curving west-northwest, the storm gradually intensified into aCategory 2 hurricane the following day. On August 20, the system began to curve northward and later north-northeastward. The cyclone peaked with winds of 130 mph (215 km/h) on August 22, but weakened to a minimal Category 3 hurricane with winds of 115 mph (195 km/h) by the time it passed just west of Bermuda later that day. On August 24, the storm weakened to a Category 2 hurricane and began to turn more northward. Continuing to curve northwestward on August 25, the system continued to weaken to a Category 1 hurricane, later striking Newfoundland as anextratropical cyclone on August 26. The storm dissipated later that day.[8]
A few islands of the Lesser Antilles recorded precipitation, including up to 3.0 in (77 mm) onGuadeloupe atBaie-Mahault.[9] Called Newfoundland's "worstgale in 36 years,"[10] the remnants of the hurricane battered the island with damaging winds.[10]Charlottetown inPrince Edward Island received 5.6 in (140 mm) of rain over a three-day span. InSt. John's, Newfoundland, wind gusts averaged 52 mph (83 km/h) and caused extensive property damage. Total losses were estimated in the thousands of dollars.[11] Communication lines across the island were downed, though the greatest effects were felt offshore.[10] Gale-force winds and rough seas wrecked multiple schooners off the coast of Newfoundland, claiming an estimated 50 lives.[12] Every ship that set sail within a day of the storm was damaged.[13] Six people drowned whenWalter sank nearTrepassey.[14] The SSArgyle was dispatched on search and rescue for three other vessels; however, upon discovery of the ships they reported no sign of life and their crew are believed to have been washed overboard.[15] In the days following the storm, wrecks of schooners, such as theCarrie Evelyn, washed ashore.[12]
| Category 5 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
%2c_Sep_2%2c_1935.jpg)  | |
| Duration | August 29 – September 6 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 185 mph (295 km/h)(1-min); 892 mbar (hPa) |
An area of disturbed weather developed into a tropical depression around 06:00 UTC on August 29 while situated roughly 200 mi (320 km) northeast of theTurks and Caicos Islands.[2][8] The depression initially strengthened slowly as it moved west-northwestward and then westward, reaching tropical storm intensity by early on August 31. Later that day and on the following day, the system passed through the Bahamas and reached hurricane intensity around 12:00 UTC on September 1. After passing near the south end ofAndros Island, the storm rapidly intensified while moving across theStraits of Florida, achieving major hurricane status by 06:00 UTC on the next day. At approximately 00:00 UTC on September 3, the cyclone intensified into a Category 5 hurricane, with winds peaking at 185 mph (295 km/h), while other reports claim it was even more powerful. Few even claim that it may have reached sustained winds of 200 mph.[8] Around that time, a weather station inCraig Key,Florida, observed abarometric pressure of 892 mbar (26.3 inHg), with other reports claiming an even lower pressure, including a sailor who claimed an inward pressure of 880 mbar.[2] About two hours later, the hurricane madelandfall onLong Key at the same intensity. The storm made its final landfall on the sparsely populatedApalachee coast nearCedar Key on September 4 as a Category 2 hurricane. Turning northeast, the system weakened to a tropical storm overGeorgia on September 5, but re-intensified into a hurricane on September 6 shortly after emerging into the Atlantic offshoreVirginia. The storm transitioned into an extratropical cyclone later that day,[8] but persisted until being absorbed by another extratropical cyclone offshore southernGreenland on September 10.[2]
In the Bahamas, the press stated that no damage occurred, though one report indicated that the storm caused some damage in extreme southern Andros Island.[2] The Florida Climatological Data report notes that islands in the vicinity of the storm's landfall location "undoubtedly" experienced sustained winds between 150 and 200 mph (240 and 320 km/h) and gusts "probably exceeding" 200 mph (320 km/h). Additionally,tides reached about 30 ft (9.1 m) above mean water level,[2] while astorm surge of 18 to 20 ft (5.5 to 6.1 m) lashed the Upper Keys.[16] A train intending to evacuate people to safety arrived too late; storm surge prevented the train from advancing pastIslamorada and instead washed it off the tracks except for thelocomotive andtender. The hurricane caused near total destruction of all buildings, bridges, roads, and viaducts betweenTavernier andKey Vaca, including portions of theFlorida East Coast Railway in the Upper Keys.[17] Also heavily impacted were threeFederal Emergency Relief Administration camps ofWorld War I veterans. By March 1, 1936, officials had confirmed 485 deaths in the Florida Keys, with 257 veterans and 228 civilians killed.[18] Along Florida's gulf coast, the hurricane impactedCedar Key particularly severely. Nearly all roofs experienced at least minor damage, many of which were blown off, while winds also downed many trees and power lines. The cyclone also severely damaged docks and fishing vessels. Three deaths occurred in the town.[2] Rains and winds damaged some crops and properties in Georgia and the Carolinas. In Virginia, one tornado inNorfolk caused about $22,000 in property damage while a second nearFarmville resulted in about $55,000 in damage and two deaths. Further, flooding along theJames River inflicted damage around $1.65 million.[2] Overall, the hurricane caused approximately $100 million in damage.[19]
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | August 30 – September 2 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 60 mph (95 km/h)(1-min); 1001 mbar (hPa) |
A tropical depression formed in the northwestern Caribbean on August 30. The system moved westward and soon made landfall in theYucatán Peninsula nearPlaya del Carmen.[8] After emerging into theBay of Campeche on the following day, the cyclone intensified into a tropical storm. By early on September 1, the system peaked with sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h). Around 18:00 UTC that day, the storm made landfall in the Mexican state ofVeracruz to the southeast of the city ofVeracruz.[8] After moving inland, the storm quickly weakened to a tropical depression early on September 2, before dissipating several hours later.[8] Authorities closed the Port of Veracruz.[20] A weather station in the city of Veracruz recorded sustained winds up to 67 mph (108 km/h).[2] Heavy rains generated by the system washed out train tracks, delaying railroad traffic.[20]
| Category 4 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | September 23 – October 5 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 140 mph (220 km/h)(1-min); < 945 mbar (hPa) |
The origin of this hurricane is uncertain, though it is believed to have coalesced into a tropical depression over the central Caribbean Sea on September 23.[21] The disturbance gradually organized as it moved to the west, and strengthened to tropical storm intensity less than a day after formation and further to a hurricane by September 25. The cyclone subsequently curved northward from its initial westward motion. On September 27, the storm reached major hurricane intensity before making landfall nearCienfuegos, Cuba, as a Category 3 hurricane the next day.[8][21] After passing the island, the system reintensified and peaked with a minimum barometric pressure below 945 mbar (hPa; 27.91 inHg)[nb 3] and maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (220 km/h), making it a Category 4 hurricane. At the same time, the tropical cyclone passed over the Bahamian island ofBimini before moving out to sea. As it progressed northeastward, the hurricane gradually weakened before transitioning into an extratropical storm on October 2. The extratropical remnants traversed Newfoundland before dissipating later that day.[8][21]
The hurricane caused widespread destruction from destruction from theGreater Antilles toAtlantic Canada.[22] InJamaica, the storm's strong winds and heavy rain destroyed roughly 3 percent of the island'sbanana production and damaged road networks.[23] Damage on the island country totaled to $2.7 million and two people died.[24] InCayman Brac, strong winds damaged infrastructure and crops, though no fatalities resulted.[22] Most of the cyclone's deaths occurred in Cuba, where the storm made its first landfall. The hurricane's effects left a 100 mi (160 km) wide swath of damage across the country.[25] A large storm surge destroyed low-lying coastal towns, particularly in Cienfuegos where numerous homes were destroyed and 17 people died.[26][27] Throughout the nation, the hurricane wrought $12 million in damage and killed 35 people.[22] As it crossed Cuba, widespread evacuation procedures occurred in southern areas of Florida, heightened due to the effects of adisastrous hurricane which struck less than a month prior.[28][29] However, damage there was only of moderate severity.[22] Passing directly over Bimini in The Bahamas, a large storm surge destroyed nearly half of the island; 14 people were killed here.[21] Farther north, the storm had slight impacts in Bermuda and Atlantic Canada, though a person drowned off ofHalifax, Nova Scotia, due to rough seas.[30]
| Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | October 18 – October 27 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 85 mph (140 km/h)(1-min); 988 mbar (hPa) |
A broad low-pressure area organized into a tropical depression over the southwestern Caribbean around 12:00 UTC on October 18.[8][2] Initially moving eastward, the depression intensified into a tropical storm roughly 24 hours later. The cyclone then began to curve north-northeastward and move very slowly. Around 13:00 UTC on October 21, the system made landfall inJamaica near theMorant Point Lighthouse with winds of 60 mph (100 km/h). The storm reached hurricane intensity early on October 22 and made landfall nearSantiago de Cuba later that day with winds of 85 mph (140 km/h). Although the storm curved southwestward and re-entered the Caribbean, land interaction with Cuba weakened it to a tropical storm early on October 23.[8] The storm re-intensified into a hurricane about eight hours later.[8] On October 26, it made landfall inHonduras nearCabo Gracias a Dios as a Category 1 hurricane. The cyclone maintained intensity after moving inland before weakening to a tropical storm on October 26, eventually weakening to a tropical depression on October 27 over interiorCentral America. The system dissipated shortly thereafter.[8]
Flooding and landslides in Jamaica damaged crops, property, and infrastructure; fruit growers alone suffered about $2.5 million in losses.[31] Just offshore, an unidentified vessel went down with her entire crew in the hostile conditions.[32] Strong winds lashed coastal sections of Cuba, particularly in and around Santiago de Cuba. There, the hurricane demolished 100 homes and filled streets with debris.[33] A total of four people died in the country.[2] In Haiti, the storm did most damage along the Tiburon Peninsula of southwestern Haiti, especially in Jacmel and Jérémie.[34] Catastrophic river flooding left roughly 2,000 people dead,[32] razed hundreds of native houses, and destroyed crops and livestock.[34] Entire swaths of countryside were isolated for days, delaying both reconnaissance and relief efforts.[35] The hurricane later unleashed devastating floods in Central America, chiefly in Honduras.[32] Reported at the time to be the worst flood in the nation's history, the disaster decimated banana plantations and communities after rivers flowed up to 50 ft (15 m) above normal.[36] Torrents of floodwaters trapped hundreds of citizens in trees, on rooftops, and on remote high ground, requiring emergency rescue.[37] The storm left thousands homeless and around 150 dead in the country,[32] while monetary damage totaled $12 million.[38] Flooding and strong winds also impacted northeastern Nicaragua, though damage was much less widespread.[32]
| Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
.jpg)  | |
| Duration | October 30 – November 8 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 105 mph (165 km/h)(1-min); 964 mbar (hPa) |
A tropical storm of extratropical origins formed about 220 mi (355 km) east of Bermuda around 06:00 UTC on October 30.[39][8] The storm steadily intensified and moved west-northwestward, passing about 55 mi (90 km) north of Bermuda early on October 31. After reaching hurricane intensity around 12:00 UTC on the next day, the cyclone curved west-southwestward. The system then turned south-southwestward by early on November 3, around the time that it reached Category 2 strength. Peaking with winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 964 mbar (28.5 inHg) shortly thereafter, the storm curved southwestward later that day while approaching the Bahamas. Just after 00:00 UTC on November 4, the hurricane struckNorth Abaco at the same intensity. The cyclone then continued west-southwestward and made landfall inMiami-Dade County, Florida, near present-dayBal Harbour around 18:00 UTC on November 4 with winds of 100 mph (155 km/h). The storm emerged into the Gulf of Mexico early the following day and weakened to a tropical storm around 00:00 UTC on November 6 while beginning to curve west-northwestward. Thereafter, the system decelerated and curved westward late on November 7, at which time it weakened to a tropical depression. By 12:00 UTC on November 8, the storm transitioned into an extratropical cyclone about 140 mi (230 km) west ofSt. Petersburg, Florida, and dissipated several hours later.[8]
While the storm passed north of Bermuda on October 31, a weather station recorded sustained winds of 35 mph (56 km/h).[2] Hurricane-force winds lashed the Abaco Islands for approximately 1–3 hours, whileGrand Bahama observed sustained winds of 60 mph (97 km/h). On the former, the storm sank five sponging vessels and caused 14 deaths.[39] The storm is known as theYankee hurricane in Florida due to its unusual approach toward Florida from the north and its arrival late in the season.[40] In Florida, storm surge and abnormally high tides flooded and eroded portions ofMiami Beach, including about 10 ft (3.0 m) of thecauseway linking the city to Miami.[39] However, little structural damage occurred except to buildings with defect roofs.[41] InHialeah, considered the worst hit city in the Miami area, approximately 230 homes suffered complete destruction, while many others sustained damage. Among the others buildings severely damaged or destroyed in the city included two churches, a building occupied by two businesses, and a warehouse.[42] The storm uprooted 75 percent of avocado trees and 80 percent of citrus trees, while floodwaters inundated about 95 percent of potatoes in Miami-Dade County.[41] InBroward County, the town ofDania Beach appeared to suffer the worst damage in the county, with approximately 90 percent of buildings damaged to some degree there.[43] Throughout the county, the hurricane damaged at least 40 homes beyond repairs, while over 350 homes suffered minor damages requiring repairs.[41] A total of 5 deaths were reported, along with injuries to 115 people. The hurricane caused approximately $5.5 million in damage in Florida, $4.5 million of which was incurred to properties.[39]
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | November 3 – November 14 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 45 mph (75 km/h)(1-min); 1001 mbar (hPa) |
Based on historical weather maps, a weak trough developed into a tropical depression about 215 mi (345 km) northeast ofBermuda around 00:00 UTC on November 3.[2][8] The cyclone initially moved northeastward and reached tropical storm intensity around 18:00 UTC.[8] On November 4, the system attained its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 1,001 mbar (29.6 inHg), the latter being observed by a ship.[2] The storm curved southeastward late on November 4 and then southwestward about 24 hours later. Late on November 6, the system turned to the west. On the following day as the cyclone began turning south-southwestward,[8] a weather station on Bermuda observed sustained winds of 40 mph (64 km/h).[2] The storm weakened to a tropical depression early on November 9 and began to execute a cyclonic loop. Around 12:00 UTC on November 10, it re-intensified into a tropical storm. The storm completed its cyclonic loop by November 12 and resumed moving south-southwestward. Around 06:00 UTC on November 13, the cyclone fell below tropical storm intensity again and dissipated early on November 14 while located about 300 mi (485 km) south-southeast of Bermuda.[8]
In addition to the eight gale-force systems identified withinHURDAT, two other cyclones were classified as tropical depressions. The first of these developed over the northern Gulf of Mexico on August 23. On this day, a ship observed sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h)—the highest in relation to the system. The lowest observed pressure of 1008 mbar (hPa; 29.77 inHg) was recorded on August 25. Researchers at theNational Hurricane Center (NHC) noted that the system may have become a weak tropical storm, but a lack of concrete evidence prevented classification as such. Remaining nearly stationary for four days, the depression finally moved northeast on August 27 and made landfall over the Florida Panhandle. The system weakened once onshore and dissipated over Georgia on August 29. The second depression was identified near theCape Verde Islands on October 2. A nearly stationary system, the depression lingered for three days before diminishing. Ships on October 2 reported sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h) and a pressure of 1006 mbar (hPa; 29.71 inHg). The depression may have been a tropical storm, but this could not be conclusively assessed.[44]
This is a table of all of the storms that have formed during the 1935 Atlantic hurricane season. It includes their names, duration, peak strength, areas affected, damage, 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 1935 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 (USD) | Deaths | Ref(s). | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| One | May 15–18 | Tropical storm | 60 (95) | 1003 | Hispaniola | Minimal | None | |||
| Two | August 16–25 | Category 4 hurricane | 130 (215) | < 955 | Lesser Antilles,Bermuda,Atlantic Canada | Unknown | 50 | [12] | ||
| Depression | August 23–29 | Tropical depression | 35 (55) | 1008 | Southeastern United States | None | None | |||
| "Labor Day" | August 29 – September 6 | Category 5 hurricane | 185 (295) | 892 | Bahamas, Southeastern United States (particularly theFlorida Keys),Northeastern United States | $100 million | 490 | [18][2][19] | ||
| Four | August 30 – September 2 | Tropical storm | 60 (95) | 1001 | Mexico | Minimal | None | |||
| Five | September 23 – October 2 | Category 4 hurricane | 140 (220) | < 945 | Jamaica,Cuba,Florida, Bahamas, Bermuda, Newfoundland | $14.5 million | 52 | [24][22][21][30] | ||
| Depression | October 2–5 | Tropical depression | 35 (55) | 1006 | None | None | None | |||
| Six | October 18–27 | Category 1 hurricane | 85 (140) | 988 | Jamaica, Cuba,Haiti,Honduras,Nicaragua | $16 million | 2,150 | [31][33][35][38] | ||
| Seven | October 30 – November 8 | Category 2 hurricane | 105 (165) | 964 | Bahamas, Florida | $5.5 million | 19 | [39] | ||
| Eight | November 3–14 | Tropical storm | 45 (75) | 1001 | Bermuda | None | None | |||
| Season aggregates | ||||||||||
| 10 systems | May 15 – November 14 | 185 (295) | 892 | >$136 million | 2,761 | |||||
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