 Surface weather analysis of the hurricane approaching South Florida on August 26. | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | August 23, 1949 (1949-08-23) |
| Extratropical | August 29, 1949 |
| Dissipated | August 31, 1949 (1949-08-31) |
| Category 4 major hurricane | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
| Highest winds | 130 mph (215 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 954mbar (hPa); 28.17 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 2 direct, 1 indirect |
| Damage | $52 million (1949USD) |
| Areas affected | |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the1949 Atlantic hurricane season | |
The1949 Florida hurricane, also known as theDelray Beach hurricane, was a damaging and powerfultropical cyclone that caused significant damage in the southern portions of the state late in the month of August. The second recordedtropical cyclone of theannual hurricane season, the system originated from atropical wave near the northernLeeward 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 centralBahamas 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 strikingAndros. Late on August 26, the storm made landfall nearLake 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 theNature Coast and enteredGeorgia on August 28, where it weakened to a tropical storm. The storm then accelerated northeastward and became extratropical overNew England by August 29. The remnants traversedAtlantic Canada and much of the Atlantic Ocean before dissipating nearIreland on September 1.
The hurricane produced strong winds in the Bahamas, including a wind gust of 120 mph (190 km/h) onBimini. A wide expanse of the east coast of Florida, stretching fromMiami Beach toSt. 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, theLake 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 inStuart, where winds gusted to 160 mph (260 km/h) prior to the worst conditions. The storm generated the most severe impacts observed onLake Okeechobee since the1928 Okeechobee hurricane, but unlike the latter storm, did not manage to breach the locallevees. 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]
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depressionAt 06:00 UTC on August 23, a moderatetropical storm developed about 200 mi (320 km) east ofSint Maarten.[1] (Operationally, the system was treated as aneasterly wave until it moved through the Bahamas a few days later.[2] The system likely originated near theCape Verde islands,[3] but was first observed near theLeeward 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 ofSan Juan, Puerto Rico, the tropical storm strengthened to aminimal hurricane withmaximum sustained winds of 75 mph (121 km/h). Subsequently, it organized rapidly, and was "well developed" when it passed nearNassau 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 theGulf Stream, and itseye madelandfall on the city ofLake 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 inWest Palm Beach registered calm conditions and abarometric pressure of 28.17 inHg (954 mb).[2] (Prior toreanalysis, 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 inDelray Beach, a short distance southward of the landfall location, the storm earned the monikerDelray Beach hurricane.[4][3]
Once inland overSouth Florida, the hurricane moved over the northern portion ofLake Okeechobee,[2] following a similar path to that of the 1928 Okeechobee hurricane.[3] On August 27, the hurricane recurved over the Florida peninsula, and then weakened to a Category 1 hurricane northeast ofTampa. The system diminished to a tropical storm nearCedar Key, and entered southernGeorgia during the morning of August 28. The system passed overthe Carolinas as a weak tropical storm,[1] and was operationally noted as a "weak disturbance" at the time.[2] The cyclone passed through theMid-Atlantic states and New England on August 29, became extratropical overNew Hampshire, and was last detected over the North Atlantic Ocean nearIreland on September 1.[1]
On August 25, the northern Bahamas were advised to initiate hurricane precautions, and ahurricane warning was issued for the islands. South Floridians were encouraged to closely monitor the progress of the storm.[9] On August 26, hurricane warnings were released from Miami to Vero Beach; officials decided to cancel proposed evacuations of the Lake Okeechobee region, as the presence of theHerbert Hoover Dike was expected to prevent flooding.[10]
The cities ofJupiter,Palm Beach, Stuart, and West Palm Beach experienced the most severe damage from the storm in South Florida.[11] A damage assessment conducted in 22 counties indicated that approximately 18,000 homes suffered damage, while roughly 1,000 other structures were severely damaged or destroyed.[12] The cyclone inflicted heavycitrus losses, and one-third of the trees were uprooted in many groves. Agricultural damage reached $20 million, with about 14 million boxes of fruit lost.[13] Overall, the state suffered roughly $45 million in damage, which included $20 million in damage to crops, $18 million to property, $4 million electrical and communications, and $500,000 to road infrastructure.[4] Only two deaths occurred in Florida, which was attributed to advance warnings.[13] Water entered many homes in Palm Beach and Martin counties, causing snakes and mosquitoes to infest residences. Precipitation totals of 8.18 in (208 mm), 7.1 in (180 mm), and 9.51 in (242 mm) were measured at Belle Glade,Okeechobee, and St. Lucie Lock, respectively.[3] The cyclone produced hurricane-force gusts in Florida fromMiami Beach toSaint Augustine; the majority of the state experienced sustained winds of at least 50 mph (80 km/h).[3] The strongest winds were observed between northernBroward County andSt. Lucie County, as well as aroundLake Okeechobee. Many locations in this region of the state recorded sustained winds over 100 mph (160 km/h), while a few sites measured wind gusts of 140 mph (230 km/h) or higher.[4]
In the Bahamas, the cyclone produced 120 mph (190 km/h) wind gusts onBimini.[2] Damages in the Bahamas are unknown.
In West Palm Beach, peak gusts of 125 mph (201 km/h) were recorded before theanemometer blew away.[3] A maximum sustained wind of 153 mph (246 km/h) was reported from theJupiter 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 thestandard 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]
InMiami, winds reached up to 54 mph (87 km/h). Impact in the city andMiami Beach was primarily limited to minor damage to signs, plants, and trees.[14] One death occurred in the city when a man drowned inBiscayne Bay while swimming to moor a small boat.[15] The strongest sustained winds speed inFort Lauderdale was 80 mph (130 km/h), while gusts peaked at 100 mph (160 km/h).[16] Many signs, trees, and shrubbery were damaged, with a number of trees falling onto streets. A possible tornado downed several coconut palm trees onU.S. Route 1. Several plate glass windows at downtown businesses were shattered.[17] Heavy rainfall flooded many intersections and streets in low-lying and poor drainage areas of the city.[18] The hurricane demolished three homes inPompano Beach, while part of an apartment complex was severely damaged. Additionally, store and restaurant fronts and their roofs also suffered damage.[19] Winds toppled 15 electrical poles onState Road 811.[16] ThroughoutBroward County, 150 homes were destroyed and 150 others suffered damage.[12]
Communications were mostly disrupted inBoca Raton.[14] A number of homes experienced structural impacts inDelray Beach, with five homes being destroyed,[19] while many businesses received major damage. InBoynton Beach, extensive impact was incurred shrubbery, trees, and property. Several structures were deroofed. The bridge across theIntracoastal Waterway was left impassable.[14] The "negro section" of Boynton Beach suffered $10,000 in damage,[20] which included extensive damage to stores.[14] Tides lashed the coast, with the worst impact betweenLake Worth andPalm Beach. Much of the island of Palm Beach was covered with power lines, trees, broken glass, sand, and other debris. BetweenJoseph E. Widener's mansion in Palm Beach and the Lake Worth casino, several washouts were reported. AlongState Road 704 (Royal Palm Way), many royal palm trees were toppled.[21][19] At theSociety of the Four Arts, several trees were uprooted and the library garden was ruined. The radio antenna at the town hall collapsed, damaging the roof, police and firefighters barracks, the door to the fire station, and a car.[22] Palm Beach suffered approximately $2.6 million in damage.[20] In Lake Worth, a total of about 400 people stayed at six shelters in the area during the storm. Between 300 and 400 homes were impacted by the storm, with most of the effects limited to broken roofs, shattered windows, and water damage. One home was completely demolished. This does not include the number of homes deroofed in the "negro quarters". Additionally, a trailer was overturned and "rolled over and over like a rubber ball". Many plate-glass windows broke in the business district, while afilling station onState Road 802 was destroyed.[23] Three of the four radio towers in the city were toppled.[24]InWest Palm Beach, cars were overturned in the interior of a dealership as winds shattered windows.[11] At thePalm 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 theRed Cross andNational 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 byWJNO 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] InRiviera Beach, two stores were destroyed, while about 50 businesses and 500 homes sustained damage.[24] ThroughoutPalm Beach County, the storm destroyed 65 homes and damaged 13,283 others.[12]
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 atBelle 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 theWSWN 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 atBelle Glade andClewiston and the Lake Okeechobee area was lashed with winds of at least 122 mph (196 km/h) for about seven hours,[3][19] but theHerbert Hoover Dike remained intact, protecting the area from severe flooding. Minimal erosion occurred in some locales.[3] Significant damage was reported inPahokee and communications were knocked out completely.[14]
In theTreasure Coast region, a wind gust unofficially reached 160 mph (260 km/h) atStuart, as measured by a rooftop anemometer at a fire station, but instrumentation was disabled prior to the worst conditions.[3] About 40% of homes in Stuart and commercial structures were severely damaged, while 90% of structures required repairs. A church, baseball park, and ice company was destroyed in the area'sblack neighborhoods. Many flimsy buildings were destroyed in the neighborhoods.[11] Three portions of the Jensen causeway nearSewall's Point were ripped away. A hangar and beacon was destroyed at the local airport inMartin County.[19] About 500 people were homeless in Stuart.[28] A water mark of 8.5 ft (102 in) was recorded on theSt. Lucie River near Stuart.[29] InFort Pierce, winds of 100 mph (160 km/h) were reported.[14]
Trees, electrical poles, and power lines littered the streets, with nearly the entire city losing electricity.[19] A hotel was deroofed and many businesses suffered substantial damage. Officials noted that every home suffered some degree of damage.[24] TheIndian River overflowed, flooding the city with millions of gallons of water.[19] The hurricane destroyed 35 homes and damaged 3,300 others.[12]Vero Beach reported sustained winds of 97 mph (156 km/h) and peak gusts of 110 mph (180 km/h).[30] A man was injured in Vero Beach while attempting to operate a pump in the midst of hurricane-force winds; he succumbed to his injuries at a hospital in Palm Beach about two weeks later.[15] The hurricane damaged approximately 1,000 homes throughoutIndian River County.[12]
A total of 50 homes inManatee County were damaged by the storm.[12] NumerousCentral Florida communities also reported severe damage from the winds.[3] The observation station atArchbold Biological Station reported peak wind gusts of 110 mph (180 km/h); the town ofSebring 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 theLake Placid area, and telegraph, telephone, rail, and bus services were disrupted.[31] ThroughoutHighlands County, a total of 14 homes were destroyed and 165 others received damage.[12] At the Weather Bureau office inLakeland, 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 theMunn 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.[32] InOrlando, theexecutive 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.[33] 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.[34] Wind gusts of 75 mph (121 km/h) affectedClermont.[3] Fifty homes inLake County experienced some degree of damage.[12]
InAlabama, a strong thunderstorm on the fringes of the hurricane damaged several airplanes, interrupted electrical services, and injured four people inBirmingham.[35] Flooding affected Georgia and the Carolinas, although the rains alleviated drought conditions inMaryland,Pennsylvania,New York, andNew England.[11] In Georgia, a young boy was electrocuted by a downed power line nearSavannah.[35]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.[36] Throughout the United States, the hurricane caused two deaths and about $52.35 million in damage.[4]
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.
Tropical cyclones of the1949 Atlantic hurricane season | ||
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