 Surface weather analysis of the hurricane shortly after landfall at peak intensity in Southwest Florida on September 22 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | September 18, 1948 (1948-09-18) |
| Extratropical | September 24, 1948 |
| Dissipated | September 26, 1948 (1948-09-27) |
| Category 4 major hurricane | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
| Highest winds | 130 mph (215 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | ≤940mbar (hPa); ≤27.76 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 13 direct |
| Damage | $14 million (1948USD) |
| Areas affected | Cayman Islands,Cuba, andFlorida |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the1948 Atlantic hurricane season | |
TheSeptember 1948 Florida hurricane(Air Weather Service designation:Easy) was the most intensetropical cyclone to makelandfall in the state since the1935 Labor Day hurricane.[1] The fourth hurricane and third major hurricane of theseason,[nb 1] this storm developed from atropical wave over theCaribbean Sea on September 18. Early the next day, the system strengthened into a hurricane while moving westward passing close toGrand Cayman,Cayman Islands.[3] Thereafter, it curved northwestward and continued to deepen. By September 20, the system turned northward and later that day made landfall inZapata Peninsula,Cuba as a Category 3 hurricane on the modern daySaffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale. Another landfall occurred in Cuba early the next day to the south ofGüines. Severe destruction was reported on the island, with winds up to 90 mph (140 km/h) observed inHavana. 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 theStraits of Florida on September 21, the storm resumed intensification, before striking nearBoca Chica Key, Florida with winds of 120 mph (195 km/h). By early on September 22, the system peaked as a Category 4 hurricane withmaximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 km/h). Shortly thereafter, another landfall occurred nearChokoloskee, Florida at the same intensity. Severe damage was reported in the state due to strong winds. The storm was considered the worst inKey West since the1919 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 theAtlantic Ocean as only a Category 1 hurricane later on September 22. Slight fluctuations in intensity occurred before the hurricane becameextratropical early on September 24, while located northwest ofBermuda.
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depressionAtropical wave – an elongatedtrough oflow pressure – was detected moving through theLeeward Islands on September 14. The system acquired acirculation while situated betweenGrand Cayman andJamaica on September 18.[4] Thus, a tropical storm developed at 06:00 UTC. With initial sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h), the storm quickly intensified while heading westward, and became a Category 1 hurricane on the modern-daySaffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale early on September 19 while passing nearGrand 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 theZapata Peninsula ofCuba 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 nearGüines,Mayabeque Province. Emerging into theStraits 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 nearBoca Chica Key,Florida at 17:00 UTC, with sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h).[5] Around that time, the storm'seye was only 10 mi (16 km) in diameter.[6] However, it deepened further and became a Category 4 hurricane early on September 22. At 05:00 UTC, the system attained its peak intensity with amaximum sustained wind speed of 130 mph (215 km/h) and a minimumbarometric pressure of 940 mbar (28 inHg). Simultaneously, it struck nearChokoloskee, Florida.[5] Due to the storm's barometric pressure at the time, it was the most intense tropical cyclone landfall in Florida since the1935 Labor Day hurricane.[1] Several locations reported an "eye", leading somemeteorologists at the time to suggest that the storm had multiple circulations, though others theorized that dry air pockets existed between therainbands.[6] The hurricane rapidly weakened while moving northeastward across the state and was only a Category 1 hurricane upon emerging into the Atlantic Ocean nearJensen Beach late on September 22. Slight re-intensification occurred the following day, with the storm becoming a moderate Category 2 hurricane by 12:00 UTC. Nonetheless, it began losing tropical characteristics and transitioning into anextratropical cyclone early on September 24, while located about 330 miles (530 km) northwest ofBermuda. The remnants accelerated to the east-northeastward and continued to weaken, before dissipating hundreds of miles east ofNewfoundland on September 26.[5]
OffshoreGrand Cayman, the British steamerLochmonar, 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 aUnited 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 inHavana. Damage was particularly severe in that city andMatanzas.[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, theAmerican Red Cross opened 213 shelters, which were collectively occupied by 38,323 people.[4] Officials prepared two trains atFort Pierce to evacuate residents living alongLake Okeechobee.[11] Many residents in the area sought higher ground, but most refused to evacuate via the trains.[12] Strong winds lashed Florida, with a sustained wind speed of 122 mph (196 km/h) observed at theNaval Air Station Key West, before the anemometer blew away.[4] There, 30 commercial and private aircraft were destroyed.[10] Winds de-roofed some homes and businesses nearby.[11] Tides reached about 6 ft (1.8 m) above mean low water.[6] The hurricane was considered the worst inKey West since1919.[10] About 3–5 in (76–127 mm) of rain fell on theFlorida Keys.[4]
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InHomestead, a tornado destroyed a farmhouse and overturned a 3,000 lb (1,400 kg) truck.[13] Two deaths occurred in Miami; a woman was electrocuted by a broken wire, while a man was presumably blown off a 5-story building.[10] Tides in the city reached 4.5 ft (1.4 m) above mean low water, causing inundation of the bayfront and smashing large breakers and small crafts against the shore and piers. In theneighborhood ofCoconut Grove, docking facilities, piers, and houseboats were severely damaged. Strong winds downed palm trees, which littered the streets ofLummus Park.
The road to the Haulover Bridge inMiami 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, whileLaBelle 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 theIndian 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]
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.1948 florida hurricane.
Tropical cyclones of the1948 Atlantic hurricane season | ||
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