1898 Windward Islands Hurricane
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| Category 2 hurricane (SSHS) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Formed | August 15, 1898 | |
| Dissipated | September 2, 1898 | |
| Highest winds |
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| Lowest pressure | 965 mbar (hPa; 28.51 inHg) | |
| Fatalities | 300-400 | |
| Damage | $2.5 million (1893 USD) $60 million (2008 USD) |
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| Areas affected |
Windward Islands, Leeward Islands, Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines | |
| Part of the 1898 Atlantic hurricane season |
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The Windward Islands Hurricane was a strong, destructive hurricane that raged through the eastern Caribbean islands in the early part of September during the 1898 Atlantic hurricane season. Between 300 and 400 people are believed to have died in the storm. Damage on Barbados and St. Vincent was catastrophic.
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[edit] Storm history
The storm developed in the south central Atlantic from an easterly wave out of Africa. The storm steadily strengthened and reached the Windward Islands as a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir Simpson Hurricane Scale. The hurricane roared directly over Barbados with sustained winds in excess of 100 mph. The effect was devastating. The hurricane maintained intensity and actually strengthened to near-major hurricane force. It turned slowly north, passing close to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia and Martinique. Exiting the islands, still a Category 2 storm, it continued north and then curved northeast near Bermuda. The storm finally became extratropical before crossing Newfoundland, having maintained hurricane strength for 13 consecutive days.
[edit] Impact
The storm caused devastating damage throughout the eastern Caribbean islands. Barbados and St. Vincent sustained the most damage. The number of dead is unknown but the best estimate is between 300-400 people lost. No damage figures exist but the destruction was very heavy and widespread in many places. Estimates run in the millions of dollars, uninflated.
[edit] Barbados
In Barbados, 83 people died and over 5,000 houses were completely destroyed. Up to 45,000 people were left homeless. The streets were left impassable for months. Phone service was completely disrupted as nearly all the power poles on the island were downed. The sugarcane plantations on the island also suffered crippling damage. The hurricane brought back memories of the “Great Hurricane” of August 1831, in which roughly 1,500 people died and the island of Barbados was practically flattened.
[edit] St. Vincent
Roofs were blown off and numerous large trees were uprooted and weather instruments were destroyed in Saint Vincent. Nearly a foot of rain fell in just 24 hours. Dozens of boats were lost in the harbors and out at sea.
