1850–1859 Atlantic hurricane seasons
The decade of the 1850s featured the 1850–1859 Atlantic hurricane seasons. While data is not available for every storm that occurred, some parts of the coastline were populated enough to give data of hurricane occurrences. Each season was an ongoing event in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation in the Atlantic basin. Most tropical cyclone formation occurs between June 1 and November 30.
1850 Atlantic hurricane season
The first of three hurricanes to affect the upper Eastern Seaboard moved into North Carolina on July 18. As it moved north, Chesapeake Bay and Delaware Bay took a beating as high waves and tides flooded the coast. It moved almost due north into central New York state.
The second hurricane hit North Carolina on August 24, sinking one ship.
A powerful Gulf hurricane struck Apalachicola on the same day as the previous hurricane, causing a great storm surge over the northeast Gulf coast. As the system moved north, enormous amounts of rain fell from Georgia northward to Virginia. Major flooding occurred along numerous rivers. The Dan rose to a level twenty feet above normal. The cyclone continued northeast, causing damage in its wake through New England.
1851 Atlantic hurricane season
1851 Atlantic hurricane season
First storm formed |
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Strongest storm |
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Major storms (Cat. 3+) |
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Total damage |
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[[List of {{{basin}}} seasons|{{{basin}}} seasons]]
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The 1851 Atlantic hurricane season was the first Atlantic hurricane season in the official Atlantic tropical cyclone record.[1] Six known tropical cyclones occurred during the season, the earliest of which formed on June 25 and the latest of which dissipated on October 19. These dates fall within the range of most Atlantic tropical cyclone activity. None of the cyclones existed simultaneously with another. Of the six storms, two only have a single point in their track known. In addition to the storms in the official hurricane database, unofficial hurricanes were reported each near Tampico and Jamaica.
Five of the six tropical cyclones affected land, including three making landfall as a hurricane. The first struck Texas as a hurricane, which caused moderate to heavy damage, particularly to shipping in Matagorda Bay. One death was indirectly related to the hurricane, as well as at least two injuries. The strongest and deadliest hurricane of the season tracked from east of the Lesser Antilles, through the Greater Antilles, and across the southeastern United States before last being observed near Newfoundland. When it hit near Panama City, Florida as the equivalence of a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale, it caused at least 23 deaths, including five when a lighthouse was destroyed. Many houses were destroyed along its path, primarily along the Florida Panhandle. The other landfalling hurricane was one that struck near Tampico, where it caused heavy damage. The last tropical storm of the season made landfall on Rhode Island, though associated damage is unknown. A tropical storm affected the Lesser Antilles in early July, and another tropical storm remained nearly stationary for three days to the southeast of North Carolina.
1852 Atlantic hurricane season
1852 Atlantic hurricane season
First storm formed |
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Strongest storm |
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Total storms |
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Major storms (Cat. 3+) |
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Total damage |
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Total fatalities |
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[[List of {{{basin}}} seasons|{{{basin}}} seasons]]
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The 1852 Atlantic hurricane season was one of only five Atlantic hurricane seasons in which every tropical cyclone attained hurricane status.[2] Five tropical cyclones were reported during the season, the earliest of which was first observed on August 19 and the latest of which dissipated on October 11. These dates fall within the range of most Atlantic tropical cyclone activity. None of the cyclones existed simultaneously with another. Though there were officially five tropical cyclones in the season, hurricane scholar Michael Chenoweth assessed two of the cyclones as being the same storm. There may have been other unconfirmed tropical cyclones during the season. Meteorologist Christopher Landsea estimates between zero and six storms were missed each year from the official database, due to small tropical cyclone size, sparse ship reports, and relatively unpopulated coastlines.[3]
Every tropical cyclone in the season was of hurricane status, or with winds at or exceeding 74 mph (119 km/h). In only five other season did every cyclone attain hurricane status; those years were 1858, 1866, 1884, 1929, and 1930.[1] All five cyclones affected land; the strongest was the first storm, which caused severe damage and loss of life when it made landfall near the border between Mississippi and Alabama. The second storm of the season struck Puerto Rico, where it caused over 100 deaths, primarily from flooding. In the middle of September, the third storm moved across Florida with strong wind gusts and light rainfall, and a week later the fourth storm passed over or north of the Lesser and Greater Antilles. The last storm hit the Florida Panhandle, though damage was less than expected.
1853 Atlantic hurricane season
1853 Atlantic hurricane season
First storm formed |
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Strongest storm |
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Total storms |
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Major storms (Cat. 3+) |
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Total damage |
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Total fatalities |
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[[List of {{{basin}}} seasons|{{{basin}}} seasons]]
{{{five seasons}}} |
Tropical Storm One
Tropical storm (SSHS) |
|
Duration |
August 5 – August 5 |
Intensity |
60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min), Unknown |
Tropical Storm Two
Tropical storm (SSHS) |
|
Duration |
August 10 – August 10 |
Intensity |
45 mph (75 km/h) (1-min), Unknown |
Hurricane Three
Category 4 hurricane (SSHS) |
|
Duration |
August 30 – September 10 |
Intensity |
150 mph (240 km/h) (1-min), 924 mbar (hPa) |
A powerful, long-tracking Cape Verde-type hurricane that reached Category 4 intensity moved through the open Atlantic during the 2nd week of September, causing 40 deaths due to ships sinking. The storm recurved, never threatening any major land masses while moving well north of the Caribbean islands and well east of the Bahamas. At its peak it was estimated at 150 mph, with a minimum central pressure of 924 mbar.[4] This was the lowest pressure ever measured in an Atlantic hurricane for 82 years; until the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935. This is the longest time a storm ever held that record. (Based on the "Best Track" archives compiled by the National Hurricane Center. The Great Havana Hurricane of 1846 might have been stronger.)
Hurricane Four
Category 3 hurricane (SSHS) |
|
Duration |
September 8 – September 10 |
Intensity |
115 mph (185 km/h) (1-min), Unknown |
Tropical Storm Five
Tropical storm (SSHS) |
|
Duration |
September 21 – September 21 |
Intensity |
60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min), Unknown |
Hurricane Six
Category 1 hurricane (SSHS) |
|
Duration |
September 26 – October 1 |
Intensity |
80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min), Unknown |
Hurricane Six was a tropical storm that passed near Bermuda before looping and strengthening to a peak intensity of Category 1 hurricane status. It never threatened land.
Tropical Storm Seven
Tropical storm (SSHS) |
|
Duration |
September 28 – September 28 |
Intensity |
60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min), Unknown |
Hurricane Eight
Category 2 hurricane (SSHS) |
|
Duration |
October 19 – October 22 |
Intensity |
105 mph (165 km/h) (1-min), Unknown |
A hurricane off the coast of Florida brushed past Georgia as a strong Category 2 storm before weakening and turning out to sea.
1854 Atlantic hurricane season
1854 Atlantic hurricane season
First storm formed |
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Strongest storm |
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Total storms |
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Major storms (Cat. 3+) |
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Total damage |
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Total fatalities |
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[[List of {{{basin}}} seasons|{{{basin}}} seasons]]
{{{five seasons}}} |
A major hurricane was observed over the Bahamas on September 7. It moved northwestward, making landfall near Savannah, Georgia as a strong hurricane, estimated at Category 3 intensity. It continued through the Carolinas, moving off the coast of Virginia on the 10th. It restrengthened to a Category 2 hurricane, but dissipated on the 12th. It caused 26 deaths.
Another hurricane was observed in September, moving through the Gulf of Mexico as a Category 2 hurricane. It moved inland near Galveston, Texas, causing 2 deaths from nearly 6 inches of rainfall, as well as $20,000 in damage.
1855 Atlantic hurricane season
1855 Atlantic hurricane season
First storm formed |
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Strongest storm |
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Total storms |
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Major storms (Cat. 3+) |
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Total damage |
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Total fatalities |
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[[List of {{{basin}}} seasons|{{{basin}}} seasons]]
{{{five seasons}}} |
Hurricane One
Category 2 hurricane (SSHS) |
|
Duration |
August 6 – August 6 |
Intensity |
105 mph (165 km/h) (1-min), Unknown |
Hurricane Two
Category 2 hurricane (SSHS) |
|
Duration |
August 10 – August 11 |
Intensity |
105 mph (165 km/h) (1-min), Unknown |
Hurricane Three
Category 1 hurricane (SSHS) |
|
Duration |
August 11 – August 11 |
Intensity |
80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min), Unknown |
Tropical Storm Four
Tropical storm (SSHS) |
|
Duration |
August 24 – August 27 |
Intensity |
70 mph (110 km/h) (1-min), 997 mbar (hPa) |
Hurricane Five
Category 3 hurricane (SSHS) |
|
Duration |
September 15 – September 17 |
Intensity |
125 mph (205 km/h) (1-min), Unknown |
A minimal hurricane was observed in the central Gulf of Mexico during the middle of September. It rapidly strengthened to a 130 mph (210 km/h) hurricane before striking southeast Louisiana on September 16. It dissipated over Mississippi on the 17th. The foundation of the Biloxi Lighthouse was endangered due to erosion from this storm.[5]
1856 Atlantic hurricane season
1856 Atlantic hurricane season
First storm formed |
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Strongest storm |
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Total storms |
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Major storms (Cat. 3+) |
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Total damage |
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Total fatalities |
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[[List of {{{basin}}} seasons|{{{basin}}} seasons]]
{{{five seasons}}} |
Hurricane One
Category 4 hurricane (SSHS) |
|
Duration |
August 9 – August 12 |
Intensity |
150 mph (240 km/h) (1-min), 934 mbar (hPa) |
A Category 4 hurricane hit the island resort town of Last Island, Louisiana, causing at least 200 deaths, and perhaps as many as 400.
Hurricane Two
Category 1 hurricane (SSHS) |
|
Duration |
August 13 – August 14 |
Intensity |
80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min), Unknown |
Tropical Storm Three
Tropical storm (SSHS) |
|
Duration |
August 19 – August 21 |
Intensity |
60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min), Unknown |
A tropical storm existed on August 19, moving into North Carolina that night. It went out to sea the next day, after causing heavy rain over the area. This is known as the Charter Oak Storm, as this was the storm that felled Hartford, Connecticut's famed Charter Oak.
Tropical Storm Four
Tropical storm (SSHS) |
|
Duration |
August 21 – August 21 |
Intensity |
45 mph (75 km/h) (1-min), Unknown |
Hurricane Five
Category 3 hurricane (SSHS) |
|
Duration |
August 25 – September 3 |
Intensity |
115 mph (185 km/h) (1-min), 969 mbar (hPa) |
A hurricane existed north of Hispanola on August 25. It moved westward, striking the north coast of Cuba before heading northward to a Florida landfall. It crossed the southeast U.S. and went out to sea.
Hurricane Six
Category 1 hurricane (SSHS) |
|
Duration |
September 18 – September 22 |
Intensity |
80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min), Unknown |
1857 Atlantic hurricane season
1857 Atlantic hurricane season
First storm formed |
{{{first storm formed}}} |
Strongest storm |
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Total storms |
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Major storms (Cat. 3+) |
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Total damage |
{{{total damages}}} |
Total fatalities |
{{{total fatalities}}} |
[[List of {{{basin}}} seasons|{{{basin}}} seasons]]
{{{five seasons}}} |
Tropical Storm One
Tropical storm (SSHS) |
|
Duration |
June 30 – July 1 |
Intensity |
60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min), Unknown |
Hurricane Two
Category 2 hurricane (SSHS) |
|
Duration |
September 9 – September 16 |
Intensity |
105 mph (165 km/h) (1-min), 961 mbar (hPa) |
A tropical storm was first observed north-northeast of the Dominican Republic on September 9. It moved northwestward, strengthening to a hurricane on the 10th and a Category 2 on the 12th, passing just west of the Outer Banks on the 13th. It weakened and went out to sea on the 14th. It caused 424 deaths, all from the ship named the SS Central America which sank during the storm. Also on the ship was 30,000 pounds of gold, which contributed to the Panic of 1857.
Hurricane Three
Category 1 hurricane (SSHS) |
|
Duration |
September 22 – September 26 |
Intensity |
80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min), Unknown |
Hurricane Four
Category 2 hurricane (SSHS) |
|
Duration |
September 24 – September 30 |
Intensity |
105 mph (165 km/h) (1-min), Unknown |
1858 Atlantic hurricane season
1858 Atlantic hurricane season
First storm formed |
{{{first storm formed}}} |
Strongest storm |
{{{strongest storm}}} |
Total storms |
{{{total storms}}} |
Major storms (Cat. 3+) |
{{{major storms}}} |
Total damage |
{{{total damages}}} |
Total fatalities |
{{{total fatalities}}} |
[[List of {{{basin}}} seasons|{{{basin}}} seasons]]
{{{five seasons}}} |
Hurricane One
Category 1 hurricane (SSHS) |
|
Duration |
June 12 – June 12 |
Intensity |
80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min), Unknown |
Hurricane Two
Category 1 hurricane (SSHS) |
|
Duration |
August 5 – August 5 |
Intensity |
80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min), Unknown |
Hurricane Three
Category 2 hurricane (SSHS) |
|
Duration |
September 14 – September 17 |
Intensity |
105 mph (165 km/h) (1-min), 979 mbar (hPa) |
A tropical storm forming over the Gulf of Mexico moved across Florida and strengthened to a Category 2 hurricane. It rapidly moved northeastward, hitting New England as a Category 1 hurricane on September 16 and causing heavy rain.
Hurricane Four
Category 1 hurricane (SSHS) |
|
Duration |
September 17 – September 24 |
Intensity |
90 mph (150 km/h) (1-min), Unknown |
Hurricane Five
Category 1 hurricane (SSHS) |
|
Duration |
September 22 – September 25 |
Intensity |
90 mph (150 km/h) (1-min), Unknown |
Hurricane Six
Category 2 hurricane (SSHS) |
|
Duration |
October 21 – October 26 |
Intensity |
105 mph (165 km/h) (1-min), Unknown |
1859 Atlantic hurricane season
1859 Atlantic hurricane season
First storm formed |
{{{first storm formed}}} |
Strongest storm |
{{{strongest storm}}} |
Total storms |
{{{total storms}}} |
Major storms (Cat. 3+) |
{{{major storms}}} |
Total damage |
{{{total damages}}} |
Total fatalities |
{{{total fatalities}}} |
[[List of {{{basin}}} seasons|{{{basin}}} seasons]]
{{{five seasons}}} |
Hurricane One
Category 2 hurricane (SSHS) |
|
Duration |
July 1 – July 1 |
Intensity |
105 mph (165 km/h) (1-min), Unknown |
Hurricane Two
Category 2 hurricane (SSHS) |
|
Duration |
August 17 – August 19 |
Intensity |
105 mph (165 km/h) (1-min), Unknown |
Hurricane Three
Category 1 hurricane (SSHS) |
|
Duration |
September 2 – September 3 |
Intensity |
80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min), Unknown |
Hurricane Four
Category 1 hurricane (SSHS) |
|
Duration |
September 12 – September 13 |
Intensity |
80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min), Unknown |
Hurricane Five
Category 1 hurricane (SSHS) |
|
Duration |
September 15 – September 18 |
Intensity |
80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min), Unknown |
A minimal hurricane hit near Mobile, Alabama on September 16.
Hurricane Six
Category 3 hurricane (SSHS) |
|
Duration |
October 2 – October 6 |
Intensity |
125 mph (205 km/h) (1-min), 938 mbar (hPa) |
Tropical Storm Seven
Tropical storm (SSHS) |
|
Duration |
October 16 – October 18 |
Intensity |
70 mph (110 km/h) (1-min), Unknown |
A tropical storm made landfall in south Florida on October 17.
Hurricane Eight
Category 1 hurricane (SSHS) |
|
Duration |
October 28 – November 2 |
Intensity |
90 mph (150 km/h) (1-min), Unknown |
A late-season hurricane made landfall in the southern part of the Tampa Bay area as a Category 1 hurricane.
See also
References
External links