| Category 3 hurricane (SSHS) | |
|---|---|
| Formed | October 27, 1867 |
| Dissipated | October 31, 1867 |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 125 mph (205 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 952 mbar (hPa; 28.11 inHg) |
| Fatalities | 811+ |
| Damage | $1 million (1867 USD) |
| Areas affected | Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola |
| Part of the 1867 Atlantic hurricane season | |
The San Narciso Hurricane was the ninth and last known hurricane of the 1867 Atlantic hurricane season. Forming late in the month of October, the hurricane was the costliest and deadliest storm of the 1867 Atlantic hurricane season, causing at least 811 deaths in St. Thomas and Puerto Rico, and causing at least $1 million (1867 USD numbers) in damage.
On October 27, 1867, a tropical storm was detected east of the northern Lesser Antilles. It moved westward, becoming a hurricane on the 28th of October, and a major hurricane on the 29th. It hit Sombrero Island at 6 am and between 1:30 to 2:00 in the afternoon, its eye passing over St. Thomas.[1] It reached its peak of 130 mph just before hitting St. Thomas, where roughly 80 ships were driven ashore or wrecked (from Sinking of the Titanic), including the RMS Rhone. In St. Thomas the barometric pressure reached 28.50 inches of mercury with winds of 74 mph; about 600 people died by drowning.[1]
San Narciso weakened slightly prior to making landfall in Puerto Rico on the 29th, decreasing its winds further over the island. Although it was of small size, it was one of the most intense Hurricanes recorded on the island. It caused 211 death in Puerto Rico and the damages were calculated at 13 million escudos.[1] It passed near the city of Fajardo between 5 and 6 in the afternoon, and later passed near Caguas. Tremors were felt in the towns of Humacao, Luquillo, and Peñuelas. It affected all of the towns in the Island.[1]
The Hurricane ruined the island of Puerto Rico's agriculture, giving way to a great economic crisis.[2] It is considered that, among other things, the hurricane contributed to the discontent in the island that have way to the Grito de Lares the following year.[2] San Ciriaco hit the island of Hispanola on the 30th, and dissipated that day over the island's high mountains. The hurricane caused at least 811 deaths there.