1909 Atlantic hurricane season

1909 Atlantic hurricane season
First storm formed June 15, 1909
Last storm dissipated November 14, 1909
Strongest storm Eight – 952 mbar (hPa) (28.12 inHg), 120 mph (195 km/h)
Total storms 11
Hurricanes 6
Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+) 4
Total fatalities 4,614 total
Total damage $75 million (1909 USD)
Atlantic hurricane seasons
1907, 1908, 1909, 1910, 1911

The 1909 Atlantic hurricane season was an average Atlantic hurricane season, officially starting on June 1, 1909, and ending on November 30, 1909, dates which conventionally delimit the period of each year when tropical cyclones tend to form in the Atlantic basin. The season produced eleven tropical cyclones, of which all eleven became tropical storms; six became hurricanes, and four of those strengthened into major hurricanes. The seasons first storm developed on June 15, shortly after the official start of the hurricane season, and the last storm dissipated on November 14, shortly before the official end of the hurricane season. The most notable storm during the season formed in late August, while east of the Lesser Antilles. Moving west to west-northwestward, the storm quickly gained hurricane status, and traversed much of the Greater Antilles before strengthening into a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale and crossing the Yucatan Peninsula. Briefly weakening after its interaction with land, it strengthened into a Category 3 once again, and made landfall in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas on August 27 before rapidly dissipating the following day.

The 1909 was very deadly and destructive, featuring 4,614 fatalities, and $75 million (1909 USD), mostly due to the sixth and eighth hurricanes of the season. In mid-July, the fourth storm of the season hit Freeport, Texas as a Category 3 hurricane, killing 41 people, and causing $2 million in damage. In mid-September, the eighth storm of the season made landfall near Grand Isle, Louisiana as a Category 3 hurricane, killing at least 350 people and causing $10 million in damage. The storms storm surge is responsible for destroying thousands of homes, as it penetrated 2 mi (12,000 km/h) inland. In late August, the tenth storm of the season developed, and tracked across Cuba, the Bahamas, and Key West, Florida as a Category 2/3 hurricane. At least $2 million in damage was caused, and 27 deaths were recorded. Lastly, the final storm of the season struck eastern Jamaica and Hispaniola as a hurricane before transitioning into an Extratropical cyclone northeast of the Bahamas. The storm killed 30 people, and caused $7 million in damage.

Contents

Timeline


Storms

Tropical Storm One

Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration June 15 – June 19
Intensity 45 mph (75 km/h) (1-min),  1009 mbar (hPa)

The first tropical cyclone of the season was first identified as a tropical depression near the southeastern Nicaragua coastline on June 15. Tracking due north, the depression intensified into a tropical storm within 12 hours.[1] Operationally, this system was not classified as a tropical storm as there was uncertainty of tropical storm-force winds being measured.[2] Maintaining a slow, northward movement, the system attained peak winds of 45 mph (75 km/h). On June 18, it gradually turned towards the west, leading to the storm making landfall near Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua the following morning. Once overland, the storm weakened, first to a tropical depression before dissipating near the Nicaragua-Honduras border during the evening of June 19.[1] Due to the weak nature of the system, little information was recorded on it. Throughout its existence, ships in the region suggested a minimum pressure of 1009 mbar (hPa; 29.80 inHg).[2]

Hurricane Two

Category 2 hurricane (SSHS)
Duration June 25 – June 30
Intensity 100 mph (155 km/h) (1-min),  972 mbar (hPa)

In late June, the season's second tropical cyclone developed near the Florida Keys.[3] Its origins are unknown and the first indications of the system were as a tropical storm. After tracking northwest towards Louisiana for about a day. The system sharply changed dirction and took a direct path towards the south Texas coastline. By June 29, it was estimated that the storm intensified into a minimal hurricane, attaining winds of 75 mph (120 km/h).[1] However, operational analysis on the storm in 1999 indicated that it was only a tropical storm.[3] Shortly before the hurricane made landfall near Brownsville, Texas, it attained its peak intensity as a modern-day Category 2 cyclone with winds of 100 mph (155 km/h). A barometric pressure of 972 mbar (hPa; 28.70 inHg) was recorded as the storm moved inland. By June 30, the system weakened to a tropical storm and crossed into northern Mexico; the cyclone dissipated several hours later.[1]

Upon making landfall, the hurricane brought a storm surge exceeding 5 ft (1.5 m), inundating low-lying coastal areas such as Padre Island. Winds up to 48 mph (77 km/h) were recorded as far north as Corpus Christi; however, no known winds were measured where the system made landfall.[3] During a 24 hour-span, 10 in (250 mm) of rain fell in Mercedes, Texas. These heavy rains resulted in substantial flooding along the Rio Grande River over the following week. Near Brownsville, a town in Mexico was mostly flooded after the river broke its banks on July 4. Floods persisted in the country through July 10, leaving behind substantial damage. Though no loss of life took place, total losses from the hurricane reached $1.3 million, almost all of which was attributed to destroyed railroads in Mexico.[4]

Tropical Storm Three

Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration June 26 – July 4
Intensity 50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min),  1005 mbar (hPa)

On June 26, Tropical Storm Three formed north of Haiti. Tropical Storm Three gave much needed rain to Cuba. On July 1, Tropical Storm Three made landfall with 50 mph (85 km/h) winds near Miami, Florida making heavy rain across the south. Tropical Storm Three curved over South Carolina and turned over the Atlantic Ocean dissipated on July 4.

Hurricane Four

Category 3 hurricane (SSHS)
Duration July 13 – July 22
Intensity 115 mph (185 km/h) (1-min),  959 mbar (hPa)

Activity continued through July, when a tropical depression formed over the southern Lesser Antilles in Mid-July. The storm attained tropical storm strength south of Jamaica, and reached hurricane strength near the western tip of Cuba. It ultimately hit near Freeport, Texas on July 21 as a Category 3 hurricane; with a 10-foot (3 m) storm surge, this was the first test of Galveston's seawall since its construction after the 1900 Galveston hurricane that killed over 8,000 people.[5] Damage came to $2 million (1909 dollars) and 41 people died.

Tropical Storm Five

Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration August 6 – August 10
Intensity 45 mph (75 km/h) (1-min),  1004 mbar (hPa)

On August 6, a new tropical depression was identified between Jamaica and Honduras. Tracking northwestward, the system gradually intensified, attaining tropical storm status near the Cayman Islands later that day. On August 7, the storm turned towards the west and reached its peak intensity just off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula with winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a pressure of 1004 mbar (hPa; 29.65 inHg). Hours later, the cyclone made landfall near Cancun and weakened to a tropical depression hours later. Continuing westward, the system moved back over water on August 9, over the Bay of Campeche. Within hours of doing so, it re-attained tropical storm status as its forward motion quickly increased. During the afternoon of August 10, the storm made its final landfall near Tampico, Mexico before rapidly dissipating over the mountainouse terrain of Mexico later that day.[1]

Hurricane Six

Category 3 hurricane (SSHS)
Duration August 20 – August 28
Intensity 120 mph (195 km/h) (1-min),  Unknown
Main article: 1909 Monterrey hurricane

Originating from a tropical storm east of the Leeward Islands on August 20, the storm tracked west-northwest, entering the Caribbean Sea as a minimal hurricane the next day. After striking Hispaniola on August 23, the hurricane made another landfall in eastern Cuba before reentering the Caribbean. Once back over open water, the storm intensified into a Category 3 hurricane and moved across the northern tip of the Yucatán Peninsula. By August 26, the storm had emerged into the Gulf of Mexico as a weakened, but regrouping system. It attained its peak winds of 120 mph (185 km/h) that evening. Maintaining this intensity, the system made landfall in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas late on August 27 and rapidly dissipated the following afternoon.[1]

Although the storm impacted several islands in the Caribbean, only Haiti reported damage during the hurricane's passage.[6][7] In contrast to this, northeastern Mexico received catastrophic flooding from the storm, especially in the city of Monterrey.[8] Throughout Mexico, reports indicated that 4,000 people were killed by the hurricane, making it the tenth deadliest Atlantic hurricane on record.[9][10] Monetary losses were also estimated to have exceeded $50 million (1909 USD; $1.22 billion 2012 USD).[11][12]

Tropical Storm Seven

Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration August 28 – August 31
Intensity 50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min),  1009 mbar (hPa)

The 7th storm formed over the Bahamas on August 28, hit near Miami as a Tropical Storm, and went out to sea.

Hurricane Eight

Category 3 hurricane (SSHS)
Duration September 13 – September 22
Intensity 120 mph (195 km/h) (1-min),  952 mbar (hPa)
Main article: 1909 Grand Isle hurricane

During early September, a tropical disturbance over the western Atlantic began to strengthen as it moved towards the Lesser Antilles.[13] By September 13, the system had become sufficiently organized to be classified as a tropical depression. Moving west-northwestward, the depression attained tropical storm status near Jamaica on September 15 and hurricane intensity the following day. By September 18, the hurricane had attained winds of 100 mph (155 km/h) as it moved over the western tip of Cuba. After briefly weakening due to its interaction with land, the storm re-intensified over the Gulf of Mexico, attaining winds of 120 mph (185 km/h), becoming the third major hurricane of the season. Maintaining this strength, the storm eventually made landfall near Grand Isle, Louisiana on September 21.[1] Rapid weakening took place as it quickly moved northward, dissipating the following day over Missouri.[13]

In the United States, the hurricane killed at least 350 people and wrought $10 million in damage.[14] Thousands of homes were destroyed by the cyclone's powerful storm surge which penetrated 2 mi (3.2 km) inland.[15] The states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama sustained the most severe damage, especially from strong winds which covered a large area. Outside of the United States, an estimated $1 million in damaged was left by the hurricane in western Cuba.[13]

Tropical Storm Nine

Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration September 24 – September 29
Intensity 60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min),  Unknown

The ninth system formed north of the Isle of Youth and hit near Naples, Florida as a Tropical Depression on September 25. The system moved over Florida, strengthened to a 60 mph (95 km/h) tropical storm. By September 29, the storm had dissipated.

Hurricane Ten

Category 3 hurricane (SSHS)
Duration October 6 – October 13
Intensity 120 mph (195 km/h) (1-min),  957 mbar (hPa)

The tenth storm formed in the Southwest Caribbean Sea on October 6 and became a hurricane over the Northwest Caribbean Sea. It became a major hurricane on October 9, and hit western Cuba on the 11th. The storm moved through the Florida Keys as a Category 3 hurricane, and dissipated north of Bermuda on October 13. Damage neared a million dollars in the Key West area and 12 railroad workers drowned.

In Cuba, five people were killed in Havana and damage was estimated at $1 million.[16]

Hurricane Eleven

Category 2 hurricane (SSHS)
Duration November 8 – November 14
Intensity 105 mph (165 km/h) (1-min),  Unknown
Main article: 1909 Greater Antilles hurricane

The final storm of the season formed from a large weather system over the southwestern Caribbean Sea on November 8.[1][17] Tracking northwestward, the system gradually intensified. On November 11, the storm brushed the eastern tip of Jamaica before attaining hurricane-status several hours later. During the afternoon of November 12, the hurricane made landfall in northeastern Haiti with winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) before entering the Atlantic Ocean. Once in the Atlantic, the storm further intensified to attain peak winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) on November 13 as it accelerated eastward.[1] The system rapidly transitioned into an extratropical cyclone the following day before being absorbed by a frontal system northeast of the Lesser Antilles.[17]

In Jamaica, torrential rains from the storm wrought widespread damage, leaving 30 people dead and $7 million in damage behind.[17][18] Nearby Haiti suffered more severe losses from the storm, with 166 people confirmed to have died and hundreds other presumed dead.[19][20][21] Widespread flooding and landslides destroyed entire villages and ruined transportation.[17]

Season effects

This is a table of the storms in 1909 and their landfall(s), if any. Deaths in parentheses are additional and indirect (an example of an indirect death would be a traffic accident), but are still storm-related. Damage and deaths include totals while the storm was extratropical or a wave or low.

1909 North Atlantic tropical cyclone statistics
Storm
name		 Dates active Storm category

at peak intensity

 Max 10-min
wind

km/h (mph)

 Min.
press.
(mbar)		 Areas affected Damage
(millions
USD)		 Deaths
One June 15 – June 19 Tropical storm 45 1009 Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua June 19 45 0  0 
Two June 25 – June 30 Category 2 hurricane 100 972 Brownsville, Texas June 29 100 1.3  0 
Three June 26 – July 4 Tropical storm 50 1005 Bahamas June 26 35 unknown  0 
Bahamas June 28 40
Miami, Florida June 29 50
St. Marks, Florida June 30 40
Four July 13 – July 22 Category 3 hurricane 115 959 Pinar del Río Province, Cuba July 18 70 2  41 
Freeport, Texas July 21 115
Five August 6 – August 10 Tropical storm 45 1004 Cayman Islands August 6 35 unknown  0 
Cancún, Mexico August 8 45
Tampico, Mexico August 10 40
Six August 20 – August 28 Category 3 hurricane 120 N/A Dominica (Direct hit; no landfall) August 21 80 50  4,000 
Guadeloupe (Direct hit; no landfall) August 21 80
San Cristóbal Province, Dominican Republic August 23 90
Guantánamo Province, Cuba August 23 75
Cancún, Mexico August 25 105
Tamaulipas, Mexico August 27 120
Seven August 28 – August 31 Tropical storm 50 1009 Bahamas August 28 45 unknown  0 
Bahamas August 29 45
Boca Raton, Florida August 29 50
Eight September 13 – September 22 Category 3 hurricane 120 952 Pinar del Río Province, Cuba August 17 100 11  400 
Grand Isle, Louisiana August 20 120
Nine September 24 – September 29 Tropical storm 60 N/A Pinar del Río Province, Cuba September 24 35 0  0 
Naples, Florida September 25 35
Ten August 28 – August 31 Category 3 hurricane 120 957 Pinar del Río Province, Cuba October 10 120 2  27 
Key West, Florida October 11 115
Bahamas October 12 105
Bahamas October 12 105
Eleven November 8 – November 14 Category 2 hurricane 105 N/A Eastern Jamaica (Direct hit; no landfall) November 12 35 10  198 
Nord-Ouest Department, Haiti November 12 85
Season Aggregates
11 cyclones June 15
-November 14		   120 952 27 landfalls 76.3 4,643

See also

References

General
Specific
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Hurricane Research Specialists Division (2010). "Easy-to-Read HURDAT 1851-2009". National Hurricane Center. http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/easyread-2009.html. Retrieved May 13, 2010. 
  2. ^ a b Partagás, pp. 22
  3. ^ a b c Partagás, pp. 1
  4. ^ Hurricane Research Division (June 2009). "Documentation of Atlantic Tropical Cyclones Changes in HURDAT". National Hurricane Center. http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/metadata.html. Retrieved January 5, 2011. 
  5. ^ Ellis, pp. 102
  6. ^ Partagás, pp. 7
  7. ^ Partagás, pp. 8
  8. ^ Staff Writer (August 30, 1909). "1,200 Persons Lost In Monterrey Flood". New York Times: p. 1. 
  9. ^ (Spanish) Staff Writer (August 27, 2009). "Inundación de Monterrey en 1909". El Periódico de Nuevo León. http://elperiodicodenuevoleon.com/2009/08/inundacion-de-monterrey-en-1909/. Retrieved May 16, 2010. 
  10. ^ Edward N. Rappaport, Jose Fernandez-Partagas and Jack L. Beven (April 22, 1997). "The Deadliest Atlantic Tropical Cyclones, 1492-1996". National Hurricane Center. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pastdeadlyapp1.shtml?. Retrieved May 13, 2010. 
  11. ^ Staff Writer (August 31, 1909). "Flood Death List Now Reaches 2,000". New York Times: p. 4. 
  12. ^ Staff Writer (September 16, 1909). "Twenty Millions Mexican R.R. Loss". The Christian Science Monitor: p. 7. 
  13. ^ a b c "1909 Monthly Weather Review" (PDF). World Meteorological Organization. 1909. http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/1909.pdf. Retrieved May 13, 2010. 
  14. ^ Eric S. Blake, Edward N. Rappaport and Christopher W. Landsea (April 2007). "The Deadliest, Costliest, And Most Intense United States Tropical Cyclones From 1851 To 2006" (PDF). National Hurricane Center. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/NWS-TPC-5.pdf. Retrieved May 13, 2010. 
  15. ^ News Special Service (September 22, 1909). "Hundreds of Lives Lost by Hurricane". Dawson Daily News: p. 5. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=H2EjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=EzYDAAAAIBAJ&dq=mississippi%20hurricane&pg=3922%2C643395. Retrieved May 12, 2010. 
  16. ^ Staff Writer (October 12, 1909). "Storm's Course Unknown". New York Times: p. 2. http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9F02EFD61F31E733A25751C1A9669D946897D6CF. Retrieved May 20, 2010. 
  17. ^ a b c d Partagás, pp. 20
  18. ^ W. J. Gardiner (November 27, 1909). "A Stormy Island And Its History". New York Times: p. BR744. 
  19. ^ "January 12 Earthquake in Haiti" (PDF). Ayitigouvenans. 2010. http://www.ayitigouvenans.org/January%2012%20Earthquake%20in%20Haiti.pdf. Retrieved May 13, 2010. 
  20. ^ Staff Writer (November 14, 1909). "Hurricane In Haiti Did Great Damage" (PDF). New York Times: p. C2. http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9807E5DE1539E733A25757C1A9679D946897D6CF. Retrieved May 13, 2010. 
  21. ^ Staff Writer (November 23, 1909). "Hundreds Killed In Haiti". Gettysburg Times: p. 2. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QaslAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OPwFAAAAIBAJ&dq=haiti%20hurricane&pg=3241%2C3746512. Retrieved May 13, 2010. 

External links

Tropical cyclones of the 1909 Atlantic hurricane season
Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale
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