| Category 3 hurricane (SSHS) | |
|---|---|
| Formed | August 17, 1933 |
| Dissipated | August 26, 1933 |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 120 mph (195 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 971 mbar (hPa; 28.67 inHg) |
| Fatalities | 18-30 direct |
| Damage | $27.2 million (1933 USD) |
| Areas affected | North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Mid-Atlantic States, Northeastern United States |
| Part of the 1933 Atlantic hurricane season | |
The 1933 Chesapeake-Potomac Hurricane[1] was the eighth storm and third hurricane of the very active 1933 Atlantic hurricane season. The August storm formed in the central Atlantic, where it moved west-northwest. Aided by the warm ocean waters, the hurricane briefly reached Category 3 status on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale before making landfall along the Virginia/North Carolina coast as a Category 1 storm.
The hurricane caused severe damage along the East Coast of the United States. The state hardest hit by the storm was Virginia, where the center of circulation passed directly over Norfolk.[2] The hurricane was the worst storm to strike Virginia until Hurricane Isabel of 2003. Elsewhere, the hurricane left damage across Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Delaware. In all, the hurricane caused $27.2 million (1933 USD, $461 million 2012 USD) in damage and 30 fatalities.
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A strong tropical storm was detected on August 17 northeast of the Leeward Islands. The storm became a hurricane just hours later and continued on its west-northwest heading, reaching Category 2 status on August 19 and passing 150 miles (241 km) to the south of Bermuda. Then the storm slowed its forward speed and reached a peak intensity of 120 mph (193 km/h) and an estimated low pressure of 971 mbar (hPa; 28.67 inHg). The hurricane then quickly weakened before hitting the northern Outer Banks of North Carolina as a Category 2 hurricane.[3] The hurricane's center then passed directly over Norfolk as a strong tropical storm on August 23, as the storm rapidly curved to the northeast. The hurricane then crossed over New England as a tropical depression.[4][5]
Hurricane warnings were issued on August 21. The warnings extended from Cape Hatteras to Boston. The next day the warnings were extended to Southport, North Carolina. Evacuations may or may not have taken place.[5]
The Chesapeake-Potomac Hurricane was the most severe Atlantic hurricane to hit the East Coast since 1821. In all, the storm caused $27.2 million dollars (1933) dollars of damage and left 18-30 fatalities.[5][6][7]
In Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, winds up to hurricane force were reported. Damage in North Carolina was considered severe, with monetary damage estimated at $250,000 (1933 USD).[8] In Virginia, a weather station in Norfolk recorded sustained winds of 56 mph (90 km/h), while Cape Henry reported a wind gust of 82 mph (132 km/h). Several tide gauges reported tides 7–9 feet above normal and a storm surge of 6–9 feet. The high tides and storm surge flooded much of downtown Norfolk and sank ten ships.[5][9] Elsewhere along the coast, the hurricane's storm surge caused severe beach erosion. On Cedar Island, the hurricane destroyed a hotel and several other buildings. In Surry County, the storm surge from the hurricane caused the James River to overflow its banks and sweep away a ferry pier. The York River also rose 5–8 feet above flood stage. The flooding along the York River caused severe damage in Gloucester County. Further inland, strong winds knocked out power and phone service in Alexandria, while flooding knocked out roads and flooded a Ford Motor Company plant. In Fairfax County and Loudoun County, flooding caused severe damage to farms and crops. Richmond sustained $250,000 dollars (1933 USD, $33.8 million 2005 USD) in damage, mainly to trees and roofs. In all the hurricane killed 18 people in Virginia and left $10 million dollars (1933 USD).[10]
In Washington, D.C., the storm produced a storm surge of 11.3 feet (3.4 m), rainfall of 6.18 inches (152 mm) and winds of 50 mph (80 km/h).[1] In Maryland, the hurricane caused $17 million dollars (1933 USD, $230 million 2005 USD) in damage to crops and buildings. The storm also destroyed a railroad bridge heading into Ocean City and created the Ocean City Inlet between the town and Assateague Island. The storm killed 13 people and 1,000+ animals.[7] On the coast, the storm damaged or destroyed several wharfs and fishing piers. In Delaware, the storm caused $150,000 dollars (1933 USD, $2.03 million 2005 USD) in damage but no deaths. Damage was also reported in New Jersey, although damage figures are unknown. At least 7 were reported dead. Offshore, the hurricane sank or badly damaged 100 boats and ships.[5][11][12]
In Maryland the American Red Cross collected over $300,000 (1933 USD, $4,063,200USD) in relief during the cleanup after the storm.[13]
The Chesapeake-Potomac Hurricane held the record of being the earliest eighth Atlantic tropical cyclone to form before September, a record held until 2005, when Tropical Storm Harvey formed on August 2.[14]
The 1933 hurricane's track and impact was similar to Hurricane Isabel in 2003. Both storms struck northeastern North Carolina as a Category 1 or 2 hurricane, and both left severe damage in southeastern Virginia. The wind speed and pressure at landfall brought by the 1933 storm was tied by Hurricane Isabel in 2003. However, the record tidal surge was broken by Isabel.[15][16]