1921 Tampa Bay hurricane

Tampa Bay hurricane of 1921
Category 4 major hurricane (SSHWS/NWS)

Damage in Tampa, Florida, after the hurricane
Formed October 20, 1921
Dissipated October 30, 1921
Highest winds 1-minute sustained: 140 mph (220 km/h)
Lowest pressure ≤ 941 mbar (hPa); 27.79 inHg
Fatalities 3-8 direct
Damage $10 million (1921 USD)
Areas affected Western Caribbean, Cuba, Florida Keys, Florida Peninsula
Part of the 1921 Atlantic hurricane season

The Tampa Bay hurricane of 1921 (also known as the 1921 Tarpon Springs hurricane) was the third hurricane, second major hurricane, and final storm of an inactive 1921 Atlantic hurricane season. The storm took a typical path for an October Atlantic hurricane, brushing past Cuba before hitting near Tampa, Florida, becoming the first major hurricane to hit the area since the hurricane of 1848. The hurricane was also the most destructive storm of the season, causing around $10 million (1921 USD), $92 million (2005 USD) in damage.

Meteorological history

Map plotting the track and intensity of the storm according to the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale

The storm was observed on October 20 while several hundred miles southwest of Jamaica. Its origin is unknown, though it possibly developed from a low pressure area over Panama a day earlier.[1] A high pressure system over Bermuda caused a north-northwest motion, allowing for the storm to intensify over favorable conditions. On October 22, the storm attained hurricane status shortly after passing 10 miles (16 km) east of the Swan Islands. On October 23, the hurricane attained a peak intensity of 140 miles per hour (230 km/h), with a central pressure of at most 27.80 inches of mercury (941.42 mb), as it entered the Yucatán Channel, with its eastern side brushing the western end of Cuba.[2]

As it turned to the north in the Gulf of Mexico, the hurricane maintained its intensity before curving to the north-northeast on October 24. Thereafter, it turned northeast and quickly weakened, making landfall as a Category 3 hurricane near Tarpon Springs, Florida, on October 25 with sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a central pressure of 958 mb (28.29 inHg).[3] The hurricane quickly crossed Central Florida before entering the Atlantic, weakening to a minimal hurricane over land. It accelerated to the southeast before recurving to the east-northeast. It transformed into an extratropical cyclone on October 30 while centered southeast of Bermuda.[2]

Preparations

Forecasters at the United States Weather Bureau issued advisories for ships and oceangoing vessels and hurricane warnings for areas in western Florida stretching from Key West to Apalachicola on October 24 and 25.[1]

Impact

Florida Keys

The hurricane passed to the west of the Florida Keys as a Category 4 hurricane. Its large wind field caused tropical storm force winds to the islands, with the highest wind report being 48 mph (71 km/h) in Key West. Rainfall from the hurricane's outer bands was intermittent, and storm tides of 5 feet (1.5 meters) were reported.[1] Because the Florida Keys were at the outer edge of the storm, there were no reports of damage.

Tampa Bay

The reports of rainfall from the hurricane began on October 23 as the storm was nearing landfall. The highest rainfall total in Tampa was at 8.53 inches (23.5 mm). When the storm made landfall, the barometric pressure fell to 28.81 inches (968 mbar), breaking a previous record set in 1910. The hurricane also brought sustained winds of 75 mph (119 km/h) and a storm tide of 10.5 feet (3 meters). In Punta Gorda, a water gauge recorded a tide 7 feet (2.5 meters) above normal. Tides 5–6 feet (1.5–2 meters) above normal were also reported in St. Petersburg and Punta Rassa.[1] The hurricane also brought a storm surge of 10–12 feet (3 to 3.5 m) to Tampa Bay.[4]

The storm surge damaged a fishing pier in St. Petersburg and destroyed a casino in Gulfport. In Tampa, much of the city was flooded, and three people were killed in drowning incidents and flying debris.[4] In Pasco County, the hurricane destroyed the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, which was never rebuilt.[5] In addition, the hurricane virtually destroyed much of Passage Key, part of which was later rebuilt.[6] In Tampa, several buildings of the historic Ballast Point Pavilion were destroyed by the storm.[7] A steamship capsized between Jacksonville and Miami and there were reports of damage to several other small boats offshore. Agricultural damage from the hurricane was high, with citrus crop losses totaling to $1 million (1921 USD). Damage to fertilizer and other materials also totaled to $1 million (1921 USD).[1] In all, the hurricane left 10 people dead (seven unaccounted for) and left $10 million (1921 USD), $92.4 million (2005 USD).

Aftermath

One of the destroyed buildings at the Ballist Point Pavilion was soon rebuilt after the storm. However, the building was destroyed again by fire in 1922. In 1925 a new pavilion was built. Today, the area is a city park with a fishing pier and picnic area.[7] The Mt. Zion Methodist Church was never rebuilt after it was destroyed by the hurricane, and as a result, members attended other churches. Today, only the church cemetery is left of the Mt. Zion Methodist Church.[5]

Because of fears that the hurricane might have an impact on the Florida land boom that was in its existence during the 1920s, rebuilding and cleanup of the area commenced quickly and the land boom in the Tampa Bay region and in southern Florida continued.[5]

See also

External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 National Weather Service (1921) 1921 Monthly Weather Review Monthly Weather Review Retrieved:October 2, 2006
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 National Hurricane Center; Hurricane Research Division (March 2, 2015). "Atlantic hurricane best track (HURDAT version 2)". United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
  3. ↑ National Hurricane Center; Hurricane Research Division; Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (April 2012). "Chronological List of All Continental United States Hurricanes: 1851–2011". United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office of Oceanic & Atmospheric Research. Retrieved 2012-11-07.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Ballingurd, David It Could Happen Here St. Petersburg Times Retrieved:October 2, 2006
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Fort Dade Methodist Church Pasco County history Retrieved:October 2, 2006. Archived 2009-10-20.
  6. ↑ Passage Key and the American Wildlife Conservation Movement U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Retrieved:October 2, 2006
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Pavilion History The Pavillions Retrieved:October 2, 2006