1893 Great Charleston hurricane

Category 3 Atlantic hurricane February 2025 Hurricane Nine1893 Great Charleston hurricane October 13, 1893 hurricane 9 map.jpg Surface weather analysis of the hurricane nearing landfall in South Carolina on October 13 September 25, 1893 September 25, 1893 October 14, 1893 October 14, 1893 105 954 1893 110 Millions The Bahamas, East Coast of the United States, New England, Eastern Canada 1893 Atlantic hurricane season The 1893 Great Charleston hurricane compounded the effects of the deadly Sea Islands hurricane in August and proceeded to impact areas as far north as Ontario. The ninth known tropical cyclone, ninth hurricane, and fourth major hurricane of the season,A major hurricane is a storm that ranks as Category 3 or higher on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale.Hurricane Research Division; Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration April 2023 North Atlantic Hurricane Basin (1851-2022) Comparison of Original and Revised HURDAT March 17, 2024 http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/comparison_table.html Miami, Florida "nb" this system was first observed south of the Cabo Verde Islands on September 25. It moved westward and intensified into a hurricane on September 28, before turning northwestward on October 2. By then, the system strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane and likely peaked with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h). The hurricane then moved west-northwestward for several days, beginning on October 6. After passing just north of the Abaco Islands on October 12, the storm curved northwestward and then north-northwestward, remaining closely offshore Florida and Georgia. The hurricane then turned northeastward, and on October 13, it made landfall near McClellanville, South Carolina, winds of 120 mph (195 km/h). Moving rapidly northward from North Carolina into eastern Canada, the system became extratropical over far southern Quebec on October 14 and dissipated over the northeastern portions of the province on the following day. In the Bahamas, abnormally high tides inundated some streets on New Providence and nearby Hog Island (modern-day Paradise Island), sweeping away the home of the assistant lighthouse keeper. The storm severely damaged pineapple cultivation facilities on Eleuthera and plantations on the Abaco Islands, where many other buildings were destroyed. In Florida, storm surge reached several feet above ground between Palm Beach and Jacksonville, while heavy rains fell, leading to flooding in a number of coastal communities. Coastal flooding impacted South Carolina from Georgetown southward, though the worst occurred between Winyah Bay and Murrells Inlet. The National Hurricane Center lists the combined death toll for Florida and South Carolina at 28. North Carolina reported extensive damage to crops, trees, homes, and shipping, as well as 22 fatalities. Many towns across Virginia, the Mid-Atlantic, New England, and Ontario experienced wind damage and some coastal and freshwater flooding. In Maryland, the storm caused two indirect deaths and about $1 million in damage in Baltimore alone.All damage figures are in 1893 USD, unless otherwise noted "nb" Inside the Great Lakes, the storm capsized nearly 40 vessels, leading to a loss of 54 lives. Four other people died in Buffalo, New York. Overall, 110 deaths are attributed to the storm. Meteorological history Nine 1893 path.png new Meteorologist Charles J. Mitchell of the Weather Bureau noted in 1924 that this storm was first observed over the far eastern Atlantic at 11 0 N 26 0 W on September 25. Consequently, the Atlantic hurricane database begins the track of this cyclone at 06:00 UTC on that day at 11 6 N 25 0 W, approximately 275 mi km on 5 south-southwest of the westernmost islands of Cabo Verde. Initially a tropical storm, the system moved westward and intensified into a hurricane on September 28 and a Category 2 hurricane on the modern-day Saffir–Simpson scale on October 1. By the following day, the cyclone began a northwestward motion. The hurricane is also estimated to have strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane on October 2 and reached maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) shortly thereafter. The hurricane then moved west-northwestward for several days, beginning on October 6. After passing just north of the Abaco Islands on October 12, the storm curved northwestward and then north-northwestward. Remaining closely offshore Florida and Georgia, the cyclone passed only about 25 mi km on 5 east of Ormond Beach in the former at 00:00 UTC on October 13. The hurricane then turned northeastward later on October 13 and at around 13:00 UTC, it made landfall near McClellanville, South Carolina, winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) and an atmospheric pressure of 955 mbar inHg on. Meteorologist Francis P. Ho estimated both figures in 1989, the latter based on a recorded atmospheric pressure of 959 mbar inHg on and a maximum wind radius of 17 mi km on and the sustained winds based on these calculations and the storm's latitude.Landsea, Christopher W. etal May 2015 Documentation of Atlantic Tropical Cyclones Changes in HURDAT National Hurricane Center Hurricane Research Division http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/metadata_master.html#1893_9 November 14, 2024 Moved rapidly northward through North Carolina and the Appalachian Mountains, the cyclone was still a Category 1 hurricane as it passed 60 mi km on 5 west of Washington, D.C. The storm transitioned into an extratropical cyclone over far southern Quebec on October 14 after crossing Lake Ontario and continued northeastward until dissipating over the northeastern portions of the province on the following day. Overall, the hurricane achieved an accumulated cyclone energy rating of 63.5,Accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) is a metric used to express the energy used by a tropical cyclone during its lifetime. Therefore, a storm with a longer duration will have higher values of ACE. It is only calculated at six-hour increments in which specific tropical and subtropical systems are either at or above sustained wind speeds of 39 mph (63 km/h), which is the threshold for tropical storm intensity. "nb" one of the highest values ever recorded.https://www.olddobbers.net/sutton/gazette/Article95.Bucklesberry.pdf Great Hurricane of 1893 Bucklesberry, Back in the Day October 3, 2018 The Weekly Gazette La Grange, North Carolina November 14, 2024 Impact Although the storm remained far away from the Lesser Antilles, Antigua reported sustained winds up to 27 mph km/h on.https://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/RawData/1893/1893_9.XLS 1893 Storm 9 Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration .XLS November 10, 2024 In the Bahamas, abnormally high tides inundated some streets on New Providence and nearby Hog Island, sweeping away the home of the assistant lighthouse keeper. The storm severely damaged pineapple cultivation facilities on Eleuthera and plantations on the Abaco Islands, where many other buildings were destroyed.https://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/Landsea/Partagas/1891-1893/1893_2.pdf Year 1893 Partagás, José Fernández Diaz, Henry F. 1996 Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration November 10, 2024 Miami, Florida PDF thumb|Map of the hurricane rapidly entering the Mid-Atlantic on October 13 In Florida, storm surge reached several feet above ground between Palm Beach and Jacksonville, while heavy rains fell, leading to flooding in a number of coastal communities.Barnes, Jay Florida's Hurricane History https://archive.org/details/floridashurrican00barn 2007 1998 2nd University of North Carolina Press Chapel Hill, North Carolina 75 978-0807858097 December 9, 2023 The highest known sustained wind speed in Florida was 78 mph km/h on in Titusville. Sebastian reported gusts of 90 mi/h km/h on. Tides reached their highest heights in St. Augustine since 1824, while the Matanzas and San Sebastian rivers merged for the first time in 22 years. The hurricane reportedly downed all telegraph and telephone lines. Floodwaters also invaded many homes and streets. Sustained winds in Jacksonville peaked at 48 mph km/h on,http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/Landsea/history/ Chronological Listing of Tropical Cyclones affecting North Florida and Coastal Georgia 1565-1899 Sandrik, Al Landsea, Christopher W. May 2003 Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration November 10, 2024 Miami, Florida and the St. Johns River crested at its highest height there in several years. Some cottages sustained damage in the city. In Georgia, although the "sea ran heaviest for years" at Savannah according to a report by the Weather Bureau, sustained winds there reached 40 mph km/h on and only minor impact occurred. A 2006 reanalysis of cyclones in South Carolina concluded that the hurricane was likely compact. Therefore, Charleston probably experienced not much worse than tropical storm conditions,https://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/Landsea/A%20Reanalysis%20of%20Five%2019th%20Century%20South%20Carolina%20Major%20Hurricanes.pdf A Reanalysis of Five 19th Century South Carolina Major Hurricanes Using Local Data Sources Mayes, Douglas Owens 2006 University of South Carolina November 11, 202473 with impact mainly limited to toppled power, telegraph, and telephone lines and downed trees blocking a road.71 The Battery and some western parts of the city were inundated with about 1 to 2 ft m on of ocean water. Extensive storm surge damage occurred between South Island – at the south end of Winyah Bay – and Murrells Inlet.73 Near the latter, the community of Magnolia Beach reported the loss of many coastal homes, while those that remained suffered substantial damage. Tides on Pawleys Island rose at least 5 ft m on, leaving about 2 ft m on of water inside homes.75 Storm surge and abnormally high tides in Georgetown, exceeded the heights of those measured in the August hurricane. Consequently, the entire waterfront flooded and merchandise stored in warehouses were damaged.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-union/158823522/ Terrible Story of Devastation and Death October 16, 1893 The Record-Union 1 Sacramento, California November 11, 2024 Newspapers.com Also in that city, sustained winds reached about 90 mph km/h on, the highest recorded in South Carolina even though the storm struck the state as a Category 3 hurricane. At least 15 deaths occurred in the state, while the National Hurricane Center lists the combined toll for Florida and South Carolina at 28.https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pastdeadlyapp1.shtml? The Deadliest Atlantic Tropical Cyclones, 1492-1996 Appendix 1. Cyclones with 25+ Deaths Rappaport, Edward N. Partagás, José Fernández Beven, Jack April 22, 1997 National Hurricane Center September 5, 2023 However, other sources note that 19 fatalities occurred along the coast of South Carolina.73 North Carolina suffered "great destruction ... to forests, crops and property, and to shipping", according to a 2000 report by National Weather Service meteorologist James E. Hudgins. Sustained winds in the state peaked at 93 mph km/h on at Southport. The Southport Leader noted that "from one of town to the one the harbor front presents a desolate appearance strewn as it with timber, boats, and the wreckage of wharves, fish houses, and other buildings." Although many other instances of damage occurred throughout the town, that newspaper estimated that only small monetary losses occurred overall.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-southport-leader/158946961/ A Fearful Storm October 19, 1893 The Southport Leader 4 November 12, 2024 Newspapers.com Waves reached the then-record highest height in Wilmington, causing about $150,000 in damage to the waterfront. Although sustained winds reached only 36 mph km/h on in Raleigh, the atmospheric pressure fell to about 970.5 mbar inHg on, then the lowest ever recorded in North Carolina. Significant agricultural losses occurred in the vicinity of Raleigh, but many crops had already been harvested. The area also reported many downed trees and power lines and badly damaged some buildings.https://www.newspapers.com/article/oxford-public-ledger/35323653/ The Public Ledger The Worst in Years October 20, 1893 6 November 12, 2024 Oxford, North Carolina Newspapers.com A total of 22 fatalities were reported in North Carolina.https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/6403 Tropical cyclones affecting North Carolina since 1586: an historical perspective 20 Hudgins, James E. 2000 National Weather Service Blacksburg, Virginia December 9, 2023 Strong winds in Virginia partially deroofed homes and downed several trees in Richmond. Two trains struck fallen trees between Richmond and Danville. Heavy rainfall caused the Roanoke River to rise to its highest level within the memory of residents and expand to a width of about 0.75 mi km on. At the West End, several families evacuated from a row of cottages after floodwaters began entering the first floors. Overall, 40 homes in the West End suffered flood damage. Near Elliston, approximately 1,000 ft m on of Norfolk and Western Railway was washed out.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times/158948903/ The Roanoke Times October 14, 1893 The Roanoke on a Rampage 1 November 13, 2024 Newspapers.com Stone Gap observed 2.98 in mm on during the course of one day, the highest 24-hour total in the month of October at that location. Many residences within the city washed away. The storm destroyed barns and outhouses and toppled many electrical lines in Petersburg. High tides destroyed the wharves at Alexandria, causing about $25,000 in damage, and capsized the Edward Ewing. Gale-force winds downed trees, limbs, and a church wall in Washington, D.C. The toppling of the church wall resulted in about $3,000 in damage. Four vessels suffered damage or capsized. The Potomac River rose to 6 ft m on above high tide, submerging the Anacostia Bridge. Henry B. Brown, an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, suffered a serious injury after a plate glass window shattered at his house. Winds also downed a number of trees and limbs throughout the city. thumb|left|A building in Allentown, Pennsylvania, damaged by a fire ignited by the storm In Maryland, a fire ignited at the electrical plant in Baltimore when a downed wire made contact with a wooden section of the building, ultimately destroying the facility for a loss of about $125,000. Two prisoners died after the fire spread to the jail. Along the coast, tides swept away several bridges and wharves. Dozens of warehouses flooded and numerous low-lying streets were submerged. Baltimore's canning district suffered about $50,000 in damage.https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune/159341288/ High Water in the Chesapeake October 15, 1893 New-York Tribune 3 November 19, 2024 Newspapers.com Throughout the city, damage totaled about $1 million.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-saint-paul-globe/159527341/ The Cyclone's Path October 15, 1893 1 The Saint Paul Daily Globe November 22, 2024 Newspapers.com Winds downed fences and partly deroofed some residences in Bladensburg,https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/research/roth/valate19hur.htm Roth, David Cobb, Hugh July 16, 2001 Virginia Hurricane History Late Nineteenth Century Virginia Hurricanes Weather Prediction Center December 9, 2023 while Cumberland,https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-jersey-city-news/158971751/ The Storm in Maryland October 14, 1893 The Jersey City News 2 November 13, 2024 Newspapers.com Solomons and Woodstock also experienced severe property damage. Well east of Cumberland, a train ran into a section of track where a landslide had occurred. Initial reports indicated that two engineers died as a result of this incident, but both survived.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-jersey-city-news/158971885/ Express Train Badly Wrecked October 14, 1893 The Jersey City News 2 November 13, 2024 Newspapers.com In Delaware, the Christina River overflowed at Wilmington, flooding southern parts of the city. Residents in that section of Wilmington had to be rescued from the second floors of their homes.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe/158999583/ People Taken From Windows October 15, 1893 The Boston Globe 2 November 13, 2024 Newspapers.com Several Pennsylvania towns reported downed trees, unroofed dwellings, disrupted telegraph service, and delayed traffic on railroads, including in Bethlehem, Carlisle, Chambersburg, Chester, Columbia, Easton, Erie, Harrisburg, Huntingdon, Kilmer, Lewisburg, Mifflintown, Norristown, Pine Grove, Pittsburgh, Reading, Stroudsburg, West Chester, and Westtown. Philadelphia observed sustained winds of 50 mph km/h on and gusts of 60 mph km/h on, causing minor damage. A fire ignited in Allentown after sustained winds of about 40 mph km/h on caused telephone and electric wires to become crossed. The blaze, described by the Boston Sunday Post as "the most disastrous fire in the history of Allentown" caused approximately $300,000 in damage.https://www.newspapers.com/article/boston-post/159086465/ 1 Boston Sunday Post A $300,000 Fire November 15, 2024 Newspapers.com A fire ignited under similar circumstances in Wilkes-Barre, leading to about $30,000 in damage after burning several floors of a telephone exchange.https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune/159340217/ A Telephone Exchange Burned Out October 15, 1893 New-York Tribune 3 November 19, 2024 Newspapers.com In New Jersey, the storm washed out several parts of the West Jersey Railroad, downed many telegraph wires, and beached several vessels.Monthly Weather Review 288–289 https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/mwre/21/10/1520-0493_1893_21_288_w_2_0_co_2.xml?tab_body=pdf 10.1175/1520-0493(1893)21[288:W]2.0.CO;2 1893MWRv...21..288. 21 10 October 1893 Wind free December 9, 2023 subscription The hurricane downed nearly all telegraph and telephone wires at Asbury Park.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-jersey-city-news/158973403/ The Storm at Asbury Park October 14, 1893 The Jersey City News 2 November 13, 2024 Newspapers.com Many wires fell in Jersey City area, where the hurricane also toppled a number of signs and trees and capsized many vessels, including yachts at Greenville Shore.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-jersey-city-news/158973979/ Storm Havoc October 14, 1893 The Jersey City News 2 November 13, 2024 Newspapers.com Four buildings were destroyed in Belvidere, including a factory, causing about $25,000 in losses.https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune/159341241/ A Brick Factory Blown Down October 15, 1893 New-York Tribune 3 November 19, 2024 Newspapers.com In Cape May, the storm downed many trees and the ocean pier pavilion. Hundreds of acres along the Maurice River south of Millville flooded.https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune/159340949/ The Gale in Pennsylvania October 15, 1893 New-York Tribune 3 November 19, 2024 Newspapers.com right|thumb|230x230px|View of the storm as an extratropical cyclone nearing Canada on October 14 In New York, sustained winds reached 47 mph km/h on in New York City, cutting off communications by telegraph and telephone. Stormy conditions left the streets mostly deserted.https://www.newspapers.com/article/anderson-weekly-democrat/158975465/ New York's Storm Anderson Weekly Democrat 10 October 20, 1893 Anderson, Indiana November 13, 2024 Newspapers.com Waves swept away parts of the beach accessways at Coney Island. The storm downed several trees and fences and destroyed a few homes in Brooklyn.https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union/158975159/ October 14, 1893 A Big Storm The Standard Union Brooklyn, New York 1 November 13, 2024 Newspapers.com The Monthly Weather Review of October 1893 noted, however, that within the state, the cyclone "did little damage except in the western portion and on the lakes." Ulster and Wayne counties both reported significant losses to fruit crops, including grapes and peaches. In the latter, winds also demolished or deroofed some buildings. The Hudson River rose enough in Ulster County to flood the docks of Rondout.https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune/159340516/ Fruit Injured By The Storm October 15, 1893 New-York Tribune 3 November 19, 2024 Newspapers.com Strong winds in the Great Lakes region prevented many people from standing, downed many lines, unroofed a number of structures, and destroyed four cottages and a railroad depot in Buffalo, causing three deaths. Hundreds of signs and trees were knocked over, while the storm blew around approximately 400,000 to 500,000 ft m on of lumber.https://www.newspapers.com/article/buffalo-courier/158984839/ In a General Way October 15, 1893 The Buffalo Courier 5 November 13, 2024 Newspapers.com A large retort house at a gas company completely collapsed, leaving at least $20,000 in damage.https://www.newspapers.com/article/buffalo-courier/158985232/ A Narrow Escape October 15, 1893 The Buffalo Courier 5 November 13, 2024 Newspapers.com The center crossed Lake Ontario, sinking 10 ships and stranding 29 others, leading to the loss of 54 lives and about $700,000 in damage. Another person died after being blown into the Niagara River.http://www.clueshipwrecks.org/PDFs/The_Great_Storm_of_1893_and_the_Schooner_Riverside_ACUA_Reprint.pdf The Great Storm of 1893 and the Schooner Riverside Advisory Council on Underwater Archaeology 2010 220–221 December 9, 2023 In Connecticut, wind gusts reached 63 mph km/h on in New London. Communications companies reported downed telegraph wires throughout the state. The Waterbury Evening Democrat reported coastal flooding along the shore of Long Island Sound and the beaching of many small boats, "but the wreckage is slight compared with the August storms."https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-waterbury-democrat/159339568/ The Storm at New Haven Waterbury Evening Democrat October 14, 1893 4 November 19, 2024 Newspapers.com Rhode Island's capital city of Providence observed sustained winds of 38 mph km/h on. Two scows owned by a dredging company capsized there, but little other damage occurred in the city.https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune/159085084/ 3 The Storm in New England October 15, 1893 New-York Tribune November 19, 2024 Newspapers.com Many trees and fences fell on the outskirts of Providence, while many Western Union telegraph poles toppled at Dodgeville.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe/159369432/ Storm in Providence October 14, 1893 The Boston Globe 5 November 19, 2024 Newspapers.com In Massachusetts, heavy crop damage occurred in the vicinity of Amesbury, where the storm also knocked down numerous trees and telegraph and telephone lines.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe/159369432/ Cyclone at Amesbury October 14, 1893 The Boston Globe 5 November 19, 2024 Newspapers.com Recorded wind gusts along coastal Massachusetts reached 50 mph km/h on, snapping telegraph wires between Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe/159369432/ Hurricane is Raging October 14, 1893 The Boston Globe 5 November 19, 2024 Newspapers.com In Maine, Portland had "one of the wildest days ever known here" according to The Boston Globe. Extensive damage occurred to schooners in Portland and nearby islands.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe/159369432/ Wild Day in Portland October 14, 1893 The Boston Globe 5 November 19, 2024 Newspapers.com Bangor experienced interruptions to communications and damage to awnings, trees, and signs.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe/159527642/ Some Damage in Bangor October 15, 1893 The Boston Globe 2 November 22, 2024 Newspapers.com The extratropical remnants of the hurricane entered Canada on October 14, first crossing the province of Ontario. Wind gusts reached about 60 mph km/h on in Niagara Falls, levelling trees, fences, and telegraph and telephone wires.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montreal-star/159004756/ The Montreal Daily Star The Storm in Ontario 2 October 16, 1893 November 13, 2024 Newspapers.com Toronto observed more than 3 in mm on of rain in a 24-hour period. Telegraph communications experienced significant interruptions. Some vessels capsized, including six yachts at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club, and many others were driven ashore.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-winnipeg-tribune/159003635/ 4 In The East October 16, 1893 The Winnipeg Daily Tribune November 13, 2024 Newspapers.com In Hamilton, several homes flooded and three yachts capsized. About 100 barrels were swept off a dock in the nearby city of Burlington.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-winnipeg-tribune/159003635/ 4 Went to the Bottom October 16, 1893 The Winnipeg Daily Tribune November 13, 2024 Newspapers.com The barge Hecla went ashore at Wellington for a loss of approximately $75,000. Farther east, the storm downed trees and fences and disrupted shipping somewhat in Kingston. See also List of United States hurricanes List of South Carolina hurricanes Hurricane Fran Hurricane Hazel Hurricane Hugo Notes nb References External links Books by Jose' Fernandez Partagas Category:Cape Verde hurricanes Category:1893 Atlantic hurricane season Category:Category 3 Atlantic hurricanes Category:Hurricanes in Florida Category:Hurricanes in Georgia (U.S. state) Category:Hurricanes in South Carolina Category:Hurricanes in North Carolina Category:Hurricanes in Pennsylvania Category:Hurricanes in Washington, D.C. Category:Hurricanes in Maryland Category:Hurricanes in Delaware Category:Hurricanes in New Jersey Category:Hurricanes in New York (state) Category:Hurricanes in New England Category:Hurricanes in Canada Category:1893 natural disasters in the United States Category:September 1893 in the United States Category:October 1893 in the United States