1909 Monterrey hurricane

Category 3 Atlantic hurricane February 2025 1909 Monterrey hurricane Monterrey hurricane (Hurricane Six) weather map, August 27, 1909.jpg Weather map of the hurricane nearing landfall in Mexico on August 27 August 20, 1909 August 28, 1909 105 955 1909 4,000 total 50000000 Leeward Islands, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Cuba, Mexico, and Texas 1909 Atlantic hurricane season The 1909 Monterrey hurricane was one of the deadliest Atlantic tropical cyclones on record, killing an estimated 4,000 people throughout Mexico, and is considered the deadliest hurricane in the country's recorded history. Originating from a tropical storm east of the Leeward Islands on August 20, the storm tracked west-northwest, entering the Caribbean 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 km/h on 5 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. Throughout its existence, the hurricane remained relatively close to land, so consequently its effects were felt in many areas. Much of the northern Caribbean received moderate to heavy rainfall along with gusty winds during its passage; although only Haiti reported damage from it. Its effects were far more severe in Mexico where an estimated 4,000 people were killed by record-breaking floods triggered by the hurricane. The city of Monterrey received the worst damage: more than half of the structures in the city were flooded, hundreds were destroyed, and 20,000 people were left homeless. Damage from the storm in the country was estimated to have exceeded $50 million (1909 USD; $US 50000000 1909 2  USD). Meteorological history AL06 1909 path.png new The origins of the hurricane are uncertain due to a lack of ship reports in the western Atlantic Ocean.Partagás, p. 6 According to the Atlantic hurricane database, it was first identifiable as a tropical storm on August 20 to the east of the Leeward Islands. Tracking to the west-northwest, the storm quickly attained winds of 80 mph km/h on 5, equivalent to Category 1 status on the modern-day Saffir–Simpson hurricane scale. By the evening of August 21, the storm entered the Caribbean as it brushed the northern coast of Guadeloupe; intensification of the hurricane over the northeastern Caribbean was slow. Early on August 23, it made its first landfall with winds of 90 mph km/h on 5 in San Cristóbal Province, Dominican Republic, just southwest of the country's capital city of Santo Domingo.Hurricane Research Specialists Division National Hurricane Center 2010 May 12, 2010 Easy-to-Read HURDAT 1851-2009 http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/easyread-2009.html https://web.archive.org/web/20100515015126/http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/easyread-2009.html 15 May 2010 live thumb|Weather map of the hurricane over the northeast Caribbean Sea on August 21|225x225px The hurricane weakened slightly over the mountainous terrain of Hispaniola, although it is believed to have maintained winds of at least 75 mph km/h on 5 based on damage reports in Haiti.Partagás, p. 9 Later on August 23, the storm "jumped" northward before making another landfall in the Cuban province of Guantánamo. Continuing towards the west-northwest, the hurricane regained strength as it moved over the northern Caribbean. thumb|Surface weather map of the hurricane approaching the Yucatán Peninsula on August 25|230x230px|left During the afternoon of August 24, the system attained winds of 100 mph km/h on 5, corresponding to a Category 2 hurricane. Early the following morning, it further intensified to a Category 3 major hurricane, defined as having winds in excess of 111 mph km/h on,Timothy Schott Chris Landsea Gene Hafele Jeffrey Lorens Arthur Taylor Harvey Thurm Bill Ward Mark Willis Walt Zaleski National Hurricane Center February 17, 2010 May 16, 2010 The Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/sshws.pdf December 13, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161213223055/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/sshws.pdf live before making landfall in the Yucatán Peninsula near Cancún. After landfall the hurricane weakened considerably over land in the Yucatán Peninsula, but soon afterwards the storm emerged into the Gulf of Mexico within 12 hours and quickly re-intensified again to attain its peak winds of 120 mph km/h on 5 on August 26. It soon slowed and turned due west, maintaining its intensity. Late on August 27, the storm made its final landfall in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. Rapid weakening took place as it drifted onshore into the mountainous terrain of Mexico, the storm then dissipated the following afternoon. Impact Caribbean Prior to the hurricane's devastating impacts in Mexico, it brought heavy rains and high winds to several of the northern Caribbean Islands. The first to be affected by the storm were the Leeward Islands; however, no known damage resulted from its passage. Moderate rain and gusty winds were reported in Puerto Rico as well as the Dominican Republic and Jamaica.Partagás, p. 7 In eastern Jamaica, between Aquavale and Hope, the banana crop was largely destroyed.The Evening Herald August 26, 1909 October 10, 2021 Hurricane Hits Bananas https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86849384/ 5 59 Newspapers.com Haiti suffered severe damage reported in many towns, with homes destroyed and many homeless. Much of Cuba was also impacted by the storm, with winds up to 60 mph km/h on 5 being recorded as far north as Havana.Partagás, p. 8 Mexico thumb|230x230px|Catastrophic flooding in Monterrey during the storm Although a borderline Category 2–3 hurricane when it made landfall in the Yucatán Peninsula, little is known about the storm's impact in the region. The United Fruit Company steamship, Cartago, encountered adverse conditions in the hurricane while traversing the Yucatán Channel about 25 mi km on offshore. Rocked by severe winds up to 100 mph km/h on 5 and swells for 12 hours, the ship suffered damage to its pilothouse, starboard deck, and railings. Aside from seasickness, none of the vessel's 24 crewmen were injured. However, following the hurricane's second landfall, the resulting damage was catastrophic. During the overnight hours between August 27 and 28, cities along the coastline of Tamaulipas likely sustained severe damage from the hurricane's storm surge and high winds. Newspaper reports stated winds reached 60 mph km/h on in Veracruz and 75 to 90 mph km/h on from Tampico to Matamoros in Tamaulipas.Natchez Democrat August 28, 1909 October 10, 2021 Winds 90 Miles https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86848730/ 1 37 231 Newspapers.com right left|thumb|220x220px|People stumble across the devastation in Monterrey after the flooding caused by the hurricane The worst of the damage took place further inland, within the state of Nuevo León. There, torrential rainfall triggered a flood even exceeding 100-year flood values.Staff Writer The New York Times August 29, 1909 Parts of City Washed Away 1 According to meteorologists in Mexico, the storm dropped 17.5 in mm on of rain over a 40‑hour span.Staff Writer The New York Times August 30, 1909 1,200 Persons Lost In Monterrey Flood 1Staff Writer The New York Times August 28, 1909 Rain Fell For 40 Hours 1 Further rains fell for the following 32 hours, worsening the situation. Adobe homes that survived the initial onslaught collapsed in these rains, killing many people. The rising Santa Catarina River flowed into the San Juan River, causing an abrupt rise and subsequent overflow of water that caught residents off-guard. Multiple small communities were swept away in the ensuing floods.The Morning Call August 30, 1909 October 10, 2021 1,500 Drown in Big Cloudburst https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86850565/ 1 55 52 Newspapers.com thumb|200x200px|Destroyed buildings in Monterrey after the flood According to Mexican officials, overnight on August 27, the reservoir dam near Nuevo León's capital city, Monterrey, burst, flooding more than half of the buildings in the city, as well as all of the nearby town of San Luisto.Staff Writer The Miami News August 30, 1909 May 17, 2010 List Of Lost Is More Than Thousand https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tQIvAAAAIBAJ&sjid=idQFAAAAIBAJ&dq=1909%20monterrey%20flood&pg=4227%2C1051316 1 The normally 150 yd m on wide river swelled to 0.75 mi km on wide. Steel works and smelters situated along the Santa Catarina River were destroyed after the river rose well over its banks. Hundreds of homes were destroyed throughout the city, leaving an estimated 20,000 people homeless. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, an enormous 235,000 ft3 (6,650 m3) of water was being moved per second during the height of the flood.American Society of Civil Engineers, p. 1669 The raging rivers finally subsided by August 30.The Semi-Weekly New Era September 1, 1909 October 10, 2021 Total Dead Placed at 1,400 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86851687/ 2 33 32 Newspapers.com thumb|left|The San Luisito bridge destroyed after the flood|215x215px At the height of the floods, residents were forced to seek refuge on the roofs of two-story buildings; however, the Santa Catarina River was flowing at a very fast pace of 20 mph km/h on. The force of the current led to most homes being taken off their foundations and sent downstream, resulting in the deaths of anyone inside. In one incident, 90 people died after seeking refuge in a school after their homes collapsed. However, not long after entering the building, flood waters inundated the structure and caused it to collapse. By the morning, survivors reported that the state of the city was "indescribable".Staff Writer The New York Times August 29, 1909 800 Mexicans Die In Flood 1 thumb|205x205px|People attempting to rescue civilians in the midst of the flooding in Monterrey The San Francisco church, built in 1572, was destroyed during the storm. Damage from the hurricane was estimated to have been at least $50 million (1909 USD; $US 50000000 1909 2  USD).Staff Writer The New York Times August 31, 1909 Flood Death List Now Reaches 2,000 4 Of this, roughly $20 million was attributed to railroad losses. Throughout Mexico, reports indicated that about 4,000 people were killed as a result of the storm,Staff Writer El Periódico de Nuevo León August 27, 2009 May 16, 2010 Inundación de Monterrey en 1909 http://elperiodicodenuevoleon.com/2009/08/inundacion-de-monterrey-en-1909/ es dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090902150909/http://elperiodicodenuevoleon.com/2009/08/inundacion-de-monterrey-en-1909/ September 2, 2009 making it one of the deadliest Atlantic hurricanes on record.Edward N. Rappaport Jose Fernandez-Partagas Jack L. Beven National Hurricane Center April 22, 1997 May 16, 2010 The Deadliest Atlantic Tropical Cyclones, 1492-1996 http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pastdeadlyapp1.shtml? June 13, 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20060613202314/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pastdeadlyapp1.shtml live Some estimates place the death toll as high as 5,000 and others as low as 3,000. Of these fatalities, 800 are believed to have been in the south side of Monterrey where four blocks of the city were completely destroyed. United States While the hurricane traversed Cuba on August 24, the United States National Weather Bureau issued hurricane warnings for southern Florida between Tampa and Jupiter and advised ships to avoid the eastern Gulf and South Atlantic.The Gazette August 25, 1909 October 10, 2021 Hurricane Warnings https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86849133/ 10 108 203 Newspapers.com Ahead of the hurricane's landfall in Mexico, the Weather Bureau raised storm and hurricane warnings for the Texas coast on August 27.Chattanooga Daily Times August 28, 1909 October 10, 2021 Fruit Steamer Passes Through a Hurricane https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86847090/ 3 Newspapers.com Upon landfall, the storm's northern half brought increased swells and gusty winds to, recorded up to 68 mph km/h on, to parts of southern Texas. Tides were described as the highest in several years. Tarpon Beach was devastated by surging waters, with every structure except the lighthouse and quarantine station being damaged or destroyed.Chattanooga Daily Times August 28, 1909 October 10, 2021 Damage at Tarpon Beach https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86846723/ 3 Newspapers.com thumb|Photo showing waves battering the seawall in Galveston, Texas, from the hurricane on August 27 Debris from the town washed ashore 3 mi km on away at Point Island. Rescued personnel from Brazos Santiago were able to save all of the stranded residents as waters rose. The coastlines of Mustang Island and San José Island straddling Aransas Pass were submerged.The Fort Worth Record and Register August 28, 1909 October 10, 2021 Much Anxiety At Corpus Christi https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86847090/ 1 13 316 Newspapers.com Low-lying areas north of Corpus Christi were inundated by 1 to 3 ft m on of water and several piers were damaged. A tornado near Beeville destroyed a large barn and outhouse. Rainfall from the hurricane reached 7.8 in mm on in Falfurrias between August 27 and 28.Rainfall Associated With Hurricanes (And Other Tropical Disturbances) http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/1956NHRPreportNo3.pdf United States Weather Bureau's National Hurricane Research Project October 10, 2021 Schoner R.W. Molansky S. 91 December 29, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161229173023/http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/1956NHRPreportNo3.pdf live Twenty-four-hour rainfall reached 5.88 in mm on in La Parra, a state record for the month of August at the time.Texas Hurricane History http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/research/txhur.pdf PDF Weather Prediction Center October 10, 2021 David Roth May 28, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100528012717/http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/research/txhur.pdf live 33–34 Overall damage in the state was minimal from the storm and there were no deaths.World Meteorological Organization 1909 May 16, 2010 1909 Monthly Weather Review http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/1909.pdf March 3, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160303193553/http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/1909.pdf live Aftermath Crippled communication networks and infrastructure hampered relief efforts in the immediate aftermath. More than 60 mi km on of railway was destroyed and numerous roads were washed out. The city of Monterrey was entirely cut-off and within days, food supplies were low and residents were at risk of famine. Local water supplies were rendered useless. Many residents and visitors in the city did all they could to help rescue those trapped in the flood waters and take care of the homeless. According to The New York Times, one person rescued 30 people stranded in flood waters. Numerous rescue operations were undertaken during the flood, saving many lives. However, survivors faced another issue after losing their homes: lack of food. Food was unavailable to most residents in the wake of the storm until August 31 when the first relief supplies arrived. Even then, most only received a small amount of bread and beans. Municipal authorities and the American Consulate provided bread, coffee, and soup to more than 10,000 people. Benefit performances and bull fights were planned to raise charity money. American Consulate General Hanna appealed for American aid on August 30 and the American Red Cross appealed for $20,000.The Semi-Weekly New Era September 1, 1909 October 10, 2021 An Appeal for Assistance https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86851687/ 2 33 32 Newspapers.com The Semi-Weekly New Era September 1, 1909 October 10, 2021 The Mexican Disaster https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86851687/ 2 33 32 Newspapers.com Once the flood along the Santa Catarina River receded, searches were conducted to attempt to locate the bodies of victims. However, reports indicated that the river bed was similar to quicksand and most bodies on it were likely underground. To deal with the large number of bodies in the wake of the disaster, Mexican officials decided to cremate and mass bury victims.Special News Service Dawson Daily News September 3, 1909 May 17, 2010 Burning The Bodies Of Flood Victims https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=D4gmAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0ScDAAAAIBAJ&dq=1909%20monterrey%20flood&pg=3976%2C676371 53 By mid-September, between 1,600 and 1,800 people were hired to repair and rebuild the devastated railways in Nuevo León.Staff Writer The Christian Science Monitor September 16, 1909 Twenty Millions Mexican R.R. Loss 7 In 2009, the third edition of the book El Río Fiera Bramaba: 1909 by Oswaldo Sánchez, re-accounting reports form people who experienced the flood, was planned. According to the director of publications at the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, the book was considered one of historical quality. In memory of those who perished during the flood, the book was released to the public on August 27, 2009, the 100 year anniversary of the disaster.Milenio August 20, 2009 May 16, 2010 Reeditan texto que narra tragedia de 1909 http://www.milenio.com/node/270813 esSeptember 2016 medicmedicUniversidad Autónoma de Nuevo León January 9, 2009 "El Rio Fiera…" 100 Years after the Floods http://noticias.uanl.mx/interes/descripcion.php?id_not=253&lang=en 23 May 2010 August 2018 InternetArchiveBot yes See also Tropical cyclones List of deadliest Atlantic hurricanes Hurricane Alex (2010) - Caused similarly disastrous flooding in Monterrey Hurricane Charlie (1951) Hurricane Gilbert References General Partagás, José Fernández Diaz, H. A Reconstruction of Historical Tropical Cyclone Frequency in the Atlantic from Documentary and other Historical Sources Part VI: 1909-1910 1999 Climate Diagnostics Center Sánchez, Oswaldo El Río Fiera Bramaba: 1909 1989 Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León American Society of Civil Engineers Proceedings of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Volume 36, Part 2 1910 American Society of Civil Engineers Specific 2 External links Monthly Weather Review for 1909 Category:Category 3 Atlantic hurricanes Category:1909 Atlantic hurricane season Category:Hurricanes in Texas Category:Hurricanes in the Leeward Islands Category:Hurricanes in Cuba Category:Hurricanes in the Dominican Republic Category:Hurricanes in Haiti Category:Atlantic hurricanes in Mexico Category:1909 natural disasters in the United States Category:1909 in Mexico Category:August 1909 in North America