the great miami hurricane of 1926
by 12:00 utc on september 11—just twelve hours after formation of preceding cyclone—a new tropical storm formed in atlantic 1,100 mi (1,770 km) east of island of martinique, though originated earlier , undetected; operationally, storm not tracked until september 14. steadily moving north of due west, cyclone became hurricane next day, , on next 3 days, while bypassing greater antilles north, continued intensify major hurricane, maximum sustained winds of @ least 111 mph (179 km/h), yet few ships near eye determine path. on afternoon of september 16, cyclone peaked @ 150 mph (240 km/h), near upper threshold of modern-day classification of category 4, , shortly thereafter passed 10 mi (16.1 km) north of island of grand turk, striking mayaguana @ peak intensity next day. continuing on south-central bahamas , andros island on september 17–18, cyclone, winds of 145 mph (233 km/h), struck south florida near perrine, 15 mi (24 km) south of downtown miami, shortly before 12:00 utc on september 18, large eye passing on miami metropolitan area. swiftly crossing southernmost florida, potent hurricane weakened before entering gulf of mexico near punta rassa in afternoon, , path gradually curved northwest on september 19. late on september 20, path slowed drastically , curved west, making landfall near perdido beach, alabama, winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) , measured pressure of 954.9 mb (28.20 inhg) in calm eye. weakening thereafter, cyclone paralleled coasts of alabama , mississippi, dissipating on louisiana on september 22.
throughout bahamas, reports of damage relatively scarce despite intensity storm struck region. however, numerous structures destroyed. storm attributed 372 deaths in southeastern united states, 114 of took place in miami , @ least 150 @ moore haven, storm surge estimated high 15 ft (4.57 m) overtopped portions of levee on lake okeechobee. many people in miami, transients knew little of hurricanes, perished after examining damage during passage of eye, unaware end of storm approaching. flimsy structures built house workers during florida land boom of 1920s leveled. hurricane partially contributed end of land boom, in decline 1926. in terms of monetary losses, damage hurricane estimated high $125 million (1926 usd). 4,725 structures throughout southern florida destroyed , 8,100 damaged, leaving @ least 38,000 people displaced. storm surge of 14 ft (4.27 m) occurred south of miami , winds on miami beach recorded @ 130 mph (210 km/h) before anemometer blew away. lowest pressure estimated @ 930 mb (27.46 inhg), seventh intense in storm strike united states. storm produced significant damage, rainfall 16.2 in (411.48 mm), , storm surge 14.2 ft (4.33 m) in florida panhandle. entire state of florida lost 35% of grapefruit , orange crops combined, including 100% losses in miami area. in study of hurricane damage statistics conducted in 2008, estimated if storm similar of miami hurricane occur in 2005 result in on $140–157 billion in damage. in all, storm caused @ least 478 deaths along path accounting revised toll in united states since 2003. storm s slow movement caused produce substantial effects coastal regions between mobile , pensacola; these areas experienced heavy damage wind, rain, , storm surge. wind records @ pensacola indicate city encountered sustained winds of hurricane force more 20 hours, including winds above 100 mph (161 km/h) five hours. storm tide destroyed waterfront structures on pensacola bay , peaked @ 14 ft (4.3 m) near bagdad, florida. rainfall maximized @ bay minette, alabama, 18.5 in (470 mm) fell.
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