the great havana-bermuda hurricane of 1926
on october 14 tropical depression developed in southern caribbean sea 350 mi (563 km) north-northwest of colón, panama. strengthening minimal tropical storm next day, gradually curved north-northwest on next 4 days, becoming hurricane on october 18. intensified major hurricane on october 19 turned northward toward western cuba. shortly before striking isla de la juventud south of nueva gerona, attained maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (233 km/h) on october 20. cyclone continued strengthening, peaking @ 150 mph (240 km/h) before making landfall on cuban mainland south of güira de melena. center passed 10 mi (16 km) east of capital havana before entering straits of florida 80 mi (129 km) south of key west, florida. cyclone weakened , turned northeast on october 21, passing within 20 mi (32.2 km) of florida keys while remaining east of florida. 2 days later, 48 hours after turning east-northeast, cyclone passed on bermuda late on october 22 sustained winds 120 mph (190 km/h); hamilton, bermuda, recorded calm winds , 963.4 mb (28.45 inhg) in eye, along sustained winds 102 mph (164 km/h) gusts 138 mph (222 km/h) afterward. 3 days thereafter, on october 25 storm executed clockwise, semicircular loop south-southwest, , day later lost hurricane intensity. gradually curving west, cyclone dissipated on october 28, though once believed have been extratropical cyclone october 23.
the hurricane inflicted devastation along path, causing @ least 709 deaths in cuba , bermuda. upon striking cuba, hurricane caused catastrophic damage , many 600 deaths. several small towns in storm s path destroyed , damage estimates exceeded $100 million (1928 usd). in upper florida keys , on key biscayne, minimal hurricane conditions occurred, causing minor damage in south florida. in bermuda, 40% of structures damaged , 2 homes destroyed, otherwise damage light in harbor. while weather forecasters knew of storm s approach on bermuda, covered thousand miles bahamas bermuda rapidly apparently struck few warning signs aside heavy swells. on october 21, eye of storm still 700 mi (1,130 km) bermuda, weather forecasts united states called hurricane strike island on following morning gale force. arabis-class sloop hms valerian, based @ hmd bermuda, returning providing hurricane relief in bahamas , overtaken storm shortly before make harbour. unable enter through bermuda s reefline, fought storm more 5 hours before sunk loss of 85 men. british merchant ship eastway sunk near bermuda. when centre of storm passed on bermuda, winds increased 114 mph (183 km/h) @ prospect camp, whereupon army took down anemometer protect it. royal naval dockyard being hammered , never took anemometer down. measured 138 mph (222 km/h) @ 13:00 utc, before wind destroyed it.
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