1949 Florida hurricane

Infobox Hurricane
Name=1949 Florida hurricane
Type=hurricane
Year=1949
Basin=Atl
Formed=August 23, 1949
Dissipated=August 31, 1949
1-min winds=111
Pressure=954
Da

Inflated=0
Fatalities=2 direct
Areas=Turks and Caicos Islands, The Bahamas, Florida, Eastern United States
Hurricane season=1949 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 1949 Florida hurricane was the strongest and most intense tropical cyclone of the 1949 Atlantic hurricane season. It was the most intense tropical cyclone to affect the United States during the season, with a minimum central pressure of 954 mbar (28.18 inHg) at landfall.cite web|author=Atlantic hurricane research division|year=2008|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/ushurrlist18512007.txt|title=All U.S. Hurricanes (1851-2007)|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2008-10-01] The cyclone originated from an easterly wave near the Leeward Islands,cite web|author=Zoch, Richmond T|year=1949|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/077/mwr-077-12-0339.pdf|title=North Atlantic Hurricanes and Tropical Disturbances of 1949|publisher=U.S. Weather Bureau|accessdate=2008-10-01] and it rapidly intensified to a hurricane near the Bahamas. It strengthened to a major hurricane northwest of Nassau, Bahamas, and it struck West Palm Beach, Florida as a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 130 mph (205 km/h)Bush et al, p. 212] and peak gusts near 150 mph (240 km/h) above the surface.Norcross, Bryan (2007). "Hurricane Almanac." St. Martin's Griffin.] It turned north over the Florida peninsula, and it transitioned to an extratropical low pressure area over New England. The tropical cyclone inflicted $52,000,000 (1949 USD) in damage, most of which was incurred in the state of Florida. It was the costliest storm of the season.

Meteorological history

On August 23, a moderate tropical storm developed 200 miles (323 km) east of Sint Maarten.cite web|author=Atlantic hurricane research division|year=2008|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/tracks1851to2007-apr08.txt|title=Atlantic hurricane best track (1851–2007)|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2008-10-01] Operationally, the system was treated as an easterly wave until it moved through the Bahamas. It is believed that the system originated near the Cape Verde islands.Barnes, p. 183] On August 24, the tropical storm passed north of the Leeward Islands and San Juan, Puerto Rico. The tropical storm strengthened to a minimal hurricane with 75 mph (120 km/h) winds on August 25. Subsequently, it strengthened rapidly, and the cyclone was noted as "well developed" when it passed near Nassau with 115 mph (185 km/h) winds on the morning of August 26. At the time, it was the equivalent of a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. The storm strengthened further over the Gulf Stream, and it moved ashore over the city of West Palm Beach as a strong Category 3 hurricane around 7:20 p.m. EDT. The city's airport reported calm conditions from 7:20–7:40 p.m., and the minimum central pressure of 954 mbar (28.18 inHg) was measured at the site. Peak gusts were recorded at 125 mph (205 km/h) before the anemometer blew away. A maximum sustained wind of 153 mph (246 km/h) was reported from the Jupiter Inlet Light station prior to the loss of the anemometer; although conditions were slightly more severe after the reading, reliable estimates are unavailable. The Atlantic hurricane database lists the cyclone as a strong Category 4 hurricane at landfall. The wind reading is the basis for the Category 4 designation in the Atlantic hurricane database, although a reduction from the anemometer's elevated location leads credence to a weaker system.Norcross, Bryan (2007). "Hurricane Almanac." St. Martin's Griffin.] Officially, the system is designated as a Category 3 hurricane in the state of Florida, based on maximum sustained winds at the surface.

Inland, the hurricane moved over the northern portion of Lake Okeechobee, following a similar path as the 1928 Okeechobee hurricane. On August 27, the hurricane recurved over the Florida peninsula, and it weakened to a Category 1 hurricane northeast of Tampa. The system diminished to a tropical storm near Cedar Key, and it entered southern Georgia during the morning of August 28. The system passed over the Carolinas as a weak tropical storm, and it was operationally noted as a "weak disturbance" at the time. The cyclone passed through the Mid-Atlantic states and New England on August 29; it became extratropical over New Hampshire. On August 31, the extratropical low was last detected over the western North Atlantic Ocean.

Preparations

On August 25, the northern Bahamas were advised to initiate hurricane precautions, and a Hurricane Warning was issued for the islands. South Floridians were encouraged to closely monitor the progress of the storm.cite web|author=The Associated Press|year=1949|url=http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
|title=South Florida Put on Alert for Hurricane|publisher=Moberly Monitor-Index|accessdate=2008-10-02] On August 26, Hurricane Warnings were released from Miami to Vero Beach; officials decided to cancel proposed evacuations of the Lake Okeechobee region, as the presence of the Herbert Hoover Dike was expected to prevent flooding.cite web|author=The Associated Press|year=1949|url=http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
|title=Hurricane Due to Hit Florida this Afternoon|publisher=Moberly Monitor-Index|accessdate=2008-10-02]

Impact

In the Bahamas, the cyclone produced 120 mph (195 km/h) wind gusts on Bimini. Damages in the Bahamas are unknown.

In total, the hurricane produced hurricane force gusts from Miami Beach to Saint Augustine. The majority of the state experienced sustained winds of at least 50 mph (85 km/h). The storm produced the most severe conditions over the Lake Okeechobee region since 1928, and peak gusts were measured from 100 (161 km/h)–126 mph (203 km/h) near the lake. The minimum central pressure near Lake Okeechobee was 956 mbar (28.24 inHg) at Canal Point; pressures were below 982 mbar (29.00 inHg) as far north as Levy County, which is located in the Big Bend of the state.

On the southeast coast of Florida, unofficial wind gusts reached 155 mph (250 km/h) at Palm Beach and 160 mph (260 km/h) at Stuart, respectively. Vero Beach reported sustained winds of 97 mph (156 km/h) and peak gusts of 110 mph (177 km/h).cite web|url=http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
|title=Continued from Page One|publisher=Chester Times|accessdate=2008-10-01] Tides reached 12 feet (144 in) above normal at Belle Glade and Clewiston, but the Herbert Hoover Dike remained intact, protecting the area from severe flooding. Minimal erosion occurred in some locales. Palm Beach, Jupiter, and Stuart experienced the most severe damage from the storm in south Florida; hundreds of homes, apartment buildings, stores, and warehouse buildings lost roofs and windows. Interior furnishings were blown through broken glass into the streets.Barnes, p. 184] 40 percent of Stuart's residences and commercial structures received severe damage, and 90 percent required repairs. A church, baseball park, and ice company was destroyed in the area's black neighborhoods. Many flimsy buildings were destroyed in the neighborhoods. In West Palm Beach, cars were overturned in the interior of a dealership as winds shattered windows. Sand and debris covered the island of Palm Beach. Heavy rainfall resulted in flooding, and water entered many homes in Palm Beach and Martin counties. Snakes and mosquitoes infested many residences. Precipitation totals of 8.18, 7.10, and 9.51 inches were measured at Belle Glade, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie Lock, respectively. Miami received less damage, although trees and power lines were knocked down. Winds reached 60 mph (97 km/h) in the city. Radio towers were toppled in Lake Worth and Belle Glade, and three portions of the Jensen causeway near Sewall's Point were ripped away. A hangar and beacon was destroyed at the local airport in Martin County.cite web|author=The Associated Press|year=1949|url=http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
|title=Hurricane Batters Florida Coast|publisher=The Winona Republican-Herald|accessdate=2008-10-01] 500 people were homeless in Stuart.cite web|author=The Associated Press|year=1949|url=http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
|title=Tropical Gale Cuts Wide Swath of Destruction Across Florida|publisher=Moberly Monitor-Index|accessdate=2008-10-01] Bush et al, p. 204] A water mark of 8.5 feet (102 in) was recorded on the St. Lucie River near Stuart.Bush et al, p. 204]

The cyclone inflicted heavy "Citrus" losses, and one-third of the trees were uprooted in many groves. Agricultural losses reached $20 million (1949 USD), including 14 million boxes of fruit.Barnes, p. 185] 75 mph (120 km/h) wind gusts affected Clermont, and numerous central Florida communities reported severe damage from the winds. The observation station at Archbold Biological Station reported peak wind gusts of 110 mph (175 km/h); the town of Sebring reported 125 mph (205 km/h) gusts, which caused damage to trees and severe structural damage. Estimations of property damage reached $100,000 (1949 USD) in the town, and local "Citrus" groves estimated losses near $2,000,000 (1949 USD). Buildings received considerable damage in the Lake Placid area, and telegraph, telephone, rail, and bus services were disrupted.cite web|author=Lohrer, Fred E|url=http://www.archbold-station.org/ABS/album/album-events/hurricanenews19481949.htm|title=Hurricanes at Archbold Biological Station, 1948 & 1949|publisher=Archbold Biological Station|accessdate=2008-10-02] Flooding affected Georgia and the Carolinas, although the rains alleviated drought conditions in Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, and New England. Charleston, South Carolina reported a wind gust of 80 mph (129 km/h), and power lines were damaged. In Maryland, damage was minimal, although trees were prostrated and electrical services were down.cite web|author=The Associated Press|year=1949|url=http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
|title=Big Hurricane Blows Itself Out|publisher=The Maryville Daily Forum|accessdate=2008-10-01] Two people were killed in Florida, and advance warnings prevented a higher death toll.

External resources

*Barnes, Jay (1998). "Florida's Hurricane History." Chapel Hill Press.
*Bush, David M. et al (2004). "Living with Florida's Atlantic Beaches: Coastal Hazards from Amelia Island to Key West." Duke University Press.

References