1930 San Zenón hurricane: Difference between revisions
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[[Category:Hurricanes in Cuba|* (1930)]] |
[[Category:Hurricanes in Cuba|* (1930)]] |
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[[Category:Hurricanes in Florida|* (1930)]] |
[[Category:Hurricanes in Florida|* (1930)]] |
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[[Category:1930 in the United States]] |
[[Category:1930 in the United States]] |
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[[Category:1930 in the Dominican Republic]] |
[[Category:1930 in the Dominican Republic]] |
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Revision as of 07:45, 8 February 2011
| Category 4 major hurricane (SSHWS/NWS) | |
 Surface weather analysis of the hurricane | |
| Formed | August 25, 1930 |
|---|---|
| Dissipated | September 17, 1930 |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 155 mph (250 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 933 mbar (hPa); 27.55 inHg |
| Fatalities | 2,000–8,000 |
| Damage | $50 million (1930 USD) |
| Areas affected | Dominican Republic, Haiti, Cuba, Florida |
| Part of the 1930 Atlantic hurricane season | |
The 1930 Dominican Republic Hurricane, also known as Hurricane San Zenon, is the fifth deadliest Atlantic hurricane on record. The second of two known tropical cyclones in the 1930 Atlantic hurricane season, the hurricane was first observed on August 25 near the Cape Verde islands. The cyclone was a small but intense Category 4 hurricane, killing as many as 8,000 people when it crossed Hispaniola.
Meteorological history
Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
Unknown
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depressionThe cyclone was first observed on August 25 as a tropical storm to the south of the Cape Verde islands, likely having developed from a tropical wave. It gradually intensified,[1] and with a ridge to its north and a strong westerly flow, the storm tracked nearly due westward.[2] On August 31, the storm attained hurricane status while located about 385 miles (620 km) east of Guadeloupe.[3] Operationally, the hurricane was first observed on September 1, while the storm was passing through the Lesser Antilles as an intensifying hurricane. Based on north winds in Dominica to south winds in Barbados, the evidence of the circulation prompted an observer to report, "[there are] evidences of an approaching hurricane." Cautionary advice was immediately sent out from Barbados to Saint Lucia, and based on additional ship and island reports, the National Weather Bureau issued storm warnings for the southern coasts of Puerto Rico and Hispaniola.[4]
After passing over or near Dominica, the hurricane entered the Caribbean Sea with winds of 100 mph (160 km/h), the equivalence of a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale. A small cyclone, the hurricane continued west-northwestward, passing just south of Puerto Rico on September 2 after attaining major hurricane status. After passing by the island, its forward motion decelerated to a forward speed of about 8 mph (13 km/h). This allowed the hurricane to continue to intensify, despite its proximity to land. At 1800 UTC on September 3, the hurricane made landfall near Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic with peak winds of 155 mph (249 km/h) and a pressure of 933 mbar. The worst of the hurricane occurred in a 20-mile (32 km) diameter of its landfall location. Since it was still strengthening after the ship reported the pressure, it is possible it strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane right as it was making landfall, but there was no data to support an upgrade.[4][4]
The mountainous terrain of Hispaniola rapidly weakened the hurricane, and by about 6 hours after moving ashore the winds decreased to tropical storm status. The cyclone spent less than 12 hours over the Windward Passage before striking southeastern Cuba with winds of 60 mph (97 km/h) on September 4. It briefly emerged into the Caribbean Sea on September 5, but moved back ashore as it continued to weaken on its west-northwest direction. On September 6, the tropical storm reached the Gulf of Mexico with winds of 40 mph (64 km/h). It slowly recurved northeastward, and on September 9 struck near Tampa, Florida without restrengthening. After crossing the state, the storm reorganized over the Gulf Stream as it accelerated northeastward, and on September 12 again attained hurricane status about 95 miles (155 km) southeast of Cape Fear, North Carolina. On September 13, the hurricane turned eastward, and attained a secondary peak intensity of 100 mph (160 km/h) the following day about 310 miles (500 km) north of Bermuda. The hurricane gradually weakened over the north Atlantic Ocean and on September 17 dissipated to the west of the Azores Islands.[3][4]
Impact
| Deadliest Atlantic hurricanes | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Hurricane | Season | Fatalities |
| 1 | ? "Great Hurricane" | 1780 | 22,000–27,501 |
| 2 | 5 Mitch | 1998 | 11,374+ |
| 3 | 2 Fifi | 1974 | 8,210–10,000 |
| 4 | 4 "Galveston" | 1900 | 8,000–12,000 |
| 5 | 4 Flora | 1963 | 7,193 |
| 6 | ? "Pointe-à-Pitre" | 1776 | 6,000+ |
| 7 | 5 "Okeechobee" | 1928 | 4,112+ |
| 8 | ? "Newfoundland" | 1775 | 4,000–4,163 |
| 9 | 3 "Monterrey" | 1909 | 4,000 |
| 10 | 4 "San Ciriaco" | 1899 | 3,855 |
Winds of 80 to 100 mph (160 km/h) were reported on Dominica, with winds of hurricane force winds reported across the Lesser Antilles.[4] Initial damage reports immediately following the storm were scarce, though ship reports indicated damage was heaviest on Dominica. There, the hurricane caused severe damage to crops and buildings across the island, particularly in the capital city of Roseau. The hurricane killed 20 people on the island.[5] Rough seas also occurred along the coast of Saint Kitts, and a ship recorded a pressure of 969 mbar near the island.[6]
In southern Puerto Rico, the winds caused minor to moderate damage to plantations. Rainfall across the island was dispersed unusually; the maximum amount on the island was over 6 inches (150 mm) in Cabo Rojo on the southwestern portion of the island, while the minimum amount was under 1 inch (25 mm) at a location in the center of the southern coastline. Rainfall reached over 2 inches (51 mm) inches along the northern coast, with totals varying from 1 inch (25 mm) to 4 inches (100 mm) in the mountainous interior. The precipitation was considered generally beneficial, due to previously dry conditions across the island.[4]
On September 3 the storm was a Category 4 when it struck the Dominican Republic capital city of Santo Domingo,[7] leaving a path of destruction around 20 miles (32 km) wide. Wind gusts in the city were estimated from 150 miles per hour (240 km/h) to 200 miles per hour (320 km/h);[8] a gust of 180 miles per hour (290 km/h) was recorded by a Pan-American Airways anemometer before it was blown away. Similarly, another observation in the capital city recorded winds of 100 miles per hour (160 km/h) before the roof it was on was damaged.[4] Three entire districts of the city were almost completely destroyed, and an Associated Press report indicated there was [scarcely] a wreck of a wall left standing.[9] Overall, the hurricane leveled about half of the entire city.[10] Due to its small nature, villagers 75 miles (120 km) from the landfall location had no knowledge of the storm. Heavy rainfall from the storm flooded the Ozama River and increased its flow to 15 mph (24 km/h), which prevented boats from traversing the river.[11] The passage of the hurricane caused severe damage estimated at $15–$50 million (1930 USD), with the storm considered a major disaster in the area. The Red Cross estimated 2,000 people perished in the city, with an additional 8,000 injured.[4] However, the death toll may never be known, and historians estimate the hurricane left between 2,000 to 8,000 killed.[12]
Minor effects were reported away from the coast; the mountainous terrain of Hispaniola greatly weakened the hurricane, which prevented significant amounts of further deaths or damage.[4] Effects in the mountainous areas included downed trees and crop damage.[11] In Haiti, the hurricane produced locally gusty winds and heavy amounts of rainfall, though exact damage details for the nation are unknown.[9] Despite crossing the island of Cuba, no damage or deaths were reported there. Upon moving through the U.S. state of Florida, the storm remained severely weakened; during its passage a pressure of 1006 mbar was reported in Tampa, the lowest pressure in the state. The threat of the hurricane prompted the National Weather Bureau to issue storm warnings from Southport, North Carolina through the Virginia Capes. The strongest winds remained offshore, with minor damage reported along the Outer Banks. On Cape Lookout, the hurricane downed 12 small-frame buildings and damaged the city's Coast Guard headquarters. Power outages were also reported, leaving some areas on the Outer Banks isolated from communication to the outside world.[11]
Aftermath
Relief work in the Dominican Republic began immediately after the hurricane, personally organized by President Rafael Leónidas Trujillo. The president deployed the entire nation's military within 24 hours of the passage of the hurricane. By the day after its passage, lack of food had become a problem, and large numbers of robberies had occurred.[9] The winds downed all communications inside of the city,[11] leaving damage details unknown until communications were partially restored a day after its landfall. The city plant of the newspaper La Opinión was destroyed, with three staff members killed; the remaining workers transmitted a damage story to offices in New York City, and included a plea for disaster assistance. The Red Cross office in Washington, D.C. sent $15,000 (1930 USD) in aid a day after the hurricane struck.[9]
See also
References
- ^ Chris Landsea (2005-06-28). "The Atlantic Hurricane Database Reanalysis for 1911 to 1930" (PPT). Hurricane Research Division/NOAA. Retrieved 2007-04-04.
- ^ F.A. Young (1930-09-01). "Weather Map of the North Atlantic Ocean" (PDF). United States Weather Bureau. Retrieved 2007-04-04.
- ^ a b NHC Hurricane Research Division (2006-02-17). "Atlantic hurricane best track". NOAA. Retrieved 2007-04-04.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i F. Eugene Hartwell (1930). "The Santo Domingo Hurricane of September 1 to 5, 1930" (PDF). Weather Bureau Office in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Retrieved 2007-04-04. Cite error: The named reference "mwr" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ The Daily Gleaner (1930-09-04). "Threatening Hurricane Turns from the Island". Retrieved 2007-04-13.
- ^ Jamaica Weather Service (1930-09-02). "First Caribbean Hurricane of the Season Reported". The Daily Gleaner. Retrieved 2007-04-12.
- ^ "Hurricanes in the Dominican Republic". dr1.com. Retrieved 4 September 2010.
- ^ De Besault, Lawrence (2007). President Trujillo - His Work and the Dominican Republic. READ BOOKS. pp. 265–6. ISBN 140674641X.
- ^ a b c d Associated Press (1930-09-04). "Santo Domingo Destroyed". Retrieved 2007-04-13.
- ^ Associated Press (1930-09-04). "Santo Domingo President Heads Relief Work". Retrieved 2007-04-14.
- ^ a b c d Various (1930). "Appendices to the Santo Domingo Hurricane of September 1 to 5, 1930" (PDF). Weather Bureau Office. Retrieved 2007-04-12.
- ^ Edward N. Rappaport, Jose Fernandez-Partagas, and Jack Beven (1997). "The Deadliest Atlantic Tropical Cyclones, 1492-1996". NOAA. Retrieved 2007-04-12.
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